WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- Tuesday’s snowstorm hit hardest in the Wausau area, and was a factor in over forty crashes. One of them was fatal.

Marathon County Sheriff Scott Parks says one man died at the scene of a crash on Highway K north of Wausau, three-tenths of a mile north of Hillcrest Drive. Another man was injured in the crash. It happened at 4:14 p.m., and deputies had to close Highway K for several hours.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, but weather was definitely a contributing factor.

Parks says during the afternoon storm, there were 160 calls for service during the storm.

WAUSAU, Wis (WSAU) -- Wausau police say they're investigating a series of burglaries that all have a similar method of operation.

Captain Ben Bliven says the thief or thieves break into the back door of houses which have been vacant for a few days while the owners are away. "Doors were forced open, the drawers and things in the residences were ransacked or dumped out, and it looks like people were looking for cash or things that could easily be easily sold for quick money."

Once inside the homes, Bliven says the thieves did their best to conceal their presence. "They would close the blinds or drapes, and try to conceal any visibility from the outside so they could spend more time looking for valuables within the homes."

The thieves made off with some flat screen TVs, cash, a antique WWII German sword, and a vehicle that was stored in a garage. That's a 2001 gold Nissan Altima with the license plate of 888-MKT.

Bliven says neighbors can help them look out for people who will be gone for several days. "It's much easier for them to notice suspicious activity and call us. Give us a description of the cars or people that are being suspicious."

If you have any information about these crimes, contact Detective Nathan Pauls at the Wausau Police Department at 715-261-7814. If you want to report suspicious activity call dispatch at 715-261-1200 or 911.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- The person killed in a crash during Tuesday’s snowstorm was a young man from Wausau. Marathon County Sheriff’s investigators say 20-year-old Cody Schuster died at the scene of the crash, on Highway K just north of Hillcrest Drive.

Another man received minor injuries in the crash, which happened at 4:14 p.m. when travel was extremely difficult around the Wausau area.

This was the only serious accident during the snowy afternoon. Sheriff Scott Parks says the county’s dispatch center received 160 calls for emergency services and handled over 40 crashes. The day included everything from cars sliding into the ditch to fender benders, even a stuck school bus. Travelers found it very difficult on hills such as Wausau’s Bridge Street, where traffic was often at a standstill.

MADISON, Wis. (WSAU) -- The special session of the Legislature has been focused on extending Badgercare coverage until March for those who will end up in the Affordable Care Act exchanges, but there was another important order of business Wednesday. Speaker Robin Vos swore two new state representatives into office.

Republican Bob Kulp of Stratford and Republican Jessie Rodriguez of Franklin took their oaths of office.

This brings the Republicans Assembly majority up to a 59-39 margin, with one more special election to be held December 17th.

PORT EDWARDS, Wis. (WSAU) - The former paper mill in Port Edwards will attract new businesses, and the property’s new owner is betting on it. The Central Wisconsin Applied Research and Business Park property has a papermaking history with NEPCO, Georgia Pacific, and most recently Domtar, but has been idle for five years. Most of the property has been bought by DMI Acquisitions LLC based in Ohio.

Officials from DMI, planners Vandewalle and Associates, and the Village of Port Edwards outlined their redevelopment plans for the 192 acre site Wednesday.

DMI’s Chief Operating Officer is Joseph Moore, who says they plan to retain an active interest in the campus and seek companies to lease existing and new developments. Moore says when they began walking around the idle industrial site, he could feel the pain the community felt when the mill closed. “As we began putting the redevelopment plan together, it’s become more of a vision for us of healing a community, and if we do that, everything else will come behind that. That’s really our vision here.”

Moore says they’ve been working to make much of the property ready for reuse. “Most all of the assets here are between 80 and 100 percent done, that are not the mill site, and then the mill site will be done later next year. We’re in the active process of leasing the facilities that are ready for occupancy, and those are most of the buildings, exclusive of the mill site and the Admin-R and D building.”

Ready to use facilities include a 280-thousand square foot climate controlled warehouse, a 13-thousand square foot data center building, an 29-thousand square foot multipurpose building, and a tank farm. Rail and highway access, process water, fiber optic communication lines, and adequate power are all ready to go.

Village Administrator Joe Terry says Port Edwards began immediately after the mill closed to work on possible redevelopment, and have done what they can to help DMI move forward. “We’ve been meeting with them on a regular basis, trying to make sure we’re communicating with them so that any services or infrastructure needs that they have (are addressed.) We want to make sure that as a community, we’re not holding this type of business up.”

