Features - Pierce County Journal

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

One of the most popular part of Cheese Curd Festival is the Cheese Curd Eating Contest, which had an upset in the men’s category this year. A great crowd cheered on all contestants.

GALLERY: Say Cheese! 2025 Cheese Curd Festival

Another Cheese Curd Festival has come and gone, and we're already looking forward to next year! A post on the Cheese Curd Festival Facebook page: "Every year, the vendors bring the … more

7/2/25

Backpack and food program leaders from across the St. Croix Valley pose with a check representing $125,000 in 2024 funding from River Valley Charities. These funds help their programs purchase food for more than 1,900 food-insecure children each week. The photo was taken at the RVC-hosted Backpack Program Roundtable on May 13 at YMCA Camp St. Croix.

Local backpack and food programs unite to address hunger in St. Croix Valley

Last month, leaders from more than a dozen hunger relief and backpack and food programs gathered at YMCA Camp St. Croix to strengthen collaboration and launch a coordinated response to child food … more

6/26/25

Lary Schuette at the dog park with some of Our Forever Home for Misfit Pups’ dogs.

Our Forever Home for Misfit Pups inspires people worldwide through miracle dogs

Viral videos and community outreach has brought Our Forever Home for Misfit Pups national attention. The Ellsworth home takes in dogs that have been abused, inbred, injured or that face … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/26/25

Family Dollar store assistant managers Savannah Coss (left) and Kara Varnado love when Gregg Nelson brings in Bentley to visit.

Family Dollar canine visitor creates sense of community

When Gregg Nelson and his wife moved to Ellsworth two years ago with their four dogs and five cats, they wanted to find a place where they could feel part of a community. They found that place at the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/26/25

The Sycamore’s Veteran Wall of Honor, showcasing the senior living community’s many veterans. Dena Young of Dena June Creations completed the mural.

Mural enshrines decades of stories, memories from veterans

RIVER FALLS — The Sycamore, a River Falls senior living community, unveiled its Veterans Wall of Honor, showcasing residents’ years of service in the military. Pat Schmoller, one of … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/25/25

The Peterson Farm located just outside of River Falls off of Highway 29 hosted the 2025 Pierce County Dairy Breakfast Saturday, June 14.

GALLERY: Locals show up in droves for annual Dairy Breakfast at the Peterson Farm

The Peterson Family Dairy hosted this year’s Pierce County Dairy Breakfast Saturday, June 14, which drew hundreds of people despite cool, rainy weather. The breakfast has been an … more

6/18/25

Peer Perspective and Total Excavating shared a booth at Taste of River Falls to discuss the September golf tournament fundraiser.

Golf tournament to raise funds for nonprofit seeking women’s sober house in RF

Peer Perspective is teaming up with Total Excavating for a golf tournament fundraiser that would help bring a sober house for women and children to River Falls. Peer Perspective is a nonprofit … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/18/25

The Peterson family is hosting this year’s Pierce County Dairy Breakfast at their farm June 14.

Peterson Farm set to host annual Dairy Breakfast

The Peterson Family Dairy will host this year’s Pierce County Dairy Breakfast, with the goal of welcoming everyone and giving them an idea of where their food comes from. The breakfast has … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/11/25

River Falls native Elise Foley had severe health issues for close to three years, including speaking with a Russian accent. She found the road to health through natural treatments.

Traditional vs. natural medicine told with a Russian twist

Nature is the perfect combination of beauty and brutality. Every action has reaction. The formula may feel ferine, but the result is always an infinite circle of solution measured in millennia and … more

By Greg Peters | 5/28/25

New Habitat for Humanity homeowners Alison Forsman and Cody Nielson were welcomed to Ellsworth with open arms.

Habitat for Humanity welcomes family to second Panther Drive build

ELLSWORTH — St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity has continued its efforts to fill the south side of Panther Drive with homes, hosting a dedication ceremony Thursday as Alison Forsman and Cody … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/22/25

Taste of Tuscany, the Ellsworth Community School District Foundation fundraiser, will be held May 30 from 4:30-8 p.m. at Vino in the Valley.

Taste of Tuscany returns to raise funds for classrooms and field trips

MAIDEN ROCK — Taste of Tuscany, the Ellsworth Community School District Foundation’s major fundraising event, is set for a 13th year of food, fun, auctions, raffles, music and wine. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/22/25

Local artist Erin Ward partnered with the City of River Falls and Earth Week to bring a community mosaic piece to a garbage can in Ostness Park.

Glass artist shares skills with RF community for Earth Week piece

RIVER FALLS — Earth Fest brought just about every type of booth and project one could imagine to the community back in April, and some of the impact will span years into the future. Glass … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/22/25

At 9:30 a.m. on Memorial Day, the Spring Valley American Legion Post and Auxiliary will hold a Memorial Day remembrance service and a dedication ceremony for the new stone war memorial monument on Highway 29 near Park Drive.

Remembering those who gave their lives in service

Bay City Bay City’s Harding-Hall-Darrington American Legion Post #357 is planning a full morning of Memorial Day observances Monday, May 26. They will start by visiting the following … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/22/25

Local historian Jayne Hoffman has written “River Falls Public Library: The Legacy of its Founding Mothers.” Hoffman will speak about the book May 19.

‘Renew & Inspire’ Capital Campaign begins

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls Public Library will host a public event at 6 p.m. May 19 to celebrate its history and introduce the community to its “Renew & Inspire” Capital … more

Staff report | 5/14/25

Patti Lindquist has tended bar for over 38 years at Johnnies Bar.

From Horseplay to Heroes: ‘Personal Jesus’ Patti Lindquist

This week's "Horseplay and Heroes" column is going to be the written version of taking the scenic route to tell the story. It will take longer, but you're going to read some things not typically … more

By Greg Peters | 5/1/25

The community is rallying around the Rohl family after Mackenze, Mabel and John were in a crash Easter Sunday.

Mabel Rohl recovering from ‘life saving brain surgery’ after Easter Sunday crash

On April 20, Easter Sunday, Mackenze, 46, John, 16, and Mabel Rohl, 19, were struck by another vehicle at the intersection of Highway 10 and County Road QQ. John and the four passengers of the other … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/30/25

Members of Heart received $10,000 Thursday, April 12 from the Power of 100 Women – Ellsworth impact meeting. Donna Constant (front left) and Cindy Baird (back left) are the founding members.

The ‘Heart’ of Pierce County: Power of 100-Ellsworth awards $10,000 to Heart

ELLSWORTH – When Ellsworth’s Donna Constant sees a need in the community, there’s nothing that can stop her from addressing it. Just ask her good friend and fellow Heart member … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/22/25

The Smokeytown Singers Menominee Drum Circle will kick off Earth Fest at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26 at UW-River Falls’ University Center.

Smokeytown Singers to kickstart Earth Fest

RIVER FALLS – The Smokeytown Singers Menominee Drum Circle is known across the country and throughout Canada for their songs and style. They are pretty hard to book due to a jam-packed … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/22/25

Mino and his caretaker Em Loerzel this past fall 2024. To Loerzel, the ponies are family members.

The Humble Horse brings Ojibwe ponies to Earth Fest

Visitors to Earth Fest in River Falls will have the opportunity to meet Ojibwe ponies from The Humble Horse, a nonprofit organization currently based in Spring Valley dedicated to the preservation, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/22/25