Like the Helena Lake sign, we have been underwater. The newspaper has been quiet due to health and operational challenges, but plans to re-tool and engage the community. Ongoing updates will be provided online, with hopes to resume print editions and newsletters as efforts progress. Community support remains crucial.
The author shares experiences fishing for perch in Wisconsin, highlighting the species’ decline in Lake Michigan and popular fishing spots like Green Bay. Despite challenges, the author finds joy in catching perch with family. A memorable encounter results in a trophy-sized perch, demonstrating Wisconsin’s quality fishing opportunities and community spirit.
At the 2025 Better Newspaper Contest Awards, held by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, Valley Sentinel garnered four awards despite a brief publication halt. Recognized editors and contributors showcased remarkable journalism in various categories, including editorial, general news, and advertising. The event highlighted local journalism’s crucial role in democracy and community engagement.
Nicole Aimone, co-owner and editor-in-chief of Valley Sentinel, reflects on her journalism journey that began at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Royal Purple. She credits her extensive experience there for shaping her path, leading her to launch her own newspaper and mentor future journalists, emphasizing the importance of local journalism.
In July 2025, Valley Sentinel editors Nicole Aimone and Taylor Scott received Shackelford Shines awards, enabling them to attend the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Publishers convention. They gained valuable insights on community engagement and digital strategies, prompting a strategic shift toward a more audience-centric model, enhancing their publication’s sustainability and impact.
In Hazelhurst, a proposed ordinance discussion was postponed due to a typo. Meanwhile, significant violations of public openness occurred in St. Francis and Chippewa County, where media were obstructed from attending meetings and quoting witness testimony. These incidents emphasize the ongoing challenges public officials face in upholding transparency.
President Trump’s new legislation, pivotal for the 2026 House elections, faces scrutiny from Democrats who claim it favors the wealthy. In Wisconsin, they aim to close a 6-2 GOP House margin without redistricting. Disputes over healthcare funding have emerged, with criticism aimed at Rep. Derrick Van Orden’s role in budget decisions.
The Prickly Pear Cactus blooms in Wisconsin offer a unique seasonal experience for nature lovers in Wisconsin. While often overlooked, these flowers thrive in the sandy soils of the Wisconsin River valley. Peak blooming occurs in late June, and the red fruit produced is also edible.
The article discusses insect monitoring and management in gardening, focusing on the importance of degree days (DD) to predict insect life cycles, particularly the imported cabbageworm. It outlines Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, including monitoring, prevention, and control. The author encourages community engagement through events by the Sauk County Master Gardeners Association.
With all the serious discussion and concern these days related to politics, religion, and looming health care changes, I thought it would be fun to resurrect some past humor regarding “shit happens” and let’s see how various religions and ideologies express this deal.
Sherry shares her humorous shit list.
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It’s incredibly fitting that our cover this edition in print included a sign that reads: stop ahead. It’s important to note you don’t stop at a stop sign forever, it’s a momentary pause. Whether to think or to ensure your safety and sustainability, it’s a pause before you continue going down the road you were on (or perhaps you’re turning at that stop sign and trying something new?) .
It’s apt because our print edition needs to pause.
After this past weekend and many decades of doing it, I have figured out that my favorite way to spend time is helping to introduce kids to new outdoor activities. I helped start KAMO in 2007, helped start NOAC in 2023 and though both overload my schedule, I do not seem to be backing off.
Carsyn Thiede, who is 14 and as of today, a freshmen at Mayville High School and Conner Thiede who is 12 and a 7th grader at Mayville are the children of Tyler and Patsy and are my KAMO Kids these days. In other words for about 3 years, I have been helping to introduce them to turkey, deer and now duck and goose hunting.
The River Valley School Fair, created 61 years ago by Lawrence Eberle, continues to thrive, set for September 27 in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Initially aimed at unifying the community post-school consolidation, the fair has expanded significantly, promoting agriculture education and showcasing student talents, while preserving its pioneering spirit and tradition.
This week’s column has good news and is loaded with adventure. As you may know, my 23-year-old daughter Selina Walters has been hired by the USFWS as a biologist in Montana. Selina graduated from UW Stevens point last December and I helped her to move to Missoula in January. Selina and I communicate almost daily, and she has become a very active hiker, fly fisher woman and she does a lot of camping and kayaking.
Valley Sentinel shines at the 2023 Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s awards, taking home 17 awards. The publication’s exceptional work in editorial and advertising garnered recognition, with specific accolades for its front page, artistic photos, and newspaper promotions. Co-owner/publisher/editor-in-chief Nicole Aimone expressed gratitude to contributors and the community for their support.
Arena native Alex Harrington, raised in a family deeply rooted in the River Valley, has been appointed WISC-TV Channel 3000’s chief meteorologist. Harrington’s passion for meteorology began at a young age, and after years of diverse experiences and hard work, he has achieved his dream job. He aims to inspire others to pursue their own happiness.
I write to you kindled by the love of our community and the Palestinian people.
I am tired of all the caveats, the conditional statements, the analogies. I believe we are suffering from a crisis of imagination in a situation that actually does not require much. It may sound counterintuitive amidst a discourse that encourages you to put yourself in Palestinians’ shoes, asks you to imagine if it was your family or friends or neighbors who were being slaughtered, would have you use a thousand “what if” statements instead of looking at what’s really going on. It’s a cheap liberal tactic to get us to care about others only in terms of how much we care about ourselves and our loved ones.
…and don’t forget the milk, yogurt, and cheese! Dairy Breakfast time in Wisconsin is right around the corner, check the dates, set your alarm, make sure your GPS is working, and get your “fat pants” out. Good times, and good food are coming.
I don’t say this to be dramatic, but 2023 has been the SICKEST season of my life ever. To be clear, I don’t mean that in the “that’s sick, bro” way, I mean that in the cold and flu season way and in the bronchitis/COVID-19/constant earache way.
On a slightly more uplifting and inspirational note, being sick on repeat did uncover a fun and invigorating experience — The Newsroom. Not ours, the fictional broadcast newsroom from the HBO original The Newsroom.
A couple months back, I wrote here that the Valley Sentinel was suing the Village of Lone Rock. It feels like time for an update, and I wanted to talk about our two cases — one not yet filed and one possibly almost done, and why they are so different.