When Domtar closed in 2008, over 500 jobs were lost. Planner Scott Harrington from Vandewalle & Associates believes the redeveloped site has the potential to bring in over 816 jobs depending on the new businesses attracted and development of unused land on the south side of the property.

To get those new jobs, it takes new business. Joseph Moore says they already have some interest in the property. “We are actively talking with many companies that have an interest, and most of those being biomass or supported by the biomass in this area, and then obviously logistics, warehousing and transportation is very, very important as well.”

DMI is also willing to donate the research and development facilities to the right party. Moore believes activities in that laboratory would have a positive impact on business in the park and surrounding area.

Nearly half of the mill building will be torn down, and the landmark NEPCO chimney will also come down because it is in disrepair. Demolition could start on south side of the mill building the week of January 6th, and the new front of the building facing south could be ready in a year.

Businesses interested in the park’s assets can contact Joseph Moore through DMI’s Columbus, Ohio office at 614-252-1811 .

(Our interviews with Joseph Moore, Joe Terry, and Scott Harrington can be heard on our website by clicking on their names.)

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TOMAHAWK, Wis. (WSAU) -- A 62-year-old Tomahawk man is missing, and police need help locating him. 

His name is Gregory T. Linn, and was last seen walking away from a Tomahawk tavern. Police believe Linn may harm himself. He is six foot four, 205 pounds, gray hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information about Gregory Linn should contact local law enforcement immediately.

Tomahawk Police can be reaced at 715-453-2121.

UNDATED (WSAU) -- Union groups will be out in force again today to rally around fast food workers in Central Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Jobs Now is planning rallies in Wausau and Stevens Point today to try and push for 15 dollar an hour wages for fast food and other food service workers. It's part of a national movement to try to get living wages for those service positions. They'll be joined by students from UW-Stevens Point and other labor groups from the area.

The rally in Wausau is scheduled for 11:15 in front of the McDonalds on Forest Street near the Wausau Center Mall.

The rally in Stevens Point will be at noon at the McDonalds on Division Street near K-Mart.

ATHENS, Wis (WSAU)   The Mark Mueller Dairy Farm near Athens suffered a devastating fire on Wednesday morning. 64 head of cattle, including 50 milking cows, were killed in a barn fire.

It happened around 7:30am. The barn is a total loss.

10 other cows, kept in a separate barn, survived.

The owner was at his day job in Wausau when the fire started.

It started in the part of the barn that was used for milking. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

KRONENWETTER, Wis. (WSAU) -- Kronenwetter residents will be getting a crash course in Oak Wilt and how to stop its spread tonight at the Village Hall.

Community development director Randy Fifrick says the basics of the disease will be covered. "What we're going to be talking about first off is 'What is Oak Wilt?', then we're going to get into how it spreads and how it can be contained. Finally we're going to talk a little bit about some of the things the village of Kronenwetter is looking at doing to stop the spread of the disease within our village."

Fifrick says tonight's program is just part of the start of a long term state grant. "We're lucky enough in 2013 through the DNR to be awarded an Urban Forestry Startup Grant. The initial focus of our program is focused on Oak Wilt, because that's what we've identified as our biggest threat right now." The program will also cover Emerald Ash borer and Gypsy Moths as well.

The issue is that oak wilt has arrived in the village. A survey by Land Management Solutions showed numerous oak wilt infestations in the Village with the worst cases on the west side of Interstate 39. Fifrick says they'll be discussing ways to stop the spread of these diseases. "As we find more and more issues with pests and different diseases in our forests, it's becomes more and more important not to be transporting firewood around the state because that's the fastest way we can spread things."

The meeting starts tonight at village hall starting at 5pm. All are invited.

WAUSAU, Wis (WSAU) -- Wausau police have recovered stolen property from a series of burglaries and are now looking for a pair of suspects in the case.

Police Captain Ben Bliven says dispatch got an anonymous tip on Wednesday saying that a car stolen from one of the ransacked homes was parked in a garage on McIntosh Street. Police got a warrant and searched the home. "Our detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for that residence, and executed that warrant, found the vehicle along with a large amount of other stolen merchandise."

Now police are looking for two people involved in the burglaries. They're 25-year old Rocky Noah of Wausau and 26-year old Darryl Wood of Wausau. Warrants have been issued for their arrest.

The two men may be using a black 2 door Honda Civic, with Wisconsin license number 111-TPA.

If you have any information, call police at 715-261-7800 or your local authorities.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- The projected chilly temperatures have interupted a Wausau holiday tradition. 

