It was an eventful year for Central Wisconsin! As another year comes to a close, OnFocus is recapping the top stories in Community, Education, Public Safety, Business, and Government, not in any order.

Thanks for following our news coverage, always #FreeToRead.

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SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL TORN DOWN

The century-old Sacred Heart Catholic School was torn down this spring, part of parish plans to rebuild a new facility. During that process the 1916 time capsule was opened.

MARSHFIELD BOWLING RECORD BROKEN

Eric Gabel scored a 879 series, beating his older brother’s previous 6-year record of 868.

MONARCH BUTTERFLY EXHIBIT ARRIVES AT ZOO

After raising and releasing over 600 butterflies last summer, the Gwiazda family took their cause to the next level with the opening of their very own monarch butterfly exhibit at Wildwood Zoo.

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING A YEAR AFTER FIRE

The 138 year-old Marshfield congregation broke ground for a new church building after losing its home to a devastating fire on September 2 last year.

FIGI’S COLLECTIBLE BARNS PRESERVE AMERICA’S FARMING HERITAGE

The 27 collectible barns were released each year from 1992 to 2018 before Figi’s closure.

MARSHFIELD GETS SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL TEAM

The Bandits came together this year and joined a league.

COUGAR EXHIBIT OPENS

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Floyd and Pat Hamus Cougar Exhibit & Welcome Center took place in October.

COOKING WITH RUTH SHOW WRAPS UP FINAL EPISODE

After 140 episodes of sharing family recipes and the joys of cooking, long-running program “Cooking with Ruth” wrapped up regular production. The Elderbrooks later announced in December they would be retiring their catering business.

MARSHFIELD STADIUM COMPLETED

The Kenneth & Ardyce Heiting Community Stadium at the Marshfield High School was completed in time for its first football game.

WOMAN DONATES OVER 37,000 HOMEMADE CAT TOYS FOR PET SHELTERS

What started as an idea to sell handmade cat toys has gone on to raise thousands of dollars for pet shelters across Wisconsin.

ESCAPED COWS SPOTTED BY CENTRAL AVE.

Two cows were spotted wandering the 200 block of W. 29th Street in Marshfield.

STUDENT TEAM TACKLES GAME DAY PRODUCTION AT NEW STADIUM

The jumbotron and sound system at the Marshfield High School stadium meant fun opportunities.

‘DUMPSTER PUPPIES’ RESCUE STORY RECEIVES NATIONAL ATTENTION

A litter of newborn puppies saved from a Marshfield dumpster moved hearts across the nation and earned a slot on CBS’s Inside Edition.

FUNDRAISER KICKS OFF FOR SCHOOL FOREST TRAILS

The Marshfield Area Ski Touring Foundation turned to the community to help rebuild the trails at Marshfield School Forest after a year of heavy damage (donations are still needed.)

LOCALS TEAM UP TO HELP NEBRASKA FARMERS

After flooding devastated farmers in Nebraska, several locals organized a collection for supplies and made the drive.

PET SHELTER BREAKS GROUND ON PERMANENT FACILITY

Eight years after its founding, Marshfield Area Pet Shelter officially broke ground on a permanent facility on August 15.

HORSE RESCUE IN PITTSVILLE DEDICATED TO CAUSE

For almost twenty years, the Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation in Pittsville has dedicated itself to finding good homes for the horses that come into its care.

GREEN BAY PACKERS VISIT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, MARSHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

Former Packers stopped by the Marshfield Children’s Hospital and made a donation to Marshfield High School during a Tailgate Tour.

MARSHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM SORTS SUPPLIES FOR UNITED WAY

Marshfield Area United Way’s annual “Supplies 4 Success” school supply drive helps area families.

THE HANNAH CENTER SEEKS SECOND LOCATION IN WISCONSIN RAPIDS

The nonprofit for women in crisis continues to fundraise for a potential second location.

RAILS TO TRAILS PROJECT COULD CONNECT NEILLSVILLE, GRANTON, AND CHILI

Central Wisconsin could have a new 13-mile trail system linking Neillsville, Granton, and Chili that would provide new opportunities to bike, ski, and snowshoe.

A LOOK AT THE MARSHFIELD OUTDOOR AQUATIC CENTER

The pool design includes an extra 2,500 square feet of swimming space over the current Hefko Pool.

AMERICAN LEGION CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

On June 18, 1919, local veterans came together for the first meeting of what would become known as the American Legion.

THIRD GRADER SPEARHEADS CANDY SALE TO SEND BEST FRIEND TO CAMP

Kaitlyn set out to sell enough suckers to send her best friend to camp.

MAKING COLBY CHEESE STATE OFFICIAL

Colby resident Matthew Oehmichen was one of several people who stepped forward to provide testimony in support of Assembly Bill 572, which proposes making Colby cheese the official state cheese of Wisconsin.

7 YEAR-OLD KAYDEN TAKES INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT WITH PROCEEDS FROM LEMONADE STAND

After a summer of fundraising through his lemonade stand, 7 year-old Kayden Schober was able to save enough to fulfill his dream of an introductory flight at the Wausau Downtown Airport in July.

ALL OR NOTHING $100,000 PRIZE WINNER BOUGHT TICKET IN MARSHFIELD

A Pittsville man claimed $100,000 with a ticket purchased at Pick ‘n Save.

POWERS BLUFF DEVELOPMENT PROJECT CONTINUES FORWARD

The Wood County Parks & Forestry Department continues to take steps toward improving recreation at Powers Bluff County Park.

PITTSVILLE NATIVE SPEARHEADS SPAY/NEUTER EVENT FOR FARM CATS

She noticed that many of the local farms were overpopulated with barn cats and wanted to do something to help.

DRAMATIC RESCUE SAVES DOG FROM UPPER POND

While opening up the zoo shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday, Zookeeper Steve Burns had turned the corner around Upper Pond and saw a man desperately attempting to get his attention.

MHS GRAD FINDS SUCCESS IN ESPORTS

Marshfield High School 2010 grad Ryan Danczak, 27, has turned his natural competitiveness and love of football into a lucrative hobby through the world of esports.