Government - Pierce County Journal

Watch out for Adopt A Highway crews as they clean up our roadsides this spring.

Watch for Adopt-A-Highway crews on Wisconsin roadsides

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is reminding drivers to stay alert and give space to Adopt-A-Highway volunteers, who routinely collect trash and recyclables along state highways. … more

4/17/24

Alderperson Pat Knox (left) expresses his concern over discouraging businesses from coming to the City of Prescott while Alderperson Maureen Otwell (center) and Alderperson Bailey Ruona (right) agree.

Prescott City Council disagrees over controversial Small Box Discount Store Ordinance

At the April 8 regular Prescott City Council meeting, alderperson disagreed on an amendment to city code dealing with small box discount stores. Alderperson Dar Hintz said the addition … more

By Danielle Boos | 4/17/24

CAPITOL REPORT: Group launching a second recall effort against Vos

The strange election-year recall effort targeting the longest serving speaker in Wisconsin history has gotten stranger. The group seeking to recall Robin Vos has now launched a new attempt targeting … more

By WisPolitics.com | 4/10/24

River Falls Mayor Dan Toland presented 2023 Officer of the Year Steven Thomas with a plaque at the March 26 River Falls City Council meeting.

2023 Officer of the Year honored

RIVER FALLS – The 2023 Officer of the Year was honored at the March 26 River Falls City Council meeting: Steven Thomas. Chief Gordon Young touted Thomas for promoting the department’s … more

4/10/24

Code enforcement: River Falls has taken proactive approach

RIVER FALLS – Tyler Galde, planning and engineering technician, updated the River Falls City Council recently on how code enforcement is going in the city. In June 2021, the council … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/10/24

Village President column: Charting a path forward

In recent times, the call for Village Board members to "listen to the residents" has echoed persistently throughout Ellsworth. Yet, amidst these demands lies a perplexing question: which segment of … more

By Becky Beissel | 4/10/24

Ellsworth water rate application will go to PSC

Village of Ellsworth residents will be seeing an increase in their water bills, but the amount is not yet known due to multiple factors. At the April 1 Ellsworth Village Board meeting, Brian … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/10/24

At the March 25 meeting, the Prescott City Council was excited for the future improvements of Magee Park.

Alderpersons debate police station options

At the March 25 Prescott City Council meeting, Alderperson Pat Knox shared his hope for the future of Prescott. “I know we had talked about two meetings ago having Cedar Corp start … more

By Danielle Boos | 4/3/24

CAPITOL REPORT: New maps forcing many incumbents to make tough decisions about reelection plans

Lots of incumbent state legislators are having to make some tough decisions these days. Those decisions will help determine who controls the Assembly after the November elections. Since Democratic … more

By WisPolitics.com | 4/3/24

County Board authorizes 2 new dispatcher positions

The Pierce County Board unanimously approved an emergency staffing request to add two more 911 dispatcher positions at its March 26 meeting. The dispatchers, for the remainder of 2024, will cost … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/3/24

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

CAPITOL REPORT: April 2 school issues total $1.4 billion

Once again, voters across the state will be asked to sign off on school ballot issues to pay for buildings, renovations, maintenance and operational costs. The total on April 2: $1.4 billion. That is … more

By WisPolitics.com | 3/27/24

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

Income tax reciprocity bill signed into law

MADISON – Sen. Rob Stafsholt (R – New Richmond) released the following statement after his Wisconsin and Minnesota Income Tax Reciprocity bill, authored along with Rep. Shannon … 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

Cedar Corporation Engineer Greg Adams explains the contract for Construction Engineering Services for the Elm and Washington Street Project to the Council at the March 11 meeting.

Prescott street reconstruction bid awarded to Total Excavating LLC

PRESCOTT – The Prescott City Council awarded the bid for the Elm and Washington Street reconstruction project to the lowest bidder Total Excavating LLC in River Falls for $2,134,017 at the … more

By Danielle Boos | 3/20/24

City of RF receives DNR Urban Forestry grant

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the second round of Urban Forestry Grant Program recipients for the 2024 grant year. The program helps fund projects … more

3/20/24

The River Falls Fire Department has received federal funds to renovate its fire station, built in the 1950s.

City of RF receives more than $1.4M for fire station renovations

RIVER FALLS – The City of River Falls received $1,401,000 in the federal appropriations legislation signed into law by President Biden on March 9, 2024. This funding, which was secured by Sen. … more

3/20/24

CAPITOL REPORT: No Congressional remapping this year likely maintains GOP edge

State legislative lines have been redrawn for 2024 and signed into law by Democrat Gov. Tony Evers. So, shouldn't congressional lines be redrawn too, given that Republicans hold a 6-2 partisan … more

By WisPolitics.com | 3/20/24