All three of Buffalo County’s weekly newspapers—the Mondovi Herald-News, Buffalo County Journal and the Cochrane-Fountain City Recorder—will merge into one newspaper, the Buffalo County News, starting Aug. 6.

Trio of Buffalo County newspapers to merge

by Beth Kraft After a 130-year press run as the Mondovi Herald-News, the newspaper will be changing its masthead to the Buffalo County News starting next week to reflect a merger of the county’s...

A facility on N. Eau Claire St. in Mondovi is one of seven area group homes and CBRFs operated by Garlick’s. Owner Mary Jo LaBair says another round of rate cuts handed down by Inclusa on April 1 will make it difficult for the business to make ends meet.

‘It’s a significant hit’—Local care provider faces another rate cut from MCO

by Beth Kraft Frustrations with forced financial realities continue for many who own and operate group homes and community based residential facilities (CBRFs) for people with varying degrees and...

Members of a new group, Hope 4 U, founded in Sept. 2018, are working to raise awareness about suicide and mental health to better connect people to key resources and life-saving information. A Suicide Awareness Walk is set for Sept. 7 in Cochrane.

Hope 4 U represents grassroots effort for suicide prevention resources

by Beth Kraft Members of a Buffalo County group have had enough. They feel there are too many local people wrestling with thoughts of self-harm and mental health issues who can’t get the help or...

A huge feedlot shed just north of Hwy. Z off Hovey Valley Road owned by Scott Werlein was flattened by the storm.

Fourth of July storm downs trees, damages buildings in Bennett Valley

by Beth Kraft A brief, yet strong, storm on the Fourth of July swept down County Road Z in the area southeast of Mondovi known as Bennett Valley, leaving a haphazard path of destruction. Large...

Firefighters sprayed water on the wreckage to knock down dust and douse any hot spots as a backhoe exposed the interior of Leebo’s Bar & Grill in downtown Gilmanton. Due to the nature of the fire early Thursday, June 6, authorities said the building had to be torn down.

Leebo’s Bar torn down following fire

by Beth Kraft In less than 12 hours, Leebo’s Bar and Grill—one of the original buildings in downtown Gilmanton—was gone. An early-morning fire on Thursday, June 6, scrambled multiple fire...

E-Edition

Mondovi Herald-News

Gilmanton boys pick up big win over E-S

Senior Brody Larson got a hand on a ball above the rim.

by Nick Urness and Desmond Davis, student writers The Gilmanton boys basketball team kicked off conference play on Thursday night, Dec. 5, with a win over rival Eleva-Strum, with a final score of 59-...

Panther girls start the season off slow

Gilmanton’s Jordyn Bloom looked to make a pass around the Lady Cards’ Abagail Palkowski.

by Morgan Bork, student writer On Tuesday, Dec. 2, the Gilmanton girls basketball team traveled to Eleva-Strum to play their conference opener. Both teams started the game out slow, ending the...

Mondovi wrestlers notch successful start to 2014-15 season

Four Mondovi wrestlers took the top spots in their respective weight classes at the Chetek tournament, held Saturday, Dec. 6. Pictured, Mondovi wrestlers who were undefeated at 5-0 that day were: Austin Fedie (120), Bryan Larson (126), Brett Larson (138) and Trevor Giedd (145).

The Mondovi wrestling team traveled to Eau Claire Memorial for a dual meet on Thursday, Dec. 4. The Buffaloes came out on top by a score of 42-30. Winning matches for Mondovi were: 120—Austin Fedie...

Mondovi’s HomePlace to begin offering assisted living accommodations

Mondovi’s HomePlace facility, located between East Main and Vine streets, recently initiated a change to its license to begin offering assisted living care to supplement the current nursing home. Open houses will be held this Friday and Saturday afternoon to give interested guests a peek at the new CBRF apartments.

by Beth Kraft In response to a rapidly-growing demand for assisted living care in the local area, Mondovi’s HomePlace recently adjusted its licensure to begin a community-based residential...

Annual ‘Christmas from the Heart’ drive receives major funding boost

“Christmas from the Heart” drive organizer Debbie Wright accepted $3,000 in Box Tops for Education funds from Matt the “Gordy’s Guru” and WEAU 13 News anchor Nikki Junewicz on Monday, Dec. 1. Eleva Intermediate is the fourth school to be recognized by the “Schools Rule!” contest, presented by Gordy’s County Market and WEAU. Also pictured are Wright’s student helpers Riley Cegielski, Grace Clark, Nick Higley, Quinn Schiefelbein and Madison Schultz.

by Beth Kraft Debbie Wright has donated her time and efforts to make Christmas a bit brighter for area families in need for the past 12 years. Last week the Eleva Elementary secretary, often...

Rural Mondovi man hit with prison sentence for repeated assaults of girl

A 52-year-old Amish man from rural Mondovi was sentenced in Pepin County Court to five years in prison last week for repeated sexual assault crimes he admitted to committing about a decade ago....

Annual gun deer season holds special significance for local man

Bob Parr and his grandson, Trent Parr, tagged a deer on the opening day of Wisconsin’s gun deer season at Joe’s Shop Kwik in Mondovi. Parr has turned helping hunters register their deer into a longstanding tradition and often has help from family members and friends.

by Beth Kraft Bob Parr hasn’t gone deer hunting since he was 23 years old. He doesn’t eat venison, either, and yet he hasn’t missed opening morning of gun deer season in over 35 years. Instead of...

Mondovi prepping to mark 5th annual ‘Small Town Christmas’

The “Small Town Christmas” electric light parade will hit the streets of Mondovi for the fifth-straight year this Saturday, Dec. 6, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Mondovi Women’s Business...

Snowy conditions contribute to minor crash in city limits

Two pickup trucks driven by rural Mondovi residents were involved in an accident early last week on snow-covered roads at the intersection of State and Water streets. The impact sent one of the vehicles down a steep embankment where it struck a tree, resulting in minor injuries for the 70-year-old driver.

by Beth Kraft Two Mondovi-area men were involved in an accident on Mondovi’s south side on Monday afternoon, Nov. 24, resulting in a traffic citation for one driver and medical assistance for the...