News - Pierce County Journal

A businessman is proposing turning 410 E. Wall St. into a wine bar and semiconductor research and development business in Ellsworth’s East End.

Wine bar, new industrial business proposed for East End

Ellsworth’s East End may soon have two new businesses: A proposed wine bar and a new business that, among other things, will manufacture items for NASA. David Braddock, President of OSEMI … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/24/25

Eighth grader Max Beck with the fall baseball team after they shaved their heads to honor Max during his battle with Ewing’s sarcoma.

‘Amazingly brave’: Community rallies behind Max Beck during fight against Ewing’s sarcoma

ELLSWORTH — Eighth grader Max Beck has led by example during his years in school, and he is standing tall again as he battles Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare type of cancer found in about 200 … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/24/25

Three generations of Langer men at the Big River Corn Maze on their family land (from left): Bailey Langer, Ken Langer Sr., and Ken Langer Jr.

Big River Corn Maze is a family affair, set to open Sept. 26

PRESCOTT – A new fall attraction is set to open for business on Friday, Sept. 26 along the Great River Road on a farm that’s been in the Langer family for four generations. Kenny … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/24/25

Design Ellsworth 2.0 launches new speaker series Oct. 7

ELLSWORTH – If you could have a say in planning Ellsworth’s future, what would you do? Would you propose a new park? Would you uncover the creek in East End Park and make it a focal … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/24/25

A layout of the two proposed locations for a new transportation center. Proposal A is on existing school property while proposal B is across County Road CC and would be purchased land.

SV district approves land purchase for new transportation center

SPRING VALLEY — After a vote from residents as well as an approval from the school board, the Spring Valley School District got the go ahead to purchase 34.3 acres of land to construct a new … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/24/25

Prescott Hall of Fame to induct 3 new members

PRESCOTT – The three latest inductees into the Prescott Hall of Fame will be honored at a banquet Oct. 4 in the Prescott High School Commons. Dennis Gagnier Dennis Gagnier enters the … more

9/17/25

The committee members in the Town of Isabelle who unanimously recommended passage of the town’s Operations Ordinance. From left: Lynn Brown, Margaret Chesley, Charlie Brown. Not pictured: John Grabrick.

Pierce County town passes ordinance for factory farms

TOWN OF ISABELLE — On Monday, Sept. 15, the Isabelle Town Board in Pierce County unanimously passed an Operations Ordinance to ensure local oversight of massive factory farms. The decision … more

9/17/25

The 2025 Elmwood High School Homecoming Court includes (not pictured in order) seniors Taylor Asher, Nevaeh Zahara, Braeden Bechel, Austin Krentz, Keyden Muniz; juniors Tessa Asher and Camren Hokanson; sophomores Haylee Borst and Tegan Crandall; and freshmen Mikenna Manor and Easton Hardy.

Homecoming Week begins for EPC students

Elmwood and Plum City school districts will celebrate Homecoming Sept. 22-27 with a full roster of activities, including dress up days, pep fests and student/staff competitions. Elmwood’s … more

Staff report | 9/17/25

Conglomerated Cheese exec Melanie Charles (Ione Hayes) is converted to being a Wisconsin Cheesehead, despite the arduous winters.

GALLERY: ‘Cheeseheads’ is ‘cheesy’ fun

SPRING VALLEY – If you’re a proud Wisconsinite, or even a wannabe (ahem, Minnesotans), there’s nothing more Sconnie than Spring Valley Stagehands’ rendition of … more

9/17/25

A selfie taken by Wes Dopkins at 1 p.m., June 15, 2024, not long before he and a friend became separated while kayaking across Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park during a sudden storm. His mother said he loved being active with friends in nature.

Body of missing kayaker found in Wyoming

The remains of a local man who went missing during a kayaking trip last year in Wyoming have been found. A Wisconsin nonprofit organization specializing in recovering drowning victims located … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/16/25

This 2024 Kia K5, driven by an 18-year-old Hudson woman, crashed through a house into a spare bedroom in the 400 block of West Overlook Drive in Ellsworth.

Drunk driver crashes into Ellsworth house

An Ellsworth family received a terrifying and unwelcome surprise in the middle of the night when a drunk driver crashed a vehicle into their house early Sunday morning. According to Nick and … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/16/25

Charlie Brown, who was a part of the committee that put together a CAFO regulation ordinance draft for the Town of Isabelle to consider, discussed a chart showing Isabelle’s susceptibility to groundwater contamination.

Isabelle hearing reignites CAFO ordinance debates

TOWN OF ISABELLE — A handful of Pierce County’s townships have looked into drafting ordinances to add more plans, requirements and regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/16/25

Ellsworth personnel issue erupts into national news

The Ellsworth Community School District was forced into a national controversy with a post by a staff member last week regarding the assassination of conservative activist and influencer Charlie … more

By John McLoone | 9/16/25

The vendor market was hopping on Broad Street for Prescott Daze 2025 Saturday, Sept. 6.

GALLERY: Prescott Daze 2025 celebrates The Great Outdoors

Prescott Daze's 2025 Great Outdoors Celebration was a smashing success. We're already looking forward to next year! more

9/10/25

Tia DeJong, 4k Paraprofessional, Plum City Elementary

Plum City welcomes new faces for 2025-26 year

Plum City School District is welcoming the following new staff members for the 2025-26 school year. Welcome! Tia DeJong Position: 4k Paraprofessional, Plum City Elementary Hometown: … more

9/10/25

Melissa “Mei Mei” Abdouch, front, and a crew of volunteers assembled 200 meals and gifts to donate to patients, families and caregivers at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital last month.

A mission to give back: Mei Mei leads local businesses in donating 200 meals

RIVER FALLS – On Monday, Aug. 25, Melissa "Mei Mei" Abdouch of Mei Mei's Cookies & Creamery in River Falls delivered and served 200 meals and gifts to patients, families, and caregivers … more

9/10/25

A July 31 image of North Grant Street in Ellsworth during its reconstruction project.

PCEDC Municipal Survey results put emphasis on housing, business

The Pierce County Economic Development Corporation released results from the 2025 Municipal Survey, where community leaders were tasked with sharing their “vision for economic growth.” … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/10/25

Local woman arrested for hurting senior citizen, taking drunken ATV ride

A local woman is accused of hurting a senior citizen who attempted to prevent her from driving an ATV drunk in the town of Martell. Mikayla Kayelyn Miller, 29, Goodhue, Minn., posted a $5,000 … more

Staff report | 9/10/25

East End Park is a busy place Thursday nights in the summer for the Summer Fun Series.

Potential East End Park Plan tabled till October

ELLSWORTH — A proposed agreement with MSA to develop an East End Park Master Plan was tabled to the October agenda during the Sept. 8 Ellsworth Village Board meeting. The proposal was to … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/10/25

The Renaissance Charter Academy in River Falls recently constructed a new building, increasing their offerings to students.

Renaissance Charter continuing to expand opportunities and provide another way to learn

RIVER FALLS — The Renaissance Charter Academy has been a part of River Falls for about 20 years. They broke ground for a new building in 2022 and Principal Peggy Webb is entering her second … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/10/25