News - Pierce County Journal

Terry and Sandy Odalen have lived in El Paso nearly all their lives, raising their three children there. They will be leading the El Paso Days Grand Parade on Aug. 20.

Odalens named 36th annual El Paso Days honorary citizens

TOWN OF EL PASO – The grand marshals for the 36 th annual El Paso Days parade are longtime residents Terry and Sandy Odalen, along with former Pierce County Sheriff Nancy Hove. As is … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/17/23

Chris Most of Great Rivers Development asks for clarification on the R4 zoning changes. Photo

Prescott Plan Commission hears from concerned business owners on zoning changes

PRESCOTT – The Prescott Planning Commission meeting saw a full house at the Aug. 7 meeting. Bob Colson, representative of Cedar Corporation, who was hired in June 2022 to revise the zoning … more

By Danielle Boos | 8/17/23

The River Falls City Council Aug. 8 approved a "no right turn on red" sign at Main and Division streets. The idea is to keep pedestrians and cyclists safer.

No right turn sign approved at intersection of Main and Division

RIVER FALLS – After lengthy discussion, the River Falls City Council approved the addition of a “No Right on Red” sign at the intersection of Division and Main streets during the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/17/23

RF man arrested for stalking, threatening to kill two people

A River Falls man was arrested after sending multiple text messages to two people threatening to kill them after seeing them in a Facebook post attending a wedding. He is also facing additional … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 8/17/23

Sunflower Steve has a wide variety of sunflowers with different shapes, colors and sizes.

Local seed company sparks from one unexpected flower

ELLSWORTH – In an old field of cut sunflowers, one sunflower randomly grew that stood out back in 2007. The multi-colored, double flowering sunflower had 12 seeds, which Steve Kaufer planted … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/10/23

Nancy Hove served as Pierce County Sheriff for four terms before deciding against running for re-election.

Hove to return to Pierce County as parade grand marshal

ELLSWORTH – The Pierce County Fair is often capped off with a Sunday parade sponsored by the Ellsworth Fire Department. This time around, long-time sheriff Nancy Hove will return to the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/10/23

RF man busted for drug possession and trafficking – again

A River Falls man has been arrested for the fourth time in six months on felony drug-related charges. Andrew Raymond Jones, 24, was ordered to pay $5,000 cash bond Aug. 1 in Pierce County … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 8/10/23

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is hosting an open house in River Falls Aug. 15 to obtain public input on a potential environmental restoration project on the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls.

USACE to host open house on Kinni project

RIVER FALLS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is hosting an open house in River Falls Aug. 15 to obtain public input on a potential environmental restoration project on the … more

8/10/23

The old Moody’s car dealership at the corner of Highway 65 and Cascade Avenue in River Falls is undergoing a transformation to provide more programming space to Chippewa Valley Technical College. The remodel should be completed by the end of August.

CVTC building renovations lead to workforce solutions

RIVER FALLS – Chippewa Valley Technical College at River Falls faculty, students and staff anxiously await the completion of renovations to the college’s acquired building at the … more

8/10/23

‘So God made a farmer:' Plum City grad knows there’s nothing else he’d rather do

Bryce Mark has earned a Supreme Champion ribbon twice in his years of showing cattle at the Pierce County Fair. The Merri Heirs member just graduated from Plum City High School. Not many kids … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/3/23

Ellsworth man arrested after trailer park standoff

An Ellsworth man threatened to shoot officers if they came into his home Sunday while responding to a domestic disturbance call at Evergreen Estates. Police were able to mediate the situation and get … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 8/3/23

There were no seats to spare at the River Falls School Board meeting Monday, July 24 as around 30 community members gave their public comments, with many more in attendance.

RF School Board’s gender diverse student policy proposal moves forward

RIVER FALLS – Nearly an hour of River Falls’ July 24 school board meeting was dedicated to public comment on the district’s proposed changes to the “Gender Diverse … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/3/23

This map shows the nitrate levels in wells tested from 2018-2022 in Pierce County by UW-Stevens Point’s Center for Watershed Science and Education. The testing was voluntary and encouraged by Pierce County Land Conservation.

Temp livestock moratorium language fails 2-3

The Pierce County Land Conservation Committee may have approved sending a temporary six-month livestock expansion moratorium to the Pierce County Board last month, but on July 25, the ordinance draft … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/3/23

Bob Siewert owns and operates Jil-Ro-Sie Holsteins at W7867 County Road K, Ellsworth. He moved to Trimbelle Township in 1995 with 85 cows.

Who are Pierce County’s CAFO farmers?

The Journal has been covering the efforts of People Protecting Pierce, a group of concerned residents and family farmers who want Pierce County to pass a temporary livestock expansion moratorium to … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/3/23

Dallas Eggers asked the Prescott City Council to consider developing “Eyesore Lot” or as he shared, “Maybe it’s time for us to think a little differently.”

Safety fence to be installed at Public Square Park

PRESCOTT – At the July 24 meeting, the Prescott City Council (except for Alderperson Bailey Ruona who was absent) voted unanimously to install a fence at Public Square Park as fourth- and … more

By Danielle Boos | 8/3/23

The intersection at Main Street and Division Street in River Falls.

Intersection improvements coming at Main and Division streets

RIVER FALLS – During the first week of August, the City of River Falls will install new high visibility striping and bollards, or tall plastic barriers, at the intersection of Main and … more

8/3/23

Prescott resident Melissa Rice shared her concerns with the Prescott City Council surrounding the downtown paid parking plan.

Downtown paid parking plan raises questions in Prescott

PRESCOTT – Prescott City Council approved the communication plan for the proposal to implement downtown paid parking at the July 24 meeting. City Planner Carter Hayes described the avenues … more

By Danielle Boos | 7/27/23

River Falls hockey player Taggart Havens, aka El Co Flo, is hoping to win the 2023 Kids Mullet Showdown in honor of his friend Coby Clark, who is fighting cancer.

‘A big mullet, a big heart:' RF hockey player hopes to win contest for friend

RIVER FALLS – Taggart Havens is a River Falls kid with not only a big mullet, but a big heart. He, like Ellsworth resident Otto Jakes, is hoping to make it to the final round of the 2023 Kids … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/27/23

The proposed anaerobic digester and nutrient recovery facility would be built on 25 acres owned by Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery west of County Road C in an industrial area of the village.

Sparks fly at anaerobic digester public hearing

ELLSWORTH – Dozens of community members flocked to Ellsworth’s Village Hall Thursday, July 20 as the Plan Commission held a public hearing regarding the anaerobic digester proposed for … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/27/23

Former RF Gymnastic Club employee charged with stealing from business

A former River Falls Gymnastics Club coach and assistant director is accused of using the club’s bank account to try to pay off more than $20,000 in credit card debt. Sarah Michele Shafer, … more

Staff report | 7/27/23