News - Pierce County Journal

Karly Anderson, a scientist and trainer with the UW-River Falls Humane Handling Institute (HHI), activates a captive bolt device used to stun cattle while an ultra high-speed camera captures its movement. Anderson’s research, funded in part by a $300,000 grant from the USDA, will help inform humane stunning practices at meat processing operations.

UWRF scientist researches humane cattle stunning with grants from USDA, Dairy Innovation Hub

RIVER FALLS – Karly Anderson, a scientist and trainer with the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Humane Handling Institute (HHI), is leading a new $300,000 research project funded by the U.S. … more

10/14/26

Gov. Tony Evers announced the appointment of Delani Dow to the University of Wisconsin (UW) Board of Regents to fill the nontraditional student regent position.

Gov. Evers appoints Delani Dow to UW Board of Regents

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced the appointment of Delani Dow to the University of Wisconsin (UW) Board of Regents to fill the nontraditional student regent position and the vacancy created by … more

10/14/26

Kelsey Brenna, a human resources coordinator for Uline, talks with a student at the UW-River Falls Career and Internship Fair Wednesday. 95 employers were on hand to discuss career and internship opportunities.

UWRF Career and Internship Fair connects students with employers, opportunities

RIVER FALLS – University of Wisconsin-River Falls students explored career possibilities, made professional connections and learned about job and internship opportunities during the university’s … more

10/14/26

Sandra Bowen (second from right) and Rick Bowen (second from left) stand in front of the newly dedicated Sandra Bowen Biology Greenhouse Oct. 2. The new facility, connected to the UW-River Falls Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech), will allow students to conduct research and learn about plants from around the world. Also pictured, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Karl Peterson (left) and Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth (right).

UW-River Falls dedicates new biology greenhouse

RIVER FALLS – The new biology greenhouse connected to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) has a new name. UWRF held a dedication ceremony Oct. … more

10/14/26

River Falls Police Department completes Flock Safety Camera System evaluation

RIVER FALLS - The River Falls Police Department has completed its ongoing evaluation of Flock Safety's transparency, contractual practices, and customer support service. The result of that review is … more

10/14/26

SDRF proposes increase to tax levy, decrease to mill rate

The River Falls School District unveiled a 5.44% increase to total tax levy at the Sept. 28 annual board budget hearing. The mill rate would decrease, keeping the district below the state average. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/7/26

Pictured are Linda Yde, RF Rotary diaper drive coordinator; Betsy Byker, United Way diaper bank manager, and Kendra Sievers, RF Rotarian and proud parent of Owen Sievers.

RF Diaper Drive is full swing

RIVER FALLS – Four years ago, River Falls Rotarian Linda Yde heard a story that made her spring into action. It was about a mother who had to ration her baby’s diapers because their family … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/7/26

UW-River Falls Assistant Professor of Biology Benjamin Crain holds a sample of a new species of orchid he helped discover on a Pacific island in Palau. Crain's research, conducted for the Smithsonian Institution, was recently published in the journal, Harvard Papers in Botany.

UW-River Falls professor discovers new orchid species in Palau

RIVER FALLS – A University of Wisconsin-River Falls faculty member has discovered a previously unknown species of orchid found only on an island in the western Pacific. Assistant Professor of … more

10/7/26

USDA food safety leader Mindy Brashears to speak at UW-River Falls

RIVER FALLS – U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears will discuss food safety issues during a public presentation at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls … more

10/7/26

UW-River Falls students walk newly-arrived assistance dogs in training into Stratton Hall Monday. Ten dogs will spend the semester on campus living and learning with 22 students as part of the Falcon FETCH program, a collaboration with Can Do Canines.

Assistance dogs arrive at UWRF for semester of student training, campus life

RIVER FALLS – Ten assistance dogs in training arrived at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Monday, beginning a semester where they will live in residence halls, attend classes and experience … more

10/7/26

Ethan Baker is this week's Prescott Community Club Student of the Week.

