More local news

Law student credits his time at CVTC with learning to appreciate education

Grant Magnuson is in law school now, but it wasn’t long ago when he was an eighth-grade student at Meyer Middle School in River Falls contemplating jumping into the world of college credits. …

Live Better Community Service Award presented to Claire John

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services is pleased to announce Claire John as the Live Better Community Service Award winner for the first quarter of 2025. John received the award and a …

Village President’s column: Investing in our heart: The vital role of downtown revitalization

It’s impossible not to feel the excitement surrounding new development across our community. From the Gerrard Apartment Building and Kwik Trip in the Crossing Meadows district to the Workhorse …
Hot air balloons launched from Rivercrest Elementary in Hudson as part of the 36th annual Hudson Hot Air Affair this past weekend.

Experiencing an ‘affair with hot air’

For many Pierce County residents trudging north on their Friday morning commute, they may have witnessed an army of hot air balloons floating their way east down the I-94 corridor as the sun's rays …

Plum City HS showcases Quarter 2 honor roll

Plum City High School is pleased to announce the second quarter honor roll students for the second quarter of the 2024-25 school year. A honor roll Seniors: Carter Fetzer, Olivia Pullen, …
Government

GROWW continuing push for operations ordinances and local protection

GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROWW) is continuing to set its sights on passing operations ordinances to protect Pierce County towns from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). …
Crime

St. Croix County Jail Feb. 3-10, 2025

Monday, Feb. 3 Candice Lee Goebel, 41, Newport, Minn., by Hudson police, possess drug paraphernalia, retail theft – intentionally take > $500-$5,000. Phillip Leroy Parks, 34, St. …
On the calendar
Business

Snø Hill Chapel brings new life to former church

Snø Hill Chapel, located at N3699 730th St., Ellsworth, begins a new chapter in its 118-year-old existence as a community gathering place.

SNOWS CORNER – When Bethlehem Lutheran Church closed its doors for the last time in September 2023, the congregation didn’t know what would become of the little country church. But as the …

Local sports
Ellsworth won over Spring Valley/Elmwood and Unity at a home tri to build momentum for the postseason.

Battle for the Golden Shoe rivalry revived, welcomed back to a packed house

The Battle for the Kirby Symes Golden Shoe started in 1986 between the River Falls and Ellsworth wrestling teams. Both teams had some of the state’s top wrestlers at the time, and the towns …

Ellsworth GBB celebrates Women in Sports Day during push toward playoffs

ELLSWORTH — Despite the increasing stress as the girls basketball playoffs approach, Ellsworth found time to honor the Feb. 5 National Women in Sports Day. During a Feb. 4 home game against …
Junior Kovi Prochnow has an acrobatic assist through a defenders' legs to teammate Charlie Friemann (not pictured) during the first period Thursday night.

Wildcat hockey tied up, drops 27th straight to Hudson

The River Falls Wildcat hockey team's improbable run to the WIAA State Semi-Finals a year ago was improbable because they finished 4-10 in the Big Rivers Conference, good for sixth place. This …

Shots from the hip: Otto scores 1,000 points

Congratulations to junior Violet Otto on scoring career point number 1,000 last Friday on the road against St. Croix Central. Otto joins Kollyn Eichman-Severson, Haylee Yaegar, Lila Posthuma, Kaycee …
Tristan Patz in fifth and Gus Schmitt-Mischke in seventh on the final conference diving podium.

Carns breaks school record, RF takes fourth at BRC meet

HUDSON — A school record from Daniel Carns helped him make first team All-Conference at the Big Rivers Conference meet over the weekend, joining Ty Wise and the 200-yard relay team on …
It was tougher to buy a basket than a dozen eggs for the first 5:13 of the Prescott/Altoona Middle Border Conference girls’ basketball match-up last Tuesday night in Prescott. The …
River Falls' senior heavyweight wrestler Lincoln McCarty is 18 years old. Society says he's a man and he is. He's a man among boys on the wrestling mat, even against the big boys. It is, however, …
Boys Basketball Elmwood/Plum City had a massive week for momentum as the season enters its final weeks, beating Eleva-Strum 71-30, losing to Durand-Arkansaw 67-40 and beating Boyceville 72-66. …
ELLSWORTH — Around a decade ago, Stacey Robey helped create a floor hockey team through the Ellsworth Community School District that would give special education students an opportunity to …
Community
Pierce County Fair Committee Chair and Junior Dairy Superintendent Bob Traynor recently received the Wisconsin Association of Fairs Hall of Fame award.

Traynor honored with Wisconsin Association of Fairs Hall of Fame Award

The Wisconsin Association of Fairs has awarded Robert “Bob” Traynor the prestigious Hall of Fame Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions and dedication to the Pierce County Fair …

Valentine benefit concert for Haiti set for Feb. 23

RIVER FALLS – On Sunday afternoon, Feb. 23, the Ezekiel Lutheran and Cross Lutheran (Roberts) church choirs, the River Falls University Community Choir, the Pierce County Ecumenical choir and …

Senior Gathering Place activities

PRESCOTT – Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Wow, mid-February, so we are on our way to spring! Although our current chilly temps don't feel like it yet, the sunshine sure does!  …

Cheese Curd Festival finalist in USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice

ELLSWORTH – The Cheese Curd Festival, celebrated annually in the “Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin,” is once again making national headlines as a finalist in the USA TODAY 10Best …

Plum City seniors tap their toes at happy hour

Monday was a flurry of activity! Noel started out the day with leading residents in morning exercise at Monday Movers, but it was hard to find willing participants as a lot of folks were still sleepy …
Education

UWRF to host Minnesota Writing and English Conference March 28-29

RIVER FALLS – An upcoming conference at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls seeks to inform educators how to help college students better navigate challenges in an oftentimes difficult …

Features
The Martell Schoolhouse, built in 1905, still stands proudly on Highway 63 near the Rush River, thanks to the efforts of a nonprofit group called Friends of the Martell Schoolhouse.

