There were more than 1,000 stories printed in the Monroe Times over the past year. Here are just a few dozen that stuck out to the newsroom staff.

— Adam Krebs, editor

MAC celebrates 50 years

The Monroe Arts Center has been a staple in local entertainment for half a century, providing a space for both visual and performing arts to thrive. MAC marked its 50th anniversary celebration in 2025.

Wild Snowy Owl visits New Glarus before death

A Snowy Owl that drew the attention of wildlife enthusiasts and casual observers alike throughout early winter in New Glarus was tragically found dead. A necropsy  later determined the owl died of numerous intestinal worms that impacted nutrient absorption, resulting in emaciation.

Figueroa resigns as Monroe schools superintendent; Joe Monroe takes over

The Monroe school board announced Jan. 10, that Superintendent Rodney Figueroa submitted a notice of resignation to the board. Figueroa helped the district pass an $88 million capital referendum, leading to improvements at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School and a new high school campus, which is currently under construction and is scheduled to be completed by early- to mid-2026.

Joe Monroe, director of pupil services, was promoted to interim administrator in late January, then named the permanent administrator in October.

Political marches show solidarity, resistance

With Donald Trump returning to the presidency and political retribution a running theme, many detractors began to openly acknowledge their fear of the United States falling out of its democracy style of government and into an authoritarian state. In early February amid a new federal crackdown on illegal immigration, area residents of Hispanic origins held a Latinos Unidos march around the downtown square in Monroe. Several more protests were held locally throughout the year in Monroe, New Glarus, Albany and Darlington with the 50501 movement.

Green Co. government phones, internet unexpectedly go offline

Green County’s government services experienced “an incident” of unknown origin in February, leading to multiple weeks of makeshift troubleshooting by staff. Several county departments were affected with no access to phones or the internet.

Monroe school board digs deep for cuts

The School District of Monroe Board of Education finalized details of painful cuts to programs, including student-facing staff, totaling $1 about million to plug major budget previously filled by eight consecutive years of a non-recurring, $1.5 million operating referendum.

Eliminating the German language program, bus transportation for summer school students, and cutting a special education teacher and two special education aides are some of the cuts outlined on Jan 27.

Mayor Douglas vetoes fluoride removal

A narrow vote to rid the City of Monroe of fluoride in drinking water, and then a follow up amendment vote to set the level at zero both failed. The amended motion, an ordinance with zero level concentration of Fluoride, was approved by the council with a 4-3 vote. Mayor Donna Douglas vetoed the whole removal idea after a March 3 council meeting. 

As a result, fluoride — a much as 1,700 gallons per year at .7 ppm or less — will stay in the water in Monroe, to the delight of dentists but to the dismay of a passionate group pushing for its removal — who in the end fell one vote short.

Monroe celebrates two decades of ‘Main Street’

Since about 2005, Monroe has been listed as an official “Main Street” community in the state. Main Street also helps operate a city special Business Improvement District (or BID) downtown.

The local group’s mission — there are 35 local chapters of “Main Street” in Wisconsin — is to “improve the quality of life for all Monroe residents by ensuring economic stability, maintaining historic integrity and making Monroe’s downtown the focal point of the community.”

And it does its work — fueled by grants, contributions, and other fundraising — by planning, organizing, and staffing with volunteers 26 “event days” per year and 56 farmer’s market events. Roughly 120 volunteers work to make Main Street happen.

Criminal investigation at Sabrosura Foods

On Wednesday, May 29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a federal agency, arrived at Sabrosura Foods in Monticello to conduct an investigation.

After the investigation is complete, the agency would then turn over their findings to the U.S. District Attorney’s office in Madison, and that office would be the one that would file any charges in court.

Beloved summer events return

The Monroe Balloon & Blues Festival returned, bringing carnival rides, a car show, dozens of vendors and food trucks, live music and more than a dozen hot air balloons. While flight and glow events were canceled for June 13, tethered rides, an afternoon flight and evening glow were crowd favorites at the Green County Fairgrounds the next day.

In Darlington, Canoe Fest raged the same weekend, bringing thousands of people to town for a variety of events, including, of course, hundreds of canoe trips down the Pecatonica River.

Browntown celebrated its 30th Annual Summerfest and Fish Boil, while crowning its Dairy Queen.

New Glarus held its annual Polkafest, where more than 40 vendors helped festivalgoers enjoy a weekend of Alpen music, drinks and community pride.

Other events included Juda Bash Car Show, Albany Lions Car Show, Brodhead Family Fest and Fireworks, Argyle Annual Fish Fry, Monticello Homecoming and Main Street Monroe Concerts on the Square series. 

