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 Wisconsin Health officials are reporting 543 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. Those cases push the total number of cases above 550-thousand.  There is one death confirmed today which raises the death toll statewide to six-thousand-and-65. 

Governor Tony Evers says Rock County will open a public COVID-19 vaccination site.  The community site will be the first in the state and will be able to vaccinate 250 people every day.  It’s scheduled to open February 16th.  The location has not yet been disclosed, but the county will be working with AMI Healthcare to vaccinate the public.

 The suspect in a deadly shooting at the Fox River Mall is scheduled to appear in court.  Dezman Ellis was to appear in court this morning, but technical difficulties put it off until later today.  He was arrested Thursday in Iowa and formally charged with killing Jovanni Frausto at the mall in Grand Chute last week.

A public hearing to rezone a stretch of Water Street and create student-housing is tonight. If approved, the ordinance would allow the city to move forward with a general development plan for the Water Street Flats and turn them into two multi-level apartment buildings. The Eau Claire City Council will meet virtually at 7 p.m. 

The National Guard Testing Site at Peace Church in Eau Claire is closed today because of extreme cold temperatures. The City of Eau Claire says the site is expected to resume regular hours February 12th. The testing site is normally open Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The recent cold snap has health officials reminding of the dangers of the frigid weather. It only takes thirty minutes for exposed skin to get frostbite, according to Marshfield Medical Center. That’s why it’s important to wear gloves, a scarf, and a warm hat. Pet owners are reminded that animals are also susceptible to frostbite. Anyone who sees a person or animal suffering from the cold, should call 9-1-1 immediately.

The annual Eau Claire Polar Plunge is making changes this year due to the pandemic. Organizers say instead of plunging into Half-Moon Lake, participants will sled or snowshoe at Pinehurst Park. The event which benefits Special Olympics will be held on February 20th. More information is available online at polarplungewi.org

Altoona is once again considering if the city should have just one garbage collection service. Currently, the city has three services, each competing for individual customers. The city will seek public feedback on the matter through a virtual workshop on Thursday at 5 pm. More information is available online at AN EASY CLICK HERE.

Super Bowl ads are always big business for major brands, but COVID-19 has changed that.  Metropolitan State University of Denver marketing professor Darrin Duber-Smith says many big brands sat out this one out due to doubts about messaging.  Big brands like Coca-Cola and Hyundai chose not to run ads this year.  Despite their absence, CBS says ad time sold out for the big game.  Additional Audio:  Metropolitan State University of Denver marketing professor Darrin Duber-Smith says cost is also factor. 

Firefighters fought frigid temperatures along with a fire in Rice Lake. At approximately 6:56 am on Sunday, February 7, the Rice Lake Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a structure fire at 1515 Haugen Avenue in the City of Rice Lake. All occupants were reported to be outside of the residence.  The first fire department unit arrived on-scene at approximately 6:59 am. Heavy smoke and fire were showing from the attic of the attached two–car garage.  The fire