Features - Pierce County Journal

The Pottstown Five found themselves prisoners of war in a barn after being captured during the Battle of the Bulge. They all survived and reunited years later in their hometown in Pennsylvania.

Editor’s note: Local author Dan Woll has been itching to tell the story of the Pottstown Five, a tale of five young men who served together and were prisoners of war in World War II. How does … more

By Dan Woll | 5/25/23

The Pathfinders, a group of students from River Falls School District, presented their plans to American Legion Post 121 members to restore Old Mann Valley Cemetery.

Pathfinders plan to restore old cemetery

RIVER FALLS – A group of determined kids have big plans to restore an abandoned and long-neglected cemetery outside of River Falls, thanks to the leadership of a retired Army veteran. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/25/23

Bryce Lindevig at the shooting range for motorcade training on a live range with Emergency Response Team and Counter Assault Team members.

River Falls’ Secret Agent is living his childhood dream

When former River Falls resident Bryce Lindevig was a young boy, he fantasized about being one of the guys in the dark suits and shades protecting the president of the United States. As he grew … more

By Beth Cedarholm | 5/18/23

Kinni Corridor Collaborative volunteers at Earth Fest 2023 sharing Leave No Trace Principles. (From left): Gary Solomonson, Nancy Goldman and Judie Babcock.

Community Forest selected as a 2023 Leave No Trace Spotlight

RIVER FALLS – The Leave No Trace organization has selected The Community Forest in River Falls as a 2023 Spotlight site. As outdoor areas all over the country are being impacted by record use, … more

5/11/23

Members of the Ellsworth Library Board and Friends of the Library gathered Thursday, May 4 for the unveiling of the “Eggspert” sculpture in the library lobby. Pam Enger removes the cloth hiding the sculpture.

New sculpture revealed at Ellsworth Public Library

ELLSWORTH – Ellsworth Public Library patrons will have a surprise when they walk through the library’s front doors. “Eggspert,” a sculpture by Kimber Fiebiger, will be there … more

Staff report | 5/11/23

Elise Gregory, author of "The Clayfields."

‘The Clayfields’ is a story of hope, rebirth

ELLSWORTH – Many people dream of publishing a novel, but not all would-be writers accomplish that goal. Ellsworth Public Library’s Elise Gregory not only dreamed of publishing a novel, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/27/23

As Clifton Town Chair, LeRoy Peterson spent countless hours leading meetings in the schoolhouse that houses the town hall. After 50 years, someone new will take up the gavel.

End of an era for Clifton Township

LeRoy Peterson isn’t quite sure if he has served on the Clifton Town Board for 50 years or 52 years. “I can’t remember if I started in 1971 or 1973,” he says thoughtfully, … more

By Beth Cedarholm | 4/27/23

Tippy and Empress Eyepatch are two cats available for adoption through the UW-River Falls Falcon Felines program.

UWRF Falcon Felines reopens in new location

RIVER FALLS – Falcon Felines has found a new home on the UW-River Falls campus after taking a hiatus this winter. The program, which is a collaboration with Dunn County Humane Society (a … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/20/23

Jessica Hanneman, of River Falls, and her retired Thoroughbred racehorse Dom, will compete at the Thoroughbred Makeover in Kentucky in October.

RF woman to compete in world’s largest racehorse retraining competition

RIVER FALLS – Jessica Hanneman, of River Falls, will travel to Kentucky, the heart of horse country, to compete in the Retired Racehorse Project’s $100,000 Thoroughbred Makeover Oct. … more

Special to The Journal | 4/6/23

EDM artist and Prescott resident Reggie Moe at his sold-out show Jan. 30 at The Armory in Minneapolis. He described that night, which was also his birthday, as the best night ever.

PHS alum tours nation as EDM musician

PRESCOTT – Imagine looking out at a sold-out crowd at The Armory, knowing everyone is there to see you perform your own music. Quite the indescribable feeling, right? It’s a night that … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/6/23

Heavy snow across the upper Midwest this winter will make it very likely that the upper Mississippi River will flood this spring, according to National Weather Service forecasters.

