"Tsunami" of Need

La Crosse County’s population of residents aged 65+ is projected to double by 2040. Statewide, the number of older adults is expected to grow by 75%, and the number of people living with dementia by 110%.

Presenting to the Speaker’s Task Force on Elder Services last week, Human Services Director Jason Witt called this a coming “tsunami of need.” The bipartisan task force visited La Crosse County to learn firsthand about local elder services.

ADRC Manager Carissa Pagel-Smith highlighted innovations like embedding an Economic Support worker onsite so older adults can complete FoodShare, BadgerCare, and energy-assistance applications immediately — ensuring “no one gets lost between systems.”

La Crosse County elder service highlights include:

• 63,000+ meals served to older adults in 2024
• 550+ Adult Protective Services investigations launched
• New Hillview Community Based Residential Facility (CBRF) opening in 2026 with dementia crisis stabilization
• 250+ people housed through Pathways Home since 2024, as adults 50+ are the fastest-growing group experiencing homelessness

However, Witt and Pagel-Smith also told the task force that state funding hasn’t kept pace with need or inflation.

The County's recommendations to the task force included:

• Establish a statewide elder services planning team, with recommendations due in 2027.
• Update Wisconsin’s homelessness plan and ensure representation from mid-sized counties.
• Strengthen protections against financial exploitation of older adults.

County leaders say stronger state–county partnership is essential to help older adults stay independent, connected, and safe.

We’ve got snow headed our way, and our crews at the La Crosse County Highway Department are prepped and ready. We’ll be plowing:

• 160 miles of state highways
• 280 miles of county highways

La Crosse County has 26 plow trucks ready for deployment and 7 standby trucks in case of any breakdowns. Please keep these safety tips in mind when on the road this winter:

• It’s illegal to follow a snowplow closer than 200 feet on roads posted over 35 mph when a plow is working. 
• Many crashes happen when a vehicle rear‑ends or passes a snowplow unexpectedly.
• Some plows have wing blades that extend 2 to 10 feet beyond the truck — often hidden by snow clouds.
• It’s also illegal to push snow or other materials onto or across the roadway. 

Thank you for giving our crews space to work safely and efficiently. Together we’ll keep our roads safe and clear this winter.

Our next blood drive will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Health and Human Services Building (300 4th St. N, La Crosse). Your donation helps support local hospitals and can save lives.

Sign up for an appointment here.



Walk-ins are also welcome. This is a public event—please feel free to invite friends and family to participate.

“Investing in people is the best way to build a stronger, more resilient county for everyone,” County Board Chair Tina Tryggestad wrote in a piece for last Saturday’s La Crosse Tribune about the recent approval of the County’s 2026 budget.

The $209 million budget lowers debt, reduces the property tax rate, and supports county workers, social services, long-term care, and infrastructure projects.

Read the full op-ed by Chair Tryggestad in the La Crosse Tribune here (alternate link here).

The La Crosse Area Planning Committee (LAPC) and its partners are developing a Regional Transportation Safety Plan that evaluates safety issues for people driving, walking, biking, rolling, and taking transit. This plan will identify and prioritize projects, programs, and strategies to improve transportation safety for the people who live, work, and play in the Greater La Crosse region.

Project goals:

• Understand community safety issues, concerns, and problem spots
• Identify and prioritize safety projects and policy recommendations
• Develop an action plan to improve safety for all modes of transportation

Your input on local safety concerns in the area is vital to shaping a safer future for all people. Use the interactive comment mapping tool to help identify transportation safety issues. Visit the project website here for more information. 

County Funding Supports New Air Service

County funding of up to $250,000 helped bring Allegiant Air to La Crosse Regional Airport.

Last week, it was announced that Allegiant will add flights to Mesa/Phoenix, Arizona, and Orlando/Sanford, Florida, starting in February 2026.

“This announcement is a true testament to the teamwork and dedication from so many,” said Airport Business Manager JD Roberts.

The City of La Crosse is also providing up to $250,000 for the project. The combined city and county funding, as part of a minimum revenue guarantee, was key to the package that brought Allegiant to La Crosse, Roberts said. Learn more about the new service and book flights here.

Kwik Trip Partners With County

Kwik Trip has partnered with the La Crosse County Health Department to create a short video that will play at local Kwik Trip pumps and inside stores. The video links to a free food resource guide for residents.

View the guide here: lacrossecounty.org/health.

As a reminder, FoodShare benefits are fully funded through September 2026. Questions? The La Crosse County Economic Support team is available to help: 1-888-627-0430.

Happy Thanksgiving To All

We hope everyone has a joyful holiday filled with gratitude, family, and community.

A big thank you to County employees and members of the public who donated to our November food drive. In the photo you can see some of the donations filling a Human Services workspace. All contributions, including cash donations, are on their way to the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse.

We also appreciate employees who contributed over $10,000 to our Community Contributions Committee. Checks from that fund were recently sent to a wide range of local nonprofits, supporting causes across our community.