News - Pierce County Journal

River Falls Mayor Alison Page resigned from the River Falls School Board in order to concentrate on her new position, in which she says she will advocate for public education.

SDRF to fill board vacancy after Page departs for mayor’s office

River Falls Superintendent David Bell outlined the process for filling the school board’s vacancy during Alison Page’s final meeting as a school board member May 18. Page was elected as the City … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/27/26

Recent UW-River Falls graduate Nicholas Mohrhauser poses for a photo with his mother, Sarah Mohrhauser, after receiving the 2026 John Janty Memorial Scholarship May 6 at the Wisconsin Mathematics Council Celebration Banquet in Green Lake.

UWRF alum Nicholas Mohrhauser awarded Janty Scholarship

RIVER FALLS — The Wisconsin Mathematics Council, the Wisconsin Mathematics Education Foundation and the Madison Community Foundation announced that Nicholas Mohrhauser has been awarded the 2026 … more

5/27/26

Bay City American Legion Honor Guard members (from left) Gene Hohmann, Dave Johnson, Devin Feuerhelm and Kelly Knudsen before the gun salute over Lake Pepin May 25.

GALLERY: A look at Bay City, RF and Prescott Memorial Day observances

A big thank you to all veterans who served, especially those who are gone. Also, thank you to the American legions and auxiliaries for honoring our veterans and carrying on their legacies, along with … more

5/27/26

CVTC students and scholarship donors chat at the CVTC Foundation annual scholarship awards reception.

CVTC students receive more than $494K in scholarships

EAU CLAIRE – Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) students received 470 scholarships and microgrants totaling more than $494,000 throughout the 2025-2026 school year. The students and … more

5/27/26

Plum City students, community volunteers and members of the Dunn County Sleep in Heavenly Peace crew came together to build 20 beds for children in need in the area.

Plum City students come together to build 20 beds for those in need

PLUM CITY — Students from Plum City High School, area volunteers and Dunn County Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) teamed up to build 20 beds at the school for children in need of one Friday. SHP … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/27/26

The groundbreaking for the new Spring Valley track took place in late April, with the whole school district in attendance.

Projects added to SVSD track to allow for hosting meets

SPRING VALLEY — The Spring Valley School Board approved an additional $1.579 million in track projects that include lighting, a walkway, a sound system, security systems, utilities for a future … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/27/26

Bryson McGrath of Prescott, who died of pediatric cancer at age 5, will be honored with an annual day of remembrance on June 18, his birthday.

Bryson’s Silly Goose Day: Mayor to proclaim June 18 as a day to remember Bryson McGrath

PRESCOTT — On June 8, Prescott Mayor Mike Gerke is expected to make a proclamation that establishes June 18 of every year as a day to honor the late Bryson McGrath, who died of pediatric cancer … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/27/26

Pierce County Land Conservation and Public Health staff sporting their new “Don’t guess. Well test” shirts marking the launch of a county wide campaign to encourage well testing.

Pierce County launches ‘Don’t Guess. Well Test’ Campaign for private well users

ELLSWORTH - Every Pierce County resident relies on groundwater. Public water supplies are regulated by drinking water standards and are subject to mandatory testing. Private wells are not required to … more

5/20/26

Confetti took flight at the Spring Valley Class of 2026 graduation Friday night, closing a chapter on over a decade of memories.

GALLERY: Caps fly to celebrate SV’s Class of 2026

The Spring Valley High School Class of 2026 graduated on Friday, May 15 in a packed gymnasium filled with family and friends. Kalena Beyer Parents: Twain & Tanya Beyer Future … more

5/20/26

Seniors Brett Kopp and Owen Kober shared memories from the class’s years at Plum City on Saturday, including some fun times and some unforgettable stories. Other speakers at the graduation were Valedictorian Lisbeth Henn and Salutatorian Benjamin Hassing.

GALLERY: Plum City graduates get emotional on graduation day

Plum City High School Class of 2026 held its commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16. Tobey Anderson Parents: Kerri & Rich Anderson Favorite staff: Mr. Gilles allowing me to further … more

5/20/26

Graduates gather before the start of Northwood Technical College’s commencement ceremony May 8, 2026, in New Richmond.

Turning tassels and transforming futures at Northwood Tech

NEW RICHMOND — Northwood Technical College recognized graduates from its New Richmond campus during a spring commencement ceremony held May 8, 2026, at the New Richmond High School, as the college … more

5/20/26

Elmwood High School Class of 2026 staff speaker Kristel Winger said from a young age, this group of kids was known as “the farm class” that loved everything to do with farming, playing farmer during 4K, “plowing” fields on the classroom rug, building barns for animals and taking field trips to local farms.

GALLERY: Elmwood Class of 2026 known as ‘the farm class’

Elmwood High School Class of 2026 honored graduates during the commencement ceremony Friday, May 15. Class motto: "Not perfect, just unforgettable" Class flower: White … more

5/20/26

Nora Boles is the May 20 Prescott Community Club Student of the Week.

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Nora Boles

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for May 20 is Prescott High School senior Nora Boles, selected by the Prescott Community Club Scholarship Committee. “Nora was chosen by the … more

5/20/26

Freedom Park Executive Director Linda Schenk introduced some of the people who played a role in the Freedom Park Visitor Center’s 20 years, including the people who set the work into motion, those who have kept progressing it forward and the current board that has allowed it to thrive.

Freedom Park celebrates 20 years on the Great River Road

PRESCOTT — What is now Freedom Park Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center has come a long way since its public opening as Scenic Tourist Park in 1918. In 1981, the park was chosen as the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/20/26

Four UW-River Falls graduates were honored during the university’s annual Evening of Excellence Wednesday. Pictured from left: Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth, David Drewiske (Outstanding Service Award), Lamah Bility (Outstanding Young Alumni), Mary Ella Jerome (Distinguished Alumni) and Duane Hall (Lifetime Achievement Award).

UW-River Falls honors outstanding alumni at Evening of Excellence

RIVER FALLS — The accomplishments of four outstanding University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates were celebrated during the university’s annual Evening of Excellence Wednesday. … more

5/20/26

Toole Design’s heatmap evaluation of high-risk areas for crashes in the City of River Falls.

Results of RF street safety analysis presented to council

RIVER FALLS — After the adoption of the Vision Zero Resolution in 2023, an application from the city was submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation for funding to prepare a Safe Streets … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/20/26

A fisherman enjoys the benefits of a Trackchair at a Kinnickinnic River Land Trust outing.

Limitless Cycling pedals the healing power of storytelling

“Social isolation and loneliness are leading concerns in our community. The opportunity for our riders to share their stories with us is one of our guiding principles. Storytelling is healing. We … more

By Tom Lindfors | 5/20/26

UWRF names Jeff Lamie Assistant Chancellor for University Advancement

RIVER FALLS — The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has named Jeff Lamie Assistant Chancellor for University Advancement. Lamie will begin … more

5/20/26

THE CAPITOL REPORT: Incumbent retirements complicate Assembly Republicans’ quest to maintain majority

The 99-member Assembly has been viewed as the GOP’s best bet this fall. Those odds just got a little worse with the retirements of Republican Reps. Jessie Rodriguez and Dean Kaufert. … more

By WisPolitics-State Affairs | 5/20/26

The Ellsworth School Board celebrated Valedictorian Carly Girdeen and Salutatorian Jenna Early at the May 13 meeting.

Pressing maintenance projects approved by Ellsworth School Board

ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Community School District Board approved the maintenance project list for the 2026-27 year at the May 13 meeting that features about $362,000 in work to be completed. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/20/26