Features - Pierce County Journal

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

Sylva Anderson (left) and Betty Larson (right) both turned 101 in February, and the two have been long-time friends.

‘The spectacular two’: Larson and Anderson celebrate 101st birthdays

SPRING VALLEY — Betty Larson and Sylva Anderson went from neighbors growing up to next-door best friends at the Spring Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center, celebrating their 101st birthdays … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/3/25

Corbin Wild, Nic Toffolon and Bridger Graf celebrated becoming Eagle Scouts with public figures including River Falls Mayor Dan Toland and State Sen. Rob Stafsholt in attendance.

RF trio earn Eagle Scout honor

RIVER FALLS — It can be a long process, arduous for a Boy Scout to become an Eagle Scout, taking years of hard work to complete the checklist and earn the achievement. Three River Falls boys … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/2/25

Macy the Pomeranian will turn 20 on April 16. Her owner celebrated the milestone with a photo shoot commemorating the special occasion.

Two decades of joy with special pup friend

Whoever said a dog is (wo)man’s best friend couldn’t have been more right. They provide comfort, unconditional love, and joy. Just ask Kaydee Zenner, the proud owner of Macy the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/2/25

A group from the River Falls area made 150 quilt blocks to contribute to Quilts of Valor during the National Sew Day on Feb. 1.

RF community members honor veterans through quilting

RIVER FALLS — Quilts of Valor is a nationwide non-profit organization with a mission to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts. The … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/27/25

Tickets can be purchased for Prescott High School's rendition of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" at the QR code.

PHS presents ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’

PRESCOTT — “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is set to take the Prescott High School stage March 28-30, bringing a genre of musical not often shown by high school … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/26/25

Salmen-Hines family with friends from Mfangano Island in Western Kenya.

Salmen’s change of course at African bus stop changes his life

A family physician living in the El Paso countryside had a long journey to get here, but has learned a lot through his research in Kenya, time as a Duke student-athlete and establishing a family. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/26/25

Ellsworth High School theater students have been practicing since January for “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

‘The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe’ hits the stage

ELLSWORTH – Get ready to be transported to the magical world of Narnia in Ellsworth High School’s Spring production, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Director and … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/26/25

Sgt. Lisha A. Fairbairn, a combat engineer team leader with the 950th Engineer Company, 724th Engineer Battalion, conducts a 12-mile ruck march during the Wisconsin Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition at Fort McCoy, Wis., March 8, 2025.

Local soldier competes for Best Warrior

Sgt. Lisha A. Fairbairn, of River Falls, a combat engineer team leader with the 950th Engineer Company, 724th Engineer Battalion, competed along with 19 other soldiers at Fort McCoy, Wis., March 6-9, … more

By U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Emily E. Held | 3/19/25

Poppy Knox, age 11, Prescott, is the publisher, editor and reporter for “Neighborhood News, The Best Newspaper Ever.” The paper details the adventures of her family and pets. Photo

Move over Journal, a new paper’s in town

PRESCOTT – Journalism is alive and well in the St. Croix Bluffs neighborhood of Prescott, where 11-year-old Poppy Knox has founded her own newspaper. Called “Neighborhood News, The … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/19/25