Features - Pierce County Journal

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

Freedom Park Executive Director Linda Schenk introduced some of the people who played a role in the Freedom Park Visitor Center’s 20 years, including the people who set the work into motion, those who have kept progressing it forward and the current board that has allowed it to thrive.

Freedom Park celebrates 20 years on the Great River Road

PRESCOTT — What is now Freedom Park Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center has come a long way since its public opening as Scenic Tourist Park in 1918. In 1981, the park was chosen as the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/20/26

A fisherman enjoys the benefits of a Trackchair at a Kinnickinnic River Land Trust outing.

Limitless Cycling pedals the healing power of storytelling

“Social isolation and loneliness are leading concerns in our community. The opportunity for our riders to share their stories with us is one of our guiding principles. Storytelling is healing. We … more

By Tom Lindfors | 5/20/26

Jeanette, Don and Jenna Juetten with Jeanette’s mother Kathy Hetzel.

Hetzel’s legacy of giving lives on through family’s food pantry endowment

RIVER FALLS — Kathy Hetzel was always a silent giver in the community. When she passed away in August 2025, it was important to her daughter, Jeanette Juetten, to make sure that her money went … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/20/26

Charles White and Doc Holberg at the River Falls American Legion Post 121 Memorial Day ceremony in Greenwood Cemetery.

2026 Memorial Day observances honor those who served

Memorial Day allows us the opportunity to remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy the freedoms they fought for. “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/20/26

River Falls native Annie Frisbie finished in the top 10 at the Boston Marathon with a personal best 2:22:00 time.

Frisbie can fly: RF native finishes top 10 at Boston Marathon

From afar, River Falls native Annie Frisbie seemingly went from high school runner, to collegiate All-American, to top 10 finisher in the Boston Marathon overnight, but there were years of hard work, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/20/26

Tyler Frye, of Casco, fills a water glass in this 2024 photo. Frye and his wife discovered years ago that their well was contaminated with high levels of nitrates and chose to install a reverse osmosis system to make the water safe to drink.

Mississippi River groups tell feds to act on nitrate contamination

Mississippi River conservation groups are among a broad coalition urging the federal government to take action against nitrate contamination in drinking water, which they say has reached "crisis … more

By Madeline Heim Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | 5/14/26

The Glen Park Swinging Bridge was built 100 years ago in River Falls, a landmark that has stood the test of time.

Celebrating 100 years of the Swinging Bridge!

RIVER FALLS – The iconic Swinging Bridge in River Falls celebrated its 100 th anniversary Saturday at Glen Park with a presentation on its history, photos of the bridge throughout the years … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/13/26

UW-River Falls senior and Alice in Dairyland finalist Gabby Huitema stands with Goober, a five-year-old Holstein cow, at the university's Mann Valley Farm. Two UWRF alums, Michelle Stangler and Jessica Moor, are also finalists.

Falcon Futures: Student 1 of 3 Alice in Dairyland finalists with UW-River Falls ties

RIVER FALLS — The University of Wisconsin-River Falls will be well represented when Wisconsin’s next Alice in Dairyland finals are held May 14-16 in Marathon County. Half of this year’s … more

5/6/26