News - Pierce County Journal

Phase 2 of the Prescott Downtown Riverfront Improvement Plan would have construction begin in Spring/Summer of 2025.

Prescott Plan Commission unanimously approves Phase 2 Downtown Riverfront Improvement Plan

Prescott City Administrator Matt Wolf presented the proposed Phase 2 Downtown Riverfront Improvements to the Plan Commission at the Feb. 5 meeting. He began with a recap of the improvement … more

By Danielle Boos | 2/14/24

The Assistance and Resource Center (ARC) accepted a grant of $1,000 for general operating expenses. Pictured (from left): Judy Perkins, Sharon Shulze, PPCS Senior Accountant Barb Bee, Cindy Testa, and Peter Carr.

Pierce Pepin Cares awards grants to local non-profits

ELLSWORTH – First quarter grants were recently awarded by Pierce Pepin Cares, the charitable foundation of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS), to four local non-profits. The Pierce Pepin … more

2/14/24

Looking over Ellsworth last week (Pierce County Courthouse and Fairgrounds are in the center), it doesn’t look like February. No snow has fallen so far this month and temperatures reached nearly 60 degrees.

Village reps will travel to Denmark to tour digesters

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Village Board voted Monday, Feb. 5 to send two board members and the administrator/clerk-treasurer to Denmark to tour Bigadan’s anaerobic digester facilities. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/14/24

Jack Duffy of Prescott will head to the state Conservation Awareness Speaking Contest in Green Bay on March 6.

Prescott students takes 1st at area conservation contest

Prescott students in fifth grade ELA Extensions and sixth grade Extensions classes diligently prepared, presented, and recorded 3-to-5 minute speeches for the 2024 Conservation Awareness Speaking … more

2/14/24

Freedom Park column: Stewards of Freedom Park

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a Steward (noun) as a person who manages something that is entrusted to one’s care. This is exactly how we like to refer to our volunteers: they are … more

By Executive Director Linda Schenk | 2/14/24

SV traffic stop results in man being Tased, arrested

A Spring Valley man who attempted to elude an officer because he didn’t want to go back to jail did not get his wish after a traffic stop Feb. 2. Jeremy Alan Pretzer, 41, was ordered to … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 2/14/24

St.Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Kristie Lewis attended Habitat on the Hill in Washington, D.C. She spoke with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Congressman Derrick Van Orden, along with Senator Ron Johnson and Congressman Tom Tiffany's housing policy aides, to share more about the tremendous housing cost burdens that hard-working neighbors in our communities are experiencing.

St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity calls on WI congressional members to take action on affordable housing crisis

HUDSON — Nationwide, housing costs are skyrocketing as more families lack access to a safe, affordable and decent place to call home. Here in Wisconsin, every 1 in 9 households pay half or more … more

2/14/24

EHS released 2nd quarter honor roll list

ELLSWORTH – Ellsworth High School congratulates the students named to the second quarter honor roll for 2023-24 school year. Freshmen Molly Abbas, Cayman Anderson, Mason Anderson, … more

2/14/24

Two RF deaths under investigation: Chief says cause of death can’t be released at this time

While responding to a welfare check call around 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3 at 1534 Golf View Drive in River Falls, officers discovered the bodies of a 24-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man, both dead. … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 2/14/24

(From left): Salvation Army Ellsworth Volunteer Coordinator Rita Niesen, James Okrutny, Amy Okrutny, Nilssen’s Store Manager Shawn Eggen, and Margaret Volenec celebrate the Okrutny’s plaque from Salvation Army for their 50 hours of service.

Salvation Army honors Ellsworth couple

Sometimes doing good for others is the key to feeling better about one’s own circumstances. Such is the case for an Ellsworth couple who dedicated the holiday season to making people smile. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/14/24

Gary Lubich accepting Citizen of the Year Thursday, Feb. 8 at the River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau annual dinner.

RF Chamber talks tourism, honors award winners for 2023

RIVER FALLS – “Little did we know when we planned on the theme back in November that we’d actually be able to golf in February,” joked Executive Director Russ Korpela as he … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/14/24

CAPITOL REPORT: State's largest conservation deal ever occurs via a work-around by Gov. Tony Evers

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has put the final touches on the largest conservation deal in state history with an agreement that takes steps to address concerns that were raised when GOP lawmakers … more

By WisPolitics.com | 2/8/24

Home application opens for St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Veterans Build

St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity is taking applications for a veteran in need of affordable housing. The one-month application period is open to a veteran who has served in any of the United … more

2/8/24

RF Supt's column: Referendum details

On Feb. 20, School District of River Falls residents will be asked two referendum questions (Q#1: Operational and Q#2 Facilities) on the election ballot. The two questions will be decided by our … more

By Supt. Jamie Benson | 2/8/24

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Lucas Gale

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for Feb. 7 is Prescott High School sophomore Lucas Gale, who was nominated by phy ed teacher Jay Bartsch. “Lucas has been an outstanding … more

2/8/24

The Ojibwe Drumming and Singing Group Tomahawk Circle from Lac Du Flambeau has performed all over the United States and Canada over the past 17 years. They have performed in California, New York, Alabama, Florida, Nebraska, Arizona, Washington, and 16 other states. Their performance last Saturday drew about 200 attendees.

Ojibwe Drumming Group visits PHS

Thank you for supporting us To the editor, I would like to thank the Prescott Foundation, the St. Croix Valley Foundation, and the Building an All Inclusive Community (BAIC) Group for … more

2/8/24

Betsy Byker, United Way of St. Croix Valley Success By 6 Program Director, and Olivia Girdeen, Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery Ellsworth Retail Store Manager.

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery concludes successful charity drive

ELLSWORTH – Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is proud to announce the results of its first Ellsworth Cares initiative, which exceeded its goal and will help provide for families in need across … more

2/8/24

This year’s ‘Best of 2024’ Awards poster design is entitled 'Ellsworth All-Stars’, which is what our local businesses are in the eyes of their customers, clients, and the community. Each award winner will receive a personalized and framed version for display at their business. The design was inspired by the Ellsworth Chamber’s Annual Awards Dinner theme, 'Game Time!", a tribute to the teamwork, discipline, and resilience it takes to be successful in business and an aspirational message for the organization’s goals for 2024.

Final voting underway for Ellsworth’s ‘Best of 2024’ Awards

The first round of voting in the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce “Best of 2024” Awards competition ended at midnight last Wednesday, Jan. 31. Over 1,000 voters narrowed down the field … more

2/7/24

Brandon Fuhrman booking photo, PIerce County Jail.

Former EHS band teacher pleads guilty to felony sex assault charge

A former Ellsworth High School band teacher pleaded guilty to a felony sex charge and will be sentenced May 20 in Pierce County Circuit Court. Brandon A. Fuhrman, 24, Yuma, Ariz., (formerly of … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 2/7/24

Gov. Evers extends application deadline for Pierce County Register of Deeds

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers previously announced that he is seeking applicants for appointment as register of deeds of Pierce County. The governor announced today he is extending the … more

2/7/24