Features - Pierce County Journal

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

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