MONROE - As we look forward to the New Year, it's time for a brief look back on the news events that helped shape 2014.
Each year, The Monroe Times compiles a list of 10 stories that help define the past year. The list is subjective - it's not definitive, but rather a quick overview. We hope it provides fodder for reflection as you look back over your own experiences during 2014.
Our list began Monday and continues below:
Tornado in June
The middle of June proved stormy, when two F1 tornadoes hit Green County. Fortunately, there were no reports of serious human injury as a result of the twisters. There was, however, plenty of significant property damage.
The two tornadoes twisted northeast of Blanchardville with estimated wind speeds of 95 miles per hour. Storm trackers believe the two systems lifted, merged and then touched down in Verona, which saw widespread destruction as a result.
Another storm caused widespread damage throughout the Clarno, Juda and Brodhead areas. It left about half of Brodhead without power for several hours. Officials estimated at least 200 trees were damaged or uprooted, and 100 homes had some type of damage as a result.
Spring Election
The only thing longer than last winter was 2014's election season. Between local and state races, the Green County area seemed to be locked in a never-ending election cycle during 2014, complete with plenty of twists and turns.
Both New Glarus and Monticello passed school referendums on the April 1 ballot. And among a plethora of local races, longtime Monroe Mayor Bill Ross held onto his position on a slim margin, despite a strong showing by challenger and former alderman Tyler Schultz: Ross earned 653 votes to Schultz's 612.
Two Monroe aldermen up for election were also able to squash challengers to retain their seats. Michael Boyce, Ward 3, won his seat with 146 votes, 23 more than challenger Larry Christopher III. And Louis Armstrong garnered 93 votes in Ward 7, winning the spot over the 41 write-in votes. Former mayor Ron Marsh campaigned as a write-in candidate in that ward.
Longtime Monroe school board member Larry Eakins was outvoted, placing fourth in a race that saw incumbent school board member Michael Boehme come in first, followed by Brian Keith. Newcomer James Plourde was the third top vote-getter, earning him a spot on the board.
August Primary/Ballot Snafu
The August primary had a troubling outcome as more than 100 ballots went missing. The board of canvas realized the ballots were missing when members convened to recount ballots in the hotly-contested 17th Senate district primary race between Democratic candidates Ernie Wittwer and Pat Bomhack. Wittwer appeared to have won by just two votes; however, after the recount, Bomhack was declared the winner by 33 votes. Wittwer opted against going to court to challenge the results.
There's no clear answer for what caused the ballots to apparently disappear into thin air. One theory is poll workers inadvertently placed marked ballots on stacks of unused ballots, which were then carted off for disposal. Also considered is that someone could have walked off with ballots without being seen by poll workers.
The city planned steps to ensure there would be no further ballot troubles, including posting a police officer at the voting chamber's main door for the November general election. Additional security cameras were also installed so there is a video record of who comes and goes from the balloting area. And poll workers were given detailed checklists to follow, including the procedure to seal unused ballots in a box before the ballot box is unlocked for counting.
In Lafayette County, longtime sheriff Scott Pedley announced his retirement and did not seek re-election. Deputy Reg Gill beat out Jason King, Darlington police chief, in the August primary and went on to win the November election, unchallenged, to take over the lead spot in that department.
Blackhawk Technical College's $4 million referendum failed in the August election, but it was better news for organizers of Green County's Pleasant View referendum: Here, voters agreed to allow an additional $790,000 annually to fund the nursing home on a 3-1 decision.
Fall Elections
The November election season saw more election drama, with close races that came down to the wire.
Dale Schultz did not seek re-election to the state Senate, a position he held since 1992. Howard Marklein gave up his seat in the 51st Wisconsin Assembly for a successful bid for Schultz's 17th state Senate seat, beating out Democratic challenger Pat Bomhack.
Todd Novak, mayor of Dodgeville, ever-so-narrowly prevailed over Dick Cates for Marklein's Assembly seat in a race that was unclear until after midnight and came down to less than 60 votes.
Congressman Mark Pocan won re-election, as was predicted. Gov. Scott Walker also pulled off a win over Democratic challenger Mary Burke.
And Black Hawk's school referendum failed by a wide margin, 724-362.
Cheese Days, 100th Style
We rounded up the gang and rolled out the barrel - 2014 saw the 100th anniversary of Cheese Days, celebrated in exemplary style.
As always, it was a grand time to celebrate all things Green County. Our cheese. Our music. Our festive Swiss costumes adorning young and old alike. And our gemutlichkeit.
There were old favorites, including non-stop entertainment and demonstrations; the Cheese Days Chase; dancing in the streets; and of course, the huge parade on Sunday afternoon. The weather largely cooperated, with a few sprinkles and a quick downpour Saturday night that barely dampened revelers' enthusiasm. There were a few new twists, including more than 100 accordions performing the Cheese Days song simultaneously and performances by a brass band who flew in all the way from Switzerland.
This year's event was, again, the culmination of years of planning and countless hours of work by countless volunteers. Thanks for the great memories - we're already looking forward to Cheese Days 2016.
