Business - Pierce County Journal

PPCS staff are proud to donate $2,500 to purchase essential supplies for Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cares, the charitable foundation of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services, is providing financial support to victims of Hurricane Helene. The Pierce Pepin Cares board of … more

10/16/24

Business owners Kayleen Jakes, Megan Gooselaw (not pictured), CJ Pedersen and Angie Whelan are raising money in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month for gas cards for those who must travel for treatment.

Local businesses raise funds to help cancer patients with fuel costs

ELLSWORTH – Four local business owners are raising awareness about breast cancer, a cause close to these women’s hearts. Brush Strokes Art Supply/East End Gifts, Country Fit … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/16/24

PPCS staff welcomed Governor Tony Evers to the Trenton Solar at Truttmann Field solar array on Monday, Sept. 23, as part of National Clean Energy Week activities.

PPCS celebrates Clean EnergyWeek with visit from Gov. Evers

As part of National Clean Energy Week, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers stopped in Hager City on Monday, Sept. 23, to visit Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services' (PPCS) new solar array, Trenton Solar at … more

10/2/24

Kwik Trip introduces Electric Vehicle Charging Program

LA CROSSE – Kwik Trip announced the addition of a new fuel offering coming to a strategic number of its stores across the Midwest. The Kwik Charge TM program will provide direct current fast … more

10/2/24

Post American Eatery was the winner of the recent Hot Air Affair Bloody Mary Walk fundraiser in Hudson. Pictured (from left) are Hot Air Affair treasurer Jacki Bradham, Hot Air Affair president Amanda Hein and Post American Eatery owner Don Palm.

Winner announced for Hudson Bloody Mary Walk

Post American Eatery took home the top award at the recent Hudson Bloody Mary Walk. The annual event was presented by Tonka Vodka and Grand Fete and the Hot Air Affair was the non-profit recipient of … more

10/2/24

New Adoray Home Health & Hospice Executive Director Christa Walz

Adoray announces Walz as new executive director

BALDWIN – The Adoray Home Health & Hospice Board of Directors is proud to announce the appointment of Christa Walz as the organization’s new Executive Director, effective Sept. 15, … more

10/2/24

Speedway closes in Ellsworth, Holiday rebrands to Circle K

Speedway in Ellsworth was officially boarded up on Monday, Sept. 30. Crews onsite were boarding the windows and removing items from the store. Travelers through Ellsworth might notice … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/2/24

After a fire broke out at the 715 Steer & Beer months ago, they are back open for business.

715 Steer & Beer reopens with new menu and atmosphere after 2023 fire

ELLSWORTH — The 715 Steer & Beer is back in business after a June 1, 2023 fire tore through the building. It took a lot of hard work, but owner Josh Rhy said they are back open and have … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/11/24

Members of First National Bank of River Falls and UW-River Falls officials celebrate a $110,000 donation from the bank to the university’s Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech), pictured in the background. SciTech has been under construction for the past year and is scheduled to open in January 2026.

First National Bank of River Falls donates $110,000 to UWRF’s SciTech building

RIVER FALLS – For more than a century, First National Bank of River Falls has demonstrated its support for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The institution’s latest commitment … more

9/11/24

Paul Bauer, former CEO of Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery

Bauer let go from Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery Board of Directors announced that as of Sept. 3, 2024, CEO Paul Bauer is no longer employed with the company. The board declined to give a reason … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/11/24

River Falls Area Hospital recognized in patient survey

RIVER FALLS — Allina Health River Falls Area Hospital is proud to be recognized as one of the top Wisconsin hospitals patients would recommend to family and friends. River Falls Area … more

9/4/24

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News Editor Dana Kelroy, left, presents an award of excellence in the category of Photography to Liz Gunderson, communication coordinator at Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services.

PPCS wins statewide magazine award

Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services recently won an award of excellence for presentation of local news in the Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News , the voice of the state’s rural electric … more

9/4/24

Lauren Highfill has been named the new Pierce County Economic Development Corporation director, succeeding Joe Folsom who is retiring.

PCEDC welcomes new executive Director

ELLSWORTH – The Pierce County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) welcomes Lauren Highfill as its new Executive Director. Highfill comes to the EDC from the city of West Concord, Minn. … more

9/4/24

New housing cooperative will address affordable housing shortage in western WI

HUDSON – A groundbreaking initiative has been launched to tackle the housing shortage in western Wisconsin, focusing on Dunn, Pierce, Pepin, Polk, and St. Croix counties. The new Housing … more

9/4/24

Sarena McCarthy performs a nail trim on Maui. McCarthy is the proud owner of Sarena’s At Home Pet-A-Cures, a mobile pet care business.

Mobile pet care business brings pet-a-cures to homes

PRESCOTT – If you’re a pet owner, this might be a familiar scenario to you: It’s time for your pet to have a nail trim and they hate it. They shake, they try to hide or they become … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/4/24

Hundreds of citizens packed the Elmwood Auditorium during a public DNR hearing about Ridge Breeze Dairy's expansion application on July 11.

DNR sends permit application back to Ridge Breeze

PIERCE COUNTY — This month, Pierce County locals are applauding a DNR decision to require Ridge Breeze Dairy to produce signed waste spreading agreements with local landowners to back their … more

8/28/24

Brad Ristow (second from right), PPCS vice president of operations, and Todd Olson, operations administrator, display the plaques PPCS received from the Arbor Day Foundation recognizing PPCS as a Tree Line USA utility for the 20th year in a row. The PPCS line crew pictured are (from left) Dan Jensen, Aaron Hanson, Brady Schommer, Tucker Ingenthron, Brent Paulson, Chase Reeser, (top) Jack Truttman, Brion Gilles, and Austin Manore.

PPCS recognized as Tree Line USA Utility for 20th consecutive year

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) is proud to announce that the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized it as a Tree Line USA Utility for the 20th consecutive year. This … more

8/21/24

Creamery detects ammonia leak, evacuates plant/store

The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery experienced an ammonia leak at its Ellsworth production facility shortly after noon on Monday, Aug. 19. CEO/Manager Paul Bauer released a statement shortly … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 8/21/24

Kyle, Crystal, John and Tyne are some of the family members that help the farm and store run. John’s son Shane (not pictured) also plays a key role in the farm.

Faith, family and farming: Udder Hills Meats

MAIDEN ROCK — Small meat stores, butchers and processors are a popular stop in western Wisconsin, and Pierce County is no different. Udder Hills Meats of Maiden Rock is a family farm-owned … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/14/24

USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Basil Gooden spoke at the Plum City American Legion post to discuss a grant JM Watkins received and the nation’s food supply chain.

USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development speaks on JM Watkins grant, food supply chain in Plum City

PLUM CITY — A grant that will help JM Watkins Meats and Meat Processing construct a new facility that will triple processing capabilities brought USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/8/24