News - Pierce County Journal

Raph and Pat Ptacek with Prescott School District Athletic Director Andrew Caudill at the Cardinal Pump at Ptaceks in Prescott.

Ptaceks Family Market supports local athletics with fundraising initiative

PRESCOTT – Ptaceks Family Market, a pillar of the Prescott community, is proud to announce its latest initiative in support of local athletics. Starting May 2, Ptaceks Family Market will donate … more

5/15/24

Pictured are the Spring Valley FFA officer team with Tony Shafer. (Back row, from left): Maddie Shafer, Addison Neidermyer, Tony Shafer, Kianna Nelson, and Jordan Lamb; (front row) Abby Thompson, Jaci Mader, and Megan Wentlandt.

Shafer surprises Spring Valley FFA with grant

Recently local farmer, Tony Shafer, surprised Spring Valley FFA with another $5,000 grant through Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities. The America’s Farmers Grow Communities is … more

5/15/24

Members of the Hearts and Minds group that has pushed to provide supplies and comfort items to schools in Ukraine.

EHS students fundraise for students of two Ukrainian schools

ELLSWORTH – The Hearts and Minds group at Ellsworth High School is aiming to assist students in Ukraine by sending school supplies and comfort items to a pair of Ukrainian schools during a time … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/15/24

Patrick (Pat) McKernon is pictured fishing, one of his favorite hobbies.

$1.7M gift to benefit Elmwood High School students forever

ELMWOOD – Patrick (Pat) McKernon was beloved. Family, friends and colleagues remember him as an uncommonly kind, caring and generous person. When he died in September 2023, his final gift of … more

5/15/24

RF couple charged in business burglary

A River Falls couple arrested in April in connection with a string of burglaries has added more burglary-related charges to their rapsheet. Dylan James Nestor, 32, Askov, Minn., posted a $10,000 … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 5/15/24

PPCS technician Matt Bauer (standing/center) delivered white pine seedlings to the fourth graders at Plum City Elementary on Arbor Day.

Pierce Pepin observes Earth and Arbor Days

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS), a steadfast advocate for community well-being, celebrated Earth and Arbor Days by engaging in meaningful acts of service. As part of its … more

5/8/24

The Ellsworth Public Library, founded in 1924, spent its first official year in the Fireman’s Opera House, which was located on the northwest corner of Kinne and Chestnut streets.

Ellsworth Public Library plans Centennial celebration week

ELLSWORTH – A 100 th anniversary is a big deal, which is why the Ellsworth Public Library has a full week of celebrations planned for May 15-22. The Centennial Planning Committee, which … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/8/24

River Falls Police Chief Deputy Matt Kennett

10 questions for an officer: River Falls Chief Deputy Matt Kennett

The Pierce County Journal appreciates the men and women who risk their lives every day to protect and serve our communities. We also want to help you get to know the men and women behind the badge in … more

5/8/24

(From left): Publisher John McLoone, Editor Sarah Nigbor, Advertising Director Jack McLoone and Community Outreach Director Jeff Bjork accept the EDC Cornerstone award Thursday, May 2.

PCEDC celebrates 2023 award winners

Road construction and a tumultuous downpour didn’t dampen the spirits of those gathered for the Pierce County Economic Development 2023 Awards breakfast Thursday, May 2 at Ridgetop. While … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/8/24

The River Falls High School FIRST robotics team at the April competition in La Crosse. The team placed 41st out of 54 teams in its second year competing.

RFHS robotics team poised for future growth

RIVER FALLS – Imagine designing and constructing semi-autonomous competitive robots without a blueprint. Electronics, working with wood, programming, you have to do it all, with a few … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/8/24

YB Urban? owner Angie Whelan has been counting down the days to the grand reveal of her shop’s makeover, made possible by a Wisconsin Main Street Makeover grant.

YB Urban? set for grand remodel reveal

ELLSWORTH – When Angie Whelan and her husband Chris were searching for a place to call home, she believes Ellsworth chose them instead of the other way around. Where many saw the East End as a … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/8/24

Minnesota appeals court upholds Dennis-Bond conviction

The Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the murder conviction against Camille Dennis-Bond for the deaths of Dalton Lee Ford and Tayler Nicole Garza, announced Dakota County Attorney Kathy … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 5/8/24

Diversifying his operation including sheep farming is one of the many stories Michelle Stangler heard from this farmer in Ireland.

College student communicator hosts European agriculture discussion

RIVER FALLS – After studying and completing her final semester as an undergraduate college student in European countries including Ireland, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands, Michelle … more

5/2/24

Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services unveils fresh logo

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS), a trusted name in energy and broadband services, revealed its brand new logo to its membership at the 87 th Annual Meeting on Thursday, … more

5/1/24

Man refuses to stop for cops: Just wanted to go home

A 70-year-old Hager City man just wanted to go home, which was the reason he gave to police for not stopping when they tried to pull him over for April 21 for odd driving behavior. Michael … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 5/1/24

Employee asks for ride, steals boss’s work truck, trailer instead

A Spring Valley business owner was tricked into driving to an employee’s house last fall on the guise that the man needed a ride, while he instead went to his boss’ house and stole a … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 5/1/24

Outgoing school board members Cindy Holbrook and Bob Casey received Wildcat Pride awards for their years of service at the April 15 River Falls School Board meeting.

RFSB honors Casey, Holbrook for school board service

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls School Board honored outgoing members Cindy Holbrook and Bob Casey with Wildcat Pride awards at the April 15 meeting. Casey has served on the board for four years, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/1/24

Prescott City Administrator Matt Wolf (right) updates the city council on the EPA’s newest PFAS standards while Prescott Police Chief Eric Michaels (left) listens.

EPA announces new PFAS standards

PRESCOTT – Prescott City Council members accomplished a lot in a short amount of time while newly elected alderpersons Adam Granquist and Michael Gerke attended their first meeting April 22. … more

By Danielle Boos | 5/1/24

River Falls High School senior Payten Kusilek with Judson University Bowling Coach Vice Biondo. Kusilek signed her scholarship letter of intent this past weekend in Elgin, Ill.

Time to find our lane: RFHS senior conquers dyslexia, earns bowling college scholarship

Driving south down Main Street in River Falls the past few weeks, you may have noticed the St. Croix Lanes bowling sign congratulating the Co-op girls' fifth-place finish at the 26th annual High … more

By Greg Peters | 5/1/24

ECSD hires Nadeau as new superintendent

The Ellsworth Community School District Board of Education has selected Brian Nadeau to become the district’s next superintendent. Nadeau is completing his third year as the … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 5/1/24