Columns - Pierce County Journal

Mayor's Message: Tolerance is crucial to our society

It is finally summer! After about nine months of cool, sometimes cold, and wet weather, we are finally into the heat - which is the best part of the year. Just remember to get out and enjoy it as … more

By Mayor Dan Toland | 7/25/24

Embracing the summer travel season at The Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center

As the warmth of summer envelops the Midwest, the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center is thrilled to welcome travelers exploring the picturesque Great River Road Highway 35. This season, our … more

By Linda Schenk | 7/25/24

Woodworking again: Another fish tale

Recently the Kinnikinnick Society of Tasty Hamburger Questers met at the 66 th restaurant we have evaluated in the past, this one called Muddy Waters in Prescott, and found one of the tastiest yet, … more

By Dave Wood | 7/25/24

From the editor's desk: A needed vacation

I finally took Dave Wood’s advice and I went on vacation last week. I spent five days camping with four teens/tweens, a dog and my husband, no running water and no indoor bathroom. Maybe not a … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/25/24

Barth column: Courts to presidency, crashed by partisans

Most of the time these columns stick pretty close to home, on topics about the people and places around the region and state. This one ranges a little farther afield, about the current state of … more

By Bill Barth | 7/25/24

Back Home: The work and fun of baling hay

I had a dream the other night. It was a hot summer day and I was in the hay mow stacking bales. I could feel the chaff on my sweaty skin, hear the chatter of the elevator chain bringing … more

By Chris Hardie | 7/16/24

Sen. Jeff Smith: Shameless politicians

Since 2017, the University of Wisconsin System has been under what we might call a restructuring. It began with integrating the UW two-year campuses with UW four-year institutions and assigning … more

By Sen. Jeff Smith | 7/16/24

Rep. Warren Petryk: Protecting your voice in Madison through referendum questions

People have been asking me about the two referendum questions that are on ballots for the Aug. 13 election. Despite their peculiar wording, the questions address your fundamental right to be heard … more

By Rep. Warren Petryk | 7/16/24

THE CAPITOL REPORT: Rare lopsided Supreme Court decision backs Evers

The 4-3 liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court is doing a lot of the expected things -- restoring absentee ballot drop boxes, taking up abortion cases and the like. What may not … more

By WisPolitics.com | 7/16/24

From the editor’s desk: Confessions of a mischievous imp

When I was a child, I might have looked like a curly golden-haired angel, complete with innocent blue eyes magnified by my giant, plastic 80s glasses (which for reasons I cannot fathom are making a … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/16/24

Woodworking Again : The incredible, edible egg

Now that U of M professor Ancel Keyes is long gone as well as his bogus research on cholesterol, which led us to challenge so many foods we dearly love, I think it’s about time for me write a … more

7/16/24

Back Home: What's the deal with dancing

I did a two-step quick-step and a bossanova A little victor sylvester and a rudy valentino You should have seen me moving Right across the floor Hand … more

By Chris Hardie | 7/10/24

From the editor’s desk: How birthdays evolve

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 44 years on earth, it’s to have no expectations for holidays and celebrations. I don’t mean that to sound cynical and negative. In my … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/10/24

Sen. Jeff Smith: Beware of amending the Constitution in August

If you plan to cast a ballot in the primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 13, you need to know what to expect. Your ballot may not even have a single contested race of candidates for state legislative … more

By Sen. Jeff Smith | 7/10/24

Woodworking again: The meanest man

Note from Dave: I’ve written a version of this story previously, but because I recently found out that some movie producers are fighting for the rights to the historical record in order to make … more

By Dave Wood | 7/10/24

Village President column: Navigating Village Governance

Before being elected to the Ellsworth Village Board as a trustee in 2020, I attended all board meetings for about two years to learn as much as I could about village government. Once elected, … more

By Becky Beissel | 7/10/24

Journal welcomes summer intern Noah Windsor

The Journal is pleased to introduce our summer intern, Noah Windsor. Actually, we’ll let Noah tell you about himself in his first writing assignment. Welcome, Noah! My name is Noah … more

By Noah Windsor | 7/10/24

Woodworking again: Tobacco culture

These days you hear a good deal about what I call value-added farming, as is covered in our Osseo neighbor Inga Witscher’s Public TV show, “Around the Farm Table.” What it … more

By Dave Wood | 7/3/24

Rep. Warren Petryk: The state budget – one year later

It’s been one year since the governor signed your state budget into law. This budget represented the priorities of the 93rd Assembly District which included keeping taxes under control, … more

By Rep. Warren Petryk | 7/3/24

From the editor's desk: Earn your press pass

This summer we’ve welcomed a new intern, 14-year-old Noah Windsor of Ellsworth. You will meet him in his column next week and learn what led him to pursue employment for the summer at The … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/3/24