Good morning, Wausau.

Habitat for Humanity of Wausau launched its annual Rock the Block event on the Southeast Side this week with over 500 volunteers from across the country, including New York+Missouri+Minnesota+Michigan+Illinois.

Volunteers are working on home repairs and improvements and will wrap up the event Friday.

Kronenwetter Fire Department hosted a free pop-up splash pad from 5 to 7 p.m. yesterday at Towering Pines Park; firefighters used Ladder Truck 1 to create a spray area and offered hotdogs * lemonade while advising residents to stay safe in high temperatures.

A Marshfield trucking company is facing higher fuel costs as diesel rose $1.32 per gallon since January due to the U.S.-Iran war.

The company is urging drivers to conserve fuel in hot weather while surcharges passed to customers take weeks+ to recoup.

Wausau Events moved Wednesday night's Concert on the Square indoors to the Rothschild Pavilion because of air quality issues as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued an advisory for wildfire smoke.

The Brianna Rae Band performed from 6 to 8 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.

A Wausau mother turned personal grief into a children’s book designed to help kids understand feelings after her husband’s sudden passing last year (The Grief Rainbow).

Her daughters helped illustrate the book, adding a personal touch that supports families facing loss.

The 30-acre Big Cain Creek Nature Preserve opens on July 31 with a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Cattle Road site in the Town of Texas; new trails, benches, and access to a quarter-mile Class A trout stream offer visitors a fresh outdoor space.

A Disaster Recovery Center opened Tuesday at the Ringle Municipal Center on Abt Road to help residents with FEMA assistance for uninsured losses from the Apr. storms and flooding.

The center operates Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.

Health experts said cyclosporiasis cases remain within the usual summer range in central Wausau, advising careful produce washing to prevent infection (Marshfield Clinic reported one travel-linked case recently) despite national outbreak reports.

Jazz on the River Concert Series

Sundays, Jul 19 – Aug 16 — Kickbusch Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy a vibrant series of free jazz concerts along the scenic river in Wausau.

Jazz on the River Summer Concert Series

5-7 p.m. — Kickbusch Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy a relaxing summer evening filled with live jazz while overlooking the river.

Painting with Sound

Drop-in to the Woodson Art Museum's sculpture garden on Thursday, July 30 from 5 to 6 pm to experiment with Coloratura technology, meet with inventor and artist Camry Ivory, and paint with sound! Watch and listen as your brushstrokes create art and music right before your eyes and ears. No registration is required and all ages are welcome to join in. In case of inclement weather, this program will be held at the Glass Box Studio.

Painting with Sound

Drop-in to the Woodson Art Museum's sculpture garden on Thursday, July 30 from 5 to 6 pm to experiment with Coloratura technology, meet with inventor and artist Camry Ivory, and paint with sound! Watch and listen as your brushstrokes create art and music right before your eyes and ears. No registration is required and all ages are welcome to join in. In case of inclement weather, this program will be held at the Glass Box Studio.

Painting with Sound

Drop-in to the Woodson Art Museum's sculpture garden on Thursday, July 30 from 5 to 6 pm to experiment with Coloratura technology, meet with inventor and artist Camry Ivory, and paint with sound! Watch and listen as your brushstrokes create art and music right before your eyes and ears. No registration is required and all ages are welcome to join in. In case of inclement weather, this program will be held at the Glass Box Studio.

Wausau Woodchucks vs. Lakeshore Chinooks Baseball Game

1:05-4:05 p.m. — Historic Athletic Park — Free entry — Enjoy an afternoon of baseball with food and excellent views along the third-base line.

Jazz on the River Concert Series

5-7 p.m. — Kickbusch Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy a delightful evening of live jazz music by the river with food trucks and picnic options.