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Ethan Baker

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for Oct. 7 is Prescott High School junior Ethan Baker, who was nominated by teacher Shana Clauson. “I am proud to nominate Ethan for Student of … more

10/7/26

A Prescott resident has asked the city council to look into extending the "no wake zone" 300 yards north to prevent shoreline erosion along Lake Street.

Adding new slow-no-wake zone possible, but not without challenges

PRESCOTT – When following up on a resident request extend the no wake zone along Lake Street, Prescott city staff learned it may be possible, but not without a lot of red tape. At the Sept. 14 … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/7/26

A view of the lock at lock and dam 2 showing the Hastings bridge in the distance.

Lock and Dam 2 installs four new Tainter valves

Lock and Dam 2 at Hastings above Prescott on the Mississippi will soon feature four new Tainter valves, replacing ones first installed in the 1940s. The new steel valves began the design process in … more

By Joseph Back | 10/7/26

St. Francis Parish has acquired the stone church on the corner of Piety and Strickland streets, thanks to a donation by Living Waters Christian Fellowship.

A new chapter begins for the Stone Church

ELLSWORTH – The “Stone Church” on the corner of Piety and Strickland streets in Ellsworth is beginning a new chapter. Living Waters Christian Fellowship has donated the church to the St. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/7/26

The Ellsworth Village Board approved the final plat for a 27-lot development on property at the northeast corner of North Maple Street and 580th Avenue.

Housing development approved at corner of Maple St. and 580th Ave.

ELLSWORTH — A proposal for a 27-lot development at the northeast corner of North Maple Street and 580th Avenue was approved by the Ellsworth Village Board on Oct. 5. GMTZ made the proposal, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/7/26

EHS junior Homecoming Court prince and princess Carter Lampman and Lily Hanson threw candy from the back of a truck during Fridays Spirit Parade.

Panther Pride displayed in Spirit Parade

Ellsworth Community School District rescheduled the Homecoming Parade to Oct. 2 dubbing it a "Spirit Parade" prior to the Panthers taking on the Baldwin-Woodville Blackhawks. The halftime … more

10/7/26

District 3 candidates Rebecca Cooke, Derrick Van Orden, Alexander Kent and Rustin Provance.

District 3 between Cooke, Van Orden, two write-ins

Election Day for the general election arrives Tuesday, Nov. 3, with in-person absentee voting taking place Oct. 20 to Nov. 1. Mailed absentee ballots are due Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. With that said, … more

By Joseph Back | 10/7/26

Wieser Concrete Products recently acquired Bush Concrete Products in Muskegon, Mich. This is Wieser’ fifth production facility and eighth location.

Wieser Concrete Products acquire Bush Concrete Products in Muskegon

MAIDEN ROCK — Wieser Concrete Products, Inc., a family-owned and operated manufacturer of precast concrete products, has acquired Bush Concrete Products, Inc., of Muskegon, Michigan, effective Oct. … more

10/7/26

Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Bradley Ritger died Oct. 2 from injuries sustained in a Sept. 21 traffic pursuit in Dunn County.

WisDOT and Wisconsin State Patrol mourn Trooper Bradley Ritger

It is with profound sadness that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and Wisconsin State Patrol announce the line-of-duty death of Trooper Bradley Ritger at the age of 29.  On … more

10/7/26

The 2026 Plum City Homecoming Court after the coronation. (Front, from left): Mikala Breunig, Chloie Coleman, Queen Ariana Sanchez-Vazquez, Kirsten Hassing; (back, from left): Tim Peterson, Kaden McMurray, King Kramer Anderson, Joey Gonzalez.

GALLERY: Hoco traditions in Plum City

Plum City's annual Homecoming bonfire and coronation took place on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Legion Park. This year's Homecoming Court included Mikala Breunig, Chloie Coleman, Queen Ariana … more

10/7/26