Shifting posting requirement to Internet puts onus on citizens to find notices (2010/03/15)
Four bills now moving through the state Legislature, seemingly small in scope, threaten to undermine Wisconsin’s public notice laws.

Outsider: Census seeking to have everybody counted (2010/03/15)
The U.S. Census Bureau is serious about counting every man, woman and child in the United States.

E3 Coalition works toward energy independence for area (2010/03/15)
Thanks for covering the E3 Coalition’s work with Viola and other communities to help southwest Wisconsin achieve energy independence.

Blockbuster ‘Avatar’ translates ongoing plight of world’s ‘native’ peoples (2010/03/08)
Like Barack Obama, “Avatar” has become a Rorschach test for the times in which we live. Everyone interprets it their own way. Nominated for nine Oscars, it’s already the highest-grossing film of all time -- having pulled in around $2.5 billion globally. More importantly, “Avatar” could become a game-changer in our evolving cultural consciousness about the impact of modernity on the world.

Outsider: Central Vernon County attracting bald eagles (2010/03/08)
The number of bald eagles that have been seen in central Vernon County this winter has been extraordinary.

Hightower: Too much of a good thing (2010/03/08)
America is under assault. From coast to coast, we are being invaded by horrific, body-consuming mutants that are already destroying 65,000 American lives a year. As a Duke University scientist puts it, "This is a living, breathing problem. It’s here. It has arrived."

Outsider: Olympic men’s hockey game was played for pride (2010/02/26)
The win by the United States over Canada in men’s hockey Sunday night was not another "Miracle On Ice."

Protecting yourself from identity theft (2010/02/26)
Identity theft continues to negatively impact many of our citizens. Chances are you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Statistics released by the FTC for complaints per 100,000 population, revealed that Wisconsin ranked 41st in the nation with 2,450 victims in 2007.

Is CAFO an accident waiting to happen? (2010/02/26)
Letter to the editor: I am disheartened that the state of Wisconsin is considering approving a clean water discharge permit for a feeder pig CAFO between Wauzeka and Boscobel which has under 200 acres of land to spread manure. This operation has about one-tenth of the land of other CAFOs. I question the formula that would OK spreading the manure from 2,900 sows, 3,280 piglets and 170 other pigs over rolling land near neighbors and the Wisconsin River. This sounds like an "accident" waiting to happen. I’m concerned that the soil won’t be able to contain all the manure and it could get into the groundwater supply.

Outsider: Winter Olympics already deliver drama, memories (2010/02/19)
The Vernon County Broadcaster’s online edition goes global each week.

Area rural hospitals voice concerns over Medicaid reimbursement cut (2010/02/19)
Rural hospital leaders continue to meet with legislators to voice their concern that the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Medicaid reimbursement cut effective Jan. 1 will effectively shut down some critical medical services now offered in their communities.

Community thanked for helping man, family through health scare (2010/02/19)
Those of you reading this probably know that I have recently gone through some pretty invasive brain surgery to remove some “tissue” blocking a duct in my brain. The operation was followed by complications and an extended hospital stay. The recovery period has been slow and physically painful for me; frightening for my wife, Jen, and our two sons, Erik and Daniel. Through all of this time of uncertainty, we as a family have found ourselves surrounded by an incredible loving and supportive community.

Ballot box only way to ensure ‘death with dignity’ (2010/02/12)
When I lay me, Down to die; The church won’t let me, Pass on by. Have you heard about the Belgians? They now allow assisted suicide. Takers have quickly risen to 2 percent of the failing population.

Outsider: Looking forward to another riveting Olympic story (2010/02/12)
The Olympic cauldron will be lit on Friday night in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, as the 2010 Winter Olympic games get underway.

Nerison was proud to vote for local control regarding AB 458 (2010/02/12)
Thank you for this opportunity to respond to Michael Dishnow’s letter in the Feb. 4 edition of the Vernon County Broadcaster in which he disagreed with my vote against Assembly Bill 458. I voted against this bill because it eliminates any input from parents, health professionals and other community members in determining a school’s sex education curriculum and gives that responsibility exclusively to state government.

Public has its chance to address state’s flawed livestock siting law (2010/02/09)
Anyone who has had a disagreement with the state’s Livestock Facility Siting rule (ATCP 51) will have a opportunity to tell the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection about it.

Outsider: No vision for manned space mission depressing (2010/02/09)
It seems like our government forgot how inspiring our country’s space program has been.

Americans could learn much from Europe’s approach toward youth, sex (2010/02/09)
I am disappointed in Rep. Lee Nerison’s (R-Westby) vote against the Healthy Youth Act (AB 458).

Outsider: Supreme Court feeds corporate America’s power (2010/02/01)
How long before corporations start adopting babies?

Senators pushing to change Social Security guarantees (2010/02/01)
When I grew up in Texas, the dance we all learned was the Texas two-step. But times have changed. The next big dance these days could be called the Social Security double shuffle.

Judy Olson’s family thanks community for support (2010/02/01)
We are taking this time to thank this community for the support and love shown during Judy’s illness. Judy and I had planned to start a thank you just a week before she passed. I never imagined that I would be writing this by myself because of her untimely death.

Olson taught inspiration; left us with many gifts (2010/01/22)
Viroqua Area School District physical education and health teacher Judy Olson was always pointing children in the right direction -- forward.

Getting outdoors in winter has welcome rewards (2010/01/22)
I really don’t mind winter weather. I am of the belief there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. With the proper layers, wool socks and boots (which this winter include Yaktrax to better grip snow and ice) I venture out on walks with my four-legged companion, Daisy.

Outsider: Haiti, sadly, was a disaster before the earthquake (2010/01/22)
Hearing about the destruction caused by last week’s earthquake in Haiti certainly leaves one feeling helpless.

Outsider: Streamlining platforms, parts good for auto industry (2010/01/18)
Ford unveiled its revamped Ford Focus at the Detroit Auto Show this week.

The time has come to rein in agribusiness (2010/01/18)
You might be shocked to learn that our dairy foods are controlled by three companies, corn seeds by two companies, and 90 percent of our beef by three companies.

Story about striptease citations leaves former local resident with concern (2010/01/18)
I am a former resident of Viroqua and a person who still enjoys reading about and praying for the people of the community.