News - Pierce County Journal

The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is located at 232 N. Wallace St. in Ellsworth.

Creamery odor cause has been fixed, official says

ELLSWORTH – Driving through East Ellsworth about two weeks ago, one may have wished they’d lost their sense of smell. A membrane failure with the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery’s … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/20/24

Larry Langer, an Ellsworth resident who lives on Halls Hill, became emotional during his pleas for the Ellsworth Village Board to vote against the proposed anaerobic digester. He called for common sense to prevail.

Residents implore board to say no to digester

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Village Hall was packed Monday, March 18 for a special board meeting on the proposed anaerobic digester, along with roughly 60 attendees tuned in online. Many people … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/20/24

PSC to study Ellsworth’s water rates

ELLSWORTH – At the March 4 Ellsworth Village Board meeting, the board learned that current water rates do not cover the cost of operations and maintenance nor any potential system upgrades, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 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

UW-River Falls student Brandi Weiland and others have restarted a university chapter of Active Minds as part of efforts to address student mental health on campus. On Monday Weiland, wearing a pink sweatshirt, spoke with students visiting the Active Minds booth, an effort to connect with students and make them feel less alone.

Active Minds, Mental Health Mondays addressing mental health needs at UWRF

RIVER FALLS – Two years ago, as one aspect after another of her life unraveled, Brandi Weiland felt like she hit rock bottom. Her brother died in 2020, and that incident seemed to … more

3/13/24

Alexi Schommer followed her dream and opened Ooh Ahh Massage & Spa at 1380 North Acres Road in Prescott.

Ooh Ahh Massage & Spa owner persisted in chasing dreams

PRESCOTT — Alexi Schommer, owner of Ooh Ahh Massage and Spa, was born and raised in Prescott. "My dream was always to open something in Prescott, nowhere else, always something in … more

By Riley Dorau | 3/13/24

Neenah woman arrested for Martell burglary

A Neenah woman driving by a house she had burglarized the day before was pulled over and arrested during a traffic stop. Renee L. Schroeder, 47, posted a $15,000 signature March 6 in Pierce … more

Pierce County Journal staff | 3/13/24

Retaining walls along Highway 35 between Green and Chestnut streets in Maiden Rock will be replaced.

Retaining wall replacement on WIS 35 in Maiden Rock to start

To invest in Wisconsin’s transportation system, Gov. Tony Evers has signed an $846,790 contract with prime contractor Pheifer Brothers Construction Co. of Neenah for the replacement of … more

3/13/24

Ave Maria Academy Middle School class: Braydon Diesing, Seth Holmstadt, Weston Bocksell, Bristal Books, Mary Peterson and Ava Bocksell.

Ave Maria Academy recaps ‘Hawaiian Luau Gala’

PLUM CITY – The weather was perfect as guests arrived at Molly’s on Main for the 2024 Hawaiian Luau Gala sponsored by Ave Maria Academy on Saturday, March 2. Guests were greeted in … more

3/13/24

For Tucky Bandaranaike, The Arbor at Young Acres is more than just a business - it's a manifestation of a lifelong dream, a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the simple joys of sharing a meal with loved ones.

A nomadic family settles down at an orchard oasis

PRESCOTT – Tucky and Rachel Bandaranaike and their Wolfegang, now 4 years old, had been living an unconventional life, traveling the county in an RV. They moved from their home in Orange … more

By Riley Dorau | 3/13/24

Prescott School District Financial Coordinator Sue Gerdes points out the financial scenarios resulting from the referendum vote.

Town hall meeting goes over proposed referendum

At the Feb. 21 town hall meeting, Prescott School District’s Financial Coordinator Sue Gerdes prefaced the meeting by sharing the reasons why the district needs to pass the operational … more

By Nicole Rogers | 3/13/24

Ellsworth Fire responded to a house fire at N4360 County Road C in the town of Ellsworth on Saturday, March 9.

Firefighter injured in house fire; person inside able to get out

TOWN OF ELLSWORTH – An Ellsworth firefighter was injured while fighting a house fire on Saturday, March 9. Ellsworth Fire Department responded at 3:01 p.m. to N4360 County Road C in the … more

Pierce County Journal staff | 3/13/24

Steve Papp, leader of the Greenwood Carving Club, received a Wildcat Pride Award at the Feb. 19 River Falls School Board meeting. Several of the club members spoke about the club.

Papp honored for Greenwood Carving Club

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls School Board honored educator Steve Papp at the Feb. 19 meeting with a Wildcat Pride Award for his leadership of the Greenwood Carving Club. Papp described … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/6/24

Magee Park’s recycling receptacles will find their new home on Ryden Road.

BNSF Railway leases space at Prescott Police Department

PRESCOTT – The City of Prescott approved a lease agreement between BNSF Railway and the City of Prescott to lease a cubicle of office space for the resource protection officer within the … more

By Danielle Boos | 3/6/24

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

Rendering of Well #3 water treatment project addition and renovation.

City Council approves plans, specifications for City Well #3 Water Treatment Project

PRESCOTT – At the Feb. 26 Prescott City Council meeting, City Administrator Matt Wolf gave a brief history regarding City Well #3 that hasn’t been in use since 2021. In September 2021, … more

By Danielle Boos | 3/6/24

The current Pierce County courthouse is located at 414 W. Main St. in Ellsworth. A new judicial facility next to the sheriff's office at 555 W. Overlook Drive will be home to new courtrooms and department office space.

Pierce County moves forward with new judicial facility

The Pierce County Board voted 15-1 Feb. 27 to authorize the borrowing of funds not to exceed $30,475,000 and issuance of bonds for a new judicial facility adjacent to the Pierce County … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 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

St. Croix County public safety referendum on the ballot

HUDSON – St. Croix County continues to be one of the fastest growing counties in Wisconsin. As we continue to grow, the demand for public safety services rises with it - creating a need for … more

2/28/24

Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen joins Main Street Dental in River Falls

RIVER FALLS– Hudson native Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen recently joined Dr. Michael McFarland’s Main Street Family Dental in River Falls. Dr. Jorgensen is a graduate from the University of … more

2/28/24