News - Pierce County Journal

Leaders of Wisconsin’s dairy industry highlighted the value of their partnerships with UW-River Falls Wednesday as they participated in Universities of Wisconsin Business Day in the Capitol. Pictured (from left): Ken Heiman, co-owner of Nasonville Dairy; Trevor Wuethrich, president of Grassland Dairy Products, Inc.; Mat Bartkowiak, vice president of Corporate Responsibility and Development for Nelson Jameson; UWRF Chief of Staff Beth Schommer.

Businesses highlight collaboration with UW-River Falls at Universities of Wisconsin Business Day in the Capitol

RIVER FALLS — Business leaders representing Wisconsin’s dairy industry showed their support for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls at Universities of Wisconsin … more

5/14/26

U.S. Rep Derrick Van Orden (center) with River Falls Police Chief Gordon Young (left) and Fire Chief Justin Wilson (right) as they discuss federal funding for citywide emergency communication system upgrades May 5 at the Police Department.

Van Orden visits RFPD to discuss federal funding for emergency communication upgrades

RIVER FALLS — U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R – Prairie du Chien) visited the River Falls Police Department on May 5 to join Police Chief Gordon Young and Fire Chief Justin Wilson in discussing … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/13/26

The Bluffs is a multi-family development in Prescott proposed for 1452 Glenridge Drive. The development will consist of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units. For a total of 106 units. The development has three buildings that will include a fitness center and accessory garage spots.

The Bluffs development agreement approved

PRESCOTT – Prescott City Council approved 3-1 May 11 The Bluffs development agreement with TB-Prescott LLC, which is planning to build 106-unit multi-family development on 3.5 acres at 1452 … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/13/26

The Glen Park Swinging Bridge was built 100 years ago in River Falls, a landmark that has stood the test of time.

Celebrating 100 years of the Swinging Bridge!

RIVER FALLS – The iconic Swinging Bridge in River Falls celebrated its 100 th anniversary Saturday at Glen Park with a presentation on its history, photos of the bridge throughout the years … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/13/26

Announcing 2026 Otto Bremer Community Responsive Fund process for UW Valleys

HUDSON - UW Valleys is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 OBT Community Responsive Fund process. In partnership with the Otto Bremer Trust, United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys will … more

5/6/26

The Spring Valley School Board announced Emma Buck (left) as salutatorian, Millija Vanasse (center) as valedictorian and Tyler Vanasse (right) as the Technical Excellence Scholarship recipient for the Class of 2026.

SV exploring further track improvements with surplus referendum dollars

SPRING VALLEY — After breaking ground on a practice track and setting up for the construction of a bus barn, the Spring Valley School District landed with a surplus of about $1.1 million referendum … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/6/26

More than 100 residents gathered in Hammond to discuss their concerns about a possible data center building in their community.

St. Croix County residents unite to demand data center protections

HAMMOND – On Sunday, April 26, over 100 residents of the Village of Hammond gathered in Memorial Park in layers and lawn chairs to discuss the risks around a possible large AI data center proposal … more

5/6/26

Prescott High School junior Parker Skeesick is the May 6 Prescott Community Club Student of the Week.

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Parker Skeesick

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for May 6 is Prescott High School junior Parker Skeesick, nominated by physical education teacher Jordan Hansen. “I would like to nominate … more

5/6/26

Volunteers from Coulee River Trails have been working hard to create trails at Magee Park, which will one day connect to the Walnut Circle development, among others.

Concept plan for trail connection to Magee Park approved

PRESCOTT – The Prescott City Council approved at its April 27 meeting a concept plan for trail connections from the newly proposed Walnut Circle development to Magee Park. City Administrator … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/6/26

St. Joseph Parish School received $13,800 for its renovation project from the Power of 100-Prescott on April 29.

Power of 100-Prescott selects St. Joseph School as spring impact winner

PRESCOTT – Power of 100-Prescott members selected St. Joseph Schools as their Spring 2026 Impact Winner on Wednesday, April 29. Once all 138 member contributions are received, the school will be … more

5/6/26

The Village of Ellsworth is hoping to attract a new business to the former library building at 312 W. Main St. that will preserve its historic character.