In July, the annual Green and Lafayette County Fairs took place. Covered Bridge Days in Brodhead was in August.

Kruckenburg-Anderson found guilty

After nearly five years, there is some justice for baby Harper, the newborn murdered in cold blood in January 2021 just outside of Albany. On Nov. 5, the newborn’s father and alleged killer, Logan Kruckenberg-Anderson sat straight-faced as the jury’s verdict was read aloud by Green County Circuit Court Judge Jane Bucher: Guilty. The verdict put a close to an eight-day trial at the Green County Justice Center.

Now 21, Kruckenberg-Anderson, just 16 at the time of the murder, was tried as an adult on charges of first-degree intentional homicide and move, hide or bury the corpse of a child, both felony charges. He faces life in prison. His sentencing date is tentatively scheduled for March 15.

Lafayette Hospital + Clinics opens

Having moved into their new building in April, staff at Lafayette Hospital + Clinic have been getting a feel for the new digs. Lafayette Hospital CEO Marie Wamsley was very proud to announce that May — the first full month in the new facility — was the best month ever for people utilizing the hospital, as visits across various departments were up 10% from a year ago, some exceeding more than 15% jumps.

Part of the increases, which began in the final months of the previous facility, Wamsley admits were in anticipation of the new building going online, but in the new facility they have also continued to expand offerings. For one, there is the new in-house MRI, which came in part with a $4 million grant from the state. No longer having a truck pull up next to the building, the new MRI allows services anytime.

Renovated YMCA opens

The newly named Colony Brands Green County Family YMCA held its grand opening for its new addition, which added tens of thousands of square feet, a newer, longer walking/jogging track, larger gymnastics facility, an upstairs exercise facility packed with new cardio equipment, community rooms, youth and child care rooms, and a more open feel in general.

Klondike Cheese Co. celebrates 100 years

Klondike Cheese Co., a homegrown company, has been creating some of the state’s tastiest cheeses, yogurts, and other dairy products for 100 years. Klondike is behind many specialty cheeses, which dominate today’s market. Those include the Odyssey Feta, Greek yogurt, dips, sour cream, and Labneh — not to mention the classic Buholzer Brothers Havarti, Muenster, Gouda, and Brick cheese varieties.

“Reaching 100 years is an incredible milestone for our family and our team,” Ron Buholzer, one of the family’s five Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers, said in a company promotion.

Founded by the Buholzer family in 1925, cheesemaking has been a cherished tradition for the family since Ernest and Marie Buholzer made the journey to Green County from Switzerland in the late 1800s. The family once lived above its namesake factory.

NG appoints Kelsey Jenson as Village Administrator

The Village of New Glarus appointed Kelsey Jenson as its next Village Administrator. Jenson, who had served as Clerk-Treasurer for the Village since 2022, officially assume her new role on July 1.

New jail on the Horizon

As a new high school rises from the rolling hills not far away on Monroe’s northeast edge, there is more construction in the works for that part of town, as county officials finalize plans to replace its aging jail facility with a new jail, in the shadow of the old one.

The county board, at its June 10 regular meeting, approved issuing more than $86 million in general obligation bonds to fund and equip a jail to replace the modest brick structure that dates to 1958, with a remodel in 1981; and still has antiquated security features, cells with steel bars, and skeleton-type keys to control access.

Evers, GOP reach budget deal

After three months of negotiations with GOP leaders, Gov. Tony Evers announced on July 1 he reached a tentative bipartisan budget agreement with Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg), and Democratic Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton).

The agreement would provide nearly $1.4 billion in spendable revenue for K-12 schools with the largest increase to the special education reimbursement rate in state history, the largest increase to the University of Wisconsin (UW) System in over two decades, and over $330 million to support Wisconsin’s child care industry and lower child care costs for working families, among other key priorities from the governor’s proposed budget, including cutting out of- pocket energy and utility bill costs for Wisconsinites across the state.

Marklein facing challengers for 17th Senate District

Several candidates are running for Wisconsin’s 17th State Senate district, currently held by Republican Howard Marklein. Rep. Jenna Jacobson (50th, D-Oregon), businesswoman Lisa White, Prairie du Chien and educator Corrine Hendrickson, New Glarus, have all jumped into the fray, with several others showing interest as well.

Republicans hold an 18-15 majority in the state senate, and Marklein wields significant influence as part of the Joint Finance Committee.

