Good Works
Hmong center serves many roles for community
For many families in the Coulee Region, the Hmong Cultural & Community Center serves as both a gathering place and a bridge — connecting generations to language, traditions, and shared history while helping younger community members stay rooted in their cultural identity. Through educational programming, cultural events, and community support, the center preserves traditions that…
Answering nature’s call: Local woman protects environment
Some people find their calling in a single moment. For Roz Schnick, it began early, and it never let go. A lifelong advocate for the environment, Schnick has spent decades working at the intersection of science, stewardship and community action. Her work spans local, regional, national, and international efforts, all grounded in a simple idea:…
Chariots4Hope-WI
In garages and parking lots across our community, something steady and practical is happening, and it’s changing lives in ways most of us rarely see. Chariots4Hope helps people move forward by providing reliable vehicles when transportation stands in the way. What begins with a set of keys grows into something larger: education, mentorship, accountability, and…
Jan Brock’s five decades of community service
For nearly five decades, Jan Brock has simply shown up for the community she calls home. A longtime resident of Onalaska, Jan’s story is one of consistency — working with others, contributing where she can, and being part of the many groups that make community life richer and more connected. From arts and education to…
Breast cancer survivors find strength in La Crosse Mississippi Sisters
On the waters of the Black River in La Crosse each summer you’ll find a boat with a fierce-looking pink dragonhead, its paddlers rising in unison. They are the La Crosse Mississippi Sisters — a thriving sisterhood of breast-cancer survivors who’ve discovered that shared effort, in training and in life, builds its own kind of…
Thousands unite for Rotary Lights’ mission of sharing light and food
Each winter, the Rotary Lights display at Riverside Park in La Crosse, Wisconsin, draws diverse visitors from many states to experience more than 3 million lights, a 140-foot Christmas tree and a host of festive events — all free of admission. Its true brilliance, though, lies in what it makes possible: thousands of community members…
Big Brothers/Sisters make big difference in kids’ lives
Sometimes the biggest difference in a child’s life starts with something small — like an hour a week spent with a trusted adult. That’s the idea behind Big Brothers Big Sisters, which connects young people with caring adult mentors for steady, one-to-one relationships. Here in the Coulee Region, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the 7…
‘Art in the Wild’ expected to come alive in October
This October, in the woods of La Crosse, a skeleton will ride a tall bicycle — powered not by ghostly energy, but by the laughter and legwork of passersby. It’s part sculpture, part playground, and wholly an invitation to slow down, look closer, and remember that art can be just as alive as the people…
Misfits Hair Studio owner creates refuge for belonging in region
From haircuts to community meetups, Felix Murphy creates spaces where difference is celebrated and belonging is a given Felix Murphy isn’t trying to blend in — and that’s exactly what makes his contributions to the La Crosse area so valuable. As a neurodivergent hairstylist, owner of Misfits Hair Studio and a board member at The…
La Crosse Local: A source for connection
La Crosse Local is an online hub that connects people with the events, businesses, and stories shaping the Coulee Region. Part of a broader network of hyperlocal sites, it offers a steady stream of timely, relevant content to strengthen community ties and highlight what makes the places here distinct. At the center of this effort…