More local news

Seats up for grabs in Assembly Districts, 28, 29 and 30

Besides the state offices on the Nov. 3 ballot, voters will also see races for their local Assembly Districts, which in Pierce County, there are three. Members of the Wisconsin State Assembly …

Hager City man gets 25 years in prison for child sex assault

Editor’s note: This article may contain disturbing content not suitable for children and/or those who are survivors of sexual or domestic violence. Please take care when reading. A Hager City …

Shaping the Future of Our Schools: Ellsworth community invited to share input on district survey

Over the years, the partnership between the Ellsworth community and its school district has been central to local pride. From classrooms to athletic fields, local resident support has helped ensure …

EHS celebrates September Students of the Month

Ellsworth High School is pleased to announce the September 2026 Students of the Month, nominated by staff members. They are freshman Brij Patel, sophomore Shaun Satterfield, junior Evelyn Knapp and …

Co-op duo throwing fall bash Oct. 30

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services and the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery are teaming up to host the first Co-op, Curd and Candy Crawl from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 30 at Pierce Pepin to celebrate …
Government

RF Council floats idea of data center moratorium

RIVER FALLS — A packed house at the Oct. 13 River Falls City Council meeting urged the city to pass a moratorium on data centers and to take precautions to ensure a safe Election Day on Nov. 3. …
Crime

Man crashes moped, arrested for 8th OWI

Floyd William Cook
BELDENVILLE – A River Falls man was arrested for his eighth OWI after crashing a moped at a local bar and trying to fight the bar owner.   Floyd William Cook, 56, was ordered to pay $500 …
Local sports

Shots From the Hip: Dix qualified for State XC

Kyra Dix turned in an outstanding performance at Saturday’s WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet in Rice Lake, winning the individual title and qualifying for next weekend’s state meet in Wisconsin …
Macie Boe (Amery), Faith Ulrich (Osceola), and Kyra Dix (Prescott) battle for position during the first mile of the WIAA Section 1 Race at Rice Lake. Dix eventually pulled away to win in a school-record time of 18:02.

Three runners set to make mark on XC State

  Phenomenal Sectional performances have landed Prescott’s Kyra Dix, Ellsworth’s Adolfo Mendez and River Falls’ Micaiah Black spots in the Halloween State meet at Wisconsin Rapids. …
EPC senior Aurora Sampair blasts the ball through three defenders seeking to make a play.

Wildcats are lone survivors of Regional gauntlet

County teams secured seven playoff volleyball wins with three teams reaching the Regional Final, but River Falls was the lone Pierce County squad to push through to Sectionals. River Falls …

Championship mentality still in the air in Wissing’s debut season

RIVER FALLS — With UWRF defensive coordinator Jake Wissing stepping into the head coaching role on a team looking to defend a National Championship, the team is using its championship mentality to …

SV, RF win pair of electric playoff matchups

A Spring Valley win that came down to a two-point conversion, a perfectly executed River Falls drive and Elmwood/Plum City sending off its senior class summed up a dynamite playoff Friday night. …
Rainy conditions greeted runners Thursday at Ellsworth Country Club for the Middle Border Conference championship meet, where Prescott’s girls and boys teams each finished seventh in the team …
  Ellsworth girls tennis wrapped up a great season in a deserving way, as senior No. 1 doubles pairing Alissa Davis and Brooke Olson competed at State individually. The two won 6-2, 6-0 …
Another year on the greens has come to a close, with Prescott finishing 10th at Division 1 State and Ellsworth junior Aubrey Marks posting a solid score in Division 2 in Madison. Prescott …
Spring Valley, River Falls and Elmwood/Plum City are headed to the football playoffs. Here is everything to know about their opening round opponents. No. 3 Spring Valley vs. No. 6 Whitehall …
Community
Megan Gooselaw, a.k.a Bacon (left) and her best friend Kitty DesJardiens will host the Breast Party Ever cancer fundraiser party Oct. 31 in Hudson.

‘The Breast Party Ever’ supports those with cancer

While River Road Coffee co-owner/caffeine dealer Megan Gooselaw (a.k.a. Bacon) is passionate about her coffee, as a cancer survivor, she is extra passionate about breast cancer awareness and …

Growing Connections explores ‘A Year at the Orchard’ with Mark Christopher of Maple Leaf Orchard

ELLSWORTH — Older adults are invited to explore the seasonal work and beauty of an apple orchard at the next Growing Connections program from 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Ellsworth …
Musician Julie Patchouli Hecksel will perform live at a free artist reception honoring the work and legacy of her late husband, Bruce Hecksel from 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Ellsworth Public Library.