Heavy, wet snow raises risk of spring flooding in upper Mississippi River basin

Heavy, wet snow that pounded upper Wisconsin and Minnesota is expected to cause flooding this spring along the upper Mississippi River, and it could be considerable. The National Weather Service … more

By Madeline Heim, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | 3/30/23

(From left) River Falls Renaissance Academy students Ciara Roberson, Halvard Herfindahl, and Savannah Stern chat with St. Croix Valley Restorative Services facilitator Kelvin Pooler, who recently received a Wildcat Pride award for his work at the Ren.

Kelvin Pooler helps Renaissance students open up, succeed

RIVER FALLS – When Kelvin Pooler received a Wildcat Pride award at the River Falls School Board meeting Feb. 20, it came as a complete surprise. He was seated in the audience but had no idea … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/16/23

This map shows the existing Halverson Park (at the top), which consists of 5.24 acres in the town of River Falls. Kim Halverson has donated an additional 5.27 acres to the town to expand the park (outlined south of the existing park).

Land donation will expand Halverson Park

TOWN OF RIVER FALLS – A town of River Falls resident followed in his dad’s footsteps, donating a piece of property to the Town of River Falls to expand an existing park. Kim Halverson … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/9/23

A Pierce County Highway Department grader on the job last week clearing snow.

Thank you, Pierce County plow drivers

Pierce County Highway Department plow trucks worked hard last week to keep up with the biggest snowstorm of the year that dumped anywhere from 12-18 inches on the area Monday through Thursday, Feb. 20-23. more

3/1/23

Ellsworth High School Class of 2018 alumnus Kiefer Ekvern-Jamme recently graduated from UW-Eau Claire with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. He works at Mayo Clinic in Eau Claire.

Boys can be nurses too: EHS grad is now an RN

Kiefer Ekvern-Jamme, a 2018 Ellsworth High School graduate, recently earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UW-Eau Claire, despite the fact that many people say men shouldn't be nurses. more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/1/23

Hastings artist Sandy Sanders painted a mermaid mural on the Port of Prescott hotel in downtown Prescott. Local children were invited to participate by adding glass mosaic pieces.

The story behind Prescott’s mermaid

PRESCOTT – You may have noticed the addition of a mermaid mural to downtown Prescott’s landscape. The original idea of having something other than “the big blue wall” on … more

By Riley Dorau | 1/19/23

Four-year Martell Rushers 4-H Club co-leader is pictured with her kids holding various entries for the country fair. L to R (back): Jorja Hince, Jennifer Hince, Morgan Hince. Front: Mackenzie Hince and Dakota Hince.

4-H family manages chaos of Fair Week

A cluster of muck boots sit inside the door of the Hince residence in rural Pierce County. Backpacks hang on hooks and notes cover the bulletin board. Jennifer, mother of four and … more

By Susan Huppert | 8/9/22

Dr. Carrie Torgersen of River Falls poses with her new children's book.

RF doctor promotes wellness through reading

Dr. Torgersen publishes children’s book By Susan Huppert RIVER FALLS – Dr. Carrie Torgersen, Director of Medical Affairs and a family clinician at the Allina Medical Clinic, River Falls, offers … more

By Susan Huppert | 7/26/22

Fr. Harris retires with long list of community achievements under his collar

The Rev. Gerald “Jerry” Harris, former priest of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in River Falls and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Hammond, recently retired from these … more

By Susan Huppert | 7/12/22

Robert Wittenberg, author of "Blessed is He That Watches," attends Zion Covenant Church in Ellsworth. He has been invited to share his book as a study tool among other churches and is a 25-year resident of his community.

Ellsworth resident publishes guide on Revelation

After ten years of research, writing and working fulltime, former Ellsworth High School graduate Robert Wittenberg authored his first book, “Bless ed is He That … more

By Susan Huppert | 6/28/22