Subscribe | Get featured

Hello Central Wisconsin! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: John McGivern’s Main Streets premiere, a first-in-Wisconsin heart device, and try curling + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Upper Midwest stories on screen: A free premiere screening of “John McGivern’s Main Streets” featuring Stevens Point happens today at the Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover, welcoming neighbors to celebrate local stories together — get all the event details.

Training tomorrow’s first responders: Northcentral Technical College has secured $3.2 million in federal funding for a firefighter and paramedic apprenticeship, boosting training and pathways across the 10 counties it serves in north central Wisconsin — read the full story.

Heart rhythm care advances: Marshfield Clinic recently became the first in Wisconsin to use the Medtronic OmniaSecure, the world’s smallest ICD lead for cardiac resynchronization therapy, and reports its first patient is doing well — read the full story.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Pizza fundraiser for Stevens Point Christian Academy
• Make Hmong eggrolls and crab rangoons
• Learn to maximize Social Security benefits
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Share-worthy small plates: Craving a midweek twist? Father Fats Public House keeps things lively with creative, globally inspired small plates and playful cocktails built on Wisconsin ingredients. Bring a friend, sample widely, and let the menu’s detours lead you to something new.

Serious gear, friendly vibes: Since 1949, Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods has equipped Central Wisconsin with skis, snowboards, bikes, camp-and-hike gear, and paddlesports essentials. Expect knowledgeable guidance from people who actually get outside, plus upgrades that keep your setup dialed.

Movie night, solved: Rogers Cinema – Stevens Point 7 makes movie night effortless, offering new releases across multiple screens and the occasional throwback for variety. When the couch loses its charm, the endless scroll fades and a midweek evening becomes something you’ll actually remember.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🎬 John McGivern’s “Main Streets” Community Premiere @ Food + Farm Exploration Center | Wednesday (3/4) at 6:00 PM – Catch John McGivern’s Main Streets premiere and see Stevens Point’s people, places, and peculiar habits up on the big screen. Expect familiar faces, favorite haunts, and at least one cameo from your neighbor’s dog. It’s our town, with better lighting, popcorn optional.

🥌 Try Curling @ Stevens Point Curling Club | Wednesday (3/4) at 6:00 PM – Time to stop yelling sweep at the TV and try curling for real. For twenty bucks you get two drinks, ice time, coaching, food, and two drop-ins, and it’s friendly for all ages. This round is sold out, so watch for new dates.

🎨 Art Mania @ Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum | Friday (3/6) at 11:00 AM – Art Mania is serving up kid-approved chaos with a plan, as CWCM’s Playologists lead a drop-in craft that changes every week. Think color mixing, fine motor skill wins, and your kid getting gloriously messy while you call it quality time.

⛸ Skate Night @ Melody Gardens | Friday (3/6) at 3:30 PM – Nothing beats lacing up at Melody Gardens with the kids. Kids Reward Club members skate free, everyone else tosses in $3 to our local Boys & Girls Club. MMCCU has giveaways for youth and adults, so bring your ankles, your nostalgia, and a few bucks.

🏠 Wausau Area Builders Association Home Show @ Marshfield Mall | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – A new Home Show is rolling into Marshfield for 2026, courtesy of the Wausau Area Builders Association. Browse local builders, get real quotes, and poke at kitchens, windows, and gadgets without committing to demolition. Come kick the tires, ask questions, and dodge a DIY disaster.

🌶 16th Annual WGA Chili Feed & Contest @ District 1 Brewing Company | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Think your chili can take the crown, or just here to taste? Bring a 2 to 3 quart crockpot for crowd voting and the traveling, trackable trophy. WGA’s dishing out backup chili, fixings, cups, and utensils, but it’s first come, first served.

🍽 Boiled Dinner Fundraiser @ Plover VFW Auxiliary 10262 | Saturday (3/7) at 3:00 PM – Whether you grew up on boiled dinners or appreciate meat, potatoes, and hospitality, the American Legion Auxiliary is serving a ham spread at the Plover VFW. Fourteen bucks gets you ham, cabbage, fixings, coffee, dessert, and that warm, veteran-supporting glow. Bring an appetite, not pretense.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Central Wisconsin report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 51°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 0%

Patchy fog before 9am. Mostly sunny. High near 51, with temperatures falling to around 48 in the afternoon. South southeast wind 0 to 6 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. East wind around 3 mph.

—

Tomorrow – High: 46°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 29%

A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. East wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A slight chance of rain after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This 4-bed, 2.5-bath envelope-style home sits on over 2 wooded acres with Four Mile Creek frontage. Located on a cul-de-sac in the Town of Grant, it features a two-story fireplace, a main-level flex office or 4th bedroom, laundry, a primary loft suite with views, a remodeled bath, and a finished lower level. Access to Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, and Plover.

Take a peek inside →