Valley Sentinel - 11-18-2020

Spring Green, Wisconsin

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 Vol. 1, No. 5 Free, Single-Copy

Arena Village Board faces tough budget decisions after referendums fail Emilie Conlon, Editor-in-Chief The village of Arena posed three referendum questions to residents in the Nov. 3 election, all of which failed, forcing the board to make last minute 2021 budget cuts, affecting funding for the village’s Fire and EMT Services, employee benefits and street maintenance.

Each question posed to voters earlier this month included increasing the village 2021 tax levy limit for various fundings of village services and repairs. The first question was defeated with 258 no votes and 218 yes votes, to increase the levy limit to continue funding of the village’s EMT services.

Currently, the village and township of Arena co-op on Fire and EMS services, with the township covering 58% of costs, and the village picking up the remaining 42%.

Due to the referendum not passing, the finance committee was forced to make budget cuts to the fire and EMS departmental budgets, and at its Nov. 10 meeting the full village board approved cutting the department funding to only 27% of the portion it is responsible for.

Village Clerk DaNean Naeger said the public works department cut approximately $10,100, the parks department cut about $8,490 and the police department cut approximately $4,000 to cover the approved 27% for Fire and EMS. Arena Township Board Chairman

Photo by Adam Meyer, Intern Members of the Arena Village Board meet at the Village Hall on Tuesday Nov. 10.

David Lucey spoke during public comment at the village’s last meeting, questioning whether the board had a “plan B” after the EMT referendum did not pass.

“What is the village’s plan of action for the EMT financing?” said Lucey.

“It puts the township, and us as a

board, in kind of a precarious position.”

Lucey stated at the meeting that the town board has proceeded with plans to exceed its levy limit to cover the remaining costs for the joint services.

“It’s very important to us...we would like to be able to have some kind of Plan B... Our thought process is still

the same, we went ahead and we’re working with accountants, and we’re working with folks right now, to try to get our levy changed—we will get it changed—we’re going to exceed our levy limit, by about $75,000,” said Lucey.

See page 5

Iowa county sees major COVID-19 jump over the weekend Press Release via Iowa County Iowa County - The Health Department confirms over the weekend we added 47 additional cases bringing the current COVID-19 confirmed case count in Iowa County to 963. Cases are in all age ranges and across the entire county. These recent cases are in persons in the following age ranges: 0-17 (4), 18-25 (7), 26-35 (6), 36-45 (8), 4655 (10), 56-65 (4), 66-75 (6), 76-85 (1) and 86+ (1). The number of individuals that have recovered is 445, meaning 518 active cases.

“We are continuing to experience a very high number of cases in Iowa County,” reports Debbie Siegenthaler, Director, Iowa County Health Department. “The ability we have to keep up with contact tracing continues to be a struggle,” added Siegenthaler. The Health Department has implemented crisis standards for contact tracing protocol which means that their priority is to contact positive cases only. As a result, they are unable to reach out to close contacts. “If you are awaiting a test result, please be sure to remain quarantined. If you test positive, please

isolate yourself and let your close contacts know to self-quarantine for 14 days and consider being tested,” added Siegenthaler. For more information, please visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p02599.pdf “Our health care and public health workers need the help of the community. We know everyone is tired of COVID-19. There is frustration, inconvenience and real impact on lives… we get it. Pandemics are fair to no one, but the enemy is the virus. Right now, I implore the entire community to help in slowing spread so that hospitals have

the room and staff to care for those that need it. This response is about all of us working together for the good of the community. The lives of community members depends on unity,” Siegenthaler urged.

Iowa County status has increased to a CRITICALLY HIGH activity level. Last week DHS added a “critically high” category which distinguishes counties and regions that have case rates (or case burdens) of greater than 1,000 cases per 100,000 residents over the last 14 days.

See page 5

Sauk County passes $32.4 million 2021 budget Emilie Conlon, Editor-in-Chief

The Sauk County board voted to approve its $32.4 million budget last week, with a tex levy reduction of 12 cents.

In a hearing that last approximately 30 minutes, Sauk County officials voted to make only one amendment to the budget recommended by the Finance Committee, which is a brief meeting compared to recent year’s budget hearings, according to Supervisor Marty Krueger of Reedsburg.

“I can’t recall the last time we had this few amendments,” said Krueger.

Prior to the board’s annual budget meeting, supervisors are able to review the budget and submit proposed amendments, this year only three supervisors submitted potential amendments, one of which passed.

The single approved amendment passed in a 28-2 vote, with Supervisor Wally Czuprynko of Lake Delton and Brian Peper of Loganville voting against it.

The amendment, recommended by Supervisor Rob Nelson of Baraboo, proposed providing the requested $50,000 to the Sauk County Development Corporation (SCDC). Nelson recommended the county keep it’s contract with the Von Brisen & Roper Law firm, which is providing interim Corporation Counsel services to the county, for the first six months of 2021.

The county would then reallocate the remaining $25,000 to the SCDC, and would match up to that amount for

contributions of other municipalities that fund the SCDC. Following the first six months of the new year, the county would then hire a corporation counsel to remain on staff.

The tax levy will be 12 cents lower in 2021 than this year, making the levy $4.33 per $1,000 of home value.

See page 7

Page 2

opinion/editorial

WednesdaY, Nov.18, 2020

EDITORIAL

Let’s start considering the question of how we work together in these trying times As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, embroiling the area in critically high rates of infection, necessitating going back to phase one in areas as they race to contain the spread with the holidays looming, we face dark days ahead and need to begin actively thinking about how we can work together to overcome this obstacle, this marathon, and come out on the other side not just surviving, but thriving as a community.

In times such as these, humanity often takes one of two courses—variations on collectivism and community or, more often than not, individualism. Alexis de Tocqueville called individualism the tendency that, “disposes each member of the community to sever himself from the mass of his fellows and to draw apart with his family and his friends, so that after he has thus formed a little circle of his own, he willingly leaves society at large to itself.”

While, in practicality, physically it is probably best to draw ourselves apart into our quarantine bubbles or cohorts for some time, that doesn’t mean that we must sever our ties with our community. In fact, it speaks to a greater need to organize and find ways to connect and build greater community in new and unique ways. The alternative, individ-

ualism, has negative implications for us and for our community in a couple of different ways.

When we draw apart and sever ties with our community, much like the cycle of our local economy breaking, a feedback loop of ideas and initiatives that serve to build community grind to a halt as well. For our community to thrive, we need this feedback loop and cycle to continue churning, to embrace new people and new ideas, to foster initiatives, to bring people and organizations together, to do good where good needs to be done. It is the lifeblood of a thriving community culture that now hangs in the balance, that is what’s at stake.

Chad Alan Goldberg, professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, some time ago expanded (in the context of shared governance, but still applicable here) best on the second issue outlined here with individualism, “Why is individualism a problem? Because the alternative, as Tocqueville pointed out, is guardianship and tutelage. Bad guardians use their power to make decisions with which citizens may not agree and which may even be detrimental to their interests. But even in the best case, when benevolent guardians have our best interests at heart, guardianship gradually degrades our capacities to think, feel,

and act for ourselves in matters that affect us and for which we have a legal responsibility.”

