Features - Pierce County Journal

Sylva Anderson (left) and Betty Larson (right) both turned 101 in February, and the two have been long-time friends.

‘The spectacular two’: Larson and Anderson celebrate 101st birthdays

SPRING VALLEY — Betty Larson and Sylva Anderson went from neighbors growing up to next-door best friends at the Spring Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center, celebrating their 101st birthdays … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/3/25

Corbin Wild, Nic Toffolon and Bridger Graf celebrated becoming Eagle Scouts with public figures including River Falls Mayor Dan Toland and State Sen. Rob Stafsholt in attendance.

RF trio earn Eagle Scout honor

RIVER FALLS — It can be a long process, arduous for a Boy Scout to become an Eagle Scout, taking years of hard work to complete the checklist and earn the achievement. Three River Falls boys … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/2/25

Macy the Pomeranian will turn 20 on April 16. Her owner celebrated the milestone with a photo shoot commemorating the special occasion.

Two decades of joy with special pup friend

Whoever said a dog is (wo)man’s best friend couldn’t have been more right. They provide comfort, unconditional love, and joy. Just ask Kaydee Zenner, the proud owner of Macy the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/2/25

A group from the River Falls area made 150 quilt blocks to contribute to Quilts of Valor during the National Sew Day on Feb. 1.

RF community members honor veterans through quilting

RIVER FALLS — Quilts of Valor is a nationwide non-profit organization with a mission to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts. The … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/27/25

Tickets can be purchased for Prescott High School's rendition of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" at the QR code.

PHS presents ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’

PRESCOTT — “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is set to take the Prescott High School stage March 28-30, bringing a genre of musical not often shown by high school … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/26/25

Salmen-Hines family with friends from Mfangano Island in Western Kenya.

Salmen’s change of course at African bus stop changes his life

A family physician living in the El Paso countryside had a long journey to get here, but has learned a lot through his research in Kenya, time as a Duke student-athlete and establishing a family. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/26/25

Ellsworth High School theater students have been practicing since January for “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

‘The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe’ hits the stage

ELLSWORTH – Get ready to be transported to the magical world of Narnia in Ellsworth High School’s Spring production, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Director and … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/26/25

Sgt. Lisha A. Fairbairn, a combat engineer team leader with the 950th Engineer Company, 724th Engineer Battalion, conducts a 12-mile ruck march during the Wisconsin Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition at Fort McCoy, Wis., March 8, 2025.

Local soldier competes for Best Warrior

Sgt. Lisha A. Fairbairn, of River Falls, a combat engineer team leader with the 950th Engineer Company, 724th Engineer Battalion, competed along with 19 other soldiers at Fort McCoy, Wis., March 6-9, … more

By U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Emily E. Held | 3/19/25

Poppy Knox, age 11, Prescott, is the publisher, editor and reporter for “Neighborhood News, The Best Newspaper Ever.” The paper details the adventures of her family and pets. Photo

Move over Journal, a new paper’s in town

PRESCOTT – Journalism is alive and well in the St. Croix Bluffs neighborhood of Prescott, where 11-year-old Poppy Knox has founded her own newspaper. Called “Neighborhood News, The … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/19/25

A rendering of the redesigned youth and teen areas of the library remodel project.

RF library remodel project headed to bidding stage

RIVER FALLS — The River Falls Public Library is moving along in its process seeking a major remodel, heading to the bidding stage shortly to determine exact costs of each portion of the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/13/25

ECSD Hall of Fame introduces inaugural class

The Ellsworth Community School District will welcome the following people to inclusion in the newly formed Hall of Fame. These individuals represent a wide array of community supporters, pillars of … more

3/5/25

Prescott Legion Membership Chairman Al Behrendt (left) giving former Commander Jerry Klasen (right) a lifetime membership status certificate.

How community and volunteerism saved the Prescott Legion building

PRESCOTT — Many American Legions have faced declining enrollment across the nation. Prescott’s (American Legion Post 61) on the other hand is thriving after the community helped save the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 2/26/25

The Pierce County Fair and Pierce County 4-H are collaborating to provide this informational event to potential and veterans fair exhibitors.

Event will teach people to ‘Prepare for the Fair’

ELLSWORTH – Have you ever thought it might be fun to enter something in the Pierce County Fair, but were unsure where to start? Or maybe your child is involved in FFA or 4-H but wants to try a … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/18/25

Mike "The Piano Man" Lesmeister has been a hot air balloon pilot for over 27 years.

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 … more

By Greg Peters | 2/14/25

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 … more

By Andrew Harrington | 2/5/25

Sarah Jarocki, breast cancer survivor, serves on the Pierce County Relay For Life leadership team.

Cancer changes us, but we can change cancer

It's virtually impossible to transition from Greg Focker in the movie "Meet the Parents" to a news article about two local breast cancer survivors and the Pierce County Relay For Life this April, … more

By Greg Peters | 2/5/25

Plum City physical education teacher Michael Merritt recently earned a pilot’s license, putting it to good use by taking a pair of district staff and a student on a flight.

Plum City teacher scores pilot’s license, takes district staff for a spin

PLUM CITY — Michael Merritt, a physical education teacher in the Plum City School District, got his pilot’s license to open the year and put it to good use, taking a pair of teachers and … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/29/25

Jeffrey the Snowman stands 49 feet tall. Proceeds from free-will donations benefit college scholarships for Polk County high school students.

‘Jeffrey the Snowman’ built in memory of RF man

There have been famous snowmen through the decades. "Frosty the Snowman" first appeared in 1950. It was a song written by Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson. "Sam the Snowman" was voiced by Burl Ives and … more

By Greg Peters | 1/29/25

The cast of this year’s Great River Road Theatre’s production, “Death by Chocolate,” coming to the stage beginning Jan. 31.

‘Death by Chocolate’ hits the stage Jan. 31

PRESCOTT – “Members of the newly renovated Meadowbrook Health Resort are dropping like flies, including famed chef Edith Chiles! On the eve of the grand re-opening, this is not the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/22/25

River Falls Sports Broadcasting's Kevin Westhuis (left) presents an $11,000 donation check to CVTC Development & Grants Officer Emily Kovatch-Erickson (middle) and CVTC Campus Manager Melissa Wilson (right) at Tarnation Tavern in River Falls earlier this month.

CVTC receives Man-Up Movement $11,000 donation

Some may say Emily Kovatch-Erickson is selling blue sky and dreams. Kovatch-Erickson would disagree. She is the development and grant officer at Chippewa Valley Technical College in River Falls. It's … more

By Greg Peters | 1/22/25