A federal judge on Sept. 2 sentenced former wealth advisor Stanley Pophal to eight years in federal prison. The sentence came as Pophal was convicted multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering connected to defrauding nearly 200 investors, most of them seniors, collectively of more than $14 million.

What was the scheme? And how did it unravel? The Wausonian spoke with the lead investigator from the IRS, Robert J. Kuszynski, of the Chicago field office.

Essentially, Pophal projected a veneer of success, and promised returns of 20% to investors through various vehicles including AI tech, real estate, gold, silver and cryptocurrencies. Pophal even guaranteed the returns — he promised to cover the difference of any missed years at 20% out of his enormous amount of wealth.

Kuszynski said none of it was true, and that it was a pretty common version of a Ponzi scheme. Pophal would collect investments from clients, but in fact was using those funds to pay for his own elaborate lifestyle. That include real estate, cars, motorcycles, private planes and, that which drew the strongest headlines, hundreds of snowmobiles. Most of them were vintage, court records reviewed by The Wausonian showed, and appeared to be part of an effort to start a museum.

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When Tyler Vogt starts a new business, he isn’t necessarily rushed. He meticulously works until the business is up to his standards.

The results usually speak for themselves.

So is the latest with the Westsider Lounge, opened next door to the Westsider Diner on Third Avenue on the west side of Wausau.

The first thing you’ll notice is the piano — the stage at the lounge is centered on it, and remarkably photogenic.

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Along the walls are decorative sound dampeners, something many venues don’t consider. Behind the piano, against those dampening panels is a digital art canvas, which displays artwork that makes it hard to distinguish it from a real painting. (I assumed it was a painting until Vogt showed me otherwise.) Above the art display is a 60-pound curtain system, and that hides wiring and a pull-down projector that’s so bright, you’ll see it clearly even during the day with the windows open.

The vision for the space, which was once home to Sandbom Guitars and, once upon a time, a pharmacy among other businesses, is to have piano nights once per week during non-summer months, plus serve as a space people can rent for private events, or host ticketed events. (Vogt says he is working on a system to avoid the huge cuts big ticketing companies take.)

He also plans to host regular comedy shows there. Vogt says he is working with Next Up Comedy to bring those shows to the lounge on a regular basis.

And Vogt still retains all those connections with the music world he’s had since the Malarkey’s days. So hosting bands when they happen to be coming through town between gigs is a strong possibility. But Vogt says not to expect some of the loud rock bands that once graced Malarkey’s stage. The Lounge is more geared toward the chill end of music.

And one thing Vogt says he learned from the Malarkey’s days that he’s improving at the lounge: lighting. Everyone had a blue tinge to them when they played at Malarkey’s (I have an old photo from the Blueheels in which the lead singer is indeed Smurf colored). At The Lounge, Vogt installed a variable temperature lighting system that can change to fit the act playing.

One thing he envisions that is pretty interesting: live art classes. The technology would allow an artist to project what they’re doing on a screen while students/participants follow along. He’s had some interest already from some wanting to put on some classes there.

At the back, an old office space was converted into a bar to help serve the piano nights. Vogt explains their license extends to the whole building. Patrons could also eat at Westsider first and then head to the lounge for a cocktail.

And, the space also serves as overflow for the Westsider Diner, which has become popular faster than he anticipated. Right now there is nowhere to wait for a table, and the lounge will help with that.

But Vogt says the space is intended to be a destination onto its own. The Wausau area doesn’t have enough venues in between those that host 20 and 200 people, Vogt told The Wausonian, and he thinks the lounge can fulfill that need. A catering kitchen is being built in the back to help provide food at those events.

The lounge has its first comedy show scheduled for Sept. 24, and its first piano bar night planned for Sept. 25, with Wausau Symphony member and band teacher Dan Larson.

In fact, that comedy show has already been selling so many tickets that he says the organizers are already considering offering a second show. And a newsletter Vogt created for the venue already has 3,000 subscribers.

Vogt’s business creations tend to become Wausau institutions, such as Malarkey’s Pub and Townies, and now the Westsider Diner.

If all goes as planned, Westsider Lounge will join that group.

Westsider Lounge is next door to The Westsider Diner at 628 N Third Avenue in Wausau. Find out more at westsiderdiner.com or on its Facebook page.

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It’s the 25th anniversary of the attacks on American soil.

We’re in a very different world in many different ways. My life is very different. I hadn’t written my first journalism piece yet. At the time of the attacks, I ran a small booth in the Wausau Center mall.

But one thing that’s occurred to me is this: Every single place I went to on Sept. 11, 2001 no longer exists.

The apartment I woke up in, surprised to see some of our couch-crashers glued to the news, is gone. I worked the closing shift at my mall store, so I spent the morning with some, let’s say, interesting characters glued to the screen in disbelief.

I’ve recently heard some Zoomers express disbelief that we watched the events live. Many of us indeed watched the second plane crash into the towers, since by then it was all any of the networks were showing. People of my generation watched the Challenger shuttle explode in real time too, in my case on those TVs hauled around on metal carts in my elementary classroom. (A school teacher was one of the astronauts, so many schools used it as a reason to watch it.)

I walked in a bewildered state to the mall that day to start my shift. Within an hour, the mall was shut down for the day. (Years before it was permanently shuttered and demolished.) It might seem silly today, but I recall a woman on a bench outside the mall in the Third Street pedestrian plaza saying she thought our mall would be next. I thought it highly unlikely at the time but we all did wonder what was next.

A number of us mall workers made our way to Scott Street Steak and Pub, since we wouldn’t be working. We commiserated, trying to make sense of it and, while no one mentioned it, needing a bit of shared humanity.

