News - Pierce County Journal

Scout Emery, right, the 2024 UW-River Falls Queen of the Rodeo, and Faith Watz, left, carry a baby goat and supplies at the start of UWRF’s Ag Day on Campus. The UWRF Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter annually hosts Ag Day on Campus, which began in 2012. This year’s theme was “Growing for Generations.” The event included numerous informational booths, fun contests and more throughout the day on the campus mall. It concluded with a free evening meal in the Agricultural Science building and a panel discussion in the University Center about the future of agriculture.

UWRF event highlights importance of agriculture

RIVER FALLS – Agriculture was visible in many ways during the Ag Day on Campus event April 11 at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The event began with speeches by numerous … more

4/18/24

Animal behavior expert Temple Grandin describes a more humane animal processing design she invented to a class of UW-River Falls students Wednesday during her visit to UWRF. Students discussed animal welfare, Grandin’s career, and other issues with her.

UWRF students interact with animal welfare icon Temple Grandin

RIVER FALLS – When University of Wisconsin-River Falls student Kelsey Kuehni had a question on April 10 about what is best practice when a mother pig scheduled for slaughter has babies, she had … more

4/18/24

BFA candidates at UW-River Falls hold exhibition

RIVER FALLS - University of Wisconsin-River Falls senior BFA candidates Serena Ben-Avraham, Emily Bos, Hannah Ferguson, Isabelle Hammond, Mina Lee, Piper Richter, and Megan Spott will present their … more

4/18/24

UW-River Falls Physics Professor Glenn Spiczak, seated, looks at the solar eclipse through a protective shield Monday afternoon with other faculty, staff, students and community members. Overcast skies spoiled the view for most in the upper Midwest, but the event still brought out many to Centennial Science Hall to catch a glimpse of some change in the sky and learn more about the phenomenon.

Totally eclipsed: UWRF hosts gathering for solar occurrence

RIVER FALLS – One moment the moon nearly blotted out the sun, with only a curved sliver of light showing around the edge of the moon’s dark body. Then the moon moved a bit more, … more

4/18/24

RF School Board celebrates Wildcat Pride, FFA

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls School Board meeting March 25 focused celebrating successes within the district. Board member Mike Miller presented a Wildcat Pride Award to River Falls Lions … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/18/24

The River Falls City Council voted April 9 to annex two parcels totaling 22.66 acres from the Town of River Falls south of Larson Park.

City annexes 22 acres from Town of River Falls

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls City Council voted unanimously April 9 to annex 22.66 acres from the Town of River Falls and zone it R-2 Multiple Family. The annexation petition, submitted … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/18/24

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Amanda Miller

The Prescott Community Cub Student of the Week for April 17 is Prescott High School sophomore Amanda Miller, nominated by physical education teacher Jordan Hansen. “Amanda is always great … more

4/18/24

Fiscal Facts: School referenda passage rates on pace to decline

Voters across Wisconsin approved 62 of the 103 school district referenda held in this year’s spring elections, the February primary and April general election. If fall 2024 referenda fare … more

4/17/24

CAPITOL REPORT: Another big election for school spending issues

The spring election of 2024 was another winner for school spending issues, showing voters are willing to spend on education in their local districts. Voters approved more than $956.5 million of the … more

By WisPolitics.com | 4/17/24

Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce members celebrated the grand opening of the Mahn Family Funeral & Cremation Services Ellsworth chapel on Wednesday, April 3.

Mahn Family Funeral & Cremation Services celebrates new chapel

ELLSWORTH – Mahn Family Funeral & Cremation Services hosted an open house and ribbon cutting with Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce members Wednesday, April 3 to celebrate the completion … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/17/24

Ellsworth High School seniors Maya Bueso (left) and Josie Pechacek show the poster for their April 20 Earth Day event, to be held at E-Town Collaborative.

EHS seniors plan Earth Day event

ELLSWORTH – Community service and volunteering is an important curriculum component at Ellsworth High School, as evidenced by the number of service learning projects completed by students. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/17/24

Ellsworth Cheese Curd Festival celebrates not only delicious cheese, but the culture and heritage behind the tasty morsel.

Cheese Curd Festival named #3 Best Specialty Food Festival

The Ellsworth Cheese Curd Festival has been recognized as the #3 Best Specialty Food Festival in the USA Today’s 10Best Competition. Kim Beebe, an Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 4/17/24

This graph taken from Wisconsin Realtors Association data shows both number of homes sold by year as well as median sales price (in $1,000). Low inventory plus high costs are adding to the challenges communities are facing as they look to the future.

St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity receives $500,000 in federal funds

St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity has received $500,000 to support construction of affordable workforce housing in Pierce County, thanks to efforts by Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D). In this … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/17/24

Members of GROWW celebrate veto of bill threatening local control

On March 29, GROWW (Grassroots Organizing Western Wisconsin) joined community groups across Wisconsin celebrating a decision by Gov. Tony Evers to veto Assembly Bill 957 and protect a cornerstone of … more

4/17/24

Federal emergency food and shelter supplemental funds available in St. Croix and Pierce counties

St. Croix County and Pierce County have been awarded federal funds from the Department of Homeland Security under Phase 41 of the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. St. Croix County … more

4/17/24

Watch out for Adopt A Highway crews as they clean up our roadsides this spring.

Watch for Adopt-A-Highway crews on Wisconsin roadsides

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is reminding drivers to stay alert and give space to Adopt-A-Highway volunteers, who routinely collect trash and recyclables along state highways. … more

4/17/24

A new train cam has been installed on the deck of Scab’s Place in Prescott overlooking the lift bridge. You can view it at ottertailchannel.com

Prescott railroad featured on new train cam

PRESCOTT – For a Perham, Minn., man, trains have a mystical draw that can’t really be explained. He loves everything about them, even the sound of them rumbling past his home in the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/17/24

RF burglary ring cracked, two charged in connection

A River Falls couple has been arrested in connection with a string of burglaries in the city that amounts to more than $30,000 in stolen property. Dylan James Nestor, 32, Askov, Minn (formerly … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 4/17/24

Rush River Brewing taproom, located at 990 Antler Court in River Falls, features 16 rotating selections.

Rush River Brewing celebrates 20th anniversary

RIVER FALLS – Rush River Brewing Co. is turning 20 and will celebrate the milestone Saturday, April 20 with a party to remember. Co-founder Nick Anderson said he’s “kind of low … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/17/24

Alderperson Pat Knox (left) expresses his concern over discouraging businesses from coming to the City of Prescott while Alderperson Maureen Otwell (center) and Alderperson Bailey Ruona (right) agree.

Prescott City Council disagrees over controversial Small Box Discount Store Ordinance

At the April 8 regular Prescott City Council meeting, alderperson disagreed on an amendment to city code dealing with small box discount stores. Alderperson Dar Hintz said the addition … more

By Danielle Boos | 4/17/24