The Lone Rock 4th of July Celebration Parade on July 4, 2026, attracted many spectators despite brief morning rain, as families celebrated Independence Day and the nation’s 250th anniversary. The festivities included a parade, food, live music, and a fireworks display at Fireman’s Park, culminating in a vibrant evening celebration.
Sauk County Emergency Management was alerted to the malfunction of Spring Green’s emergency sirens by media. The storm on May 21 led to wind gusts and a tornado warning, but the sirens were not functioning. Repairs were made, and neighboring villages shared information about their storm shelters. Residents in the area can sign up for emergency alerts.
Lone Rock resident Gary Ilminen set an AMA National Motorcycle Land Speed Record at the 2014 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials, riding a 1974 Honda CB350F at 80.102 mph, which still stands a decade later. He attributes his passion for motorcycle racing to childhood idols like Burt Munro, and hopes to attempt another record in the future.
Sunshine Week is a time to celebrate government transparency and public service, as well as a time to address lapses in the same. In October 2020, shortly after incorporating and shortly before our first edition, we sent out a Wis. Stat. 19.84(1)(b) written request by email from news media to our local governmental bodies asking that Valley Sentinel be sent meeting notices for the respective governmental bodies. Recently, we sent reminder letters by mail to the local governmental bodies in our immediate coverage area that have not been consistent in sending us meeting notices, with several having sent none at all in the past nearly 2.5 years.
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.
Last Halloween, the Village of Lone Rock held a public meeting and did not notify the Valley Sentinel. The next night they held public hearings on their annual budget and a village board meeting. The Valley Sentinel was sent an e-mail notice less than an hour before the meeting started. We asked for various public records related to these matters and got nothing. The village clerk told us we were not entitled to notice, and past notices had merely been given as a courtesy.
Now we’re suing.
The Valley came out in full force to celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July, congregating in Lone Rock to enjoy everything from a parade, to a chicken BBQ, a lawn tractor pull, fireworks and more.
The Lone Rock Village Board met June 8 for it monthly regular meeting.
Lone Rock saw its first Family Fun Fair this past weekend, with the idea behind the traditional carnival to bring fun attractions to the village in June, between events the village holds for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
The Richland County Board made some adjustments to their solar energy permit fees in preparation for a potential solar farm being built in the southeast portion of the county.
Tortilleria Zepeda hosted an open house at it’s Lone Rock location Wednesday, which featured tours of the production facility, fresh tortillas and unconventional twists on traditional Mexican fare. The open house allowed members of the community to tour the facility where the Heidi and Julian Zepeda produce their authentic and organic nixtamal corn tortillas, and learn more about their unique process that differs from typical, mass produced corn tortilla manufacturing. The couple also uses locally grown ingredients. The open house offered samples of their original tortillas, dressed with serrano-avocado salsa and traditional tamales. The event also offered cocoa tortillas and dessert tamales with strawberries and cream cheese. Julian also offered a fermented mesa drink that is traditional to his home area of Mexico, called Tejuino. Currently, Heidi and Julian are planning to host different social events or host classes at the location, and are considering opening monthly to offer fresh tortillas and other options.
The Village of Spring Green Board met April 14 virtually to stamp their approval on the Farmer’s Market location, complete the several meeting process of allowing ATV’s and UTV’s on village roads, to accept the resignation of Trustee Robin Reid as she transitions to village president — and to request the attendance of an ice cream truck owner at their next meeting to answer questions.
Spring Green resident Declan Daniel submits his first-ever ballot at the village of Spring Green polling location, the Spring Green Community Library, on April 6. Daniel said “It’s awesome to finally be part of a system that’s happened for hundreds of years, that people fought for.” As of Tuesday morning, Village Clerk Wendy Crary reported that 127 of the 167 absentee ballots requested have been returned. In Spring Green
for the April 2020 election, 584 absentee ballots were returned, and for the November 2020 election, 639 absentee ballots were returned.
The Lone Rock Bistro and Taproom is the first local spot to announce to-go cocktails following the state passing the bill allowing restaurants to sell carryout alcohol on Friday, and going into effect Sunday.
Tortilleria Zepeda received the Jendusa Lubar Entrepreneurship Center award from their appearance on “Project Pitch It,” which will provide them with workshops and support services from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Lubar’s Entrepreneurship Center, and a $5,000 cash prize.
Husband and wife team Heidi and Julian Zepeda will appear on the ABC show “Project Pitch It” this weekend, to pitch their hand-made tortilla business out of Lone Rock.
Keg & Kettle, a Lone Rock bar, was featured on comedian Charlie Berens’ “Manitowoc Minute” March 2 video segment.
County Supervisor Dan McGuire, Lone Rock, has removed himself from consideration for village president in the April 6 elections, leaving his position open for write-in candidates.
By now I’m sure it’s apparent to you and your readers that the majority of Wisconsin republican voters, half of the Wisconsin supreme court judges and I disagree with the Wisconsin Election Commission regarding how the November election was run.
Recently, the village of Lone Rock and the village of Plain have decided to remove fluoride from their municipal water supplies, citing resident concerns, staff safety concerns and modern dental products containing fluoride as reasons for the removal.