Scott Street Steak and Pub is gone, a parking lot in its place.

One of our friend group from one of the mall’s jewelry stores in the evening took us to a steak dinner at Hereford and Hops, the only time I had a prepared steak instead of using it’s grill-it-yourself feature it was known for.

Of all the places, it’s the only building still there, but Hereford and Hops closed nearly two decades ago and Great Dane Brewing Co., which took over the spot, also closed more recently.

I’m not sure what happened to the gas station we passed on the way home, with lines of cars filled with people desperate to fill up before the inevitable gas price surge (which happened to a degree but not nearly to the point people thought).

I’ve heard my grandparents talk about knowing exactly where they were when JFK was assassinated. I think we all knew this was going to be one of those moments in our lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

But it hadn’t occurred to me at the time how all those places of my young adulthood would simply have vanished. There is an account on X that is reliving 2001 as if it’s happening in real time (people start these for a variety of time periods). But it occurred to me I couldn’t retrace my steps that day if I wanted to. That apartment building along the north end of Grand Avenue is a parking lot. In the mall’s place is an apartment building and some ready-to-develop pads. The pedestrian walkway is a street now. Scott Street Steak and Pub is a parking lot. And Hereford and Hops is an empty building.

The buildings are gone, but the memories of that day remain.

Today I am leaving the comments open. Feel free to share your memories of Sept. 11, 2001.

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City leaders last week approved a recommendation for the city to undergo an audit.

Those in favor of developing an audit proposal explained at the Sept. 2 Committee of the Whole that the audit wouldn’t be a forensic or “witch hunt” audit, but would be more akin to a broad operational review.

The city’s rarely used executive committee would have oversight of the audit.

The audit came after a wave of residents called for one to examine the city’s spending as it faces another budgetary shortfall this year, despite the city closing one of its TIF Districts with another on the way, and despite a referendum to fund firefighters when grant funding ran out.

Some alders cautioned that the audit might identify areas where the city should be spending more money, though it won’t be able to. Council Member Michael Martens pointed to the city’s motor pool study, which took months and whose recommendations couldn’t be implemented because they cost too much.

But others point to the audit possibly looking at budgeting reforms, such as zero-based and priority budgeting frameworks.

The proposal would ultimately need to be approved by the city council.

According to prosecutors, nearly $1 million was embezzled from a local real estate company — we broke down what happened:

And paid subscribers get our Monday three things feature, for things to keep an eye on during the week.

What else in Wausau?

City to county on UWSP campus overhaul - we’ll think about it: City leaders last week asked for a six-month planning option on the possibility of building a new police station on the former UWSP campus — but the proposal would now include looking at a campus-wide approach to using the facility. The city plans to contract architectural, engineering and environmental studies on the property before committing to anything. Meanwhile, Wisconsin Ice Volleyball would like to buy the field house and could be operating within a month; and the Center for the Visual Arts is interested in the art buildings. And yet another company, Lone Wolf Works, would like to take the central heating plant off the county’s hands. Finally, the Parks Department put together a proposal to run the fieldhouse and program it. Following a closed session Tuesday, a joint meeting of the Extension, Education and Economic Development and Human Resources, Finance and Property committees announced they’d directed staff to begin negotiations with all the parties involved.

No solar for you: A plan to add solar energy to the city’s drinking water treatment plant hit a snag Tuesday as the city’s Finance Committee pulled the brakes on the project. The committee voted against recommending the project after the city was rejected for its application for an Environmental Protection Agency grant. That meant the city would need to fund the $2.8 million itself through borrowing (though with a federal incentive worth about 30% of the project), and for Finance Committee leaders that was a bridge too far. The vote failed 4-1.

Wangard Riverlife development approved after failing committee: A plan to add 144 apartment units to the city’s flagship development area got the city’s OK after the development agreement failed at committee. The Wausau City Council approved the agreement 7-4, reversing a decision from the city’s Economic Development Committee. That committee voted 2-2, which resulted in no recommendation. Wangard will buy the land for $100,000, and receive incentives via a reverse TIF District incentive, meaning it only gets the incentives for the $36.1 million project if it generates taxes.

Around the metro

County chooses cheaper solution for Edgar radio problems: County leaders essentially had two solutions to the radio deadzone issues in the Edgar area: One was a $500,000 tower, and the other was a G2 paging system. County leaders at the Public Safety Committee Tuesday chose the latter, which will cost about $400-$720 annually. At about $15 per user, the cost should be much less to overcome the radio dead zone created by the Edgar area’s topography, which is essentially shaped like a giant bowl making radio contact difficult. The paging system provides an alternative messaging system to contact emergency workers. Sheriff Chad Billeb at the direction of the committee said he will pilot the G2 system and report back to the committee on how it’s working.

Meals on Wheels make cuts, asking for funding: The Aging and Disability Resource Center has reduced the number of meals it gives to those who need it, ADRC officials told the county last week. According to a request the ADRC has made for funds, it used to provide five meals during the week and two frozen meals for the weekend to elderly and disabled residents. The highest risk clients now get four meals a week and moderate risk clients get three. That comes as food costs have increased 50% in the last five years while funding remains flat. The ADRC plans to ask for $41,000 out of the county budget, only the second ask since the program started in 2008. The ARDC has made also had to make staffing cuts and changes to its service delivery, officials told county leaders.