We have a responsibility to be involved, to run for office, to join a community organization, to take the time to make our community a place that thrives. Everyone is tired, but— more importantly—we need to retire tired ideas about how to govern and find ways to move forward in communication, cooperation and collaboration with one another. We need to retain and engage the community assets and institutional knowledge that we have and mix in a healthy dose of young and fresh ideas and voices, diverse and excited ideas and voices.

Many municipalities are starting to post notices of spring elections. Contact your clerk, get the forms online, get involved, join a committee (or ask why your municipality doesn’t allow citizens on advisory committees and push to change that). Get involved. However you can, get involved. Read budgets, speak at public comment, invite your neighbor, tell your kid that’s quarantining home from college to run for office, get involved. We are in the midst of something unprecedented in modern/ post-modern times, we need fresh ideas and perspectives in our governance so we can overcome and thrive.

This spring, Valley Sentinel plans

on announcing several initiatives to build community and bring people, organizations and businesses together. But we can’t do it without you.

This is not the time to sit back and say “I’m just going to wait and see,” this is not the time to wait to engage.

If the entire community sat back and waited, then we wouldn’t have a community for very long. Brainstorm ways that we can all work together.

Think of disparate groups that would not normally work together and think of ways they can come together for the betterment of our community and local economy.

Last week we asked you to hold our public officals accountable, and ask them for civility and to work together during this uncertain time.

Now, we’re asking you for the same.

Work with your fellow community members, and in turn, help build a community we can all be proud of.

Editor Column: Find new ways to celebrate this year Emilie Conlon, Editor-in-Chief We’re about a week away from Thanksgiving, which officially kicks off the most wonderful time of year, and I just found out that my family has decided to forgo our usual large gathering that brings together our huge extended family and friends due to COVID-19.

While deep down, I know this choice was the best for the safety of our entire family, I couldn’t help but shed a few tears and feel absolutely crushed.

This year has already taken so much from us, and I found myself upset that it went and snatched another thing right from underneath us, especially something that I look forward to so much each year.

You see, for me personally, this holiday season was already going to be extremely difficult and unlike any other.

I lost my grandfather to complications of bladder cancer back in August, it was the first time I’d lost a grandparent, and the holidays were his time to shine. He was a man of few words, but you could see the joy in his face when he would see all of us together and was able to help provide a meal and happy gathering place for his entire family.

His absence was already going to ring

loudly throughout my family’s celebrations this year and now it feels like it will be deafening, as our family is still very much grieving his death and trying to find our footing without him.

When I got the call about our Thanksgiving dinner being cancelled and was told that Christmas celebrations were on the fence, I was surprised to find myself angry. I was angry and I wanted someone to blame, and that felt like the worst part, because there is no one to blame—we’re all just trying our best to keep each other safe and do what’s right.

But that’s a hard thing to do when your emotions tell you the right thing to do is to be with your grieving grandmother and to pull your family close to weather through the holiday season without your glue, without your beloved grandpa, dad, husband.

As I processed my emotions, I realized that I can’t be the only person who is feeling this way, and for this reason. There are others who have lost loved ones this year, maybe even to COVID-19, and are looking for ways to connect with family and honor their loved one this holiday season.

I definitely don’t have all the answers, as I’m still trying to figure out how to

do just that myself, but I have been doing some brainstorming on how with just those in your immediate family, or those you live with we can still make the holidays special this year.

My first thought was to switch things up a bit, while this year has been tumultuous to say the least, we may feel like clinging to what’s familiar and our traditions more than usual this year, but if I’ve learned anything recently, it’s to go with the flow and sometimes to soar you need to step out of your comfort zone.

With that said, it sounds simple, but try serving something different than the usual turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes fixings and step out of the box. Now could be a good time to try a new recipe you’ve had on the back burner for a while, the anticipation of a new dish might make the more lowkey Thanksgiving dinners feel a little special.

This year would also be a good time to make a new tradition. Try playing a new board game, different (politics neutral) talking points that you might not even think to have touched on with your immediate family before, have a movie marathon—really just something that helps make that day feel a little different from every other day we’ve spent

Contact our ad team at: ads@valleysentinelnews.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Businesses!

We have advertising solutions to help your business reach and engage with our community. We are offering sponsorships and premium placement opportunities, online and in print.

Guaranteed 1,000 copy print distribution with an online engagement.

Let’s build community together.

Let’s build community together.

staying at home with the same people since March.

Try finding restaurants or organizations that do Thanksgiving or Harvest meals. Many of local restaurants and churches offer fall themed dinners on or around Thanksgiving, and this year many of them are drive-thru. It gives you the chance to get out of the house and eat some different food than normal. Heck, we get dressed up on holidays to go to our living room to celebrate, this year get dressed up and go to the car and have your home made drive thru dinner.

Nothing is normal this year and I think a lot of us feel like so much has been absent from our lives this year, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to make the most of what is present.

If you and your family are navigating this holiday season without a loved one that was present last year, I’m sorry. I know how you feel, and my heart goes out to you.

We’ll get through this.

We care about the community and want to showcase your events, especially in times like these! Our goal is to keep the community in touch with events, people, life and businesses of the Lower Wisconsin River Valley.

Email us to submit your local events. ads@valleysentinelnews.com

opinion/editorial

WednesdaY, Nov.18, 2020

Page 3

Marklein Appointed Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Finance Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green On Wednesday, November 11, 2020, incoming Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) appointed me to serve as Co-Chair of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance (JFC).

I am extremely honored, humbled and excited to be appointed to serve as co-chair of the JFC. Having served as a member of this committee for three sessions, I recognize the extraordinary opportunity before me and appreciate Majority Leader LeMahieu’s trust in me to lead this committee on behalf of the State Senate.

I will also have an enhanced role, working on behalf of the 17th Senate District. The JFC is responsible for all state appropriations and revenues, including the biennial state budget. The committee is comprised of 16 members,

eight from the State Senate and eight from the State Assembly. Members of the committee are appointed by each house.

As co-chair of this committee, I will be leading the Senate’s work on the state budget and other legislation that impacts state finances. We will be working with my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle and in both houses, to steward your tax dollars, analyze our state spending and make Marklein decisions. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), this role is

right in my wheelhouse.

I am grateful for the experience I gained over the last three budgets as a member of this committee. I am also very glad that we made several good financial decisions and built a Rainy Day Fund worth $750 million. Wisconsin was in a positive financial position at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and we will continue to work hard to recover quickly.

I have already connected with the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB), the legislature’s non partisan support agency on state finances to discuss our revenue collections and projections.

My team and I are putting together a plan for our new responsibilities while continuing the constituent services and communications that you deserve and have grown to expect from us.

There is no doubt, this appointment creates new challenges for me. I will

be working in the State Capitol more as I dig deeper into state finances and work on behalf of my caucus. However, I promise to prioritize representing the unique interests of the 17th Senate District. I will continue to draft legislation, problem-solve with constituents and seek your input. My team will continue working hard for you. Your voice will be amplified in this new role for me.

I look toward this new appointment with optimism and enthusiasm. I welcome the challenge and opportunity to contribute my skills and talents in this new way. Stay tuned for updates and news as we prepare for the next legislative session.

As always, please do not hesitate to connect with me to provide input, ideas or to seek assistance. Send an email to sen.marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov or call 608-266-0703.

State Senators recognizing Wisconsin CPAs Wisconsin Legislature Madison, WI – Senators Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield), Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) and Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), all Certified Public Accountants, would like to recognize the over 12,000 licensed CPAs as we celebrate “Wisconsin CPA Week.”

