Government - Pierce County Journal

River Falls Mayor Dan Toland (right) grills up hotdogs during a previous Mayor’s Cookout Conversation.

2023 Mayor’s Cookout Conversations set to make a splash

RIVER FALLS – Mayor Dan Toland and River Falls City Councilmembers will return to city parks this summer with hotdogs and ice cream in tow for the 2023 Mayor’s Cookout Conversations. … more

6/29/23

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

City Administrator Matt Wolf (right) explains the revisions of Chapter 635 zoning changes at the Monday evening council meeting.

Prescott City Council will hold public hearing on zoning changes

PRESCOTT – The June 12 Prescott City Council meeting was short and to the point with a mish mash of business Monday evening after Mayor Rob Daughtery took roll call with all present except … more

By Danielle Boos | 6/22/23

UW-River Falls Chancellor Maria Gallo, left, addresses members of the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities June 8 during a hearing about a proposed change to the tuition reciprocity agreement between Wisconsin and Minnesota.

UWRF chancellor speaks in support of change to Wisconsin-Minnesota tuition reciprocity agreement

RIVER FALLS – University of Wisconsin-River Falls Chancellor Maria Gallo testified in Madison Thursday, June 8, in support of changing the state’s tuition reciprocity agreement with … more

6/22/23

The new Wisconsin driver license has updated security features, such as hard-to-replicate designs, transparent windows, a flipping effect and a large sugar maple leaf signifying organ donation registry.

Security upgrades built into new Wisconsin driver license, ID cards

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announces new driver license and identification (ID) cards with updated security features. The new cards debut June 5 with … more

6/22/23

What is a CAFO and how is it regulated?

A Pierce County group of concerned citizens and family farmers wants the county to hit the pause button on CAFO expansions in the county. But what is a CAFO and how is it regulated? A CAFO, a … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 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

Ellsworth considers adding Public Fire Protection charges to utility bills

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Village Board June 5 authorized village staff to work with the Public Service Commission to change how Public Fire Protection charges are collected. Currently, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/15/23

THE CAPITOL REPORT: Some in GOP looking to soften abortion stance

While top legislative Republicans work on the next two-year spending plan, others are working on ideas for softening the GOP stance on abortion. The abortion issue helped Gov. Tony Evers win … more

By WisPolitics.com | 6/8/23

Camping on public property sparks debate at RF City Council

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls City Council discussed a potential ordinance banning camping on public property during the May 23 meeting. Previously the city did not have an official policy … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/8/23

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 Capitol Report: Lawmakers’ 2022 travel totals nearly $113,000

Statements of economic interest show lawmakers reported $112,850 in travel expenses paid by outside groups last year, a WisPolitics review found. The travel included events organized by groups such … more

By WisPolitics.com | 6/1/23

RF City Council eliminates monthly environmental fee

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls City Council May 9 unanimously elected to reduce an environmental impact fee to $0 that helped fund the city’s former landfill. Households were paying … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/1/23

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

Prescott2 Police Chief Eric Michaels discusses the law enforcement reimbursement agreement with Prescott City Council members at the May 22 council meeting.

Prescott Daze detour takes the scenic route

PRESCOTT – The Prescott City Council didn’t waste any time approving a detour for the upcoming Prescott Daze at the council meeting on Monday, May 22. To deter residents from driving … more

By Danielle Boos | 6/1/23

Capitol Report: Help appears on the way for local prosecutors

It's been a long time in coming, but help finally appears to be on the way for local prosecutor offices around the state. And the fact that the Republican-dominated budget-writing committee took … more

5/25/23

The tug Theresa L. Wood heads upstream after locking through Lock and Dam #8 May 17 in Genoa, Wis. The vessel was moving barges from St. Louis to Winona, Minn.

Mississippi River shipping infrastructure is aging. Who should pay for the repairs?

Around 175 million tons of freight travels on the Mississippi River each year, and from the river’s headwaters to southern Illinois, a series of locks and dams guide barges through the journey. … more

By Madeline Heim, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Keely Brewer, Daily Memphian | 5/25/23

A River Falls police officer gives River Falls 101 participants a tour at the police station.

River Falls 101 graduation set for May 18

RIVER FALLS – On Thursday, May 18, two dozen City of River Falls community members will receive recognition and celebrate completion of River Falls 101, the city’s first-ever citizens … more

5/18/23

DATCP announces 2023 Meat Processor Grant recipients

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) today announced eight meat processors will receive grants through the 2023 Meat Processor Infrastructure … more

5/18/23