One quarter of homeless individuals originate outside county, report shows: As many as 25% of homeless individuals come from outside the county, the county’s new homeless coordinator says. That data came from the WMC Shelter — the one started by Wausau Police before the Bridge Street Mission opened — from its 2025 intake data. Milwaukee, Chicago and Madison were the three most common places the individuals originated from. Marathon County Homelessness Coordinator Megan Barnett told county leaders that Bridge Street Mission even had two Lincoln County officers drop off individuals at the shelter. Eau Claire has sought an attorney general opinion on law enforcement bringing homeless individuals to other communities, something Marathon County leaders might review.

Tanker crash leads to propane leak: County emergency crews responded to a crash involving a tanker Wednesday morning in the town of Frankfort. The crash happened at Chokecherry and Hazelnut roads, and emergency hazmat crews were on scene to stop the propane leak. Workers were able to stop the leak and transfer the propane to another tanker before clearing the scene. No one was injured.

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Entertainment

Wausau’s annual weekend of art is upon us, with plenty to do for folks ranging from those who deeply love art to the casual observer alike. And that’s not all, with a polka fest, a bluegrass act, comedy and so much more this weekend.

Sports

Football: Wausau West earned its first Wisconsin Valley Conference win Friday at the expense of its cross-town rival. The Warriors defeated D.C. Everest 24-13 Friday, giving them a 1-0 conference record to start the season. The Warriors will host Wisconsin Rapids Friday (7 pm).

Boys soccer: D.C. Everest got its first win of the season to elevate it to the top Wausau area team in the Valley. The Evergreens beat Wausau West 4-2 Tuesday to improve to a 1-1 record for the season.

Girls tennis: D.C. Everest dropped its first Valley match to SPASH Thursday, the only game to play as other games in the conference were postponed. All three Wausau area Valley teams are slated to play today (Thursday).

Volleyball: D.C. Everest and Wausau West both kicked off the Valley volleyball season with wins Thursday — the Evergreens beat SPASH 3-2, and the Warriors beat Wisconsin Rapids in three straight games.

Email me tips at brian@thewausonian.com. And as always, thanks for subscribing to The Wausonian! If you haven’t subscribed yet, check out the free and paid options below to help support local journalism and stay on top of Wausau news:

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Wausau’s annual weekend of art is upon us, with plenty to do for folks ranging from those who deeply love art to the casual observer alike. And that’s not all, with a polka fest, a bluegrass act, comedy and so much more this weekend.

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Artrageous weekend

Downtown Wausau

Sat.-Sun., Sept. 12-13: We reported a few issues back that the larger Artrageous organization has dissolved, but explained at the time that visitors to the Artrageous Weekend event (which is really several events) should see no difference. And that appears to be the case! Back are all those artists filling downtown Wausau with their wares, internationally acclaimed artists bringing their bird art to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson, and Art World will occupy three buildings in Marathon Park with its arts and crafts vendors. And pretty much every arts organization has something going on. It’s one of those weekends that puts Wausau on the map and makes this an interesting place to live. Also interesting — the downtown festival will feature the return of The Station, the band’s first show in a couple of years (at least according to its Facebook calendar).

PolkaToberFest

Central Wisconsin Visitors and Expo Center

Saturday, Sept. 12: There’s something about a good polka tune to evoke our European roots. (Did you know it originated in the Czech Republic before spreading to the rest of the continent?) This festival features live performances from regional polka legends The Polka Connection, guest band DynaBrass, and a special performance by the D.C. Everest Pep Band. The event helps raise money for the D.C. Everest band, so you can feel good while half-stepping around the Central Wisconsin Convention and Expo Center. 5-11 pm. See the event page for more.

Old Pine Road

The Garage

Saturday, Sept. 12: The Old Pine Road Band uses traditional bluegrass instrumentation, but combines it with lead singer David Walters’s vocals to create a “soul, funkgrass” sound that appeals both to bluegrass devotees and plenty of listeners who don’t normally gravitate toward the genre. The group blends those bluegrass roots with influences from folk, Americana and other styles, giving its music a broader reach. This class act is making its way to The Garage on Saturday and promises a great time for bluegrass fans and anyone who simply enjoys good live music. 7 pm. See the event page for more.

Rib Mountain Trail Races

Rib Mountain State Park

Saturday, Sept. 12: Some of you guys like to run. And then some of you REALLY like to run, as in, really far. If you’re in that latter camp, this Ironbull race is for you. With distances ranging from 10.5 miles to 31.5 on terrain that includes running high atop Rib Mountain, this one is for the dedicated endurance athletes amongst us. Rated by Strambecco as one of the Midwest’s best trail races, with beer and food at the finish line, if this isn’t already on your calendar you might want to register. See the full details at the event page.

The Brewery Comedy Tour

Mosinee Brewing Co.

Friday, Sept. 11: Mosinee Brewing Company has really found a hit with hosting these comedy tours. You might not know what comedians are coming ahead of time, which makes these write-ups difficult, but they always seem to be top notch. They’re some of the funniest touring comics in the nation. Grab one of Mosinee Brewing Co.’s award-winning beers and get ready to laugh your socks off at this Friday event. 8 pm. See the event page for more.