Martell Board ‘investigating options’ regarding future of schoolhouse

TOWN OF MARTELL — The approximately 120-year-old Martell Schoolhouse building has established itself as one of Pierce County’s most recognizable buildings. Its future, though, is not as …

Opinion
Columns

Wisconsin DMV debuts new ‘B’ series of license plates

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will soon debut a new series of license plates that begin with the letter ‘B.’ After nearly eight …

Ellsworth, town of Gilman receive state grants for road improvements

Last week, Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced an investment of $100 million for 55 projects to assist with fixing and upgrading local roads that support …

Woodworking Again: A pair of swashbucklers

Several years ago, Ruth and I toured both Greece and Turkey. We liked the latter best and thereby hangs a tale of my brief tour as a devil-may-care man of the world. Our first stop was Istanbul, an …

Harrington column: Five steps to a perfect first date

Many of you know me by Andrew, but it’s Coach Harrington today as I will be walking you through the guide to a successful first date. Step One: Finding the right person A flaw most …

Rep. Kreibich & Republicans announce crackdown on illegal criminals

Wisconsin is facing a significant public safety crisis. Criminals from around the world have been flooding across our borders illegally and infiltrating our communities for the past four years. To …

From the editor's desk: A Sunday surprise

Sunday was a day that I’ve been dreading for a long time. My mom has been living in a nursing home since she was hospitalized in October and she’s now well enough to move to an assisted …
Letters
Letter to the editor: Keep Line 5 flowing
To the editor, Wisconsin’s winter is in full force and for 280,000 Wisconsin families that means keeping an eye on their propane tank, so they don’t run out of fuel to heat their …
Letter to the editor: How stupid can you get?
To the editor, It’s been said that when you’re stupid you don’t know how stupid you are. The New York Times headline reads: “Trump Administration to Lay Off Nearly All of …
Letter to the editor: Constitutional crisis
To the editor, Republicans were elected to make laws in Congress. They have control of both the House and the Senate. They are supposed to ensure the balance of power, provide the checks and …
Letter to the editor: Do Republican in Congress understand how the U.S. government works?
To the editor, Congressional Republicans often claim to champion government accountability, yet their actions suggest a fundamental misunderstanding—or outright disregard—of how the …
Letter to the editor: Benefits at risk
To the editor, Open letter to Sen. Ron Johnson, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Congressman Derrick Van Orden: Social Security, Medicare and veterans’ benefits are at risk. On Feb. 1, 2025, …
Obituaries
Lee Larson
Lee Edwin Larson was born on June 23, 1947, in Red Wing, Minn., the son of Leland and Katherine (Huppert) Larson. He passed away on Jan. 14, 2025, in Fairbury, Neb., at the age of 77. Following …
Bettye McClain
Bettye Peterson McClain, age 103, of Edina, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Jan. 29, 2025, at her son’s residence (Gary Peterson) in Maiden Rock. A Funeral Service for Bettye Peterson …
Kevin Dunning
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kevin Roy Dunning, age 65, who passed away on Jan. 26, 2025. Kevin’s life was defined by his unwavering love for family, his strong faith, …
Beverly Vinge
Beverly Pauline Vinge, 86, of Bay City, Wis., died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, at United Hospital in St. Paul. She was born May 18, 1938, in Plum City, Wis. to Paul and Mildred (Wahlund) Hoffman. She …
Judy Graetz
Judy Graetz, age 74, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 at Kinnic Health and Rehab in River Falls, Wis. Judith Ann was born to Raymond, Sr, and Jeanette …
Web Extras
People work inside the TikTok building in Culver City, Calif., in March 2024.
‘For You’: What to know about news on TikTok
A social media researcher explains how to analyze your news feed in terms of content, circulation and consumption.
Congress has the authority to spend the nation's money. Presidents try to get around that limitation.
Congress, not the president, decides on government spending − a constitutional law professor explains how the ‘power of the purse’ works
Congress has the authority to control government expenditures. Donald Trump is the latest president to try to get around that power, as he slashes government programs and staff.
Smart ways to budget your tax refund
(BPT) - Tax season is here, and many Americans are eagerly awaiting their tax refunds. While it might be tempting to splurge on something fun, there are other clever ways to use this extra cash to …
Make Your Car Your Valentine: Mercury Insurance Advises How to Save on Auto Repairs
(BPT) - Regularly Showing Your Car Some Love Can Save on Auto RepairsValentine's Day is the perfect time to show your trusty vehicle some love, and maintaining it is the best and most cost-effective …
Beyond the classroom: How schools are getting creative to help struggling families
Chalkbeat reports on how teachers are looking out for the tens of thousands of migrant and/or homeless families across New York City whose children often lack essential items needed for school.