MONROE - As 2012 draws to a close, the Monroe Times news staff reflected on the top stories that shaped this year. We came up with a list of 10 stories we felt were the most significant, for better or worse, for 2012.
Stories are not ranked in order - we offer this as our top stories, but encourage our readers to consider what was most significant in their own lives. The first five on our list was published in Wednesday's edition. We conclude our list below:
Cheese Days
We. Love. Cheese Days.
Food, friends, music, dancing, yodeling, cheese, Swiss flags and costumes, and the best people-watching under a glorious September sky. It's the quintessential Wisconsin festival and we own it. And yeah, 2012 was one of the best yet.
There's nothing else to say except we're looking forward to 2014 - the festival's 100th anniversary celebration should be a doozy.
Heroin problem
The problem of heroin use right here at home, in Green and Lafayette counties, received some well-deserved attention this year. While it's not a new problem, area law enforcement say heroin use continues to affect our area at an alarming, even epidemic, rate.
Sadly, there's no easy answers when it comes to stemming the tide of heroin use. But some officials say the most effective weapon against the devastating effects of heroin could be education, and to that end, area law enforcement are working to bring presentations to schools to show young people just how quickly the drug can turn an otherwise bright future down the long, dark spiral of drug addiction. And, they say, it takes community involvement to spread the message and try to keep heroin use at bay.
As Josh Jerry, a deputy with the Lafayette County Sheriff's department, told us: "If it saves one, it was worth it."
New hospital
The new Monroe Clinic hospital opened its door in March, capping off a building project that spanned more than two years and had a budget of $83 million. The impressive new 225,000-square-foot facility was designed to evoke an atmosphere of natural healing with its emphasis on natural lighting, outdoor garden areas and soothing water features.
The facility was built using green technologies to be more energy efficient. Inpatient rooms were designed for better comfort for both patients and visitors, and maximum efficiency for medical personnel. Among other features, the new hospital has an expanded emergency center, a heated helicopter pad and an updated family birth center.
Gambling ring
Werner Rast of Monroe was arrested just over a year ago on charges of running an illegal gambling operation, using a Monroe tavern as a pick-up and drop-off location, following a years-long investigation.
The case piqued residents' curiosity in 2012, as local residents testified how Rast operated the gambling ring. A petition with hundreds of names in his support was presented at his sentencing, as people noted Rast's noteworthy character. He was ultimately convicted on 10 felony charges and sentenced to 18 months of probation and fined $10,000.
And then a strange twist - just last week, Monroe police confirmed Rast is wanted for violating his probation and consider him a fugitive. They are investigating reports Rast took off for Costa Rica, possibly using a Swiss passport. Stay tuned for further updates.
Tavern owner Jeff Conway, also of Monroe, also faces eight charges in connection to the gambling ring. His sentencing is set for Jan. 30.
Businesses & other developments
Monroe residents were pleased to see two businesses that closed this year resurface: Ruf's Confectionery, the venerable institution on the Square, re-opened as Rainbow Confections, while Ludlow Bar became the Laughing Trout restaurant. Both serve as reminders that change is inevitable, but with change, our communities remain strong and vital.
Monroe Main Street also brought some swash-buckling attention and whimsy to Monroe's Square with its summer-long Pirates on the Square project, complete with a pirate ship replica on the Courthouse lawn. Pirate-themed activities helped keep people visiting our downtown area - we're looking forward to what the group has in store for 2013.
We acknowledge our list of top stories for 2012 is in no way complete - there are doubtless dozens of other stories that illustrate the progress and missteps of the year.
Feel free to comment on this story online and tell us and our readers what you think touched your life in a significant way over the past 12 months.
Stories are not ranked in order - we offer this as our top stories, but encourage our readers to consider what was most significant in their own lives. The first five on our list was published in Wednesday's edition. We conclude our list below:
Cheese Days
We. Love. Cheese Days.
Food, friends, music, dancing, yodeling, cheese, Swiss flags and costumes, and the best people-watching under a glorious September sky. It's the quintessential Wisconsin festival and we own it. And yeah, 2012 was one of the best yet.
There's nothing else to say except we're looking forward to 2014 - the festival's 100th anniversary celebration should be a doozy.
Heroin problem
The problem of heroin use right here at home, in Green and Lafayette counties, received some well-deserved attention this year. While it's not a new problem, area law enforcement say heroin use continues to affect our area at an alarming, even epidemic, rate.
Sadly, there's no easy answers when it comes to stemming the tide of heroin use. But some officials say the most effective weapon against the devastating effects of heroin could be education, and to that end, area law enforcement are working to bring presentations to schools to show young people just how quickly the drug can turn an otherwise bright future down the long, dark spiral of drug addiction. And, they say, it takes community involvement to spread the message and try to keep heroin use at bay.
As Josh Jerry, a deputy with the Lafayette County Sheriff's department, told us: "If it saves one, it was worth it."
New hospital
The new Monroe Clinic hospital opened its door in March, capping off a building project that spanned more than two years and had a budget of $83 million. The impressive new 225,000-square-foot facility was designed to evoke an atmosphere of natural healing with its emphasis on natural lighting, outdoor garden areas and soothing water features.
The facility was built using green technologies to be more energy efficient. Inpatient rooms were designed for better comfort for both patients and visitors, and maximum efficiency for medical personnel. Among other features, the new hospital has an expanded emergency center, a heated helicopter pad and an updated family birth center.
Gambling ring
Werner Rast of Monroe was arrested just over a year ago on charges of running an illegal gambling operation, using a Monroe tavern as a pick-up and drop-off location, following a years-long investigation.
The case piqued residents' curiosity in 2012, as local residents testified how Rast operated the gambling ring. A petition with hundreds of names in his support was presented at his sentencing, as people noted Rast's noteworthy character. He was ultimately convicted on 10 felony charges and sentenced to 18 months of probation and fined $10,000.
And then a strange twist - just last week, Monroe police confirmed Rast is wanted for violating his probation and consider him a fugitive. They are investigating reports Rast took off for Costa Rica, possibly using a Swiss passport. Stay tuned for further updates.
Tavern owner Jeff Conway, also of Monroe, also faces eight charges in connection to the gambling ring. His sentencing is set for Jan. 30.
Businesses & other developments
Monroe residents were pleased to see two businesses that closed this year resurface: Ruf's Confectionery, the venerable institution on the Square, re-opened as Rainbow Confections, while Ludlow Bar became the Laughing Trout restaurant. Both serve as reminders that change is inevitable, but with change, our communities remain strong and vital.
Monroe Main Street also brought some swash-buckling attention and whimsy to Monroe's Square with its summer-long Pirates on the Square project, complete with a pirate ship replica on the Courthouse lawn. Pirate-themed activities helped keep people visiting our downtown area - we're looking forward to what the group has in store for 2013.
We acknowledge our list of top stories for 2012 is in no way complete - there are doubtless dozens of other stories that illustrate the progress and missteps of the year.
Feel free to comment on this story online and tell us and our readers what you think touched your life in a significant way over the past 12 months.