News - Pierce County Journal

Terry Budworth, a veteran and Prescott American Legion member, is the featured speaker at the Prescott Veterans Day program.

Budworth is Prescott Veterans Day speaker

PRESCOTT – Veteran Terry Budworth’s message is simple yet powerful: “I think everybody has a duty to do something for their city, and mine is the American Legion. You … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 11/5/25

Marvin John Siebold, WWII veteran and River Falls/Prescott native, enjoying a beer on the canal in Hampton Bays, NY.

Veteran Marvin John Siebold celebrates his 100th birthday

Marvin John Siebold, born on Nov. 18, 1925, is the son of Henry and Kathy Siebold, who owned a farm in River Falls. Like many families during the Great Depression, his family lost their farm and he … more

By The Siebold Family Special to the Pierce County Journal | 11/5/25

Harley Hotchkiss of Diamond Bluff owns and operates Premium Plots LLC, which specializes in growing strong food plots, tree removal, stump grinding, lawn services and snow removal.

Diamond Bluff veteran turns love of hunting into a career

DIAMOND BLUFF – Diamond Bluff native and Prescott High School Class of 1999 graduate Harley Hotchkiss comes from a long line of veterans, which inspired his path to join the service at age 17. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 11/5/25

A group of people who have played a key role in the mitigation of personal damage due to mortar blasts. From left: SFC Herdich (Mortar Sergeant), Maj. Karl Green (Neurosurgeon), SFC Joseph Russett (Mortar Sergeant), Maj. Greg Miller (Family Physician) and SPC Cioni (RN - Medic).

RF doctor studying mitigation of mortar blast impact with National Guard

National Guard members can blast 200 mortar rounds in a given weekend, three to four times a year over the course of 20 years during training. While the training is necessary, the impact on the ears … more

By Andrew Harrington | 11/5/25

Elmwood veteran Dean Marsh rides in the ring at Lost Creek Ranch in Beldenville

Lost Creek Ranch gives veterans chance to connect with horses

BELDENVILLE – A couple of weeks after the Pierce County Fair, Dean Marsh took his first horse ride at Lost Creek Ranch. He was hooked. The Elmwood veteran went to the ranch’s Beer, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 11/5/25

Daniel Grosso while deployed in northern Afghanistan in 2019-2020, with his wife and eldest daughter awaiting his arrival home.

Military service guides how Spring Valley cervid farmer lives, leads and runs small business

SPRING VALLEY – Veterans often say that their military service helped shape them into the people they are today, which is evident in how rural Spring Valley resident Daniel Grosso runs his … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 11/5/25

A proposed 255-unit multi-family development of apartments and townhomes at the corner of County Highway M and Discovery Drive.

RF City Council approves one housing development, sends other back for revisions

RIVER FALLS — A pair of housing developments has been the talk of the city in River Falls, as the two proposals were grouped with multiple variances to city code. A multi-family Mann Valley … more

By Andrew Harrington | 11/5/25

Those wishing to see “Shrek Jr.” can purchase tickets on the Prescott School District website or by scanning the QR code.

Join Prescott students in the swamp at ‘Shrek Jr.’

PRESCOTT – Get ready to put on your ogre ears and find your place in the swamp as Prescott Middle School puts on “Shrek Jr.,” set to debut Friday, Nov. 14. Performances are … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 11/5/25

YB Urban? Aroma Bar owner Angie Whelan (left) presented Pierce County Food Pantry Coordinator Heidi Albarado with a bucket of cash donations as part of the “Flood Our Food Bank” initiative in Ellsworth.

Pierce Co. residents hit by SNAP benefit delays

Pierce County families are among the nearly 42 million Americans preparing for their food stamp benefits to run dry in November because of an ongoing government shutdown. The US Department of … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 11/5/25

Colors fly in River Falls’ grand performance at Indianapolis during the Bands of America Super Regionals.

‘We earned it’: River Falls band’s greatness fueled by hard work and cohesion

RIVER FALLS — What the people at home see from the River Falls Marching Band is plenty of State Championships, including the recent clean sweep of titles at State, performances in massive … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/29/25

CAFO ordinance spar takes to county Groundwater Committee

ELLSWORTH — Upon hearing public comment from those in favor and against ordinances that add barriers to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) entering communities through adding … more

10/29/25

RF man arrested for gun and tool thefts

RIVER FALLS – Multiple officers executed a search warrant last week on a River Falls home belonging to a man suspected in multiple thefts in his neighborhood. Neighbors were told to shelter in … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/29/25

Accessibility Awareness River Falls is a new non-profit in the community, working to increase accessibility in the city.

Non-profit installing doorbells free to businesses in the name of accessibility

RIVER FALLS — A new non-profit in River Falls is making the push for accessibility in River Falls, starting with business entryways. Pat Nistler was out for lunch in River Falls with … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/23/25

Budget numbers, possible school consolidation, dominate annual meeting

PRESCOTT – The Prescott School Board annual meeting Sept. 24 provided updates on referendum work, a presentation on the proposed 2025-26 budget and talk about possibly consolidating school … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/23/25

‘Rejoice together:’ Lots of hands get involved to make RFSD forest pavilion happen

RIVER FALLS — River Falls School District and school/community forest representatives gathered a crowd at the RFSD forest to unveil a pavilion Oct. 15. The pavilion is funded two-thirds by … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/22/25

Phil Pfuehler, former editor of the River Falls Journal, has published a book

Former RF newspaper editor writes alternate reality novel where physical media fades away

In an era of technology, attention spans have continued to fade and media is consumed more and more through devices. Phil Pfuehler, a retired River Falls Journal editor and long-time area resident, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/22/25

Eagle Eye Farm in rural River Falls is home to multiple alpacas, known for their gentle nature, curiosity and hypoallergenic fleece.

Eagle Eye Farm set to host ‘Pasture Palooza’

RIVER FALLS – The countdown is on for a new fall tradition: Pasture Palooza at Eagle Eye Farm, an all-day celebration of community, agriculture, and family fun, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/22/25

River Falls Moose Lodge mascot Tommy Moose at Taste of River Falls.

Moose Lodge celebrates 81 years of community impact

RIVER FALLS — Moose Lodge at 620 N. Clark St. in River Falls recently celebrated 81 years in the city, continuing the push to have a long-term positive impact. The group is an … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/15/25

This map shows where a proposed senior living development consisting of two 12-unit buildings would go, between James and Pine streets.

Plan Commission green lights new senior development, Foley expansion

PRESCOTT – The Prescott Plan Commission voted Oct. 6 to recommend six items to the Prescott City Council for the proposed Pine Meadows senior housing development. A site plan for the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/15/25

Junior Mady Maxwell, a September Ellsworth High School Student of the Month.

EHS honors September Students of the Month

Ellsworth High School is pleased to announce the September 2025 Students of the Month: Freshman Nolan Helgeson, sophomore Lydia Selzler, junior Mady Maxwell and senior Carly Girdeen. Nolan … more

10/15/25