Opinion - Pierce County Journal

Letter to the editor: All in the same canoe

To the editor, Another summer of wildfires. We hear of a friend’s daughter caught in a canoe on a smoky lake in Ontario, her YMCA camp evacuated. She and her fellow campers paddle … more

7/22/26

Letter to the editor: My eyes have been opened

To the editor, A few months ago, when the Pierce County race for sheriff began, I was approached by Sheriff Koranda about allowing his sign on my property. Being a good Republican, I said sure. … more

7/22/26

Letter to the editor: Koranda is the right choice

To the editor, The Aug. 11 primary is fast approaching, and I am writing this letter in support of Chad Koranda to continue to be our Sheriff of Pierce County. As Sheriff, he has worked … more

7/22/26

Letter to the editor: Response to Dhawan’s accusations

To the editor, I want to address Mr. Dhawan's points directly and (more) respectfully than he afforded me and our 100% volunteer organization. Regarding the Facebook page, I understand … more

7/22/26

From the editor’s desk: We need people

I often joke to my husband that I want to retire someday on an island. No, not a tropical island in the Caribbean with white sand beaches and thousands of tourists. I’m thinking more of a secluded, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/22/26

Barth column: Don’t be ‘that guy’ on social media

Last week the Beloit Police Department confirmed that federal authorities were in the community conducting an operation, resulting in apprehensions. City law enforcement officials had not been … more

By Bill Barth | 7/22/26

Sustainability Matters: Smoke signals

They say smell is memory’s trigger, and I would agree. Yesterday, when I stepped outside, the smell of stagnant, smoke-saturated air instantly transported me back to my childhood out west. … more

By Robin Boles | 7/22/26

Woodworking Again: Travels with Dave and Ruth Part 2

Last week’s tale might’ve reminded you of “If It’s Tuesday It Must Be Belgium.” Most of what we described was a sort of “Wham, Bam, Thank You Mam,” kind of trip as we railroaded through … more

By Dave Wood | 7/15/26

Letter to the editor: Mike McFadden for sheriff

To the editor, The Republican party of Pierce County has decided to endorse candidates for the Aug. 11 primary according to the pictures on their FB page. Stephanie Potton, Republican county … more

7/15/26

From the editor’s desk: To the pot stirrers

Last week was a stressful week and frankly, a lot of it was not fun. First off, thank you to everyone who reached out and wished me happy birthday. The messages and phone calls were by the far … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/15/26

Back Home: Savoring a summer morning

The whippoorwill welcomed the infant hours of July with its night song in a tree just outside our bedroom window. The 3 a.m. serenade was loud enough to rouse me from my slumber, even though the … more

By Chris Hardie | 7/15/26

Woodworking Again: Travel tips Part I

Here begins a three-part essay of adventures of two peripatetic rustics visiting Europe. Wise old Francis Bacon told us 500 years ago that, “Travel of the younger sort is part of education; of … more

By Dave Wood | 7/8/26

Letter to the editor: Trolling their opponents

To the editor, My Congressman, Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-3), has been using the Communist/Marxist scare for years now, and is ramping up his rhetoric in this election cycle. When then-former … more

7/8/26

Letter to the editor: Faith must be renewed

To the editor, Our nation just celebrated its 250 th birthday, and there is little doubt that we have much for which to be thankful. I am the first generation born in the United States on one … more

7/8/26

Letter to the editor: Unfair treatment in SV

To the editor, We live with neighbors in a beautiful hillside location in Spring Valley. Others live above us on the top of the hill. Access to these neighborhoods is now threatened by actions … more

7/8/26

From the editor’s desk: 46 trips around the sun

The day this column is published will be my 46 th birthday. How that is even possible, I don’t know. It was just yesterday that I was 8 and celebrating my golden birthday, wasn’t it? That year in … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/8/26

Back Home: Remembering the Bicentennial

Fifty years ago, a new word entered my vocabulary as our nation celebrated our Bicentennial, the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. I was 12 … more

By Chris Hardie | 7/8/26

Village President column: The experiment continues

Last weekend, Americans celebrated our nation's 250th birthday with parades, picnics, fireworks and flags. Like many of you, I found myself reflecting on just how remarkable that milestone really is. … more

By Becky Beissel | 7/8/26

Woodworking Again: A real Polish meal

My Beautiful Wife and I have one thing in common: We both grew up surrounded by people of the Polish persuasion. Ruth in Chicago which reputedly has more Polish dwellers than does Warsaw, and her … more

By Dave Wood | 7/1/26

Cindy Werner (R) Secretary of State candidate

Op Ed: What America250 Means to Me

America250 is far more than a celebration of our nation's 250th birthday. To me, it is a moment of gratitude, reflection, and renewed purpose. It is an opportunity to honor those who came before us, … more

By Cindy Werner for Secretary of State | 7/1/26