Business - Pierce County Journal

Valerie Lundgren is the founder and owner of Mindful Wellness, a business she started six years ago to empower women who struggle with anxiety to heal from within.

Mindful Wellness offers holistic approach to healing

RIVER FALLS – At one point in her life, River Falls business owner Valerie Lundgren felt helpless and afraid, anxious and overwhelmed. A known force around town, she had a Main Street gift shop … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/12/23

BMO Bank employee retires after 44 years

PRESCOTT – The staff members of BMO Bank in Prescott would like to congratulate Deborah (Debbie) Perkins on her retirement after 44 years of service. Over the last 44 years Perkins has … more

9/28/23

Attorney General Kaul announces $250,000 judgment against Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery for alleged wastewater discharge violations

MADISON – Attorney General Josh Kaul announced Sept. 27 that the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has obtained a civil judgment against Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery (ECC) requiring it to … more

9/28/23

Taste of River Falls is set for Oct. 1

RIVER FALLS – River Falls Business Leaders had such great success with the first downtown Taste of River Falls event, that they’re planning another for Oct. 1. “River … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/31/23

Scott Freier (middle), PPCS Chief Operating Officer, presented a $1,500 check to Maggie Pechacek (left) and Maya Bueso (right) of Ellsworth Elementary School. The check money will be used to help purchase supplies for the school’s fifth annual Back to School Event.

Pierce Pepin Cares awards 3RD quarter grants

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cares, the charitable foundation of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS), recently awarded third-quarter grants to four nonprofits. The Pierce Pepin Cares board … more

8/17/23

Bigadan is proposing to build an anaerobic digester on 25 acres owned by Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery near County Road C in Ellsworth.

Digester consultants address odor, traffic questions

Nobody wants to live near something that produces atrocious odors. That’s what some Ellsworth residents are concerned about when it comes to a proposed anaerobic digester coming to town. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/10/23

SCEDC column: Holy Cow! Back to school shopping

Wiki is the source of all things obscure. Really, really obscure. Take the term, Holy Cow! Wiki reports “Holy Cow!” is linked to other Midwest expressions like Holy Buckets!, Holy Cats!, … more

By Bill Rubin | 8/10/23

Bob Siewert owns and operates Jil-Ro-Sie Holsteins at W7867 County Road K, Ellsworth. He moved to Trimbelle Township in 1995 with 85 cows.

Who are Pierce County’s CAFO farmers?

The Journal has been covering the efforts of People Protecting Pierce, a group of concerned residents and family farmers who want Pierce County to pass a temporary livestock expansion moratorium to … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/3/23

SCEDC column: A guy, a truck, and good roads

There’s a story that goes back to 1935 and involves an enterprising guy named Norman. He had a truck and a vision. Norman loaded up a team of horses and hauled them from Hudson, Wis. to … more

By Bill Rubin | 7/27/23

The proposed anaerobic digester and nutrient recovery facility would be built on 25 acres owned by Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery west of County Road C in an industrial area of the village.

Sparks fly at anaerobic digester public hearing

ELLSWORTH – Dozens of community members flocked to Ellsworth’s Village Hall Thursday, July 20 as the Plan Commission held a public hearing regarding the anaerobic digester proposed for … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/27/23

Proposed anaerobic digester would be in East Ellsworth

ELLSWORTH – A Danish renewable natural gas company is proposing to build a contained anaerobic digester and nutrient recovery facility in Ellsworth near the East End Industrial Park on 25 acres … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/13/23

Vice President of Operations Haykel Arfaoui, owner Sahil Taneja and Taneja Companies District Manager Seham A. Wahed standing in front of the newly opened Dunkin’ Donuts in River Falls.

Dunkin’ Donuts has slam dunk opening week in River Falls

RIVER FALLS – Dunkin’ Donuts has been the east coast’s top coffee and donut chain for decades, and owner Sahil Taneja has brough the craze to Wisconsin, opening a shop in River … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/6/23

SCEDC column: Lifetime skills in lemonade

The fast-talking economic development guy in Wisconsin’s St. Croix Valley has some curious habits. He tracks the date, time and location of the first robin, usually sighted in mid-March. The … more

By Bill Rubin | 6/29/23

Hailee Thoner from St. Francis Elementary in Ellsworth received a $30 gift card from PPCS for second place.

PPCS announces Electrical Safety Poster Contest winners

ELLSWORTH – As part of National Electrical Safety Month, Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) and the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) teamed up in May to host an … more

6/29/23

The Thirsty Badger, located on West Main Street in Ellsworth, hosts local events, has weekly specials and offers a community feel from a historic location.

Ellsworth’s Main Street welcomes three new businesses

Three new businesses have opened their doors on Ellsworth’s Main Street in the past few months: The Thirsty Badger (in the former Century Saloon location), Studio 2.0 (in the former Feuerhelm … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/22/23

SCEDC column: Brown-eyed girls – Dairy Month

At last count, Wisconsin was home to around 1.28 million dairy cows and 6,000 dairy farms, thus ensuring its place as America’s Dairyland, as noted on every ’sconnie license plate. The … more

By Bill Rubin | 6/22/23

Carissa Pfaffe, a familiar face to many in the area, has joined the ranks at Hair Traffic Control in Ellsworth’s East End. She’s offering discounts for the summer to celebrate her return to hair.

Hair Traffic Control has a new stylist

ELLSWORTH – Ever since she was a little girl, local hair stylist Carissa Pfaffe knew she wanted to help people feel better about themselves. After taking a brief break from the profession, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/15/23

SCEDC column: Father’s Day 2023, consumers meet Atlas

U.S. consumers are a lot like Atlas, the character in Greek mythology. Atlas was a Titan and they ruled the universe until Zeus, a fellow Titan, joined the Olympians and defeated the Titans for … more

By Bill Rubin | 6/15/23

One of the timberframe structures completed through Star Hill Timberworks. The structures use hardwood pegs rather than screws or nails.

Star Hill Timberworks builds a community through a traditional construction method

ELLSWORTH – For many, woodworking involves lots of nails and screws, but for Jon Anderson of Star Hill Timberworks, the process involves neither of these. Star Hill Timberworks builds … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/15/23

John McHugh, director of corporate communications for Kwik Trip, accepted the Workforce Development Innovation Award from the Pierce County Economic Development Corp. Pictured with McHugh (center) are PCEDC Executive Director Joe Folsom and President Nate Boettcher.

Businesses, individuals honored at Pierce County Economic Development event

No one can make it alone! Partnerships and collaboration were the theme that tied together all the award winners at the Pierce County Economic Development Corp. Awards Breakfast Friday, June 9 … more

By John McLoone | 6/15/23