“We give recognition and thanks to our CPAs for their hard work and the

impact they have on our communities.

They provide sound, reliable financial counsel that protects and promotes the growth of our businesses and the confidence of investors in our state,” said Senator Kapenga.

“CPAs are professionals who help businesses and institutions of all kinds flourish. They help individuals navigate complex laws and regulations so

they prosper. They also help children and adults alike learn financial literacy.

In so many ways, CPAs are a vital part of our communities and I congratulate them on their 115 years of service,” said Senator Kooyenga.

“The Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants is celebrating its 115th anniversary this year by recognizing CPAs as the economic engines of

Wisconsin’s economy. We certainly appreciate all they do for our great state,” said Senator Marklein.

Please join us as the week of November 16th has been designated “Wisconsin CPA Week.”

bating COVID-19, we’ve been told by the GOP that they were working on legislation.

That was months ago, and still nothing.

Ninety-two people have died since yesterday [Nov. 16] and Speaker Vos is still trying to blame Governor Evers. As

the Governor has been saying over and over again, his door has been open, it’s the majority Republicans who continue to say no. And, it’s not lost on Wisconsinites that the Republican Speaker of the State Assembly held a press conference today and said nothing.”

Erpenbach responds to Vos press conference with ‘no new ideas’ Sen. Jon Erpenback, D-West Point “Today [Nov.17] we saw a total lack of leadership from Representative Vos, and Senate Republicans were absent altogether. April 15th was the last time we took the floor to address this issue and Robin Vos hasn’t brought a thing to the table

since. The latest Republican ‘ideas’ of testing and contact tracing could have, in fact, should have, been addressed months ago were it not for GOP inaction.

Ever since Republicans went to court to stop The Evers Administration from com-

Contact us

PO Box 144 Spring Green, Wisconsin 53588 USA (608) 588-6694 editor@valleysentinelnews.com valleysentinelnews.com Editorial Editor-in-Chief Emilie Conlon Creative Director Morgan Marlenga Managing Editor Quincy Aston-Lott Legal Editor Gerry Strang, esq.

Deadlines: The display and classified

Valley Sentinel is published in Spring Green, Wisconsin every Wednesday by Lower Wisconsin River Valley Sentinel, LLC. ISSN 2694-541X (print) — ISSN 2694-5401 (online) Interns Graphic Design/Pagination Amber Mueller

advertising deadline is Friday at noon for the following week. If you would like our design team to design the ad then please allow extra time for the creative process and proofing.

Ad team: ads@valleysentinelnews.com

Sports Austin Keach

Graphic Design/Editorial Nicole Hansen

Editorial/Social Media/Marketing Matthew L. Beyer

Marketing/Community Relations/Video Production/Editorial Adam Meyer

Graphic Design/Pagination Anna Stocks-Hess

Graphic Design/Infographics Whitney Back

Editorial Adeline Holte

Database Engineering Jessie Zheng

Our team will be growing and changing as we settle into publishing regularly, please stay in touch. Thank you to all of our contributors, by name and by pen, for believing in our community.

Editorial Policy

On certain topics in areas of great community interest, the editors of the Valley Sentinel may take positions they believe best represent and serve the interests of the community. Any opinions or positions taken by the editorial board are separate and distinct in labeling and substance from the community journalism that appears in the rest of the publication and does not affect the integrity

Letter to the Editor Policy

Letters submitted for consideration are subject to fact-checking and editing for space and clarity.

Submissions must have a compelling local community interest. Letters to the editor must fit within a 500-word limit, and include name, city and phone number. Phone numbers are for office use only and will not be published. Letters of a political nature, without chance of rebuttal, will not be published the week before an election.

and impartiality of our reporting.

Est. 2020 igne conflatum “Forged in Fire”

Valley Sentinel is a free, weekly single-copy news publication, available on newsstands in the area.

Covering Arena, Lone Rock, Plain, Spring Green and the surrounding areas.

Column Policy

Editors may feature opinion columns written by public figures, members of the public or other publication staff. Columns reflect the opinions of the individual contributors and do not represent positions of the publication. Guest columns of an anticipated length more than 500 words should seek prior editor authorization.

Subscribe Want the paper delivered to your home or business? Subscribe online at valleysentinelnews. com/subscribe or subscribe annually with your name, phone number, address and $30 sent to: Valley Sentinel, PO Box 144, Spring Green, WI 53588

Community Discussion Policy

From time to time the editorial board may select letters to the editor of a particular compelling community interest where a public figure or accountable public action is the recipient of criticism and allow, in the same issue, the subject of the criticism chance for rebuttal, with expounded independent input. The format shall be point, counterpoint and expert analysis. This community discussion shall serve as a moderated dialogue that presents multiple views of important community topics.

Page 4

opinion/editorial

WednesdaY, Nov. 18, 2020

Wisconsin Broadband Providers continue promoting rural investments Bill Esbeck, Executive Director of the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association The Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association (WSTA) was founded in 1910 to represent local telephone companies offering voice service. More than a century later, our members remain committed to their customers and communities as they work to deploy broadband throughout Wisconsin.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband as an internet service with a download speed of at least 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speed of at least 3Mbps. Twice a year, broadband providers across the country submit information to the FCC that identifies the location, availability, and speed of their internet service. This FCC data is used to create the National Broadband Map. Based on June 2019 data, which is the most recently available, the FCC National Broadband Map data shows: 92% of all Wisconsin residents have at least one terrestrial (DSL, Cable, Fiber or Fixed Wireless) broadband provider offering 25Mbps/3Mbps.

75% of rural Wisconsin residents have at least one terrestrial (DSL, Ca-

ble, Fiber or Fixed Wireless) broadband provider offering 25Mbps/3Mbps.

Using the same technologies (DSL, Cable, Fiber or Fixed Wireless), 98% of all Wisconsin residents and 94% of rural Wisconsin residents have internet service available at speeds of at least 10Mbps/1Mbps. However, additional investment is needed to bring broadband service to more rural residents.

The primary challenge in rural areas without 25Mbps/3Mbps service is low population density. Simply put, it is more expensive to serve rural communities when you have miles per customer as opposed to communities with customers per mile.

WSTA members are dedicated to reaching more rural customers with robust broadband offerings that meet and exceed the FCC definition of broadband.

In the 2019-2020 Legislative Session, WSTA supported legislation introduced

by Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Representative Romaine Quinn (R-Cameron) to incentivize rural broadband deployment through targeted property tax exemptions. The targeted tax exemptions are available for telephone company property used to

Business Spotlight

provide broadband service in a rural or underserved area. With support from a broad coalition, the bill was signed into law on March 3, 2020 by Governor Tony Evers as 2019 Wisconsin Act 128.

The new law complements other state and federal programs to promote rural broadband expansion.

On the state level, Wisconsin’s Broadband Expansion Grant Program received a record $48 million for the 2019-2021 biennium. In addition, Wisconsin’s voluntary Broadband Forward! Community and Telecommuter Forward! Community certifications are options for local governments interested in welcoming broadband investment and promoting broadband usage.

At the federal level, the FCC administers several programs to increase broadband availability in rural America. These programs include the Connect America Fund II (CAF II), Alternative Connect America Model (A-CAM) and A-CAM II: Wisconsin’s three largest telecommunications providers were eligible for CAF II. The six-year program, which ends in 2020, allocated $570 million in Wisconsin to AT&T, CenturyLink and Frontier.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Let’s build community together.

