Features - Pierce County Journal

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The lush green fields and lawns of Pierce County have been replaced by dusty, dry brown vegetation this summer thanks to little rainfall.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

Jena Hanson, a junior dairy science major at UW-River Falls, was named Minnesota's 73rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way August 26. She will spend the next year serving as the state's official diary ambassador.

Falcon Futures: UWRF’s Jena Hanson is Minnesota's Princess Kay of the Milky Way

RIVER FALLS – University of Wisconsin-River Falls student Jena Hanson of Owatonna, Minn., has been named Minnesota's 73rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way, the state's official dairry ambassador. … more

9/9/26

Gregg and Melissa Nelson are hoping the inaugural Haunted Fairgrounds Festival is a hit with the community, with activities for all ages to enjoy.

Halloween Festival coming to Pierce County Fairgrounds

ELLSWORTH – The Witch on West Warner is growing into a family-friendly Halloween festival designed to bring neighbors, families, local businesses and the community together for a day of Halloween … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/2/26

A photo from the 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in New Richmond, an event with the aim of raising money and awareness to fight against Alzheimer’s.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s returning in September

There has been a lot of progress made in the fight against Alzheimer’s over the last two years, and the Sept. 19 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in New Richmond serves as a celebration of that progress. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/26/26

Kim and Phil Huggett will be honored over the weekend at El Paso Days to celebrate owning the El Paso Bar and Grill for 30 years. In addition to the many events at the bar over the weekend, they will be hosting an anniversary party in September.

El Paso Days celebrates Huggetts’ 30 years running bar and grill

El Paso Days are back over the weekend for a 39th year, with a packed slate of events ready to make for another fun weekend. This year the El Paso Bar and Grill is being recognized for 30 years under … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/19/26

Dean Bergseng of River Falls (right) being awarded the Pierce County Friends of 4-H Award for work promoting the dairy industry through 4-H clubs and his work with the kids involved in the program.

Bergseng Farm recognized for 150 years

One hundred and fifty years is a long time, which is why the Bergseng farm in the River Falls area means so much to the family. The family is celebrating the farm’s sesquicentennial (150 years), … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/15/26

Susan Sanders will be honored as the 2026 Most Admired Senior Citizen Sunday during the Pierce County Fair.

Sanders is 2026 Most Admired Senior Citizen

Plum City resident Susan Sanders will be honored as the 2026 Pierce County Most Admired Senior Citizen during a special presentation at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 16 in the Fair Picnic Shelter. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/13/26

Former Dairy Supt. Ron Thompson will be honored on the Pierce County Fair Memorial Wall this year.

Thompson to be honored on Fair Memorial Wall

Longtime Pierce County Fair Dairy Superintendent, area milk tester and “friend to all” Ron Thompson will be honored at this year’s Memorial Wall/History Presentation at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/13/26

The 2026-27 Pierce County 4-H Ambassadors: Varah Sorenson, Audrey Christianson, Mary Peterson, Grace Hennemann, Ashley Symicek, Bristal Books, Paige Pablo, Ani Whelan, Ruth Hennemann, Jessie Brown. Missing: Nevaeh Peters. Shari Turvaville is their advisor.

Who are the Pierce County 4-H Ambassadors?

If you’ve ever stopped at the 4-H Information Booth at the fair, spun the wheel and won a prize, then you’ve met a Pierce County 4-H Ambassador. And if you haven’t, you should. Who exactly … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/12/26

Tom Gunderson is the first ever Pierce County Fair Artist of the Year. Some of his work will be displayed in the Round Barn. He stands next to a painting of himself painting in Italy. He also proudly wears his T-shirt, proclaiming “Never underestimate an old man who paints into his 80s.”

Gunderson is Pierce County Fair Artist of the Year

It’s a big year for rural Spring Valley resident Tom Gunderson, a familiar face at the Pierce County Fair. Not only has he been named the inaugural Pierce County Fair Artist of the Year, but he’s … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/12/26

Open Class Photography sets new judging date

ELLSWORTH – The Pierce County Fair is right around the corner and this year, Open Class Photography entrants will see a change meant to improve efficiency and accessibility. Longtime Supt. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/5/26

Season 2, Episode 10 featured Wagner’s Sugar Bush, a Wisconsin syrup producer.

Ellsworth graduate part of team producing ‘Farms of America’

Luke Cipala, a 2018 Ellsworth graduate, may come from a farming community, but that is never where he saw life taking him. When he got a job producing for Mediastash, his boss reeled him into a … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/5/26

Firefighters check test vehicles for radiation contamination as they enter the reception center practice event.

Emergency services go through nuclear power plant emergency training

ELMWOOD – Emergency service workers gathered at Elmwood High School July 23 to go through training on what would happen in case of an emergency at the Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant. The … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/29/26