Columns - Pierce County Journal

Woodworking again: Gabbing about gardening

After reading John McLoone’s recent essay on weather predictions for what’s left of winter and might happen if spring brings heaps of snow , I’ve decided to abandon our little bare … more

By Dave Wood | 4/24/24

From the editor's desk: Mom guilt

I have been suffering from something called “Mom guilt” lately, and honestly, I’ve had enough of it. I found the perfect quote to describe my feelings in a blog by Beth Berry. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/24/24

Bill Barth column: Wisconsin voters are in a rebellious mood

The message from voters in Wisconsin’s spring election is loud and unmistakable. “Fed up!” Start with the presidential primary. President Biden and former President Donald … more

By Bill Barth | 4/24/24

There was a great deal of washing in Chris Hardie's field in late October when it was hammered with 10 inches of rain in one day only a few days after it was sown with a winter cover crop of rye.

Back Home: Cover crops spring to life

The lifeblood of any farmer is the soil that provides their livelihood, so taking care of it has to be a top priority. That care involves more than simply adding fertilizer and chemicals … more

By Chris Hardie | 4/24/24

Rep. Warren Petryk: Session recap, Supporting our farmers

As the weather warms, our parks transform into a thriving center of agricultural commerce, where we are able to buy locally grown agricultural products while chatting with our local farmers. … more

By Rep. Warren Petryk | 4/24/24

Sen. Jeff Smith: Power of the purse

In a recent column, I wrote about legislation that went unfinished. Many of the issues that were mentioned were ignored from lack of concern by the majority party or for purely political reasons. … more

By Sen. Jeff Smith | 4/24/24

My View: An interesting weekend

It was an interesting weekend. If anyone would have asked me a few days ago what the odds would be of me doing these things on back to back days, I would have said one in a million. I should … more

By John McLoone | 4/17/24

Woodworking again: Adventures de toilette

We have recently made the self-indulgent purchase of a Toto toilet, which provides a heated seat, a warm water spigot which can be aimed and activated to take care of things toilet paper is designed … more

By Dave Wood | 4/17/24

Rep. Warren Petryk: Enhancing our great outdoors

Spring is in full swing, which means it's the ideal time for us Wisconsinites to enjoy nature. From cruising down ATV/UTV trails to exploring state parks like Hoffman Hills and the Chippewa River … more

By Rep. Warren Petryk | 4/17/24

Sen. Jeff Smith: School Safety Office on life support

This legislative session could’ve been better, but there was one glimmer of hope. The Office of School Safety (OSS) at the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) was a bright spot for lawmakers … more

By Sen. Jeff Smith | 4/17/24

From the editor's desk: News deserts are blooming

In Minnesota by the end of the month, eight community newspapers will close: the Hutchinson Leader, Litchfield Independent Review, Chaska Herald, Chanhassen Villager, Jordan Independent, Shakopee … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/17/24

My View: Planning a journey

I’m due for a vacation. It’s been almost a year since I took some time off and I think it was about five years before we embarked on a journey into the wilderness last summer. … more

By John McLoone | 4/10/24

Rep. Warren Petryk: Stay prepared, Severe Weather Awareness in WI

April 8-12 is Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week. During this week Wisconsin Emergency Management and the National Weather Service are partnering to raise awareness of the need to … more

By Rep. Warren Petryk | 4/10/24

Woodworking again: Interminable garden bounty

One of the many lessons we’ve learned among the joys and sorrows of being unquashable planters, is that if you’re devoted to putting seeds in the ground and oohing and aahing at the … more

By Dave Wood | 4/10/24

Sen. Jeff Smith: The people's work undone

Last Tuesday the 2 nd of April was the spring election. It was clear based on the referenda questions on ballots throughout Wisconsin that something isn’t right. Headlines throughout the past … more

By Sen. Jeff Smith | 4/10/24

From the editor's desk: When childhood was fun

I don’t think it’s any secret that our kids are growing up much differently than we did. I’m sure I grew up much differently from my mom and uncles, who grew up in the 50s and 60s. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/10/24

A photo of crocuses in Chris Hardie's yard. Some of them were planted years ago by his mother.

Back Home: Spring captured in a flower

One certainty that I have learned over my long years is that nature moves at her own pace. Yes, we’ve done our worst to mess with the climate and destroy ozone, but nature slowly responds … more

By Chris Hardie | 4/10/24

My View: Keeping an eye on things here

On Monday, April 8, you people are all going to be wearing goofy glasses and staring at the sun for four minutes. I’m going to be wearing the goofy glasses I wear every single day and keep … more

4/3/24

Woodworking again: April is cruel

If you’re like me, you always look forward to April, thinking it’s going to be much better than the previous gloomy months, though we’ve been warned often enough by the privileged … more

By Dave Wood | 4/3/24

Rep. Warren Petryk: Voting to fix our roads

Spring is always a wonderful time of the year as the tulips emerge from the ground and the snow starts to melt. Besides tulips, another “flower” is starting to show itself as well, the … more

By Rep. Warren Petryk | 4/3/24