Businesses!

You’re important to us and to our community, neither could thrive without your support, and you thrive through engagement with them.

We’re offering annual brief spotlight stories at no cost to you so you can inform our community of any updates or new offerings you may have.

Want to snag one of our first spots?

Contact us today! ads@valleysentinelnews.com

Eleven Wisconsin companies elected to participate in A-CAM. Those providers will receive almost $300 million in FCC support over the life of the tenyear program.

Nine Wisconsin companies are accepting A-CAM II support from the FCC. The nine providers will receive more than $160 million during the tenyear A-CAM II program.

On October 29, 2020, the FCC opened the reverse auction for phase one of the new Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF). The reverse auction will end on November 24, 2020.

Nationwide, the RDOF will allocate $20.4 billion over ten years for broadband deployment in rural America. In Wisconsin, the RDOF auction winners will build broadband with minimum speeds of 25Mbps/3Mbps to 30,137 rural Wisconsin census blocks.

Moving forward, WSTA members will continue to prioritize and promote additional rural broadband deployment.

Our member companies will explore every opportunity to collaborate with federal, state, and local partners for the benefit of our rural communities and customers.

We care about the community and want to showcase your events, especially in times like these! Our goal is to keep the community in touch with events, people, life and businesses of the Lower Wisconsin River Valley.

Email us to submit your local events. ads@valleysentinelnews.com

Valley Sentinel wants to see your No-Shave November pictures!

This month is No-Shave November and Movember — to raise awareness of men’s health issues such as men’s suicide, prostate and testicular cancer.

Share your before and after pics of growing a beard! Or show off your styled beard! The best pictures could be featured in Valley Sentinel!

If we get enough submissions, we’ll do a contest!

• Make a pledge to not shave for the month of November (trimming is ok!)

Make the Pledge

• Already have a beard? Start from scratch or grow it out and style it!

• Ask your friends and family to pledge $1 (or more) for every day that you don’t shave.

Send your submissions to: editor@valleysentinelnews.com Please visit no-shave.org & movember.com for more information on how to get involved.

Community

Arena Township, village mull EMS funding options Continue from page 1 It appears the township is going through the levy limit process under Wis. Stat. 66.0602(5) that allows electors in towns under 3,000 in population to exceed the maximum allowable levy limit by following a specific process in statute.

This would include creating and passing a resolution to exceed the levy limit, and holding public meetings allowing electors to vote on the matter.

Lucey said to fund the township’s normal 58% of the fire and EMS services costs, resident’s taxes would increase between $47-$51 per $100,000 of valuation.

When asked if he was optimistic, come this upcoming budget year, that the joint fire department and EMT program was going to be funded adequately, Lucey stated, “I’m a little bit pessimistic right now.”

The township and village will hold a joint fire board meeting to continue discussing and taking action on the matter Nov. 19.

The village posed two other referendum questions that failed on Nov. 3, the second including increasing the levy limit for employee retention and benefits, which failed with 299 no votes and 174 yes votes.

Naeger said the village employees will not receive health insurance in 2021 due to the referendum failing.

The third question included increasing the levy limit for maintaining village streets, which failed 295-177. This means there will be no capital outlay funding for public streets or public works equipment in 2021.

Other actions and discussions the board took at the Nov. 10 meeting include: • Accepting Ray Porter’s resignation from the Plan Commission • Appointing Village President Kate Reimann to the Fire Board • Appointing Trustee Jessica Voight to the Dane/Iowa Watershed Board • Reduced the number of meeting notices posted. The Village will no longer post at the Crappie Shop or Grandma Mary’s Cafe, the Village will now post at the village hall and electronically on the village website. Approved, with Trustee Paul Pustina dissenting.

On April 6, 2021 four Trustee seats will be up for election in the Village of Area. Currently Village President Kate Reimann, Trustee Tara Hill, Trustee Bill Hansen, and Trustee Kathy Scholtz are incumbents in the seats.

Nomination papers can be circulated staring Dec. 1, 2020 and must be returned to the village clerk by 5 p.m.

Jan. 5.

If a primary election is necessary, it will be held on Feb. 16, 2021.

Adam Meyer, editorial intern and Quincy Aston-Lott, Managing Editor, contributed to this reporting

WednesdaY, Nov. 18, 2020

Page 5

School Board Elections On April 6, 2021, an election will be held for three school board seats, including school district area’s number five, seven and eight.

Area No. 5, represents the town of Bear Creek in Sauk County included in the School District and all portion of Richland County included within the School District except the Village of Lone Rock. The Area. No. 5 incumbent is Mark Strozinsky.

Area No. 7, represents the portions of Sauk County included in the School District except the Villages of Plain and Spring Green and except that portion of the Town of Bear Creek in said School District. The Area No. 7 incumbent is Frederic H. Iausly.

Area No. 8, being all that portion of the Town of Wyoming included in said School District. The Area No. 8 incumbent is Kiley Cates.

A Campaign Registration Statement and a Declaration of Candidacy, must be filed no later than 5 p.m., on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, in the office of the school district clerk.

If a primary election is necessary based on number of candidates, the primary will be held on Feb. 16, 2021.

A photo ID will be required to vote in this election, on April 6, 2021.

Iowa County officals warn of holiday gatherings Continue from page 1

This is 10 times higher than the “high” category. For more detail, visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ covid-19/disease.htm Monday, November 9, 2020, the Health Department recommended a shift back to phase 1 in its Mass Gathering Recommendation. The Health Department is asking the Iowa County community to: • Limit indoor gatherings to 10 people or less.

• Limit outdoor gatherings to 25 people or less.

• Post-pone or cancel all non-essential events, gatherings and travel • Wear a cloth face covering in public settings, especially when it is difficult to practice physical distancing.

• Stay at least 6 feet away from other people when you leave your home.

• Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

With cases increasing so drastically, the Health Department also recommended November 9, 2020, that schools consider moving to virtual instruction for middle and high school students, and consider doing so for the entire district as operationally necessary. It was also recommended that schools postpone all contact sports.

These measures are recommended to be in place until December 4,, 2020 at which time we will evaluate local metrics.

Keeping Safe this Thanksgiving “As we approach the end of the month with the Thanksgiving Holiday, we ask every citizen to place the health of their community at the forefront”, stated Siegenthaler. The concern about hospital capacity, locally and regionally, is very real. The goal is to have care available for every person who presents needing care. In order for that to be feasible, we must slow spread.

Ideas to celebrate more safely • Share a meal with only the people who live in your household.

• Prepare meals and treats in a way that doesn't involve contact, this can be a great way to safely share the holidays with family, friends, and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID 19.

• Have a virtual dinner with friends and family. Consider virtually connecting while you cook, while you eat, or both.

• Shop online rather than in person. · Watch sports events, parades, and movies from home.

Community Testing in Iowa County: • Thursday, November 19 from 11:00 – 1:00 at the Health and Human Services Center located at 303 West Chapel Street in Dodgeville.

• Wisconsin National Guard testing Friday, November 20 from 10:006:00pm at the Health and Human Services Center located at 303 West Chapel Street in Dodgeville.

Testing is free and open to anyone (age 5+) who feels they have a need to be tested. Minors must be accompa-

nied by a parent or guardian with consent. Appointments are not required, but it is requested that those who wish to be tested pre-register at https://register.covidconnect.wi.gov.

