Columns - Pierce County Journal

Op Ed: Good stewards, strong communities

When you picture agriculture in northwest Wisconsin, you might think of rolling hills, red barns and quiet mornings broken only by the crow of a rooster, cows mooing or the rumbling engine of a … more

By Travis Senn, President of Polk-Burnett County Farm Bureau | 6/4/25

From the editor's desk: When in doubt, be kind

Beautiful things often sprout from the darkest of places. I’ve experienced this in my own life and it rings true in the River Falls community this week as well. When I read the criminal … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/4/25

Woodworking again: New beginnings

Water, water, everywhere , Nor any a drop drink --Coleridge, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” It’s the same old story, drought. Everywhere we go, in our … more

By Dave Wood | 5/28/25

My View: Embodies the spirit

I’m envious of people who have artistic talents. A few software versions ago, I felt I could hold my own in graphic design. A few years back, however, I alerted anyone who needed to know … more

By John McLoone | 5/28/25

From the editor's desk: Leaving the nest

Friday was a bit surreal. My oldest son graduated from high school, a day many parents both anticipate with excitement because their child made it through 13+ years of school and dread because … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/28/25

Back Home: Hit by a car 50 years ago

Time has an uncanny and relentless way of simultaneously sneaking up on you and passing you by. What seems like yesterday becomes years in a flash. May 9, 1975 was a warm and sunny spring day … more

By Chris Hardie | 5/28/25

Woodworking Again: Horn-of-Plenty fear strikes again

As she does every spring, the Beautiful Wife sternly laid down new rules regarding garden expanse long before the frost appeared on our lone pumpkin: “This year we’ve got to stop … more

By Dave Wood | 5/22/25

Kim Bremmer is a graduate of UW-Madison and was a dairy nutritionist for almost 15 years. She is the owner of Ag Inspirations where she has been advocating for farmers as a professional speaker since 2015, traveling across the country, as well as internationally.

Op Ed: Supporting local farms means supporting local economies

In Pierce County and across Wisconsin, farming is more than a tradition or a way of life – it's the backbone of our economy and the staple of our agricultural heritage. Local dairy farms like … more

By Kim Bremmer Venture Dairy Cooperative | 5/22/25

From the editor's desk: The real Mother's Day

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who emailed or called me about last week’s column. I am truly humbled by the response. The encouragement and kind words were touching; I … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/22/25

Sustainability Matters: Simple Acts of Sustainability

Today I hung my laundry out to dry. It’s such a simple act but one that brings me great joy. I love everything about using a clothesline for drying my laundry: the task itself, the smell, the … more

By Robin Boles | 5/22/25

My View: It better be covered

I lived through the heart attack that, thankfully, wasn’t. Some background: By virtue of winning, or losing, the genetic lottery, I landed firmly on the McLoone side. Men are bald, carry a … more

By John McLoone | 5/20/25

Rep. Kreibich column: Kreibich’s bill cracking down on unemployment insurance fraud passes the Assembly

For far too long, scammers and ineligible individuals have taken advantage of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. This theft was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when an estimated … more

By Rep. Rob Kreibich | 5/15/25

Op Ed: Our local freedom

Last week, with five other petitioners and GROWW (GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin), I filed a legal challenge, my first time going to court. I felt powerful. Together, we are forcing the DNR … more

By Jenelle Ludwig Krause Executive Director, GROWW | 5/15/25

From the editor's desk: It’s okay to disagree

I’ll admit, after an email exchange with a reader, I’m struggling to know what to write about this week. I don’t feel like writing about anything. The reader wrote in to … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/15/25

Barth column: Why is America’s postal service struggling?

I have visited Benjamin Franklin’s grave at the Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. Old Ben must be spinning in it right now, his supply of brotherly … more

By Bill Barth | 5/15/25

Back Home: NFL draft promotes Wisconsin

I’ve done many jobs and traveled many places, but one thing I will always be – a proud Wisconsinite. Don’t get me wrong – I have nothing but deep respect for my nearby … more

By Chris Hardie | 5/15/25

Village President column: Congratulations, EHS Class of 2025!

As graduation season approaches, I want to take a moment, on behalf of our entire community, to offer a heartfelt congratulations to the Ellsworth High School Class of 2025. You've reached a … more

By Becky Beissel, Ellsworth Village President | 5/14/25

Woodworking Again: Digging up Great Grandpa

Recently, I was invited to my hometown to talk about writing and discuss our family’s connections to Whitehall, Wis., now celebrating its 150 th birthday. My first appearance was at the … more

By Dave Wood | 5/8/25

Rep. Rob Kreibich: Condemns Judge Dugan

The FBI did the right thing by arresting Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan because no one is above the law. The actions of Judge Dugan were dangerous not only to the integrity of the … more

By Rep. Rob Kreibich | 5/8/25

From the editor's desk: Learning from the past

With Memorial Day coming up, I always think of my grandma. Every year, without fail, she made sure to place a pot of red geraniums on the graves of her parents at Gilman Lutheran’s cemetery, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/8/25