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In Brief

• Tech Time: Free Help with Technology, 11 am Wednesday, Sept. 9 at MCPL Wausau

• Dinner in the Vineyard, 6 pm Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Willow Springs Garden

• Bingo, 6:30 pm Wednesday, Sept. 9 at VFW Burns Post 388

• Genealogy Basics, 2:30 pm Thursday, Sept. 10 at MCPL Wausau

• Open Mic w/ Caleb Delaney, 8 pm Thursday, Sept. 10 at Faraway Place

• Andy Z and the Spankin Monkees, 6 pm Friday, Sept. 11 at Bull Falls Brewery

• Wagyu Steak Cookout, 4 pm Friday, Sept. 11 at Willow Springs Garden

• Underground S&L Productions, 9 pm Friday, Sept. 11 at The Garage Wausau

• Make It Up: Macrame Leaves, 2:30 pm Saturday, Sept. 12 at MCPL Wausau

• Hayes Boys Orchestra at Pizza on the Farm, 5 pm Saturday, Sept. 12 at Stoney Acres Farm

• Trainwreck Jukebox, 7 pm Saturday, Sept. 12 at Homestead on 52

• Graf Mercantile Outdoor Market, 9 am-3 pm Saturday, Sept. 12 at Graf Mercantile

• Caleb and Emily, 8 pm Saturday, Sept. 12 at The Glass Hat

• D.B. Rouse, 9 pm Saturday, Sept. 12 at Faraway Place

• Honky-tonk Sundays, noon Sunday, Sept. 13 at Faraway Place

• Downtime Acoustic, 2 pm Sunday, Sept. 13 at The Garage Wausau

• Magic: The Gathering Night, 5 pm Monday, Sept. 14 at MCPL Wausau

• Trivia Night @ Uncommon Pints, 7 pm Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Uncommon Pints

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Meanwhile, here are some things to keep an eye on this week. Just a reminder that only you paid…

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Every once in a while a story seems shocking enough to warrant a closer look.

Such is the case against Lynn Renee Loss.

The contractor working for Emmerich Properties and entities attached to the real estate company is alleged to have embezzled as much as $1 million from the company’s various entities.

Loss faces four felony charges involving fraudulent corporate writings, an allegedly fraudulent insurance claim, tax fraud and identity theft, along with three misdemeanor fraud and theft charges.

Loss, 68 of Weston, runs Lynn’s Professional Assistance Plus, and according to the complaint, she funneled a lot of money from Emmerich into PAP, using those funds to make payroll. They also include extravagances such as a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and money went to people related to her, the complaint says.

According to investigators, the fraud ranged from 2019 through this year. And while Emmerich officials told police they thought its finances were a mess and had suspected Loss of sloppiness in the last couple of years, they didn’t suspect fraud.

Until they did.

Investigators enter the picture

Emmerich and Associates took over Emmerich Holdings in April of this year. That’s when they forced Loss’ resignation, according to the criminal complaint. She was then removed from the charitable trust in May.

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The woes of the city’s flagship development area continued this week as a development agreement for another apartment complex on the land hit a snag.

The city’s Economic Development Committee this week voted 2-2 on a development agreement with Wangard Partners. Wangard had proposed to build a $36 million, 144-unit project at 920 N. First Street and 15 Fulton Street.

The city had previously approved a term sheet, but the action the committee took up Tuesday was to accept the actual development agreement.

Instead, the committee locked 2-2, which means the motion failed to get a majority.

Council President Terry Kilian expressed during the meeting that she was planning to vote no on the project. While Kilian at the meeting said she wasn’t going to re-iterate her reasons, she in October 2024 when the city approved a planning agreement, said she wasn’t going to help subsidize high-end development.

Despite the downvote, the development agreement will appear before the city council on Sept. 8 with a no vote, Community Development Director Randy Fifrick says.

A medical malpractice suit, alleged business fraud, a boat repair gone wrong and more in our latest Full Court Press, looking at the month’s civil court cases:

And Wausau’s newest steakhouse has a couple of unique twists on the genre. Check out our inside look at Copper Kettle Steakhouse:

Paid subscribers also get our three things to start your week feature. Become a paid subscriber today and see what others are reading!

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What else in Wausau?

River’s Edge Trail to get lanes?: A new plan from the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee will essentially add lanes to the trail. The committee approved adding a centerline to the River’s Edge Trail from Winton Street to Oak Island, which is most of the path’s length. The line is meant to keep users on one side of the trail except when passing. Parks Director Jamie Polley said it isn’t really enforceable but is meant as a guide to assist in safety. City Council Member Tom Neal got the idea while traveling to Marquette, Mich., he told the committee. The line could go in this year yet, or next year as staff time allows.

Pool closures weighed as budget cuts loom: City leaders are floating the idea of cutting hours at two city pools as city departments work to find cuts to their budget. Parks Director Jamie Polley said city departments were directed to find 2% in cuts for the 2027 budget. The parks committee approved recommending a pool schedule that would see two of the city’s pools open during weekdays, with all three open Saturdays and Sundays. That should save $19,854, city staff says. None of that is final until the city passes its budget. Other potential savings the Finance Committee could consider include an urban forestry fee, reducing the number of docks at the RiverLife wharf, eliminating downtown flowers, skipping the annual invasive species program using goats, among other smaller measures.

Around the metro

Hockey at Kennedy Park?: Everest Youth Hockey is exploring a roughly 30,000-square-foot indoor ice facility at Kennedy Park in Weston. The project would have an indoor hockey rin, but also provide uses such as other indoor sports, farmers markets and community programming. The group is pushing the facility because, it told the village’s Parks and Recreation Committee, it currently has about 33% less ice time than USA Hockey recommends for its player numbers. Very preliminary estimates put a fully enclosed facility at roughly $6.5 million to $7 million. Everest Youth Hockey previously studied a separate two-rink arena concept and says that analysis suggested hockey operations alone could be financially sustainable. The next step would be feasibility work focused on the northwest corner of Kennedy Park, and no construction funding or final project approval has been requested.

Weston approves borrowing for major drinking water project: Weston will borrow $1.29 million in Waterworks Systems revenue bonds in order to make upgrades to one of its wells and its drinking water treatment plant. The borrowing helps the village complete the $4.3 million project, with $3 million in forgivable loans from Wisconsin’s Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. The village also received $272,000 in PFAS manufacturer settlement funds to go toward the project.