People should consider visiting the testing site if: • They have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

• They have COVID-19 symptoms • They have regular exposure to a large number of people (i.e., people who work in grocery stores) * They work closely with high-risk populations (i.e., healthcare workers, people who work with people who are incarcerated, people who work in long-term care facilities) Iowa County will be hosting an additional Wisconsin National Guard testing site at HHS in Dodgeville on December 4th. These Guard sites are in addition to the other WING test sites in Grant and Lafayette Counties throughout November and December.

Follow our facebook page for a list of weekly testing opportunities in southwest Wisconsin.

Upland Hills Hospital continues to provide COVID testing. Please see the Upland Hills website for information on getting tested at their facility.

For information on the number of cases in Iowa, Sauk and Richland Counties, visit page 12.

Local. Natural.

Delicious.

We strive to serve specialty coffee and baked goods created with ingredients that are locally sourced, all natural and sustainable.

Our schedule is posted each week on social media.

Get in touch with us today! www.butternutroadcoffee.com butternutroadcoffeetruck@gmail.com 608-459-5016 Butternut Road Coffee Truck butternutroad_coffeetruck Butternut_Road

Coffee & News A collaboration by Valley Sentinel & Butternut Road Coffee.

Stop by the coffee truck starting mid-week to pick up a copy of Valley Sentinel with your coffee, while supplies last.

Page 6

Arts & Culture

WednesdaY, Nov. 18, 2020

APT Review: APT portrays historical figure, philosophy Nicole Hansen, Intern

Having always had a love for history, I was more than excited to sit down and watch the American Players Theatre’s (APT) performance of Nathan Alan Davis’ play “Nat Turner in Jerusalem,” directed

by Gavin Lawrence. Mediated through Zoom with strategic use of sound effects and props, this play portrays the conversations between the leader of the largest slave rebellion in American history, Nat Turner, and attorney, Thomas Gray, as well as his prison guard turned friend, the night before Nat Turner’s execution.

The story takes place in Turner’s prison cell in Jerusalem, Virginia, and is performed by a small cast, consisting only of La Shawn Banks as Nat Turner, and Nate Burger as Thomas Gray and the prison guard. While Zoom tends to be more limiting than a stage, this medium fits well with the content of this play, as it takes place in one room, and only has three characters.

This format fits the intimate discussions between these characters, as well as with Turner’s monologues.

APT summarizes the plot, saying, “In

1831, Nat Turner led a slave revolt that has been credited by some with accelerating the onset of the Civil War. While he was in prison awaiting his execution, Turner dictated his story to attorney Thomas Gray, and it was published as “The Confessions of Nat Turner, the leader of the late insurrection in Southampton, VA.” In Nathan Alan Davis’ 2016 play Nat Turner in Jerusalem, Turner’s final night in jail is reimagined in a meditation on past deeds and future repercussions that The New York Times called ‘an earnest, gravely lyrical gloss on a document that will surely always evoke passionate and widely different responses.’”

Through the dialogue of this play, we learn about the life and philosophy of Nat Turner as themes of religion, race, morals, ethics, life, and death are explored in the conversations between Turner and Gray.

Gray is seeking to find out if there is a conspiracy that will lead to more uprisings in the future, as well if there was a connection to the ones that occurred around the same time. However, Turner explains that there is no earthly conspiracy, and the rebellion took place not because of the decisions of

APT Preview: Smart People Nicole Hansen, Intern

This week, I was provided the opportunity to watch the American Players Theatre’s performance of Lydia R. Diamond’s play, “Smart People” directed by Melisa Pereyra.

This will be the last piece in their “Out of the Woods” series. Focusing on the issues of race, socio-economic status, sexuality, and identity as a whole, Diamond pieces together short scenes involving a variety of characters, as well as monologues, sometimes simultaneously. Working with the limitations posed by the Zoom format, elements such as reading stage directions aloud, adding sound effects, and showing maps to set the scene, allows the audience to make sense of the direction of the play.

The story takes place in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specifically on or around the Harvard University campus between the years 2007 and 2009. The narrative of this play uses elements of comedy to drive the otherwise stark, yet meaningful interactions between these Harvard intellectuals. This play is performed by a diverse cast and explores the issues encountered on a

daily basis by minority groups. Some of the issues discussed in the play surround the politics behind Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, and the reactions of different members of the Harvard class on these issues. Although these issues specifically concern the events of the past, the themes are still just as relevant today, making this play just as impactful now as it was then.

After watching the first two installments of American Players’ Theatre’s “Out of the Woods” series, I was excited to see the finale, and it did not disappoint. If you have enjoyed their previous performances, or just enjoy stories about once separate worlds colliding, I recommend this as a way to reminisce back to the times which seemed simple now, but at the time were anything but. Available at pbs.org starting on 11/20 joining the prior performances “The Sins of Sor Juana” and “Nat Turner in Jerusalem” through 12/31.

men, but because of instructions from God. The book by Thomas Gray that the play is based off describes Turner as a mystical being, and therefore, this play focuses on destiny and faith as opposed to limiting itself to the topic of slavery.

A theme that cannot be ignored are the parallels drawn by Davis between Nat Turner and Jesus of Nazareth, as well as that of the biblical Moses. The facts of history lend themselves to this connection, as Turner was in fact jailed and hanged in Jerusalem, VA, almost exactly 1800 years after Jesus was executed in Jerusalem, Israel. Beyond that however, we can see parallels in the thinking of the two. Nat Turner was able to assemble the people necessary for his revolt by using the teachings of the Christian Bible to inspire his followers, in much the same way that Jesus utilized the holy teachings of the time to develop his following. In the performance, Turner explicitly compares himself and his cohorts as a combination of all the plagues of Egypt, brought onto the Egyptian pharaoh by Moses when he would not allow the Israelites to go free.

Beyond the acting, Michael Morgan and

Gavin Lawrence work excellently together to bring the sounds of the theatre to us via Zoom. This can range from things as seemingly simple as the sound of a closing door when a character leaves the room, to the haunting, spiritual hymns performed by Lawrence during scene changes.

These hymns are accompanied by images sketched by Casey Hoekstra, which when paired with the hymns, are a powerful way to keep the viewer enthralled in the performance, even when there are no actors on screen.

This show is an absolute must-see, and I would recommend to anyone interested in this topic to read the original document, “The Confessions of Nat Turner, the Leader of the Late Insurrection in Southampton, VA”, as it is free and available online. The raw, emotional performances from Banks and Burger, combined with the off-camera work of Morgan and Lawrence, brilliantly display the themes and words of Nathan Davis’s play. American Players Theatre has once again brought us an intense look into a world of the past through a window of the present.

Businesses!

We have advertising solutions to help your business reach and engage with our community. We are offering sponsorships and premium placement opportunities, online and in print.

Guaranteed 1,000 copy print distribution with an online engagement.

Contact our ad team at: ads@valleysentinelnews.com Let’s build community together.

Community

WednesdaY, Nov. 18, 2020

Page 7

Evers announces grants to help schools, libraries teach remotely Department of Administration MADISON-- The Department of Administration (DOA) announced that $3 million is now available to eligible school districts and libraries through Technology for Educational Achievement (TEACH) Grants. TEACH Grants assist school districts and libraries acquire the equipment and services necessary to build a modern infrastructure system to better teach and support Wisconsin students remotely and in the classroom.

