News - Pierce County Journal

Hannah Baier, paraprofessional/aid at Elmwood schools.

Elmwood School District welcomes the following new staff for the 2025-26 school year. Hannah Baier Position: Paraprofessional/aid Hometown: Elmwood College/work experience: I … more

9/24/25

Wisconsin State Patrol and Wisconsin School Bus Association (WSBA) are working together to keep students safe and encourage safe driving near buses. Operation Safe Stop Week.

Wisconsin State Patrol and Wisconsin School Bus Association team up to promote school bus safety

As schools across the state settle into another academic year, the Wisconsin State Patrol and Wisconsin School Bus Association (WSBA) are working together to keep students safe and encourage safe … more

9/24/25

Eighth grader Max Beck with the fall baseball team after they shaved their heads to honor Max during his battle with Ewing’s sarcoma.

‘Amazingly brave’: Community rallies behind Max Beck during fight against Ewing’s sarcoma

ELLSWORTH — Eighth grader Max Beck has led by example during his years in school, and he is standing tall again as he battles Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare type of cancer found in about 200 … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/24/25

Three generations of Langer men at the Big River Corn Maze on their family land (from left): Bailey Langer, Ken Langer Sr., and Ken Langer Jr.

Big River Corn Maze is a family affair, set to open Sept. 26

PRESCOTT – A new fall attraction is set to open for business on Friday, Sept. 26 along the Great River Road on a farm that’s been in the Langer family for four generations. Kenny … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/24/25

Design Ellsworth 2.0 launches new speaker series Oct. 7

ELLSWORTH – If you could have a say in planning Ellsworth’s future, what would you do? Would you propose a new park? Would you uncover the creek in East End Park and make it a focal … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/24/25

A layout of the two proposed locations for a new transportation center. Proposal A is on existing school property while proposal B is across County Road CC and would be purchased land.

SV district approves land purchase for new transportation center

SPRING VALLEY — After a vote from residents as well as an approval from the school board, the Spring Valley School District got the go ahead to purchase 34.3 acres of land to construct a new … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/24/25

UW-River Falls student composer and film director Landon Zientara directs the UWRF Cinema Symphony during a daylong screen scoring recording session held April 26 in Abbot Concert Hall. “Vigil,” the film Zientara directed and scored, will be shown at a free premiere along with the documentary, “Screen Scoring at UWRF,” directed by Casey Palbicki, a senior lecturer in music and stage and screen arts, Sunday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. in Blanche Davis Theatre in Kleinpell Fine Arts, 420 E. Cascade Ave., River Falls.

UW-River Falls hosts student film and screen scoring documentary premiere

RIVER FALLS – The University of Wisconsin–River Falls will host a free film premiere Sunday, Sept. 21, featuring the short film “Vigil,” with direction and a musical score by … more

9/17/25

New UW-River Falls students gather on campus with the Marching Falcons marching band and Freddy Falcon mascot to begin Orientation on Saturday, Aug. 30. UWRF saw a 5% increase in new first year students enrolled this fall, based on preliminary estimates.

UWRF sees increase in first year students, steady enrollment overall for 2025-26

RIVER FALLS – The University of Wisconsin-River Falls saw a 5% increase in new first year student enrollment this fall, according to preliminary estimates based on day one student counts, while … more

9/17/25

Community speaks out on mental health resources

RIVER FALLS — River Falls City Council heard a report on the status of garbage route completion since switching to one-day pick-up each week, as well as public comment from many regarding the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/17/25

Stacks of play money line a table as a participant tries to make ends meet with a limited budget at the 2024 Poverty Simulation at UW-River Falls. The university and community partners will host the simulation again on Monday, Sept. 29, at 5:30 p.m. in the Riverview Ballroom in the University Center, 501 Wild Rose Ave., River Falls.

UWRF to host poverty simulation to highlight realities facing working families

RIVER FALLS – Across the St. Croix Valley, countless families work hard yet still struggle to afford life’s basics. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls and partners will shine a … more

9/17/25

Prescott Mayor Robert Daugherty (center) briefs the Prescott City Council on the Sept. 2 Plan Commission meeting as Alderpersons Dar Hintz and Adam Granquist listen during Monday’s session.

Prescott City Council approves zoning ordinance, senior living development plan

At its Sept. 8 meeting, the Prescott City Council learned from City Administrator Matt Wolf that no residents spoke at the Sept. 2 public hearing on the proposed zoning ordinance changes. With no … more

By Danielle Boos | 9/17/25

Supt. Jim Reif used this graphic to show the Prescott School Board how state funds and local taxes funding the district have essentially flip-flopped, thanks to increasing property values and decreasing student enrollment numbers.

PSD estimates increase in mil rate for 2025-26

PRESCOTT – Prescott School Board members combed through the proposed 2025-26 budget in detail at the Sept. 10 meeting. While final numbers aren’t in yet, district residents should expect … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/17/25

Prescott Hall of Fame to induct 3 new members

PRESCOTT – The three latest inductees into the Prescott Hall of Fame will be honored at a banquet Oct. 4 in the Prescott High School Commons. Dennis Gagnier Dennis Gagnier enters the … more

9/17/25

Noah Collins became an Eagle Scout after completing his project of restoring the historic gear house at Mercord Mill Park in Prescott.

Eagle Scout restores Prescott community pillar: the historic gear house

PRESCOTT — Noah Collins of Prescott completed his project to become an Eagle Scout, working hard to restore the historic gear house at Mercord Mill Park. Collins was taking a walk around … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/17/25

CAPITOL REPORT: Legislative Dems and Republicans seek ways to extend the Stewardship program

The bipartisan Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program has been encountering some partisan hits in recent years. So much so that Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and the GOP-controlled Legislature in the new … more

By WisPolitics-State Affairs | 9/17/25

School board discusses $1 million expenditure difference from budget

ELLSWORTH — During the Sept. 10 Ellsworth School Board meeting, the board heard the preliminary year-end unaudited budget for the 2025-26 school year. After budgeting for a $390,419 … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/17/25

St. Croix County Jail: Sept. 8-14, 2025

Monday, Sept. 8 Nicky Ryan Swaim-Paquette, 41, Woodbury, Minn., by Hudson police, OWI-third. Maxwell Allan Gardner, 31, St. Paul, by SCSO, sentenced, serving 40 days. Travis Eric … more

9/17/25

Prescott Police Department reports: Sept. 5-11, 2025

The following incidents were reported to Prescott Police Department Sept. 5-11, 2025. Friday, Sept. 5 Jered Michael Chambers, 41, Stillwater, Minn., was arrested for possession of … more

9/17/25

Pierce County traffic & forfeitures: Sept. 3-10, 2025

Jackie Marlene Adams, 39, Red Wing, Minn., transporting person in mobile home/RV/boat, $162.70. Dominee Dawn Banks, 37, St. Paul, speeding, license suspended 15 days, $200.50. Mitchel Jay … more

9/17/25

Pierce County Sheriff's Office reports: Sept. 8-15, 2025

The following incidents were reported to Pierce County Sheriff’s Office Sept. 8-15, 2025. Monday, Sept. 8 Lost dogs were reported at 8:23 a.m. at W4665 230 th , Maiden Rock. … more

9/17/25