Pickleball could feature heavily in Machmueller Park plan: Pickleball could feature heavily at Machmueller Park, if a master plan under development comes to fruition. The park plan under development calls for four pickleball courts, and that could be expanded to eight or even 12 courts in the future. That, with more parking, could help it become the site for future pickleball tournaments. The plans also call for a modest bandshell (smaller than the 400 Block’s), a food truck pavilion, an outdoor fitness area and a new playground, among other improvements. The village plans to hold an open house on the master plan concept on Sept. 3 (5-7 pm at the village hall).

Sheriff’s Office investigates fatal crash in Franzen: Deputies say a 53-year-old woman is dead following a two-vehicle crash around 12:30 pm Friday at the intersection of highways I and C in the town of Franzen. Jennifer Lemmer of Iola was pronounced dead at the scene after rescue workers extracted her from the vehicle and attempted life-saving measures. A 58-year-old man was also injured in the crash. Officials have not named him or where he is from.

Mosinee receives $71K donation for city park: Mosinee’s mayor says the city has received a $71,000 donation toward its Maple Ridge Park improvement project through the Community Foundation of Northcentral Wisconsin. The additional funding, which came from an anonymous donor, will allow the city to add new equipment that includes a Zip Venture, a toddler play structure and new swing sets.

One man dead in motorcycle crash: Deputies say a 60-year-old man is dead following a motorcycle crash in the village of Hatley Tuesday. Deputies say Allen Falkowski, 60, died after crashing his motorcycle at Clark Street and Curtis Avenue around 4:38 pm Tuesday. Officials say the cause of the crash is still under investigation.

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Business

Sunset Point Winery closing in Stevens Point: Sunset Point Winery is planning to close later this fall, according to a note posted by the owners Monday. The winery, which opened in July 2015, had a taproom and featured live music. Sunset Point will remain open until Nov. 1.

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Entertainment

The very last of the Concerts on the Square hits the 400 Block this week, and it’s a big one. Dig Deep will bring its unique brand of bluegrass to the big stage, and that’s not all. Stevens Point hosts its Riverfront Jazz Festival, a couple of unique events awaits at Willow Springs Garden, a real ‘sconnie gal takes the stage at Stoney Acres Pizza, and more. All in Your Wausome Weekend Guide.

Sports

Football: Wausau West racked up another non-conference win with a 28-21 defeat of Rice Lake Friday. D.C. Everest also won, defeating Menomonie 30-21.Both teams will kick off the Wisconsin Valley Conference season this Friday as the Evergreens host the Warriors.

Boys soccer: Wausau-area Wisconsin Valley Conference teams got off to a rough start Tuesday, with D.C. Everest, Wausau West and Wausau East all dropping their games. Likely either Wausau West or D.C. Everest will break the drought as the two face off next Tuesday.

More conference play begins: Volleyball and girls tennis conference play kick off today (Thursday), with Wausau West hosting Wisconsin Rapids. D.C. Everest and Wausau East are on the road.

Email me tips at brian@thewausonian.com. And as always, thanks for subscribing to The Wausonian! If you haven’t subscribed yet, check out the free and paid options below to help support local journalism and stay on top of Wausau news:

Subscribe now

Interested in a group subscription? Keep your employees or management team informed with The Wausonian. Don’t let your team be left in the dark! Interested in a subscription for 25 employees or more? Email me at brian@thewausonian.com for rates.

Refer a friend

The very last of the Concerts on the Square hits the 400 Block this week, and it’s a big one. Dig Deep will bring its unique brand of bluegrass to the big stage, and that’s not all. Stevens Point hosts its Riverfront Jazz Festival, a couple of unique events awaits at Willow Springs Garden, a real ‘sconnie gal takes the stage at Stoney Acres Pizza, and more. All in Your Wausome Weekend Guide.

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Concert on the Square: Dig Deep

Wednesday, Sept. 2: There isn’t nearly as much original music in the Concerts on the Square series as there used to be, so it’s refreshing to see Dig Deep take the stage. And Dig Deep doesn’t just play original music, but they have an original take on the genre. The group looks like a metal band, and that’s because they were — which gives them an original bluegrass sound in a genre where it can be tough to stand out. Check them out on the big stage this Wednesday, 6-8 pm, and see all the rules and whatnot at the event page.

Riverfront Jazz Festival

Sat.-Sun., Sept. 5-6: One of the coolest things about the Riverfront Jazz Festival is that it features UWSP alumnus Wayne Salzmann. The drummer has recorded and performed with musical greats ranging from Steve Miller, Joe Satriani, Kenny Rogers and Kris Kristofferson, to name a few. Salzmann is only one of many to perform at this annual two-day jazz festival in Pfiffner Pioneer Park, nestled along the Wisconsin River. The festival is free, but donations can be made that will benefit musical education at UW-Stevens Point. 2-7:30 pm both days. See the event page for full listing of performers.

Joyann Parker at Pizza on the Farm

Friday, Sept. 4: There’s something about Joyann Parker that has continued to intrigue me. Maybe it’s that she has a song called Sconnie Girl (in the video she wears a Packers jersey). Parker has a nice deep voice over a modern country sound. “I was raised to speak my mind, work real hard and still be real kind, ain’t nothing better than a fine Wisconsin girl,” she sings. She’ll be doing her thing at Stoney Acres Farm this Friday, with pizza and beer made on site available to pair with some good ole fashioned Wisconsin-inspired music. 5 pm. See the event page for more.

