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SV levy to see fractional decrease after budget conversations

SPRING VALLEY — The Spring Valley Village Board approved a 2027 budget that would decrease local tax levy by 0.28% to $572,796. According to information shared at the October Village Board …
The Finance & Personnel Committee voted to rescind a resolution putting county-owned land in the town of Oak Grove up for sale. The parcel was found to have an easement access.

County considers updating county seal, logo

ELLSWORTH – At the Nov. 2 Pierce County Finance & Personnel Committee meeting, members considered changing the county’s official seal/logo since it hasn’t been updated since 1941. …

Quarter 1 Honor Roll shared by Elmwood schools

Elmwood Middle/High School is pleased to announce those named to the first quarter Honor Roll for the 2026-27 school year Principal’s Honor Roll (4.0 GPA) Seniors: Abigail Krings and …

Elmwood board green lights 2027 budget

ELMWOOD — The Elmwood Village Board approved the 2027 budget at Monday’s meeting, projecting an $8,637 General Fund surplus, an increase of $27,494 from the shortfall that was projected during an …

Registration opens for 2027 Wisconsin Civics Games

MADISON —The Universities of Wisconsin announced that registration is now open for the 2027 Wisconsin Civics Games, a statewide academic competition that challenges high school students to deepen …
Government

Council hears budget proposal, votes to terminate Flock contract

RIVER FALLS — The River Falls City Council heard the first reading of the budget proposal at the Oct. 27 meeting, showing an average increase of $20-25 to the city portion of residential tax bills. …
Crime

Hager City man arrested after leading police on chase

Randy Ray Wilkens
TOWN OF OAK GROVE – A high speed pursuit winding through Oak Grove township resulted in the arrest of one Hager City man during the early morning hours of Oct. 25. Randy Ray Wilkens, 41, was …
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Business

Small Business Season invites Ellsworth to put thought into action

Rachel Gentry, owner and baker at Amma’s Pies, displays one of her handcrafted pies at her shop in Ellsworth’s East End Commercial District. Gentry is one of Ellsworth

The Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce is joining chambers across the country in celebrating Small Business Season, Nov. 1 through Dec. 31. This year’s theme, “It’s the Thought That Counts,” …

Local sports

Shots From the Hip: All-Conference honors, boys BB rankings

Congratulations to defensive lineman Charlie Rohl and offensive lineman Gabe Turner on being named 2026 Middle Border All Conference. It is the second time Rohl has been named to the team and the …
Senior captain Cahlilah Lindquist initiating the offense for the Falcons.

Falcons survive early tests as defending champs

RIVER FALLS — Winning back-to-back-to-back National Championships put the target on the backs of the UWRF women’s hockey team, and they are taking that in stride. The Falcons are 4-0 after …

RF swim and dive places well at Sectionals

River Falls swimming and diving wrapped up its season at the Rice Lake Sectional with scores and times that went toe-to-toe with the area’s best. River Falls secured a handful of top finishes, …

Spring Valley XC coach named wrestling coach

Chase Arens was recently approved as the next Spring Valley/Elmwood wrestling coach. Arens just wrapped up his first year as the Spring Valley cross country coach and is ready for the winter sports …
Despite being just a freshman for the Gophers, George Rohl has already found his way into the tight end rotation.

Rohl makes leaping grab for first collegiate touchdown

George Rohl, now a freshman tight end for the Minnesota Gophers, had the words Ellsworth, Wisconsin, ringing through televisions nationwide, rising up to grab a touchdown to tie the score at 17 in …
Senior cross country runner Kyra Dix finished second at last weekend’s WIAA State Meet in Wisconsin Rapids, ending a truly remarkable high school career. Since joining the team as a sophomore in …
Prescott senior Kyra Dix poses with the Cardinal mascot after finishing fifth at the Griak Invitational back in September.
Prescott senior Kyra Dix took second, Ellsworth senior Adolfo Mendez took fourth and River Falls sophomore Micaiah Black placed 13th in what turned out to be an excellent State cross country meet …
The River Falls block rises up to make a play on the ball during the Sectional Semi-finals in River Falls on Thursday.
RIVER FALLS — The Wildcat volleyball season was an excellent one in 2026, finishing second place in a stacked Big Rivers Conference with just one conference loss. River Falls entered Sectionals …
River Falls senior Ryker O'Keefe celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the playoffs against Brookfield Central on Friday.
Spring Valley and River Falls saw their football seasons come to a close Friday night, each dropping games in the second round of the postseason. Both teams rode strong senior classes into battle …
Community

