Story originally printed in the Vernon Broadcaster or online at www.vernonbroadcaster.com
Published - Friday, June 02, 2006
New Walgreens store damaged by vandals
The new Walgreens store going up on Main Street in Viroqua was damaged by vandals early Friday morning.
Viroqua Police Department Investigator David Mattice said “substantial” damage was caused by rocks being thrown at two large thermal pane windows. One of the windows was located at the front entrance of the building while another was located near the drive-up window.
“That is tempered glass, so the replacement cost is going to be relatively high,” Mattice said.
Viroqua Police Chief Mark Rahr said the incident was being investigated as a criminal damage to property case. He said there’s no evidence anyone tried to enter the building.
The Walgreens’ development has been a source of public debate. The sign for the building includes an electronic message board, the variance for which was approved three days before the city adopted a new sign ordinance which forbids the signs. Three other businesses have requested having similar signs only to find out they are against the city’s sign ordinance.
Last week the Viroqua City Council deadlocked at 4-4 over whether to give final approval to $600,000 in TIF (Tax Incremental Finance) funding for the development of the Walgreens’ site. The preliminary approval for the funding was granted by the council months ago. The issue is to come before the council again in the near future.
Two locally-owned Viroqua pharmacies, the Langhus Pharmacy and the Dahl Pharmacy, are set to close once Walgreens opens either later this month or in July.
The authorities are asking anyone with information regarding damage to the Walgreens’ site to call the Viroqua Police Department at (608) 637-2121.
All stories copyright 2006 Vernon Broadcaster and other attributed sources.