Features - Pierce County Journal

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

Two kiosks at Poplar Hill Cemetery in Rock Elm provide visitors with information about the cemetery, its history and a detailed map of those buried there.

Poplar Hill Cemetery kiosks help people find ancestors

ROCK ELM – The Pierce County Historical Association, in collaboration with the Poplar Hill Cemetery Association, has installed two detailed kiosks at the cemetery, helping visitors find their loves … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/23/26

Prescott’s Jamie Stutz is in the midst of a timeline to release seven books in 18 months, starting with philosophical science fiction trilogy “The Coherence Spectrum.”

Prescott’s Stutz releasing seven books in 18 months

PRESCOTT — Jamie Stutz grew up near Madison, finding a passion in theatre that took him to the University of Minnesota. From there, he graduated with a directing major and creative writing minor. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/17/26

Susan Sanders has helped provide meals to seniors in the Plum City and Bay City areas for 27 years.

Plum City's Sanders hanging up apron after 27 years of serving seniors

Susan Sanders, the manager of congregate dining at Plum- and Bay City senior centers for two decades, is retiring at the end of June. Since 1999, four days each week she has unlocked the … more

6/17/26

Ron Nelson celebrated his final day as a substitute teacher near the end of the school year. Nelson had been a teacher in the district since 1970.

Nelson retires after teaching at RFSD since 1970

RIVER FALLS — Ron Nelson, an 86-year-old teacher, opted to retire this spring, rounding out a teaching career in River Falls that dates all the way back to 1970. Nelson first interviewed for a job … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/17/26

River Falls technical education students built the framework for a tiny home that will go toward the effort of reducing housing insecurity in the city.

RF students collaborate with churches to build tiny home

RIVER FALLS — Students in Matthew Kapitz’s home and auto class at River Falls High School constructed a tiny home that will go toward the River Falls Ministerium’s efforts to combat … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/10/26

‘Unearth a Story’ this summer at EPL

ELLSWORTH – This summer’s reading program at Ellsworth Public Library focuses on paleontology, dinosaurs and archaeology, allowing patrons to not only dig in the dirt but dig into the history of … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/10/26

Elmwood Food Pantry Volunteers (from left): Sue and Steve Galoff, Marie Gavin, Dan Pelzel, Bob Huebel, Donna and Dave Niemczyk.

Elmwood Food Pantry is ready to serve

The Elmwood Food Pantry, located on Main Street in downtown Elmwood, is open for curbside pickup three days a month with volunteers ready to provide you with groceries, pet food, and more. When … more

6/10/26

Every Rocky Branch student had the opportunity to design a fish for a mosaic garbage can project, with one student from each class’s design being selected.

Rocky Branch students design mosaic school of fish with local artist

RIVER FALLS — During 2025 Earth Fest, artist Erin Ward set up a booth that allowed attendees to pick out pieces of recycled glass and add them to a mosaic piece that was then wrapped around a … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/3/26

St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity launches Critical Home Repair Program

HUDSON – St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity is proud to announce the launch of its new Critical Home Repair Program, an initiative designed to help low-income homeowners address urgent home … more

6/3/26

Destany Pedersen, 20, of Hudson, graduated May 22 with a degree in criminal justice from Chippewa Valley Technical College in River Falls. She has already been hired by the River Falls Police Department as an officer and will attend CVTC’s Law Enforcement Academy in June, a requirement for becoming a law enforcement officer.

Answering the call: CVTC student graduates with position as officer at RFPD

RIVER FALLS – At 20 years old, Destany Pedersen is wiser than her years let on. Since the age of 14, she has honed her law enforcement skills through the Hudson Police Department’s Police … more

By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College | 5/27/26

Bay City American Legion Honor Guard members (from left) Gene Hohmann, Dave Johnson, Devin Feuerhelm and Kelly Knudsen before the gun salute over Lake Pepin May 25.

GALLERY: A look at Bay City, RF and Prescott Memorial Day observances

A big thank you to all veterans who served, especially those who are gone. Also, thank you to the American legions and auxiliaries for honoring our veterans and carrying on their legacies, along with … more

5/27/26

Bryson McGrath of Prescott, who died of pediatric cancer at age 5, will be honored with an annual day of remembrance on June 18, his birthday.

Bryson’s Silly Goose Day: Mayor to proclaim June 18 as a day to remember Bryson McGrath

PRESCOTT — On June 8, Prescott Mayor Mike Gerke is expected to make a proclamation that establishes June 18 of every year as a day to honor the late Bryson McGrath, who died of pediatric cancer … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/27/26