Education - Pierce County Journal

From left, UW-River Falls Chancellor Maria Gallo, Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman, and River Falls business owners and UWRF alums Kristi and Jeff Cernohous participate in a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for the Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) building under construction at the university.

UWRF celebrates potential of SciTech building

RIVER FALLS – As supporters of the largest building project in the history of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls gathered on campus Monday for a ceremony celebrating the construction of … more

11/2/23

UWRF to host author’s discussion of challenges boys and men face

RIVER FALLS – Richard Reeves, best-selling author and president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, will discuss problems faced by males and will advocate for effective solutions during … more

11/2/23

Footloose lead actors Lander Levers and Ava Brookshaw light up the stage during a recent dress rehearsal at Ellsworth High School.

Footloose debuts this weekend at EHS

Kick off those Sunday shoes and cut loose with a night out at Ellsworth High School’s fall musical “Footloose,” debuting this Friday. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Fridays, Nov. 3 and … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 11/2/23

CVTC district board approves decrease in tax rate for 2023-2024

EAU CLAIRE – Chippewa Valley Technical College approved a decrease in the 2023-2024 tax rate from 71 cents per $1,000 of valuation to 66 cents. This decrease is attributed to the increase … more

11/2/23

Ojibwe activism in northern Wisconsin is focus of Nov. 7 event

RIVER FALLS - Katrina Phillips, associate professor of history at Macalester College, will present a free public lecture “’The Land is the Only Thing:’ Tracing the History of Ojibwe … more

10/26/23

Michelle Farner, director of dairy production at UW-River Falls, receives a hug from Trevor Wuethrich, president of Grassland Dairy Products, Inc., center, while Tayt Wuethrich, owner/vice president of procurement at Grassland Dairy Products, Inc., right, discusses the opening of the Wuethrich Family/Grassland Dairy Center of Excellence on the university’s campus at a grand opening ceremony Friday.

UWRF celebrates opening of remodeled campus dairy plant

RIVER FALLS – During a celebratory ribbon cutting and with each tour of the rebuilt Wuethrich Family/Grassland Dairy Center of Excellence at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls on Friday, … more

10/26/23

Prescott School District seeking bids on sale of 14.6-acre site

The Prescott School District is accepting proposals on 14.6 acres of land it may be willing to sell. The heavily wooded parcel is landlocked and located east of Dexter Street and just to the … more

By John McLoone | 10/26/23

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Abby Stubbe

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for Oct. 25 is sophomore Abby Stubbe, nominated by teacher Tania Novak. “Abby is an outstanding ELA student,” Novak said. “She … more

10/26/23

WIAA vote would allow NIL deals for high school athletes

High school athletes in Wisconsin may be able to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) as college athletes now do. Prescott School District Activities & Athletics Director Andrew … more

By John McLoone | 10/26/23

Babies, toddlers the focus of new grant program

HUDSON –The St. Croix Valley Foundation is launching an important new annual grant program focused on the needs of children in their first thousand days of life (roughly the first three years). … more

10/26/23

School Perceptions surveyed River Falls School District residents on support of operation and facilities referendums planned for the Feb. 20 spring primary election. This table shows how survey respondents ranked support of proposed facility projects.

River Falls School District survey shows strong support for operation referendum, $26 million in capital projects

River Falls School District voters would support two referendum initiatives which are likely to appear on the ballot for the Feb. 20 spring primary election, the school board learned at its meeting … more

By John McLoone | 10/26/23

Prescott School Board passes 2023-24 levy, but may have to ask voters for additional funds for future years at referendum

The Prescott School Board took care of current financial needs at its meeting Wednesday, Oct. 18 and is starting some tough community conversations for the coming year. With expectations for … more

By John McLoone | 10/26/23

Employees with the construction company Market & Johnson continue to work on constructing the Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) at UW-River Falls. Work on the $117 million project, the largest in the university’s history, began during the summer and is expected to open to students in 2026.

UWRF groundbreaking to celebrate construction of SciTech building

RIVER FALLS – When University of Wisconsin-River Falls officials join others in a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, Oct. 23, to commemorate construction underway on the university’s … more

10/19/23

Michelle Farner, director of dairy production at UW-River Falls, left, explains the function of a piece of equipment that is part of the Wuethrich Family/Grassland Dairy Center of Excellence at UWRF during an Oct. 4 tour of the facility with UW System officials.

UWRF dairy plant re-opening set for Oct. 20

RIVER FALLS – The grand opening for the much-anticipated Wuethrich Family/Grassland Dairy Center of Excellence at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, a project that has been a decade in … more

10/19/23

River Falls superintendent to retire

Jamie Benson, the superintendent of the School District of River Falls since 2013, announced his retirement effective June 30, 2024. Benson informed the board a year ago of his … more

10/19/23

Supt. column: Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat

The purpose of this letter is to announce my formal retirement as superintendent of the School District of River Falls, effective June 30, 2024. My overriding feelings are those of gratitude and … more

By Jamie Benson | 10/19/23

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Eliott Cook

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week for Oct. 18 is sophomore Eliott Cook, nominated by math teacher Jenna Kadlec. “Eliott demonstrates excellence in the classroom,” … more

10/19/23

PAC Nights meant to bring school and families together

Ellsworth Community School District is hosting Parent and Child Nights for families of 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds not in school in order to nurture family and school partnerships. PAC Night … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/19/23

Steve Kelm, chair of the UW-River Falls Animal and Food Science Department, testifies in support of a bill before state lawmakers that would provide $372,980 in funding during the next two years to help offset costs for starting the Farm and Industry Short Course at UWRF.

UWRF official testifies in support of Farm and Industry Short Course funding

RIVER FALLS – A leader of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) testified Oct. 4 in favor of funding for transitioning a … more

10/12/23

Scandinavian pianist to present concerts at UWRF

RIVER FALLS – The St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra (SCVSO) presents Scandinavian pianist Oda Voltersvik from Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 12-15, in concerts and events at the University of … more

10/12/23