Pierce County residents share why they’re challenging Ridge Breeze’s expansion

June 5, 2025

001THU-The-petitioners(W) — The petitioners in the legal challenge to Ridge Breeze’s proposed expansion. From (L to R): Dr. Richard Dart, Jenelle Ludwig-Krause, Gerald Steien, Kay Kashian, Attorney Adam Voskuil, Larry Brenner, and Ty Fisher. Submitted photo

Submitted by Danny Akenson, GROWW

PIERCE COUNTY, WI – Nearly 100 people from Pierce and surrounding counties gathered in Bay City on Thursday, May 29, to share why they are fighting back against factory farm expansions in Western Wisconsin.

Among those present were the five local petitioners who joined Grassroots Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROWW) in a legal challenge of Ridge Breeze’s permit to grow to 6,500 cows, provoking the ire of industry groups.

At the event on Thursday, the petitioners and other attendees alike shared their reasoning behind standing up for their homes and opposing the factory farm expansion. Kay Kashian is a case petitioner and resident in the Town of El Paso and considers living on the Rush River a dream come true. “I feel like I didn’t have to die to go to Heaven,” said Kashian. “But I live just two and a half miles from Ridge Breeze – downwind, downhill, and downstream. A lot of us are scared about what Ridge Breeze’s expansion would do to our homes.”

The legal challenge is based on concerns around Ridge Breeze’s ability to safely apply roughly 80 million gallons of liquid manure that would be generated by their expansion. Thousands of acres in the expansion plan call for overapplication of nutrients and appear to have incorrect tillage listed, which could lead to substantial harm to groundwater. On top of this, area residents have been concerned about inaccuracies in Ridge Breeze’s plan for manure spreading. Multiple landowners whose land has been listed for spreading have come forward to state that they never gave Breeze permission to use their land.

“With 80 million gallons of waste, this is a countywide problem,” said Larry Brenner, one of the petitioners in the legal challenge and owner of Vino in the Valley in the Town of El Paso. Brenner’s home and business are near fields listed by Ridge Breeze for manure spreading. “My biggest concern for myself is that the Rush River is going to be in danger. Everything runs downhill, and we know where that manure is going to end up. I’m concerned about my wells, too. I’ve got a home well and a business well. Who’s going to pay for it if my wells go bad in just a few years’ time? What about all the traffic on the roads when they pick up hauling? Who pays for the roads? We all do. It’s coming, and we’ve got to try and stop it.”

GROWW Executive Director, Jenelle Ludwig-Krause, lives between Baldwin and Spring Valley and spoke on behalf of the organization. “I want to live in a world where I can trust a glass of water and jump into the Rush River without a care in the world. I want that for me, I want that for my family, and I want that for each and every one of you here tonight. When a factory farm is producing this much manure, we know that things can go wrong.” GROWW launched membership in January and has over 200 members across Western Wisconsin so far.

The other petitioners in the legal challenge include Gerald Steien, a Town of El Paso resident who raises longhorn cattle; Ty Fisher, a Town of Union crop farmer who has had family members fall ill of nitrate poisoning; and Richard Dart, a Maiden Rock medical doctor who is concerned about potential health impacts that spreading 80 million gallons of liquid manure could have on Pierce County residents. Even as residents organize to oppose the expansion, industry groups are ramping up their opposition to environmental safeguards and local control in Wisconsin.

Venture Dairy Cooperative—an industry group supporting the controversial Ridge Breeze factory farm expansion in Pierce County—is currently suing the Wisconsin DNR to eliminate oversight of factory farms for hundreds of Wisconsin factory farms. The lawsuit, filed against the DNR alongside Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce in 2023, was thrown out by a Calumet County judge last year, but has since been appealed. Their goal: clear the way for unchecked growth and bigger profits.

