Features - Pierce County Journal

The cast and crew of Ellsworth High School’s “Around the World in Eighty Days!”

EHS presents ‘Around the World in Eighty Days!’

ELLSWORTH – Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with Ellsworth High School’s rendition of “Around the World in Eighty Days!” hitting the stage March 27-29. Journey along with … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/25/26

Plum City FFA and ag students at the Quad County Soil Judging Day.

Plum City FFA Alumni group sparking up to support students’ futures

PLUM CITY — Kayla Clare, who owns Clare Repair in Plum City along with her husband, is looking to start an FFA alumni group to support students in the organization. The group is welcoming any … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/25/26

Award-winning author Michele Payn will be speaking at The Farm to Table Connection, an event at UWRF University Center on March 21 that will highlight where food comes from.

Farm to Table Connection event to show consumers where their food comes from

RIVER FALLS – With food at the grocery stores being covered in labels, some self-explanatory, others not so much, award-winning author Michele Payn hopes to clear the confusion when speaking … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/18/26

St. Francis School fifth grade students received 250 brown trout eggs in November for their Trout in the Classroom project, made possible by an EXCELL Grant from the Ellsworth Community School District Foundation.

Taste of Tuscany helps give students a little extra

ELLSWORTH – If you’re looking for something to look forward to, especially after last weekend’s March blizzard, mark Thursday, May 28 on your calendar, the date for Ellsworth Community School … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/18/26

John "Jack" Hines, a longtime community leader in numerous Ellsworth and Pierce County organizations, died March 13, 2026 at age 89.

‘An incredible heart for Ellsworth:' Community, business leader Jack Hines’ dedication remembered

If Jack Hines hadn’t worked so hard to make the greater Ellsworth area as strong as it is, it would be tough to sustain a loss like this. John “Jack” Jerome Hines - the man who made … more

By John McLoone | 3/18/26

St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Pastor Sam Crass has served the Prescott congregation for just over one year.

‘The apple doesn’t fall from the tree:’ St. Paul’s Pastor Sam serves his flock

PRESCOTT – Pastor Samuel Crass, who prefers to go by Sam, has been at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Prescott for just over a year and has grown to love the community. He began serving … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/11/26

Six-year-old Sofie Killam has lived with degenerative epilepsy since infancy. A fundraiser will be held March 28 at Ellsworth Elementary to raise money for her medical expenses.

‘Sundaes for Sofie’ fundraiser set for March 28

ELLSWORTH – Thirteen-year-old Grady Larson wants the world to know about his cousin Sofie Killam and is asking the community to help her family. Sofie is 6 years old and has degenerative … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/25/26

(From left): Megan Hausch, director of development, United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys; Trica Trowbridge, 211 program director, United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys; Lori Novak, 211 community resource specialist, United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys.

Give Big Valleys returns April 28, uniting 6 counties for one day of local giving

United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys (UW Valleys) is inviting nonprofit organizations and community members across Burnett, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties to take part in … more

2/11/26

The Community Folk Dance held Nov. 2 at Bay City Village Hall drew about 120 people, from ages 0-82.

Group aims to bring back community dances

BAY CITY – Community dances used to be a regular occurrence in tight-knit rural communities across the nation, a place to meet potential suitors and mingle with friends. They are making a comeback … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/11/26

ECSD Hall of Fame 2026 inductee William “Cubby” Huber, Distinguished EHS Alumni, Class of 1968, 1950-2025.

ECSD Hall of Fame to induct 3 new members

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Community School District Hall of Fame will induct three new members posthumously at this year’s second annual banquet, set for March 21. These individuals represent the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/11/26

Brooke Glaus, pictured with husband Erik, almost died after becoming septic after emergency surgery.

GoFundMe set up to support Glaus family after medical scare

ELMWOOD – A fundraiser has been set up by family friends for Elmwood School Board President Brooke Glaus, who is recovering from a life-threatening medical emergency. She and husband Erik are the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/11/26

The cast of Ellsworth Middle School’s “The Music Man Jr.,” with Director Isabella Devereaux-Hanson and Assistant Director Weston Morley.

‘The Music Man Jr.’ brings nostalgia to Ellsworth stage

ELLSWORTH – Nostalgia is about to hit the stage with Ellsworth Middle School’s debut of “The Music Man, Jr.” this weekend. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. Feb. 5-7 and 2 p.m. Feb. 8 in the Ellsworth … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/4/26

More than 100 people gathered in River Falls’ Veterans Park on Jan. 25 for a candlelight vigil to honor Alex Pretti, a man shot and killed by ICE on Jan. 24.

City, RFSD and local police share information regarding ICE’s Pierce County presence

An influx of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis has since led to ICE operations in nearby suburbs, including in Pierce County. Pierce County Sheriff Chad Koranda … more

By Andrew Harrington | 2/4/26

River Falls Fire Department Capt. Cody Peterson died Jan. 21 at age 36. A funeral service is set for Thursday, Jan. 29 in Pine City, Minn.

RF Fire Capt. Cody Peterson remembered for being mentor

The River Falls Fire Department announced the death of Firefighter and Captain Cody Peterson, age 36, on Wednesday, Jan. 21. According to a post on social media from RFFD: “Cody passed away … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/28/26

A benefit to help two local businesspeople, Erin Powers of Bo Jon’s Floral & Gifts, and Ray LeMay of Ray’s Hen House, is set for Jan. 31 at the River Falls Golf Club.

Fundraiser to support 2 RF families facing medical hardships

RIVER FALLS — A community fundraiser benefiting two local families will be held from 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at the River Falls Golf Course. Proceeds from the event will be split evenly between … more

1/21/26

Red Wing native and “Chicago P.D.” actor Patrick John Flueger and his girlfriend, Reem Amara, visited River Bluff Human Society to help raise awareness for its mission.

Chicago P.D. star visits River Bluff Humane Society

RED WING, Minn. – Actor and animal lover Patrick John Flueger recently visited River Bluff Humane Society (RBHS) to help raise awareness about their mission to help homeless animals find … more

1/21/26

After graduating from River Falls High School in 2025, Parker Bruesewitz started a metal band called HOUSEOFNEGLECT that was eventually joined by fellow RFHS Class of 2025 member Connor Bamman.

RF Class of 25 duo making a name in the metal music world

Parker Bruesewitz, a 2025 River Falls graduate, has had a love of music from a young age. “I was about 4 or 5 years old, and I was walking through a mall and I saw a [Kiss band member] Gene … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/21/26

Tiny Home Summit set for Jan. 29

RIVER FALLS – Every night in River Falls, people experience homelessness. The public is invited to join six River Falls churches in cooperation with Our Neighbor’s Place to learn about a project … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/21/26

Ellsworth High School Class of 2020 grad Faith Mitchell was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December.

Help Faith’s fight against Hodgkins Lymphoma

ELLSWORTH – An Ellsworth High School alumna recently received a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis, and her family and friends are holding a benefit to help with her expenses. Faith Mitchell, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/14/26

McCoulter Eaton preserved a historic Prescott American Legion Post 61 sign. He is pictured with Mary VanSchoonhoven from the Pierce County Historical Association.

Prescott American Legion Post 61 preserves a piece of history

Prescott American Legion Post 61 recently replaced the sign out front of the post—but made sure its history was not lost in the process. With the help of local craftsman McCoulter Eaton, the … more

1/7/26