Health Department's Big Impact

The La Crosse County Health Department made a significant impact on the health and well-being of our community in 2024. The department's annual Impact Report highlights the many ways staff worked alongside community members and partners to protect and promote public health.

Key Accomplishments:

• Provided free dental care to 729 students through the Seal-A-Smile program
• Supported 2,530 individuals through WIC (Women, Infants, & Children)
• Distributed 1,047 life-saving doses of Narcan
• Completed 1,293 inspections of licensed facilities to keep our community safe

What They Said: "Our department continues to lean in toward our goal of working collaboratively with health system partners, community partners, schools, businesses, governmental agencies, and community members to build collective impact toward meeting the needs of our county," said Audra Martine, Health Officer. "We look forward to the coming year and continued efforts to address our health priorities guided by data and community input." 

Read More: Click here to read the Health Department's 2024 Impact Report. The county produces impact reports for a number of department's to highlight their work. You can view those reports at lacrossecounty.org/plans.

The La Crosse County Veterans Services Office invites veterans and their families to the 2025 Veterans Expo on Tuesday, April 8, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Onalaska Omni Center (255 Riders Club Rd., Onalaska). This free event is designed to connect veterans with essential resources, services, and support. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of vendors. For more information, call the Veterans Services Office at (608) 785-9719 or email laxveterans@lacrossecounty.org.

Crashes Increased in 2024

Increase: There were 3,485 vehicle crashes reported in La Crosse County in 2024, resulting in eight fatalities and 734 injuries. The total number of crashes increased by 5% compared to 2023, according to Wisconsin Department of Transportation statistics.

Impaired Driving: Illegal driving behaviors contribute significantly to fatalities and serious injuries. Over the past 10 years (2015–2024), 43% of all fatal crashes and 14% of serious injuries involved impaired driving in La Crosse County. Other notable illegal driving behaviors include speeding, distracted driving, and aggressive driving.

Vulnerable Users: Cyclists and pedestrians are particularly susceptible to injuries or worse in collisions, making them vulnerable road users. In 2021, vulnerable road users accounted for 19.5% of all traffic fatalities nationwide. Over the past 10 years, four pedestrians were killed in La Crosse County, three of whom were struck by distracted drivers.

Safety Plan: The statistics, including the crash location map shown above, were presented at a recent meeting of the La Crosse County Highway Safety Commission. The La Crosse Area Planning Committee is working to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan for our region. Watch for updates on this project in the coming months.

John Manke is the Section Manager at Integrated Support and Recovery Services (ISRS) within La Crosse County Human Services, a role he stepped into last September. Before joining the county, he spent over a decade at Logistics Health Incorporated and Optum Serve, specializing in government contracting to support veterans.

Since joining the county, Manke has been impressed by the dedication of the ISRS team.

"A lot of the work being done and the resources available to people go unnoticed by the public," he says. "It would be nice for the community to really understand that there are all these people working tirelessly day after day to support the community that they live in."

ISRS provides critical services, including crisis response (phone, face-to-face, and hospital diversion services), outpatient mental health and substance use treatment (medication management, therapy, and a full continuum of substance use treatment), case management, and service facilitation. The department also supports children with special needs through programs like the Children's Long-Term Support Waivers and the Children's Community Options Program.

Nutrient Management: The La Crosse County Land Conservation Department hosted its annual Nutrient Management Workshop on February 4-6 at the Hamilton Town Hall. This workshop provides producers with an opportunity to plan their crops for the year, account for manure and legume credits, identify fields prone to leaching or runoff, and calculate remaining crop nutrient needs.

Soil Health: Crop nutrient needs are determined using soil test results, which consider factors such as soil type, cropping and fertilizer history, and management strategies that promote soil health, including the use of cover crops. Each year, the Land Conservation Department works with producers to develop nutrient management plans covering approximately 30,000 acres.

Snapped: Pictured at the workshop were participant Aaron Opland with La Crosse County Conservation Specialist Sue Sheehan.

Finance Wins Award for 10th Year

For the 10th consecutive year, La Crosse County has been honored with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting. This recognition highlights the county’s commitment to financial transparency and effective communication.

The award is for the county's 2023 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), which was evaluated by judges based on reader appeal, clarity, and creativity. The PAFR provides a broad overview of the county's financial health in a format that is more accessible than the county’s detailed financial reports.

This achievement is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our Finance Department. To view the 2023 PAFR — as well as reports dating back to 2014 — click here.

Free Workshop Series Starts in April