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

Donated deer hides stolen from Conservation Club drop site

The Mondovi Conservation Club has offered a free deer carcass drop-off site to area residents for the past three years. Donated deer hides help the club fund the program, but this year someone has made off with many of the hides valued at upwards of $600.

by Beth Kraft Local hunters typically donate dozens of deer hides each year to help offset the cost of a deer carcass drop-off site at the Mondovi Conservation Club that works to keep area...

Challenges a daily occurrence for volunteer-based BCHA, but animal well-being remains primary focus

BCHA president Brenda Gruber walked Roger back to his kennel after an exercise run outside. Members of the volunteer-based organization put in countless hours each year to help care for the county’s stray animals.

by Beth Kraft If there’s one thing Buffalo County Humane Association members Brenda Gruber and Cindy Krett know all too well, it’s that good things don’t come easy or cheap. The pair are part of...

City taking steps to revise police chief hiring process

by Beth Kraft Lengthy discussions by city leaders and community members alike concerning the best way to go about hiring the City of Mondovi’s next chief of police may lead to action by the City...

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...

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...

Former Mondovi resident captures Wisconsin’s hunting tradition in new book

Travis Dewitz, a former Mondovi student who now makes his mark as a professional photographer in the Eau Claire area, recently released a book featuring deer hunting scenes from around the local area.

by Beth Kraft Travis Dewitz has long held an interest in preserving key, fleeting moments in the world around him with his camera. From senior portraits to images showcasing corporate business...

Mondovi, Durand schools honored for new collaborative project with CVTC

Mondovi technology education teacher Shay Lehman gave students pointers last week while they worked in groups to design bridges using 3D CAD software called SolidWorks—new to Mondovi this year. Classes like Lehman’s blueprint reading and problem solving course will soon become part of the new CDM Manufacturing Pathways program available to Mondovi and Durand students.

by Beth Kraft, Mondovi Herald-News, and Christina Lindstrom, The Courier-Wedge Though still in its infancy, a new collaborative program involving two local high schools and a technical college...