News - Pierce County Journal

Ellsworth Chamber Vice President Trent Nyhus presents The Thirsty Badger crew with the Best Restaurant, Bar & Tavern Award at last year’s Awards Banquet. 2024’s poster design theme was Ellsworth All Stars, which was a play on the teamwork, discipline, and resilience it takes to be successful in business. Accepting the award from Thirsty Badger is Reegan Spriggle, Bridget Armbruster, Dennis Armbruster, and Tom Holdorf.

Voting now open for Ellsworth’s 2025 Best of Awards: Celebrate Our High Rollers

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to kick off the 2025 Best of Awards competition. This annual event celebrates the businesses and organizations that make Ellsworth … more

1/22/25

St. Croix County Jail roster: Jan. 13-20, 2025

Monday, Jan. 13 Boakai Jakai Dunor, 45, address not listed, by SCSO, vehicle operator flee/elude officer. Elijah Owen Riles, 19, Hudson, by Hudson police, strangulation and suffocation, … more

1/22/25

Prescott Police Department reports Jan. 11-17, 2025

The following incidents were reported to Prescott Police Department Jan. 11-17. Saturday, Jan. 11 Zachary Alijah Josiah Ellis, 33, Minnetonka, Minn., was cited for speeding after a … more

1/22/25

Pierce County traffic & forfeitures: Jan. 22, 2025

Leslie Virginia Allen, 42, Ellsworth, speeding, $225.70. Maurino Allende Sosa, 31, Newport, Minn., speeding, $225.70. Kendrick Michael Bateman, 20, River Falls, illegal loaded firearm (not … more

1/22/25

Pierce County Sheriff's Office reports: Jan. 13-21, 2025

The following incidents were reported to Pierce County Sheriff's Office Jan. 13-21. Monday, Jan. 13 At 10:20 a.m. police received a complaint of a dead coyote that was propped up to … more

1/22/25

Pierce County Jail roster: Jan. 13-19, 2025

Monday, Jan. 13 Maurino Allende Sosa, 31, Newport, Minn., by Wisconsin State Patrol, operate without valid license, released on $500 signature bond. Quint Donald Ashton, 50, River Falls, by … more

1/22/25

Pierce County Circuit Court: Jan. 8-13, 2025

Initial appearances Maurino Allende Sosa, 31, Newport, Minn., pleaded not guilty and posted a $500 signature bond Jan. 13 on an operate without valid license (second within three years) charge. … more

1/22/25

Pierce County Land Transfers Jan. 10-16

The following property transfers were recorded by the Pierce County Register of Deeds Jan. 10-16. Friday, Jan. 10 Lyle M. Sunde to Justin & Melissa Armitage, Lot 12, Woodridge, City of … more

1/22/25

Ellsworth Police Department reports for Jan. 13-19, 2025

The following incidents were reported to Ellsworth Police Department Jan. 13-19. Monday, Jan. 13 At 3:27 p.m., a man reported receiving a call from someone claiming to be an investigator … more

1/22/25

A chart showing chronic absenteeism by percentage groupings. The data shows a massive swing since the pandemic began. Data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Truancy Summit to bring district leaders together to combat chronic absenteeism

With 66 Wisconsin public school districts holding rates of 20% or more students chronically absent and another 74 districts falling between 15 and 20%, districts across the state are hunting for ways … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/22/25

The smelter near the downtown football field would be demolished to accommodate improvements to the athletic fields.

SDSV OK’s election for school facility bond measures

The School District of Spring Valley board on Jan. 15 scheduled an April 1 election on $13.15 million in general obligation bonds for facility improvements. Voters will face two ballot measures, … more

By Jim DiPeso | 1/22/25

2024 SCEDC Business of the Year award winners

St. Croix Economic Development Corporation is proud to announce the winners of this year’s prestigious Business of the Year awards, honoring outstanding businesses for their exceptional growth, … more

1/22/25

The Chippewa Valley Technical College River Otters are looking for board members, which help the college make important decisions.

CVTC seeks board applicants

EAU CLAIRE – Applications are being accepted for three positions on the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) Board of Trustees. Successful candidates will serve a three-year term … more

1/22/25

Catching up with Pierce County students: Campus news

UW-Stout MENOMONIE - The following students from the area have been named to the University of Wisconsin-Stout Dean's List for the fall 2024 semester. The award is presented to students who … more

1/22/25

Pat Ames and Mark Stoesz interview a student at River Falls’ senior exit interviews.

RF senior exit interviews give students first interview experience

RIVER FALLS — Between managing the nerves and knowing how to conduct yourself, the first job interview people face can often be a challenge. The River Falls High School’s exit interview … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/22/25

The cast of this year’s Great River Road Theatre’s production, “Death by Chocolate,” coming to the stage beginning Jan. 31.

‘Death by Chocolate’ hits the stage Jan. 31

PRESCOTT – “Members of the newly renovated Meadowbrook Health Resort are dropping like flies, including famed chef Edith Chiles! On the eve of the grand re-opening, this is not the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/22/25

River Falls Sports Broadcasting's Kevin Westhuis (left) presents an $11,000 donation check to CVTC Development & Grants Officer Emily Kovatch-Erickson (middle) and CVTC Campus Manager Melissa Wilson (right) at Tarnation Tavern in River Falls earlier this month.

CVTC receives Man-Up Movement $11,000 donation

Some may say Emily Kovatch-Erickson is selling blue sky and dreams. Kovatch-Erickson would disagree. She is the development and grant officer at Chippewa Valley Technical College in River Falls. It's … more

By Greg Peters | 1/22/25

Spring Election is on the horizon

Election Day April 1 will be here before we know it and candidates have declared their intentions to run for local offices (city council, village board and school board). The deadline for … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/15/25

Veteran Views: What the CVSO can do for veterans

Our office closed out 2024 with a joyful month of December, with 88 special deliveries of Christmas cheer made, including stopping at 10 assisted living and skilled nursing facilities throughout … more

By Pierce County VSO Melissa Hildebrandt & Veteran Case Coordinator Tami MacGregor | 1/15/25

WISPOLITICS: Republicans still control new Legislature but with narrower margins as 37 new legislators take their seats

Another two-year session of the Wisconsin Legislature has begun -- this time with 37 new legislators. Not a recent record -- 38 newbies started the 2011-12 legislative session. But … more

By WisPolitics | 1/15/25