“Now, more than ever, access to

modern IT equipment and reliable technology infrastructure is critical to the success of all students,” said DOA Secretary Joel Brennan. “This year’s TEACH Grants will help communities throughout Wisconsin expand access at a critical time for our state and nation.”

TEACH Grant funding can be used for infrastructure equipment such as access points, maintenance of internal connections, cabling, hotspots, LAN controllers, routers, switches, UPS/battery backup and wireless controllers.

The grant can also support invest-

ments in infrastructure services, such as cyber security, network, and data assessments.

The program provides eligible school districts grants between $30,000 and $60,000. Eligible libraries can receive grants between $5,000 and $10,000.

Lists of eligible libraries and school districts, as well as the maximum funding available to them, can be found HERE. Eligible school districts and libraries can apply for TEACH grants online at the TEACH website at teach.wi.gov.

Grant applications must be submitted to DOA/TEACH by 11:59 p.m. on De-

cember 18, 2020. Late applications will not be considered.

For more information about the grant requirements and the application process, visit the TEACH Grant website.

For more information, visit https://teach.wi.gov/pages/home. aspx

Sauk County recovering from early 2020 sales tax revenue loss Continued from page 1 A major concern for the county finance department at the start of the 2021 budget making process was COVID-19, and potential revenue losses due to the “safer at home order” from the Governor in April.

Initially, the county was expecting to lose approximately $2 million of its 2020 budgeted $10 million sales tax revenue, due to a lack of tourists spend-

ing and resort closures in Lake Delton and Wisconsin Dells.

Since the order was overturned in May and the pull back of coronavirus shutdowns, the county is now only expecting to be short approximately $730,000 for 2020 sales tax revenue.

“In a typical year, over 50% of our sales tax revenue is generated by the tourism industry. So, of course, when that is impacted we feel it much more

Plain, Lone Rock village boards meet for November The Plain Village Board met on Nov. 11 for its regular monthly board meeting, with minimal actions taken at the 45 minute meeting.

Actions and discussions by the Plain Village Board include: • Discussion on the Library extending rules regarding visitors wearing masks throughout November. Trustee Tracy Brent reported that 1,416 visitors to the library in October, 1,000 of which were during Fermentation Fest.

• Discussing the finishing of street sweeping, where Public Works Director John Ruhland stated that residents were not allowed to place leaves in the streets to be swept up, as it is against village ordinances. He stated residents that do so could be fined.

• Clerk Sheila Carver announced that the village saw 492 voters total in the Nov. 3 election, 209 of which were absentee. Carver said poll workers were busy on election day processing ballots, and did not finish until 7 p.m. on election day.

• Carver stated that she is preparing for a potential presidential election recount.

• The board heard a second reading and adopted an ordinance to increase sewer rates slightly in 2021.

• The board discussed the potential sale of the Honey Creek Business Park land in a contract with First Weber. The board voted to give Board President Ray Ring the authority to finalize contract and sale details.

• The board will hold a public budget hearing at 7 p.m. Dec. 2.

The Lone Rock Village board also met on Nov. 10 in its regular Nov. Board meeting.

Actions and discussions by the Lone Rock Village board include: • The board heard from Mark Doyle at Delta 3 Engineering on the finalization of phase two of the water systems improvement projects. The board also votes to pay Ewers Contracting, Inc $80, 693 for the second phase of the project.

• The board also heard from Doyle with Delta 3 Engineering regarding their professional and technical services for the procurement of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP) funding. The contract for services will be increasing from $18,000 to $30,000. The board accepted the revision in costs unanimously.

• Accepted two proposals to refinish floors in the community center. The first proposal estimated $1,550 to sand the floor with 120 grit sandpaper to remove and surface damage. The second proposal estimated $850 for a deep cleaning and restoration of the community center lower level carpet. The projects will be completed by Mark’s Cleaning Service in Viroqua.

than our sister counties across the state,” said Krueger.

The 2021 budget was passed in a 27-3 vote.

In 2020, the county approved a $31.7 million budget, which added 12 new positions across county departments including a new public health position, four new health and human services positions, four positions for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council—

now called the Justice Diversion and Support program, one position in the veterans affairs department and two positions in the highway department.

The 2020 budget also included $400,000 towards phase three of building on the Great Sauk State Trail, a recreational trail that would connect Sauk to Dane County. This year’s budget also allocated funding for the dredging of Lake Redstone in La Valle.

“The good stuff.”

Page 8

Community/Outdoors/recreation

WednesdaY, Nov. 18, 2020

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources The 2020 deer hunting season will continue Wisconsin’s strong hunting heritage, providing excellent hunting possibilities, quality time with family and friends, and the opportunity to secure tasty venison for the dinner table.

Wisconsin continues to be a national leader in record book entries for the size of our bucks, and there are ample opportunities to see and harvest deer in most areas of the state. And with over seven million acres of land open to public access in a wide range of habitats, there are endless ways to get out there and explore the hunting adventures waiting for you this fall!

Despite some far northern areas with prolonged deep snow over the past winter, average cold season temperatures across the state were warmer than normal, resulting in moderate conditions in most northern counties. While some winter losses are experienced every year, they were not known to be

significant this past winter. Population objectives in most northern deer management units are to increase deer numbers. In order to achieve those objectives, three northern units will see buck-only deer seasons, and the remaining northern units will provide at least some limited antlerless hunting opportunities.

The farmland areas of the state saw a relatively mild winter overall despite short periods of snow and cold, and the effects of winter are not expected to negatively impact the herd. Excellent deer hunting opportunities can be found in the farmland areas of the state, although the land in this area is more privately owned. Gaining access to private land for deer hunting can be a challenge.

However, public land can provide deer sightings and hunting excitement, especially early in the season. The DNR and County Deer Advisory Councils (CDACs) recognize the continued challenge of managing the deer herd

at socially and biologically acceptable levels in some units.

Many farmland units have multiple antlerless harvest authorizations included with each deer hunting license and offer an antlerless-only holiday hunt. In addition, hunters, landowners and farmers have programs available to provide site-specific deer management assistance and deer hunting opportunities where most needed.

For a complete overview of all deer hunting rules including changes for this season, please check the 2020 Wisconsin Hunting Regulations available online or at hunting license vendors.

For additional information, visit dnr.wi.gov and search “deer.” There, you will find an abundance of helpful information including FAQs, maps, resources to help find a place to hunt and more.

See page 10

In other news COVID-19 Cases the in RV School District: Glassbrenner releases case numbers used to make decision Last week, Valley Sentinel submitted a public records request to the River Valley School District to recieve the number of COVID-19 cases reported within the district at that time. Valley Sentinel felt those specific case numbers held important informational value as they were used in the district’s decision to move towards all-virtual instruction until Nov. 30.

Below is the response to the public records request by District Administrator Loren Glasbrenner.

“We are a small school district and, to protect the medical privacy of our staff and students, we have chosen to aggregate data for staff and students rtaht than separate the data as you request.

The total number of COVID-related cases, including both staff and students, was six individuals during the week of Oct. 26 and the total number of COVID-related cases, including both staff and students during the week of Nov. 2 was 25 individuals.

Additionally, we quarantine individuals that have been exposed/ in close-contact with positive cases. During the week of Oct. 26, we had almost 50 individuals in quarantine, which jumped to more than 100 individuals the next week.”