EPL presents posthumous exhibit honoring artist Bruce Hecksel

ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Public Library will present “Love This Driftless Landscape of Guitar,” a special posthumous exhibition celebrating the art and legacy of Bruce Hecksel, Nov. 2, 2026, …

Senior Gathering Place activities: Oct 28-Nov. 5, 2026

PRESCOTT – Yes, the weather is cooler, but we are still enjoying the fall colors. My neighborhood is beautiful right now and I know it won't last. My thoughts are moving towards making …

Freedom Park column: A season of gratitude

As the leaves change color and the crisp autumn air settles along the Mississippi River, the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center at Freedom Park is nearing the end of another wonderful …
Education
Prescott Community Club Student of the Week Eloise Gergen.

Prescott Community Club Student of the Week: Eloise Gergen

The Prescott Community Club Student of the Week is Prescott High School freshman Eloise Gergen, nominated by math teacher Samantha Wachter. “She is a student who consistently gives her best …

Features
River Falls’ marching band is now 28-time State champions, winning Class AAA, along with Best Percussion, Best Color Guard, Best Musical Presentation and Best Visual Presentation.

GALLERY: Five more State titles piling into packed trophy case

The River Falls Marching Band took first place in Class AAA at the WSMA State Championships in Whitewater Oct. 18, securing their 28th championship.   They also brought home all …

Opinion
Columns

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 …

From the editor’s desk: Moments I cherish

This weekend was a busy one for our family and a great reminder to cherish each and every moment. My husband is the defensive coordinator for the Baldwin-Woodville Blackhawks football team, and …

Back Home: A morning walk through history

The early morning fog hung low in the valley as I stepped out the back door for an autumn morning walk down Claire Road. As I headed north my morning thoughts drifted into the past. Our home – …

Woodworking Again: A little less holier than thou

WhenI began reading my great-grandpa’s 8,905-word 27-volume daily diary, I had to conclude that his neighborhood was totally populated by a pack of “holier than thou’s” who prayed and went to …

From the editor’s desk: Badger Bizarre’ is my cup of tea

October means “spooky season” to me and I relish the Halloween celebrations, foggy mornings, cooler weather and all things pumpkin. I also love all things Wisconsin, history and true crime, …

Back Home: Summer slips into fall

Farewell summer. I’d like to say I knew you well, but your time this year seemed far too short. Welcome fall. I’m sure I’ll be saying the same thing about your presence when we slip into …
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. …
Obituaries
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) …
Manley Glaubitz
Manley Edward Glaubitz age 96, of Prescott, Wis., passed away on Oct. 8, 2026, at Prescott Nursing Home. Ed was born on Oct. 18, 1929, in Cumberland to Edward and Mabel (Bearrood) Glaubitz. He …
Louie J. Pechacek
In Loving Memory of Louie Our precious 8-month-old son Louie passed away at 12:12 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. Although his life was far too short, Louie filled each of his 8 months with more happiness, …
Kenneth Kildahl
Kenneth Theodore Kildahl, a devoted father, and beloved grandfather, passed away peacefully on Oct. 8, 2026, at the age of 81. Born on Nov. 4, 1944, in Wisconsin. Kenny embodied the spirit of the …
Dean Mewes
Dean was born to Ruben and Grace Mewes and grew up in Amery, Wis. Following high school, he continued his education at St. Olaf College and later attended the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, …
Web Extras
What 8 hours on your feet really does to your body
KURU Footwear reports that being on your feet for eight hours can cause various physical issues like muscle fatigue, pain, and cardiovascular risks, emphasizing the need for varied movement and better workplace design to mitigate discomfort.
Can feng shui lower stress? What the research on clutter actually shows
Closets by Design reports on feng shui's potential to reduce stress by organizing spaces for energy flow, aligning with research on clutter and well-being.
Scammers are finding new ways to target your phone. Here are 5 ways to protect yourself
Malwarebytes reports scammers are targeting mobile users with increasingly sophisticated scams.
Your 2026 tax return just got easier: Here's what's coming this filing season
(BPT) - Filing your taxes is never a top item on anyone's fun to-do list, but it's definitely a must, and can lead to a very welcome refund. The good news is, there's a new service that can help make …
Hit by an uninsured driver? What to know
TheZebra.com reports that 1 in 3 drivers are uninsured or underinsured, increasing financial risk for insured motorists in accidents.