News - Pierce County Journal

The Spring Valley School Board is accepting public input after a petition was made to rename the football field to Bob Thomas Field after the district’s Hall of Fame coach and teacher.

SVSD accepting public input on request to rename football field after HOF Coach Bob Thomas

SPRING VALLEY — A group of community members spoke during public comment at the June 17 Spring Valley School Board meeting, expressing support for renaming the football field to Bob Thomas Field in … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/23/26

City of RF aggressively pursuing grant funding for its largest projects

RIVER FALLS — Merchant McIntyre, which has had a partnership with the city since 2022, gave an annual presentation at a June 9 meeting to update City Council on its work toward acquiring federal … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/23/26

Two kiosks at Poplar Hill Cemetery in Rock Elm provide visitors with information about the cemetery, its history and a detailed map of those buried there.

Poplar Hill Cemetery kiosks help people find ancestors

ROCK ELM – The Pierce County Historical Association, in collaboration with the Poplar Hill Cemetery Association, has installed two detailed kiosks at the cemetery, helping visitors find their loves … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/23/26

Prescott’s Jamie Stutz is in the midst of a timeline to release seven books in 18 months, starting with philosophical science fiction trilogy “The Coherence Spectrum.”

Prescott’s Stutz releasing seven books in 18 months

PRESCOTT — Jamie Stutz grew up near Madison, finding a passion in theatre that took him to the University of Minnesota. From there, he graduated with a directing major and creative writing minor. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/17/26

ECSD updates personal communication device policy after state-level changes

ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Community School District Board approved a policy revision regarding the use of personal communication devices due to a change to state statutes. The revised policy … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/17/26

Collaboration fuels record mental health grants across St. Croix Valley

HUDSON — The St. Croix Valley Foundation has awarded a record $304,765 to 43 nonprofit organizations through the 2026 Vibrant Communities Mental Health Grant Program. Now in its sixth year, … more

6/17/26

CVTC named finalist by Aspen Institute for 2027 $1 million Aspen Prize for community college excellence

EAU CLAIRE – The Aspen Institute (Aspen) named Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) as one of 10 community college finalists for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, … more

6/17/26

Susan Sanders has helped provide meals to seniors in the Plum City and Bay City areas for 27 years.

Plum City's Sanders hanging up apron after 27 years of serving seniors

Susan Sanders, the manager of congregate dining at Plum- and Bay City senior centers for two decades, is retiring at the end of June. Since 1999, four days each week she has unlocked the … more

6/17/26

Charlie Berens addresses crowd at Uniting West Wisconsin: A Regional Response to Data Centers.

Hundreds gather across western WI to launch regional movement around data centers and community power

EAU CLARE — More than 600 people gathered in Eau Claire on Saturday for Uniting West Wisconsin: A Regional Response to Data Centers, followed on Sunday by dozens more residents, local leaders, and … more

6/17/26

Ron Nelson celebrated his final day as a substitute teacher near the end of the school year. Nelson had been a teacher in the district since 1970.

Nelson retires after teaching at RFSD since 1970

RIVER FALLS — Ron Nelson, an 86-year-old teacher, opted to retire this spring, rounding out a teaching career in River Falls that dates all the way back to 1970. Nelson first interviewed for a job … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/17/26

Spring Valley Village Board Trustee Matt Huepfel has received an outpouring of support, including this image someone made, after being taken off two committees by the village president.

Tensions flare in the Valley: Trustee removed from 2 committees

SPRING VALLEY – A longtime Spring Valley Village Board trustee has been asked to issue a public apology to the public works director and has been removed from two committee assignments, according … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/17/26

SRO Jensen stepping away after eight years in position

School Resource Officer Bryan Jensen shared at the June 15 River Falls Board of Education meeting that this school year was his last in the position. “I really appreciate everyone’s support … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/17/26

The River Falls City Council approved the annexation of property at the southeast corner of County Road M and 1060th Street from the Town of Clifton to the City of River Falls.

Property off County Road M sets stage for future development

RIVER FALLS — The River Falls City Council unanimously approved an annexation and rezoning that would allow for residential development on a site off of County Road M on June 9. Senior Planner … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/17/26

UW-River Falls Assistant Professor of Biology Benjamin Crain holds the gold and silver-gilt medal certificates his team won at the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. The international team, Orchid Conservation Chelsea, took home five awards from the event, which is widely regarded as the most prestigious flower show in the world.

UW-River Falls professor part of gold medal-winning team at world’s most famous flower show in London

RIVER FALLS — Often referred to as “The World Cup of Gardening,” the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show in London is considered by many to be the most … more

6/17/26

Five faculty fellowships funded by state-sponsored Dairy Innovation Hub 

RIVER FALLS— The University of Wisconsin-River Falls College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) recently awarded five faculty research fellowships to expand … more

6/17/26

THE CAPITOL REPORT: Trump & Co. working to shore up Van Orden in western Wisconsin

Derrick Van Orden, the second-term GOP congressman from western Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, could use all the help he can get heading into this fall. The Trump administration is … more

By WisPolitics-State Affairs | 6/17/26

The Glade Avenue bridge was recently closed permanently after inspection results, with the board discussing replacement options at the June meeting.

Glade Ave. bridge replacement options debated during public hearing

SPRING VALLEY — After the recent permanent closure of the Glade Avenue bridge, the Spring Valley Village Board is weighing options between a partial fill with a road on top and a retaining wall … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/10/26

River Falls technical education students built the framework for a tiny home that will go toward the effort of reducing housing insecurity in the city.

RF students collaborate with churches to build tiny home

RIVER FALLS — Students in Matthew Kapitz’s home and auto class at River Falls High School constructed a tiny home that will go toward the River Falls Ministerium’s efforts to combat … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/10/26

Ehlers to complete water utility rate study for Elmwood

ELMWOOD — Ehlers Public Finance Advisors were authorized to move forward with a water utility rate analysis to comply with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission’s (PSC) letter requesting a … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/10/26

Prescott Mayor Mike Gerke reads a proclamation designating June 18 as "Bryson's Silly Goose Day" during the June 8 City Council meeting. The proclamation honors the memory of Bryson Scott McGrath and his impact on the community.

Prescott City Council proclaims June 18 as ‘Bryson's Silly Goose Day’

PRESCOTT — The Prescott City Council honored the memory of a remarkable young community member Monday evening by approving a proclamation designating June 18 as "Bryson's Silly Goose Day" in the … more

By Danielle Boos | 6/10/26