Features - Pierce County Journal

A group of people who have played a key role in the mitigation of personal damage due to mortar blasts. From left: SFC Herdich (Mortar Sergeant), Maj. Karl Green (Neurosurgeon), SFC Joseph Russett (Mortar Sergeant), Maj. Greg Miller (Family Physician) and SPC Cioni (RN - Medic).

RF doctor studying mitigation of mortar blast impact with National Guard

National Guard members can blast 200 mortar rounds in a given weekend, three to four times a year over the course of 20 years during training. While the training is necessary, the impact on the ears … more

By Andrew Harrington | 11/5/25

Daniel Grosso while deployed in northern Afghanistan in 2019-2020, with his wife and eldest daughter awaiting his arrival home.

Military service guides how Spring Valley cervid farmer lives, leads and runs small business

SPRING VALLEY – Veterans often say that their military service helped shape them into the people they are today, which is evident in how rural Spring Valley resident Daniel Grosso runs his … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 11/5/25

Those wishing to see “Shrek Jr.” can purchase tickets on the Prescott School District website or by scanning the QR code.

Join Prescott students in the swamp at ‘Shrek Jr.’

PRESCOTT – Get ready to put on your ogre ears and find your place in the swamp as Prescott Middle School puts on “Shrek Jr.,” set to debut Friday, Nov. 14. Performances are … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 11/5/25

The Ellsworth E3 Community Development Corporation received the 2025 Fall Impact Award from the Power of 100 Ellsworth group Oct. 9. E3 members Anne Pechacek and Kelli Jeffrey presented for the group.

A night to remember: Ellsworth E3 wins Power of 100 Ellsworth Fall Impact Award

The Ellsworth Power of 100 group awarded the Ellsworth E3 Community Development Corporation the $10,000 2025 Fall Impact Award Oct. 9 with its closest vote yet between the three competing … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/29/25

Colors fly in River Falls’ grand performance at Indianapolis during the Bands of America Super Regionals.

‘We earned it’: River Falls band’s greatness fueled by hard work and cohesion

RIVER FALLS — What the people at home see from the River Falls Marching Band is plenty of State Championships, including the recent clean sweep of titles at State, performances in massive … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/29/25

Accessibility Awareness River Falls is a new non-profit in the community, working to increase accessibility in the city.

Non-profit installing doorbells free to businesses in the name of accessibility

RIVER FALLS — A new non-profit in River Falls is making the push for accessibility in River Falls, starting with business entryways. Pat Nistler was out for lunch in River Falls with … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/23/25

Phil Pfuehler, former editor of the River Falls Journal, has published a book

Former RF newspaper editor writes alternate reality novel where physical media fades away

In an era of technology, attention spans have continued to fade and media is consumed more and more through devices. Phil Pfuehler, a retired River Falls Journal editor and long-time area resident, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/22/25

River Falls Moose Lodge mascot Tommy Moose at Taste of River Falls.

Moose Lodge celebrates 81 years of community impact

RIVER FALLS — Moose Lodge at 620 N. Clark St. in River Falls recently celebrated 81 years in the city, continuing the push to have a long-term positive impact. The group is an … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/15/25

Fr. Sam McCarty speaking at the St. Francis School pet blessing on Wednesday, Oct. 1. A curious cow contributed to the festivities.

St. Francis holds annual Pet Blessing Oct. 1

ELLSWORTH – Every year on Oct. 4, Catholics around the world celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, a beloved saint known for his humility, care for the poor, and profound love for … more

10/8/25

Joy Lynn George worked for Pierce County Department of Human Services for close to 23 years.

Benefit planned for George family Oct. 11

ELLSWORTH – A strong advocate for Pierce County youth lost her battle with kidney cancer in July and a benefit will be held in her memory to help her family with medical bills. The Joy … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/8/25

School Resource Officer Beau Jacobson in front of his office near the entrance of Prescott High School.

A true resource: Jacobson doing it all as Prescott’s SRO

Prescott School Resource Officer (SRO) Beau Jacobson is a face everyone at Prescott High School has come to know. His desk sits right inside of the main entrance, and students often stop by for a … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/8/25

The Pierce County Dog Park is holding a Grand Opening on Oct. 2. The park is located at the Trimbelle Recreation Area.

Pierce County Dog Park ready for Grand Opening in Trimbelle

TRIMBELLE — The Pierce County Dog Park is preparing for its Grand Opening from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 2. The park is located at the Trimbelle Recreation Area at N5154 County Road O. On Oct. 2, the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/1/25

Mustafa Adam with his wife Kaylee and children Zayn and Mila.

Stafa Strong: Glen Park 5K to support RF community member battling cancer

RIVER FALLS — With a smile that lights up the room and a laugh that everyone who knows him can recognize, River Falls High School alum Mustafa Adam is loved by seemingly everyone in the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/1/25

(From left): Dawn VandeVoort, WI 4-H Volunteer Specialist; Francis Ginther, Laureate, and Alexa Heitkamp, Wisconsin 4-H Leadership Council Member.

Ginther inducted into the 2025 4-H Hall of Fame

MADISON — Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development is excited to announce the 2025 Hall of Fame Laureates including 10 volunteers, supporters and staff who have impacted Wisconsin 4-H. The newest … more

9/24/25

Eighth grader Max Beck with the fall baseball team after they shaved their heads to honor Max during his battle with Ewing’s sarcoma.

‘Amazingly brave’: Community rallies behind Max Beck during fight against Ewing’s sarcoma

ELLSWORTH — Eighth grader Max Beck has led by example during his years in school, and he is standing tall again as he battles Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare type of cancer found in about 200 … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/24/25

Three generations of Langer men at the Big River Corn Maze on their family land (from left): Bailey Langer, Ken Langer Sr., and Ken Langer Jr.

Big River Corn Maze is a family affair, set to open Sept. 26

PRESCOTT – A new fall attraction is set to open for business on Friday, Sept. 26 along the Great River Road on a farm that’s been in the Langer family for four generations. Kenny … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/24/25

Design Ellsworth 2.0 launches new speaker series Oct. 7

ELLSWORTH – If you could have a say in planning Ellsworth’s future, what would you do? Would you propose a new park? Would you uncover the creek in East End Park and make it a focal … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/24/25

Noah Collins became an Eagle Scout after completing his project of restoring the historic gear house at Mercord Mill Park in Prescott.

Eagle Scout restores Prescott community pillar: the historic gear house

PRESCOTT — Noah Collins of Prescott completed his project to become an Eagle Scout, working hard to restore the historic gear house at Mercord Mill Park. Collins was taking a walk around … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/17/25

Conglomerated Cheese exec Melanie Charles (Ione Hayes) is converted to being a Wisconsin Cheesehead, despite the arduous winters.

GALLERY: ‘Cheeseheads’ is ‘cheesy’ fun

SPRING VALLEY – If you’re a proud Wisconsinite, or even a wannabe (ahem, Minnesotans), there’s nothing more Sconnie than Spring Valley Stagehands’ rendition of … more

9/17/25

The vendor market was hopping on Broad Street for Prescott Daze 2025 Saturday, Sept. 6.

GALLERY: Prescott Daze 2025 celebrates The Great Outdoors

Prescott Daze's 2025 Great Outdoors Celebration was a smashing success. We're already looking forward to next year! more

9/10/25