Art Contest Winners Announced

We received 23 entries for our 175th Anniversary Art Contest and are excited to announce the winners. In the adult art category, first place went to Carol Witt‑Smith for her mixed‑media piece highlighting the history of the button industry in La Crosse County. Kelly Leibold earned second for her work depicting our county committees and their role in supporting the community. Third place went to Kari Hodgen for her oil painting of a La Crosse sunset.

In the photography category, first place went to Laura Gooden for her Downtown Bodega photo. Second place went to Amy Vach for her possum photo, and third place went to Steven Grosch for his photo of an eagle flying near the Blue Bridge.

In the youth category (pictured below), first place went to Ava Beach for her bluebird painting, and second place went to Brynlee Ammerman for her painting of the bluffs.

All winners were selected through blind judging by a panel of community members.

You truly need to see these pieces, and all the entries, in person. They are on display at the La Crosse County Administrative Center at 212 6th St. N., La Crosse. Everyone is invited to join us for the awards ceremony at 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, at the Administrative Center.

The first meeting of La Crosse County's Data Center Study Committee is at 5:30 p.m., today (Wednesday, June 10) at the La Crosse County Administrative Center, 212 6th St. N., La Crosse. The committee will hear from a broad range of voices on data centers over the next 12 months before reporting back to the La Crosse County Board. View the agenda and committee membership here. You can read the resolution approved by the County Board to form the committee here.

Pathways Home Progress Updates

• On May 20, local leaders launched Homes for 100, a campaign to raise funds to help house 100 people in our community. Donations support the new Pathways Held Lease and Rent Support Fund at the La Crosse Area Community Foundation. You can join the effort with a minimum gift of $10 by donating here. Read our news release at this link.

• The City of La Crosse awarded $103,000 in federal Home‑ARP funding to La Crosse County to hire a social worker who will provide intensive case management for people experiencing homelessness.

• Nine people were housed in May, and our total homeless count dropped from 241 to 222.

Hillview’s renovation is now complete, and we’re excited to share the new long‑term care options available to older adults in our community.

The updated Hillview campus features a variety of assisted living settings, offering bright, modern private rooms in a comfortable, home‑like environment with engaging programming and welcoming common spaces.

Best of all, residents receive exceptional care from our dedicated and compassionate staff. If you or someone you know has questions or would like to schedule a tour, please contact Kim Haskey at 608‑519‑9368 or khaskey@lacrossecounty.org.

Snakes and Critters at County Parks This Saturday

Goose Island Campground will host Bluff Country Snakes at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at the Campground Pavilion behind the Campground Store. This is an opportunity for a hands-on experience with native snakes that's suitable for all ages.

Meanwhile, Veterans Memorial Campground in West Salem will host The Critter Mobile, a traveling environmental education program for all ages, also on Saturday, June 13. This program highlights the many animals that live in the coulee region. It begins at 1 p.m. at Shelter #4 in the park.

Both events are free to attend and open to all.

Progress in Bostwick Watershed

Since 2020, La Crosse County’s Land Conservation staff have been partnering with landowners to improve the Bostwick Creek watershed (which covers 30,000 acres south of West Salem).

Long-term monitoring shows promising results: phosphorus levels have dropped by roughly 20% when comparing the five years before the project to the most recent five-year average.

Using state runoff‑management funding, the County has been working with farmers to implement conservation practices, like the one pictured above, that reduce erosion, protect farmland, and limit runoff into the watershed.

This collaborative effort shows how the County, farmers, and local landowners can work together to protect and improve our natural resources for the benefit of all.

Watch for more updates on the Bostwick Creek project in the months ahead.

County Staff in the Community

It’s been a busy few weeks for La Crosse County staff out in the community.



• On Wednesday, May 20, the ADRC of La Crosse County hosted a community picnic at Veterans Memorial Park in West Salem to celebrate Older Americans Month.
• On Thursday, May 21, staff helped organize and take part in the 13th annual Mental Health Awareness Walk.
• On Saturday, May 30, our parks crew held the first-ever Goose Island Youth Bank Fishing Classic, which drew 100 young participants.

This is just a glimpse of how La Crosse County staff show up for our neighbors in big and small ways every day.

County Careers

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

• Public Safety Communications Specialist
• County Planner
• Licensed Practical Nurse
• Crisis Social Worker

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

ADRC's Flock Wins State Award

Kelsey Flock, one of our ADRC Dementia Care Specialists, was recently recognized as the Professional of the Year at the Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter’s state conference.

Kelsey launched La Crosse County’s Dementia Care Specialist program, making ours one of the first ADRCs in Wisconsin to offer this service. Her dedication has helped build the strong, trusted program we have today.

Please join us in congratulating her on this well‑deserved honor.

Turtles on the Move at Goose Island

Parks staff have been spotting quite a few turtle visitors on Goose Island in recent days. Female turtles are busy laying eggs, often choosing the soft dirt and sand along our roads, so we’re reminding visitors to keep an eye out. Species commonly seen in the area include the common snapping turtle, spiny softshell turtle, northern map turtle, and painted turtle.

A Whale of a Time

A 56-foot life-size inflatable whale will visit the Onalaska YMCA on Wednesday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visitors can walk inside the whale, and explore hands‑on activities, fossils, and more with experts from Forest Whales. All ages are welcome, and no registration is needed. This is expected to be a popular event so you can expect wait times to walk inside the whale! Sponsored by the Friends of the Onalaska Library.

The event is part of La Crosse County Library's Youth Services Summer Library Program. Check out the full program here.