Government - Pierce County Journal

This map shows the Village of Spring Valley’s proposed trail along Van Buren Road, which would connect trails along Highway 29 and Mines Creek.

Village of SV requests ARPA funds for multi-use trail

At the Pierce County ARPA Ad Hoc Committee meeting Tuesday, Aug. 22, Village of Spring Valley representatives made a plea for funds for a multi-use trail along Van Buren Road. The … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/31/23

Residents and business owners of Prescott attended the Aug. 28 Prescott City Council meeting to voice their disapproval of the Downtown Paid Parking Proposal.

Disapproval high for downtown Prescott paid parking proposal

PRESCOTT – Prescott residents stood in solidarity together against the downtown paid parking rroposal on Monday evening. There was standing room only at the Aug. 28 public hearing as City … more

By Danielle Boos | 8/31/23

The Twisted Oak Coffee House, located at 202 N. Broad St. N. in Prescott, has been owned by Matt Bronk and his wife, Allison, for eight years.

Paid Parking Proposal to increase revenue and end parking time limits

PRESCOTT – The Prescott Plan Commission heard from City Planner Carter Hayes Aug. 7 as he addressed the Commission about the proposed paid parking plan for downtown Prescott. “We … more

By Danielle Boos | 8/24/23

Halls Hill resident Mark Matzek expresses his outrage at the proposed anaerobic digester at the Aug. 14 Ellsworth Village Board special meeting.

Anaerobic digester: ‘Not in my backyard’

ELLSWORTH – After a five-hour public hearing Monday, Aug. 14 in a packed, and sometimes hostile, village hall, the Ellsworth Village Board decided to table a special use permit request from … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/24/23

Chris Most of Great Rivers Development asks for clarification on the R4 zoning changes. Photo

Prescott Plan Commission hears from concerned business owners on zoning changes

PRESCOTT – The Prescott Planning Commission meeting saw a full house at the Aug. 7 meeting. Bob Colson, representative of Cedar Corporation, who was hired in June 2022 to revise the zoning … more

By Danielle Boos | 8/17/23

The River Falls City Council Aug. 8 approved a "no right turn on red" sign at Main and Division streets. The idea is to keep pedestrians and cyclists safer.

No right turn sign approved at intersection of Main and Division

RIVER FALLS – After lengthy discussion, the River Falls City Council approved the addition of a “No Right on Red” sign at the intersection of Division and Main streets during the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/17/23

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is hosting an open house in River Falls Aug. 15 to obtain public input on a potential environmental restoration project on the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls.

USACE to host open house on Kinni project

RIVER FALLS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is hosting an open house in River Falls Aug. 15 to obtain public input on a potential environmental restoration project on the … more

8/10/23

This map shows the nitrate levels in wells tested from 2018-2022 in Pierce County by UW-Stevens Point’s Center for Watershed Science and Education. The testing was voluntary and encouraged by Pierce County Land Conservation.

Temp livestock moratorium language fails 2-3

The Pierce County Land Conservation Committee may have approved sending a temporary six-month livestock expansion moratorium to the Pierce County Board last month, but on July 25, the ordinance draft … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/3/23

Dallas Eggers asked the Prescott City Council to consider developing “Eyesore Lot” or as he shared, “Maybe it’s time for us to think a little differently.”

Safety fence to be installed at Public Square Park

PRESCOTT – At the July 24 meeting, the Prescott City Council (except for Alderperson Bailey Ruona who was absent) voted unanimously to install a fence at Public Square Park as fourth- and … more

By Danielle Boos | 8/3/23

The intersection at Main Street and Division Street in River Falls.

Intersection improvements coming at Main and Division streets

RIVER FALLS – During the first week of August, the City of River Falls will install new high visibility striping and bollards, or tall plastic barriers, at the intersection of Main and … more

8/3/23

Prescott resident Melissa Rice shared her concerns with the Prescott City Council surrounding the downtown paid parking plan.

Downtown paid parking plan raises questions in Prescott

PRESCOTT – Prescott City Council approved the communication plan for the proposal to implement downtown paid parking at the July 24 meeting. City Planner Carter Hayes described the avenues … more

By Danielle Boos | 7/27/23

Future of county’s emergency sirens could look much different

ELLSWORTH – Outdoor emergency sirens could be no more in Pierce County after Xcel Energy’s recent changes presented by Emergency Management Director Christine McPherson at the Law … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/20/23

Prescott Councilmember Bailey Ruona (right) expresses her frustration and concern over the recent confusing guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Prescott City Council submits well treatment option for DNR program approval amidst new EPA standards

PRESCOTT – Prescott City Administrator Matt Wolf addressed the Prescott City Council at the June 26 meeting to describe the current issues surrounding city Well #3, which was shut down on Sept. … more

By Danielle Boos | 7/6/23

The following concerned citizens attended the Pierce County Land Conservation committee meeting Tuesday, June 27 to speak in favor of a temporary livestock moratorium on CAFO expansions. (From left): Donny Brunner, Nancy Weiss, Weiss’ granddaughter Emma, Mary Anne Wise, Bill Hogseth, Ty Fisher, Doug Weiss, Judy Krohn, Danny Akenson and Rainbow Barry.

Land Conservation Committee votes 3-2 for CAFO livestock moratorium

The Pierce County Land Conservation Committee voted 3-2 Tuesday, June 27 to recommend establishing a temporary six-month moratorium on livestock expansion in Pierce County to the Board of … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/6/23

Kennedy Street residents express concerns over sidewalk proposal

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls City Council June 13 meeting saw public concerns over a potential sidewalk and the denial of a concert at City Hall. The 10 public comments during the meeting … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/29/23

The fence installed at 154 Wacota St. by McCoulter Eaton currently sits on city property. While the city isn’t concerned with the fence, they are requesting that Eaton remove the remaining debris, abandoned materials, and other items as it violates city ordinance code 443-9b.

Prescott Plan Commission hesitates on remedial action for Wacota Street property

PRESCOTT – The Prescott Plan Commission began its June 5 meeting talking about remedial action regarding the property of 154 Wacota St., citing the process began in May 2022 with no resolution … more

By Danielle Boos | 6/22/23

This map shows where a proposed waste storage facility would go at Ridge Breeze Dairy, located on 390th Avenue in the town of Salem. This would be the third waste storage facility at the farm.

Waste storage ordinance revisions will be sent to F&P

At the June 13 Pierce County Land Conservation meeting, the committee voted to forward waste storage ordinance revisions to the county board for consideration after a closed session. Chair Jerry … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/22/23

Owned by the Anderson family, Leo’s Landing Marina is a full-service marina and indoor storage facility bought in 1984 by Dick Anderson who passed away in 2017. Photo

Prescott City Council’s decision on Leo’s Landing lease sparks public outcry

Residents of Prescott are in an uproar over the Prescott City Council’s recent decision to not renew the lease of Leo’s Landing Marina after December of this year. Hearing of the city … more

By Danielle Boos | 6/8/23

The current view of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and Jail, located at 555 W. Overlook Drive, from the southwest.

Committee says new court facility is needed

ELLSWORTH – A Pierce County Ad Hoc committee is taking the first steps toward a possible new judicial facility adjacent to the sheriff’s office at 555 W. Overlook Drive in Ellsworth. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/1/23

(From left): Doug Weiss, Ty Fisher, Samantha Bowen, and Nancy (Matzek) Weiss are asking people to sign a petition asking Pierce County for a 12-month moratorium on CAFO expansions.

Petition aims to put moratorium on CAFO expansion

TOWN OF SALEM – Imagine being inexplicably ill for years with vomiting, stomachaches, headaches. You go to doctor after doctor, but they can’t figure out what’s wrong. Your children … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/18/23