Season Finale Tiki Beach Bash featuring Boogie & the Yo-Yoz

Saturday, Sept. 5: I don’t highlight a lot of cover bands in this guide, because we really like to celebrate original music. But it’s the end of Tiki Beach season, and that’s always something to mention. Before you get out the pumpkin spice gear, however, Tiki Beach has one more show for you. Boogie and the Yo-Yoz will headline this final beach scene party, with food and drinks and the faux-tropical scene that sustains you through the summer. 6:30 pm. See the event page for more.

Ribs, Wine and Barley Fest w Vintage Tractor Pull

Sunday, Sept. 6: There are two events going on at the same time at Willow Springs Garden and, well, they don’t seem exactly matched! The garden will host the Ribs, Wine and Barley Fest on Sunday — take a tour of the vineyard, sample beer and wine, learn about how they make their wine and beer and enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet. Also going on at the same time is the Vintage Tractor Pull. If you didn’t get enough with last week’s Steam Engine Show in Edgar, this will help with this show featuring tractors from 1980 and older. Find more details about the Ribs, Wine and Barley fest here: event page; and the tractor pull here: event page.

Marathon City Fun Days

Fri.-Mon., Sept. 4-7: I guess the cool thing about hosting a festival on Labor Day Weekend is that you can extend it an extra day, into the Monday holiday. And Marathon Fun Days is doing just that. Their event kicks off Friday as the carnival opens, and the four-day event features a big rig truck show, live music from Knock Point, Hyde and the Jerry Schmitt Band, bean bag contests, an arts and crafts fair, an open house at the Marathon City Fire Department, and much more. See the event poster for more details, including a complete schedule of events and wristband prices.

Crucial Moves, Retox-AD and The Crits

Saturday, Sept. 5: Upon watching the video for Crucial Moves’ “From the Noose” track, I couldn’t help but think that it reminded me of my high school band days. We were more grunge than hardcore, and while Crucial Moves’s members have the look of a 90s garage band, this is very much in the vein of a screaming into the mic type band. The Fox Valley act will be joined by bands Retox-AD and The Crits. The show starts at 9 pm, and if that start time doesn’t dissuade you, this is probably a show right up your alley. See the event page for more.

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In Brief

• Pizza on the Patio, 6 pm Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Willow Springs Garden

• Bingo, 6:30 pm Wednesday, Sept. 2 at VFW Burns Post 388

• Tiki Beach Thursday Night Concert Series: The NOW, 6:30 pm Thursday, Sept. 3 at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill

• Karaoke with Jim, 9 pm Thursday, Sept. 3 at The Glass Hat

• Open Mic w/ Caleb Delaney, 8 pm Thursday, Sept. 3 at Faraway Place

• Still Reckless, 7 pm Friday, Sept. 4 at The Garage Wausau

• First Friday Blues, 7 pm Friday, Sept. 4 at Reservoir Dogs Saloon

• The Foxfire Affair at Rock Ridge Orchard, 11 am Saturday, Sept. 5 at Rock Ridge Orchard

• Paddygrass, 5 pm Saturday, Sept. 5 at the Merrill Pavilion

• Jesse and the Medicine Men at Pizza on the Farm, 5 pm Saturday, Sept. 5 at Stoney Acres Farm

• Stadium Dr. - Live at The Garage, 8 pm Saturday, Sept. 5 at The Garage Wausau

• Northwoods Bassist, 2 pm Sunday, Sept. 6 at The Garage Wausau

• Labor Day Truck & Tractor Pull, 11 am Monday, Sept. 7 at Willow Springs Garden

  ---

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Correction: Bob Lamovec is the sole owner of The Garage and Granite View Market. A previous version of this story was incorrect about its ownership. The story has been corrected to reflect that.

The deal to buy Whiskey River Bar and Grill, which today is The Copper Kettle Steakhouse, came together pretty quickly.

Co-owner Bob Lamovec heard from his listing agent while in North Carolina that the bar was for sale and he nearly passed, not really wanting to own another one. (Lamovec owns The Garage, along with Granite View Market.)

But he learned that the bar would be sold at a price that reflected the amount of work needed, and his friend, co-owner Troy Nelson, who he’d known from operating a food truck at The Garage, had dreamed for decades about running his own steakhouse since he began his cooking career.

Today, Lamovec, Nelson and John Greene own The Copper Kettle Steakhouse. Greene worked as a chef at a Florida country club and for eight years at the Wausau Country Club, started Jade Panda and helped build the Breakfast Bear’s menu.

That came after three months of renovations, including flooring, ceilings, lights, bathrooms, roof work and extensive changes around the bar. They still plan to do some work on the exterior — that includes siding and other exterior work, probably in the spring.

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The owners were sympathetic to Whiskey River’s former owners — Nelson says they were friends and believes COVID, staffing issues and construction on Stewart Avenue didn’t help their situation. But the three aim for a different kind of experience with Copper Kettle. They don’t intend for the place to be a late-night bar hangout - it’s intended as a steakhouse with something of a supper club feel, including a soup and salad bar.

But even thinking of it as a steakhouse might miss the full range Copper Kettle intends to offer. Nelson explains that they offer grab-and-go items for nearby workers who have limited time for lunch, so they can get and eat food within the confines of their lunch break. But besides that, there is still a pretty extensive lunch menu for those with the time to sit down and have a meal, including unique items such as the Waldorf Wrap or the Midnight Cowboy Chicken Poblano, or even sizzling escargot.

And while steak is the main dinner focus — they’re working with Geiss Meat Service in Merrill to source some of their meats and specialty cuts — they also offer menu items like orange roughy or lobster risotto, and homemade desserts. And with Greene’s background in Asian cuisine, those flavors will pop up on the menu and even the soup and salad bar in items such as kimchi or water chestnuts (it contains 48 items). Ingredients are made from scratch as much as possible, Nelson adds.