Among Venture Dairy’s founding board members is Todd Tuls, former owner of Emerald Sky Dairy, which has an extensive history of violations and fish kills in St. Croix County. A 2016 leak on-site at Emerald Sky Dairy led to nearly 300,000 gallons of manure being spilled into a nearby wetland. Another 2019 spill caused a fish kill in a creek near the facility. Last year, Emerald Sky was sold to Breeze Dairy Group and renamed Croix Breeze Dairy.

The legal challenge for Ridge Breeze’s expansion is moving forward and a hearing is expected to take place later this year. GROWW and the five individual petitioners are being represented by Midwest Environmental Advocates, a Wisconsin nonprofit law firm. Alongside the legal challenge, area residents are organizing through GROWW to pass local Operations Ordinances that will hold large factory farms accountable for the potential harms they can cause.

Speaking to the importance of continued community organizing on Thursday, Kay Kashian shared, “The longer I’ve been involved with GROWW the more I’ve been certain that people standing together can really affect change on a big level. I am willing to stand up and stand beside other people to fight for what we believe in.”

GROWW is a grassroots organization based in Western Wisconsin. Together, we work toward a future where we all make ends meet, live with dignity, and have a voice in shaping the decisions that impact us. To get connected or learn more about GROWW, visit us at GRO-WW.org, on Instagram at @GrowWisconsin, or on Facebook at Facebook.com/GROWWisconsin.

Rita Mae Hampton

Western Wisconsin News

June 4, 2025

Rita Mae Hampton, age 84, of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, died Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Regions Hospital, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Rita was born on February 21, 1941, to Joseph and Viola (Schladweiler) Schmitt in Rock Elm Township, Pierce County, Wisconsin. She was born and raised on the farm. She attended St. John the Baptist School in Plum City until 8^th grade and attended Elmwood High School, graduating with the Class of 1959.

On November 5, 1960, Rita married Bernard Hampton of Spring Valley at St. John the Baptist Church in Plum City. After marriage they lived in several different homes and in 1965 purchased their farm in Cady Township. Together they farmed and raised their family.

Rita was fun, loving, and active. She enjoyed many activities and spending time with family and friends. She worked as a waitress for a while at Thompson’s Café in Spring Valley. She shot pool with a league and in tournaments, always did well. Donkey softball was fun, and she played the accordion as well. She enjoyed quilting and with Missy, made embroidered quilts for all her grandchildren.

She always had the biggest garden and canned and preserved much of what was eaten at home. Along with the veggies, she grew any kind of flower that she could get hold of. In the fall, the bulbs would be dug by the tractor bucket full. One of her favorite pastimes was dancing to old time music, especially the polka. She taught all her children how to polka while watching Lawrence Welk on TV.

Rita was not known to pass up a good party and even threw a couple at home. While doing all of this, she still helped run the farm, milk the cows, and raise seven children.

After Bernard passed and the cows were gone, Rita enjoyed helping with the lawn mowing business and going dancing with special friend Gordy. So much that they became groupies for the Rhythm Playboys, following them out west once. Later, Rita would find companionship with another friend, Joe. You could find them out and about most every Sunday.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Bernard, daughter Donna, sister Beverly Schmitt, brother Peter Schmitt, special friend Gordy Johnson. Also preceded by in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Survivors include her six children: Joe (Karen) Hampton, Jim (Sue Knegendorf) Hampton, Dawn (Lance) Harvey, Deanne (Jim) Claypool, Doreen ‘Missy’ (Don) Larson, Deb (Jim Huron) Hampton. Special friend Joe Johnson. Four siblings: Jerry (Lou) Schmitt, Wayne (Donna Marty) Schmitt, Leon ‘Mike’ (Ralph Leggett) Schmitt, Jo Ann (Bob) Larson. In-laws: Mary Hampton, Fran Hampton. 19 grandchildren: Izzy, Jessica, Mindy, Jordan, Craigen, Tina, Tony, Bobby, John, Jimmy, Danielle, Tyler, Aaron, Nick, Jason, Abby, Kassie, Kory and Karlie. One step-grandchild: Jesse. 27 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Memorial service was at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Spring Valley, Wisconsin. A luncheon at the Brother Michael Center followed the service.

