News - Pierce County Journal

THE CAPITOL REPORT: You’ll be hearing a lot about data centers and energy from the campaign trail

Perhaps the surprise bipartisan political issue of 2026? Energy. Specifically, data center development and its impact on energy use and rates. You will be hearing about data center development a … more

By WisPolitics-State Affairs | 7/15/26

The Creamery at Cedar faces one final council vote July 28 before the multi-use building is fully approved.

Council to take on final vote on new restaurant, changes to fence ordinance

RIVER FALLS — The River Falls Plan Commission forwarded a pair of items to the City Council that will be considered at the July 28 meeting. The first item was the Specific Implementation Plan (SIP) … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/15/26

Coulee River Trails connection moves forward with trail design

PRESCOTT – The Prescott Common Council has approved two resolutions authorizing agreements with Cedar Corporation to continue planning efforts for major community projects, including the next phase … more

By Danielle Boos | 7/15/26

Katie Chalifoux takes pies from the oven Thursday, May 28, 2026 at Stockholm Pie & General Store in Stockholm, Wisconsin. The acclaimed pie shop is In a building more than 100 years old that combines marketplace, cafe and bakery...

Tourism, entertainment give towns along Mississippi River a reboot

ON THE GREAT RIVER ROAD, Wis. and Minn. — On an idyllic evening at the Trempealeau Hotel, the Mississippi River is as much a draw as the musical act that graces its outdoor stage. If … more

By Madeline Heim, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | 7/15/26

The UW-River Falls Falcon Rocketeers pose for a photo with their winning rocket at the 2026 NASA Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Collegiate Rocket Launch Competition, held April 24-25 at Richard Bong State Recreational Area in Kansasville. Pictured from left: Raidyn Bilotta, Sam Sackett, Jonathan Tabora, Peter Bendel, Evan Sander (back), Brook Mclaird (front), Mauricio Cuevas, Ian Vanveen.

Rockets’ red glare: UW-River Falls Falcon Rocketeers win NASA WSGC Collegiate Rocket Launch Competition

RIVER FALLS — The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Falcon Rocketeers were named Grand Champion of the 2026 NASA Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Collegiate Rocket Launch Competition, held April … more

7/8/26

A map of the Glen Park proposal, with boxes around the items discussed at the June 17 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting.

Park Board tweaks Glen Park’s second phase to remove ball field, reallocate funds to other amenities

RIVER FALLS — City Conservation and Parks Manager Brooks Ostendorf presented Glen Park’s second phase to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board June 17, with the board deciding to make some … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/8/26

Afton Nelson, a May graduate of UW-River Falls, recently began a new job as an embryo export coordinator at GenOvations in Lodi. Nelson credits hands-on opportunities and on-campus work experience as key ingredients in her successful job search.

Falcon Futures: Hands-on opportunities, on-campus job experience help UWRF grad prepare for career in animal science

RIVER FALLS — Afton Nelson, a May graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, didn’t have long to wait to get started on her career after graduation. … more

7/8/26

Doodles made by college students studying abroad in Scotland adorn desktops used at Dalkeith Palace from 1986 to 2020. The desktops have been shipped to UW-River Falls where they will be auctioned off to support the Experience Scotland program, now housed at Newbattle Abbey, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Desktop doodles chronicle 40-year history of study abroad program in Scotland

RIVER FALLS — “Your life will change here if you let it” is carved into a battered, stained, antique wooden desktop. The message is one of many left by college … more

7/8/26

A group from St. Peter’s Catholic Church in North St. Paul took a pilgrimage that made multiple stops at Pierce County churches.

North St. Paul Catholics make pilgrimage to local churches

Making the journey all the way from North St. Paul, members of St. Peter’s Catholic Church took a multiple day pilgrimage, walking from the Twin Cities all the way to Prescott’s St. Joseph … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/8/26

Prescott School Board member questions Hawaii choir trip

PRESCOTT – The Prescott School Board approved a March 2027 trip for Prescott High School choral students to Hawaii 4-1 at its June 17 meeting, with Vicki Rudolph voting against. Choir students … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/8/26

CAPITOL REPORT: Summer spawns election administration worries

It’s summer in Wisconsin. Most people are using vacation time, maxing out on outdoor activities and slowing down a little. But election clerks across Wisconsin were busy because there's a slew … more

By WisPolitics-State Affairs | 7/8/26

Parking continues to be a topic of discussion in the East End Redevelopment Project.

Options weighed on East End parking, property demolition and alley

ELLSWORTH — As the East End Redevelopment Plan’s construction phase continues, the Village Board took on a trio of topics affecting the area’s future. First on the docket was the approval … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/8/26

A rendering of the transportation center set to be constructed across the highway from the school building.

SV referendum construction on schedule as school year approaches

SPRING VALLEY — The School District of Spring Valley’s referendum construction is moving along swiftly. The vast majority of work inside the school is expected to be completed prior to the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/8/26

Plum City HS recognizes honor roll recipients

Plum City High School is pleased to announce the students named to the Quarter 4 honor roll for the 2025-26 school year. A Honor Roll Seniors: Tobey Anderson, Willow Cripe, Nick DeLong, Ben … more

7/8/26

The Glade Avenue bridge in Spring Valley has been closed for safety reasons after a recent inspection.

Public hearing on Glade Ave. bridge set for July 21

SPRING VALLEY — A large crowd gathered to hear an update on the Glade Avenue bridge project at the July 1 Spring Valley Village Board meeting. Attendees were informed that there would not be a … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/8/26

Jake Wagner, co-owner of South Ridge Ranch Bacon in River Falls, died in a crash July 1 in Hudson. He was known around the area as “the bacon guy.”

RF business owner dies in motorcycle crash

HUDSON – The local business community is mourning the loss of South Ridge Ranch Bacon co-owner Jacob Wagner, who died July 1 after a motorcycle vs. truck crash in Hudson. He was 47. Wagner, of … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/8/26

One of the boat owners posted a fire of the boats on fire at Miss Croix Yacht Harbor in Prescott on July 5. No one was injured.

Boat fire breaks out at Miss Croix in Prescott

PRESCOTT – Several boats were burned in a fire Sunday afternoon at Miss Croix Yacht Harbor in Prescott, though no injuries occurred. According to Marina Board President Becky Gesswein, boaters … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/8/26

Hall arrested after Cenex confrontation

ELLSWORTH – An Ellsworth man was arrested last week for disorderly conduct after an altercation with an Ellsworth Village Board member at a local gas station. Sean Arron Hall, 54, was arrested … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/8/26

Prescott wastewater plant receives lower State compliance score

PRESCOTT – The Prescott City Council reviewed the city's 2025 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR), an annual report required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that evaluates … more

By Danielle Boos | 7/1/26

Prescott Mayor Michael Gerke, center, reads a proclamation commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States during the Prescott City Council meeting on June 22. Joining him at the council table are Alderperson Adam Granquist, right, and Alderperson Dar Hintz, left.

Prescott Mayor issues proclamation honoring nation's 250th Anniversary

PRESCOTT – At its regular meeting on June 22, the Prescott City Council heard a proclamation from Mayor Michael Gerke commemorating the upcoming 250th Anniversary of the United States of America … more

By Danielle Boos | 7/1/26