Government - Pierce County Journal

Volunteers from Coulee River Trails have been working hard to create trails at Magee Park, which will one day connect to the Walnut Circle development, among others.

Concept plan for trail connection to Magee Park approved

PRESCOTT – The Prescott City Council approved at its April 27 meeting a concept plan for trail connections from the newly proposed Walnut Circle development to Magee Park. City Administrator … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/6/26

The Village of Ellsworth is hoping to attract a new business to the former library building at 312 W. Main St. that will preserve its historic character.

Village sends out RFP for Old Library building

The Ellsworth Village Board approved the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for a new property owner to take over the old village library building off of Main Street on May 4. The RFP will be open … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/6/26

A rendering of The Creamery at Cedar, a proposed site for a brewery and restaurant, event space, apartments and an outdoor deck owned by the owners of The Garage Bikes+Brews.

Brewery/event center has non-traditional parking plan approved

RIVER FALLS — The Creamery at Cedar had its Planned Unit Development (PUD) approved by the River Falls City Council on April 28 for a three-story mixed-use development off of River and West Cedar … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/6/26

Road construction continues at Piety and Woodworth streets in Ellsworth, as new sewer infrastructure is installed.

Village Board faced with subbase issue in Grant/Piety project

ELLSWORTH — During the April 21 Ellsworth Village Board special reorganization meeting, the board heard that the South Grant and Woodworth streets’ subbase is “not ideal.” “It has … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/30/26

Newly elected Mayor Mike Gerke presided over his first Prescott Common Council reorganizational meeting April 21, where he was sworn into office by Clerk Rashel Temmers. He and challenger Bailey Ruona each garnered 397 votes in the April 7 election, which resulted in a coin flip tiebreaker.

Gerke begins term as mayor, Ruona appointed to Prescott Common Council

PRESCOTT – At the April 21 Prescott Common Council reorganizational meeting, Alderperson Dar Hintz nominated Bailey Ruona to fill the at-large alderperson vacancy, which was approved at the April … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/29/26

One of the newly constructed islands in Lake Pepin near Catherine’s Pass, part of the Pierce County Islands Wildlife Area Habitat Project.

Pierce County Board approves license plate readers, welcomes new supervisors

ELLSWORTH – During the April 21 reorganizational meeting, the Pierce County Board approved a resolution authorizing the use of opioid settlement funds to purchase four license plate reader cameras … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/29/26

Newly elected Mayor Alison Page (right) after being sworn in during the April 21 organizational meeting.

New mayor, councilmembers sworn in during organizational meeting

RIVER FALLS — Newly elected Mayor Alison Page and new Councilmembers Mei Mei Abdouch and Rose Walker joined re-elected Alderperson Todd Bjerstedt, being sworn into their positions during an April … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/29/26

The Current, a project in River Falls by Capital Investment Partners, is similar to the proposed apartment development in Prescott called The Bluffs.

Prescott City Council approves Bluffs concept plan

PRESCOTT – Prescott City Council approved a pair of resolutions related to a new apartment development proposed at 1452 Glenridge Drive at the April 13 meeting. After reviewing two new concept … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/29/26

A major win for the Village of Ellsworth this year was the groundbreaking for the Kwik Trip at Overlook Drive and Maple Street/Highway 65, set to open in August 2026.

Ellsworth State of the Village 2026: Looking to the future

ELLSWORTH – Ellsworth Village President Becky Beissel and Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Brad Roy presented the 2026 State of the Village at the April 23 Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce monthly … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/29/26

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officially approved the Kinnickinnic River Feasibility Report and Finding of No Significant Impact that recommends the removal of two dams to restore the natural flow April 10. Pictured is the Junction Falls dam below the Winter Street bridge.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approves feasibility study for Kinnickinnic River dam removal

RIVER FALLS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced it has approved the feasibility study for removal of both dams along the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls. The study examined … more

4/22/26

The former Elmwood nursing home is located at 232 E. Springer Ave. The village is looking to sell it.

Elmwood still pushing forward with nursing home sale

ELMWOOD — Action regarding the village-owned nursing home has been a top priority for the Village of Elmwood in recent years, and the process of its sale is on the agenda at nearly every monthly … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/22/26

Mayor Dan Toland honored the UWRF women’s hockey team for winning a third consecutive National Championship in his final council meeting as mayor.

Mayor, pair of councilmembers celebrated in final meeting

RIVER FALLS — The April 14 City Council meeting marked the final meeting for Mayor Dan Toland and Alderpersons Jeff Bjork and Scott Morrissette. The vast majority of the meeting was spent … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/22/26

Natural Resources Coordinator Levi Myers (left) and Conservation and Parks Manager Brooks Ostendorf are two of the City of River Falls staff members hired to focus on sustainable development in the city.

City staff duo focusing on sustainability of natural resources, both short- and long-term

City of River Falls duo Conservation and Parks Manager Brooks Ostendorf and Natural Resources Coordinator Levi Myers have both placed a heavy emphasis on sustainability and conservation in their time … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/22/26

An additional “slow no wake zone” is being considered by the Pierce County Board at the recommendation of the Wisconsin DNR from the Bay City Boat Launch to the Wisconsin Channel.

Pierce County Board increases Sheriff, Clerk of Court salaries

ELLSWORTH – The Pierce County Board unanimously passed a resolution March 24 that will increase the salaries of the elected Clerk of Court and Sheriff positions for the 2027-30 term. According … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/15/26

Gov. Evers approves pavement marking project in 16 counties

To invest in Wisconsin’s transportation system, Gov. Tony Evers has signed a $2.08 million contract with prime contractor Century Traffic of Pewaukee for pavement marking in 16 counties … more

4/15/26

The Spring Valley Village Board approved the removal of the Glade Avenue bridge between Oak and S Third Streets.

SV board approves Glade Ave. bridge removal, bus garage annexation

SPRING VALLEY — The Spring Valley Village Board heard and approved a Glade Avenue bridge removal proposal and returned from closed session to approve the school district’s annexation of the bus … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/9/26

The East End Redevelopment Plan includes the redesign and reconstruction of Broadway, Morse and Wall streets.

East End Redevelopment bid comes in under originally budgeted price tag

ELLSWORTH — The East End Redevelopment Plan, which includes the redesign and reconstruction of Broadway, Morse and Wall streets, was back on the docket at the April 6 Ellsworth Village Board … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/8/26

The Trenton Town Hall is located at W7926 250th Ave. and is owned by the Ellsworth Community School District. It was once known as the Wilson School and closed in 1958.

Trenton township plans to build town hall/shop

After months of deliberation and careful study, the Trenton Town Board has decided to build a new combined town hall and municipal shop building. A fact sheet prepared by the board in March 2026 … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/8/26

Ellsworth’s East End Revitalization receives Top Rural Development Award

The Village of Ellsworth’s East End Revitalization Initiative has been selected as the 2026 Wisconsin Top Rural Development Initiative Award winner by Wisconsin Rural Partners. This … more

4/1/26

Chad Zess (left) was named River Falls Firefighter of the Year, and Alex Sather (right) was named River Falls Police Officer of the Year at the March 24 City Council meeting.

Sather, Zess named RF Officer and Firefighter of the year

RIVER FALLS — River Falls Police Officer Alex Sather and River Falls Fire Captain Chad Zess were named the city’s officer and firefighter of the year for 2025 at the March 24 City Council … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/1/26