Visitation was on Sunday, June 1, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley and one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Spring Valley, Wisconsin.

Keehr Funeral Home, (keehrfuneralhome.com) Spring Valley, is handling arrangements.

Darlene Raleigh

Western Wisconsin News

June 4, 2025

Darlene Raleigh, age 82, of Ellsworth, Wisconsin, died on Saturday, May 31, 2025, after a brief illness. She was surrounded by family and love.

Darlene was born to George and Catherine (Hartmann) Hennen on June 30, 1942, in Shakopee, Minnesota. She married Jim Raleigh on May 9, 1964, and in 1967 they moved to Wisconsin and began their life farming in Pierce County. Their marriage blessed them with six beautiful children: Beth, Mike, Rose, Karen, Dianne, and Mark. Darlene was a loving wife, mother and grandma.

Darlene loved adventures and laughter. She enjoyed traveling, long lunches with friends, trips back to Burnsville, and even went skydiving for her 75^th birthday.

Darlene dedicated many hours volunteering and being involved with the Pierce County 4-H program, community activities, leadership in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, as well as Diocese of La Crosse. She was a woman of faith and would say the rosary daily along with prayers for those she loved.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jim, granddaughter Jordyn Hope, her parents and brothers- Eugene, Cleon and Elroy.

Darlene is survived by her six children- Beth (Craig) Ingli, Elmwood; Mike (Margaret), Elmwood; Rose Raleigh, Woodville; Karen (Brandon) Rettke, Roseville; Dianne (John) Baier, Arcadia; and Mark (Crystal) of Spring Valley. Ten grandchildren- Kay (Tom) Guitzkow, Celia (Brady) Burgraff, Rick (Kaitlyn) Ingli, Erin (Ryan) Hayden, Owen and Theo Rettke, Morgan and Devon Baier, and Dustyn and Weston Raleigh. Seven great-grandchildren – Joel, Henry, Amelia, Nora, Hazel, Howard, Evan and baby girl Hayden due in June. Darlene is further survived by many family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Spring Valley, Wisconsin. The Rosary will be prayed beginning at 3:45 p.m. Mass of Christian burial for Darlene will be Saturday, June 7 at 10:30 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to Mass. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Jim at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Cemetery in Spring Valley.

Darlene requested in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Cemetery in Spring Valley, Wisconsin or to the St. John the Baptist Cemetery Association in Savage, Minnesota.

Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley (kkehrfuneralhome.com) is handling arrangements.

Daniel Crownhart

Western Wisconsin News

June 4, 2025

Daniel J. Crownhart, age 75, died of natural causes at his home in Mexico on March 26, 2025, following several years of health struggles.

Dan was born on January 26, 1950, in Plum City, Wisconsin to parents Frank and Adeline (Schober) Crownhart. He attended Rock Elm Grade School and Elmwood Area Schools where he graduated from high school in 1968. He attended the University of Wisconsin–River Falls and later earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Regis College in Denver, Colorado.

He moved to Denver in 1970 and worked for several companies where he designed, developed, and operated computer information systems. He retired from the Denver Water Department in 2008. He moved to Mexico in 2009 where he married his wife, Carlota, in 2013.

Dan is survived by his wife, Carlota, her son Rodrigo and his family, and sisters Kathleen (David) Krings of Lakeville, MN and Jean Zeithaml of Eau Claire, WI. He is further survived by nephew Jacob (Mandi) Krings of Maple Grove, MN; niece Jenna (Tom) Richardson of Edina, MN; great-nieces and nephews; cousins. Dan was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary J. Crownhart, brother David F. Crownhart, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and several cousins.

There was a funeral mass for Dan in Mexico followed by a nine-day novena and mourning period. Inurnment will be in his wife’s family columbarium at a later date. There were no local services. Dan’s U.S. family extends deepest gratitude to his Mexican family for their loving and excellent care of him.