Ellsworth High School presents ‘Mamma Mia’

Donna Sheridan (played by Sophia Place, center), sings “Money, Money, Money” with the ensemble. The musical take place on a Greek Isle, where Donna has raised her daughter Sophie alone for 20 years.
You can still see "Mamma Mia" at Ellsworth High School for one more weekend. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15.  Go to …

AAUW Book Sale begins Nov. 12

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls Branch of AAUW will hold its 2026 Book Sale at 111 Locust St., River Falls, on Nov. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21. Sale hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays …

Senior Gathering Place activities: Nov. 4-12, 2026

PRESCOTT – Well it's here, Daylight Savings Time! I sure don't need an extra hour of daylight each morning and do not like sunset at 5 p.m. But November is here and time change is …
In years past, Prescott held many masquerade balls in which people would dress up, sometime in a mock wedding, and march down Broad Street before heading to one of the local dance halls for a party.

Head on over to an old-time Masquerade Ball

PRESCOTT – The Prescott Area Historical Society is hosting a Costume Ball from 6-9 p.m. Saturday Nov. 7 at 235 N. Broad St., Prescott. All are welcome and there is no entry fee. There will be live …
The dedication plaque on the new Post 61 Pavilion in Prescott honoring Jerry Klasen.

Prescott American Legion dedicates new Post 61 Pavilion

PRESCOTT – The Prescott American Legion Post 61 continues to improve its facilities to better serve its members and the Prescott community. Following the recent completion of a beautiful flag …
Education

SDRF crafting 2028-33 strategic plan

RIVER FALLS — The School District of River Falls is in the early stages of creating its 2028-33 strategic plan. The Board of Education was presented with the coming steps and ways for the community …

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Features
Winners from the costume contest included, from left, grand prize winner Nova Valorshon, of Hager City, dressed as a Mushroom Queen (ages 9-17); Jill Halvorson, of Hager City, and Layla Ingli, of River Falls, dressed as Dumb and Dumber (group costume); Christy Aufderhar, of Beldenville, as Little Shop of Horrors (adult category); and Sydney Hove, of Ellsworth, as a giant Dachshund (ages 8 and under). Not pictured: Zach Sloan, of Beldenville, dressed as Freddy (ages 9-17 finalist).

GALLERY: First Haunted Fairgrounds is ‘spooktacular’

ELLSWORTH - The inaugural Haunted Fairgrounds Festival, the brain child of Melissa and Gregg Nelson of Ellsworth, drew thousands of visitors to the Pierce County Fairgrounds Saturday, Oct. 31 for a …

Opinion
Columns

Village President column: Seeing Ellsworth through fresh eyes

Well, it only took me 45 years, but I finally received a compliment on my outfit at Ellsworth High School. As someone who made it through four years of high school without earning many fashion …

Woodworking Again: A ‘Wimseycal’ dinner party

One of my favorite fictional movie characters is the not so dashing Lord Peter Wimsey, best performed by Ian Carmichael. He’s often portrayed dining at the Savoy and consuming an inordinate amount …

Remember their service, honor their sacrifice, and be worth it

Every Veterans Day, we pause to recognize the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces. We attend ceremonies, display our flags, thank veterans for their service and remember …

Guest column: To the living, to the fallen

No U.S. Mail delivery. No in-person banking. Federal offices are closed. States observe holidays differently. Ever think about how a national holiday came to be? Glancing at this month's …

From the editor’s desk: Veterans Day 2026

With Veterans Day approaching, I’d like to encourage you to attend one of the many ceremonies honoring veterans in our communities. They are always moving and remind me what being an American is …

Woodworking Again: Wanna be a badger?

