Government - Pierce County Journal

The approved Wall and Morse Street reconstruction intersection design from the Feb. 2 Ellsworth Village Board meeting.

Flurry of street and sidewalk items approved by Village board

ELLSWORTH — As part of a list of approved motions regarding streets and sidewalks in the village, the Ellsworth Village Board approved a Wall and Morse Street intersection reconstruction design … more

By Andrew Harrington | 2/4/26

Residents speak against ICE at Pierce County Board meeting

ELLSWORTH – Two Pierce County residents used the Pierce County Board’s public comment time Jan. 27 to express their concerns about the actions of federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/4/26

This map shows where a proposed solar project in the town of Hartland could go.

Hartland board drafts framework for renewable energy land use ordinance

TOWN OF HARTLAND — When AES sought to build a 75MWac solar facility on about 550 buildable acres and 1,000 total acres in the Town of Hartland, community pushback brought the town board to … more

By Andrew Harrington | 2/4/26

About 75 people took to the Rock Elm Town Hall Saturday, Jan. 31 for a public hearing on a CAFO operations ordinance.

Packed house in Rock Elm to measure public opinion on CAFO ordinance

ROCK ELM — Residents and non-residents alike took to the Rock Elm Town Hall to speak at Saturday’s public hearing both in favor and against an ordinance that would impose further regulations on … more

By Andrew Harrington | 2/4/26

It was a full house in the council chambers as the River Falls City Council honored the UWRF National Champion football team, remembered Fire Captain Cody Peterson and heard public comment from many community members.

Residents urge council to take action regarding immigration enforcement in the city

RIVER FALLS — River Falls City Hall was filled to the brim and then some with community members as the council heard public comments largely about immigration enforcement in the city, honored … more

By Andrew Harrington | 2/4/26

The Prescott City Council tabled a raze order for 915 Canton St., which had a structure fire on Feb. 10, 2025. During an inspection, city officials also found an unpermitted living unit in the industrial-zoned building.

Council votes to table 915 Canton St. raze order

PRESCOTT – Prescott City Council voted Jan. 26 to table a raze order for 915 Canton St. upon recommendation from its legal counsel after the property owner’s attorney read a letter on her behalf. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/28/26

One of three proposals for the East End Park Master Plan. Notably, the aspects from three proposals are expected to be combined as the plan continues to develop.

Parks Committee analyzes trio of East End Park concepts

ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Parks, Recreation and Development Committee went over three concept maps for an East End Park Master Plan on Monday. The meeting was to advise village engineer MSA on … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/28/26

River Falls City Council approved a Specific Implementation Plan for the 255-unit Mann Valley development Jan. 13.

Specific Implementation Plan approved for 255-unit Mann Valley development

RIVER FALLS — The River Falls City Council approved a 255-unit Mann Valley Corporate Park development Specific Implementation Plan for Valley View Apartments on Jan. 13. The proposal includes … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/21/26

The new phases of the Great Rivers development will bring 242 new lots of varying sizes to the city, adjacent to 570th Avenue and the Pine Ridge subdivision.

Next Great Rivers concept plan gets green light

PRESCOTT – The Prescott City Council approved a concept plan and zoning change request for future Great Rivers subdivision phases at its Jan. 12 meeting. The proposal is to add 242 single-family … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/21/26

CAPITOL REPORT: Surplus money spurs talk of property tax relief

Another year, another standoff between Dem Gov. Tony Evers and the Republican Legislature. This time the issue is property taxes and Evers' 400-year veto. Evers in early January said state … more

By WisPolitics.com/State Affairs | 1/21/26

JP Brooks, a residential developer from Maple Grove, Minn., submitted “The Maplewood” home as one option they plan to build in the next Great Rivers residential development phase.

Next Great Rivers development phase crosses first hurdle

PRESCOTT – At the first Prescott Plan Commission meeting of the new year Jan. 5, commissioners voted to forward the concept plan for the next phase of the Great Rivers residential development to … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/14/26

Pierce County Land Transfers: Jan. 2-8, 2026

The following property transfers were recorded by the Pierce County Register of Deeds Jan. 2-8, 2026. Friday, Jan. 2 Maelei Catt to Bunny Dragon Holdings LLC, 127 Broad St. N., Lot 6, Front … more

1/14/26

The new Spring Valley village website went live Jan. 5. It can be found at vi.springvalley.wi.gov

Spring Valley Village Board designates official newspapers

SPRING VALLEY – The Spring Valley Village Board Jan. 7 designated the Pierce County Journal and the Baldwin Bulletin as its official newspapers for the remainder of the 2025/26 year. With the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/14/26

Which local candidates will be on your April ballot?

Local races are taking shape in Pierce County for school board, city council, village board and county board seats, which residents will vote for on April 7, 2026. Candidates had until 5 p.m. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/14/26

Pierce County launched a Community Well Water Monitoring Network this past fall. More information about this program can be found at https://www.co.pierce.wi.us/.../land.../groundwater.php

Groundwater Advisory Committee hears DATCP livestock facility siting regulation presentation

ELLSWORTH — The Pierce County Groundwater Advisory Committee heard a proposal regarding livestock facility siting regulations and ordinances from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/14/26

Prescott Wastewater Treatment Facility overflow

PRESCOTT – On Monday, Jan. 5, the City of Prescott experienced a 50-gallon centrate overflow at the Wastewater Treatment Facility, located at 517 Jefferson St. The overflow occurred at the septage … more

1/7/26

Village to explore Extraterritorial Zoning Ordinance changes

ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Village Board made the direction to the Joint Extraterritorial Zoning (ETZ) Committee to explore changes to an ordinance that extends the ETZ district 1.5 miles from the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/7/26

(From left:) Cameron Lutfi, Thomas Helseth, Village President Becky Beissel, Milan Johnson, Max Olson and Jacob Michels learned the Village of Ellsworth received a $25,000 matching grant from the Wisconsin DNR through its Urban Forestry Program.

Ellsworth received Urban Forestry grant, thanks to EHS students

Village President Becky Beissel announced last week that the Village of Ellsworth was awarded a $25,000 matching grant from the Wisconsin DNR through their Urban Forestry Program. Ellsworth High … more

1/2/26

Public Works duo outlines city plowing process

RIVER FALLS — With overnight winter storms looming Dec. 9, the River Falls City Council heard from Public Works Manager Erica Ellefson and Charles Larson of the Public Works Department about how … more

By Andrew Harrington | 12/17/25

Prescott City Council members sent a Façade Improvement Program grant application for 139/141 Broad St. back to the plan commission due to questions over the restoration of historical windows.

Façade grant application sent back to Plan Commission

PRESCOTT – At the Dec. 8 Prescott City Council meeting, the board voted to accept one Façade Improvement Program grant application and sent another back to the plan commission for review. The … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 12/17/25