Columns - Pierce County Journal

Of all the fictional lawyers I’ve run across as a reader and movie goer, including Perry Mason, and interesting one-shot performances by actors like E.G. Marshall, Andy Griffith and fat … more

By David Wood | 10/17/24

From the editor's desk: A confession to make

As the saying goes, according to Sandy Ellis’ letter to the editor this week, “inquiring minds want to know.” She is speaking about the Journal being behind in publishing River … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/17/24

Jeff Smith column: Our children deserve better than

The childcare crisis in Wisconsin is undeniable and urgent. As childcare centers continue to close across the state, the impact on our families, workforce and economy grows faster. This crisis is not … more

By Sen. Jeff Smith | 10/17/24

Woodworking again: Will Rogers for president

My Grandpa Wood shocked me one Sunday when, puffing his corncob pipe said, “Davey why don’t you and me go to the movie house and see a movie?’ Grandpa wants to take me to a … more

By Dave Wood | 10/10/24

From the editor's desk: Our stories shape the community

It seems like every time I’m out at an event in the community, I run into someone who knows me because they see my column or byline in the paper each week. I feel like I have friends wherever I … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/10/24

Rep. Warren Petryk: Should non-citizens be able to vote in Wisconsin elections?

As I continue to meet with people in the 93 rd Assembly District, folks have started to ask me about the state-wide referendum question on their ballots in the upcoming election. The question … more

By Rep. Warren Petryk | 10/10/24

Sen. Jeff Smith: More can be done to combat domestic violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I am committed to advocating for increased awareness and action on this critical issue. Domestic violence is not only a violation of human rights but … more

By Sen. Jeff Smith | 10/10/24

The end of the driveway was quite cracked and broken up.

Back Home: Last-minute summer projects

There’s always a sense of urgency to get outdoor chores completed when the calendar turns to fall. These are tasks that could have been done anytime earlier in the summer but since I am a … more

By Chris Hardie | 10/10/24

Becky Beissel, Ellsworth Village President

Back to School: Students, service, and the future of our village

School is back in session, and last month I had the pleasure of visiting some high school students. Walking through those hallways is always a bit surreal—it feels like just yesterday I was the … more

By Becky Beissel | 10/10/24

Woodworking again: According to a horoscope

My beautiful wife grew up in Oak Lawn, Ill., a Chicago suburb of about 100,000 people, most of them of Italian and Polish descent. Ruth’s family attended the only Lutheran church in the entire … more

By Dave Wood | 10/2/24

Rep. Warren Petryk: Investing in building and growing

Every day, we rely on our state’s investments in infrastructure. From driving to the grocery store to learning in high-tech school buildings, infrastructure is crucial for our personal and … more

By Rep. Warren Petyrk | 10/2/24

Green energy makes homeownership more affordable

As the ranking Democratic member on the Senate Utilities Committee, I’ve spent much of my career fighting to make utility costs more affordable for families while addressing the urgent need to … more

By Sen. Jeff Smith | 10/2/24

From the editor's desk: Change is tough

Change can be good, but change can also be really difficult. I am a creature of habit and am not a big fan of change. I often wonder how my grandparents handled the momentous changes they witnessed … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/2/24

My View: A different world

I was in a different world altogether on Saturday. I saw and experienced things I’ve never seen in more than six decades on this planet. It was somewhere I never intended to be. We … more

By John McLoone | 9/26/24

From the editor's desk: Taking the leap

My kids find it hard to believe that I wasn’t always “old.” They act like I grew up on Little House on the Prairie with a sunbonnet and covered wagon. I was born in the 1980s for … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/26/24

Barth column: Let them compete, with ideas, for all the votes

With Labor Day in the rearview mirror, the sprint is on for the presidential campaign finish line. So I write about a topic that is passionate for me, one I’ve opined on several times over … more

By Bill Barth | 9/26/24

Rep. Warren Petryk: Working to address Wisconsin’s housing shortage

Here in the Chippewa Valley, we are not immune to the housing challenges seen across our state. In River Falls a study found that the area would be short hundreds of new homes to keep up with the … more

By Rep. Warren Petryk | 9/26/24

Sen. Jeff Smith: Unpacking the funding gap

Over the past decade, you’ve probably noticed more and more referenda questions on your ballot to help fund your local school districts. While there are many reasons for why a school would … more

By Sen. Jeff Smith | 9/26/24

A box of Cortland apples picked from a tree on Chris Hardie’s farm.

Back Home: The seasons of life

I sat on the back stoop on the cusp of autumn, coffee in hand, and bade goodbye to summer. “Seems like I hardly knew you,” I said. Summer sighed, reluctant to move on. But … more

By Chris Hardie | 9/26/24

Woodworking again: Pierce County Historical Association newsletter

For the past year I’ve been laboring over my hometown’s history writing historical pieces to celebrate the town’s sesquicentennial. It’s an onerous task because until … more

By Dave Wood | 9/26/24