A look into the outdoors, recreation, and agriculture of the Lower Wisconsin River Valley and the larger Driftless Area.
Summer weather teases the Valley, draws people (and pets) out of hiding
People get out on the sandy shores of Pecks Landing, with a view of the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitors Center, to enjoy the brief heatwave May 2.
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Swamped on the Petenwell
Follow along each week on the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated outdoor adventure columnist who lives in Necedah, Wisconsin. He began writing his column, An Outdoorsman’s Journal, in 1989. It includes hunting, fishing, lots of canoeing and backpacking. He currently writes for around 60 newspapers on a weekly basis. He hopes you enjoy reading about his adventures!
Back in 1982 I fractured my lower spine in three places and spent two weeks in Madison’s University Hospital with some serious questions about my ability to walk again. I do not know if I have ever written about this subject but long story short, I had an incredible recovery and the one thing that I remember my doctors repeatedly telling me is, “stay active or arthritis will set into your spine and life will not be pleasant.”
The Sauk County Gardener: Time to Dig into Gardening
May’s arrival was a beautiful warm sunny day. What made it even better was that my favorite nursery was finally open, so my sister and I went to buy my hanging baskets and annual bedding plants. Two and half hours later, we had the pickup bed of my truck full of plants and even the back seat was full. Good thing we didn’t take anyone else with us.
Solar survey underway— CLEA-N Gathers Iowa County Data
Homegrown solar electrical generation is one of the best ways to retain energy dollars in local communities. CLEA-N aspires to make small-scale home and business solar arrays a common site in Iowa County. To measure our level of success in doing so, we are creating a baseline of the current level of solar use in the county.
RV Trap Team chasing championship win with biggest team yet
The River Valley Trap Team shot it’s third competition of it’s five competition season this weekend, and is preparing to score a championship win next month.
Valley Sentinel’s 1st annual Best of the Lower Wisconsin River Valley reader poll now open
Welcome to the 1st Annual Best of the River Valley reader poll! Drawing inspiration from cities like Eau Claire, Madison and Milwaukee, we’re excited to facilitate this reader poll that showcases your voice in sharing the best of what our area has to offer to our community and those who visit it.
Sheriff reminds drivers, cyclists of road safety after two fatal accidents over weekend
Following two separate fatal motorcycle crashes over the weekend, the Sauk County Sheriff ’s office looks to remind the area drivers to be safe as the weather warms to motorcycle riding temperatures.
Foraging can be a fun way to put good eats on the table
As winter’s chill works itself into a thaw and green begins to color the landscape, it is prime time to sleuth out some of Wisconsin’s most delicious hidden gems.
General fishing season opens May 1: Fishing forecast looks promising
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds anglers that the 2021-2022 fishing season will open May 1, without any changes to season dates. All regulations and license requirements still apply.
Spring Green Farmers Market: FoodShare and farmers market accessibility, keeping emergency benefits in the local economy
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) released a statement Monday announcing that all FoodShare households will receive a minimum amount of emergency benefits, per USDA guidance. Households began receiving these benefits over the weekend. DHS estimates that under this new guidance Wisconsin will provide more than $75 million in emergency allotments to over 411,000 FoodShare households in April. This is an increase over the $57.5 million in emergency allotments provided to 265,000 households in February. DHS stated that recipients will spend these resources at local grocers and farmers markets across the state.
Monthly StoryWalks at Governor Dodge State Park begin this month
The Friends of Governor Dodge State Park have funded four StoryWalks at Governor Dodge State Park. They are scheduled this spring and summer. StoryWalks are outdoor reading walks.
Online exclusive: Prescribed woodland burn at Hemlock Draw Nature Preserve
Unfortunately, not everything can make it to print, we’re busy each week bringing you stories from all over Richland, Sauk and Iowa counties. To see additional news that doesn’t make it to print each week, follow Valley Sentinel on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/valleysentinel, or on Twitter and Instagram: @vs_wisconsin. The photo above appeared last week on our Instagram.
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Paddling the Wisconsin River/Petenwell Flowage
Follow along each week on the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated outdoor adventure columnist who lives in Necedah, Wisconsin. He began writing his column, An Outdoorsman’s Journal, in 1989. It includes hunting, fishing, lots of canoeing and backpacking. He currently writes for around 60 newspapers on a weekly basis. He hopes you enjoy reading about his adventures!
The last time that I canoed on the stretch of the Wisconsin River that I am about to write about was back in 1991. That was a big year in my life as I spent the winter camping and training to hike the Appalachian Trail with my golden retriever Ben in the Meadow Valley Wildlife Area. With Ben carrying 12-pounds and me a whole bunch more we hiked 1244 miles of the AT. When I got home I purchased “Star” who was 6-weeks old and would be Ben’s future mate. The three of us jumped in a canoe and I paddled down the Wisconsin River and when I got home in the early fall, I returned to Meadow Valley.
Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report: Keep wildlife wild
Spring is baby animal season! It’s also a great time to remember the importance of keeping wildlife wild.
Half poured and on schedule, HWY 23 bridge looks to finish major pours this week
On April 15, approximately 1/2 of the concrete deck (the northern half) was poured for the ongoing STH 23 bridge project. On Thursday approximately another 1/2 of the concrete deck (the southern half) will be poured. After that there will be many smaller pours that will finish the deck and complete the parapet walls.
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