DNR accepting applications for Sandhill State Wildlife Area Learn to Hunt Deer program

Western Wisconsin News

June 4, 2025

003WED-Learn-to-Hunt-Deer-program(W) — This unique opportunity gives participants an exciting educational experience while helping the DNR reach deer management goals at Sandhill State Wildlife Area. Submitted photo

Submitted by Darren Ladwig, DNR Wildlife Biologist

MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for the 2025 Learn to Hunt Deer program at Sandhill Wildlife Area. Applications will be accepted through July 1, 2025.

Sandhill’s Learn-to-Hunt workshops include classroom instruction, hands-on field experience and a mentored hunt on thousands of acres of intensively managed wildlife habitat. This unique opportunity provides participants with a rich educational experience while achieving deer management objectives on the 9,150-acre property.

The program is open to young hunters aged 12-15. Adults (age 16+) without previous experience hunting deer with a firearm may also apply. A chaperone must accompany all hunters. Registration for the program is $40.

All participants (and accompanying mentors) must attend one of the workshops. This year’s in-person workshop dates are August 20, 22 and 23, 2025.

Both the youth and adult workshops will cover the same topics:

Deer biology and management
Hunting rules and regulations
Ethical hunter behavior
Basic firearm safety
Practice sighting and firing a hunting rifle

The program will culminate with a two-day hunt on November 8-9, 2025 at Sandhill Wildlife Area near Babcock in Wood County. All participants must complete a Hunter Education course before the hunt.

“The winter of 2024-25 was the eleventh consecutive mild winter, according to the Winter Severity Index at Sandhill, and fawn recruitment is projected to be favorable as we have received ample spring rains. Higher fawn recruitment means more new deer added to the herd,” said Darren Ladwig, DNR wildlife biologist at Sandhill. “This Learn to Hunt gives new hunters a good opportunity to try deer hunting while helping us reach our deer harvest goal for 2025.”

Apply for the 2025 Sandhill Learn To Hunt using our online application. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2025.

Spring Valley Middle-High School hosts Academic Awards Day

Western Wisconsin News

June 3, 2025

004TUE-6th-Grade-Bronze-Awards(W) — These sixth grade students received bronze awards for their academic achievement. Submitted photo

Submitted by Melanie Horner, Spring Valley Middle-High School

SPRING VALLEY, WI – Spring Valley Middle-High School hosted our annual Academic Awards Day on Thursday, May 22 for students in grades 6-11. The ceremony honored students achieving a 3.60 to 4.0 GPA during any of the first three grading quarters of the school year or the fourth quarter of the previous year. 152 of our 286 students in these grade levels were recognized for achieving academic excellence.

Academic letters were also awarded to Spring Valley High School students who achieved a semester GPA of 3.6 or above for the third semester of their high school career (semesters need not be consecutive). Caleb Bartko, Kate Cipriano, Parker Cipriano, Karter Dykhouse, Elizabeth Hannack, Isaiah Haug, Isaac Koenning, Adelyn Kotten, Mackenzie Nyhus,Samuell Schmitt, Jonah Secaur, Shalikco Timm, Wynlynn Vanasse and Madison Zimmerman each received a 2025 academic letter.

Perfect and exemplary attendance were recognized at this program as well. Perfect attendance was recognized for students who have not missed any school this year. Exemplary attendance was recognized for students who have missed one day or less of school. Perfect attendance was earned by Colton Deiss, Emil Liao, Zoey Siegel and Brayden Rogers. Exemplary attendance was earned by Jax Crandall, Hudson French, Shayla Heizler, Savanna Holcomb, Frances Hudson, Hayden Kapping, Cason Koehler, Swarnika Niroula, Kennady Rasmussen, Harper Turner and Raina Turner.

At this ceremony we were also able to celebrate students who participated in various SVM/HS activities and sports and enjoy milk and cookies as a school community. It was a great year for our Spring Valley Cardinals!

DHS highlights impact of Federal SNAP changes on Wisconsinites

Western Wisconsin News

June 3, 2025

003TUE-DHS-logo(W) — Contributed graphic

Submitted by Elizabeth Goodsitt, DHS

MADISON, WI – On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the United States House of Representatives passed the budget reconciliation bill with a set of proposals to cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), costing Wisconsin taxpayers approximately $314 million each year. The bill will now go to the United States Senate for consideration. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has started to analyze how these cuts would impact all Wisconsinites, including taking food away from families, shifting costs to Wisconsin taxpayers, and increasing red-tape requirements making it harder for parents, kids, people with disabilities, and older adults to get food assistance.

“Wisconsin runs one of the best SNAP programs in the country and these cuts would cost our state approximately $314 million every year,” said Wisconsin Medicaid Director Bill Hanna. “This is over a quarter billion dollars each year that Wisconsin couldn’t use for our health care, our roads, our schools, or our economy.”

SNAP, also known as “FoodShare” in Wisconsin, helps nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites put food on their tables. SNAP benefits can be used at most stores as well as many farmers markets, allowing many working families, kids, and older adults access to fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year. SNAP is also good for Wisconsin’s farmers, grocers, and local economies. For every $1 of SNAP benefits, working families across the state generate $1.50 for our economy by shopping at local stores and farmers markets.

Wisconsin’s payment error rate is one of the lowest in the country—just 4.41% in 2024. These errors represent things like unexpected changes to a person’s income or accidental errors that occur when determining if someone qualifies for the program. These errors are not fraud. For the first time ever, Congress is proposing an extreme, zero tolerance policy for payment errors harming states like Wisconsin that consistently keep error rates low. DHS has analyzed the impact of these SNAP funding changes as they are currently being discussed by Congress.

New and shifting costs to Wisconsin taxpayers — For the entire 80-year history of the program, the federal government funded every dollar in SNAP food benefits. This new proposal requires states to start making matching payments for SNAP benefits, based on the state’s error rates. DHS estimates this provision would cost the state $207 million annually.

Additionally, the federal government and states have always shared the cost to administer the program. Congress is proposing a cut to the amount the federal government pays for the staff and systems necessary to run the SNAP program. This would cost the state and our counties $51 million per year.

Piling on red-tape requirements making it harder for parents, kids, people with disabilities, and older adults to get food assistance

Under the Congressional proposal, 88,200 would have to start submitting new paperwork to prove they are working, including increasing this requirement for adults from 54 to 64 years old. This requirement would also require parents with school-aged kids, including kids with disabilities, to complete more paperwork. Each year, these changes would cost an extra $44 million for Wisconsin taxpayers.

Currently, about 2,300 people in Wisconsin are exempt from work requirements due to lack of available jobs in their area. The bill put forward by Congress would end these exemptions, likely meaning that many of these people will lose their food benefits.

Overall, these red-tape requirements would put nearly 90,000 people at risk of losing SNAP benefits.

Eliminating healthy eating education programs — In addition to providing people with food assistance benefits, SNAP also provides states funding to help educate people receiving benefits on healthy eating, physical activity, and thrifty shopping. Congress is proposing to eliminate this SNAP education (SNAP-ed) funding entirely, which would result in Wisconsin losing $12 million annually.

These proposed cuts would take away food from families by piling on red-tape requirements, reduce the amount of food they can buy, and would cost Wisconsin taxpayers over a quarter billion dollars each year in order to fund this essential food assistance program. As Congress discusses these proposals, DHS will continue to analyze the impact of these provisions on Wisconsin.

Softball team wins WIAA opener, on to second round

Ron Cipriano

June 2, 2025

SPRING VALLEY, WI – While the regular season ended with a loss, the WIAA tournament started with a win.

The Spring Valley softball team finished out their regular season with a well-played 2-0 loss on the road in Mondovi last Monday and followed that up with a 5-0 win in the opening round of the WIAA Regional Tournament against the #9 seeded New Auburn Trojans.

