More local news

CAPITOL REPORT: Close but no cigar last session, cigar bar bill is back

Lawmakers are reigniting an effort this session at exempting cigar lounges from an early 2000s-era law banning smoking in most public places in the state. But the proposal is again facing stiff …
Madison O'Donnell

UWRF Commencement ceremonies set for May 10

RIVER FALLS – More than 650 students will receive their degrees from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls during three spring Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 10. All three …

UWRF student composers lead Hollywood-style recording session

RIVER FALLS – The University of Wisconsin-River Falls brought a Hollywood-style recording session to life on Saturday, April 26, offering student composers a career-launching experience inside …

UWRF Humane Handling Institute to present at national animal welfare conference

RIVER FALLS – Staff and students from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Humane Handling Institute (HHI) will present research and best practices at the Meat Institute’s Animal Care …

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Riley Berg

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for May 7 is Prescott High School senior Riley Berg, nominated by ALC teacher Kelly Capps. “Riley has worked hard all year to stay on track …
Government

Prescott City Council approves Façade Program

The Prescott City Council got right to work during its April 28 meeting, which marked the first for newly elected Ward 1 Alderperson Ben Bettis. One of the evening’s highlights was the …
Crime

St. Croix County Jail: April 28-May 4, 2025

Monday, April 28 Mallorie Herrera, 41, Woodville, by New Richmond police, disorderly conduct, misdemeanor bail jumping (two counts). Yoni B. Ruiz Perez, 29, Hudson, by Hudson police, …
Local sports

WIAA votes open doors for student-athlete NIL and increased summer coach contact

A year after being voted down 219-170, WIAA schools voted 293-108 to approve name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes during an April vote. In addition, expansion to summer …

Shots from the hip: PHS baseball plans 'Field of Dreams' trip

Head Coach Nick Johnson and the Prescott softball team have a busy week ahead of them. After playing three conference games to begin the week, the top 10 ranked Cardinals will host a pair of top 10 …
On Friday, May 2, Prescott High School senior Natalie Ptacek officially signed to play volleyball for the University of Missouri – Kansas City Kangaroos! She chose to hold her signing ceremony in the middle school gymnasium, with the 6-8 students in attendance, to demonstrate where hard work and determination can lead to. Pictured (from left) are: Sister Zoe, Natalie, and parents Joy and Patrick Ptacek.

Her father’s daughter: Prescott’s Ptacek signs with UM-KC

Driving into the Ptacek's Family Market grocery store parking lot in River Falls, the "BE AN ATHLETE" electronic message below the business sign smacks the customer in the face.  This isn't …
Senior Aaliyah Huppert is batting .387 with one HR, 27 RBI, and 25 runs scored.

Ellsworth softball leads the state in runs scored

The Game Changer app for a sports reporter malnourished for high school softball statistics is similar to starving with hunger pains on Cinco de Mayo and having a loved one show up with a chimichanga …

Behind the plate and ‘Hoff the Grid’

Longtime River Falls' resident Dan Hoffman has been officiating and umpiring games in our area for close to five decades, 48 years to be exact. For 35 of those years, he and Jim Celt have been …
BALDWIN — Prescott, Ellsworth and Elmwood/Plum City track and field each made the trip to the Baldwin-Woodville Meet on April 30, with the Prescott boys winning the event and EPC junior Lillian …
Softball Spring Valley got its first two wins of the season, beating Elmwood/Plum City 14-11 and Unity 9-5. The Cardinals found an offensive force at the right time with the postseason weeks …
Ellsworth entered the week off conference splits with Altoona and Amery and added another, losing 8-4 to Baldwin-Woodville on Tuesday and recovering with a 5-4 extra-innings win at home Thursday. …
The Spring Valley/Elmwood/Plum City boys golf team started the year a bit slow, posting a combined 224 on nine holes, but have lowered their score every single event and are now nearing where they …
Community

Art Beat: Kid’s Art Show at RFPL

Meyer Middle School sixth grade artists created Jae Yong Kim-inspired clay doughnuts for the 2025 Student Art Show.
A variety of art lovers: kids, parents, grandparents, teachers all make their way downstairs to the big gallery. The 2025 Student Art Show opened at River Falls Public Library on Saturday, April 12 …

RF Garden Club to hold annual sale

The River Falls Garden Club (est. 1957) has been operating now for 68 years. Their single fundraiser is coming up on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at St. Bridget’s Gym in River Falls. It opens to the …

Senior Gathering Place activities: May 7-16, 2025

PRESCOTT – Wow! Days of sunshine and warm temps, it feels wonderful! Windows and doors open, furnace turned off, filled my hummingbird feeder as I had my first guest this morning looking for …

Local naturopath to offer health & wellness classes at EPL

ELLSWORTH – Allie O’Borsky, a traditional naturopath and certified natural health professional with Healthways Integrative Medicine in Red Wing, Minn., will be leading two free …

Something for everyone this May at the Ellsworth Public Library!

