News - Pierce County Journal

“Just as a reminder, voting is in April,” Alderperson Bailey Ruona (right) reminds meeting attendees after expressing her opinion on the financial and maintenance agreements. From left: Alderperson Pat Knox, Alderperson Maureen Otwell.

Prescott City Council frustrated over STH 35 and USH 10 Project agreements

Prescott City Administrator Matt Wolf reviewed the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s requested financial and maintenance agreements for the STH 35 and USH 10 projects with the Prescott … more

By Danielle Boos | 1/31/24

The cast of the Great River Road Theatre’s “Sin, Sex and the CIA” practice at The Old Ptacek’s Event Center. Pictured are (front, from left) Rebecca Denn, Judy Johnson, Krista Christiansen, Mark Andrle, Missy Kowalchyk; (back) Ken Roen, Aaron Denn, Scott Halverson. Not pictured: Marie-Anne Haudegand-Deiss.

‘Sin, Sex and the CIA’ will tickle your funny bone

PRESCOTT – One thing is certain: The cast of “Sin, Sex and the CIA” knows how to have fun. And audiences are sure to too when the Great River Road Theatre group takes the stage for … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/31/24

Superintendent’s column: Referendum info can be found in many places

Residents of the Ellsworth Community School District recently received a mailing from the district with introductory information about our upcoming April 2, 2024 Facilities Referendum. Over the … more

By Supt. Barry Cain, Ellsworth Community School District | 1/31/24

Shout out to Plum City honor roll students!

PLUM CITY – Plum City Middle/High School is pleased to announce second quarter honor roll recipients for the 2023-24 school year. A honor roll Seniors: McKenzie Bauer, Parker Bechel, … more

1/31/24

This map shows the location of a proposed anaerobic digester on the Peterson property at W10322 Highway 29 in the town of River Falls. The property is located in the River Falls Extraterritorial Zoning District.

RF City Council approves permit for anaerobic digester

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls City Council approved a special use permit Jan. 23 for an anaerobic digester, located at W10322 Highway 29, despite citizen pleas not to. Council members made … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/31/24

Jan Anderson, her family and supporters attend a Jan. 18 Prescott riverfront improvement project public information meeting and listened as Alderperson Pat Knox speaks to those gathered.

Leo’s Landing supporters rally around Anderson family

PRESCOTT – Supporters of Leo’s Landing Marina used a Jan. 18 Prescott riverfront improvement public information meeting to speak on behalf of the Anderson family’s business. The … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/31/24

The Pierce County Courthouse, built in 1905, is on the National Register of Historic Places. While beautiful, court officials say the 118-year-old building isn’t functional for today’s courts.

Sheriff, judge, DA speak in favor of new judicial facility

While the Pierce County Board did not vote Jan. 23 on bond issuance for a proposed judicial facility or to use funds toward its design, those in attendance heard from county officials on why the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/31/24

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Leo Rohl

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for Jan. 24 is Prescott High School freshman Leo Rohl, nominated by math teacher Bella Zimmer. “Leo always has a positive attitude with a … more

1/25/24

Prescott softball will be first high school team in state with a videoboard

The Prescott Cardinal softball complex will become the first at a high school in Wisconsin to have a video board. The Prescott School Board unanimously approved a plan at its Wednesday, Jan. 17 … more

By John McLoone | 1/25/24

Avantika Sivakumar, a senior at Wayzata, Minn., High School, meticulously winds the wheels of a car as part of her team’s participation in the “Scrambler” event Saturday during the Science Olympiad competition at UW-River Falls. Sivakumar was among 900 high school students who participated in the competition that focuses on many aspects of science.

Science Olympiad at UW-River Falls showcases science successes

RIVER FALLS – Avantika Sivakumar held a mini-car in her hands and turned the back wheels one rotation after another according to a predetermined calculation that would determine how far the … more

1/25/24

A team of UW-River Falls students and their coach recently placed first in the National Forage Bowl Competition in Mobile, Ala. Left to right are Tucker Lundquist, Hannah Schull, Coach Yoana Newman, Ryan Bottema and Jace Heiman. UW-River Falls teams have won the last four Forage Bowl competitions they have competed in.

Planting a tradition: UWRF team wins National Forage Bowl Competition

RIVER FALLS – When it comes to all things big and small in forage production and management, University of Wisconsin-River Falls students definitely know their subject well. A team … more

1/25/24

Shed, chimney fires draw firefighters in frigid temps

Ellsworth Fire Department responded to two fires in three days last week during frigid temperatures. Firefighters were dispatched at 2:09 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 to an outbuilding fire at N7063 … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 1/25/24

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

Ellsworth CDA examines Creamery’s economic impact

A UW-River Falls economics professor headlined the Jan. 18 Ellsworth Community Development Authority meeting with a presentation on the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery’s economic impact on the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/25/24

Ellsworth Chamber Board Treasurer, Raynee Farrell, presents Jason Marks, Broz Bar, with Best Restaurant, Bar & Tavern Award at last year’s Awards Banquet. 2023’s poster design theme was Movin’ & Groovin’, which is what our local businesses do every day of the year to serve our community. 2024’s Award theme is “Ellsworth AllStars.”. Each award winner will receive a personalized and framed version for display at their business. The design was inspired by this year’s Ellsworth Chamber’s Annual Awards Dinner theme, “Game Time!,” a play on the teamwork, discipline, and resilience it takes to be successful in business today.

Voting Now Open for Ellsworth’s ‘Best of 2024’ Awards

ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce “Best of 2024’”Awards Competition is now underway. The community is invited to acknowledge favorite local businesses with … more

1/25/24

Area schools receive more than $33K in music grants

Twelve school districts will receive funding through St. Croix Valley Foundation’s competitive Music Education Grants Program. Funds will be used to purchase new instruments and equipment, … more

1/24/24

Prescott School District voters to see $1.2 million operating expense referendum on spring ballot

The Prescott School Board unanimously passed a resolution at its meeting Wednesday, Jan. 17 to ask voter permission in an April 2 referendum for an additional $1.2 million annually. If approved, … more

By John McLoone | 1/24/24

Canines and their handlers were thrilled with the new Overdale Kennel & Canine Sports facility on its first day open in the Spring Valley Business Park. Co-owners Hilary Boyer and Valerie Anderson say it’s a dream 20 years in the making.

Mother/daughter duo open dream canine facility

SPRING VALLEY – As Hilary Boyer and her mother Valerie Anderson hosted their first dog training class Wednesday, Jan. 17 in the new facility they built in the Spring Valley Business Park, they … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/24/24

Prescott Chiropractic, under the leadership of Dr. Carina Patnode, was named as Business of the Year at the Prescott Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. Patnode credited her staff for their dedication to helping patrons of the business with all aspects of healing.

Prescott Chiropractic is Business of the Year!

The Prescott Area Chamber of Commerce decked out the Old Ptacek’s Event Center for a big tailgate party. That was the theme of this year’s Annual Dinner on Wednesday, Jan. 17, and … more

By John McLoone | 1/24/24

Spring Valley Middle/High School is located at S1450 County Road CC.

Firearm found in backpack at Spring Valley MS/HS

SPRING VALLEY – Spring Valley Middle/High School students were required to remain in their classrooms at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 18 after an unloaded gun was found in a backpack. According … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/19/24

School district report card receives exceeds expectations rating

RIVER FALLS – The School District of River Falls (SDRF) received a four star rating (“Exceeds Expectations'') from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on the 2022-23 state … more

1/17/24