Columns - Pierce County Journal

I believe birds are messengers from God. They always appear in my life when something big is brewing and I’m convinced they are trying to tell me something. After all, birds in their effortless … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/1/25

Woodworking Again: Tribute to Leah Gavin

We are all saddened to hear of the tragic death of Leah Gavin, River Falls pharmacist and very truly a pillar of the community: an intelligent, warm and wise woman who embodied the creed of service … more

By Dave Wood | 4/30/25

From the editor's desk: Earth Week is upon us

If you know me, you know I’m not a big fan of Spring. The seesaw weather is frustrating. Hot and muggy one day, sleeting and freezing the next. Make up your mind, Mother Nature! However, I am a … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/30/25

Superintendent’s column: School volunteers play key role in connecting schools to our community

Every day, students in our district are supported by a dedicated group of volunteers. These individuals plan, organize, supervise, and lead memorable activities that would not be possible without … more

By River Falls Supt. David Bell | 4/30/25

Back Home: Operation garden relocation begins

The calendar may say we are nearly a month into spring, but for me it doesn’t really arrive until I start digging in the dirt. Turning over the soil and beginning to plant is the act of … more

By Chris Hardie | 4/30/25

Spring into Hope: Earth Fest 2025

It’s happening. We can’t stop it, and we wouldn’t if we could. Here in the Upper Midwest, sightings and conditions serve as indicators of what is to come: the first robin or … more

By Robin Boles | 4/22/25

Op Ed: Investing in our children’s mental health

National concern for the mental health of children and youth as well as that of their parents and caregivers is growing at a time when our traditional system of clinically trained providers continues … more

By Courtney Towne, LCSW | 4/16/25

Woodworking Again: Keeping her down on the farm, after she’d seen Eau Claire

Last week I related tales of my beloved late mother, Florence, as her fortunes transported her from the family farm to the “Towers of Zenith” [Chicago], and back to the bucolic existence … more

By Dave Wood | 4/16/25

Rep. Kreibich column: UW System President should fire UW-EC professor

It isn’t often a UW-Eau Claire English professor puts a western Wisconsin university in the national spotlight. But this occurred on April 1, which happened to be the primary election day in … more

By Rep. Rob Kreibich | 4/16/25

From the editor's desk: A tough decision

Life is full of tough decisions, some harder to make than others. I recently had to make a really hard one, leaving my heart feeling bruised. My daughter has been in 4-H since she was 5 years … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/16/25

Bill Barth column: Wisconsin voters’ declaration of independence

Like former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said of pornography, “I know it when I see it.” Or, to deploy another aphorism, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, … more

By Bill Barth | 4/16/25

Back Home: We need more visiting in the world

The 1970s were certainly economically challenging times for our country. We went from a recession to stagflation to high unemployment and high interest rates. Time has a way of easing … more

By Chris Hardie | 4/16/25

Woodworking again: Homemaking – Town and Country

In the first half of the last century, roles of women changed rapidly. Rural women slopped the hogs, collected the outpouring of eggs from her chickens, which financed the rural church down the road … more

By Dave Wood | 4/9/25

From the editor's desk: The master of April Fool's

Normally I don’t get into April Fool’s Day, but this year, I woke up with a mischievous glint in my eyes. Maybe I’m starting to feel like myself again. Or maybe I’m just sick … more

4/9/25

Join or die: The power of community connections

I recently watched the documentary Join or Die , which follows the work of Robert Putnam, a social scientist who spent decades studying what makes communities thrive. Early in his career, he … more

By Becky Beissel | 4/9/25

My View: Skating away

I thought you were supposed to get wiser as you get older. I think I’m getting dumber by the decade. For days last week, weather alerts were popping up on my mobile device alerting me … more

By John McLoone | 4/3/25

From the editor's desk: 'Hard work never hurt anybody'

My great-aunt Betty Larson recently turned 101 and our reporter, Andrew, did a great job interviewing her about her life and wisdom. She was married to my grandma Thelma’s brother, Irvin, and I … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/3/25

Rep. Kreibich column; WI State Assembly votes to protect women’s sports

Recently in the Wisconsin State Assembly, Assembly Bills 100 and 102, which together make up the Saving Women’s Sports Act, were passed with bipartisan support, which is rare to see in the … more

By Rep. Rob Kreibich | 4/3/25

Woodworking Again : ‘A Kook Flew over a Pierce County Nest’

(A serio-comic account of two weeks’ time spent in a western Wisconsin hursing home.) I’ll admit it! I am the Kook, and I am the fool who ignored my Beautiful Wife’s admonition … more

By Dave Wood | 4/3/25

Woodworking again: Croquet story

I guess I’m not particularly looking forward to Spring on the horizon when it’s inevitable I will be traveling over to Minnesota to join our croquet-playing group at Carlson’s … more

By Dave Wood | 3/27/25