Good morning, Wausau.

Prevail Bank is launching a holiday matching campaign through Dec.

5 — every donated dollar will be matched up to $1,000 per organization at its branches to support local nonprofits. Anyone can give without needing a bank account, and all donations stay within the community.

News 9 is taking part in the annual Toys for Tots campaign — local businesses in Marathon and Portage Counties are accepting donated gifts for children until Dec.

4.

Nearly 100 fourth-grade students from Riverside Elementary visited Newby’s Evergreen Farm to watch the first official tree cutting as part of the Alice in Dairyland event.

Newby’s Farm will open for cut-your-own trees on November 29 — it will operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the holiday season.

Special education teacher Rob Hughes organizes the Wausau Area Food for Hope Turkey Drive, which has raised over $106,000 in nine years to supply turkeys and hams to families in Wausau and nearby areas, and he still needs $3,000 to reach his $23,000 goal this Thanksgiving—donate by check or via Venmo or PayPal.

The Rosholt School District will host its 32nd Enchanted Forest at the Rosholt Village Fairgrounds from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas, where visitors see about 120 decorated Christmas trees and enjoy free entry with a donation to support the local food pantry.

Special events include a Live Nativity on December 6 and Santa visits—on December 6, 13 and 20 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Tommy’s Express Car Wash announced its 'Wash Away Hunger' event that runs until Nov.

30—customers receive a free Tommy’s Works Wash when they donate three non-perishable items. The donations will support food pantries in Wausau, Stevens Point, and Weston.

Sourdough and Co. opened its doors in downtown Wausau yesterday, taking over the former Subway space and serving soups, sandwiches, flatbreads, salads & cookies made with a 175 year old sourdough starter from California.

Father-son partners Aaron and Kent Olson run the shop from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and until 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and they plan to open another location within 18 months.

On Monday, four Wittenberg-Birnamwood students signed with colleges—Reese Dickman with Oklahoma Christian for swimming, Bryson Schmid with Minnesota-Duluth for football, Rory Salvesen with Minnesota for softball, and Melaina Granquist with Western Illinois to continue both school and sports.

Mid-State Technical College has opened registration for its spring 2026 semester with classes starting January 26 and winter courses beginning January 5 — the college offers credit courses for degree progress and community enrichment classes for those looking to try new interests.

State lawmakers heard on Monday in Wausau about the rising number of senior falls and the fire department’s community care paramedic program that helps seniors stay home safely—using loaner walkers and installing grab bars.

The program cut 911 calls by 65% and saved $232,000 since it began last December while seeking $450,000 a year in funding.

The Riverside Fire District purchased a new rescue boat using a $33,000 grant from Firehouse Subs as water-related rescues increased across Wisconsin this year — the boat fits eight firefighters and has a six-inch draft to reach shallow areas.

The district is preparing the boat for prompt use and will work with nearby fire departments to improve water rescues.

With the gun deer opener days away, a Marshfield Clinic pediatrician warned hunters that lead bullets can break into tiny pieces — putting families, especially children, at risk when eating venison.

He advised that hunters will switch to lead-free ammunition to lower these risks.

Guided Tour: Birds in Art Fifty

1-3 p.m. — Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum — $5 entry (includes lunch) — Explore the intersection of avian beauty and artistic expression in a guided tour.

Central Wisconsin Holiday Gift and Craft Show

9 AM - 4 PM — Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center — $5 admission — Discover unique handmade gifts and crafts from local artisans in a festive atmosphere.