Port Edwards News Archives

“For the folks looking to turn around and enter the work force in a fairly quick fashion, they can be back to earning a fairly comparable wage of what they were making at the mill”

Hundreds of local paper mill employees soon will be entering the job market, and one similarly displaced worker thinks they should not overlook returning to the classroom. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

“We need to be doing a better job of marketing ourselves because now we have a valuable labor force”

The Wisconsin Rapids wastewater treatment plant will play a role in helping the economy recover from upcoming layoffs, local business and government leaders say. via Stevens Point Journal

Help is on the way for the 500 workers affected by the closing of the Domtar Port Edwards mill, but it is going to take some time for it to arrive, a local employment service coordinator says. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

“It's also a great fundraiser for the museum.”

Welcome in the new year with a variety of activities for those young and old on New Year's Eve. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

Traffic crashes Rock At 4:23 a.m. Friday, a pickup driven by Justin R. Springer, 26, Neillsville, went out of control on Highway 10, near Falcon Road, and entered the ditch. via WisInfo

If you haven't already heard, the John E. Alexander South Wood County YMCA now will have an additional facility location in Wisconsin Rapids beginning Jan. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

Editor's note: The following names were originally reported arrested as part of what was described as Wood County's largest drug bust. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

Thank you to all tobacco retailers and their employees in Wisconsin Rapids, Grand Rapids, Nekoosa, Port Edwards, Rudolph, Auburndale, Pittsville and Vesper who help us protect youth from the health hazards of ... via WisInfo

It is a sad day for north central Wisconsin, with the announcement of Domtar's Port Edwards mill closure. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

“We may not know all of the outreaching effects for months to come”

The job loss from the Domtar closure could reach beyond the two paper mills' walls. via Marshfield News-Herald

The announced closing of the Port Edwards mill is a blow to all of us, especially, of course, to the people who work there and to their families. via WisInfo

“Joy to the World, the Lord is come!”

The shock in the community concerning the Port Edwards paper mill was evident at the grocery stores, the coffee shops, the hospitals as news spread. via WisInfo

TOM LOUCKS/DAILY TRIBUNE A large crowd came to the Community Rally at John Edwards High School Wednesday to listen to area civic, government and business leaders show their support for all affected by the ... via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

“Hopefully, Domtar comes through”

PORT EDWARDS -- Sitting in his blue, 30-year Domtar coat in the bleachers at Port Edwards High School gymnasium, Gary Filocco was hoping to hear something positive about the future of Port Edwards after the ... via WisInfo

With the news of another group of job losses with the closing of the Port Edwards paper mill, I would like to remind the public of the wonderful services offered by our local public libraries. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

“They're in a market that's flat to a slight decline, and there are other markets looking for that production. Since their facility was uncompetitive due to the asset base, they've been struggling for years.”

With so many recent layoffs to paper mill workers, many are saying it's a declining market. via WAOW-TV Wausau

“The main things is we're here volunteering for the residents once a month, as 'The Honeybees,'”

PORT EDWARDS -- It was looking quite a bit like Christmas at Edgewater Haven Nursing Home on Wednesday. via WisInfo

When Domtar announced it would shut down its Port Edwards mill, the reactions were completely natural. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

“It's only by action; it's what happens down the road ... (words are) trust-building”

Organizers hope a community rally can boost support for Port Edwards as it braces for the closing of its paper mill and the elimination of 500 jobs. via Stevens Point Journal

“Yes, I am concerned about the timing of this, but unfortunately we haven't been able to get them to the table until the last month or so”

WISCONSIN RAPIDS -- The bulk of the workforce at a growing local manufacturer is on the verge of a strike. via WisInfo

With the announcement of Domtar closing the Port Edwards Mill and the impact that it will have on the community, it is important we come together and act as a region. via WisInfo

“Because they have become displaced, many of them are surprised by the reward they get”

Many of the workers expected to be laid off by Domtar might not be able to find similar jobs, one official said. via Marshfield News-Herald

“We're very confident in the success of that plan.”