The win advanced the Cardinals to a road game at Thorp this past Tuesday (weather permitting) and the opportunity to advance to round three. If the Cardinals won on Tuesday, they would be facing the winner of the #4 Eau Claire Immanuel and #5 Athens game today on the road to one of those two schools. The winner would advance to play on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

To read this and other premium articles in their entirety, pickup the May 29, 2025 issue of the Sun-Argus newspaper. Click to subscribe for convenient delivery by mail, or call (715) 778-4990. Single issues are also available at area newsstands and our office in Spring Valley, WI.

Vintage Wedding Display at the Pierce County Historical Association

Western Wisconsin News

June 1, 2025

002SUN-What's-New-Bay-City_Mary-Erickson-and-Mary-VanSchoonhoven(W) — Mary Erickson and Mary VanSchoonhoven pictured with their new exhibit. Submitted photo

Submitted by Mary Erickson and Julie Huebel, PCHA

BAY CITY, WI – The Pierce County Historical Association (PCHA) in Bay City is hosting a vintage wedding display beginning on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at their regularly scheduled Sunday Open House from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Our display features over 20 wedding dresses from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, we also have photos and other artifacts from Pierce County weddings during that time. The display covers brides and grooms from all throughout the county.

This has been a labor of love for the volunteers at the PCHA and we would love to share it with the community. The planning, curating, and assembly of this display took several months. We even plan to have some wedding music played by Chris Falteisek, one of our very talented PCHA members on the old church organ, for our opening day (June 1, 2025).

Join us for special snacks and see how wedding attire has changed over the years and look through our photos. You just may recognize relatives or neighbors from the past. Our location is W6321 Main Street, Bay City. This special exhibit will be available for viewing for at least a year. The Open Hours are the 1^st Sunday of every month 12 to 4;00 p.m. and every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p,m.

You can support our mission by joining the Pierce County Historical Association as a supporting member or by making a donation. You can learn more about our organization and ways to support our mission on our website: PierceCountyHistorical.org.

ADRC develops partnership to serve seniors in Glenwood City

Western Wisconsin News

May 31, 2025

Wood City Tavern in Glenwood City. Contributed graphic

Submitted by Adam Kastonek, Public Information Officer, St. Croix County

GLENWOOD CITY, WI – The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of St. Croix County is proud to highlight its collaboration with Wood City Tavern in Glenwood City—one of three restaurant-based meal sites participating in the ADRC’s Senior Nutrition Program.

In November 2024, the ADRC transitioned the Glenwood City Nutrition Site to a restaurant model. This change reflects the success seen across Wisconsin and with the County’s other restaurant partners, Agave 2 GoGo in Hudson and Parkside Restaurant in Hammond, Wisconsin.

The restaurant model offers several benefits, including a variety of fresh, made-to-order menu options, and dining hours that fit seniors’ schedules without the need for a reservation. The Senior Nutrition Program is open to adults aged 60 and older, as well as their spouses regardless of age. While there is no required fee, a suggested contribution of $6 per meal helps support the program and keep it accessible to others.

As part of the ADRC’s mission to promote health, independence, and well-being among older adults, this partnership ensures that seniors not only receive nutritious meals but also experience social connection and community support.

In 2024 alone, the ADRC’s Senior Nutrition Program served over 51,000 meals to older adults throughout St. Croix County. Meals are available at nine senior centers and through home delivery. These services are made possible through a combination of participant contributions and funding from local, state, and federal sources.

“Partnerships like this one with Wood City Tavern help us reach more people in more places, ensuring that our older residents not only receive nutritious food but also feel connected and supported,” said Kristin Newton – St. Croix County ADRC Administrator.

This initiative is especially timely during Older Americans Month, a time when communities across the nation honor the contributions and resilience of older adults. The ADRC and its partners remain committed to building a network of services that empower seniors to live independently and thrive.

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of St. Croix County empowers older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their families by serving as a central source for information, assistance, and community resources. Learn more at: sccwi.gov/ADRC.