News - Pierce County Journal

The Capitol Report: Lawmakers’ 2022 travel totals nearly $113,000

Statements of economic interest show lawmakers reported $112,850 in travel expenses paid by outside groups last year, a WisPolitics review found. The travel included events organized by groups such … more

By WisPolitics.com | 6/1/23

Former UW-River Falls student Mikayla Birschbach works with a cow at the university’s Mann Valley Farm. This fall, UW-River Falls will host the longstanding Farm and Industry Short Course that teaches participants about farming during 16 weeks of classes.

Registration open for Farm and Industry Short Course at UW-River Falls

RIVER FALLS – Registration is open for the popular, longstanding Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls this fall. The program had been held at … more

6/1/23

Soon-to-be retirees Karl Erickson and Caroline Henk at Rocky Branch Elementary.

Rocky Branch teachers retire after 32 years with school

RIVER FALLS – The school bell rang as students headed to their class at Rocky Branch Elementary. It did not matter if you attended in the 1990s or 2023, physical education teacher Karl Erickson … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/1/23

RF City Council eliminates monthly environmental fee

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls City Council May 9 unanimously elected to reduce an environmental impact fee to $0 that helped fund the city’s former landfill. Households were paying … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/1/23

Dr. Sheri Marnell serves as director, supporting businesses located in the St. Croix Valley Innovation Center. She made remarks at a ceremony Monday, May 22 at the River Falls facility marking its fifth anniversary.

Innovation Center celebrates 5-year milestone

RIVER FALLS – The five-year anniversary of the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center (SCVBIC) was marked Monday, May 22, with a celebration that allowed the businesses who rent in the … more

By John McLoone | 6/1/23

The current view of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and Jail, located at 555 W. Overlook Drive, from the southwest.

Committee says new court facility is needed

ELLSWORTH – A Pierce County Ad Hoc committee is taking the first steps toward a possible new judicial facility adjacent to the sheriff’s office at 555 W. Overlook Drive in Ellsworth. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/1/23

Sailer’s owner Jake Sailer along with son Sam, wife Leslie, daughter Morgan, mother Mary and father Ric in front of portraits of the four generations of owners.

Sailer’s keeps family business values through 100-year history

ELMWOOD – When driving through Elmwood, it is not difficult to notice a local meat market called Sailer’s. After walking in, one can browse over 100 awards on the wall, but what may … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/1/23

Northwood Tech offers free adult basic education classes

Adult basic education classes are available through Northwood Technical College at the four main campuses and several outreach sites. Classes are intended to help adults prepare for the GED/HSED … more

6/1/23

Seniors Seth Rohl and Payton Rohl march in the EHS graduation processional Friday, May 26

‘Go forth and set the world on fire’

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth High School Class of 2023 plans to leave its mark on the world, as apparent by its motto “Go forth and set the world on fire,” by St. Ignatius of Loyola. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/1/23

Ellsworth High School students Ethan Hinrichs, Dyllin Faust, Cody Paider, Tyler Huron, Lane Brookshaw, Walter Hines after loading up a golf cart to be sent back to Courtesy Auto.

EHS students work together to assemble golf cart

ELLSWORTH – A group of Ellsworth High School students got to try their hand at automotive work, as the school stripped apart and rebuilt a golf cart for local auto shop Courtesy Auto. The … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/1/23

Pierce Pepin Cares awards second quarter grants

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cares, the charitable foundation of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS), recently awarded second-quarter grants to five nonprofits. The Pierce Pepin Cares board … more

6/1/23

Prescott2 Police Chief Eric Michaels discusses the law enforcement reimbursement agreement with Prescott City Council members at the May 22 council meeting.

Prescott Daze detour takes the scenic route

PRESCOTT – The Prescott City Council didn’t waste any time approving a detour for the upcoming Prescott Daze at the council meeting on Monday, May 22. To deter residents from driving … more

By Danielle Boos | 6/1/23

Wisconsin Sen. Jeff Smith discussing voucher school changes during a budget presentation at the River Falls Public Library Monday, May 22.

State Sen. Jeff Smith fields questions on funding for RF schools

RIVER FALLS - Wisconsin State Sen. Jeff Smith fielded a variety of questions on the future funding of the River Falls School District after a May 22 presentation discussing Gov. Tony Evers’ … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/31/23

Wayne Honey Farm receives sustainable agriculture grant

RIVER FALLS – Mitchel Wayne at Wayne Honey Farm in River Falls was awarded $15,000 from the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program for the project, "Queen … more

5/25/23

Chishty selected as dean of the College of Education, Business and Allied Health

RIVER FALLS - Muhammad Chishty, Ph.D., has been selected as the dean of the newly established College of Education, Business and Allied Health (CEBAH) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. … more

5/25/23

UW-River Falls senior Emily Larsen was recently named the Paul Thomas Floriculture Production Intern of the Year for work she did during a three-month internship in Colorado last summer. Larsen was chosen as the top intern nationally among those taking part in the prestigious intern program coordinated by the American Floral Endowment.

UWRF student awarded top national internship honor

RIVER FALLS – When Emily Larsen headed to Peyton, Colo., for an internship at a major greenhouse last summer, an award was the last thing on her mind. So when Larsen learned recently … more

5/25/23

Kisting selected as UWRF College of Arts and Sciences dean

RIVER FALLS – Wesley Kisting, who worked as an associate dean and an English professor at a Georgia university, has been hired as the new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at the … more

5/25/23

Kindergarten entrance age policy changed by school board

RIVER FALLS – Entrance age for elementary students has been a topic of discussion for the River Falls Board of Education throughout its history, and the May 15 board meeting saw the topic at … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/25/23

Prescott Kiwanis Students of the Week: Ramsey Nicolay, Kelcey Hanson

The Prescott Kiwanis Student of the Week for May 17 was Prescott High School junior Ramsey Nicolay, nominated by teacher Dylan Larsen. “Ramsey has grown academically by leaps and bounds … more

5/25/23

Sports performance coach position coming to PHS

PRESCOTT – The Prescott School Board is on board with a plan to hire a head coach of sports performance who would start in August. The position won’t affect the district budget and … more

By John McLoone | 5/25/23