Ridgeway – Bruce Paull – 608-341-8443
The Ridgeway Town Board had a lively monthly meeting, which many appreciated. Pattern Energy attended to answer questions and give a vague update. Ridgeway Township, if the sites get approved, has the potential for two wind-generating towers with a possible height of 700 feet. Many in attendance were frustrated that the local governments have no real enforceable zoning regulations.
The Town board appointed Tom McGraw to fill the empty seat on the board. It was noted that Mike Scheidegger also spoke and offered to serve until the next election cycle. Some discussion was the possibility of Mike Scheidegger on the Ridgeway Township Land Use Committee if Tom McGraw is looking to step away because of the new town board position.
The Town of Ridgeway drafted a resolution that was approved and signed, asking the Department of Transportation to seriously address the safety concerns on the 18/151 Highway Corridor. It is felt that when a municipality makes a resolution, it reflects the needs of the citizens. Iowa County passed a very similar Resolution (9-1125) in November of 2025.
The Village of Ridgeway will partner with Barneveld to have a “Citywide” garage sale on May 15-17. It is suggested that a map will be printed and shared. Who ever thought we would track and snoop through our friends and neighbors stuff to help them out! Remember money paid stays local so they can buy more ice cream!
Ridgeway has announced the 2026 Summer Baseball Program. Tee Ball for boys and girls ages 4 & 5, or if in the first year, age 6. Coach Pitch for boys and girls ages 6 & 7. Two different Summer Baseball teams, one for 3rd & 4th grade boys and girls. The other for 5th and 6th grade boys and girls. The Summer Baseball teams will participate in game competition against other teams in Southwest Wisconsin. Forms and more information are available at the Village of Ridgeway office, with a sign-up deadline by Friday, April 17, 2026.
The Iowa County Health and Human Services met and heard reports and had discussion. The Health Department is sharing information for the always trendy title, “Germ Edition.” Every month the top three communicable diseases will be featured with a fun looking germ. This is new and comes as Public Health is trying to figure the media thing out. The top February germs are RSV Hospitalizations, Flu Hospitalizations, and with E. coli at third. Not to forget but getting honorable mention is Chlamydia and Campylobacter. Please vaccinate, practice hygiene, safe sex, with hand washing, cooked food, and sanitation. The two measles exposures were vaccinated so no lock down or missing work.
Social Services gave interesting information about SNAP in Wisconsin. The Big Beautiful Bill changed the rules for SNAP. The present error rate in Wisconsin is at 5.72% which is under the 6% threshold for Wisconsin to lose $69 million in funding. The age limit has been raised from 54 to 64 and now required to work 80 hours per month if you are able bodied and between the ages of 18-64. When you look at how fragile the rules are, it is scary about going above the 6% threshold. The presentation came with the information that Social Services is seeing an increase in higher needs youth and protective placements for disabled and older adults. This is all something that needs to be watched.
Many people have a desire to eliminate the extra activities in school. That will take away the reason kids enjoy school and the extra learning experiences. I have a feeling that if this Dodgeville Referendum fails we will lose much more than just a referendum. We need to increase net new construction up to 2%. It has averaged 1.20% for the last 14 years. The trend has caught up to all of Iowa County as reported by SWWRPC.
A great example of community spirit is the Dodgeville Co-op Gymnastics team and Facebook. Some data could be questionable but as of this writing the Dodgeville School District Facebook post in Gymnastics State Champion had 887 likes and 151 comments. The Career and Technical Education videos on Fridays have views of 4.9K and 2.4K. That has the making of a great school, I want to live there! So much happens in all schools in Iowa County, all for the experience and education of our youth.
The youth in the Dodgeville High School play, “Alice in Wonderland,” this week would like to show you why …….. they enjoy school here, the auditorium, and what makes a community entertaining.
Facebook doesn’t always have all the answers. Donna has been saving recipes with titles that seem oxymoron, Billion Dollar Chicken and Poor Man’s Husband Casserole. The recipe I want has Oreo cookies, butter, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Just a recipe, no name. Donna said she doesn’t want be doing something that can’t be named