Features - Pierce County Journal

‘So God made a farmer:' Plum City grad knows there’s nothing else he’d rather do

Bryce Mark has earned a Supreme Champion ribbon twice in his years of showing cattle at the Pierce County Fair. The Merri Heirs member just graduated from Plum City High School. Not many kids … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/3/23

Country school attendees from Fargo, Clay Corner, Gertrude and Willow Hill met for an afternoon of reminiscing at Rush River Lutheran Church on Sunday, July 16.

Country school attendees reunite to reminisce

People who attended Gertrude, Fargo, Clay Corner, Herum and Willow Hill country schools were invited to a country school reunion Sunday, July 16 at Rush River Lutheran Church pavilion. The event, … more

Staff report | 7/27/23

River Falls hockey player Taggart Havens, aka El Co Flo, is hoping to win the 2023 Kids Mullet Showdown in honor of his friend Coby Clark, who is fighting cancer.

‘A big mullet, a big heart:' RF hockey player hopes to win contest for friend

RIVER FALLS – Taggart Havens is a River Falls kid with not only a big mullet, but a big heart. He, like Ellsworth resident Otto Jakes, is hoping to make it to the final round of the 2023 Kids … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/27/23

Landscaping work being done as part of Rock the Block’s River Falls projects during 2019.

Rock the Block brings neighborhood revitalization to Ellsworth

ELLSWORTH – St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity has worked with some of Ellsworth’s community leaders to bring Rock the Block, a neighborhood revitalization project, to Ellsworth from … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/20/23

Four-year-old Boone Erlandson of Beldenville began growing his mullet in 2020 when he dressed up as Joe Diffie for Halloween.

Local boys compete in national mullet contest

The next USA Mullet Champ could be one of three Ellsworth area boys, if local voters have anything to say about it. The 2023 Kids Mullet Showdown is a fundraising event (online) through Jared … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/20/23

New Ezekiel Lutheran Church Pastor Steve Dow standing in front of the church’s sign in River Falls.

Steve Dow brings 22 years of pastor experience to Ezekiel Lutheran

RIVER FALLS – Ezekiel Lutheran Church of River Falls has brought Pastor Steve Dow aboard to be the next leader of the church. Dow hopes to bring stability and a familiar face to Ezekiel … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/13/23

Alex Smrekar holds the trophy of one of nine individual cheese curd eating contest championships.

Dairy dominance: Smrekar wins cheese curd eating contest for ninth time

ELLSWORTH – Crowds gathered at East End Park on June 24 for what has become one of Ellsworth’s most competitive events of the year. The cheese curd eating contest is an annual … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/13/23

Pierce County Looks Back for July 5

25 years ago THE PRESCOTT JOURNAL June 18, 1998 Named Miss Prescott 1998, Alexsis Marshall would represent the city for the coming year. Taking the concept of “Minnesota … more

7/6/23

Workers at “Cheese Curd Central” prepared freshly fried Ellsworth cheese curds to be served to customers Friday, June 23.

PHOTO GALLERY: Say cheese! Another Cheese Curd Festival in the books

Cheese Curd Festival in Ellsworth, held June 23 and 24, saw about 25,000 visitors descend upon the Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin for two days of food, live music, tastings, vendors and … more

6/29/23

A goat tagged “Phoebe” was one of the 31 goats at Sea Wing Park in Diamond Bluff that assisted in the removal of the brush this past weekend.

Goats donated for brush cleanup at Sea Wing Park

DIAMOND BLUFF – Emily Dosdall of Goats on the Go has provided goats for brush removal services at many locations, but donating the service to Sea Wing Park of Diamond Bluff was a new … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/29/23

Aidan Bowman, River Falls, sporting his sailor costume at his first Circus Juventas performance in May 2013.

River Falls student finds his niche performing under the Big Top

Aidan Bowman practices Russian bar this June (Aidan is the porter on left). Aidan Bowman (also known as “Aidan BB”) has been told that he was a clumsy little kid. By the time he was … more

By Beth Cedarholm | 6/29/23

An overhead picture of the Ellsworth Civilian Conservation Corps camp, donated by Roland Hilden.

Ellsworth CCC camp provided both jobs, community during Great Depression

Through years of financial struggles, the United States government found ways to provide people ways to make a living during the Great Depression. Pierce County was no stranger to these attempts, as … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/22/23

Volunteers work to scrub and sand the side of the building before the new mural goes up. Comfort by Design provided the mural space on Morse Street.

Ellsworth’s Mural Walk gets new addition

A new mural in Ellsworth’s East End has turned a blank, white wall into a natural, rural landscape complete with an interactive canoe photo opportunity. The mural was finished last week, just … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/22/23

An Easter toast photo of Dennis Armstrong and Judy McNall they sent to brother John Connors.

Siblings find each other after 70 years, thanks to DNA testing

DNA testing has provided people a way to find out more about their ancestors, and for 76-year-old Ellsworth native Dennis Armstrong, the discovery of two half-siblings was life changing and … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/22/23

Lawrence Huppert of Prescott offers his advice to younger generations, which is to remember parents are always right.

Advice to younger generations: Three Prescott seniors share their stories

PRESCOTT – Bob Dylan once wrote a song in 1964 titled, "The Times They Are a-Changin.'" The song is about reflection and perception. The song may be considered old, but the depth of his message … more

By Riley Dorau | 6/22/23

Course designer and organizer Andrew P. Reese standing in front of the Sterling Hill Disc Golf Course map in River Falls.

Rapidly growing RF disc golf community sees another course open

RIVER FALLS – Disc golf has become a wildly popular activity over the past decade and the Sterling Hill Disc Golf Course was created in River Falls to accommodate that. The course is free … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/22/23

River Falls native, William Tuchtenhagen, giving a speech for TEDx regarding the European Union energy crisis March 11 at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

RF graduate brings knowledge to the big stage, gives TEDx Talk

Growing up in River Falls, William Tuchtenhagen was not sure how far a local education could lead, but after finding a love for public speaking, it has led to a speech on one of the largest public … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/15/23

The Elmwood Crain-Ottman American Legion Post 207 and Auxiliary Unit began their Memorial Day Honor Services bright and early at 8:15 a.m. May 29 with their first stop at the Hatchville St. John’s Cemetery to pay tribute to the veterans interned there.

PHOTOS: Crain-Ottman American Legion Post 207 Memorial Day 2023

6/15/23

One of the timberframe structures completed through Star Hill Timberworks. The structures use hardwood pegs rather than screws or nails.

Star Hill Timberworks builds a community through a traditional construction method

ELLSWORTH – For many, woodworking involves lots of nails and screws, but for Jon Anderson of Star Hill Timberworks, the process involves neither of these. Star Hill Timberworks builds … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/15/23

As a volunteer at the Cheese Curd Festival Block Party, Victoria Lynner helped guide festival guests on a taste tour of the best cheeses from our state.

Cheese Curd Fest: Volunteers make it happen

ELLSWORTH – The countdown is on for Ellsworth’s Cheese Curd Festival. Taking place on Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, the event is one of the region’s largest events drawing … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/8/23