News - Pierce County Journal

Director Sheri Marnell stands in front of the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center (SCVBIC) in River Falls. The SCVBIC is now taking applications for micro-grants to support area businesses with growth expenses, supported by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center to help businesses grow with micro-grants supported by WEDC

RIVER FALLS –The St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center (SCVBIC) in River Falls will use a $100,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to help area businesses … more

9/3/25

Noah Collins recently completed his Eagle Scout project, painting the old gearhouse at Mercord Mill Park.

Prescott City Council amends impact fees, applauds Eagle Scout project

PRESCOTT – The Prescott City Council held a public hearing during its regular meeting on Aug. 25 to discuss amendments and additions to Chapter 352 of the city’s impact fee ordinance. … more

By Danielle Boos | 9/3/25

The storms on Aug. 9, 2025 created a 1,000-year flooding event in southeast Wisconsin. The phrase refers to the probability of an event of that magnitude happening, not the actual frequency of its occurrence.

Fiscal Facts: Flood damage rises with rainfall

Over the past 45 years, Wisconsin has seen a dramatic increase in damage caused by flooding, as the climate has warmed, extreme rains have become more common, and urban development has continued. … more

9/3/25

Lindsey Augustine is the new second grade teacher at St. Francis School in Ellsworth.

St. Francis School says hello to new year

ELLSWORTH – St. Francis School is pleased to welcome the following new staff members for the 2025-26 school year. Lindsey Augustine Position: Second grade teacher Hometown: … more

9/3/25

Candice DiBriyn, fifth grade teacher, Westside Elementary School,

River Falls School District salutes new staff

The River Falls School District is pleased to welcome the following new staff members for the 2025-26 school year. Candice DeBriyn Position: Fifth grade teacher, Westside … more

9/3/25

An overhead photo from Prescott DAZE 2024.

Prescott Daze is back to rock the river again

PRESCOTT — Prescott Daze is back for another year with another exciting slate, combining the classic favorites with a handful of new events Sept. 4-7. Chairs Angie and Annie Magee have … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/3/25

RF man wanted for stealing vehicle, gun

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a River Falls man who missed a court appearance related to felony theft charges. Pierce County Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Rohl issued the warrant … more

Staff report | 9/3/25

New Ellsworth Community School District staff gathered last week for orientation at Ellsworth Elementary.

ECSD welcomes new staff for 2025-26 year

Ellsworth Community School District is happy to welcome many new faces to its staff (plus a few familiar ones) this year. Interim school days began Tuesday, Aug. 26, with the official first day of … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/27/25

RF man facing domestic sex assault charges

A River Falls man is facing charges after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman while she was sleeping. Lee David Gilderhus, 34, River Falls, was ordered to pay $1,500 cash bond Aug. 14 … more

Staff report | 8/27/25

Participants in the 2025 Data Analysis and Monitoring Crew Program (DAM Crew), make measurements in the Kinnickinnic River to monitor the ecological health of the stream. The program is supported by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. From left: UW-River Falls students Emily Rose, Liz Schwint, Cass Hoffman and El Popp.

Student project informs River Falls dam removal project

RIVER FALLS – When the City of River Falls needed qualified people to provide ecological monitoring for the removal of the Junction Falls and Powell Falls Dams, University of … more

8/27/25

Cedar Corporation prepared draft concept options for pedestrian crossings on Highway 10 and Highway 29. The proposal also changes the configuration of Orrin Road and Campbell Street.

Prescott City Council backs Safer Crossing Plan for Highway 10

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WISDOT) has awarded the City of Prescott a $194,106 Transportation Alternatives Planning (TAP) grant to support improvements to pedestrian and bike … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/27/25

Plenty of volunteers and Prescott American Legion Post 61 members played a big part in getting the repairs done that were needed at the Legion Hall.

Prescott Legion to be up and running for Prescott DAZE

PRESCOTT — After a long month of repairs, Prescott American Legion Post 61 expects to be fully up and running for Prescott DAZE festivities. On July 18, the Legion announced over Facebook … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/27/25

New Prescott School District Superintendent Jim Reif.

Reif eager for first school year as Prescott superintendent

PRESCOTT — The Prescott School District’s new superintendent, Jim Reif, is looking to bring his decades of education experience to the city, putting an emphasis on students and the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/27/25

Father Joseph Albert Saleth is the new priest at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prescott.

‘We are Christians by our love’: St. Joseph Church receives new priest

PRESCOTT — St. Joseph Catholic Church recently welcomed Father Joseph Albert Saleth as its new priest. Saleth is originally from the southern portion of India. He lost his parents at a … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/20/25

A group representing UW-River Falls and Wisconsin’s dairy industry poses with one of the residents of an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The group traveled to Thailand to explore dairy export opportunities. From left: Apilak Sirikeratikul, Sukanya Sirikeratikul, Randy Swensen, Grace Lewis, Nevaeh Bolinger, Rueben Nilsson and Kevin Thaisen.

UWRF staff, recent grad explore WI dairy export opportunities in Thailand

RIVER FALLS – Wisconsin dairy products are known worldwide, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still opportunities to spread the word a little further. University of Wisconsin-River … more

8/20/25

The Golf View water tower is in the process of a sand blasting and recoating project.

RF council adopts water and sewer project plans

RIVER FALLS — The River Falls City Council approved a plan for water and sewer projects within city limits after hearing a presentation during the Aug. 12 meeting. Senior Civil Engineer … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/20/25

This rendering shows what a new senior housing development proposed for 445 Court St. N. could look like.

Prescott City Council approves concept plan for senior housing development

A new senior housing development could soon take shape in Prescott following the city council’s approval of a concept plan for a 58-unit assisted living facility at 445 Court St. N. The … more

By Danielle Boos | 8/20/25

This 2022 Indian Challenger went into the ditch Sunday, Aug. 17 in the town of El Paso. Operator Dale Johnson, Glenwood City, died at the scene.

GC man dies in El Paso motorcycle crash

A Glenwood City man died Sunday as a result of a motorcycle crash in El Paso township. According to a news release from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to a … more

Staff report | 8/20/25

Ellsworth School Board selected Jay Acker to fill the board’s vacancy.

School Board selects Acker as new member

ELLSWORTH — After Board Member Mark Stoesz resigned from the board due to moving out of the district, the board needed to elect a new member. During a special meeting Aug. 13, the board … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/20/25

Ellsworth man facing over 30 child porn felony charges

An Ellsworth man has been charged with more than 30 felony counts of child pornography. Nathaniel S. Barnett, 26, was ordered to pay $500 cash bond July 28 in Pierce County Circuit Court on 31 … more

8/13/25