News - Pierce County Journal

Diversifying his operation including sheep farming is one of the many stories Michelle Stangler heard from this farmer in Ireland.

College student communicator hosts European agriculture discussion

RIVER FALLS – After studying and completing her final semester as an undergraduate college student in European countries including Ireland, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands, Michelle … more

5/2/24

Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services unveils fresh logo

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS), a trusted name in energy and broadband services, revealed its brand new logo to its membership at the 87 th Annual Meeting on Thursday, … more

5/1/24

Man refuses to stop for cops: Just wanted to go home

A 70-year-old Hager City man just wanted to go home, which was the reason he gave to police for not stopping when they tried to pull him over for April 21 for odd driving behavior. Michael … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 5/1/24

Employee asks for ride, steals boss’s work truck, trailer instead

A Spring Valley business owner was tricked into driving to an employee’s house last fall on the guise that the man needed a ride, while he instead went to his boss’ house and stole a … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 5/1/24

Outgoing school board members Cindy Holbrook and Bob Casey received Wildcat Pride awards for their years of service at the April 15 River Falls School Board meeting.

RFSB honors Casey, Holbrook for school board service

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls School Board honored outgoing members Cindy Holbrook and Bob Casey with Wildcat Pride awards at the April 15 meeting. Casey has served on the board for four years, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/1/24

Prescott City Administrator Matt Wolf (right) updates the city council on the EPA’s newest PFAS standards while Prescott Police Chief Eric Michaels (left) listens.

EPA announces new PFAS standards

PRESCOTT – Prescott City Council members accomplished a lot in a short amount of time while newly elected alderpersons Adam Granquist and Michael Gerke attended their first meeting April 22. … more

By Danielle Boos | 5/1/24

River Falls High School senior Payten Kusilek with Judson University Bowling Coach Vice Biondo. Kusilek signed her scholarship letter of intent this past weekend in Elgin, Ill.

Time to find our lane: RFHS senior conquers dyslexia, earns bowling college scholarship

Driving south down Main Street in River Falls the past few weeks, you may have noticed the St. Croix Lanes bowling sign congratulating the Co-op girls' fifth-place finish at the 26th annual High … more

By Greg Peters | 5/1/24

ECSD hires Nadeau as new superintendent

The Ellsworth Community School District Board of Education has selected Brian Nadeau to become the district’s next superintendent. Nadeau is completing his third year as the … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 5/1/24

Over 2 months last summer, the healthy soil in the Mittag's pasture was able to demolish the cotton on these briefs. Healthy soil means more nutrients are recycled back to the plants and more rainwater is infiltrated into the ground instead of running off the farm.

River Falls beef farmers win 'Soil Your Undies' contest

RIVER FALLS - The Soil Your Undies contest combines crude humor and crude science to help farmers see how the management choices they make impact the soil they work in. For two years now, local … more

4/24/24

UW-River Falls Bee Club members Autumn Frederick (left) and Lucy Cahn staffed their club booth Saturday, April 20 during Earth Fest in the University Center. They handed out information on pollinator habitat and No Mow May.

Striking gold: Efforts to improve sustainability net UWRF its highest ranking

RIVER FALLS – From helping stage Earth Fest in conjunction with Earth Day, to creating a bee hotel and a surrounding pollinator-friendly garden, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls … more

4/24/24

Pierce County Board sees four new faces

Pierce County Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Rohl administered the oath of office to the new Pierce County Board, which convened Tuesday, April 16. Those elected are as follows (incumbents are … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/24/24

Athletic Director Andrew Caudill presents option 1 to the Prescott School Board, which eliminates all athletic C-teams to the school board.

Prescott School Board weathers aftermath of failed referendum

At the March 20 Prescott School Board meeting, President Mike Matzek had reassured all that what will happen to the operations of the district is not a scare tactic but is based on facts and drastic … more

By Nicole Rogers | 4/24/24

Have A Heart Director Wanda Burnley (in jean jacket) accepts the $10,000 Power of 100 Women – Roberts/Hammond award on April 18.

Have A Heart welcomes new director

TOWN OF RIVER FALLS – Have A Heart Inc. recently welcomed a new program director and the future looks bright for this nonprofit organization dedicated to adults with physical and developmental … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/24/24

Becky Bradburn joined Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services on April 22 as its Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer.

Industry veteran joins PPCS as CFO

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) announces Becky Bradburn as its next Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Bradburn is an industry veteran with a wealth of … more

4/24/24

Gerrard Corporation is planning to build a 54-unit apartment building off Alexander Avenue in Crossing Meadows Business Park in Ellsworth.

New apartment building proposed for Crossing Meadows

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Village Board meeting April 16 saw not only board reorganization, but plans for a new housing development in Crossing Meadows. The board approved a Certified … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/24/24

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

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