Good morning, Wausau.

Ahlstrom—a Finnish paper maker—has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Pixelle Specialty Solutions in Stevens Point in a $600 million deal pending regulatory approval.

The deal will add the Stevens Point plant to its operations in Mosinee, Rhinelander and De Pere as it works to expand its packaging solutions in North America.

A former hair stylist in Wausau defrauded clients of over $36K and was charged with 38 counts of theft after an investigation that began in January 2023—Jennifer Brooks remains in jail on a $7,500 cash bond.

A 19-year-old man is accused of breaking windows at several Rib Mountain homes and assaulting a friend before running onto Lake Wausau at 8:30 a.m. on March 27 to avoid police, falling through ice and spending 15 to 20 minutes in the water until fire personnel rescued him by rope — authorities now recommend criminal charges.

On Tuesday, voters rejected a $40 million referendum that would have covered a projected $3.7 million deficit for the 2025-26 school year (10,051 against and 9,701 for) in the Wausau School District.

With the close margin, district leaders will consider staff and course cuts, reduced athletics funding and salary freezes to balance the budget.

After a weekend storm left power off for more than 190,000 customers, Wisconsin Public Service is finishing up its repair work and expects to restore service later this evening for all reachable customers — a few with damage to private equipment will need outside repairs.

The Wausau Ethics Board concluded its investigation into Mayor Doug Diny’s handling of a locked municipal dropbox (meant for absentee ballots) and found probable cause that he violated the ethics code by overriding City Clerk Kaitlyn Bernarde’s plan ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election. The board set a hearing (April 30th) and will subpoena Bernarde and City Attorney Ann Jacobson while Diny’s lawyer argued that the hearing should wait until complete statements are received.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley was elected chief justice starting May 1 and will retire in July—Justice Jill Karofsky will take over after her departure.

New Age Phonograph Live Performance

7 PM - 1 AM — Intermission Bar — Cover charge — Experience the unique blend of rock and blues from New Age Phonograph.

Swing Into Spring Workshop

6-8 p.m. — The Grand Theater — Free entry — Explore the vibrant history of Black music and dance from the 1920s to contemporary styles.

Guided Tour of Kimono: Garment, Canvas, and Artistic Muse

11 a.m. — Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum — $5.00 entry — Discover the history and influence of the kimono through guided exploration and creative activities.

Marty Stuart Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — The Grand Theater — Tickets from $59 — Experience an evening of live music with country star Marty Stuart in Wausau.

Ben Folds Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — The Grand Theater — Tickets from $74 — Enjoy a night of captivating music with Ben Folds in Wausau.