Features - Pierce County Journal

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Kristie Smith share speeches on affordable housing at a build site in River Falls on June 11.

Lieutenant governor visits site of Habitat for Humanity build in RF

RIVER FALLS — St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity’s modular home build site played host to Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez on June 11, as Rodriguez spoke on affordable housing at South Apollo … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/19/24

Randy and Lori Larson in front of their house at LoRan Rolling Acres.

Annual Dairy Breakfast heads to Plum City

PLUM CITY — The Pierce County Dairy Breakfast is returning for another year of food, fun and dairy education when it heads to LoRan Rolling Acres in Plum City on June 15. LoRan Rolling … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/12/24

Claire John may be a young woman of few words, but she doesn’t need to be chatty to connect with her beloved horses.

A girl and her horse: Claire John’s special bond with all things equine

RIVER FALLS – There’s a saying that dogs are man’s best friend, and while that may be true for some, horses can also be a girl’s best friend. Just ask River Falls High School … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/12/24

Members of the Eau Galle-Rush River Sportsman’s Club have been planning a 50th anniversary celebration. Pictured are (from left): Arby Linder, Lin Linder, Scott Kiefer, Lanette Place and Bruce Place.

Eau Galle-Rush River Sportsman’s Club celebrates 50th Anniversary

Great ideas can be born in the middle of the night. Just ask the members of Eau Galle-Rush River Sportsman’s Club, who are about to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of their organization. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/12/24

Pierce County’s Bob Traynor was inducted into the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame in April at a ceremony in Wisconsin Dells.

Traynor inducted into Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame

MADISON — Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development is excited to announce the 2023 & 2024 Hall of Fame Laureates including 10 volunteers, supporters and staff who have impacted Wisconsin 4-H. … more

6/12/24

From Prescott grad to west coast director

Pierce County has hosted many people that have reached high heights in many different fields. One of those people, Prescott High School Class of 2016 member Andrew Taylor, is finding a place in film, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/5/24

Mark Stoesz (left) and Tim Conway (right) take in the sunrise during their walk from Ellsworth to River Falls to raise awareness and money for Wyatt Nelson’s medical journey.

Former principals walk to RF to raise awareness for Ellsworth graduate

ELLSWORTH — After about 13 miles, over four hours and roughly 28,000 steps, Mark Stoesz and Tim Conway completed their journey of walking from Ellsworth to River Falls High School that started … more

6/5/24

Coby Clark with his lawnmower after the Make-A-Wish celebration May 24 at DeSanctis Park.

Wish comes true for 10-year-old River Falls boy who battled brain tumor

RIVER FALLS — If you could wish for anything, what would it be? Some people would say money, a new car or an extravagant vacation, but for Coby Clark, a 10-year-old from River Falls, it was the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/5/24

The River Falls Veterans Memorial, located at Greenwood Cemetery, was dedicated Monday, May 27 during the Memorial Day observance hosted by Fletcher-Pechacek Post 121 at Meyer Middle School. The ceremony moved from the cemetery to MMS due to the weather.

‘Our Veterans Memorial’ dedicated in River Falls

RIVER FALLS – Rainy weather may have forced American Legion Post 121 to move its 2024 Memorial Day program from Greenwood Cemetery to the Meyer Middle School gymnasium, but it didn’t … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/29/24

Former colleagues and good friends Kelly Johnson (left) and Jean Halverson with their children’s book, “Grandma and Grandpa’s Great Loop Adventure.” The pair will present their book at Freedom Park on June 2.

Adventure of a lifetime culminates in children’s book

PRESCOTT – The adventure of a lifetime has culminated in a children’s book, written and illustrated by two former Prescott teachers and good friends. Kelly Johnson and Jean Halverson … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/29/24

Elsie Fleming loves playing with the kittens on the farm at Elsie’s Barnyard. On Friday, May 17 she was chasing them all over the place.

Elsie’s Barnyard to host Animal Fashion Show

ELLSWORTH – What’s cuter than fuzzy animals in costume? Not much. Elsie’s Barnyard is hosting an animal fashion show in June sure to register a 100 on the cuteness scale. And … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/22/24

Tom Bauer of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office brought this emergency vehicle to the Ellsworth Elementary Touch A Truck event Wednesday, May 15. Mrs. Olson’s second graders enjoyed seeing the vehicle.

Hands-on learning brings smiles, opportunities

The Ellsworth Elementary School parking lot was a busy place Wednesday, May 15 as kids lined up to visit 10 different vehicles during the Touch a Truck event. According to organizer Tami Place, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/22/24

Patrick (Pat) McKernon is pictured fishing, one of his favorite hobbies.

$1.7M gift to benefit Elmwood High School students forever

ELMWOOD – Patrick (Pat) McKernon was beloved. Family, friends and colleagues remember him as an uncommonly kind, caring and generous person. When he died in September 2023, his final gift of … more

5/15/24

The Ellsworth Public Library, founded in 1924, spent its first official year in the Fireman’s Opera House, which was located on the northwest corner of Kinne and Chestnut streets.

Ellsworth Public Library plans Centennial celebration week

ELLSWORTH – A 100 th anniversary is a big deal, which is why the Ellsworth Public Library has a full week of celebrations planned for May 15-22. The Centennial Planning Committee, which … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/8/24

River Falls Police Chief Deputy Matt Kennett

10 questions for an officer: River Falls Chief Deputy Matt Kennett

The Pierce County Journal appreciates the men and women who risk their lives every day to protect and serve our communities. We also want to help you get to know the men and women behind the badge in … more

5/8/24

River Falls High School senior Payten Kusilek with Judson University Bowling Coach Vice Biondo. Kusilek signed her scholarship letter of intent this past weekend in Elgin, Ill.

Time to find our lane: RFHS senior conquers dyslexia, earns bowling college scholarship

Driving south down Main Street in River Falls the past few weeks, you may have noticed the St. Croix Lanes bowling sign congratulating the Co-op girls' fifth-place finish at the 26th annual High … more

By Greg Peters | 5/1/24

Over 2 months last summer, the healthy soil in the Mittag's pasture was able to demolish the cotton on these briefs. Healthy soil means more nutrients are recycled back to the plants and more rainwater is infiltrated into the ground instead of running off the farm.

River Falls beef farmers win 'Soil Your Undies' contest

RIVER FALLS - The Soil Your Undies contest combines crude humor and crude science to help farmers see how the management choices they make impact the soil they work in. For two years now, local … more

4/24/24

UW-River Falls Bee Club members Autumn Frederick (left) and Lucy Cahn staffed their club booth Saturday, April 20 during Earth Fest in the University Center. They handed out information on pollinator habitat and No Mow May.

Striking gold: Efforts to improve sustainability net UWRF its highest ranking

RIVER FALLS – From helping stage Earth Fest in conjunction with Earth Day, to creating a bee hotel and a surrounding pollinator-friendly garden, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls … more

4/24/24

Have A Heart Director Wanda Burnley (in jean jacket) accepts the $10,000 Power of 100 Women – Roberts/Hammond award on April 18.

Have A Heart welcomes new director

TOWN OF RIVER FALLS – Have A Heart Inc. recently welcomed a new program director and the future looks bright for this nonprofit organization dedicated to adults with physical and developmental … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/24/24

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