Features - Pierce County Journal

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

Farmer mental health focus of Brian Webster Memorial Picnic

In an agricultural county like Pierce, it’s important to address farmers’ mental health, which is not something that used to be talked about much. Farming is not only physically demanding, but it … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/22/26

The UFO Days raffle drawing will be held after Sunday’s grande parade. Those who purchase a button also get a raffle ticket.

Alien Alert: UFO Days 2026 kicks off this week

ELMWOOD – The 2026 Elmwood UFO Days is almost upon us, complete with new events and merchandise celebrating the village’s ties to the unexplained. In its 48 th year, UFO Days promises a … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/22/26

Fourth grader Caden Schuman’s “Bee City Pollinator Garden” artworks was chosen to grace a utility box at DeSanctis Park.

Art Beat: Utility boxes get new art pieces

Please welcome the two latest pieces of utility box art to River Falls. RF city workers attached two exciting pieces of pollinator art to their permanent homes by shrink wrap procedure recently. … more

By Margreth Downing | 7/15/26

Jeff & Ann Bechel are this year’s Plum City Summerfest Parade grand marshals.

Plum City Summerfest brings nostalgic fun

PLUM CITY – The 68 th annual Plum City Summerfest is set to take place July 17-19 with a full slate of events celebrating what makes the little village with the trout pond special. Summerfest … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/15/26

Katie Chalifoux takes pies from the oven Thursday, May 28, 2026 at Stockholm Pie & General Store in Stockholm, Wisconsin. The acclaimed pie shop is In a building more than 100 years old that combines marketplace, cafe and bakery...

Tourism, entertainment give towns along Mississippi River a reboot

ON THE GREAT RIVER ROAD, Wis. and Minn. — On an idyllic evening at the Trempealeau Hotel, the Mississippi River is as much a draw as the musical act that graces its outdoor stage. If … more

By Madeline Heim, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | 7/15/26

A group from St. Peter’s Catholic Church in North St. Paul took a pilgrimage that made multiple stops at Pierce County churches.

North St. Paul Catholics make pilgrimage to local churches

Making the journey all the way from North St. Paul, members of St. Peter’s Catholic Church took a multiple day pilgrimage, walking from the Twin Cities all the way to Prescott’s St. Joseph … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/8/26

Elmwood High School students in South Africa as part of the 2026 Science Expedition.

Species identification, anti-poaching tactics soaked in by Elmwood’s Science Expedition travelers

Elmwood students made a trip to South Africa a few years back, and they were invited to return to Mankwe Wildlife Preserve. Students took the opportunity and ran with it, learning to identify animal … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/1/26

Country singer and UW-River Falls alum Hailey James will headline the River Falls Days main stage with her full band July 9 from 7-10 p.m.

Home again: Country singer, UW-RF grad Hailey James to headline River Falls Days July 9

RIVER FALLS — Hailey James was 14 years old when she heard something on the radio that set her on her life’s path. James always loved to sing but … more

7/1/26