Local

Sauk Prairie Veterans of Foreign Wars Lachmund Cramer Post 7694 conducted a flag retirement and burning ceremony on the shore of the Wisconsin River in Veterans Memorial Park in Prairie du Sac on March 14. Approximately 1,000 American flags were retired in a memorial fire. The youngest and oldest participants of the flag retirement ceremony were duly noted. Ares Haag, 7, son of Megan Haag and grandson of VFW member Steve Haag, carried several smaller disposable American flags to the flame. The oldest participant, 91-year-old VFW member Roy Gag, a Korean War veteran, led and carried larger flags. He also supervised Ares as they collectively contributed retiring flags to the fire. (Submitted photo)

Join Youth Services Librarian Stephanie Baldwin-Curtis for spring stories at Reedsburg Public Library. (Submitted photo)

River Arts, Inc. Executive Director Lydia Park, at center, accepts a $250 check from the Sauk Prairie Optimists at their December 17 Meeting. Optimist Members and former and current River Arts Board Members Carol May, left, and Jeff Boll, at right. The funds will be used for art kits for students in need in the Sauk Prairie School District over Christmas break.

At left, Sarah Ramthun, Co-Executive Director of 6:8, accepts a $500 check from Carol May, Sauk Prairie Optimist Club President, at the December 3 club meeting. The funds were used to develop curriculum for the Circles Youth program.

Pictured from left, Tricia Rodey, Sauk Prairie Middle School Principal; Nathan Leaf, father of Anna; Anna Leaf, March Middle Level Leader; Meghan Leaf, mother of Anna on March 18 at the Sauk Prairie Optimist meeting held at the 6:8 dining room.

PdS Bancorp held its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, offered both in person and virtually for shareholders. Attendees received a financial report highlighting Bank of Prairie du Sac’s strong performance in 2025, closing the year with $760 million in total assets. Steve Ploetz, President & CEO, provided an overview of current banking industry conditions and shared updates on the bank’s continued stability and community-focused mission. He also recognized J. Patricia “Pat” Yanke for an extraordinary 40 years of service on the Board of Directors, noting that her banking career began in 1969 and that she was among his earliest mentors when he joined the bank in 1977. During the meeting, shareholders elected the following individuals to serve one-year terms on the Board of Directors: Steve Ploetz, John McFarlane, Craig Culver, Julie Coquard, Mitch Breunig, and Roxi Maier. Ploetz closed the meeting by expressing appreciation for the Bank of Prairie du Sac’s dedicated staff and reaffirming the organization’s long-standing commitment to community reinvestment — both through financial support and employee volunteerism. He also reiterated the bank’s dedication to remaining an independent community bank. Celebrating 110 years in 2026, the Bank of Prairie du Sac is a locally owned and locally operated financial institution and a wholly owned subsidiary of PdS Bancorp, a one-bank holding company. The bank operates two branches in Sauk Prairie.

The Above the Line theme at Grand Avenue Elementary for February was “honesty & trustworthiness.” The students above received awards on Friday, February 20, 2026, from their classroom teacher or staff member who felt that they are an individual who embodies these traits. Bottom row, left to right: Heidi Greenwood, Micah Otto, Reid Lenerz, Lucy Larson, Oliver Clapper, Kayser Kirch, Allie Lochner, Vada Steinmetz, Vivian Rodgers, Kade Breunig, and Everett Nies. Middle Row, left to right: Ivy Liegel, Hadleigh Hudson, Harlen Butler, Aidan Lewerenz, Brooke Breunig, Dahlia Bock, Hannah Breunig, Gianna Jimenez, Avery Krigbaum, Blakeley Halweg, Alistair Huber, Kellen Allaby and Noah Wiedmeyer. Top Row, left to right: Regina Schultz, Brooke Hellenbrand, Zoey Goetz, Tanginitque Pride, Layla Darrow, Abby Bruheim, Lillian Bach, Zane Ott, Jacob Velazquez-Martinez, Charley Miles, Adeline Newman, Lillie Reuter, Estelle Litscher and Lincoln Holzwarth. Not pictured: Nathan Beggs and Thiago Rios Estrada.