Good morning, Wausau.

Special Olympics Wisconsin and the Wausau Police Department hosted the first alternative Polar Plunge today at Thom Field, drawing roughly 80 high schoolers and 30 community members to take a cold dip for a good cause; donations will continue until March 31.

Michael, who suffered a severe head injury on the slopes, returned to Granite Peak this week to thank the emergency crews.

SAFER Fire District was fully staffed that day (a rare occurrence), boosting the crew’s morale.

Saint Anne’s Parish fish fry returns for Lent in a 71-year tradition and will run every Friday from 4–7 p.m. Volunteers prepare food early in the week, and all community members are welcome, including those who work Friday nights or cannot attend in person.

Six D.C. Everest FCCLA team members advanced to the state contest after excelling at the regionals on Feb.

11. They competed in career investigation, sports nutrition, professional presentation & repurpose and redesign and will now represent their school at state.

On Feb. 14, WPS hosted its 72nd annual electricity merit badge clinic at the Wausau West Service Center, where 20 Scouts learned to build circuits and electromagnets + practiced electrical safety with guidance from the fire department.

NTC in Wausau received a $3.2M federal grant to launch a firefighter and EMT apprenticeship program for nine apprentices who will complete 1,600 hours each of classroom and hands-on instruction at NTC and the Merrill Public Safety Center, a program that will run for 18 months.

The EPA repealed its greenhouse gas finding earlier this month but did not change the emissions testing mandate for vehicles in southeastern Wisconsin & several counties including Milwaukee.

Officials say the testing remains essential to meet ozone air quality standards.

The Grand Theater in Wausau will host two free youth safety events as part of its Community Health & Wellness Series on March 18 and April 13.

One event will cover social media safety with a film screening and discussion, while the other will offer safe driving tips from local officials.

North Star Restoration is partnering with the American Red Cross to install free smoke detectors in Wausau — funded by a $5 million grant — to help protect homes and save residents over $25 per installation; interested homeowners should call Clay Rice at 715-679-4760.

Xavier Edwards, a D.C.

Everest senior, signed with Minnesota State, Mankato on Friday and will play football and run track next season. He posted eight touchdown catches and a second-place finish in triple jump last year (earning all-star honors) and said the campus felt like home.

Girls wrestlers from D.C.

Everest and SPASH qualified for the state tournament next week during Friday sectionals, with the event to be held at the Kohl Center (Madison). Columbus Catholic boys claimed the Cloverbelt East title with a 51 to 50 win over Loyal on Friday night.

Empowering Women Through Vibrational Sound Therapy

6-7 p.m. — 5 Koshas Yoga & Wellness — $25.00 — Experience a soothing sound bath to rejuvenate and restore balance.

Kick Back & Create

Bring along your supplies and in-progress art for a free co-working studio session. Connect with other area creatives while working on your own projects.

Wausau Family Puzzle Competition

10 AM – 12 PM — Marathon County Public Library - Wausau Headquarters — Free entry — Families race to complete puzzles in this friendly competition for all ages 6 and up.