QUESTION: WHAT DO THE FOLLOWING PERSONALITIES HAVE IN COMMON? Otis Redding, Little Richard, Eudora Welty, Georgia O’Keefe. Joyce Carol Oates, Hattie McDaniel, Rodney Dangerfield, Jackie …

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Letters
 Letter to the editor: The Democratic Socialists of America
To the editor: The great Thomas Sowell once said, “It doesn’t matter how smart you are, unless you stop and think.” Democrats are endorsing the individuals running as Democratic Socialists …
Letter to the editor: Voting matters
To the editor: Politics matter. Voting matters. If you have not yet, go to myvote.wi.gov. check out your ballot. Study your candidates and investigate the three constitutional amendments on the …
Letter to the editor: Unmasking our political reality
To the editor, At this point, I am done with disingenuous political commercials and chicken littles who write in to the PCJ to twist facts and cherry-­pick data to sway public opinion across …
Letter to the editor: We need honest representation
Rebecca Cooke has our vote for Congress. The Third District of Wisconsin has not been well-represented for the past four years.  Rebecca was raised on a dairy farm near Eau Claire, and six …
Letter to the editor: Ads are mostly lies
After weeks of political ads, attacks and claims, and some face-­to-­face candidate forums, voters have been of­ fered a few truths and a whole lot that isn't. However, a few things do ring true. …

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Obituaries
Dale Strom
Dale Norman Strom, age 83, of Spring Valley, Wis., passed away peacefully on Oct. 30, 2026, at Spring Valley Nursing and Rehab, surrounded by the love of his family. Dale was born on March 14, …
Leslie Waxon
Leslie Eugene Waxon, age 89, of River Falls, Wis., died on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at his home in River Falls. Les was born on Dec. 29, 1936 in Hudson, Wis. He grew up in River Falls, graduating from …
Joanne Denzer
Joanne Denzer, age 88 of River Falls, formerly of Martell Township, died Oct. 23 at Region’s Hospital in St. Paul. A Celebration of Life is being planned. Please see oconnellfuneralhomes.com for …
Casey Follansbee
Casey Alex Follansbee, age 40, of River Falls, Wis., passed away on Oct. 21, 2026. He was born on Sept. 13, 1986, in Red Wing, Minn., to Clinton and Cindy Follansbee. The youngest of four siblings, …
Bernice Mary Gruber Schneider-Kiene
Age 94 of Oak Park Heights, died peacefully on Oct. 15, 2026. Bernice is survived by her husband, Ernest Kiene; her children Gary (Lynn) Schneider, Mark (Jeanne Fink) Schneider, Leanne (Scott) …

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Web Extras
The Thanksgiving NFL archive: 5 statistical anomalies that defy decades of football logic
SBD reports on five Thanksgiving NFL statistical anomalies, highlighting remarkable performances, odd trends, and historical records from Turkey Day games.
5 ways to manage minor aches and pains to keep running this fall
(BPT) - Fall is arguably one of the best seasons for running. The crisp, cool air brings runners a much-needed reprieve after a summer of sweaty miles and serves as a reminder to make the most of the …
American AI Models Must Become the Global Default
American AI Models Must Become the Global Default
(NewsUSA) - Leadership in artificial intelligence may come down to adoption: technological leadership matters only if American AI becomes the default choice for governments, companies, and …
4 retro-fueled room designs for fresh inspiration today
Houzz reports on four retro-inspired room designs blending past styles with modern touches, showcasing 1920s Art Deco, 1950s charm, 1960s Space Age, and vibrant 1990s aesthetics.
What causes a food coma, and how to beat it this Thanksgiving
Naturepedic reports that food comas, or postprandial somnolence, occur after large meals, causing drowsiness.
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