Each year, The Monroe Times compiles a list of 10 stories that help define the past year. The list is subjective - it's not definitive, but rather a quick overview. We hope it provides fodder for reflection as you look back over your own experiences during 2014.
Our list began Monday and continues below:
Tornado in June
The middle of June proved stormy, when two F1 tornadoes hit Green County. Fortunately, there were no reports of serious human injury as a result of the twisters. There was, however, plenty of significant property damage.
The two tornadoes twisted northeast of Blanchardville with estimated wind speeds of 95 miles per hour. Storm trackers believe the two systems lifted, merged and then touched down in Verona, which saw widespread destruction as a result.
Another storm caused widespread damage throughout the Clarno, Juda and Brodhead areas. It left about half of Brodhead without power for several hours. Officials estimated at least 200 trees were damaged or uprooted, and 100 homes had some type of damage as a result.
Spring Election
The only thing longer than last winter was 2014's election season. Between local and state races, the Green County area seemed to be locked in a never-ending election cycle during 2014, complete with plenty of twists and turns.
Both New Glarus and Monticello passed school referendums on the April 1 ballot. And among a plethora of local races, longtime Monroe Mayor Bill Ross held onto his position on a slim margin, despite a strong showing by challenger and former alderman Tyler Schultz: Ross earned 653 votes to Schultz's 612.
Two Monroe aldermen up for election were also able to squash challengers to retain their seats. Michael Boyce, Ward 3, won his seat with 146 votes, 23 more than challenger Larry Christopher III. And Louis Armstrong garnered 93 votes in Ward 7, winning the spot over the 41 write-in votes. Former mayor Ron Marsh campaigned as a write-in candidate in that ward.
Longtime Monroe school board member Larry Eakins was outvoted, placing fourth in a race that saw incumbent school board member Michael Boehme come in first, followed by Brian Keith. Newcomer James Plourde was the third top vote-getter, earning him a spot on the board.
August Primary/Ballot Snafu
The August primary had a troubling outcome as more than 100 ballots went missing. The board of canvas realized the ballots were missing when members convened to recount ballots in the hotly-contested 17th Senate district primary race between Democratic candidates Ernie Wittwer and Pat Bomhack. Wittwer appeared to have won by just two votes; however, after the recount, Bomhack was declared the winner by 33 votes. Wittwer opted against going to court to challenge the results.
There's no clear answer for what caused the ballots to apparently disappear into thin air. One theory is poll workers inadvertently placed marked ballots on stacks of unused ballots, which were then carted off for disposal. Also considered is that someone could have walked off with ballots without being seen by poll workers.
The city planned steps to ensure there would be no further ballot troubles, including posting a police officer at the voting chamber's main door for the November general election. Additional security cameras were also installed so there is a video record of who comes and goes from the balloting area. And poll workers were given detailed checklists to follow, including the procedure to seal unused ballots in a box before the ballot box is unlocked for counting.
In Lafayette County, longtime sheriff Scott Pedley announced his retirement and did not seek re-election. Deputy Reg Gill beat out Jason King, Darlington police chief, in the August primary and went on to win the November election, unchallenged, to take over the lead spot in that department.
Blackhawk Technical College's $4 million referendum failed in the August election, but it was better news for organizers of Green County's Pleasant View referendum: Here, voters agreed to allow an additional $790,000 annually to fund the nursing home on a 3-1 decision.
Fall Elections
The November election season saw more election drama, with close races that came down to the wire.
Dale Schultz did not seek re-election to the state Senate, a position he held since 1992. Howard Marklein gave up his seat in the 51st Wisconsin Assembly for a successful bid for Schultz's 17th state Senate seat, beating out Democratic challenger Pat Bomhack.
Todd Novak, mayor of Dodgeville, ever-so-narrowly prevailed over Dick Cates for Marklein's Assembly seat in a race that was unclear until after midnight and came down to less than 60 votes.
Congressman Mark Pocan won re-election, as was predicted. Gov. Scott Walker also pulled off a win over Democratic challenger Mary Burke.
And Black Hawk's school referendum failed by a wide margin, 724-362.
Cheese Days, 100th Style
We rounded up the gang and rolled out the barrel - 2014 saw the 100th anniversary of Cheese Days, celebrated in exemplary style.
As always, it was a grand time to celebrate all things Green County. Our cheese. Our music. Our festive Swiss costumes adorning young and old alike. And our gemutlichkeit.
There were old favorites, including non-stop entertainment and demonstrations; the Cheese Days Chase; dancing in the streets; and of course, the huge parade on Sunday afternoon. The weather largely cooperated, with a few sprinkles and a quick downpour Saturday night that barely dampened revelers' enthusiasm. There were a few new twists, including more than 100 accordions performing the Cheese Days song simultaneously and performances by a brass band who flew in all the way from Switzerland.
This year's event was, again, the culmination of years of planning and countless hours of work by countless volunteers. Thanks for the great memories - we're already looking forward to Cheese Days 2016.