Reconstruction of east side streets begins

Road work on 32nd Avenue, 31st Avenue and 8 1/2 Street began on Monroe’s far east side by Northside Elementary School and the new Monroe High School campus project. The project will span about a year and encompasses a redesign of the streets, including a roundabout at the 31st Avenue and 13th Street intersection. The entirety of the changes are estimated to be completed in late summer or fall 2026, while the new high school is expected to be completed and ready for the 2026-27 school year.

Goats & Royalty Kick Off Cheese Days 2026

The countdown to Green County’s favorite festival officially began on July 25, 2025, when Cheese Days hosted a Kick Off event during intermission at Main Street Monroe’s Concert on the Square. The festivities included a parade of dairy goats, along with past and present Cheese Days royalty, and unveiling of the 2026 Cheese Days button logo.

Longtime festival volunteers, Mike and Deb Hutchinson, were introduced as 2026 King and Queen by emcee Mike Jerge, who also chairs the festival’s beer stand. Also announced were the 2026 Cheese Days Ambassadors, Emily Gerrits and Jaclyn Wuthrich, who will play a vital role in promoting the upcoming festival.

Jailhouse Tap locks up Best Burger award

Jailhouse Pub’s Commissary Burger was named winner of The Green County Beef Producers’ best burger contest, just as the contest keeps growing and selling thousands of juicy burgers to hungry diners every summer. More than 6,000 burgers were sold in the 2025 contest, and over 140 people visited all 22 locations and cast over 400 votes.

Dairy Farmers of America acquires W&W Dairy

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a farmer-owned global dairy cooperative owned by 9,500 family dairy farmers, announced on Aug. 4 the acquisition of W& W Dairy in Monroe. Despite the change in ownership, DFA said at the time there would be no disruption in operations at the Monroe facility — the existing plant management team would continue to manage all day-to-day operations and employment with DFA has been offered to all the plant’s approximately 97 employees.

However, several employees walked out Tuesday, Aug. 12 in a general strike. A large number of workers who had walked out that morning are of Hispanic origin. DFA required E-Verification, a system online that allows employers to confirm that employees are eligible to work in the United States. This system is typically used for new employees, but the new ownership is requiring verification of all employees, even those who have been there 10-plus years. E-Verify is not required in Wisconsin. DFA operates more than 4,800 farms — including nearly 400 in Wisconsin alone — and 119 manufacturing plants across the country.

While 43 workers walked out, the number of those that faced losing their jobs at W&W Dairy was even higher. The company brought in temporary workers from across the country that needed crash course training just to keep production running. Labor organizations assisting the workers are requesting DFA to give severance of three weeks pay for every year worked, plus all accrued paid time off be paid out.

NHCC Museum and Green Co. Welcome Center celebrate 30th anniversary

The National Historic Cheesemaking Center opened for visitors in July of 1995. The north end of the building serves as the Green County Welcome Center, welcoming visitors from all around the United States, as well as international visitors. A Board of Directors and salaried Executive and Assistant Directors govern the organization. Since opening in 1995, the Directors have included Anna Anderson, Jim Glessner, Mary Ann Hanna, Donna Douglas, Deborah Briggs, and Deborah Myers.

Humane Society to the rescue in two large neglected animal cases

The Green County Humane Society opened its doors to over 70 animals in the fall following two Lafayette County seizures of neglected animals. The intakes were the largest the facility had encountered. With help from volunteer foster families and other regional animal shelters, nearly all the pets  (mostly dogs) were accounted for. However, two dogs did die due to malnourishment. 

Owners of the properties where the pets were confiscated by law enforcement face charges in circuit court.

Plane crash kills 2, federal investigation underway

A plane crashed into flames and killed two outside Monroe’s Municipal Airport Monday night, November 24. The victims were Brett D. Gelbach, 43, of Oshkosh and formerly of Monroe, and Eric A. Felix, 41, Omro.

The two were flying in a 2003 Socata TBM 700, a single-engine turbo propeller plane that took off from Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh just after 4:40 p.m., bound for Monroe. Heavy fog blanketed the area, making landing at the Monroe Municipal Airport an extremely difficult task. There was reportedly only a 300-foot overcast ceiling and 1/4 mile visibility. The plane crashed on its approached at 5:14 p.m. in a quarry directly north of Wis. 59 and adjacent to the airport.

The crash was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Record snowstorm blankets region before colder air welcomes December

The first winter storm of the 2025-26 snow season hit the region over Thanksgiving weekend — and it preceded a drop in temperatures thanks to a dipped jet stream. 

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Monroe received 12.3 inches of snow, nearly a foot higher than the yearly average by December 1 (1.1 inches). Brodhead had a foot of snow, while Argyle registered 11.0 inches and Darlington 10.1 inches.