April 6, 2022

The Ellsworth E3 Community Development Corporation recently took grant applications for student service projects and on Tuesday, March 29, awarded a total of $5,000 to various Ellsworth Community School District student groups to support projects they want to coordinate in the community.

A group of advocates for broadband expansion, led by non-profits Pierce County GrassRoots Organizing and Western Wisconsin Needs Broadband, along with Pierce County Economic Development Corporation and local internet providers, are hoping Pierce County agrees to allocate a portion of its $8.3 million in ARPA funds to support broadband expansion throughout the county.

Falls Theatre on Main Street in River Falls is expanding again following the most recent addition of a second auditorium. The new addition will be home to Bobtown Brewhouse, currently located in Roberts.

The Prescott School Board voted to approve a plan for a new scoreboard and video boards in the high school gym and Laney Field that will allow advertising from local business sponsors that will pay the cost of the project over five years. Ptacek’s IGA is financing the cost of the project – $233,157 – at no interest to the district. That alone will save the district $20,000.

A group of River Falls High School theater students say district administration’s decision to ban “Sweeney Todd School Edition” as the Fall 2022 musical is censorship. Administration says the fact that they weren’t consulted before the theater director chose “Sweeney Todd” is a direct violation of school board policy.

You might have seen the name Ellsworth E3 Community Development Corporation and wondered what it is. If you’re not familiar with it and you live in or around Ellsworth, it’s time to acquaint yourself with this community-minded organization.

Barett Steenrod of the National Park Service talked about planning the Coulee River Trails system at joint workshop between the City of Prescott and Oak Grove Township at Prescott City Hall on Wednesday, April 6.

Voters in three Pierce County school districts (Ellsworth, Plum City and Prescott) had referendum questions to ponder on their April 5 ballots and all three passed decisively. Pierce County Board Chair Jeff Holst was not re-elected.

April 20, 2022

Several people in the Ellsworth community have deep, personal connections to Ukraine, including an Ellsworth High School exchange student who doesn’t know if he’ll be able to return home at the end of the school year. EHS’s Hearts & Minds group will host an authentic Ukrainian dinner 5-8 p.m. Saturday, May 7 in the EHS Cafetorium, with proceeds going to charities on the front lines in Ukraine.

The Pierce County Board of Canvassers convened Friday, April 15 to oversee a recount for Pierce County Board District 14. In the April 5 election, challenger Melissa Petersen won over incumbent Bill E. Schroeder by two votes and those results remained the same after Friday’s recount. Petersen had 195 votes compared to Schroeder’s 193.

Kwik Trip’s location in Prescott will receive a liquor license. The store is buying the business of Churchill Market, located across the street from the under-construction convenience store. The Prescott City Council somewhat grudgingly granted the request from Churchill Market to surrender its license to Kwik Trip. The transfer takes effect July 1. the Earth will be celebrated in a big way at the inaugural Earth Fest 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 24 in Glen Park. The community-wide event will feature a sustainability fair, live music, local food samples, and fun family activities all to celebrate Earth Day. It will showcase local groups and organizations in a one-of-a-kind sustainability fair with activities and educational booths.

April 27, 2022

The Pierce County Board had some new faces as it convened Tuesday, April 19 for the annual organizational meeting. New members Melissa Petersen (District 14), Angela Mathison (District 9), Lynn Paatalo (District 4), and Benjamin Plunkett (District 5) were sworn in along with the incumbents by Judge Elizabeth Rohl.

Theater goers are in for a treat when “Tuck Everlasting” takes the stage at the Prescott Performing Arts Center this weekend. Director Thomas Speltz felt this was the right year to bring this mesmerizing story to life.

With passage of a $15 million referendum on April 5, the Prescott School Board worked at its meeting Wednesday, April 20 to put together a plan with its financial advisor to get funds borrowed and earning interest in an euort to combat challenges due to inflation.

Although the weather was cloudy, windy and chilly, that didn’t stop attendees from turning out in full force for the inaugural Earth Fest, held in Glen Park on Sunday, April 24.