Village sends out RFP for Old Library building

The Ellsworth Village Board approved the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for a new property owner to take over the old village library building off of Main Street on May 4. The RFP will be open … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/6/26

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Regional Economic Development Director Ray French speaking to local residents and business owners about development in the city and the state April 28 at City Hall.

The steps that allowed River Falls to become a ‘leader’ for development in the state

RIVER FALLS — Building the City of River Falls did not happen in a day, did not happen with one lone decision and has been a process. According to City Administrator Scot Simpson and Wisconsin … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/6/26

A rendering of The Creamery at Cedar, a proposed site for a brewery and restaurant, event space, apartments and an outdoor deck owned by the owners of The Garage Bikes+Brews.

Brewery/event center has non-traditional parking plan approved

RIVER FALLS — The Creamery at Cedar had its Planned Unit Development (PUD) approved by the River Falls City Council on April 28 for a three-story mixed-use development off of River and West Cedar … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/6/26

UW-River Falls senior and Alice in Dairyland finalist Gabby Huitema stands with Goober, a five-year-old Holstein cow, at the university's Mann Valley Farm. Two UWRF alums, Michelle Stangler and Jessica Moor, are also finalists.

Falcon Futures: Student 1 of 3 Alice in Dairyland finalists with UW-River Falls ties

RIVER FALLS — The University of Wisconsin-River Falls will be well represented when Wisconsin’s next Alice in Dairyland finals are held May 14-16 in Marathon County. Half of this year’s … more

5/6/26

Area firefighters look on as they fight the flames at W306 Cleveland St., Spring Valley, on Monday, April 27.

Community rallies to help ‘the McDonald’s Lady’ after house fire

SPRING VALLEY – A Spring Valley family’s home burned down last week in a devastating fire, but the community has stepped up to help the woman known as the Lunch Lady, the Donut Lady and the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/6/26

UPDATE: Man reaches court agreement after threatening college students at party with knife

RIVER FALLS – A 22-year-old man is accused of threatening people with a knife at a River Falls party over the weekend after being asked to leave. Brent Brennan Benaszeski, 22, Athens (but … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/4/26

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski was named the 2026 Wisconsin Distinguished Agriculturalist by the UW-River Falls College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) April 16. From left: CAFES Dean Michael Orth, Romanski and Professor Emeritus Purnendu Vasavada, who nominated Romanski for the honor.

DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski honored with Wisconsin Distinguished Agriculturalist Award

RIVER FALLS — Randy Romanski, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), has been named the 2026 Wisconsin Distinguished Agriculturalist by … more

5/1/26

UW-River Falls students celebrate graduation after Commencement in December 2025. This year’s spring ceremonies are set for Saturday, May 9.

UW-River Falls Commencement set for May 9

RIVER FALLS — 679 students will receive their degrees from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls during three spring Commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 9. All three ceremonies will … more

5/1/26

An AAPS Library Services graphic from the River Falls School Board’s April 20 Artificial Intelligence presentation.

Future of AI in the classroom discussed by RFSB

RIVER FALLS — The River Falls Board of Education heard a presentation on Artificial Intelligence use in district classrooms and approved a parking lot resurfacing bid during the April 20 meeting. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/30/26

River Falls Rotary members presented Tattersall with the 2026 Burger Battle award. Pictured are (back row, from left): Tony Pedriana, Steve Schroeder, Jim DiPeso, Kellie Burrows, Elaine Baumann, Rick Wilson, Cheryl Maplethorpe; (front, from left): Roxanne Gavin, Chef Zack Hable, Chef Jessica Lacy, John Schienle and Terry McKay.

Tattersall wins 2026 Burger Battle

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls Rotary and six local restaurants completed another successful Burger Battle for 2026. The Rotary Burger Battle is a fundraiser for the organization, and the money is … more

4/30/26