
A look into the events, people, life and businesses of the Lower Wisconsin River Valley.

Valley Sentinel wins Best in Division E at Wisconsin Newspaper Association awards banquet
The Wisconsin Newspaper Association recently recognized the state’s newspapers for their exceptional work during its 2022 Better Newspaper Contest Awards Banquet. The event took place on March 24, at The Madison Concourse Hotel in downtown Madison. Among the winners, Valley Sentinel was awarded as the Best in Division E.

Local EMS directors respond to Marklein’s rural EMS bill as Evers issues a veto, expert weighs in
On March 31, Gov. Tony Evers announced that he had vetoed recently passed Senate Bill 89. The bill, introduced by Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, would have made the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam optional for emergency medical responders. Marklein argued the bill would improve recruitment and retention for rural emergency medical services.…

Local musician Jake’O competes in national televised song contest representing Wisconsin
‘There’s music everywhere but the Driftless is definitely magical for me’ A local artist from our very own River Valley area recently returned home after representing Wisconsin on the national stage as part of NBC’s “American Song Contest”. Jake’O performed an original song on the show last month and shared his inspiration and thoughts with…

Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation announces creation of Taliesin Institute, sparks conversations about educational legacy
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation recently announced the creation of the Taliesin Institute, a new collection of programs that seek to advance the principles of organic architecture, seen as the core of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s work. However, other stalwarts of Wright’s legacy debate the need for such an initiative following the Foundation’s final split…

Valley Sentinel moves to a bi-weekly model to offer more in-depth content, better serve and build community
We’ve shared many times some of the quotes that grace the wall of our newsroom. We’ve definitely focused on the first, making things work and then making them work better. We’ve definitely focused on the second quote and we’ve called people and powers-that-be out where necessary. The third quote we haven’t covered enough because —…

Valley Sentinel launches Impulse Initiative
Valley Sentinel lends platform in print and online to foster community ideas We are pleased to announce the (soft) launch of Valley Sentinel’s Impulse Initiative. It has always been our goal to build community and over the past year plus we’ve been talking to area residents every day about their wants, hopes and dreams for…

Governor Evers visits Spring Green businesses that received ‘We’re All In’ grants
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers visited Spring Green Tuesday to tour two businesses that received “We’re All In” grants, in the midst of a proposal that would seek to change how federal moneys, including those that fund grants like these, are allocated and by whom.

Review: Roarin 20s offers inspired 2020s options surrounded by 1920s flair
We finally had the chance to Waltz by and try out the newest dining and social club in the Valley. Pairing veteran businessman Mike Haight as owner and general manager with classically trained executive chef David Moreno, Roarin 20s Dining and Social Club (1170 Main Street, Plain) adds art deco charm to downtown Plain. In…

Review, Q&A as Rocket Man Pizza lifts off, bringing hand tossed pizza to Plain
We recently had the chance to stop by and try out the newest pizza place in the Valley. With veteran pizzaman and restaurateur Rich Peterson at the helm, Rocket Man Pizza (1150 Main Street, Plain) is a gem in downtown Plain that will delight. (Disclosure: They even sent us home with some more options to…

The School of Architecture founded by Frank Lloyd Wright back in Spring Green for summer immersive design program
The School of Architecture, founded by Frank Lloyd Wright as the Taliesin Fellowship in 1932,was back in Spring Green July 11-17 for a “Summer Design Discovery 2021” immersive design program. The visit comes months after the School dropped ‘Taliesin’ from its name following a split from the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, settling into a new…

Rehabilitation complete on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Wyoming Valley School, new era of cultural arts begins for the space
Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Wyoming Valley School just wrapped up on a four month renovation to get the building back in the best shape—and back to some of its original design.

Local gymnastics student raises money for gym with lemonade stand
A student from Hard Core Gymnastics in Arena held a lemonade stand fundraiser July 2 at the corner of Sharon Street and Village Edge Road in Arena.

VIDEO: Committee finds no wrongdoing in complaint against Arena Police Chief
The Arena Police Committee did not take any disciplinary action against Arena Police Chief Nicholas Stroik following a complaint from an area resident who said she felt harassed and targeted by the chief.

Driftless Grace— Something (or nothing) happens
My mind inevitably goes blank when someone asks me what I did yesterday (or over the weekend, or on Tuesday — wait, isn’t today Tuesday?!). Lately, though, that response has been close to the truth of what I’ve been doing: nothing. At least, nothing that strikes me as worth talking about.

PSC reconsidering permit for Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission lines after potential conflict of interest surfaces
The Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to reconsider the controversial Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission line project July 1, following secret messages between a former regulator and employees of the utilities involved in the projects came to light.
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