Features - Pierce County Journal

Ellsworth Cheese Curd Festival celebrates not only delicious cheese, but the culture and heritage behind the tasty morsel.

Cheese Curd Festival named #3 Best Specialty Food Festival

The Ellsworth Cheese Curd Festival has been recognized as the #3 Best Specialty Food Festival in the USA Today’s 10Best Competition. Kim Beebe, an Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 4/17/24

A new train cam has been installed on the deck of Scab’s Place in Prescott overlooking the lift bridge. You can view it at ottertailchannel.com

Prescott railroad featured on new train cam

PRESCOTT – For a Perham, Minn., man, trains have a mystical draw that can’t really be explained. He loves everything about them, even the sound of them rumbling past his home in the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/17/24

What could possibly go wrong in “The Play That Goes Wrong” at Ellsworth High School. Well, a little of everything.

'The Play That Goes Wrong’ debuts this weekend

ELLSWORTH – Who doesn’t need a little laughter after the doldrums of winter? At least, that’s what Ellsworth High School Dram Director Kimberley Catron thinks and we’re … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/10/24

Members of the Lost Creek Ranch family, including Ruth Harper (middle with hat), founder Lynette Weldon (second from right) and Claire John (far right).

Lost Creek Ranch: A home and haven for all

BELDENVILLE – When River Falls High School senior Claire John discovered Lost Creek Ranch, she was severely depressed and anxious all the time. She didn’t know what to do. Her parents … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/3/24

715 Motorsports & Promotions will be teaming up with the Ellsworth Funsters for this year's 59th annual demolition derby in Ellsworth.

715 Motorsports returns to Ellsworth demo derby

ELLSWORTH – Tim “Hollywood” Myer of 715 Motorsports & Promotions is thrilled to be partnering once again with the Ellsworth Funsters for the much anticipated 2024 Demolition … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/3/24

The UW-River Falls Stage and Screen Productions will present “Urinetown, the Musical” at the university April 3-7 in the Blanche Davis Theatre in the E.H. Kleinpell Fine Arts building.

Stage and Screen Productions to present ‘Urinetown, The Musical’ at UWRF

RIVER FALLS – Stage and Screen Productions at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls will present “Urinetown, the Musical” on April 3-7. The production, with music by Mark … more

3/27/24

The E-Town Arts Committee is raising money for its next mural, Thank You for Your Service, which will honor military service men and women.

Mural honoring veterans will grace East End

East Ellsworth will soon be home to another mural and the public can have a meaningful role in its completion. People will have the opportunity to include a loved one’s name on the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/27/24

Volunteers and Prescott Nursing & Rehabilitation Community staff and volunteers served breakfast brought on-site from the Prescott Fire Department Pancake Breakfast Sunday, a tradition that’s been going on when the breakfasts are held for more than a decade. Prescott Nursing & Rehabilitation Community Administrator Jill Ameda (at left) and Prescott Nursing & Rehab employees worked with Julie Moe, Debbie Hunter, Tara Buechner and Mike Hunter of the Prescott Community Club and Andy Johnson of the Prescott Fire Department to serve breakfast Sunday.

Volunteers bring Prescott FD “famous” pancakes on the road to feed Prescott Nursing & Rehab residents

Prescott – The Prescott Fire Department’s World Famous Pancake Breakfasts through the Lent season attract up to 500 people each week. The breakfast feast features pancakes, sausages and … more

By John McLoone | 3/20/24

Participants in the Community Action Poverty Simulation event at UW-River Falls in January 2023 discuss challenges related to trying to pay for living expenses on a limited income. This year’s poverty simulation event at the university is scheduled for March 27 and is intended to raise awareness about the growing number of people struggling to pay for basic life expenses.

UWRF to host poverty simulation event March 27

RIVER FALLS – Even in the St. Croix Valley, a part of Wisconsin where the population is increasing along with economic development, many people struggle to make ends meet financially. … more

3/20/24

In Spring 2023, flooding Mississippi River waters closed many streets in Bay City.

