Opinion - Pierce County Journal

Op Ed: Investing in our children’s mental health

National concern for the mental health of children and youth as well as that of their parents and caregivers is growing at a time when our traditional system of clinically trained providers continues … more

By Courtney Towne, LCSW | 4/16/25

Woodworking Again: Keeping her down on the farm, after she’d seen Eau Claire

Last week I related tales of my beloved late mother, Florence, as her fortunes transported her from the family farm to the “Towers of Zenith” [Chicago], and back to the bucolic existence … more

By Dave Wood | 4/16/25

Letter to the editor: Memorial Day is coming

To the editor, As a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 121 I hold a special place in my heart for the parents, siblings, spouses, and friends of those who served. I can’t help but … more

4/16/25

Letter to the editor: Is RFSD anti-American?

To the editor, This past April 7, the Education Committee of the River Falls School District unanimously moved forward a revision to Policy 361.2 dealing with the selection of library material … more

4/16/25

Letter to the editor: This is just a taste

To the editor, How is everyone liking all the manure hauling in Pierce County - the large number of trucks and the pervasive manure smell, even through the Village of Ellsworth? This is what … more

4/16/25

Letter to the editor: Partisan hypocrisy

To the editor, Early last year, a local pastor and I maintained a vigil in River Falls in opposition to the Biden Administration's illegal and immoral participation in the genocide in Gaza. … more

4/16/25

Letter to the editor: Sliding into full dictatorship

To the editor, It was only a matter of time. The White house Press Secretary confirmed the president was not joking when he said he wants to illegally deport US citizens to foreign prisons … more

4/16/25

Rep. Kreibich column: UW System President should fire UW-EC professor

It isn’t often a UW-Eau Claire English professor puts a western Wisconsin university in the national spotlight. But this occurred on April 1, which happened to be the primary election day in … more

By Rep. Rob Kreibich | 4/16/25

From the editor's desk: A tough decision

Life is full of tough decisions, some harder to make than others. I recently had to make a really hard one, leaving my heart feeling bruised. My daughter has been in 4-H since she was 5 years … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/16/25

Bill Barth column: Wisconsin voters’ declaration of independence

Like former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said of pornography, “I know it when I see it.” Or, to deploy another aphorism, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, … more

By Bill Barth | 4/16/25

Back Home: We need more visiting in the world

The 1970s were certainly economically challenging times for our country. We went from a recession to stagflation to high unemployment and high interest rates. Time has a way of easing … more

By Chris Hardie | 4/16/25

Woodworking again: Homemaking – Town and Country

In the first half of the last century, roles of women changed rapidly. Rural women slopped the hogs, collected the outpouring of eggs from her chickens, which financed the rural church down the road … more

By Dave Wood | 4/9/25

Letter to the editor: Climate change is not a hoax

To the editor, Question? What is it that protects all life on Earth? With it, there is life; without it there is no life. Answer: Earth’s atmosphere. Since the start of the … more

4/9/25

Letter to the editor: It’s time to rise up and not be complicit!

To the editor, My reflections after marching at the MN Capitol. Rise up! I’m mad as hell and I’m not taking it anymore. I’m done with fear, intimidation, and relentless … more

4/9/25

From the editor's desk: The master of April Fool's

Normally I don’t get into April Fool’s Day, but this year, I woke up with a mischievous glint in my eyes. Maybe I’m starting to feel like myself again. Or maybe I’m just sick … more

4/9/25

Join or die: The power of community connections

I recently watched the documentary Join or Die , which follows the work of Robert Putnam, a social scientist who spent decades studying what makes communities thrive. Early in his career, he … more

By Becky Beissel | 4/9/25

My View: Skating away

I thought you were supposed to get wiser as you get older. I think I’m getting dumber by the decade. For days last week, weather alerts were popping up on my mobile device alerting me … more

By John McLoone | 4/3/25

Letters to the editor: MAGA supporters in for a big surprise

To the editor, It is interesting how Republicans at the national scene including Wisconsin’s Johnson and Van Orden, and locals (Stafsholt, Zimmerman) are responding (or not responding) to … more

4/3/25

Letter to the editor: Be a good neighbor

To the editor, The spring season brings many wonderful things to our lives - chirping birds, plants working their way out of the soil, and warm sunshine. Spring in our area also includes … more

4/3/25

Letter to the editor: Period of fear and intimidation

To the editor, Our nation has entered a period of fear and intimidation as the Trump Administration exercises its own version of ethnic cleansing and thought control. People are afraid to … more

4/3/25