They’re also offering a catering menu, and one thing that’s helping them stand apart is that they’re willing to cater all shifts, Lamovec told The Wausonian. They’ve already catered Linetec, Kolbe and Kolbe and Greenheck, for instance, he explained. Greene says the options range from mac and cheese, potatoes and pork roasts to steaks and seafood platters. They can even come grill steaks on site, Nelson explains.

Brunch is also coming soon, and Copper Kettle will open at 7 am on Saturdays and Sundays when that launches. The owners are hoping to start serving brunch the weekend after Labor Day.

Nelson says reception for the restaurant has been positive, and he says he hopes customers will give them a little grace as they listen to feedback and work out the kinks any new restaurant inevitably faces. He points to one couple who raise cattle. The husband stopped Nelson and told him his wife thought it was the best filet she’d ever had.

The Copper Kettle Steakhouse is more steakhouse than supper club, but it definitely has a supper club feel, including the dining room atmosphere, the soup and salad bar and the lighting. That, the unique menu items and the offerings make The Copper Kettle Steakhouse something new in Wausau.

The Copper Kettle Steakhouse is located at 5512 Stewart Ave. It is open 11 am-11 pm. Find them on Facebook and on their website.

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On Tuesday afternoon, I received a paper copy of the investigation into Kronenwetter administrator James Davel. That included supplemental material from three people involved.

All told, there are hundreds of pages.

I spent the rest of Tuesday…

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Ellie was born in October 2022 with a patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA, a congenital heart condition. After repeated hospitalizations for respiratory problems, doctors determined she needed a transcatheter procedure to close the vessel.

Dr. Daniel McLennan, according to a lawsuit filed in Marathon County Court, performed the procedure Dec. 16, 2022, using an approach from the aortic side. A closure device later became dislodged and lodged in Ellie’s left pulmonary artery. According to the complaint, McLennan attempted to retrieve it without initially calling a cardiothoracic surgeon.

Ellie then went into cardiac arrest, according to the suit. A cardiothoracic surgeon was eventually called and performed emergency surgery. The complaint alleges Ellie suffered a brain injury from reduced blood flow and oxygen and now has cerebral palsy, severe developmental and motor disabilities, blindness in one eye and requires extensive ongoing care.

The lawsuit alleges McLennan and the Medical College of Wisconsin were negligent in how the procedure and attempted retrieval were handled. Ellie’s parents are seeking damages to be determined at trial, along with compensation for future medical and other expenses. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Also inside this month’s court filings: a contractor accused of diverting project money, disputes over property assessments at Sam’s Club and Walmart, an unusual boat-repair lawsuit, foreclosure litigation and several business debt cases. Here’s what else was filed in Marathon County Circuit Court.

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Marathon County passed an ordinance that would trigger a review process when engineering documents are submitted for a large energy project.

That move came after a motion to refer the item back to the Environmental Resources Committee and have it consider a moratorium on projects failed.

The idea, Marathon County Administrator Lance Leonhard explained, was to take a novel approach that would allow the county to potentially intervene early in the process when a large energy project is proposed.

The move comes in response to the Hub City Wind Farm, a proposed wind farm in the southwest corner of the county. The review would be triggered when proposers file engineering plans to the Public Service Commission 60 days before the formal application.

That gives the county time to consider whether to intervene, pursue a joint agreement or formally communicate concerns. Leonhard told the board that as far as he and other staff members knew, no other county had tried this approach yet.

A separate motion specifically about the Hub City Wind Farm project was sent back to the Executive Committee to come up with a more specific recommendation.

This week The Wausonian got first access to an investigation report looking into allegations against Kronenwetter Administrator James Davel. But instead of clarifying things, it opened up more questions, our reading of the documents found:

And, The Wausonian got a first look at the Greater Wausau Chamber’s new The Powerhouse project:

And finally, our regular Wausau Tavern Report got some attention since it highlights a burglary at the former Great Dane Pub building:

What else in Wausau?

Move to change ethics board appointment process fails: A city rules committee this week looked into changing how appointments to the city’s ethics board are handled — but it turns out, they can’t. Assistant City Attorney Vincent Bonino told members of the city’s Rules and Review Committee that appointments to the Ethics Board, which is handled by the mayor subject to city council approval, don’t fall under the purview of the city rules committee. Those changes must come from the Ethics Board itself.

Former city HR director joins Police and Fire Commission: The former Wausau Human Resources Director, Lisa Nowak, joined the city’s Police and Fire Commission Monday after being appointed by the city council last week. Commission President Kathy Strasser told the commission that Nowak’s HR background would be useful to the commission, as it has hiring powers over police and fire personnel. Nowak resigned as HR director effective July 31.

The city now has at least $3.4 million in PFAS settlement money: The has $3.4 million as part of a settlement from a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers of PFAS chemicals, city staff says. That money has not yet been earmarked for a particular use, Finance Director Maryanne Groat told members of the Finance Committee. She said more money came in recently, which should add to the total. The city’s Finance Committee plans to discuss the settlement money in the near future, and get updated numbers on the total.

Around the metro

County board reverses course on infrastructure chair appointment: An appointment of the chair of the county’s Infrastructure Committee, ordinarily a pretty routine matter, hit a snag this week. The Marathon County Board rejected Aaron Griner’s appointment for the seat. County Board members including Jennifer Aarrestad, argued Duane Gau was a better choice because of his current role as vice chair and his work following the Ringle tornado in April. But County Board Chair Kurt Gibbs told the board Gau wasn’t selected in part because he was a first-term board member. Gibbs and vice chair Matt Bootz will bring back another recommendation to the board next month.