Upper Mississippi flooding unlikely after relatively dry winter

Unless thunderstorms dump rain on the Midwest in the coming months, there's little chance of spring flooding on the upper Mississippi River this year, forecasters say. That news is likely to … more

By Madeline Heim, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | 3/6/24

Detective Mike Davis, played by Luke Hayes, arrests murderer Nurse Withers, played by Paula Knutson, in the Stagehands’ production of “Murder’s in the Heir” Saturday, March 2.

Who’s the murderer? You decide in Stagehands’ latest hit

SPRING VALLEY – Spring Valley Stagehands has another hit on its hands with Billy St. John’s “Murders in the Heir,” directed by Lori Peterson. Luckily, you still have another … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/6/24

River Falls High School senior Perry Kotz with Sen. Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire). Kotz took part in the Wisconsin Senate Scholars Program in Madison.

RFHS senior follows political aspirations, selected for Senate Scholars

RIVER FALLS – A River Falls High School senior is already making connections in politics, thanks to his participation in the non-partisan Wisconsin Senate Scholars program, designed for high … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/28/24

Empower Ellsworth 2024 grant recipients included EHS students (not in order) Morgan Halverson, Alivia Maher, Reese Matzk, EllaAnn Meier, Hayden Turner, Claire Matzek, Bailey Oleson and Bridget Dendinger.

Empower Ellsworth grants go to student projects

ELLSWORTH – Three student-led community service projects received grants from the Empower Ellsworth program, an annual grant competition hosted by Ellsworth E3 Community Development Corporation … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/21/24

McKenzie Bauer (left) and TriChelle Smaller in the Wolf’s Den at Plum City High School.

Plum City DECA recognized for outstanding School-based Enterprise (SBE)

PLUM CITY – The Wolf Den, the school-based enterprise at Plum City High School, was among 728 school-based enterprises around the world achieving gold-level certification for the 2023-2024 … more

2/21/24

Members of the Ellsworth Middle School “Peter Pan Jr.” production rehearsing Scene 7.

EMS production of ‘Peter Pan Jr.’ debuts this week

ELLSWORTH – The audience will be transported to magical Neverland by Ellsworth Middle School drama students Feb. 22-25 in this year’s musical “Peter Pan Jr.” “Peter … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/21/24

(From left): Salvation Army Ellsworth Volunteer Coordinator Rita Niesen, James Okrutny, Amy Okrutny, Nilssen’s Store Manager Shawn Eggen, and Margaret Volenec celebrate the Okrutny’s plaque from Salvation Army for their 50 hours of service.

Salvation Army honors Ellsworth couple

Sometimes doing good for others is the key to feeling better about one’s own circumstances. Such is the case for an Ellsworth couple who dedicated the holiday season to making people smile. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/14/24

Brian Webster, a local farmer, died by suicide in August after living with depression. His family shares his story in order to help others.

FFA, Webster family shine light on farmer mental health

Bay City area farmer Brian Webster had a big heart and loved to help people. He didn’t like being the center of attention, but his family is hoping that by sharing his story, others will be … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/7/24

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

Knights for Dads Rally on Feb. 24

RIVER FALLS – What does it take to be a great dad? On Saturday, Feb. 24, St. Bridget Church in River Falls will host a free, half-day rally that offers answers. The Knights for Dads Rally … more

1/11/24

Ellsworth Library Director Tiffany Meyer holds the ceremonial scissors, flanked by Village President Becky Beissel and Ellsworth Library Building Committee Chair Paul Bauer, Friends of the Ellsworth Public Library, members of the Library Board, Building Committee, Village Board, Chamber of Commerce and many others at the official ribbon cutting at the new Ellsworth Public Library on Monday, Jan. 23.

Year in Review 2023: Looking back over the front page headlines

As your local hometown newspaper, we strive to cover everything in our communities, from outstanding accomplishments to big court cases, from new businesses opening to tragic losses. The good, the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/3/24