Features - Pierce County Journal

From left: Post Commander Dave Thomas, Vice Commander Jim Geister (recipient of the Volunteer of the Year 2026 award) and Vice Commander Jerry Klasen.

Prescott American Legion announces 2026 Volunteer of the Year

PRESCOTT – The Prescott American Legion Post 61 has named Vice Commander Jim Geister as its 2026 Volunteer of the Year in recognition of his outstanding leadership, dedication and commitment to the … more

11/12/26

“Descendants the Musical” is coming to Prescott Performing Arts Center Nov. 13-15, 2026.

‘Descendants The Musical’ coming to Prescott Performing Arts

PRESCOTT – Prescott Middle School students have been working hard to prepare for their 2026 show, “Descendants The Musical,” directed by Abigail Mattimiro and Allison Cornish. Showtimes are at … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 11/11/26

Winners from the costume contest included, from left, grand prize winner Nova Valorshon, of Hager City, dressed as a Mushroom Queen (ages 9-17); Jill Halvorson, of Hager City, and Layla Ingli, of River Falls, dressed as Dumb and Dumber (group costume); Christy Aufderhar, of Beldenville, as Little Shop of Horrors (adult category); and Sydney Hove, of Ellsworth, as a giant Dachshund (ages 8 and under). Not pictured: Zach Sloan, of Beldenville, dressed as Freddy (ages 9-17 finalist).

GALLERY: First Haunted Fairgrounds is ‘spooktacular’

ELLSWORTH - The inaugural Haunted Fairgrounds Festival, the brain child of Melissa and Gregg Nelson of Ellsworth, drew thousands of visitors to the Pierce County Fairgrounds Saturday, Oct. 31 for a … more

11/4/26

River Falls’ marching band is now 28-time State champions, winning Class AAA, along with Best Percussion, Best Color Guard, Best Musical Presentation and Best Visual Presentation.

GALLERY: Five more State titles piling into packed trophy case

The River Falls Marching Band took first place in Class AAA at the WSMA State Championships in Whitewater Oct. 18, securing their 28th championship. They also brought home all … more

10/28/26

The Pumpkin Queen will roam the Pierce County Fairgrounds during the Haunted Fairgrounds Festival bestowing these tickets upon guests.

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 … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/21/26

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, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/14/26

Pictured are Linda Yde, RF Rotary diaper drive coordinator; Betsy Byker, United Way diaper bank manager, and Kendra Sievers, RF Rotarian and proud parent of Owen Sievers.

RF Diaper Drive is full swing

RIVER FALLS – Four years ago, River Falls Rotarian Linda Yde heard a story that made her spring into action. It was about a mother who had to ration her baby’s diapers because their family … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/7/26

A view of the lock at lock and dam 2 showing the Hastings bridge in the distance.

Lock and Dam 2 installs four new Tainter valves

Lock and Dam 2 at Hastings above Prescott on the Mississippi will soon feature four new Tainter valves, replacing ones first installed in the 1940s. The new steel valves began the design process in … more

By Joseph Back | 10/7/26

St. Francis Parish has acquired the stone church on the corner of Piety and Strickland streets, thanks to a donation by Living Waters Christian Fellowship.

A new chapter begins for the Stone Church

ELLSWORTH – The “Stone Church” on the corner of Piety and Strickland streets in Ellsworth is beginning a new chapter. Living Waters Christian Fellowship has donated the church to the St. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/7/26

Kirsten Hague, of Prescott, was 25 when she almost died of a stroke. Now, she’s fighting insurance companies for a surgery she said could save her life.

The fight of her life: Prescott resident needs surgery insurance has denied

PRESCOTT – Kirsten Hague has been dealt one blow after another, more than anyone her age should have to endure. But her spirit is strong and she’s facing her latest test with tenacity and more … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/7/26

Pierce County 4-H’s dairy judging team took runner-up at the 2026 World Dairy Expo overall and won the reasons portion of the competition. The team features Braeden Bechel, Bryce Bechel, Ava Kolodzienski and Hannah Fesenmaier.

