More local news

WisDOT seeking public input on WIS 29 bridge maintenance project

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is seeking public input on a proposed maintenance project on the bridge that carries WIS 29 over the Trimbelle River east of the city of River …

BCPL launches maple syrup initiative to generate new revenue for WI education

MADISON — The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) today announced a new sugarbush project that will allow maple trees on school trust lands to generate revenue for public education. …

Positive open enrollment numbers aid Elmwood district’s budget

ELMWOOD — The Elmwood School Board approved the 2026-27 district budget at Monday’s meeting, with Superintendent Glenn Webb sharing trends in the numbers since his arrival to the position in …

State ballot choices set for Nov. 3

The fall general election arrives in earnest Tuesday, Nov. 3. With early in person voting now in progress, these are the ballot candidates for state executive and legislative branch races. …

Community brings Halloween festival dream to life

ELLSWORTH – The Haunted Fairgrounds Festival scheduled for 2-8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Pierce County Fairgrounds, hosted by The Witch on West Warner, has grown bigger than the organizers ever thought …
Government

Glade Ave. bridge leads discussion again during budget conversation

SPRING VALLEY — The village is back to pondering Glade Avenue bridge plans after having preliminary budget discussions during the Oct. 7 Spring Valley Village Board meeting. The finance …
Crime

Man crashes moped, arrested for 8th OWI

Floyd William Cook
BELDENVILLE – A River Falls man was arrested for his eighth OWI after crashing a moped at a local bar and trying to fight the bar owner.   Floyd William Cook, 56, was ordered to pay $500 …
Local sports

Shots From the Hip: Congrats to girls golf, XC teams on successes

Rainy conditions greeted runners Thursday at Ellsworth Country Club for the Middle Border Conference championship meet, where Prescott’s girls and boys teams each finished seventh in the team …

Panther senior doubles pairing closes out season at State

  Ellsworth girls tennis wrapped up a great season in a deserving way, as senior No. 1 doubles pairing Alissa Davis and Brooke Olson competed at State individually. The two won 6-2, 6-0 …

Prescott says goodbye to senior trio after State appearance

Another year on the greens has come to a close, with Prescott finishing 10th at Division 1 State and Ellsworth junior Aubrey Marks posting a solid score in Division 2 in Madison. Prescott …

Two XC teams host conference meets, plenty of top finishes

Ellsworth made its return to hosting cross country meets this season and had the chance to host the Middle Border Conference meet. River Falls also hosted the Big Rivers Conference meet this year. …
Alexis Kannel and Adison Zeilinger battle at the net during the first set of the Spring Valley/EPC rivalry.

SV secures high-octane win over EPC

PLUM CITY — It was no secret that sparks were going to fly when Spring Valley and Elmwood/Plum City met for a late season rivalry matchup. The Cardinals, now 6-0 and knocking on the door of an …
HUDSON — River Falls volleyball got off to a slow start in the rivalry matchup against Hudson, dropping the first two sets. The Wildcats kicked into gear later on, but it was not enough in a 3-1 …
Spring Valley enters the final week of the season 6-2 with a 5-1 conference record. Those results have the Cardinals tied for the Dunn-St. Croix’s top spot with Glenwood City. Spring Valley beat …
Girls Tennis Ellsworth’s No. 1 doubles pairing of Alissa Davis and Brooke Olson are headed to State. The team had an excellent season, and Davis and Olson will look to represent the team well …
You cannot write the history of WIAA girls golf without Prescott, and the history book is adding another chapter this year, as the team won the Stevens Point Sectional to make a triumphant return to …
Community
Families enjoyed visiting local businesses during last year’s Main Street and East End Trick or Treat. The eighth annual event returns 3-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, hosted by the Ellsworth Public Library and local businesses.

Ellsworth invites families to trick-or-treating, Scarecrow Contest and Día de los Muertos activities

ELLSWORTH — Halloween festivities are just around the corner! The Ellsworth Public Library and the Ellsworth business community invite families and community members to celebrate with …

Rock Elm Old Settler’s Annual Meeting is Nov. 5

TOWN OF ROCK ELM – This year’s Rock Elm Old Settler’s Annual Meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026 at the Rock Elm Methodist Church with the meal beginning at noon. Lunch will be served at …

Pierce Co. Ecumenical Choir looking for members

The Pierce County Ecumenical Choir is inviting anyone who loves to sing to join them for the upcoming season. Singers of all levels and abilities are encouraged to participate. The ability …

Local Civil Air Patrol BlackCAP Search and Rescue Training marks 39th year

HAGER CITY – Ninety-plus Civil Air Patrol (CAP) members from across Minnesota and Wisconsin gathered Sept. 25-27 for the 39 th annual BlackCAP Emergency Services College at the Red Wing MN CAP …

Senior Gathering Place activities: Oct. 21-29, 2026

PRESCOTT – Fall is well on its way with gorgeous colors, cool temps at night and great daytime sunshine! Farmer's markets are overflowing with squash, fresh potatoes, and …
Education

ECSD presents 7.25% levy decrease for 2026-27

ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Community School District presented a balanced budget at the Oct. 14 annual meeting, expecting to levy about 7.25% less in the 2026-27 school year than the 2025-26 year. …

Features
The Power of 100 Women -- Ellsworth group held its Fall Impact Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, where the membership awarded the $10,000 grant to Elsie’s Barnyard.

