News - Pierce County Journal

Pierce County District Attorney Halle Hatch visited eighth-grade social studies students in Spring Valley.

Pierce Co. DA visits Spring Valley eighth graders

SPRING VALLEY – Pierce County District Attorney Hallie Hatch visited Mrs. Jessica Shafer’s eighth grade social studies classes on Thursday, Sept.24, to speak with students about the Constitution, … more

10/7/26

Driver identified in fatal Martell crash

The identity of a woman who died in an August crash near Martell has been released by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. Pierce County deputies responded at 5:29 a.m. Aug. 16 to a vehicle vs. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/7/26

Spring Valley’s new Hollywood sign overlooking the passing vehicles on Highway 29.

‘Progress every day’: Hollywood sign, cabins and a wedding space mark next steps for SV Golf Course

SPRING VALLEY — The Spring Valley Golf Course has been around for 55 years, and while Bob and Kathy Rupakus have only owned it for seven of those years, they have built a tight connection with the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/7/26

Kirsten Hague, of Prescott, was 25 when she almost died of a stroke. Now, she’s fighting insurance companies for a surgery she said could save her life.

The fight of her life: Prescott resident needs surgery insurance has denied

PRESCOTT – Kirsten Hague has been dealt one blow after another, more than anyone her age should have to endure. But her spirit is strong and she’s facing her latest test with tenacity and more … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/7/26

Pierce County 4-H’s dairy judging team took runner-up at the 2026 World Dairy Expo overall and won the reasons portion of the competition. The team features Braeden Bechel, Bryce Bechel, Ava Kolodzienski and Hannah Fesenmaier.

Pierce County 4-H finishes second overall at World Dairy Expo

The Pierce County 4-H dairy judging team represented the State of Wisconsin well at the 2026 World Dairy Expo in Madison, finishing second place overall and first place in reasons as a team. The … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/7/26

Pierce County residents and GROWW members cheering at a celebration and press action Monday, Aug. 31 following an Aug. 24 decision by Administrative Law Judge Angela Chaput Foy, who ruled that the DNR failed to adequately protect groundwater when it approved an expansion permit for Ridge Breeze Dairy.

Pierce Co. residents continue clean water fight as Ridge Breeze appeals groundwater ruling

PIERCE COUNTY — After Pierce County residents spent more than three years fighting for meaningful groundwater protections – and won – Ridge Breeze Dairy is now asking a circuit court to … more

10/6/26

The 2026 Elmwood Homecoming Court on Friday, Sept. 25 (front, from left): King Oliver Mendlik and Queen Brittany Bechel; (back, from left): freshmen Kennedy Gibson and Briar Marson, sophomores Hannah Bleskacek and Aries Creech and juniors William Webb and Marlee Hotchkiss.

GALLERY: Elmwood Homecoming 2026!

Elmwood students took to the streets (with some howling involved) to rally the community for Homecoming 2026 festivities on Friday, Sept. 25. more

10/1/26

Mayo Clinic Health System announces 2026 Impact Grant opportunity

LA CROSSE ― Mayo Clinic Health System is accepting applications for its 2026 Impact Grant program, which provides competitive funding to support initiatives that address community and social … more

10/1/26

Former Plum City principal and FSPA religious Sister Dorothy Schneider is celebrating her diamond jubilee with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, based at La Crosse. Sister Schneider made her first vows of religious life on Aug. 12, 1956.

Former Plum City principal celebrates 70 years as vowed religious

A former Plum City principal is celebrating her diamond jubilee with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA), marking 70 years of service as a vowed religious. Sister Dorothy … more

By Joseph Back | 10/1/26

St. Croix EDC opens nominations for 2026 Business of the Year Awards

ST. CROIX COUNTY – St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) is now accepting nominations for its 2026 Business of the Year Awards, honoring local businesses and organizations that have … more

10/1/26

EFD responds to Recycling Center fire

Ellsworth Fire Department personnel were dispatched to a commercial structure fire at 1:02 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Pierce County Recycling Center (707 N. Maple St.) Staff evacuated the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/1/26

Neil May is the Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for Sept. 30, 2026.

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Neil May

The Student of the Week for Sept. 30 is PHS junior Neil May, nominated by English teacher Tania Novak. “Neil has started the school year off strong in English and has demonstrated a positive … more

10/1/26

Students walk on the UW-River Falls campus on the first day of classes, Sept. 2. UWRF has again been named to lists of best colleges by U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review.

UW-River Falls honored by U.S. News and World Report, Princeton Review

RIVER FALLS – The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has once again been recognized by multiple publications as one of the top public regional universities in the Midwest, a sign of the … more

10/1/26

Community invited to Coffee with Supt. Bell

RIVER FALLS – Supt. David Bell is inviting community members to join him for a free cup of coffee and conversation this fall. Coffee with the Superintendent will include a brief update from … more

10/1/26

RF man charged with child porn possession

A man found living in the woods in River Falls is accused of possessing hundreds of child pornography images on a cell phone. Roman James Serbesku, 35, homeless, River Falls, was ordered to pay … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/1/26

UW-River Falls stage and screen arts major Ryan Bartley poses for a photo in UWRF’s Blanche Davis Theatre. Bartley spent part of his summer working as a full-time apprentice at Vassar College’s Powerhouse Theater in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Falcon Futures: UW-River Falls stage and screen arts major gains professional experience through prestigious summer theater apprenticeship

RIVER FALLS – Ryan Bartley of New Berlin, a University of Wisconsin-River Falls stage and screen arts major, needed to find an internship experience for the summer before his senior year. The … more

10/1/26

City exploring increase to permitted driveway width

RIVER FALLS — The first reading of an ordinance change that would change the maximum driveway width at the right-of-way line in R-1 zoned districts from 25 feet to 30 feet was heard by the River … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/1/26

UW-River Falls students and faculty enjoy their creations after taking a cooking class in Rome in January. The group spent their winter break touring Italy as part of UWRF’s Agriculture and Food Experience. The program will take students to Greece this winter.

UW-River Falls students get a taste of Italy during study abroad opportunity

RIVER FALLS – Over winter break in January, 19 students joined the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Agriculture and Food Experience on a tasting tour of Italy, visiting Milan, Reggio Emilia, … more

10/1/26

Repair work to result in overnight closure of Prescott lift bridge

The bascule (lift) bridge that carries US 10 over the St. Croix River from Prescott to Point Douglas Park in Denmark Township, Minn., will be closed overnight for up to three nights, so bridge … more

9/30/26

The City of River Falls is looking ahead to the revitalization of its historic downtown.

River Falls recognized as Gold Tier in WEDC’s Connect Communities Downtown Revitalization Program

RIVER FALLS - The City of River Falls has been recognized as a Gold Tier member of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC) Connect Communities Program, an initiative that works with … more

9/30/26