Light Up the Valley The Spring Green Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Holiday Lights competition this holiday season. Residents can decorate the outside of their homes and lawns with lights and holiday decor for the chamber, event sponsors and fellow residents to vote for. To register your home, visit www.springgreen.com by Dec. 4. Homes must be ready for judging by Dec. 14.

Prizes include: Best Decor—$100 prize Be like Clark Griswold—$100 prize Community Favorite—$250 prize Voting will take place Dec. 10-31.

COVID-19 testing at UW-Platteville Richland County University of Wisconsin Platteville at Richland County will offer free COVID-19 testing starting Nov. 18.

The rapid testing will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Wednesday Nov. 18- Dec. 16. Results from the tests will be ready within 15 minutes.

Testing will be appointment only and will take place in the Classroom Building on the UW-Platteville Richland campus.

To register for an appointmnet visit www.doineedacovid19test.com Testing is available for area residents ages five and older. Participants do not have to be experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to the virus to be tested. Non-Richland County residents are able to take part, including non-students and staff at the university.

Page 9

Outdoors/recreation

WednesdaY, Nov. 18, 2020

Options for new hunters as they head into 2020 deer hunting season More info

Ashley Van Egtern, DNR hunter education program

Online Education

MADISON, Wis. – As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in our state, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering alternatives to traditional in person hunter education and outdoor skills classes in order to keep people safe while hunting this season.

The following options are available to new and returning hunters in 2020.

To take the online-only youth hunter education course, visit https://www.hunter-ed.com/wisconsin/

Hunter Education: New Online-Only Certification Option For Youth

As of Oct. 15, students of all ages can earn their Wisconsin hunter education safety certification through a single, online-only hunter education course under a temporary change approved by the DNR. While online-only hunter education safety certification has been available to adults since 2018, this year’s temporary change allows those under age 18 to take the online-only course now through Dec. 31, 2020. Those interested in taking the online-only course who are over 18 years of age may continue to do so after Dec. 31.

Mentored Hunting

If there is someone in your household who is interested in trying hunting, check out Mentored Hunting. This program allows novice hunters of any age to purchase a mentored hunting license without first completing a hunter education course, as long as the novice hunts within arm’s reach of a licensed mentor over the age of 18. If you have not passed Hunter Safety but would like to hunt with a mentor this year, you may buy your license through

Mentored hunt To get a license for a mentored-only hunt, visit https://gowild.wi.gov/ To learn more about mentored hunting visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/Education/ OutdoorSkills/mentor

Photo via DNR As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in our state, the DNR is offering alternatives to traditional in-person hunter education and outdoor skills classes in order to keep people safe while hunting this season.

Go Wild. Upon completion, the license will automatically print as “Mentored Only.”

Tips For New And Returning Hunters

The DNR is committed to providing hunters with free and easy access to public lands. To locate public hunting land near you, click here.

Consider taking the online-only hunter education course as a refresher or to earn your hunter education safety

Submit photos or videos with brief description, the hunter’s name (and the names of anyone else in the picture - including the age of a youth hunter) along with the location to enter for a chance to win!

You can include the deer’s weight, antlers and spread, if you choose.

Pictures must be received by Nov. 30, additional sponsors/prizes may be added.

PRIZES Biggest Doe 1st Place: Vortex Crossfire 10x42 Binoculars, Free Deer Processing at Prem Meats ($120 value), $50 Straka Meats gift card, 2nd Place: $50 Prem Meats gift card, Vortex hat 3rd Place: $25 Prem Meats gift card, Vortex Nalgene water bottle

Shooting Range For a list of shooting ranges nearby, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/Education/OutdoorSkills/ WisconsinShootingRanges#A

Best Youth Harvest 1st Place: Free Deer Processing at Prem Meats ($120 value), $25 Straka Meats gift card, 2nd Place: $50 Prem Meats gift card, Vortex hat 3rd Place: $25 Prem Meats gift card, Vortex Nalgene water bottle

We care about the community and want to showcase your events, especially in times like these! Our goal is to keep the community in touch with events, people, life and businesses of the Lower Wisconsin River Valley.

Let’s build community together.

Email us to submit your local events. ads@valleysentinelnews.com

Submissions: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

1st Place: Vortex Crossfire 10x42 Binoculars, Free Deer Processing at Prem Meats ($120 value), $100 Straka Meats gift card 2nd Place: $50 Prem Meats gift card, Vortex hat 3rd Place: $25 Prem Meats gift card, Vortex Nalgene water bottle

To purshcase a huntiing license for the 2020 season, visit https://gowild.wi.gov/

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Valley Sentinel wants to see your deer hunting pictures!

Biggest Buck

certificate.

Check out your local shooting ranges for rifle and shotgun sight-in opportunities.

Don’t forget to buy your license.

The DNR wishes all hunters a fun, safe and successful hunting season. .

Hunting Licenses

Best View Out in the Field 1st Place: $50 Prem Meats gift card, $25 Straka Meats gift card, Vortex hat 2nd Place: $25 Prem Meats gift card, Vortex hat, Vortex Nalgene water bottle 3rd Place: $10 Prem Meats gift card, Vortex Nalgene water bottle

Valley Sentinel wants to see your No-Shave November pictures!

This month is No-Shave November and Movember — to raise awareness of men’s health issues such as men’s suicide, prostate and testicular cancer.

Share your before and after pics of growing a beard! Or show off your styled beard! The best pictures could be featured in Valley Sentinel!

If we get enough submissions, we’ll do a contest!

• Make a pledge to not shave for the month of November (trimming is ok!)

Make the Pledge

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Already have a beard? Start from scratch or grow it out and style it!

• Ask your friends and family to pledge $1 (or more) for every day that you don’t shave.

Send your submissions to: editor@valleysentinelnews.com Please visit no-shave.org & movember.com for more information on how to get involved.

Page 10 WednesdaY, Nov. 18, 2020

Across the southern district, wildlife biologists are very optimistic about the 2020 deer season. The late start to the gun deer season last year and record standing crop across the district brought below average deer harvests, which should result in a population increase in most counties and abundant opportunities this coming fall. In addition, below-recommended antlerless harvests over the last couple of years and highly productive habitat have led to increased populations throughout much of the Southern Farmland Zone.

DNR staff and the general public have reported frequent sightings throughout the summer, including an abundance of fawns as more and more people have ventured outside this spring and summer. However, it is important for hunters to keep in mind that there is great variation in the quality of habitat across the landscape, and as a result, the number of deer inhabiting individual properties can vary significantly.

There are abundant antlerless harvest opportunities, including additional seasons in response to public feedback and the gradual increase in deer numbers.

The southern district encompasses a wide range of deer habitat types, from the high wooded ridges and coulees in the southwest to the flat, productive farmlands of the south- central counties, all the way to the urbanized landscape of the southeastern counties along Lake Michigan. We also host the rolling southern kettles in the east and the extensive mix of wetland, woodland and agricultural lands of Dodge, Jefferson and Columbia counties. This high level of variation in habitat types, conditions and quality contributes to a stable to increasing deer population that can fluctuate from one square mile to the next. Deer numbers do tend to be relatively higher in the western and central portions of the district due to habitat differences. Nevertheless, excellent opportunities to harvest multiple deer and mature bucks can be found in all counties that make up the southern district. In fact, a potential new state record buck was found dead last winter in Rock County.

