La Crosse County will host the 13th Annual Mental Health Awareness Celebration on Thursday, May 21, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “Be Here – Unplug, Connect, Thrive,” encouraging our community to slow down, be present, and support one another.

The event will be held at the Health and Human Services Building at 300 4th Street North, La Crosse. Activities begin at noon with a welcome, followed by speeches and awards. A one‑mile community walk through downtown will kick off afterward. Refreshments will be provided, and a community resource fair will run from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Health and Human Services.

ADRC, Volunteers Served 53,000 Meals in 2025

La Crosse County’s Senior Nutrition Program delivered 41,164 meals to residents in need in 2025, along with 12,030 congregate meals served at ADRC meal sites in Holmen, Onalaska, and La Crosse. The program was supported by 142 volunteers who contributed more than 7,000 hours of service throughout the year.

To show appreciation, the ADRC hosted a volunteer recognition breakfast at the DASH Center in Onalaska last week. Volunteers honored for contributing the most hours included LaDonna Letourneau, Justin Broers, Heidi Hamil, Terry Strum, Marilyn Olson, (pictured) and Bernice Arentz, George Kimmet, Carole Baumgardner and Dave Reget. Several of them provided more than 200 hours of service in 2025.

The ADRC Senior Nutrition Program offers home-delivered meals and congregate dining Monday through Friday for individuals aged 60 or older. In addition to providing nutritious meals, the program offers a vital social connection for many of our neighbors. Learn more here.

Reminder: Hillview Open Houses

La Crosse County will host two public open houses in May to showcase the $19.6 million modernization of the Hillview campus (3501 Park Lane Drive, La Crosse).

The Hillview Life Center Grand Opening is scheduled for Friday, May 1, from 4–5:30 p.m., with a 4:30 p.m. ribbon‑cutting. The Life Center will offer childcare operated by the YWCA and programming for older adults.

The Hillview Campus Open House will take place Tuesday, May 5, from 3–6 p.m. Guests are invited to tour the newly remodeled nursing home and the Evergreens Assisted Living (CBRF – Community-Based Residential Facility). The event will feature a ribbon‑cutting at 3:15 p.m.

County Awards $150k for Housing Projects

La Crosse County awarded $150,000 in Neighborhood Revitalization Acquisition and Demolition funding earlier this month.

Spies Construction received $50,000 for a single‑family project at 213 Rose Street in La Crosse, and $100,000 was awarded to Chalmers Residences, LLC for a mixed-use, multi‑family development at the site of the former Tribune Building in downtown La Crosse.

Both projects will be funded with City of La Crosse TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds through a new city-county partnership. Learn more about the County's Acquisition and Demolition grant program here.

The "Backbone" of Our Organization

We celebrated Administrative Professionals Day last week. Administrative professionals in every County department, including the Human Services team pictured, greet the public, keep our operations running smoothly, and support each department with skill and dedication.

Our Finance Department has received the Government Finance Officers Association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for both our Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (for the 20th consecutive year) and our Popular Annual Financial Report (for the 11th consecutive year).

The awards recognize local governments that demonstrate “the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.” This honor provides strong external validation of the outstanding work done by our finance team.

New Board Sworn In

Ten new members of the La Crosse County Board were sworn in for two‑year terms at last Tuesday’s organizational meeting. The new supervisors pictured, from left to right, are Beth Arentz‑Clements, Beth Piggush, Angie Manke, Joanna Drazkowski, Joseph Carty, Anna McBride, Jeff Fimreite, Lia Manock, Kathy Allen, and Steve Duffrin.

The board also recognized Supervisor Ralph Geary (pictured with celebratory cookies), who was re‑elected in the Spring Election and has now represented his northside La Crosse district for 50 years. In addition, Supervisor Tina Tryggestad was re‑elected as County Board Chair. Supervisor David Pierce was elected First Vice Chair, and Supervisor Kim Cable was elected Second Vice Chair.

Burgers for a Cause on Monday, May 4

10% of all sales (dine-in or takeout) at Milwaukee Burger Company in La Crosse on Monday, May 4, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., will support kids in our child welfare and foster care system. Join us to support local children and our Human Services staff leading this fundraiser.

ADRC Community Picnic May 20

La Crosse County’s ADRC will host a free Community Picnic in recognition of Older Americans Month on May 20, at Veteran’s Memorial Park in West Salem. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes a resource fair featuring more than 20 community organizations, live music by Greg Grokowsky, a picnic lunch at noon, and bingo at 2 p.m.

Lunch is available for adults 60 and older with a reservation, which can be made by calling 608‑785‑5700 by May 15. A $5 contribution is suggested. The menu includes a turkey or ham sandwich, Sun Chips, baby carrots, fresh fruit, a cookie, and a drink, with a gluten‑free option available.

Dankmeyer Receives Ethical Leadership Award

La Crosse County Clerk Ginny Dankmeyer recently received the 2026 LeaderEthics Award, along with Town of Campbell Supervisor Lee Donahue.

LeaderEthics founder and executive director Lee Rasch praised both honorees for demonstrating strong ethical leadership.

“Ginny and Lee demonstrate the dedication and professionalism that citizens and voters should be able to expect in our elected leaders,” Rasch said.

Dankmeyer joined the La Crosse County Clerk’s Office as deputy clerk in 2009 and has served as county clerk since 2011. She oversees elections throughout the county, and LeaderEthics noted her long‑standing reputation as a fair, honest, and highly professional administrator of the election process.

The LeaderEthics Award is presented annually to elected officials who are honest, transparent with public information, unifiers rather than dividers and committed to representing their entire constituency.

La Crosse County on TikTok

You can now find La Crosse County on TikTok. Follow @La.Crosse.County and help share our content.

Donation Supports Goose Island Youth Fishing Classic

WKTY Cares has donated $500 to support the first Goose Island Youth Fishing Classic, taking place at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, at the Goose Island Campground Pavilion.

The event is a free catch-and-release fishing tournament open to the first 99 youth age 17 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Prizes will be awarded for the first 99 registered fish, regardless of size, so every catch counts. Participants can expect:

• Prizes for the first 99 registered fish
• Food trucks
• Half-price Goosey Golf
• Fishing gear available for kids who need equipment (first come, first served)

Kids and Mentors Outdoors will offer introductory fishing demonstrations, while Coulee Region Trout Unlimited will provide fly fishing and fly-tying instruction.

County Careers

La Crosse County currently has a range of job openings for people interested in supporting our community. Current openings include:

• Risk Manager
• Information Technology Supervisor
• Social Worker - Community Response
• Economic Support Specialist

Help us spread the word about these opportunities. View all our job openings here.