News - Pierce County Journal

Four-year-old Boone Erlandson of Beldenville began growing his mullet in 2020 when he dressed up as Joe Diffie for Halloween.

Local boys compete in national mullet contest

The next USA Mullet Champ could be one of three Ellsworth area boys, if local voters have anything to say about it. The 2023 Kids Mullet Showdown is a fundraising event (online) through Jared … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/20/23

Pictured are (front, from left): Rian Engeldinger (Prescott), Shay Stenroos (Prescott), Rebecca Styles (St. Croix Falls), Michelle Jensen (River Falls); (back) Hallah Jensen (Hudson), Kieran Lapcinski (Prescott), Parker Hince (St. Paul), Brecken Styles (St. Croix Falls), Jeff Ryan (Prescott), Chris Frey (Albert Lea, Minn.), Tanya Sponholz (Prescott).

Prescott Community Education Trip #21 to Lac Du Flambeau

Travelers from four different communities came together this past weekend to participate in the 21st Prescott Community Education sponsored trip to the Lac Du Flambeau Indian … more

Staff report | 7/13/23

New Ezekiel Lutheran Church Pastor Steve Dow standing in front of the church’s sign in River Falls.

Steve Dow brings 22 years of pastor experience to Ezekiel Lutheran

RIVER FALLS – Ezekiel Lutheran Church of River Falls has brought Pastor Steve Dow aboard to be the next leader of the church. Dow hopes to bring stability and a familiar face to Ezekiel … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/13/23

Alex Smrekar holds the trophy of one of nine individual cheese curd eating contest championships.

Dairy dominance: Smrekar wins cheese curd eating contest for ninth time

ELLSWORTH – Crowds gathered at East End Park on June 24 for what has become one of Ellsworth’s most competitive events of the year. The cheese curd eating contest is an annual … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/13/23

The proposed anaerobic digester and nutrient recovery facility would be built on 25 acres owned by Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery west of County Road C in an industrial area of the village.

Proposed anaerobic digester would be in East Ellsworth

ELLSWORTH – A Danish renewable natural gas company is proposing to build a contained anaerobic digester and nutrient recovery facility in Ellsworth near the East End Industrial Park on 25 acres … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/13/23

A family gathering was taking place on the north side of Diamond Island at the mouth of the Vermillion River when three swimmers drowned over the July 4 holiday.

Three swimmers' bodies recovered near Vermillion and Mississippi rivers

The bodies of three swimmers who went missing in the Mississippi River near Diamond Island July 3 were found early July 5, according to the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office. At 7:35 p.m. … more

Staff report | 7/6/23

Prescott Councilmember Bailey Ruona (right) expresses her frustration and concern over the recent confusing guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Prescott City Council submits well treatment option for DNR program approval amidst new EPA standards

PRESCOTT – Prescott City Administrator Matt Wolf addressed the Prescott City Council at the June 26 meeting to describe the current issues surrounding city Well #3, which was shut down on Sept. … more

By Danielle Boos | 7/6/23

SV School Board plans facilities amid budget battle

SPRING VALLEY – The Spring Valley School Board tackled financial topics during the June 28 special meeting, discussing the expected state funding to the district from the biennial budget and … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/6/23

The following concerned citizens attended the Pierce County Land Conservation committee meeting Tuesday, June 27 to speak in favor of a temporary livestock moratorium on CAFO expansions. (From left): Donny Brunner, Nancy Weiss, Weiss’ granddaughter Emma, Mary Anne Wise, Bill Hogseth, Ty Fisher, Doug Weiss, Judy Krohn, Danny Akenson and Rainbow Barry.

Land Conservation Committee votes 3-2 for CAFO livestock moratorium

The Pierce County Land Conservation Committee voted 3-2 Tuesday, June 27 to recommend establishing a temporary six-month moratorium on livestock expansion in Pierce County to the Board of … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/6/23

Vice President of Operations Haykel Arfaoui, owner Sahil Taneja and Taneja Companies District Manager Seham A. Wahed standing in front of the newly opened Dunkin’ Donuts in River Falls.

