Government - Pierce County Journal

The Twisted Oak Coffee House, located at 202 N. Broad St. N. in Prescott, has been owned by Matt Bronk and his wife, Allison, for eight years.

Paid Parking Proposal to increase revenue and end parking time limits

PRESCOTT – The Prescott Plan Commission heard from City Planner Carter Hayes Aug. 7 as he addressed the Commission about the proposed paid parking plan for downtown Prescott. “We … more

By Danielle Boos | 8/24/23

Halls Hill resident Mark Matzek expresses his outrage at the proposed anaerobic digester at the Aug. 14 Ellsworth Village Board special meeting.

Anaerobic digester: ‘Not in my backyard’

ELLSWORTH – After a five-hour public hearing Monday, Aug. 14 in a packed, and sometimes hostile, village hall, the Ellsworth Village Board decided to table a special use permit request from … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/24/23

Chris Most of Great Rivers Development asks for clarification on the R4 zoning changes. Photo

Prescott Plan Commission hears from concerned business owners on zoning changes

PRESCOTT – The Prescott Planning Commission meeting saw a full house at the Aug. 7 meeting. Bob Colson, representative of Cedar Corporation, who was hired in June 2022 to revise the zoning … more

By Danielle Boos | 8/17/23

The River Falls City Council Aug. 8 approved a "no right turn on red" sign at Main and Division streets. The idea is to keep pedestrians and cyclists safer.

No right turn sign approved at intersection of Main and Division

RIVER FALLS – After lengthy discussion, the River Falls City Council approved the addition of a “No Right on Red” sign at the intersection of Division and Main streets during the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/17/23

The old Ellsworth Junior High, located at 254 S. Chestnut St. The village is working to figure out a demolition plan with CBS2.

Main Street sidewalk and curb repairs delayed

ELLSWORTH – Main Street improvement delays, old junior high demolition updates and library tax exemptions were all addressed at the Ellsworth Village Board’s Aug. 7 meeting. The … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/10/23

Superintendent's column: The biennial budget’s effect on taxpayers

Throughout this past school year, I communicated a number of times about the importance of the state biennial budget development process that was taking place throughout the winter and spring … more

By Barry Cain | 8/10/23

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is hosting an open house in River Falls Aug. 15 to obtain public input on a potential environmental restoration project on the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls.

USACE to host open house on Kinni project

RIVER FALLS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is hosting an open house in River Falls Aug. 15 to obtain public input on a potential environmental restoration project on the … more

8/10/23

This map shows the nitrate levels in wells tested from 2018-2022 in Pierce County by UW-Stevens Point’s Center for Watershed Science and Education. The testing was voluntary and encouraged by Pierce County Land Conservation.

Temp livestock moratorium language fails 2-3

The Pierce County Land Conservation Committee may have approved sending a temporary six-month livestock expansion moratorium to the Pierce County Board last month, but on July 25, the ordinance draft … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/3/23

Melissa Hildebrandt has been appointed the new Pierce County Veterans Service Officer. Photo

Pierce County appoints new Veterans Service Officer

The Pierce County Board unanimously approved the appointment of Melissa Hildebrandt to the position of Veterans Service Officer at its July 25 meeting. Pierce County was without a VSO for … more

8/3/23

Dallas Eggers asked the Prescott City Council to consider developing “Eyesore Lot” or as he shared, “Maybe it’s time for us to think a little differently.”

Safety fence to be installed at Public Square Park

PRESCOTT – At the July 24 meeting, the Prescott City Council (except for Alderperson Bailey Ruona who was absent) voted unanimously to install a fence at Public Square Park as fourth- and … more

By Danielle Boos | 8/3/23

The intersection at Main Street and Division Street in River Falls.

Intersection improvements coming at Main and Division streets

RIVER FALLS – During the first week of August, the City of River Falls will install new high visibility striping and bollards, or tall plastic barriers, at the intersection of Main and … more

8/3/23

The Mayor's Message: Happy Summer!

The Mayor’s Message By Dan Toland City of River Falls Happy summer, everyone! I hope you’re taking the time to relax and soak it in before it starts snowing again in about … more

By River Falls Mayor Dan Toland | 7/27/23

Prescott resident Melissa Rice shared her concerns with the Prescott City Council surrounding the downtown paid parking plan.

Downtown paid parking plan raises questions in Prescott

PRESCOTT – Prescott City Council approved the communication plan for the proposal to implement downtown paid parking at the July 24 meeting. City Planner Carter Hayes described the avenues … more

By Danielle Boos | 7/27/23

Prescott Alderperson Pat Knox (left) asks for clarification concerning the cash incentive process during the July 10 bimonthly council meeting.

Food pantry project payments approved

PRESCOTT – The Prescott City Council approved two change orders for the Prescott Food Pantry at 911 Pearl St. at a cost of $12,550.11 at the July 10 meeting. City Administrator Matt Wolf … more

By Danielle Boos | 7/27/23

Brian Long (Pierce County Public Health), Retta Isaacson (Pierce County Land Conservation) and Brenda Randleman (UW Extension) were on hand Saturday, July 15 at River Falls Days offering well water nitrate screenings.

Your water quality questions answered by Pierce County staff

The Pierce County Land Conservation Committee voted 3-2 Tuesday, June 27 to recommend establishing a temporary six-month moratorium on livestock expansion in Pierce County to the Board of … more

Compiled by Sarah Nigbor | 7/27/23

Homeless advocate lambastes River Falls City Council

RIVER FALLS – River Falls resident Dana Linscott didn’t mince words at the July 11 River Falls City Council meeting when expressing his disdain for a newly passed ordinance prohibiting … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/20/23

Future of county’s emergency sirens could look much different

ELLSWORTH – Outdoor emergency sirens could be no more in Pierce County after Xcel Energy’s recent changes presented by Emergency Management Director Christine McPherson at the Law … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/20/23

Capitol Report: $1B in new fed money could make promise of ‘internet for all’ a reality

Getting good broadband to every corner of the state has been an elusive goal. Now a $1 billion investment from the federal government makes "internet for all'' more realistic. Public Service … more

By WisPolitics.com | 7/6/23

Prescott Councilmember Bailey Ruona (right) expresses her frustration and concern over the recent confusing guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Prescott City Council submits well treatment option for DNR program approval amidst new EPA standards

PRESCOTT – Prescott City Administrator Matt Wolf addressed the Prescott City Council at the June 26 meeting to describe the current issues surrounding city Well #3, which was shut down on Sept. … more

By Danielle Boos | 7/6/23

The Prescott Riverfront Improvements Conceptual Layout calls for a proposed fishing dock, in addition to a proposed boat launch dock.

Prescott Parks & Public Works highlight plans for Leo’s Landing Marina

PRESCOTT – Greg Adams of Cedar Corporation was on hand at the June 19 Prescott Parks & Public Works committee meeting to propose a revised layout of the downtown riverfront area. … more

By Danielle Boos | 7/6/23