Government - Pierce County Journal

On Wednesday, Gov. Tony Evers signed into a law a change in Wisconsin-Minnesota tuition reciprocity regulations that will provide additional revenue for UW-River Falls and other Universities of Wisconsin schools. UW-River Falls Chancellor Maria Gallo, in red directly behind Evers, attended the bill signing ceremony and has strongly backed the funding change.

Gov. Evers signs into law tuition reciprocity change that will benefit UWRF

RIVER FALLS – University of Wisconsin-River Falls Chancellor Maria Gallo joined others Wednesday at the state Capitol in Madison as Gov. Tony Evers signed into law a change in … more

3/13/24

Future condo development in Prescott at impasse over parking

PRESCOTT – The March 4 Prescott Planning Commission focused on challenges of the proposed Riverfront Mixed Use Development at 214 Front St. and 20 Orange St. including the inadequate sized turn … more

By Danielle Boos | 3/13/24

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

THE CAPITOL REPORT: A statewide referendum -- in August

Primaries are notoriously low turnout affairs. So it's an interesting play by the Republican majority in the Assembly to set for the August partisan primary a proposed constitutional amendment on … more

By WisPolitics.com | 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

THE CAPITOL REPORT: Evers signs a GOP bill containing his legislative maps

Most analysts a month ago considered it a longshot that Democratic Gov. Tony Evers would sign a GOP bill containing his legislative maps. But that's what happened on Feb. 19, after majority GOP … more

By WisPolitics.com | 2/28/24

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

Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, left, and River Falls Community Services Director/City Clerk Amy White talk with UW-River Falls students Tuesday about jobs in local and state government and opportunities for young people to get involved. Students attending the discussion asked Godlewski and White questions about government jobs and how they can link to them.

UWRF hosts discussion about importance, role of government jobs

RIVER FALLS – Growing up in Eau Claire, Sarah Godlewski never envisioned that she would one day work in government, but she’s doing her part to ensure that young Wisconsinites see doing … more

2/21/24

City Planner Carter Hayes explains the parking challenge that could potentially face Front and Orange streets.

Development on Front and Orange streets poses potential parking challenge

At the Feb. 5 Prescott Plan Commission meeting, City Planner Carter Hayes discussed the update on the proposed Riverfront Mixed Use Development at 214 Front St. and Orange Street. This project … more

By Danielle Boos | 2/21/24

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

Phase 2 of the Prescott Downtown Riverfront Improvement Plan would have construction begin in Spring/Summer of 2025.

Prescott Plan Commission unanimously approves Phase 2 Downtown Riverfront Improvement Plan

Prescott City Administrator Matt Wolf presented the proposed Phase 2 Downtown Riverfront Improvements to the Plan Commission at the Feb. 5 meeting. He began with a recap of the improvement … more

By Danielle Boos | 2/14/24

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

CAPITOL REPORT: State's largest conservation deal ever occurs via a work-around by Gov. Tony Evers

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has put the final touches on the largest conservation deal in state history with an agreement that takes steps to address concerns that were raised when GOP lawmakers … more

By WisPolitics.com | 2/8/24

Gov. Evers extends application deadline for Pierce County Register of Deeds

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers previously announced that he is seeking applicants for appointment as register of deeds of Pierce County. The governor announced today he is extending the … more

2/7/24

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