Early season natural food sources appear to be doing well despite a cool spring and will provide areas for hunters to focus their efforts as deer take advantage of the early season hard and soft mast crops. Agricultural crops are also looking good compared to previous years due to the moderate rainfall events that have occurred throughout the spring and into mid-summer. According to the USDA Wisconsin Crop Progress Report, corn and soybeans are not only ahead of last year but are also currently ahead of the five-year average.

Hopefully this means a quality yield for farmers and a timely harvest for increased hunting opportunities. Early season food sources such as lush alfalfa, soybean and quality early successional fields are prime locations for hunters to begin their scouting efforts and harvest an unpressured deer when the bow seasons opens in mid-September.

Hunters should keep in mind that once these seasonal foods are no longer

available or palatable, deer will start to expand their range looking for alternatives. In areas where deer numbers are the highest, we sometimes see quality habitat decrease, resulting in deer traveling further looking for other sources of food. This is where the appropriate habitat and herd management practices can assist in your success throughout the hunting season.

Landowners interested in learning more about habitat and herd management should consider signing up for the Deer Management Assistance Program by visiting dnr.wi.gov and searching “DMAP.” Most deer within the southern district are harvested on private property, which makes up more than 90 percent of the landscape here.

However, excellent deer hunting can also be found on the tens of thousands of acres of county, state and federally owned lands open to deer hunting in southern Wisconsin. Public lands often

Wisconsin DNR Southern District

Outdoors/recreation

get a bad rap as having more hunters than deer, but savvy hunters who are dedicated, adaptable, not afraid to go the extra mile (sometimes literally) and utilize non-traditional methods will find adventure and lots of deer.

According to biologist Eddie Shae, the deer metric data suggest deer populations in Grant and Richland County are continuing to increase.

While population growth in Richland County is more uniform, the increasing trend in Grant County may be most evident in the northern third of the county and along the Mississippi River bluffs. Several recent timber harvests on the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway will undoubtedly provide new quality deer habitat. In addition to the riverway, Eddie suggests hunters consider visiting state Fisheries Areas in the two counties, many of which contain stands of oak woodlands that tend to receive little hunting pressure. Interested individuals can utilize the DNR’s web mapping tool to locate public hunting land, or they can download the DNR’s free Hunt Wild app.

Iowa and Lafayette County biologist Travis Anderson says the population objective is to decrease the deer herd in Iowa County; however, it has been increasing over the last five years. As a result, Iowa County will once offer the antlerless-only firearm Holiday Hunt and either sex extended archery/crossbow seasons.

There are many public lands hunting opportunities in the county, such as Blackhawk Lake Wildlife Area, which has

had recent timber sales. Hunters will find additional opportunities at Trout Creek and Love Creek Fisheries Areas, the Lower WI State Riverway and three state parks (Governor Dodge, Blue Mound and Tower Hill State Parks).

Be sure to check the DNR website for further information when hunting in state parks. Like Sauk County, The Nature Conservancy manages hundreds of acres in Iowa County as well that are open for public hunting. Check their website for maps and information on lands they manage.

Additionally, Travis also expects excellent hunting in Lafayette County this fall. Like Iowa County, deer numbers are higher than desired in the county, and the antlerless-only Holiday Hunt will be offered. Although most of the county is in private ownership, Yellowstone Wildlife Area is a popular location for hunters, with a proposed timber sale to occur in late December, which could affect deer behavior for the late bow seasons and Holiday Hunt. To locate additional public lands in Lafayette county please visit the DNR’s web mapping tool, or download the DNR’s free Hunt Wild app.

Sauk County biologist Nancy Frost says that the deer herd is large and appears to be stable-to slightly-increasing in Sauk County compared to last fall.

Dell Creek Wildlife Area once again had timber sales occur that create young forest vegetation - providing both cover and a high quality food source. There are many acres of public land in Sauk County with Devil’s Lake State Park and Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area to name a few. Go to dnr.wi.gov and search for the property by name to find property-specific regulations. The Nature Conservancy also provides hundreds of acres that are open to public hunting and more information can be found regarding the hunting opportunities on their website. The Sauk County CDAC is once again offering the antlerless-only Holiday Hunt and either-sex extended archery and crossbow seasons for 2020.

As you can see, there is an abundance of opportunity across the southern district to hunt on public lands that hold strong numbers of deer and some older-aged bucks. Check out dnr.wi.gov and search “public hunting lands” to find a public land property near you.

If you are looking to hunt on private lands, get out well in advance of deer season to meet with landowners and seek permission. Remember to get out early to scout the areas you plan to hunt throughout the fall and familiarize yourself with the seasonal behavior of your local deer herd; adapt to changing conditions and don’t be afraid to be mobile. Keep an eye out for those natural food sources that attract deer and pattern their movements to and from feeding locations back to their daytime bedding areas.

In all, 2020 seems to be shaping up to be a good year and we anticipate another excellent deer season in the southern district in 2020. On behalf of the district staff, we’d like to wish everyone a safe and successful hunting season.

See page 11

Page 11 WednesdaY, Nov. 18, 2020

Outdoors/recreation/SCHOOLS/Sports

NWS Forecast for: Spring Green WI—Issued by: National Weather Service Milwaukee, WI Last Update: 1:39 am CST Nov 18, 2020 Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Calm wind.

Saturday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain showers between 11am and 5pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.

Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers before 2am, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: A chance of snow showers before 9am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 9am and 10am, then a chance of rain showers after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 43.

Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Last Update: 2:25 am CST Nov 18, 2020

Graphic via National Weather Service Forecast Office Milwaukee/Sullivan

Blackhawks defeat Adams-Friendship 30-6

Photos by Quincy Aston-Lott, Managing Editor Left: Blackhawk Defensive Back, Kelby Prochaska, no. 2, and no. 19 Cole White, attempt to stop an Adams-Friendship player at Friday’s play-off game. Right: A Blackhawk runs to tackle an Adams-Friendship player. The Blackhawks defeated the Adams-Friendship Green Devil’s 30-6.

Actvities this week Varisty Football Playoffs Richland Center @ River Valley 7 p.m. Nov. 19 River Valley High School

Boys Varsity Basketball practice begins Nov. 23 River Valley High School

Boys Varsity Wrestling practice begins Nov. 23 River Valley High School

Girl’s Varsity Basketball practice begins Nov. 23 River Valley High School

No School—Thanksgiving Holiday Break Nov. 25-27 District Wide

Community

Page 12 WednesdaY, Nov. 18, 2020

COVID-19 Dashboard Wisconsin Summary Cases as of 11/17/2020

+45,005 from 11/10 13.8%

323,848 Positive Cases

86.2%

2,024,801 Negative Cases

2,741 Deaths +346 from 11/10

+85,357 from 11/10

Iowa County

Richland County 733 Positive Cases

8,213 Negative Cases

+411 from 11/10

8.9%

+105 from 11/10

91.1% +238 from 11/10

10 Deaths

7,470 Negative Cases

1,030 Positive +226 from 11/10 Cases

4 Deaths

+0 from 11/10

+0 from 11/10

Sauk County 2,980 9.7% Positive Cases 27,854 90.3% Negative Cases

+376 from 11/10

+1,044 from 11/10

Graphic by Whitney Back

11 Deaths +2 from 11/10

Data From: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm