From major elections to sports championships, 2024 was full of local news highlights. National elections, in fact, dominated discussions across the country but there were plenty of local issues on the table for area schools and the state of Wisconsin.
Here’s some highlights:
WORLD RECORD POLKA
The summer of 2024 was highlighted by Cheese Days and a feat that put Monroe — quite literally — in the record books. On a Saturday in Monroe, more than 4,000 people registered for the event, and when DJ Shotski (Stacy Harbaugh of Madison) played a series of polka hits just after 2 p.m., the streets surrounding the historic downtown square were jam-packed with dancers and spectators alike.
The new record was set 30 years after Wisconsin declared polka the official state dance, and 110 years after the first “Cheese Day” festival was held in Monroe.
The large crowd fought off temperatures into the mid-80-degrees mark. The higher-than usual temperatures for this time of the season — along with dehydration issues — kept local first responders busy all day. Green County EMS took more than 30 calls.
Rain and thunderstorms descended upon Monroe hours later. The threat of storms was too much for organizers to take on the following day, so they made the careful — and heart-wrenching — decision to cancel the Swiss Colony Parade, which brings in tens of thousands of spectators and participants from across the country.
Food, drinks, music and more followed stayed on schedule at the square, however, but cleanup began for many of the booths and tents before the sun set on Sept. 22.
HERE COMES THE JUDGE
Before being appointed by Gov. Tony Evers as Circuit Court Judge to fill the vacancy created by Judge Thomas Vale’s retirement. She was sworn in on June 7 before a packed courtroom of well-wishers and her family.
“When I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a judge,” she said, dryly. “I also dreamed of being Paula Abdul.”
The appointment, she added, was proof that, at least, “some dreams do come true.”
Prior to taking the bench, Bucher was a partner at Russell Law Offices SC, where she practiced criminal and family law — mostly in Green, Lafayette, Iowa, and Rock Counties. Prior to her newest role, she also spent a decade as an assistant state public defender representing children, juveniles, and adults in both criminal and civil cases.
During that time, she helped lead the creation of the Green County Drug Court and attended the Juvenile Training Immersion Program Summer Academy at Georgetown Law School. Before attending law school, Bucher worked in mental health outreach and spent two years with the Peace Corps in Senegal as a rural health education volunteer. She also speaks numerous languages.
Bucher is a graduate of New College of Florida and the University of Wisconsin Law School. She is active in numerous professional and community organizations, including extensive work with the State Bar of Wisconsin, and past service as a board member for Family Promise of Green County; and as a co-chair and founding member of southwest Wisconsin’s Multicultural Outreach Program.
CHANGES FOR LAFAYETTE COURTS
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ office ordered flags in Lafayette County to be flown at half-mast to honor Lafayette County Circuit Judge Duane M. Jorgenson, who died in 2024 on April 21.
“From being a dairy farmer to later serving as Lafayette County Circuit Judge, the Honorable Judge Jorgenson was a true Wisconsinite who showed what it means to live by our shared values of integrity, civility, and compassion,” Evers said. “Judge Jorgenson will be remembered as a dedicated public servant and community member who was not only committed to justice and fairness but who lived a selfless life in the spirit of service. Kathy and I are keeping his family, loved ones, and colleagues in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time, and we extend our condolences to the entire Lafayette County community in mourning his loss.”
Morgan Johanning was sworn in as Lafayette County District Attorney on Monday, Aug. 19, by retired judge Thomas Vale. Johanning was appointed by Evers to replace Jenna Gill, who moved into the role of Lafayette County Judge, Jorgenson’s seat on the bench.
Later that year, on August, Aug. 16, Morgan Johanning to serve as Lafayette County District Attorney. That appointment filled a vacancy created by former District Attorney Jenna Gill’s appointment to the Lafayette County Circuit Court. Johanning will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term that ends January 2025.
YMCA ADDITION
A little rain did not stop the crowd from gathering on May 9 for the Green County Family YMCA’s groundbreaking last May. The event ceremoniously kicked off the construction of an addition that will double the size of the building.
The YMCA facility’s board of directors, several donors, staff, members, and other community partners were on hand for the event. A capital campaign over the last year-plus raised more than $25 million for the project, which also received many grants from governmental agencies and community funds.
“We look forward to the future of our Y as we become a community hub where all people, regardless of age and socio-economic background will have access to life-changing health and wellbeing programming and services — a collaboration with other non-profit entities in and around Green County like nothing our rural community has ever seen before,” Green County Family YMCA said to members in an email May 10.
The ceremony included speeches from several people involved in the project, as well as a surprise visit from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. He spoke about the importance of childcare and its relationship to economic development.
The newly enhanced YMCA is estimated to be open in Spring, 2025.
The YMCA’s enhanced facility will include a combination of renovated and newly constructed spaces with the addition of 40,000 square feet. New spaces will include childcare and youth development centers, a healthy living Center, gymnastics center, community kitchen, fitness studios, community room and a second gym.
NEW MONROE HIGH SCHOOL BREAKS GROUND
The School District of Monroe held its ceremonial groundbreaking for the new high school on May 14. The event was attended by more than 100 people, including students, former school board members, alumni, and representatives of the project.
An $88 million referendum was passed by voters in November 2022, clearing the way for a new high school on a new site, as well as almost $3.5 million in improvements at Abraham Lincoln Elementary school. The new MHS campus is 70 acres and resides on the city’s far east side along 31st Avenue. The current construction timeline predicts the project will be completed in time for the start of the 2026-27 school year.
E&N Hughes, a longtime Monroe business, won the first bid contract for the initial project — a collective bid of $4,923,531, about a half million under the initial budget estimate of $5.4 million. There were eight bidders in total, including Monroe’s Maddrell Excavating, and Integrity and Rock Road out of Beloit/Janesville.
“We had made a call out to our community that we were going to be looking for local contractors that were capable of doing the work, and it looks like E&N Hughes has stepped up and is the low-bidder, even,” Board president Rich Deprez said.
By early December, interior walls can be seen going up in the kitchen and administration areas, and locker room interior footings were poured before progress was expected to slow due to winter.
REFERENDUM ISSUES
With over 8,000 votes in the Nov. 5 election, the ask by The School District of Monroe for an additional $1.5 million for the next four years was denied by voters by nearly 10%, — “Yes” 3,755 (45.2%) to “No” 4,554 (54.8%).
“These were, obviously, not the results we were hoping to see,” said School Board President Rich Deprez.
State lawmakers have pinched public school funding over the last 15 or so years. In this election alone, 137 Wisconsin school districts were asked to approve increased funding, with 107 gaining approval and 30 failing. All other area districts referendums passed: Albany, Argyle, Darlington, and Juda.
Monroe board members heard a variety of reasons from “no voters” after the election — from tax and spending fatigue, to lack of information or misinformation, to lingering disdain from the $88 million capital referendum that passed in 2022 to build a new high school. Money from that referendum cannot be transferred over to pay for the year-to-year budget of the district, per the law.
Monroe was forced to patch a hole of over $2 million this year — even after cutting about $927,000 of spending last spring — impacting numerous programs. Meanwhile, the district is gearing up for another try at a referendum by surveying voters in the district to determine how best to win their support in the Spring.
ELECTION YEAR
Wisconsin voters went to the polls on Aug. 13 and had a turnout higher than any fall primary in 60 years.
About 26% of eligible voters cast a ballot — about 1.2 million total — a mark not seen since 1964. While many local races were uncontested, candidates in state assembly and congressional races were forced to sweat out the night as the tallies came in.
Perhaps the biggest driver of turnout, though, was to decide on two constitutional amendment questions put forth by state GOP lawmakers. Both were resoundingly turned down by voters, with over 57% of the votes going to “no”, a margin of about 15 points. The two proposals would have limited the governor’s power over federal funds, which is considered a big win for Democrats, who have Evers in office.
According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, there were 1,878 absentee ballot applications, with 1,861 sent out in Green County. Of that, 1,531 were returned, a rate of 82.2%. In Lafayette County, 503 absentee ballot applications were requested, with 498 sent and 400 returned (80.3%).
In total, there were 389,988 absentee ballots requested, with 385,057 sent and 316,372 returned.
Wisconsin voters returned to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5, facing questions up and down the ballot. Local elections included various positions for county officials; school districts across the state asked voters to pass a variety of referendums to fund operations.
Despite neck-and-neck polling leading up to the big day, former President Donald Trump won Wisconsin, handily, going on to win the national race and will be sworn-in as the 47th US President in January.
NEW GLARUS PROJECTS MOVE AHEAD
The New Glarus community in February reached $1 million in donations for its Glarner Community Complex, located across from the high school. More than 140 individuals, families and businesses have donated.
“We are so thankful to the Glarner Community Field Fundraising Committee and our generous community for making it to this significant $1 million milestone,” New Glarus Superintendent Jennifer Thayer said. “Although we have a long way to go to build the full master plan, which includes a concession/bathroom building and a plaza and pavilion for community events, the first $1 million in fundraising is a major accomplishment.”
Following the 2023 football season, New Glarus broke ground on its football field, which will be the new site of the new primary school. Thus, the district needed to relocate the field. Looking to the future, the district wanted to create an outdoor sports complex with five goals — modern facilities, welcoming community plaza, retain and attract families, stay competitive and versatile usage.
The ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the new New Glarus Primary School was at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21. The event marked a significant milestone for the New Glarus School District and the community. The event was attended by elementary students and staff, the school board, administration, parents, and community members.
In sports, the Glarner Knights entered brand-new territory in 2024, breaking away from its 40-plus year co-op with Monticello.
New Glarus was able to unveil its brand-new Glarner Community Complex for the first home football game of the season on Aug. 23. The facility includes an artificial turf field, eight-lane track, storage building, press box and bleachers.
NEW GLARUS BREWING
Few businesses have carried the Green County brand to success like New Glarus Brewing Co. The company broke ground Oct. 29 on a new 65,000-square foot brewing, distilling and hospitality addition for the Hilltop facility on the south side of the village.
Architect Katherine May, daughter of New Glarus Brewery founders Dan and Deb Carey, said her plans for the facility will make it “a beacon on top of the hill.”
The planning and design of the new visitor center addition took almost two years. The expanded facility will house a historic ten-hectoliter brew hall with cool ship, according to a press release. The main brew hall will double with four additional copper kettles and a distillery (Sugar River Distillery) for spirits. Parking at the Hilltop location will nearly quadruple to 183 stalls, allowing the brewery to be open and safely accommodate a higher volume of weekend guests.
— Gary Mays