Good morning, Eau Claire.

Community leaders met Tuesday afternoon to discuss downtown business growth while business owners listened to a WEDC presentation on the Main Street Program (which offers data, resources, and grant funding) that may boost local businesses.

DECI will learn this summer if it qualifies for the program.

Altoona School District has launched a website that outlines a school improvement referendum scheduled for April 7, 2026; the site explains a proposed 20-year bond to cover repairs and shows how taxpayers (an extra $72 per $100,000) will be charged.

Meadowview Elementary School honored its lead custodian with a Golden Apple award that recognizes his work in teaching kids to keep the school clean.

The school and he will each receive 500 dollars – funded by Student Transit and the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation.

UW-Stout will use a $2,031,578 FIPSE grant to launch FUSE, new short-term certificates lasting eight to 15 weeks in sectors including (health care, manufacturing, IT support, event planning, child care) in partnership with local businesses.

The courses will start by the end of 2026 for 400–600 students.

Altoona is planning a no-interest home repair loan program that would give qualifying homeowners five-year loans up to $7,500 + ten-year loans up to $12,000 for repairs and energy upgrades.

The city council will vote on the plan tomorrow and hopes to launch it by summer, partnering with local agencies.

At a local restaurant, UW-Eau Claire assistant coach and firefighter Jeff Dykes saved 14-year-old Kaden Gulich last month when he began choking on a cheese curd by performing the Heimlich maneuver.

Following the incident, community members gathered for a reunion that stressed the importance of CPR training (a life-saving skill).

Lutheran Social Services has been awarded over $180,000 annually for three years from the Monsignor Klimek Healing Presence Endowment Fund to start new grief support services in the region, with plans to hire a coordinator, manage training, and launch an online resource beginning in March.

The Eau Claire City-County Health Department detected higher wastewater levels of Norovirus and urges residents to wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, as the virus may cause vomiting and diarrhea for one to three days.

The Eau Claire Marathon will host the XOX-EAU 5K on Feb.

14 around River Prairie, giving nearly 750 registered runners a chance to complete a three point one mile course paired with free donuts like Cosmic Brownie Crunch and Cinnamon Yum. Volunteers are still needed to help with the event.

The Sonnentag will host a Big Ten volleyball match between Wisconsin and Minnesota on Friday, Apr.

10 (6:30 p.m.) in the Chippewa Valley as part of the Badgers spring schedule.

Eau Claire native Ben Loomis competed in the Nordic Combined Normal Hill event early Wednesday, posting a 95-meter jump (118.9 points) and ranking 16th of 36 in his third Winter Olympic Games at Milan Cortina.

He will compete in a 10KM race later, with live streaming available at 6:45 a.m.

Eau Claire Memorial and Eau Claire North boys hockey teams squared off in their second crosstown matchup on Tuesday, Feb.

10, and the local sports slate also featured basketball contests at Regis, Fall Creek, Altoona, and Hudson + a girls game between Regis and Fall Creek.

Twilight Bowl Performance

7:30 p.m. — Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild — Ticket information available — Experience the magic of live theater with the Twilight Bowl presentation.

xox-EAU 5K Fun Run

Run the delightful xox-EAU 5K — 8 a.m. — River Prairie Park — Entry fee required — Enjoy lighthearted exercise in a vibrant community run.

Ben Mulwana Concert

7:15 PM — Pablo Center at the Confluence — $20 — Experience soul-filled storytelling through music with Ben Mulwana on his 'Soul Case' tour.

Jessica Schoettle Book Release & Signing Event

6:15 PM to 8:00 PM — Dotters Books — Free entry — Celebrate the launch of Jessica's heartfelt book series about motherhood and personal growth.

CVSO: Peter and the Wolf - Traditional Concert

2-5 p.m. — Pablo Center at the Confluence — Explore the magic of orchestral music with Prokofiev’s enchanting tale alongside student artwork displays.

Whitney Cummings: Big Baby

7-10 p.m. — Pablo Center at the Confluence — $40+ — Enjoy an evening of laughs with acclaimed comedian Whitney Cummings.

Millennial Dance Party

10 PM – 5 AM — The Plus — $10 entry includes a free drink — Dance the night away with nostalgic tunes from the Millennial era.

Pizza Buffet and Open Mic Fundraiser

3-6 p.m. — The Plus — $15 for all-you-can-eat pizza — Enjoy live performances while supporting UWEC's Fostering Success program.

Clear Water Comedy Presents: Bailey Pope Live

7 PM — The Plus — Free entry — Enjoy a night of laughter with Bailey Pope and special guest Ryan Danley at this vibrant open mic event.