News - Pierce County Journal

Local races, referenda appear on April 2 ballot

As voters head to the polls Tuesday, April 2, they will see many local nonpartisan races on their ballots, including those seeking spots on the 17-member Pierce County Board. Two school districts, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/27/24

Shafer selected for prestigious scholarship

SPRING VALLEY – The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation announced that Madeline Shafer will be a recipient of one the organization’s 2024 Student Excellence and Initiative … more

3/27/24

The referendum video narrated by Prescott students stirred up emotions among the board members.

Prescott School Board explains what’s at stake for the kids

PRESCOTT – One of main discussions of the March 20 Prescott School Board meeting centered once again around the upcoming referendum. The board recommunicated what would be at stake if the … more

By Nicole Rogers | 3/27/24

The E-Town Arts Committee is raising money for its next mural, Thank You for Your Service, which will honor military service men and women.

Mural honoring veterans will grace East End

East Ellsworth will soon be home to another mural and the public can have a meaningful role in its completion. People will have the opportunity to include a loved one’s name on the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/27/24

Dave & Chery Dintemann celebrate 20 years of owning Johnnie's Bar in River Falls. The bar is a community gathering spot for many.

Luck O’ The Linehan: Dintemanns celebrate 20 years of owning Johnnie’s Bar

RIVER FALLS – According to American folklore, Thomas Jefferson was sitting at the Indian Queen Tavern in Philadelphia one June evening in 1776. With a pint of freshly poured ale resting in one … more

By Greg Peters | 3/20/24

Volunteers and Prescott Nursing & Rehabilitation Community staff and volunteers served breakfast brought on-site from the Prescott Fire Department Pancake Breakfast Sunday, a tradition that’s been going on when the breakfasts are held for more than a decade. Prescott Nursing & Rehabilitation Community Administrator Jill Ameda (at left) and Prescott Nursing & Rehab employees worked with Julie Moe, Debbie Hunter, Tara Buechner and Mike Hunter of the Prescott Community Club and Andy Johnson of the Prescott Fire Department to serve breakfast Sunday.

Volunteers bring Prescott FD “famous” pancakes on the road to feed Prescott Nursing & Rehab residents

Prescott – The Prescott Fire Department’s World Famous Pancake Breakfasts through the Lent season attract up to 500 people each week. The breakfast feast features pancakes, sausages and … more

By John McLoone | 3/20/24

The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is located at 232 N. Wallace St. in Ellsworth.

Creamery odor cause has been fixed, official says

ELLSWORTH – Driving through East Ellsworth about two weeks ago, one may have wished they’d lost their sense of smell. A membrane failure with the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery’s … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/20/24

Larry Langer, an Ellsworth resident who lives on Halls Hill, became emotional during his pleas for the Ellsworth Village Board to vote against the proposed anaerobic digester. He called for common sense to prevail.

Residents implore board to say no to digester

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Village Hall was packed Monday, March 18 for a special board meeting on the proposed anaerobic digester, along with roughly 60 attendees tuned in online. Many people … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/20/24

PSC to study Ellsworth’s water rates

ELLSWORTH – At the March 4 Ellsworth Village Board meeting, the board learned that current water rates do not cover the cost of operations and maintenance nor any potential system upgrades, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/20/24

Participants in the Community Action Poverty Simulation event at UW-River Falls in January 2023 discuss challenges related to trying to pay for living expenses on a limited income. This year’s poverty simulation event at the university is scheduled for March 27 and is intended to raise awareness about the growing number of people struggling to pay for basic life expenses.

UWRF to host poverty simulation event March 27

RIVER FALLS – Even in the St. Croix Valley, a part of Wisconsin where the population is increasing along with economic development, many people struggle to make ends meet financially. … more

3/20/24

UW-River Falls student Brandi Weiland and others have restarted a university chapter of Active Minds as part of efforts to address student mental health on campus. On Monday Weiland, wearing a pink sweatshirt, spoke with students visiting the Active Minds booth, an effort to connect with students and make them feel less alone.

Active Minds, Mental Health Mondays addressing mental health needs at UWRF

RIVER FALLS – Two years ago, as one aspect after another of her life unraveled, Brandi Weiland felt like she hit rock bottom. Her brother died in 2020, and that incident seemed to … more

3/13/24

Alexi Schommer followed her dream and opened Ooh Ahh Massage & Spa at 1380 North Acres Road in Prescott.

Ooh Ahh Massage & Spa owner persisted in chasing dreams

PRESCOTT — Alexi Schommer, owner of Ooh Ahh Massage and Spa, was born and raised in Prescott. "My dream was always to open something in Prescott, nowhere else, always something in … more

By Riley Dorau | 3/13/24

Neenah woman arrested for Martell burglary

A Neenah woman driving by a house she had burglarized the day before was pulled over and arrested during a traffic stop. Renee L. Schroeder, 47, posted a $15,000 signature March 6 in Pierce … more

Pierce County Journal staff | 3/13/24

Retaining walls along Highway 35 between Green and Chestnut streets in Maiden Rock will be replaced.

Retaining wall replacement on WIS 35 in Maiden Rock to start

To invest in Wisconsin’s transportation system, Gov. Tony Evers has signed an $846,790 contract with prime contractor Pheifer Brothers Construction Co. of Neenah for the replacement of … more

3/13/24

Ave Maria Academy Middle School class: Braydon Diesing, Seth Holmstadt, Weston Bocksell, Bristal Books, Mary Peterson and Ava Bocksell.

Ave Maria Academy recaps ‘Hawaiian Luau Gala’

PLUM CITY – The weather was perfect as guests arrived at Molly’s on Main for the 2024 Hawaiian Luau Gala sponsored by Ave Maria Academy on Saturday, March 2. Guests were greeted in … more

3/13/24

For Tucky Bandaranaike, The Arbor at Young Acres is more than just a business - it's a manifestation of a lifelong dream, a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the simple joys of sharing a meal with loved ones.

A nomadic family settles down at an orchard oasis

PRESCOTT – Tucky and Rachel Bandaranaike and their Wolfegang, now 4 years old, had been living an unconventional life, traveling the county in an RV. They moved from their home in Orange … more

By Riley Dorau | 3/13/24

Prescott School District Financial Coordinator Sue Gerdes points out the financial scenarios resulting from the referendum vote.

Town hall meeting goes over proposed referendum

At the Feb. 21 town hall meeting, Prescott School District’s Financial Coordinator Sue Gerdes prefaced the meeting by sharing the reasons why the district needs to pass the operational … more

By Nicole Rogers | 3/13/24

Ellsworth Fire responded to a house fire at N4360 County Road C in the town of Ellsworth on Saturday, March 9.

Firefighter injured in house fire; person inside able to get out

TOWN OF ELLSWORTH – An Ellsworth firefighter was injured while fighting a house fire on Saturday, March 9. Ellsworth Fire Department responded at 3:01 p.m. to N4360 County Road C in the … more

Pierce County Journal staff | 3/13/24

Steve Papp, leader of the Greenwood Carving Club, received a Wildcat Pride Award at the Feb. 19 River Falls School Board meeting. Several of the club members spoke about the club.

Papp honored for Greenwood Carving Club

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls School Board honored educator Steve Papp at the Feb. 19 meeting with a Wildcat Pride Award for his leadership of the Greenwood Carving Club. Papp described … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/6/24

Magee Park’s recycling receptacles will find their new home on Ryden Road.

BNSF Railway leases space at Prescott Police Department

PRESCOTT – The City of Prescott approved a lease agreement between BNSF Railway and the City of Prescott to lease a cubicle of office space for the resource protection officer within the … more

By Danielle Boos | 3/6/24