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Outsider: Dizzying political shenanigans make election a laugh riot (2008/08/27)
Barack Obama gave American "change it can believe in" by choosing 35-year Congressional alumni Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate.

A compromise idea offered for Dairyland’s planned landfill (2008/08/27)
I would like to open up for discussion a possible solution to the controversy over Dairyland Power’s Genoa Off Site Project — an issue that affects my family, friends, neighbors and constituents. The off site project is a 600-acre landfill required to accommodate the 160,000 to 380,000 cubic yards of coal ash, sulfur and lime (SDA Material) that would be generated each year at its Genoa plant when its scrubbers go online next year.

Meddling by United States cost much in Guatemala (2008/08/27)
Recently the Immigration Service raided a large meat packing plant in nearby Postville, Iowa. They arrested many undocumented workers for Social Security and passport fraud. Some of them were Mayan Indians from Guatemala. So, why were these Mayans in the United States? What is their history?

Outsider: Beijing Olympics have been a wonderful distraction (2008/08/22)
The United States women's volleyball team had already qualified for the quarterfinals in the 2008 Beijing Olympic games. Yet, there I was Sunday, watching them play Poland in a volleyball match.

Frie’s efforts for county deserve much praise (2008/08/22)
Hearing the news last week that Vernon County Solid Waste Manager Gail Frie was leaving his post was quite a blow.

County’s budget deficit must be put in perspective (2008/08/22)
Vernon County’s budget deficit is continually in the news. It’s talked about at meeting after meeting. It’s a subject of great debate.

Outsider: Embracing a new era for the Green Bay Packers (2008/08/18)
Dissecting Aaron Rodgers’ performance Monday night was easy. He played well.

Finally, someone takes matters, shotgun, in hand (2008/08/18)
Police call Keith Walendowski a suspect, but he should be hailed as a hero. We've all longed to do exactly what he did — shoot the lawn mower.

Dairyland needs to find alternative to plan for a coal ash landfill (2008/08/18)
I would like to publicly state my disappointment and concern with the Dairyland Power Cooperative and their desire to dump ash on beautiful farming land. I currently live in Menomonie, Wis., but I was born and raised on Hwy. 56 west of Viroqua adjacent to the proposed ash dump site No. 2. The property they are proposing to dump on has been in those families for many years. Just like the Voldens and others, my grandfather and grandmother raised all nine of their children on the Finger farm. Then my father, Odean, started his own farm on what is now the Whistler farm. None of these people are alive to speak up about how wrong this is to damage/ruin this land. If they were here, they would be shouting at the top of their lungs!

Minimum wage increase needs to occur now (2008/08/08)
Minimum wage workers have been stuck in a losing game of "Mother May I" with the federal government. Workers step forward when the government says yes to raising the minimum wage. Workers step backward when the cost of living increases, but the minimum wage doesn't.

Options for repairing dams need to be carefully considered (2008/08/08)
I have written to you and to Rep. Nerison, Sen. Kapanke, Gov. Doyle and the chair of the Vernon County Board Chair, Mr. Spenner. In the wake of the devastating floods of August 2007 and June 2008, I am concerned as to the methods the county will choose for repairing and maintaining the flood control structures.

Outsider: Wildcat Mountain vacation a revival of real camping (2008/08/08)
It was a little odd turning on my headset radio inside my tent at Wildcat Mountain State Park south of Ontario just after dawn last Thursday morning.

Severe weather makes for memorable vacations (2008/08/04)
My senior year of college I went camping with four friends to Lake Koshkonong.

Hot weather prompts memories of hayin’ time (2008/08/04)
The dog days of summer are here. Many believe that the name dog days comes from the star Sirius, which rises and sets with the sun. The ancient Egyptians called Sirius the Dog Star and along with the ancient Romans, argued that it was responsible for adding heat to the day. The period of time from 20 days before to 20 days after the star’s conjunction with the sun were called “the dog days of summer.”

Public is not allowed to be involved in decisions that affect them (2008/08/04)
Letter to the editor: It seems to be difficult for a public organization to involve the public early on in decisions and actions that affect the public.

Tampering charge against Vikings all good for Packers (2008/07/28)
The truck and tractor pull at the Vernon County Fairgrounds was cut short on Saturday night due to a downpour that started about 9:30 p.m.

Broadcaster article on marijuana didn’t mention origins of its legal status (2008/07/28)
Your otherwise excellent article on marijuana (Broadcaster, July 17) failed to mention two important points. The first is why marijuana was outlawed in the first place.

Dairyland’s figures on CO2 simply don’t add up (2008/07/28)
Dairyland Power Cooperative, to comply with EPA’s “Clean Air Interstate Rule” or CAIR, is installing a “dry scrubber” to capture sulfur oxides with lime, generating large amounts of useless, toxic wastes that require an industrial landfill in Vernon County.

VHS track looking good; Favre comeback mantra tiring (2008/07/21)
I took a trip down to the newly resurfaced Viroqua High School track, Sunday.

China’s manufactured happiness covers human rights abuses (2008/07/21)
Like the athletes set to compete at the Beijing Olympics this summer, volunteers for the upcoming games have been in training -- smile training.

The faith-raising barn raising (2008/07/21)
On Saturday, May 31, I was fortunate to visibly witness firsthand the greatest act of sacrificial giving and love in the history of Wisconsin.

No matter what, danger exists in ATV, motorcycle use (2008/07/14)
The only conclusion a long-time reporter can reach when it comes to peoples’ use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motorcycles is that no matter how safely they are used, they are still dangerous to the user.

Outsider: Ridiculous stereotypical comments that some might enjoy (2008/07/14)
A saleswoman was driving toward home in northern Arizona when she saw another woman hitchhiking.

Dairyland's proposed dump has bad odds against catastrophic flood (2008/07/14)
Vernon County has had two 100-year flood events in two years. This is when a 100-year event means it has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year.

Outsider: Fall election forum in the works; Celebrate independence! (2008/07/08)
The Vernon Area Business and Professional Women are planning to hold a candidate forum in October featuring all the races coming during the November general election.

Medicare reimbursement stories in Broadcaster had inaccuracies (2008/07/08)
As administrator of Vernon Manor I am compelled to comment on an article entitled 'Medicaid reimbursement comes as promised on Monday.' This article was written by Tim Hundt and printed in the Broadcaster on June 26.

Hats off on keeping pool open, and let’s find a long-term solution, too (2008/07/08)
My sincere appreciation and congratulations to the community leadership who worked for and supported the very special relationship for the establishment of the La Crosse YMCA to administer the summer swim program for the Bigley Pool in Viroqua.

Outsider: McCain’s prize gimmick trumps big oil, Democrats (2008/07/01)
Big oil took a sucker punch on Monday as Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) called for a $300 million prize for innovation going to someone or group who can develop a battery that will "leapfrog" those available in current electric cars.

HIGHTOWER: The hassles of being wealthy (2008/07/01)
Time for another peek into the “Lifestyles of the Rich and Cranky.”

Ignoring population gains will haunt the human race (2008/07/01)
Population, Is our woe; Saving every Embryo. You’ll be pleased to hear that in a very low-key and gingerly way, the Sierra Club has publicly admitted that overpopulation is a big problem. And they may have gotten away with it. No reports yet of widespread defection by Catholics or evangelicals. What a relief! Now the Club won’t have to deal with that landmine again.