March 11: News from around the Driftless Area
‘News from Around the Driftless Area’ is a compilation showcasing the excellent work and interesting tidbits from the community journalists sprinkled throughout our area.
VIROQUA –Kickapoo Corners Family Restaurant will receive monthly funding for COVID-19 relief from Barstool Sports. Kickapoo Corners owner Dionne Cary submitted a video plea to Barstool Fund after not receiving adequate government aid. On Monday, February, 10 she received a Facetime call from the sports and pop culture company's creator Dave Portnoy confirming she'd receive $5,000 per month. Cary has been able to pay her staff, but had to close the restaurant on Mondays and Tuesdays. According to Barstool's website, they have raised over $36 million dollars and helped 282 small businesses in the United States… Effective Wednesday, March 17, the Westby Times and Vernon County Broadcaster will combine to become the Vernon County Times and be a Wednesday publication… On Tuesday, March 2, at about 12:02 a.m., the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from an AT&T employee reporting entry and vandalism to their communications facility along U.S. Hwy. 14, rural Westby, in the town of Coon. The first deputy sheriff arrived on scene discovered the fence was compromised, and located two males inside the fenced-in area. Both males were taken into custody without incident. The males were identified as Benjamin Lee Britt, 47, and Jesse James Britt, 46, both from Viroqua. Burglarious tools were recovered at the scene. The investigation continued throughout the day resulting in the arrest of Shaila Kay Davis, 49, of Frazee, Minnesoa. A red colored 2002 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck with Iowa license plates was impounded. Evidence obtained on March 2 was consistent with a similar incident at the same AT&T facility that was reported on Feb. 16. Sheriff John Spears is urging anyone with information to contact the Sheriff’s Office or their local law enforcement agency. The Sheriff’s Office can be reached via telephone at 608-637-2123, or email at vcso@vernoncounty.org. You may also submit an anonymous tip at www.p3tips.com. Investigators are also interested in other incidents that may not have been reported… River Valley Media Group has announced the launch of their newest product, the Vernon County Times. This new newspaper is a merger of the Vernon County Broadcaster and the Westby Times. The new combined newspaper will include a comprehensive new content plan that represents both the Broadcaster and Times, plus new features that are sure to please. The new Vernon County Times will be delivered on Wednesday beginning on March 17, 2021. Subscriptions will remain unaffected and there is nothing that you need to do. They have also announced that starting on Friday, March 19, readers will begin to receive the Vernon County View on Fridays. The View will include interesting new features and things-to-do in the local area. The new Vernon County View will replace the Viroqua Foxxy Shopper.