Pierce County 4-H finishes second overall at World Dairy Expo

The Pierce County 4-H dairy judging team represented the State of Wisconsin well at the 2026 World Dairy Expo in Madison, finishing second place overall and first place in reasons as a team. The … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/7/26

Former Plum City principal and FSPA religious Sister Dorothy Schneider is celebrating her diamond jubilee with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, based at La Crosse. Sister Schneider made her first vows of religious life on Aug. 12, 1956.

Former Plum City principal celebrates 70 years as vowed religious

A former Plum City principal is celebrating her diamond jubilee with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA), marking 70 years of service as a vowed religious. Sister Dorothy … more

By Joseph Back | 10/1/26

Pierce County resident Wendy DiPeso was a featured speaker at the “No Blank Check for Big Tech” rally in River Falls Sept. 23.

Rally in RF demands end to data center tax exemption

RIVER FALLS – The ‘No Blank Checks for Big Tech’ rally in Veterans Park Wednesday, Sept. 23 demanded an end to Wisconsin’s state sales-and-use-tax exemption for qualified data centers and … more

9/30/26

Prescott’s Bryson McGrath’s shoes at the Washington D.C. CureFest shoe memorial.

‘It’s not rare’: September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Approximately 1 in 285 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday, according to the American Childhood Cancer Association. It may sound rare, but Prescott’s … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/30/26

Dr. Nicole Eggers, an associate professor at University of Tennessee, speaks to one of Jeff Ryan’s Prescott High School classes on Friday, Sept. 18.

From PHS classrooms to eastern Congo

PRESCOTT – Just because you grow up in a small town doesn’t mean you can’t explore the world and experience new cultures. After all, Prescott High School alumnus Dr. Nicole Eggers, an expert on … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/30/26

Dave Berg, a long-time Ellsworth girls basketball coach and owner of the Ellsworth Ford dealership, died Sept. 14 due to complications after a heart attack. Berg is remembered for his impact on many as a coach, family member and community leader.

Never settle: Berg remembered for impact as coach, family member, community leader

Dave Berg, a long-time Ellsworth girls basketball coach, owner of the Ellsworth Ford dealership and impactful community member, died Sept. 14 due to complications following a heart attack at age 79. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/23/26

The Spring Valley Area Ambulance team was selected as the 2026 grand marshals for Dam Days, to be held Sept. 18-20.

58th annual Dam Days is this weekend

SPRING VALLEY – The 58 th annual Spring Valley Dam Days takes place this weekend, Sept. 18-20, with a large slate of events that promises community camaraderie and hometown pride. This … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/16/26

Corn in western Wisconsin is facing significant drought stress with many fields showing dropped ears and brown corn. This field is off 560th Avenue in the Big River area.

Summer 2026 brings drought conditions to Pierce County

The lush green fields and lawns of Pierce County have been replaced by dusty, dry brown vegetation this summer thanks to little rainfall. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, which is a map … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/9/26

Kris Sampson, a longtime pillar of the Prescott community, is the 2026 Prescott Daze grand marshal.

Kris Sampson is 2026 Prescott Daze grand marshal

PRESCOTT – Kris Sampson’s first reaction to being named the 2026 Prescott Daze grand marshal was one of disbelief. Chamber Coordinator Trisha Huber informed her of the nomination at her Croix … more

9/9/26

Marine Joshua Shores was the 71st recipient of a motorcycle from Hogs for Heroes, being honored at the GasLite Bar and Grill on Aug. 8.

Hogs for Heroes honors Ellsworth Marine Joshua Shores with motorcycle

Marine Joshua Shores of Ellsworth became the 71st Hogs for Heroes motorcycle recipient at an Aug. 8 ceremony at the GasLite Bar and Grill. Shores dreamed of being a Marine as a kid, enlisting as a … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/9/26