Wausau Paper is poised to weather the same industry storm that is prompting Domtar Inc. via Wausau Daily Herald

“It hits us all. We all know somebody. We all are aware of families and friends who will be impacted by this so this is a definition of community that we are reinforcing here. We are all in this together”

For over 100 years, the economy of the Village of Port Edwards and South Wood County has revolved around the paper-making industry. via WYOW-TV Eagle River

Domtar announced Thursday it will close its Port Edwards facility. The shutdown, which is expected in the second quarter of 2008, will mean a loss of about 500 of the 1,000 jobs at the Port Edwards and Nekoosa ... via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

“Keeping those wages in the area will play into that impact and into how well we respond and how other businesses do, and how we have been able to diversify our economy”

PORT EDWARDS -- With the Domtar Port Edwards mill closing, village property tax rates might rise in the next couple of years. via WisInfo

“The best thing is that workers try and utilize as many of the services as possible to help them transition into good jobs.”

This isn't the first time the area has seen such a big loss in jobs. That's why labor unions say they're well-prepared to help. via WAOW-TV Wausau

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin Nutrition Program is dedicated to providing the best possible congregate and home-delivered meal experience for our customers. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

“Companies have to make money to survive. That's the way things are these days and all the badmouthing in the world won't change that. Have to accept it and move on.”

Following are excerpts from the Daily Tribune's online forum conversation about the pending shutdown of Domtar's Port Edwards facility. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

“In good times and in bad, I will be faithful to you. We will not let this crisis tear us apart; rather, may it make our love stronger. Let us strategize together so that our children know they are loved and that they are secure.”

The closing of the Port Edwards paper mill isn't the invasion of Al Qaeda, or the diagnosis of terminal cancer, but it is indeed devastating and disruptive to us all. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

“It's going to have a big impact on all the communities -- Port Edwards, Wisconsin Rapids and Nekoosa”

The announcement arrived with little warning. "The boss came in and told us to stop working and wait for the machines to run out," said Dennis Leibenstein, a dayshift worker at the Domtar Port Edwards paper ... via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

“From what I have seen in the communities, there has been a partial but not a complete recovery of that in terms of job growth”

For the Daily Tribune The announcement Thursday that Domtar will shut down its Port Edwards mill was the latest in a string of bad news for Wisconsin's paper industry, an economist says. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

“This is very disappointing news for Port Edwards, the entire region, and particularly the hardworking families who will be affected”

The office of Gov. Jim Doyle issued the following news release regarding the Domtar closure announced today: Governor Doyle Announces Response to the Closure of Domtar in Port Edwards MADISON - Governor Jim ... via WisInfo

“We need to pursue the consolidation of our production capacity to improve our competitiveness in the North American market, given continued unfavorable economic conditions and a softening of demand for fine papers.”

Domtar Inc. is shutting down a U.S. mill and reorganizing an Ontario facility, cutting 625 jobs as it struggles with high costs, sagging demand and "unfavorable economic conditions." The Montreal-based paper ... via The Globe and Mail

George W. 'Doc' Reis Jr., 83, of Rudolph, died peacefully surrounded by his family Sunday morning, Dec. via WisInfo

Plan Commission: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Rome Municipal Building. Agenda includes: Proposed comprehensive revisions to Chapter 10 zoning ordinance and next agenda items. via WisInfo

A missing Baraboo teen who ran away from home more than two months ago was found Thursday in the village of Port Edwards. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

Five ... four ... three ... two ... one ... Here comes the holiday season. Wouldn't it just figure that when we are the busiest in our lives, there is more family fun available than any other time of year? As ... via WisInfo

December in Port Edwards will be filled with many holiday activities that will be sure to get you into the holiday spirit. via WisInfo

Crystalline pottery by Jerry Reinwand of Portage will be on display at the Alexander House. via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune