Features - Pierce County Journal

The storms on Aug. 9, 2025 created a 1,000-year flooding event in southeast Wisconsin. The phrase refers to the probability of an event of that magnitude happening, not the actual frequency of its occurrence.

Fiscal Facts: Flood damage rises with rainfall

Over the past 45 years, Wisconsin has seen a dramatic increase in damage caused by flooding, as the climate has warmed, extreme rains have become more common, and urban development has continued. … more

9/3/25

An overhead photo from Prescott DAZE 2024.

Prescott Daze is back to rock the river again

PRESCOTT — Prescott Daze is back for another year with another exciting slate, combining the classic favorites with a handful of new events Sept. 4-7. Chairs Angie and Annie Magee have … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/3/25

Plenty of volunteers and Prescott American Legion Post 61 members played a big part in getting the repairs done that were needed at the Legion Hall.

Prescott Legion to be up and running for Prescott DAZE

PRESCOTT — After a long month of repairs, Prescott American Legion Post 61 expects to be fully up and running for Prescott DAZE festivities. On July 18, the Legion announced over Facebook … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/27/25

Father Joseph Albert Saleth is the new priest at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prescott.

‘We are Christians by our love’: St. Joseph Church receives new priest

PRESCOTT — St. Joseph Catholic Church recently welcomed Father Joseph Albert Saleth as its new priest. Saleth is originally from the southern portion of India. He lost his parents at a … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/20/25

Janet Howe, the El Paso Days 2025 honorary citizen.

‘It’s a dandy place:’ El Paso holds special place in heart of honorary citizen Howe

EL PASO — With El Paso Days coming up, 2025 Honorary Citizen Janet Howe reflected on a lifetime of great memories from her time in the area. Howe comes from the Daniels family, which has … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/13/25

Vino in the Valley Founder Larry Brenner toasting to a 19th year in business.

Vino in the Valley named El Paso Days grand marshal

El Paso Days is always sure to bring great events, but the Grand Parade followed by the greased pig contest Sunday is always a sight to see. This year, Vino in the Valley will be honored as the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/13/25

Goat superintendent to pass the throne to daughter

Linda Steele has held the Pierce County Fair goat superintendent role for 35 years, and she is beginning to transition the position to her daughter, Anna Doornink. Steele’s kids grew up in 4-H … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/9/25

Mary and Gary Allyn have been going to the fair for their whole lives, and have now been Pierce County Fair building guards for over a decade.

‘The best fair around’: Allyn couple ready for another year as building guards

Husband and wife Gary and Mary Allyn have grown up in Pierce County, have been going to the fair for decades and have each spent over 10 years as building guards. “We’ve been going to the fair … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/9/25

Junior Youth Leadership, Health and Political Science Superintendent Suzie Brunner.

Fair Superintendent Brunner reminisces on 40 years of fair memories

Junior Youth Leadership, Health and Political Science Fair Superintendent Suzie Brunner has been going to the Pierce County Fair for over 40 years. Around 10 years ago, Brunner was asked by Frank … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/9/25

A boat that was at the Miss-Croix Yacht Harbor to refuel exploded and immediately burst into flames at the dock. The fire grew so quickly that both the dock and other boats were suddenly in danger of being engulfed themselves until a good Samaritan stepped up to help douse the flames with water.

Boat explosion rocks Prescott’s Miss-Croix Yacht Harbor

PRESCOTT, Wis. — A quiet afternoon on the water turned chaotic Saturday when a boat exploded at the fuel dock at Miss-Croix Yacht Harbor, sending all eleven people on board into the Mississippi … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/30/25

Steffen Mirskey (right front) speaks with baker, Maureen Ash (left front), in Peterson’s Kernza field in early July.

Lessons Learned from a Kernza Field Day

The South Kinni Farmer-Led Watershed Council hosted a pre-harvest field day in early July for farmers in the area to see council lead farmer Brad Peterson’s Kernza field. While Kernza is one … more

By Becky Brathal | 7/30/25

Father Sam McCarty of Wausau was recently welcomed as the new priest of St. Francis Catholic Church.

St. Francis welcomes Father McCarty as new priest

ELLSWORTH — St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church welcomed Father Sam McCarty as its new priest as of July 1. McCarty grew up in Wausau before going to seminary out of high school, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/23/25

Beth Croes during one of her storm spotting classes through the National Weather Service.

Chasing storms and dreams with SV’s ‘weather lady’

SPRING VALLEY – Beth Croes is always up for an adventure. Whether that’s storm chasing, training as a storm spotter or opening a coffee/food truck business, you can be sure that … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/23/25

Bay City area farmer Brian Webster died by suicide in the Summer of 2023. Since then, the Farmer Angel Network of western Wisconsin has worked to provide mental health resources to farmers.

Farmer Angel Network event focusing on access to mental health system

Sixty-three percent of farmers and farmworkers surveyed by the American Farm Bureau in 2021 claimed there is a stigma around mental health. This stigma is not exclusive to farmers by any means, but … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/23/25

Evan White of River Falls completed the American Ninja Warrior qualifier, advancing to the semi-finals.

RF graduate dedicates American Ninja Warrior run to preaching Jesus’ word

Evan White, a River Falls High School Class of 2025 graudate, has already gone on to reach great heights both literally and figuratively, scaling the Warped Wall to reach the finish during the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/16/25

Emergency service workers of Ellsworth took to Bay City on July 9 to practice difficult extractions ahead of the Valley Springs Hill Climb.

Valley Springs Motoclimb to host French champion

BAY CITY — A 500-foot hill in Bay City has become a Midwest hill climbing monument. The hill is set to host the annual Valley Springs Motorcycle Club (VSMC) Motoclimb, featuring racers from all … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/13/25

People returned from around the country to pack the church for Svea Lutheran’s 150-year anniversary.

Svea Lutheran celebrates 150 years with packed church

HAGER CITY — Celebrating 150 years since its original services at a schoolhouse in 1875 where the Trenton Town Hall now stands, Svea Lutheran Church saw people from around the nation return to … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/9/25

Two kids were all smiles after receiving beds from Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

‘This is really needed’: Sleep in Heavenly Peace seeks to build a bed for every child without one

Approximately 2-3% of children ages 3-17 in the United States do not have a bed, according to non-profit Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and the organization is doing everything in its power to change that. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/9/25

The theme for River Falls Days 2025, voted on by the community, is “Kinni in Bloom.”

RF Days 2025: ‘Kinni in Bloom’ set to blossom July 10–13

RIVER FALLS – Downtown River Falls will transform into a vibrant landscape as River Falls Days 2025 brings four days of celebration, community connection, and unforgettable entertainment July … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/9/25

UW-River Falls student Hailey James opened up for country mega-star Riley Green at Hoofbeat Festival in Cadott, Wis., at the end of June. James also sang a duet with Green.

Shoot your shot: UWRF student takes the big stage

Merle Haggard wrote the song "Mama Tried" in 1968. As one may suspect from the title and the year, it's a classic country song about not listening to your mother. Well, UW-River Falls student … more

By Greg Peters | 7/9/25