News - Pierce County Journal

River Falls senior football player Jack Silloway receives care from RFHS Athletic Trainer Tina Montepetit. "This is where I'm supposed to be," said Montpetit.

Tina the Trainer: ‘This is where I’m supposed to be’

It was a perfect night for high school football in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; the Wildcat season opener for 2024 in late August. Gametime temperature at kick-off was 73 degrees. Like a Bob Ross … more

By Greg Peters | 1/2/25

Jan Anderson, her family and supporters attend a Jan. 18 Prescott riverfront improvement project public information meeting and listened as Alderperson Pat Knox speaks to those gathered.

2024 Year in Review: Looking back on an eventful year

Wow, 2024 was quite the year. At the Journal, we added two new reporters with Ellsworth native Andrew Harrington and River Falls business owner/volunteer/broadcaster Greg Peters. As your … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/2/25

A look at the interior of Nettie’s Volta from back in February.

Nettie’s Volta carries on family name through food

PLUM CITY — Dave Kerr, now the chef at Nettie’s Volta, has had a long journey with lots of steps along the way, circling all the way back to where it all started. His Sicilian … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/2/25

Lily Thai Restaurant opened early in December, bringing authentic Thai food to River Falls.

Lily Thai Restaurant brings new option to RF food scene

RIVER FALLS — Lily Thai Restaurant, a restaurant serving authentic Thai food, opened its doors in River Falls in early December, looking to diversify the food options in the city. The … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/2/25

Rep. Zimmerman re-appointed to the Budget Writing Committee

MADISON – Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) has been re-appointed to the Joint Committee on Finance, the Legislature’s powerful budget writing committee. “As a senior … more

12/26/24

A conceptual rendering of the new RFHS multipurpose room.

Crail talks future of NIL and potential varsity reserve football team at RFHS District receives DPI report card

RIVER FALLS — Activities Director David Crail presented to the River Falls Board of Education during the December meeting, talking about what the future may have in store for the district. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 12/26/24

Council approves final assessments for Elm and Washington Streets Project, Labor Agreement with Police Union

PRESCOTT – At the Dec. 9 Prescott City Council meeting, Cedar Corporation Engineer Greg Adams gave the final assessment report for the Elm and Washington Streets project. “The one … more

By Danielle Boos | 12/26/24

CAPITOL REPORT: Trump's immigration crackdown would hurt state's ag industry, experts say

Agricultural observers in Wisconsin are leery of Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan, saying it could deal a multi-billion dollar blow to the state’s ag industry. Trump has pledged to … more

By WisPolitics | 12/26/24

Schutz resigns from Ellsworth Village Board

Ellsworth Village Board Trustee Tom Schutz announced his resignation last week from the board in the Ellsworth Community Happenings Facebook group, citing village spending habits and transparency as … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 12/26/24

Outdoor Recreation Plan moves to public hearing and village board stage

ELLSWORTH — The Outdoor Recreation Plan 2024-29 final draft faced the Ellsworth Park, Recreation & Development Committee on Thursday, Dec. 17, being forwarded to Village Board where it will … more

By Andrew Harrington | 12/26/24

SDSV Task Force recommends April referendum

A community task force is recommending that the School District of Spring Valley hold an April referendum seeking voter approval of $13.15 million for facility improvements. Task force members … more

By Jim DiPeso | 12/26/24

Kinni Cohousing hosting informational event to find interested community members

RIVER FALLS — Cohousing is a foreign concept to many, with Kinni Cohousing looking to change that by gathering interested community members to construct a cohousing project in River Falls. To … more

By Andrew Harrington | 12/26/24

Ellsworth man accused of damaging 40 vehicles, charged with 52 counts

An Ellsworth man is facing 52 charges after being accused of damaging at least 40 vehicles on a two-week crime spree in and around Ellsworth. Jeffrey James Baker, 57, was ordered to pay $100,00 … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 12/19/24

CAPITOL REPORT: Legislative study committee proposes a solution for sometimes-troublesome cranes

Sandhill cranes are a wildlife success story. More than a century ago, they were nearly hunted to extinction. Now they number some 50,000 in Wisconsin. But all those beautiful birds can damage crops. … more

By WisPolitics.com | 12/18/24

Allina supervisor shares RF EMS data

RIVER FALLS — Matthew Bouthilet, the operations supervisor of Allina Health EMS in River Falls, gave a presentation to the River Falls City Council on the day-to-day operations of the EMS … more

By Andrew Harrington | 12/18/24

Man steals car, threatens to kill officers

A Hudson man accused of stealing a car in River Falls racked up even more charges by becoming violent against and threatening to kill officers during the booking process. Seth W. Harrison, 25, … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 12/18/24

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Ellie Manka

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for Dec. 18 is Prescott High School senior Ellie Manka, who was nominated by science teacher Sarah Westman. “Ellie is kind, respectful, and … more

12/18/24

United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties launches Community Investment Education Grant

RED WING – The United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties is pleased to announce the opening of its Community Investment Education Grant. This grant is designed to further the United … more

12/18/24

Pictured are (from left) Dr. Keith Bratulich from Hudson Physicians, Dr. Chris Tashjian of MHealth Fairview and co-founder of the Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties, Dr. Bob Johnson.

New leadership takes over as founders step down from Free Clinic of Pierce & St. Croix Counties

PIERCE & ST. CROIX COUNTIES — After 17 years of dedicated service, the Free Clinic’s founding partners, Dr. Bob Johnson and Mary Conroy-Johnson are stepping back (but not away) from … more

12/18/24

Jenna Lawrence (above) is currently attending Odessa College in Odessa, Tex., and competing in rodeo. She will begin the Q&A session at 5:30 p.m.

RF Athletic Club ‘Share Night’ is Dec. 18

The River Falls Athletic Booster Club will be hosting their "Share Night" this Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Tarnation Tavern in River Falls from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tarnation Tavern will be reimbursing the … more

By Greg Peters | 12/18/24