News - Pierce County Journal

Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden hears from Ellsworth District Safety Director and Lead Custodian Andrew Borner (left) as well as Superintendent Brian Nadeau (right).

Van Orden speaks to Ellsworth Chamber, tours referendum construction

ELLSWORTH — Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden visited Ellsworth Thursday, speaking at an Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce meeting, touring the school district referendum construction and … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/13/25

SV Chamber looking to regroup after mass board resignation

SPRING VALLEY – The Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce was left without a board in June when the entire board resigned, accusing village staff and the village board of being anti-business, a … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/13/25

Janet Howe, the El Paso Days 2025 honorary citizen.

‘It’s a dandy place:’ El Paso holds special place in heart of honorary citizen Howe

EL PASO — With El Paso Days coming up, 2025 Honorary Citizen Janet Howe reflected on a lifetime of great memories from her time in the area. Howe comes from the Daniels family, which has … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/13/25

Vino in the Valley Founder Larry Brenner toasting to a 19th year in business.

Vino in the Valley named El Paso Days grand marshal

El Paso Days is always sure to bring great events, but the Grand Parade followed by the greased pig contest Sunday is always a sight to see. This year, Vino in the Valley will be honored as the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/13/25

Junior Youth Leadership, Health and Political Science Superintendent Suzie Brunner.

Fair Superintendent Brunner reminisces on 40 years of fair memories

Junior Youth Leadership, Health and Political Science Fair Superintendent Suzie Brunner has been going to the Pierce County Fair for over 40 years. Around 10 years ago, Brunner was asked by Frank … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/9/25

Odin, a long-time Pierce County K-9 that retired in 2021, died this past week. He will forever be remembered by those in the department for his hard work as well as being a loyal, good boy.

Top Dogs: Retired PCSO K-9 to be forever remembered,

Odin, a K-9 for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office for years, died this week, and will forever be remembered for his hard work for the force. The Prescott Police Department also announced the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/8/25

A foot-tall amalgamation of deceased mayflies in front of the Bay City Post Office after their mating is completed.

Mayfly barrage takes over Bay City

BAY CITY — Two-foot tall banks up against the buildings, difficulty seeing out of your windshield and roads as slippery as an oil spill. You would think a snowstorm came in the middle of July, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/8/25

City of River Falls Communications Coordinator Tyler Mason recently started the ‘Kinni Cast,’ a podcast focusing on the stories of City of River Falls employees.

The Eyes and Ears of the City

Tyler Mason's job title with the City of River Falls is Communications Coordinator. Communicating is what Mason has been doing for the last year in his new gig. His job description is being the eyes … more

By Greg Peters | 8/8/25

A boat that was at the Miss-Croix Yacht Harbor to refuel exploded and immediately burst into flames at the dock. The fire grew so quickly that both the dock and other boats were suddenly in danger of being engulfed themselves until a good Samaritan stepped up to help douse the flames with water.

Boat explosion rocks Prescott’s Miss-Croix Yacht Harbor

PRESCOTT, Wis. — A quiet afternoon on the water turned chaotic Saturday when a boat exploded at the fuel dock at Miss-Croix Yacht Harbor, sending all eleven people on board into the Mississippi … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/30/25

Shaded and elevated, the Michelob Ultra Zone VIP decks provide upgraded seating with private amenities and clear sightlines of the stage.

From Creed to Carrie: Dockendorf’s vision shapes Treasure Island Amphitheater shows

Just a short drive from downtown Hastings, nestled against the scenic backdrop of the Mississippi River, Treasure Island Resort and Casino's outdoor amphitheater has quietly become one of Minnesota's … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/30/25

Father Sam McCarty of Wausau was recently welcomed as the new priest of St. Francis Catholic Church.

St. Francis welcomes Father McCarty as new priest

ELLSWORTH — St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church welcomed Father Sam McCarty as its new priest as of July 1. McCarty grew up in Wausau before going to seminary out of high school, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/23/25

Former Pierce County Sheriff's Office Investigator Tom Bauer.

Amended charges may allow former PCSO investigator to resume duties

A former Pierce County Sheriff’s Office investigator’s ability to return to his job is currently being assessed after criminal charges against him have been amended in what appears to be … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/23/25

Beth Croes during one of her storm spotting classes through the National Weather Service.

Chasing storms and dreams with SV’s ‘weather lady’

SPRING VALLEY – Beth Croes is always up for an adventure. Whether that’s storm chasing, training as a storm spotter or opening a coffee/food truck business, you can be sure that … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/23/25

Bay City area farmer Brian Webster died by suicide in the Summer of 2023. Since then, the Farmer Angel Network of western Wisconsin has worked to provide mental health resources to farmers.

Farmer Angel Network event focusing on access to mental health system

Sixty-three percent of farmers and farmworkers surveyed by the American Farm Bureau in 2021 claimed there is a stigma around mental health. This stigma is not exclusive to farmers by any means, but … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/23/25

River Falls' Eli and Nolan Condon run "Bomb Squad," a professional pooper-scooper business in the area.

The Feculent Fighting Fish Bomb Squad

Fishmeal, by definition from Merriam-Webster, is partly made from fish waste and manure and used as fertilizer. River Falls Fighting Fish pitcher Eli Condon's stuff on the mound has been nothing … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/16/25

Evan White of River Falls completed the American Ninja Warrior qualifier, advancing to the semi-finals.

RF graduate dedicates American Ninja Warrior run to preaching Jesus’ word

Evan White, a River Falls High School Class of 2025 graudate, has already gone on to reach great heights both literally and figuratively, scaling the Warped Wall to reach the finish during the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/16/25

Dr. Greg Miller has opened Cascade Primary Care in River Falls.

Cascade Primary Care brings patient-centered direct primary care to RF

RIVER FALLS – Cascade Primary Care with Dr. Greg Miller is proud to announce the launch of its Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice in River Falls, offering a groundbreaking subscription-based … more

7/16/25

New Ellsworth High School Principal Marcy Burch.

Ellsworth welcomes two new principals

ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Community School District has announced the hirings of two new principals, one for the high school and the other for the elementary school. Marcy Burch, the newly … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/16/25

Ridge Breeze Dairy is located at W2686 390th Ave, Maiden Rock.

DNR rejects 2,000 acres from Ridge Breeze Manure Spreading Plan after public pushback

PIERCE COUNTY — In June, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rejected most of a factory farm’s request to spread manure on land in Pierce County. The factory farm, Ridge … more

7/16/25

Strip club scuffle sends one man to hospital

Two Minnesota men are accused of attacking a man and leaving him unresponsive outside a Hager City strip club on the 4 th of July. Marius Omega Bennett, 21, Cottage Grove, Minn., was ordered to … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/16/25