ELLSWORTH — May has arrived, bringing with it a full calendar of engaging events, creative activities, and meaningful community programs at the Ellsworth Public Library. From honoring Mental …
Education
Ellsworth is one of only 20 schools in Wisconsin selected to receive a $25,000 Fab Lab Grant. This exciting opportunity will help equip students with high-tech skills for the jobs of the future.

WEDC awards Ellsworth Community School District $25,000 Fab Lab Grant

ELLSWORTH – Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced Friday that Ellsworth Community School District is the recipient of a state grant to fund new …

Features
Patti Lindquist has tended bar for over 38 years at Johnnies Bar.

From Horseplay to Heroes: ‘Personal Jesus’ Patti Lindquist

This week's "Horseplay and Heroes" column is going to be the written version of taking the scenic route to tell the story. It will take longer, but you're going to read some things not typically …

Opinion
Columns

Extreme Fire Danger warning for Monday, May 12, 2025

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in conjunction with the National Weather Service, has issued a Red Flag Warning for today, Monday, May 12, 2025 from noon to 9 p.m. for the …

Woodworking Again: Digging up Great Grandpa

Recently, I was invited to my hometown to talk about writing and discuss our family’s connections to Whitehall, Wis., now celebrating its 150 th birthday. My first appearance was at the …

Rep. Rob Kreibich: Condemns Judge Dugan

The FBI did the right thing by arresting Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan because no one is above the law. The actions of Judge Dugan were dangerous not only to the integrity of the …

From the editor's desk: Learning from the past

With Memorial Day coming up, I always think of my grandma. Every year, without fail, she made sure to place a pot of red geraniums on the graves of her parents at Gilman Lutheran’s cemetery, …

From the editor's desk: Symbols of hope

I believe birds are messengers from God. They always appear in my life when something big is brewing and I’m convinced they are trying to tell me something. After all, birds in their effortless …

Woodworking Again: Tribute to Leah Gavin

We are all saddened to hear of the tragic death of Leah Gavin, River Falls pharmacist and very truly a pillar of the community: an intelligent, warm and wise woman who embodied the creed of service …
Letters
Letter to the editor: Response to Dave Anderson letter
To the editor, Response to Dave Anderson regarding Republicans cutting Medicaid. It feels important now more than ever to ensure accurate information regarding our governing system. I …
Letter to the editor: Not enough words to thank Leah Gavin
To the editor, I’m writing to share a few words of praise and mourning for Leah Gavin, who we lost on April 22. In her many years at Freeman Drug in River Falls Leah truly befriended …
Letter to the editor: Who are we protecting anyway?
To the editor, As a concerned local, I’ve noticed the DOB’s and addresses of the arrested individuals in the daily jail log have been removed this year. But why? I understand …
Letter to the editor: Be involved with SV School District
To the editor, I would first like to thank those taxpayers in the Spring Valley school district who voted for me in the April 1 election. Since I was not elected to the board, I have a few items …
Letter to the editor: Frustrated constituents ignored by Van Orden
To the editor, Derrick Van Orden's staff remains in the dark as to most of his stances on current events. I called his office and asked pointedly whether or not Van Orden would commit to …
Obituaries
Peggy Wells- Steinmetz
Peggy Joyce Wells-Steinmetz was born to Robert and Pearl Smith on Nov. 21, 1931 at their home in Troy Township, River Falls, Wis. She was welcomed by her sister, Vi, and brother, Bob. Being the …
Myrna Larrabee
Myrna Jean Larrabee, age 86, of Ellsworth, passed away peacefully at her home on April 24, 2025. A funeral service for Myrna was held at noon Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at English Lutheran Church, …
Margaret 'Muggs' Bredahl
Margaret “Muggs” Bredahl, age 81 of River Falls, WI died peacefully on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at Kinnic Health and Rehab in River Falls, Wis. Muggs is survived by her daughter, Michelle (Wayne …
Beverly Bauer
Beverly J Bauer, 85, of Prescott, Wi, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at United Hospital, St. Paul, Minn. She was born in Grand Forks, ND to Ernel and Margaret Bratvold. Bev worked many …
Audrey Gilbertson
Audrey Gilbertson, 90, of Hager City, died Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings, SD. She was born on May 29, 1934, in Ladysmith, Wis. to Frank and Lillian (Morris) …
Web Extras
5 key mental health trends from the 2025 State of Mental Health Report
Rula 2025 State of Mental Health Report reveals 5 key takeaways to better understand the state of Americans' mental wellbeing in 2025.
Data shows medication-assisted treatment works for opioid use disorder—so why aren't more people getting it?
Charlie Health questions why medications like buprenorphine and methadone, which can be lifesaving for people with opioid use disorder, are so underused.
What are the cheapest days of the week to fly?
Experian explains why a flexible approach to shopping for airfares is the best way to find the lowest price.
Report: Inflation and labor shortages are stressing small business owners right now
NEXT examines the layered challenges small business owners face in 2025: the threat of inflation, uneven consumer demand, and growing labor pressure.
Doctors told a dad his daughter would never walk on her own. He built a way to get her on the trails.
The Salt Lake Tribune shares a story about a cart, built by a Utah father whose daughter could no longer walk, that is redefining outdoor accessibility for families around the world.