Elsie’s Barnyard receives Power of 100 Ellsworth award

The Power of 100 Women – Ellsworth group awarded its $10,000 Fall 2026 Impact grant to local nonprofit Elsie’s Barnyard on Thursday, Oct. 8. Mandy Fleming, founder of Elsie’s Barnyard, …

Opinion
Columns

Woodworking Again: A little less holier than thou

WhenI began reading my great-grandpa’s 8,905-word 27-volume daily diary, I had to conclude that his neighborhood was totally populated by a pack of “holier than thou’s” who prayed and went to …

From the editor’s desk: Badger Bizarre’ is my cup of tea

October means “spooky season” to me and I relish the Halloween celebrations, foggy mornings, cooler weather and all things pumpkin. I also love all things Wisconsin, history and true crime, …

Back Home: Summer slips into fall

Farewell summer. I’d like to say I knew you well, but your time this year seemed far too short. Welcome fall. I’m sure I’ll be saying the same thing about your presence when we slip into …

Sustainability Matters: Vote for conservation

If you haven’t already voted absentee, you’ll most likely be heading to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3. If not, you’re in the minority among your neighbors. Wisconsinites traditionally rank …

Village President column: The community we create

My husband and I have been trying to get out for more walks lately, and a couple of weeks ago, we noticed something new along one of our usual routes. A home in the neighborhood had several new signs …

Woodworking Again: My introduction to school

“School Days, Cool Days/ Good old Golden Rule days/ Readin’ and Ritin’ and ‘Rithmatic/Taught by the use of a leafy stick….” School’s open and at my age I’m stuck with merely …
Letters
Letter to the editor: Billionaires shouldn’t rule elections
To the editor, Why would three billionaires donate $24.2 million to fund Wisconsin’s governor race? Answer: a BIG return on their investment. Do we really want to be the reason three …
Letter to the editor: Universal healthcare for all
To the editor, It was incredibly sad that two letters to the editor accused the ACA/Obamacare as the cause of the massive cuts to healthcare instead of HR1 or over 100 years of The Profit …
Letter to the editor: ‘All politics is local’
To the editor, “Believe nothing you hear and only one half that you see.” Edgar Allen Poe had a point. The political ads flooding TV airwaves are beyond confusing. We’re being flooded …
Letter to the editor: Tiffany supports Trump and the 1%
To the editor, On Nov. 3, 2026, Wisconsin voters have a chance to select a new governor (early voting is Oct. 20-30). Tom Tiffany, Republican candidate for governor, voted yes to Trump’s Big …
Letter to the editor: To local pastors in the St. Croix Valley
To the editor, It's time to encourage voter participation in the upcoming elections. In a study by a researcher at Arizona Christian University, it was estimated that 32 million Christians …
Obituaries
Louie J. Pechacek
In Loving Memory of Louie Our precious 8-month-old son Louie passed away at 12:12 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. Although his life was far too short, Louie filled each of his 8 months with more happiness, …
Kenneth Kildahl
Kenneth Theodore Kildahl, a devoted father, and beloved grandfather, passed away peacefully on Oct. 8, 2026, at the age of 81. Born on Nov. 4, 1944, in Wisconsin. Kenny embodied the spirit of the …
Dean Mewes
Dean was born to Ruben and Grace Mewes and grew up in Amery, Wis. Following high school, he continued his education at St. Olaf College and later attended the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, …
Gary Kruger
Gary William Kruger, born on July 25, 1939, in Red Wing, Minn., passed away on Oct. 8, 2026, at the age of 87. Raised in Hager City, Wis., he attended Wilson Country School through the eighth grade …
Walter 'Bud' Blodgett
Walter “Bud” Blodgett, a man whose life was defined by service, family, and a profound dedication to his community, passed away peacefully on Oct. 2, 2026, at Preferred Senior Living in …
Web Extras
Hit by an uninsured driver? What to know
TheZebra.com reports that 1 in 3 drivers are uninsured or underinsured, increasing financial risk for insured motorists in accidents. 
How a smarter home can help families reclaim their time
(BPT) - It's a Thursday evening at home, and all you want to do is relax with your family. However, the mental list of possible to-dos stops you from being fully present with your loved ones. …
10 best cities to rent rather than own a house in 2026
TheZebra.com reports that Salt Lake City, Denver, and Austin are among the top 10 U.S. cities where renting is more affordable than buying.
6 Ways to Create a More Sustainable Bathroom
(Feature Impact) Conserving water, energy and resources is key to running an environmentally friendly household, and one of the best places to start is your bathroom. As one of the most frequently used rooms in the house, it's a small space that makes a big difference. Every flush, shower, twist of the tap and restock of restroom essentials is an opportunity to manage your ecological footprint.
Instacart's Halloween report: Reese's is No.1, regional candy quirks and the iconic banana costume
Instacart reports that Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are the top Halloween candy in 40 states, with regional quirks like HI-CHEW in Montana.