Mid-State announces fall 2025 Dean’s List
Mid-State Technical College has announced its Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester. This recognition is reserved for Mid-State students who have enrolled in six or more credits and have earned a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.75 during the semester. The list is sorted by student’s city of residence and last name. Cities are in Wisconsin unless otherwise indicated. Adams: Jenna Austin, Maria Barnes, Abbey Bickford, Crystal Buck, Jammie Burt, Christina Cooper, Kayla Dedeyne, Tanner Presley,
Skyward’s iCon 2026 Delivers Future-Focused Conference, Bringing Together 400+ K-12 Leaders for Lear
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (March 3, 2026) – Skyward, a school administration software provider committed to helping K-12 leaders spend less time on tasks and more time with students, celebrated its 23rd Innovators Conference (iCon) February 25-27, 2026 in St. Pete Beach, Florida. This year’s event focused on the innovation of AI and Qmlativ, reflecting districts’ moves toward the latest SIS and ERP solutions available by Skyward. With 80+ sessions from Skyward experts, districts, and business partners, iCon
Mid-State Technical College and Yavapai College sign agreement establishing one of Wisconsin’s first three-year bachelor’s pathways
On March 10, Mid-State Technical College and Yavapai College will formally sign an articulation and transfer agreement establishing one of the first in the nation three-year optimized degree pathways available to students to complete a 92-credit bachelor of applied science in business. The signing ceremony will be held noon to 1 p.m. and immediately preceding Mid-State’s Transfer Fair, which brings together K–12 administrators, advisory committee members, business management and university transfer
TDS expanding fiber connections in rural Central Wisconsin
More than 3,500 Wood County addresses will gain high-speed internet service upgrades TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS®) is kicking off work on a major network upgrade project to expand access to high-speed internet connections to its rural customers in Wood County. All TDS-served addresses in the county, including the areas of Arpin, Auburndale, Babcock, Hansen, Lincoln, Pittsville, Remington, Richfield, and more, will be included in the upgrade plans. “Bringing faster internet connections to rural America
First State Bank Accepts Scholarship Applications
First State Bank Accepts Scholarship Applications Wisconsin Rapids, WI – First State Bank continues its longstanding commitment to support local high school students through its scholarship program, offering ten $1,000 scholarships to graduates pursuing post-secondary education. Applications are now being accepted through an online scholarship application form at bankfirststate.com/scholarships and must be submitted by Monday, April 6. Eligible applicants must either attend a high school in a community
Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce hosts 78th Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: Tuesday, March 3rd 2026Contact: Staci Kivi, President/CEO, Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commercepresident@wisconsinrapidschamber.com Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Hosts 78th Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet 260 leaders gathered to celebrate the Heart of Wisconsin area’s business community’s successes. WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI – The Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce welcomed its Members to The Ridges Golf Course & Banquet Facility for its 78th Annual Meeting &
WEDC announces $1.5 million in grants to support small businesses across Wisconsin
Funding will enable local organizations to assist with building improvements and other financial support MADISON, WI. MARCH 3, 2026 – The Wisconsin Economic Corporation (WEDC) announced today that ten community organizations supporting small businesses across Wisconsin have received $1.5 million in Small Business Development Grants (SBDG) from WEDC. “Local leaders want to build communities where people are excited to live, work, and grow,” said John W. Miller, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic
Wood County Health Department Invites You to Shape Future Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3/3/26 CONTACT: Kristie Egge, Supervisor of Strategic Initiatives 715-421-8915/Kristie.Egge@woodcountywi.gov Wood County Health Department Invites You to Shape Future Communications Wood County, WI – Wood County Health Department invites community members to share feedback on how they receive and interact with information. The goal of the survey is to improve future communication and outreach efforts. The quick, five-minute survey is now open and can be completed
Mid-State Technical College to host Elizabeth Smart for community conversation on resilience and hope
Mid-State Technical College will host Elizabeth Smart for an inspiring and powerful community presentation, “From Survival to Strength: Resilience in the Face of Trauma,” on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m. at the Sentry Theater, 1800 North Point Drive, in Stevens Point. Elizabeth Smart is a bestselling author, passionate public speaker and dedicated advocate for child safety and survivor empowerment. Known worldwide for her remarkable survival story, Smart has transformed her personal tragedy into a powerful
UWSP Students Host Community Input Session for Research that will Assist the Marshfield Farmers Mark
The Marshfield Farmers Market Cooperative, with assistance from the Regional Farmers Market Coordinator, will be working with University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students to explore options for a new summer market location. This capstone class in the conservation and community planning major will explore five different sites in the Marshfield area. Their project will consider the positives and negatives of each site, the number of vendors that can fit, amenities, and more to assist the Marshfield Farmers
Wazeecha Fitness Initiative
Dear Community Partner, Imagine a sunny summer morning at Lake Wazeecha or a crisp winter afternoon, and families walking, friends jogging, and neighbors pausing at a fitness station to stretch and strengthen. Our community treasures this trail, and through the Wazeecha Fitness Initiative, we want to make it even more inviting, accessible, and fun for everyone. We are participants in the 2025–2026 ACE Leadership (Advancing Community Education) Program, and as part of our leadership experience, we were
Mini Rapids Mini Golf & More Brings Year-Round Family Entertainment to Wisconsin Rapids
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI Local Entrepreneurs Open 18-Hole Indoor Mini Golf Course, MiniRapids Mini Golf & More. A new family entertainment destination in Wisconsin Rapids. Located at 940 Huntington Avenue adjacent to Premier Rental, the indoor mini golf facility will offer 18 themed holes celebrating local businesses.Husband-and-wife team Wyatt and Steph Randecker, who also own Premier Rental in Wisconsin Rapids, spent months designing and building the course to create a unique, year-round attraction for
Rapids Awards N More is moving to a new location!
We are thrilled to announce that we will be opening at our new location on Monday, February 23, 2026! We will be conveniently located on 8th Street across the street from Culver/between Rapids Rehab and Pizza Hut at 2660 8th St S, Suite 107, Wisconsin Rapids. While our location has changed, we will continue to offer client favorites along with newly added items. Our new storefront allows us to display our offerings better in one space! We cannot wait to share the new space with you. This move is the
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Childcaring, Inc. Awards New Capacity Grant to Strengthen Child Care Access in Wood County
Childcaring, Inc. Awards New Capacity Grant to Strengthen Child Care Access in Wood County Wood County, WI — Childcaring, Inc. is pleased to announce the award of a $100,000 Capacity Building Grant to Building Blocks Learning Center Inc., a licensed group child care center serving children and families in Wood County. This investment supports continued efforts to increase access to high-quality child care for working families across central Wisconsin. The grant, funded by American Rescue Plan Act
Marshfield Clinic’s Wisconsin Rapids hospital to open March 1st
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – Marshfield Medical Center-Wisconsin Rapids Campus will open to patients at 7 a.m. March 1. Marshfield Medical Center-Wisconsin Rapids Campus includes the soon-to-open hospital, 440 24th Street South, and Marshfield Clinic Wisconsin Rapids Center, 220 24th Street South. The hospital will include inpatient beds, emergency department, exam and procedure rooms, radiological services that include general x-ray, computed tomography and ultrasound, as well as on-site lab testing.
