FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Interim Fire Chief Scott Young Appointed Wisconsin Rapids Fire Chief 
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin - July 16, 2018 

​The City of Wisconsin Rapids Police and Fire Commission is proud to announce that, after a search, assessment, and interview process, Interim Fire Chief Scott Young has been appointed to serve as the Fire Chief for the City of Wisconsin Rapids. 
Chief Young has been with the Department for 27 years, advancing to Captain/Crew Commander in 2006 and named Deputy Chief in 2011. He was appointed Interim Fire Chief in September 2017 upon the retirement of Chief Dave Kerkman. 
Chief Young recently commented: “I am humbled and honored to be named the Fire Chief for the City of Wisconsin Rapids. It will be a privilege to serve in this capacity. I look forward to continuing the Department’s mission statement: ‘Professional at all times, proficient in all tasks, and polite to all whom we serve.’ The members of the WRFD are true examples of this mission. Day in and day out they consistently provide exceptional services to the citizens of our community. As Chief, it is my intention to build upon the many positive accomplishments we have achieved over the years. I believe in ethical and value-based leadership and encourage open communication. I am looking forward to continuing to serve our community.” 
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​July 13, 2018
 
Contact: Wastewater Superintendent Ryan Giefer
E-mail:rgiefer@wirapids.org
Phone: 715-252-5123

City of Wisconsin Rapids Wastewater Department and A1 Excavating will begin Lift Station Force Main Connection Monday
 
Friday, July 13 – The City of Wisconsin Rapids Wastewater Department and A1 Excavating will begin excavation and connection to the Wisconsin River Crossing force main beginning Monday, July 16. As a result, the intersection of Ridgewood Trail and Golf Course Road will be closed. Residents and motorists will need to follow the directions stated below until the work is competed, which is expected to be finished by Thursday, July 19.

• Residents on Ridgewood Trail will need to use Airport Avenue.
• Residents on Golf Course Road will need to travel south on Golf Course Road.
• Residents on Country Lane and Blue Heron Lane will need to use Pepper Avenue.

 
During this time crews will be working 24-hours a day, until the work for this component portion of the project is complete, so be alert for high volume of truck traffic along 2nd Avenue South from Gaynor to State Highway 54/Riverview Expressway Bridge and areas surrounding the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The City encourages everyone to minimize local traffic in the construction area as much as possible.
 
The Wisconsin River Crossing force main carries water, sewage and other materials from the wastewater west-side lift station. The new overall infrastructure will result in life expectancies of 80-100 years for the river crossing force main, 50-80 years for the lift station structure and 20-40 years for lift station equipment. This ensures safe and reliable transport and processing of wastewater for generations to come.
 
Please contact Wastewater Superintendent Ryan Giefer with any questions or concerns.

071318_NR_WIRAPIDS Lift Station Force Main Connection Final

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To: News Editors
Contact: Adam Tegen, Director
Phone:715-421-8225
E-mail: ategen@wirapids.org

Wisconsin Rapids to take part in Wisconsin Main Street Day on Tuesday
 
Monday, July 9 – The City of Wisconsin Rapids will welcome distinguished guests from the State of Wisconsin, as one of eight communities taking part in the official Wisconsin Main Street Day, on Tuesday, July 10. The day highlights the important role that downtowns play in the local economy and celebrates the many successes of Wisconsin’s commercial business districts.
 
State of Wisconsin officials will celebrate the revitalization of downtown areas throughout the state, and will make their stop in Wisconsin Rapids at 10 a.m. An official announcement about the awarding of of a Site Assessment Grant from the State is set to take place in front of the former JC Penney store at the former Rapids Mall.
 
“WEDC leadership looks forward to visiting Wisconsin Rapids on Wisconsin Main Street Day to celebrate all the great work that is being done here to enhance the downtown business district,” said Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) COO and Deputy Secretary Tricia Braun. “We look forward to not only highlighting the city’s recent successes, but also learning more about upcoming initiatives planned for its Downtown district.”
 
“With all our recent initiatives and the momentum we have generated toward reinvigorating our Downtown and Riverfront districts, we are excited to receive this affirmation of our efforts and plans from the State of Wisconsin,” said Mayor Vruwink. “This event draws attention to our vision of transforming Wisconsin Rapids into an ideal community in which to live, work and play.”
 
The Wisconsin Main Street Program, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2018 and is overseen by WEDC, provides support and training for organizations dedicated to Downtown revitalization efforts. Since the program’s inception, Wisconsin Main Street communities have created more than 2,600 new net businesses and nearly 14,000 new net jobs. They also have generated more than $1.7 billion in public and private investment since then, and are renovating more than 250 buildings per year.

July 9, 2018 News Release PDF