Wausau Events Cancels Annual Holiday Parade scheduled for Friday has been cancelled due to expected severe cold tempuratures.  With the wind-chill expected to be between -15 and -25 degrees, it was determined that it is in the best interest of both spectators and participants to cancel the parade’s outdoor activities.

The Warming Party will still take place at the Great Hall (next to the Grand Theater) where the Wausau Symphony Band will perform, and children can visit with Santa. Free cookies, candy, and hot chocolate will be offered. Doors open at 6:00pm. The holiday tree lighting on The 400 Block will occur at 6:30pm.

At this time, Wausau Events does not plan to reschedule the parade.

(Reuters) - Former South African President Nelson Mandela died peacefully at his Johannesburg home on Thursday after a prolonged lung infection, President Jacob Zuma said.

Mandela, the country's first black president and anti-apartheid icon, emerged from 27 years in apartheid prisons to help guide South Africa through bloodshed and turmoil to democracy.

"Fellow South Africans, our beloved Nelson Rohlihlahla Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation, has departed," Zuma said in a nationally televised address.

"Our people have lost a father. Although we knew this day was going to come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss. His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world. His humility, passion and humanity, earned him their love," he added.

Mandela would receive a full state funeral, Zuma said, ordering flags to be flown at half mast.

Mandela rose from rural obscurity to challenge the might of white minority apartheid government - a struggle that gave the 20th century one of its most respected and loved figures.

He was among the first to advocate armed resistance to apartheid in 1960, but was quick to preach reconciliation and forgiveness when the country's white minority began easing its grip on power 30 years later.

Mandela was elected president in landmark all-race elections in 1994 and retired in 1999.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, an honor he shared with F.W. de Klerk, the white Afrikaner leader who released from jail arguably the world's most famous political prisoner.

As president, Mandela faced the monumental task of forging a new nation from the deep racial injustices left over from the apartheid era, making reconciliation the theme of his time in office.

The hallmark of Mandela's mission was the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which probed apartheid crimes on both sides of the struggle and tried to heal the country's wounds. It also provided a model for other countries torn by civil strife.

In 1999, Mandela handed over power to younger leaders better equipped to manage a modern economy - a rare voluntary departure from power cited as an example to African leaders.

In retirement, he shifted his energies to battling South Africa's AIDS crisis and the struggle became personal when he lost his only surviving son to the disease in 2005.

Mandela's last major appearance on the global stage came in 2010 when he attended the championship match of the soccer World Cup, where he received a thunderous ovation from the 90,000 at the stadium in Soweto, the neighborhood in which he cut his teeth as a resistance leader.

Charged with capital offences in the infamous 1963 Rivonia Trial, his statement from the dock was his political testimony.

"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination.

MADISON (WRN)  Tree official tree-lighting takes place on a Thursday this year in two separate ceremonies at the state Capitol.

A small musical ensemble and just a handful of onlookers gather in the rotunda as Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp lights up the 30-foot tall Christmas tree that was donated by Jim Draeger of Antigo. “More than 950,000 trees are harvested from tree farms — Christmas tree farms — in Wisconsin every year, which makes us number five in the nation for Christmas tree production.”

Wisconsin forest products add nearly $20 billion a year to Wisconsin’s economy. In this season of giving, Stepp recognizes Wisconsin tree growers for providing the natural resource. “It’s really wonderful to take a moment to appreciate a few of the very many gifts that we often take for granted from trees, and to give thanks to sustainable forest management practices that these gifts will be available for our children and grandchildren and generations to come.”

The holiday tree is illuminated with energy-saving LEDs; a train encircles the base; and ornaments made by school children decorate the branches.

Governor Scott Walker helped flip the switch in an early morning ceremony. Displays in the Capitol rotunda include two nativity scenes, a winter solstice display placed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and a large menorah.

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAU) -- Here’s something warmer to think about: Golf.

While SentryWorld is in the middle of their golf course and sports center renovation, the staff is also freshening up their logo a bit.

Sentry’s President Pete McPartland says the new logo retains the SentryWorld flower icon, while updating the colors and type style. The type style was designed by famous Wisconsin architect and designer Frank Lloyd Wright, and the architect working on the sports center graduated from the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture in Spring Green.

As far as the site goes, most of next spring and early summer will be a time for the golf course to establish new growth before the course opens. The sports center is also getting a major remodelling now throughout the building, including the restaurant, activity rooms, and pro shop.

A grand re-opening of both the course and the sports center is planned for mid summer next year.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- A man already in jail is facing even more charges, after investigators tied him to a Wausau gun store robbery from a year ago.

