News - Pierce County Journal

Prescott School Board gets update on cell phone policy

PRESCOTT – The new personal communication device policy seems to be going well, the Prescott School Board heard at its Sept. 16 meeting. Supt. Jim Reif said the district purchased lock boxes … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/24/26

Todd Langenfeld, who owns a building at 220 Broad St. in Prescott, addresses the Prescott City Council about flooding in his building.

Langenfeld threatens legal action against city

PRESCOTT – During public comment time at the Sept. 14 Prescott City Council meeting, property owner Todd Langenfeld, who owns 220 Broad St., was not “a happy camper.” His disdain centered … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/24/26

The Prescott City Council approved a raze order for the property at 915 Canton St., which has remained unrepaired after a February 2025 structure fire.

City approves raze order for 915 Canton St.

PRESCOTT – On Sept. 14, the Prescott City Council voted unanimously to continue with a raze order for 915 Canton St. The building, which has been used for industrial storage, is owned by … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/24/26

CAPITOL REPORT: Data centers’ role in early campaign ads

Data centers have played an outsized role in the early ad wars in the 2026 cycle with Wisconsin campaigns and groups spending $6.8 million on such spots on broadcast TV over the past five months, … more

By WisPolitics.com | 9/24/26

Hall charged in Cenex confrontation with Hines

A local man who sought a restraining order against an Ellsworth village trustee has been charged with a felony related to a gas station confrontation between the two. Sean Arron Hall, 55, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/23/26

Dave Berg, a long-time Ellsworth girls basketball coach and owner of the Ellsworth Ford dealership, died Sept. 14 due to complications after a heart attack. Berg is remembered for his impact on many as a coach, family member and community leader.

Never settle: Berg remembered for impact as coach, family member, community leader

Dave Berg, a long-time Ellsworth girls basketball coach, owner of the Ellsworth Ford dealership and impactful community member, died Sept. 14 due to complications following a heart attack at age 79. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/23/26

The Spring Valley Area Ambulance team was selected as the 2026 grand marshals for Dam Days, to be held Sept. 18-20.

58th annual Dam Days is this weekend

SPRING VALLEY – The 58 th annual Spring Valley Dam Days takes place this weekend, Sept. 18-20, with a large slate of events that promises community camaraderie and hometown pride. This … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/16/26

Former Pierce County DARE Officer Brette Huppert was let go Feb. 10, 2026, after an investigation revealed she had been falsifying timecards.

DARE officer fired for falsifying timecards

The reason behind the firing of the former Pierce County DARE officer Feb. 10, 2026 has been revealed. According to a public records request filed by “The Journal” June 23, former Pierce … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/16/26

River Falls High School Welding 2 students visited Donaldson’s and Northern Metal Fabrication in Baldwin last year for a tour.

$14,000 donation to support RFHS Welding Program

RIVER FALLS - The School District of River Falls has received a $14,000 donation from the Donaldson Foundation to support the River Falls High School welding program. The grant will … more

9/16/26

The Kinnickinnic River is pictured in River Falls. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Sustainability Office is inviting the community to participate in Watershed Week Sept. 21-25, with a variety of events on and off campus.

UWRF Sustainability Office invites community to participate in Watershed Week Sept. 21-25

RIVER FALLS – The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Sustainability Office invites the community to participate in a variety of activities and events during Watershed Week, Sept. … more

9/16/26

Jeff Ryan will lead a River Falls Community Education four-week course exploring the history and contemporary experiences of Wisconsin’s 11 Tribal Nations.

RF Community Ed offers course on Wisconsin Tribal Nations

River Falls Community Education is offering a four-week course exploring the history and contemporary experiences of Wisconsin’s 11 Tribal Nations. Led by veteran educator Jeff Ryan, the … more

9/16/26

Rocky Branch RF4C students enjoyed their first experience at the school forest this spring. They observed insects, plants, and weather, and had fun mixing and creating in the "mud kitchen."

$10,000 grant will support outdoor learning at River Falls School Forest

RIVER FALLS — The School District of River Falls has received a $10,000 Environmental Grant from the St. Croix Valley Foundation to support outdoor learning, exploration and restoration at the … more

9/16/26

Members of the River Falls Fire Department and the Legion Honor Guard took to City Hall for the mayor’s proclamation of a day of remembrance regarding the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Mayor Page makes proclamation for remembrance on 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks

RIVER FALLS — In remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the lives lost, River Falls Mayor Alison Page made a proclamation at the Sept. 8 River Falls City Council meeting. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/16/26

Pat Ptacek, owner of Ptacek's Family Market.

Ptacek's Family Market owner Pat Ptacek to speak at UW-River Falls Sept. 22

RIVER FALLS – The University Business Collaboration Center (UBCC) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls will host the first guest speaker in the 2026-2027 … more

9/16/26

Mathematics teachers from seven middle schools in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota attended the first of three professional development workshops at UW-River Falls Aug. 12. The project, titled Mathematics at the Core: Modeling and Coherence, is one of just eight in the country funded by a grant from the Mathematical Association of America and the John and Mary Neff Foundation.

UWRF faculty awarded national grant to strengthen mathematics teaching

RIVER FALLS – A new University of Wisconsin-River Falls professional development program is helping middle school mathematics teachers build deeper content knowledge, strengthen classroom … more

9/16/26

PHS seniors Kennedy Holub and Izzy Thoen are pictured with PHS Principal Josh Fiege and Dean of Students Rick Montreal.

Prescott Community Club Students of the Week

The Prescott Community Club Students of the Week for Sept. 16 are Prescott High School seniors Kennedy Holub and Izzy Thoen, who were nominated by English teacher Allison Pasiuk. “It is with … more

9/16/26

Instant music classes for hopelessly busy people

PRESCOTT – Would you like to learn to play an instrument like the piano, guitar, or ukulele, but you just cannot seem to find the time? Are you intimidated by the idea of taking private lessons, … more

9/16/26

Tennis Sanitation, L.L.C. is a second-generation family owned and operated trash and recycling company based in St. Paul Park, Minn.

Ellsworth making the switch to Tennis for refuse and recycling services

ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Village Board made the approval for Tennis Sanitation to take over refuse and recycling services at the start of the new year. The bid was one of four the city received … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/16/26

EHS hosted it's Day of Service on Aug. 26 during Interim Days this year; students went with their homeroom advisories to do a team-building service project. Some students made birthday gifts for Meals on Wheels, mulched St. Francis School's playground, cleaned up Brown Field, built a display for the Ellsworth Wisconsin Area Chamber of Commerce, painted at Bethel's Basement Blessings and many other projects.

ECSD recaps interim school days, reports high attendance percentages

ELLSWORTH — Each of the building principals reported strong attendance at the optional interim school days, emphasizing their importance for both students and staff at the Sept. 9 Ellsworth … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/16/26

EHS Homecoming Court 2026 (from left): freshmen Reese Franklin and Brady Peterson, juniors Carter Lampman and Lily Hanson, senior Abbigail Hinrichs, Queen Molly Abbas, King Cooper Olson, senior Breken Young, and sophomores Eian Murphy and Sophia Wilson.

GALLERY: Homecoming Week 2026 begins at Ellsworth High School!

Ellsworth Homecoming festivities will culminate this weekend with the parade at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, the chili feed from 5-8 p.m. at Ellsworth Hgh School, the football game at 7 p.m. and … more

9/16/26