Community Corner
🌱 What changes with Portage County’s health care center sale and rezoning?
Also, don't miss Rock Night on Ice on the Stevens Point Patch calendar
Coffee in hand, Stevens Point? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What changes with Portage County’s health care center sale and rezoning?
- How will Stevens Point families benefit from the Smile Club’s new operator?
- How deputies and Stevens Point police quickly found a missing College Ave child
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Stevens Pointfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Snow showers in the afternoon, with a high of 40 and low of 7 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Friday: Much colder, temps: high: 17, low: 14.
- Saturday: Morning flurries; not as cold, with a high of 31 and low of 1 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Portage County health care center to be sold (wdez.com) — Portage County’s Health Care Center is being sold to subsidiaries of The Ensign Group, and Stevens Point’s Common Council has approved the needed land-use changes and rezoning to keep it operating as a nursing home. Council members backed amendments to the city’s comprehensive plan, rezoning from government- to commercial-run, and a conditional use permit, clearing the way for continued operation under private ownership. 
Find out what's happening in Stevens Pointfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Noble Community Clinics takes over operation of the Smile Club (stevenspointjournal.com) — Families in Stevens Point now have expanded access to dental care as Noble Community Clinics takes over the Smile Club at the Boys & Girls Club’s Berard Center and opens a larger clinic on Main Street. The nonprofit will continue serving children and families regardless of insurance or income, building on years of local partnerships and volunteer support. This change keeps preventive care close to home for Portage County kids.
3. Police & Sheriff calls, December 12-15 (spmetrowire.com) — Recent police and sheriff calls include Stevens Point officers and deputies safely locating a missing child from the 2900 block of College Ave., along with several crashes, welfare checks, and minor disputes across Portage County. From mailbox damage and vaping at PoDS to overserved bar patrons and a Carson house fire, the blotter offers a snapshot of recent local incidents.
4. Frozen-road law in effect (waupacanow.com) — Truckers using U.S. Highway 10 near Stevens Point should know Wisconsin’s frozen-road law is now in effect for our area, allowing heavier loads of road salt and logs on designated state and federal highways. The higher weight limits apply only on specified routes in Zones 1 and 2, not on local or county roads unless local officials approve them.
5. Check out Central Wisconsin's top HS performances from Dec. 8-15 (wausaudailyherald.com) — High school athletes from Stevens Point made standout showings in last week’s winter sports, with Jada Seubert and Leah Awe leading SPASH basketball in big wins over Wausau East. The roundup highlights top individual performances across Central Wisconsin from Dec. 8–15, spanning girls and boys basketball and hockey.
📸 Around Stevens Point
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Stevens Point
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Rock Night on Ice
Stevens Point, WI Calendar , 1000 Minnesota Avenue , Stevens Point
6:00 pm - Trivia Night! at Sunset Point Winery
Sunset Point Winery
6:30 pm - Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus - A Live Radio Play
Sentry Theater , 1800 North Point Drive , Stevens Point
7:00 pm - Stick and Puck
Stevens Point, WI Calendar , 1000 Minnesota Avenue , Stevens Point
11:30 am - Public Skating
Stevens Point, WI Calendar , 1000 Minnesota Avenue , Stevens Point
1:00 pm - Sunset Point Winery Tour & Tasting Flight
Sunset Point Winery
3:30 pm - Christmas Time at the Winery! Live Holiday Music with Jordan Bain
Sunset Point Winery
4:30 pm - JesterStudio's Art Rummage Sale
The Annex at the Opera House , 1136 Main St , Stevens Point
5:00 pm
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
📣 Stevens Point Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Cookie Decorating Class - Plover, WI - O’So Brewing Co.
O'so Brewing Company , 1800 Plover Rd , Plover
6:00 pm - Trivia Night! at Sunset Point Winery
Sunset Point Winery , 1201 Water St , Stevens Point
6:30 pm - Restorative Yoga in the Salt Spa: Yoga Nidra
3916 Water St , Stevens Point
6:30 pm - Live Music: First Avenue
Guu's On Main , 1140 Main St , Stevens Point
8:00 pm
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Garbage & Recycling Schedule Changes December 22-26: There will be no garbage or recycling collection on Wed.
, Dec. 24 or Thurs., Dec. 25. The usual Tuesday and Wednesday routes will be collected one day early. Thursday's route will be collected Friday… (Nextdoor ) - December 15 City Meeting Videos: The Dec.
15 City Plan Commission & Common Council meetings will be broadcast on Community TV (Spectrum & TDS Channel 984), & on 105.9 FM WSNP radio Tuesday,… (Nextdoor )
- Apollo Retail posted a job opening for Overnight Cosmetic Merchandiser in Stevens Point. Apply here.
- Coffee & Bagel Brands posted a job opening for Team Member in Stevens Point. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Stevens Point here.
Ok Stevens Point! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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