John Weiss

John Weiss

John Weiss was a full-time reporter for the Rochester Post-Bulletin for 41 years and wrote the Back Roads column for more than 10 years. His passions include hunting, fishing, birding, nature photography, hiking and just kicking around.

Author's Archive

A woman bundled up with a knitted green hat, knitted green mittens, and a plaid scarf gives a thumbs up outside on a winter day.

Longest-Running Community Science Bird Project Celebrates 125 Years

John Weiss joins in with birders at Whitewater State Park to collect data during the annual Christmas Bird Count.

High school football — an autumn tradition — has Caiden Reiter running for a Kingsland Knights touchdown against Spring Grove. (Photos by John Weiss)

Behind Friday Night Lights

High school football is more than what happens on the field — John Weiss takes us behind the scenes of a Kingsland High School football game in Spring Valley.

EllenTitus of The Nature Conservancy checks on the goats helping restore goat prairie.

Conservation Ballot Initiative Key to Trust Fund Renewal

John Weiss reports on the conservation trust fund initiative on the Minnesota November 2024 ballot. Voters are being asked to extend the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund through 2050.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Brady Thill, 9, Josie Swing, 10, and Harper Hines, 10, all of Galesville, Wis. have fun in kayaks during the BaseCamp event in Winona. (Photo by John Weiss)</span>

Outdoor Adventures Abound at BaseCamp

Participants in the annual BaseCamp outdoor adventure held in Winona learn about the Mississippi’s history and those who have worked to protect it for future generations. John Weiss shares insights from the 2024 summer gathering.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">La Crescent volunteers plant trees on Arbor Day 2024. (Photo provided by the city of La Crescent)</span>

More Trees and People to Care for Them in La Crescent

John Weiss checks in with the tree planting and care in Tree City USA, La Crescent.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Karin Ferden of rural St. Charles plays the flute in a Chatfield Brass Band performance of “Stars and Stripes Forever”. (Photo by John Weiss)</span>

This is Our Little Happiness

John Weiss takes in the Chatfield Brass Band’s annual patriotic ‘concert in the park’.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Trees along the lowest part of Mill Creek were cut down a few months ago, but part of the trunks were left so the roots and lower trunk could be buried in the creek’s bank for trout habitat and to protect the shoreline from erosion. (Photo by John Weiss)</span>

Mill Creek in Chatfield Gets Partial Makeover

John Weiss explores the Mill Creek Trout Stream improvement project near Chatfield.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Roger Steinberg drives down a Fillmore County road, one he drove many times when he worked for the University of Minnesota Extension. (Photo by John Weiss)</span>

Roger Steinberg Proves One Man Can Make a Difference

John Weiss shares the story of Roger Steinberg and his lifetime of service to community organizations in Southeastern Minnesota.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Jim Fossum had Norrie Syndrome as a young child which left him blind most of his life. He has a talent for music and is well known in the Preston area. (Photo by John Weiss)</span>

Play Us a Song, Piano Man

John Weiss visits with a disabled blind man whose super power is playing the piano.

Kelli Pierce, Activities Director at Thrifty Threads in Preston, helps Mikki hang donated clothing on the sale rack. (Photo by John Weiss)

Thrifty Threads Serves Those with Special Needs and the Community

John Weiss goes thrifting in Preston at store with special needs workers.

Sandhill Cranes along the Root River near Whalan. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

Winter Thaw

Renee Bergstrom and John Weiss capture the changing season.

Natalie Vogel-Gabor, 5, of Winona, gets help from Dave Potts of Chaska, who volunteered to help teach youths to ice fish; this gathering in January was in recognition of the 100-year anniversary of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. (Photos by John Weiss unless otherwise stated)

Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge Turns 100

John Weiss attends a youth ice fishing event, the inaugural event celebrating the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge 100th anniversary.

Follow us

Supported by...

Support Root River Current

CLICK HERE to help pay for the stories you value!