Columns - Pierce County Journal

As many of you know, I have four teenage children: Three amazing stepsons (ages 19, 16 and 15) and my beloved daughter, age 13. Our house is a swirling den of hormones, strong emotions, cracking … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/8/26

Becky Beissel Ellsworth Village President

Building a stronger Ellsworth: A 5-year look back

When you work in local government, progress doesn’t always happen overnight. It happens step by step, through planning, partnerships, and steady decision-making. As I mark five years serving as … more

By Becky Beissel | 4/8/26

Woodworking Again: What’s a Normal School?

When I was a wee freshman at Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire I made ends meet by soliciting ads to businessmen on Water and Barstow streets. Some of the older business fellows would invariably … more

By Dave Wood | 4/1/26

From the editor’s desk: My election thoughts

The past few weeks I’ve been compiling the election questionnaires you see in this week’s edition. It’s no small task to obtain contact information for all candidates, craft the questionnaires … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/1/26

Back Home: Strengthening rural Wisconsin

I grew up in a rural community and am proud of it. I was a farm kid living at the end of a dead-end road in a town of about 500 folks scattered throughout the 36 square miles. Our cultural … more

By Chris Hardie | 4/1/26

Ask Andrew: Living in the moment

This year, I told myself I was going to stop procrastinating. That promise fell flat on its face. That’s when I came up with a new idea to better my life: cutting down on screen time. Screens … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/1/26

Woodworking Again: The New Old Farmer’s Almanack

I just discovered in my new Farmer’s Almanac it’s All Fool’s Day. In my youth most farmers accessed the Almanac to foresee what kind of weather would support or not support their crops. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/25/26

Sustainability Matters: Green Skills Matter

As a weaver, I transform old sheets, worn-out jeans, and other discarded fabric into unique and useful rag rugs, each one a patchwork of memories and renewal. Rag rug weaving has deep roots in rural … more

By Robin Boles | 3/25/26

Rep. Kreibich column: Evers’ recent veto of childcare bill

I am appalled by the Governor’s decision to veto SB 291, a bipartisan bill I co-sponsored that incentivized employer involvement in childcare and marked a step in the right direction for Wisconsin … more

By Rep. Rob Kreibich | 3/25/26

From the editor's desk: I'd rather do dishes

I have pancakes on the brain for many reasons. No. 1, it’s pancake breakfast season. The Prescott Fire Department’s world-famous pancakes truly are unforgettable. Make sure you stop into the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/25/26

Woodworking Again: Folks who relish their food

Years ago, when Ruth and I were young and foolish, we hung around with “Fast Eddie” Sabella, an econ prof of Italian descent who hailed from Providence, Rhode Island. He was recovering from an … more

By Dave Wood | 3/18/26

From the editor’s desk: Thank you, Jack

Ellsworth, and Pierce County as a whole, lost a legend this week. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone in our area who didn’t know Jack Hines. I never dealt with Jack in the insurance or … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/18/26

Back Home: You can’t change time

Armed and fortified with a cup of coffee, I set about the bothersome task of changing the time on the various timepieces scattered around the house. Biannually I am somewhat miffed that it … more

By Chris Hardie | 3/18/26

Village President’s column: Is change really hard?

In communities, as in life, change is inevitable. New ideas emerge, opportunities present themselves, and each generation leaves its own mark on the place it calls home. Yet we often hear the … more

By Becky Beissel Ellsworth Village President | 3/11/26

Woodworking Again: The woes of winter as we wait for spring

These days I’m not waiting for yet another snowfall. Rain is fine, but more snow is for the birds (apologies to Sarah!) and the snow removal companies. Same as last year, we were unsuccessful in … more

By Dave Wood | 3/11/26

KNOW YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS: How to avoid contractor scams after storm damage

When a storm tears shingles from your roof or a frozen pipe floods the basement, the instinct is simple: fix it fast. Unfortunately, that urgency is exactly what dishonest and shady contractors … more

By Atty. Christina E. Balistreri | 3/11/26

From the editor’s desk: ‘Take me home, country roads’

When I was young, my mother and grandmother took me on many road trips: The House on the Rock, the Amana Colonies in Iowa, St. Louis and the boyhood home of Jesse James, most of the Laura Ingalls … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/11/26

Bart, Chris Hardie’s former Highland bull, liked apples but not cuddling.

Back Home: Missing out on farm pay day

My farming days are over, but a recent story made me realize that I clearly left a lot of money on the table. I tried to make some money selling cows, sheep, wool and eggs but never seemed to … more

By Chris Hardie | 3/11/26

Woodworking Again: My Travels with Charley

With the whole USA spinning about how stalwart Minnesotans are, I think it’s time to speak up for the grit of the upper Midwest’s Scandinavian forebears. So today I’m writing about Charlie, … more

By Dave Wood | 3/3/26

Sunshine Week: Support local journalism

Sunshine Week is March 15-21, and this year, there’s an even greater need for you to get involved. Sunshine Week annually celebrates freedom of information laws in every state. It also … more

By Gene Policinski Freedom Forum | 3/3/26