Government - Pierce County Journal

Ellsworth High School students are hoping to earn Ellsworth "Tree City USA" status from the Arbor Day Foundation.

Ellsworth looking into becoming Tree City after EHS students’ presentation

ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Village Board approved the sale of general obligation promissory notes and decided to look into becoming a Tree City during the Monday, May 5 meeting. Ehlers … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/7/25

River Falls Community Food Pantry Executive Director Candice Anderson stands before the dairy case at the food pantry, which is noticeably sparse when it comes to eggs and milk.

Government funding cuts hit River Falls Community Food Pantry

RIVER FALLS – According to River Falls Community Food Pantry Executive Director Candice Anderson, funding cuts that will affect the pantry’s stock didn’t really come out of nowhere, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/7/25

Justin Wilson has been selected as the new River Falls Fire Chief, effective May 19, 2025.

City of River Falls names Justin Wilson as New Fire Chief

RIVER FALLS – The City of River Falls has appointed Justin Wilson as its new chief of the River Falls Fire Department, effective May 19, 2025. A longtime River Falls resident, Wilson has … more

5/1/25

Ellsworth’s ‘State of the Village’ showcases new developments

ELLSWORTH – Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce members heard a “State of the Village” update from Village President Becky Beissel and Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Brad Roy at the April … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/30/25

Mayor Dan Toland (left) has been serving as River Falls' mayor for a record 13 years. Councilman Scott Morrissette (right) is in his 15th year serving on the city council.

River Falls’ record-setting mayor: Toland is longest tenured

River Falls was founded in 1848 by Joel Foster. In 1885, 140 years ago, the "City on the Kinni" became an incorporated city. Abraham Andrews was the first mayor. It is not known what happened, but … more

By Greg Peters | 4/22/25

Birth to 3 helps families support the growth and development of their infants and toddlers who are delayed or have a diagnosed medical condition known to cause a developmental delay.

Public Health Director presents on county’s frozen grant funding

ELLSWORTH — Federal grant funding is up in the air for Pierce County Public Health as county leaders look to plan for what is to come. “I emailed all of you last week that we had had … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/16/25

River Falls Police Chief Gordon "Gordy" Young presenting this year's River Falls Police Officer of the Year to Matthew Miller, with his family in attendance, at the March 25 River Falls City Council meeting. He is a 2017 graduate of River Falls High School.

Miller named RF Police Officer of the Year

RIVER FALLS — The River Falls City Council heard a presentation for the city’s police officer of the year and approved a road work bid during the March 25 meeting. To open the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/2/25

Phyllis Beastrom is retiring from the Town of Ellsworth clerk position after over 40 years.

Beastrom steps away after 42 years as Town of Ellsworth clerk

TOWN OF ELLSWORTH — Phyllis Beastrom’s 42 years as Town of Ellsworth clerk are coming to an end, as she is set to retire in April. Beastrom has seen a lot of changes in local government … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/2/25

Attorney Delanie Breuer, representing Venture Dairy Coop, spoke at the Rock Elm Town Board meeting the day before the Gilman Town Board meeting, which she also attended.

Gilman becomes next site for CAFO ordinance debate

TOWN OF GILMAN — The Gilman Town Board finds themselves in the same situation as many of western Wisconsin’s townships, weighing the pros and cons of an operations ordinance to restrict … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/19/25

River Falls City Administrator Scot Simpson played "Marty McFly" in the video and gave the State of the City address to approximately 225 residents and business community members at Tattersall last Tuesday, March 4 in River Falls.

State of the City address goes ‘Back to the Future’

River Falls' Mayor Dan Toland opened the State of the City address at Tattersall in front of residents and community business leaders playing "Back to the Future" movie character Doc Brown in a … more

By Greg Peters | 3/13/25

Ellsworth Village Board election forum is March 20

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce and The Pierce County Journal are teaming up once again to host a Candidate Forum for the upcoming Village of Ellsworth Board election. This forum … more

3/13/25

A rendering of the proposed Loberg Law Office building in Crossing Meadows.

Housing development proposal returned for changes, judicial center addition forwarded

ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Plan Commission had a packed agenda Feb. 19, hearing the Judicial Center addition proposal, a new law firm building plan, more items on the C&E Wurzer apartment … more

By Andrew Harrington | 2/26/25

County LE Committee OK’s extra pay for dispatchers

The Pierce County Law Enforcement Committee on Feb. 11 approved temporary extra pay for 911 dispatchers to address a staffing shortage that has resulted in dispatchers working long hours and creating … more

By Jim DiPeso | 2/18/25

Two Pierce County municipalities will receive ARIP grants from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to assist with fixing and upgrading local roads that support Wisconsin’s farmers and producers, as well as statewide agricultural and forestry industries throughout the state.

Ellsworth, town of Gilman receive state grants for road improvements

Last week, Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced an investment of $100 million for 55 projects to assist with fixing and upgrading local roads that support … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/13/25

Wis. Governor Tony Evers (right) visited the Peterson Family Dairy Farm in River Falls last Thursday. Brad Peterson (left) was discussing his soil conservation state grant-funded research projects.

Wisconsin Governor visits local Peterson farm

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers visited the Peterson Dairy Farm on the south end of River Falls this past Thursday to announce additional state grant funding to help farmers control soil erosion, with the … more

By Greg Peters | 2/12/25

Russ Korpela has been appointed the new Town of Ellsworth clerk by the Ellsworth Town Board.

Korpela appointed new Ellsworth Town Clerk

TOWN OF ELLSWORTH – The Township of Ellsworth is excited to announce that Russell J. Korpela has been appointed as the new Town Clerk, effective April 15, 2025. Prior to April 15, Korpela will … more

2/6/25

An updated look at the 100,000 cubic yard dredging project at Nugget Lake.

Nugget Lake dredging nears halfway point

Back in November, the Pierce County Parks Committee accepted a bid of $1,384,000 from American Express Excavation out of Eau Claire for the dredging of 100,000 cubic yards of sediment from Nugget … more

By Andrew Harrington | 2/5/25

Spring Election is on the horizon

Election Day April 1 will be here before we know it and candidates have declared their intentions to run for local offices (city council, village board and school board). The deadline for … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/15/25

A rendering of the new jury assembly room in the new Pierce County judicial facility, to be built adjacent to the sheriff’s office in Ellsworth.

New judicial facility is in design phase

Pierce County Judicial Facility Ad Hoc Committee heard a presentation Jan. 8 by Wold Architects and Market & Johnson on the design development phase of the new judicial facility that will be … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/15/25

Public Hearing on proposed water rate increase for Prescott

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) will be holding a public hearing via Zoom at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 to discuss the proposed water rate increase for the City of Prescott. … more

By Danielle Boos | 1/15/25