Dunkin’ Donuts has slam dunk opening week in River Falls

RIVER FALLS – Dunkin’ Donuts has been the east coast’s top coffee and donut chain for decades, and owner Sahil Taneja has brough the craze to Wisconsin, opening a shop in River … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/6/23

Kennedy Street residents express concerns over sidewalk proposal

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls City Council June 13 meeting saw public concerns over a potential sidewalk and the denial of a concert at City Hall. The 10 public comments during the meeting … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/29/23

Hailee Thoner from St. Francis Elementary in Ellsworth received a $30 gift card from PPCS for second place.

PPCS announces Electrical Safety Poster Contest winners

ELLSWORTH – As part of National Electrical Safety Month, Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) and the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) teamed up in May to host an … more

6/29/23

Police follow Pierce Co. burglary trail to stolen semi suspect

Investigating a string of Pierce County business burglaries led police to identifying one man they believe stole a semi-tractor in Minnesota and submerged in the Mississippi River. Scott Brian … more

Staff report | 6/29/23

Aidan Bowman, River Falls, sporting his sailor costume at his first Circus Juventas performance in May 2013.

River Falls student finds his niche performing under the Big Top

Aidan Bowman practices Russian bar this June (Aidan is the porter on left). Aidan Bowman (also known as “Aidan BB”) has been told that he was a clumsy little kid. By the time he was … more

By Beth Cedarholm | 6/29/23

An Easter toast photo of Dennis Armstrong and Judy McNall they sent to brother John Connors.

Siblings find each other after 70 years, thanks to DNA testing

DNA testing has provided people a way to find out more about their ancestors, and for 76-year-old Ellsworth native Dennis Armstrong, the discovery of two half-siblings was life changing and … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/22/23

The fence installed at 154 Wacota St. by McCoulter Eaton currently sits on city property. While the city isn’t concerned with the fence, they are requesting that Eaton remove the remaining debris, abandoned materials, and other items as it violates city ordinance code 443-9b.

Prescott Plan Commission hesitates on remedial action for Wacota Street property

PRESCOTT – The Prescott Plan Commission began its June 5 meeting talking about remedial action regarding the property of 154 Wacota St., citing the process began in May 2022 with no resolution … more

By Danielle Boos | 6/22/23

A semi-tractor belonging to a Minnesota man was found submerged off the Diamond Bluff boat landing around 4:30 a.m. June 13. The truck had been reported stolen two days earlier.

Stolen semi found in the Mississippi River

DIAMOND BLUFF – A stolen semi-tractor was found submerged in the Mississippi River off the Diamond Bluff boat landing in the wee hours of Tuesday, June 13. Pierce County deputies responded … more

Staff report | 6/22/23

This map shows where a proposed waste storage facility would go at Ridge Breeze Dairy, located on 390th Avenue in the town of Salem. This would be the third waste storage facility at the farm.

Waste storage ordinance revisions will be sent to F&P

At the June 13 Pierce County Land Conservation meeting, the committee voted to forward waste storage ordinance revisions to the county board for consideration after a closed session. Chair Jerry … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/22/23

Course designer and organizer Andrew P. Reese standing in front of the Sterling Hill Disc Golf Course map in River Falls.

Rapidly growing RF disc golf community sees another course open

RIVER FALLS – Disc golf has become a wildly popular activity over the past decade and the Sterling Hill Disc Golf Course was created in River Falls to accommodate that. The course is free … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/22/23

Carissa Pfaffe, a familiar face to many in the area, has joined the ranks at Hair Traffic Control in Ellsworth’s East End. She’s offering discounts for the summer to celebrate her return to hair.

Hair Traffic Control has a new stylist

ELLSWORTH – Ever since she was a little girl, local hair stylist Carissa Pfaffe knew she wanted to help people feel better about themselves. After taking a brief break from the profession, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/15/23