Mid-State Technical College named finalist for AACC 2026 Awards of Excellence
Mid-State Technical College is proud to announce it has been selected as one of six finalists nationwide in the 2026 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Awards of Excellence in the category of Outstanding College Corporate Partnership. The designation recognizes the College’s partnerships in the campaign to raise $23M for the Wayne H. Bushman Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship (AMETA®) Center. Winners will be announced at the Awards of Excellence Gala held
Mid-State Technical College announces spring mid-term start options beginning March 2
It’s not too late to start at Mid-State Technical College, and students don’t have to do it alone. Mid-State is offering a wide range of spring mid-term start classes beginning March 2 through May 14, providing a flexible entry point for students ready to move forward with their education this spring. Courses are available in online, hybrid and in-person formats, making it easier for working adults, career changers and recent graduates to fit college into their lives. In addition to flexible scheduling,
Prevail Bank Serves as Collection Site for the Help for the Homeless Hygiene Drive — Feb. 22–Mar. 15
Prevail Bank is proud to participate as a collection site for the 34th annual Help for the Homeless Hygiene Drive, taking place in 21 communities across Wisconsin. This annual drive helps stock the shelves of local crisis agencies with essential hygiene and cleaning supplies—items not covered by Wisconsin FoodShare/SNAP benefits. By supplying these basics, local agencies can redirect their limited financial resources toward critical services such as staffing, education, counseling, safe housing, and
Laying of Flags on Veterans Graves - in Honor of Memorial Day
American Legion Post #9 members would like to invite local community members to assist in the placement of American flags on the gravesites of veterans to honor and remember their sacrifices to our country, as part of the community's Memorial Day activities. American Legion members will meet on Friday, 15 May 2026, at the Pioneer Cemetery (4810 Townline Rd), and on Saturday, 16 May 2026, at both the Forest Hills Cemetery & Mausoleum (631 Spring St) and Calvary Cemetery (2311 Plover Rd) - all three
FOCUS receives $5,102 donation
FOCUS (Feeding Our Communities with United Services) received $5,102 this holiday season through Prevail Bank’s Holiday Matching Funds campaign, to help combat food insecurities in Wisconsin Rapids and surrounding communities. Monetary donations were accepted from the public (November 10 - December 5) and then doubled by Prevail Bank, up to $1,000. Prevail Bank’s contribution to the grand total was $1,000. (L to R) Prevail Bank’s President/CEO, Nathan Quinnell; VP Commercial Lending Officer, Brian
Prevail Bank Promotes Julie Ann Siegler to VP – Mortgage Sales Manager
Prevail Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Julie Ann Siegler as its new Vice President – Mortgage Sales Manager, NMLS# 709381. With 23 years of banking experience, Julie brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to this role. Her career has spanned positions from teller to mortgage processing and servicing, and for the past 14 years, she has excelled as a Mortgage Loan Officer. She has extensive expertise working with the secondary market, including Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, WHEDA, FHA, VA, and
Safeguarding Your Small Business: Smart Legal Strategies That Build Trust and Prevent Risk
The Big Picture Every small business in Central Wisconsin faces a common truth — risk isn’t optional, but good preparation is. From contracts to insurance, proactive legal planning is not about paranoia; it’s about stability and credibility.TL;DR Use clear written contracts to define expectations and reduce disputes. Maintain the right insurance coverage — liability, property, cyber, and more. Create employee and operations policies that prevent legal missteps. Understand tools like hold
How Small Businesses Can Compete with Large Competitors: Strategies, Tools & Smart Tactics
In today’s digital economy, smaller companies face the same expectations as enterprise players — instant responses, professional systems, and seamless customer experiences. The good news? You don’t need corporate budgets to perform like one. The right combination of strategy, technology, and visibility can level the field faster than ever. TL;DR Small businesses can compete with larger competitors by focusing on speed, personalization, and professionalism.Key moves include: Automating repetitive
Shifts in the CTA, BOI and FinCEN: Guidance for Wisconsin Rapids, WI Businesses
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. However, filing your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report will help you avoid fines
Supercharge Your Startup’s Journey with Powerful Digital Marketing Solutions
Digital marketing has become essential for startups aiming to grow and establish themselves. Choosing the right strategies requires aligning marketing efforts with business goals to connect meaningfully with the target audience. Concentrating on a handful of effective tactics can strengthen market presence and lay the groundwork for long-term growth. Creative approaches can set a startup apart in the crowded digital landscape.Improve Local Visibility with Strategic SEO To stand out in local search
How Entrepreneurs Can Leverage Digital Innovation to Grow Their Businesses
These days, entrepreneurs have an opportunity to harness the power of technology to grow their businesses. With the rise of data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), mobile apps, and automation tools, it’s easier than ever to streamline processes, optimize performance, and attract and retain customers. Today, we’ll explore how entrepreneurs can use digital innovation to scale their businesses and stay ahead of the competition. Secure Your Files with PDFs Utilizing password-protected PDFs
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Rekindle ‘Hot Stove’ Event for a Return in 2024
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wi — The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are delighted to announce the eagerly awaited “Hot Stove” event, slated to take place at the Hotel Mead & Conference Center’s Ballroom on January 20, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. As the clock ticks towards the upcoming baseball season, the Rafters invite fans and community members to join them for an immersive experience, beginning with a lively Cocktail Hour at 6:00 PM with a cash bar. A buffet style dinner generously provided by Kellner Cafe, will