28-year-old Matthew McLeod was charged with burglary with a dangerous weapon and four counts of theft Wednesday in Marathon County court. Investigators say McLeod and his accomplice, 24-year-old Christian Peterson of Wausau, were responsible for stealing guns from Condition One in Wausau September 30th of last year.

Peterson was killed while confronting Eau Claire police October 5th of last year.

Marathon County investigators and prosecutors had to examine hundreds of pages of documents, including reports from federal authorities tracking the stolen guns, before filing the new charges.

Police have not said if McLeod and Peterson were also involved in the gun thefts at Statton’s General Store in Tomahawk last October first. Police Chief Jeff Hardel has previously said crimes involving nearly fifty stolen guns, drugs, stolen vehicles, and a homicide involving Richie Vue are all related.

McLeod’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 16th before Judge Greg Grau. He remains jailed on a five-thousand dollar cash bond.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- About 16-hundred people and businesses were without electricity for a while Thursday in downtown Wausau.

Wisconsin Public Service spokesperson Kelly Zagrzebski says there was an equipment failure at a substation.  "An arrestor in our Wausau Hydro Substation blew at about 12:45."  She said they were able to do some switching to restore some power at about 1:30 p.m. and additional work to restore the remaining customers shortly after that.

Several customers in downtown Wausau on both sides of the river were without power, and some businesses had to close for a while. The outage began at around 12:45 p.m. and service was restored by 2:35 p.m. Several Wausau intersections had no stoplights during the outage, including Stewart Avenue at 1st and 3rd Avenues.

MEDFORD (WSAU) -- The Taylor County man accused of shooting a sheriff’s deputy was bound over for trial Thursday. 

28-year-old Alexander Schneider was in court for a preliminary hearing, where Taylor County Judge Ann Knox-Bauer ruled there was enough evidence to proceed to trial. Schneider admitted to deputies he shot at Taylor County deputy Chad Kowalczyk, who was called to investigate violation of a restraining order. Kowalczyk was struck in the abdomen by one bullet. Another bullet was recovered from the officer’s clothing. Schneider admitted firing at least three shots.

Schneider faces six felony charges including attempted homicide for the shooting and for violating a restraining order for having intimate relations with a 13-year-old.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- There is some interest, but so far no deals for redeveloping the historic Wausau Club.

The City of Wausau just accepted the property as a donation from the Schuette family a week ago. Mayor Jim Tipple says they did have a couple of inquiries about the property between the Schuette’s offer and the city’s acceptance of the property. The Mayor says more interest has been shown lately. “Since then, and talking to (Community Development Director) Ann Werth, there’s been several more inquiries about the Wausau Club, and so we’re very excited that there is some interest.”

Tipple met with a developer, who agrees the city’s involvement will be good for getting the property back into some kind of activity. “We had some advice from a developer that had done several projects, that said that it is probably going to be easier to market as it is city-owned rather than a private party, so we’re hoping that this is good information and we can move this project along.”

Several city council members were concerned the Wausau Club property could become a money pit leaving the taxpayers on the hook, but they accepted the gift with plans to seek a new developer and not put a lot of money into it.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- The chilly temperatures have interrupted a Wausau holiday tradition. Wausau Events announced Thursday there would not be a Holiday Parade after all because of the frigid forecast.

Temperatures are expected to stay in the low teens at best, with wind-chills expected to be between -15 and -25 degrees. Parade organizers determined that it is in the best interest of spectators and participants to cancel the parade and encourage everyone to stay warm.

Wausau Events will still be hosting their Warming Party at the Great Hall, next to the Grand Theater. The Wausau Symphony Band will perform, and children can visit with Santa. Doors open at 6:00pm.

The holiday tree lighting on The 400 Block will go on as scheduled at 6:30pm.

Wausau Events does not plan to reschedule the parade.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- The two suspects wanted by Wausau police for a series of robberies were apprehended shortly after noon Friday.

25-year-old Rocky L. Noah and 26-year-old Darryl D. Wood were apprehended by officers when they tried to flee on foot from the house they were hiding in on the 600 block of Steuben Street. An anonymous tipster reported a possible sighting of Noah and Wood. Detective Captain Greg Hagenbucher says they caught them in a neighbors yard, unarmed. They have been wanted since a different anonymous tip told police Wednesday that the car stolen from one of the ransacked homes was in a garage on McIntosh Street.

A third person was arrested during the execution of warrants. 18-year-old Ivan Villaseca was arrested for operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent and possession of stolen property.

Police are still inviting anyone with information about the recent string of burglaries to call them at 715-261-7800.