Government - Pierce County Journal

A group of concerned citizens protested outside of Ellsworth Village Hall on Thursday, March 28 prior to the Community Development Authority and special village board meetings.

Protesters stand against proposed digester

ELLSWORTH – A group of protesters against a proposed anaerobic digester in Ellsworth is making sure their voices are heard. As yellow “No Manure Digester” signs have popped up in … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/3/24

Prescott Lift Bridge inspection to result in lane closures on US 10

Motorists on US 10 crossing the Prescott Lift Bridge, which carries traffic over the St. Croix River between Pierce County and Washington County, Minn., will encounter lane closures between 7 a.m. … more

3/27/24

Larry Langer, an Ellsworth resident who lives on Halls Hill, became emotional during his pleas for the Ellsworth Village Board to vote against the proposed anaerobic digester. He called for common sense to prevail.

Residents implore board to say no to digester

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Village Hall was packed Monday, March 18 for a special board meeting on the proposed anaerobic digester, along with roughly 60 attendees tuned in online. Many people … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/20/24

PSC to study Ellsworth’s water rates

ELLSWORTH – At the March 4 Ellsworth Village Board meeting, the board learned that current water rates do not cover the cost of operations and maintenance nor any potential system upgrades, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/20/24

Retaining walls along Highway 35 between Green and Chestnut streets in Maiden Rock will be replaced.

Retaining wall replacement on WIS 35 in Maiden Rock to start

To invest in Wisconsin’s transportation system, Gov. Tony Evers has signed an $846,790 contract with prime contractor Pheifer Brothers Construction Co. of Neenah for the replacement of … more

3/13/24

Magee Park’s recycling receptacles will find their new home on Ryden Road.

BNSF Railway leases space at Prescott Police Department

PRESCOTT – The City of Prescott approved a lease agreement between BNSF Railway and the City of Prescott to lease a cubicle of office space for the resource protection officer within the … more

By Danielle Boos | 3/6/24

Rendering of Well #3 water treatment project addition and renovation.

City Council approves plans, specifications for City Well #3 Water Treatment Project

PRESCOTT – At the Feb. 26 Prescott City Council meeting, City Administrator Matt Wolf gave a brief history regarding City Well #3 that hasn’t been in use since 2021. In September 2021, … more

By Danielle Boos | 3/6/24

The current Pierce County courthouse is located at 414 W. Main St. in Ellsworth. A new judicial facility next to the sheriff's office at 555 W. Overlook Drive will be home to new courtrooms and department office space.

Pierce County moves forward with new judicial facility

The Pierce County Board voted 15-1 Feb. 27 to authorize the borrowing of funds not to exceed $30,475,000 and issuance of bonds for a new judicial facility adjacent to the Pierce County … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/6/24

St. Croix County public safety referendum on the ballot

HUDSON – St. Croix County continues to be one of the fastest growing counties in Wisconsin. As we continue to grow, the demand for public safety services rises with it - creating a need for … more

2/28/24

RF Business Leaders’ request prompts discussion on fees

A set of requests from the River Falls Business Leaders group for special events prompted city council discussion on whether groups should be charged for city labor and materials when hosting these … more

Sarah Nigbor | 2/21/24

Cheryl Brownell expressed her concern over the potential sidewalk maintenance for her property at the Feb. 12 Prescott City Council meeting.

Residents question sidewalk placement on Elm Street

Greg Adams, City Engineer with Cedar Corporation, presented the preliminary special assessment report and assessment schedule for the Elm and Washington Streets Project to the Prescott City Council … more

By Danielle Boos | 2/21/24

Looking over Ellsworth last week (Pierce County Courthouse and Fairgrounds are in the center), it doesn’t look like February. No snow has fallen so far this month and temperatures reached nearly 60 degrees.

Village reps will travel to Denmark to tour digesters

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Village Board voted Monday, Feb. 5 to send two board members and the administrator/clerk-treasurer to Denmark to tour Bigadan’s anaerobic digester facilities. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/14/24

St.Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Kristie Lewis attended Habitat on the Hill in Washington, D.C. She spoke with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Congressman Derrick Van Orden, along with Senator Ron Johnson and Congressman Tom Tiffany's housing policy aides, to share more about the tremendous housing cost burdens that hard-working neighbors in our communities are experiencing.

St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity calls on WI congressional members to take action on affordable housing crisis

HUDSON — Nationwide, housing costs are skyrocketing as more families lack access to a safe, affordable and decent place to call home. Here in Wisconsin, every 1 in 9 households pay half or more … more

2/14/24

The Wisconsin DOT performed a speed study along a stretch of Highway 35 in Bay City Oct. 10-12. Their results indicate no speed limit change is needed, but some people disagree.

Bay City wants its speed limit lowered: Will the state listen?

BAY CITY – Bay City residents and business owners in favor of lowering the speed limit on Highway 35 through town are being asked to vocalize that support at the Feb. 14 village board meeting. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 2/7/24

U.S. Rep Derrick Van Orden (right) with River Falls Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Russ Korpela at a Chamber Conversation event Friday, Jan. 26 at River Falls City Hall.

Van Orden working to help veterans and protect emergency services

U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden is dedicating much of his time representing Wisconsin’s 3 rd Congressional District to helping provide economic opportunities for veterans. Van Orden visited … more

By Jack McLoone | 2/7/24

“Just as a reminder, voting is in April,” Alderperson Bailey Ruona (right) reminds meeting attendees after expressing her opinion on the financial and maintenance agreements. From left: Alderperson Pat Knox, Alderperson Maureen Otwell.

Prescott City Council frustrated over STH 35 and USH 10 Project agreements

Prescott City Administrator Matt Wolf reviewed the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s requested financial and maintenance agreements for the STH 35 and USH 10 projects with the Prescott … more

By Danielle Boos | 1/31/24

This map shows the location of a proposed anaerobic digester on the Peterson property at W10322 Highway 29 in the town of River Falls. The property is located in the River Falls Extraterritorial Zoning District.

RF City Council approves permit for anaerobic digester

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls City Council approved a special use permit Jan. 23 for an anaerobic digester, located at W10322 Highway 29, despite citizen pleas not to. Council members made … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/31/24

Jan Anderson, her family and supporters attend a Jan. 18 Prescott riverfront improvement project public information meeting and listened as Alderperson Pat Knox speaks to those gathered.

Leo’s Landing supporters rally around Anderson family

PRESCOTT – Supporters of Leo’s Landing Marina used a Jan. 18 Prescott riverfront improvement public information meeting to speak on behalf of the Anderson family’s business. The … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/31/24

The Pierce County Courthouse, built in 1905, is on the National Register of Historic Places. While beautiful, court officials say the 118-year-old building isn’t functional for today’s courts.

Sheriff, judge, DA speak in favor of new judicial facility

While the Pierce County Board did not vote Jan. 23 on bond issuance for a proposed judicial facility or to use funds toward its design, those in attendance heard from county officials on why the … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/31/24

Signage advertises the upcoming Mann Valley Corporate Park at the project’s groundbreaking ceremony in September 2023.

City of River Falls secures $306,000 grant for trail construction at Mann Valley Corporate Park

River Falls — On Tuesday, Jan. 9, the City of River Falls received a $306,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to help fund a two-mile multi-use recreation trail … more

1/17/24