News - Pierce County Journal

Road construction season in full swing in Pierce County

As the warm weather returns to the state of Wisconsin, so does the time for residents to find detours as road construction season returns. At the June 12 Pierce County Traffic Safety Commission … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/20/24

Vino in the Valley, on the edge of the Rush River southeast of Ellsworth, attracts over 30,000 people to their outdoor dining pavilion each season.

Pierce County tourism grows economic impact 7.8% in 2023

ELLSWORTH – The Wisconsin Department of Tourism released 2023 economic impact data, showing Pierce County tourism grew its total economic impact in 2023, generating $63 million and contributing … more

6/20/24

UWRF music program honored with national finalist recognition

RIVER FALLS – Four University of Wisconsin-River Falls choral ensembles and one university band have been selected as finalists for a prestigious national honor. Four different choral … more

6/19/24

Susanne Wiesner, assistant professor of environmental science at UW-River Falls, and her team monitor soil greenhouse gas emission and carbon uptake at UWRF’s Mann Valley Farm.

Four UW-River Falls CAFES faculty awarded research fellowships

RIVER FALLS – The University of Wisconsin-River Falls College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) recently awarded four faculty research fellowships to help increase … more

6/19/24

Kurt Vogel, UW-River Falls professor of animal welfare and behavior and director of the Humane Handling Institute, speaks with meat industry employees during a training session on effective and humane restraint and stunning of animals at the university’s Mann Valley Farm in November 2023. The Rosen Family Foundation, Inc. has given a $1 million gift to support the Humane Handling Institute.

UWRF’s Humane Handling Institute secures $1 million gift from Rosen Family Foundation, Inc.

RIVER FALLS – The Rosen Family Foundation, Inc. has announced a $1 million gift in support of the internationally recognized Humane Handling Institute at the University of Wisconsin-River … more

6/19/24

River Falls Class of 2024 throws their caps in the air in celebration of their graduation June 2.

River Falls Class of 2024 turns the page at graduation ceremony

Another class of high school students saw their time at River Falls High School come to a close Sunday, June 2 with a pool of graduates celebrating their step into the next chapter of their lives. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/19/24

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

Ptacek’s is headed to River Falls after the purchase of Dick’s Fresh Market and Dick’s Hometown Liquor.

Ptacek’s brings community-driven approach to incoming RF location

Online rumors that swirled about what was happening at the Dick’s Fresh Market and Dick’s Hometown Liquor location in River Falls can be put to rest as Ptacek’s is coming to the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/19/24

The plan for the Public Square Tennis Courts/Pickleball Courts would be to be reconstructed in 2025.

Court Clash: Pickleball courts gain ground over tennis courts in recent recreation trends

The Prescott City Council heard a brief recap of the May 20 Parks and Public Works Committee meeting concerning the concept plan for Public Square Park tennis/pickleball courts at the council meeting … more

By Danielle Boos | 6/19/24

Former Pierce Co. Sheriff dies at age 87

Former Pierce County Sheriff James “Jim” Hines died Monday, June 12 with his family by his side. He was 87 and had been living at Prescott Nursing & Rehabilitation. According to … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/19/24

A rendering of the 66-unit multi-family development Sisu River Falls.

Multi-family development plan forwarded by RF Plan Commission

RIVER FALLS — The River Falls Plan Commission voted 4-0 to forward a plan for a 66-unit multi-family and personal storage building project to city council during the June 4 meeting. Kamp … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/12/24

Former UW-River Falls student CJ Sycks speaks with an onlooker during an event in 2022 at the university at which conservation and environmental planning students solicited ideas about planning issues facing the city of River Falls. The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents has approved starting a new undergraduate community and environmental planning degree at UW-River Falls that will develop skills specific to urban planning.

UWRF adds community and environmental planning degree

RIVER FALLS – Students seeking to design communities now and into the future will have the opportunity to learn those important, in-demand skills at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls … more

6/12/24

Ender Göçmen at the Hudson Farmers Market representing Barbell Coffee.

What is specialty coffee?: Barbell Coffee strives to provide fresh, organic coffee

HUDSON — There are many different types of coffee in the world, from caffeinated to decaf, light roast to dark roast and commodity to specialty. Ender Göçmen, a founder and co-owner … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/12/24

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

Elsie’s Barnyard found Mandy Fleming greets attendees of the first ever Animal Fashion Show Sunday, June 2, which raised money for the nonprofit organization that caters to children who face adverse medical conditions. The goal was to raise $10,000, and they met their goal.

GALLERY: Elsie’s Barnyard raises $10,000 in fashion show

Elsie’s Barnyard is a non-profit organization dedicated to “restoring and strengthening the hearts, minds and souls of children and families facing adverse medical conditions through … more

6/12/24

An engineering technician from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) stands on the rim of a sinkhole in Pierce County.

Pierce County Land Conservation Department developing sinkhole map

ELLSWORTH - Sinkholes develop when the ground collapses into cracks and caverns that have formed below the ground surface. Formation of sinkholes is common in western Wisconsin because of the readily … more

6/12/24

Baking & recipe challenges at the Pierce County Fair

The 2024 Pierce County Fair includes not only the return of the recipe challenge, but the new addition of a quilting challenge! These challenges allow friendly competition between open class … more

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

Campus notes: Achievements of Pierce County college students

UW-Stout MENOMONIE - The following students from the area have been named to the University of Wisconsin-Stout Dean's List for the spring 2024 semester. The award is presented to students … more

6/12/24