County passes data center moratorium: Marathon County leaders ensured a pause on any data centers built in the county for a year while county staff develops zoning rules. The moratorium holds for up to 12 months and would apply to any area under the purview of county zoning. Cities and villages aren’t impacted, and neither are towns that have their own zoning. The ordinance comes as data center projects are popping up around the state, though none has been proposed for Marathon County yet.

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Business

Boy Scout Center in Weston sold: The Scout Center on Camp Phillips Road sold last month, according to real estate records. The property was bought by Tundra LLC for $927,500, according to online real estate sales records. Tundra is registered to Robert Andrew Greenheck, according to state corporate records databases. Nearby camp property was also sold, to JPRM Investments for $1.092 million, real estate records show, though the grantee in the record also lists Robert Greenheck as the grantee.

Arrow Sports Bar closed: Weston officials confirmed that the seller’s permit for Arrow Sports Bar is currently invalid, and that the bar is closed. Weston said in June it was withholding its liquor licenses renewal pending payment to the village and distributors. Because of that, Weston Administrator Jami Gebert told The Wausonian that Arrow is closed until further notice.

Entertainment

Summer is winding down but it’s not quite over yet, and this weekend’s Edgar Steam Show is a great late summer event to enjoy. Plus, two more blues bands coming to Cheeks Bar and Grill and The Garage, an interesting historic architecture walk, a luau celebration and more. All that in Your Wausome Weekend Guide below.

Sports

Football: Wausau West won its first game of the season last week. The Warriors defeated Menomonie 36-21 Thursday to kick off the season. D.C. Everest lost to Chippewa Falls 50-22. Wausau West will host Rice Lake this week and D.C. Everest will host Menomonie. Both games are 7 pm Friday.

Boys soccer: The season kicks off Tuesday with D.C. Everest heading to Stevens Point, Wausau East heading to Marshfield and Wausau West hosting Wisconsin Rapids. All games are at 7 pm.

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Correction: A paragraph about a lap-sitting instance was incorrectly attributed in an earlier draft of the article. It has now been corrected.

A minute before I was about to leave for the village of Kronenwetter offices Tuesday afternoon, I received an email from a source with some relevant information.

Jennifer Poyer, the village’s clerk, resigned Monday. Moreover, she said she’d filed a complaint Aug. 10 with the village against Administrator James Davel and Village President Dan Joling.

In her resignation letter, which she says is unrelated to the complaint, she describes the nature of the complaint as “regarding harassment, retaliation, confidentiality violations, unlawful exercise of authority over records custodian functions, procedural failures, and investigatory bias.”

Poyer’s resignation comes a day before the release of the village’s investigative report to The Wausonian related to allegations of workplace harassment by Davel. The report ultimately finds that the charges are unsubstantiated, and even if they were true, at most would have resulted in a verbal reprimand.

But the report also brought to light alleged behavior by then-Zoning Administrator Peter Wegner. Wegner was ultimately fired by the village board in April.

The report also brought to light what several employees, whose names were redacted, allege was a volatile relationship between Poyer and Wegner, causing them to be uncomfortable and in one instance reaching the point where the employee told investigators that they considered having the police chief walk through village hall because the situation was escalating.

The report also details alleged insults and threats directed at Davel. Davel told investigators he believed the allegation against him was retaliatory and arose as he was attempting to enforce workplace expectations and address Wegner's conduct.

But in a lengthy supplemental response, Poyer and others claimed all of it was a coordinated effort to get rid of Wegner, who had positive relations with board members opposed to a mining operation in the village. Poyer pointed to her own positive performance reviews which she included as a supplement, and though she did admit to the text messages that were included with the report as being volatile, she characterizes them as coming from someone impacted by medication issues related to health problems.

The Wausonian submitted its records request first and received the report early Tuesday afternoon. It’s lengthy, including hundreds pages, including the report, an appendix, and lengthy supplements to the records release from Poyer, Wegner and village board member Sandi Sorensen.

The Wausonian had hoped to get answers after the village board authorized an investigation into Davel’s comments. But mostly, the situation now appears even more complex than it did before.

Here is what we know.

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The Wausonian is expected to drop a major story on Wednesday, so we’re coming out with our guide a day early. Keep an eye on your inboxes for that story Wednesday morning.

Summer is winding down but it’s not quite over yet, and this weekend’s Edgar Steam Show is a great late summer event to enjoy. Plus, two more blues bands coming to Cheeks Bar and Grill and The Garage, an interesting historic architecture walk, a luau celebration and more. All that in Your Wausome Weekend Guide below.

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Edgar Steam Show

Fri.-Sun., Aug. 28-30: You may or may not be a fan of giant steam engines, but here is the thing: it doesn’t matter. This event is a blast to walk around, since those old and new contraptions are just so cool to look at. Now in its 53rd year, the Edgar Steam Show has hundreds of steam engines and parts, live demonstrations of steam engines, threshing, sawmill, blacksmithing and more, live music, a flea market and much more. And don’t miss the buckwheat pancake breakfast. Gates open at 6 am all three days. $15 adults Friday and Saturday, $10 Sunday, $30 weekend pass. Children 12 and under enter free. See the full details and schedule at the event page.

Jonny T-Bird and the MPs

Sunday, Aug. 30: Cheeks is really starting to become a place for the blues. We’ve seen Howard Luedtke, Andy Z, Reverend Raven — and now this weekend comes Jonny T-Bird. Jonny cut his teeth in the Milwaukee scene, under the guidance of MKE blues legends Jeff Dagenhardt and Greg Koch. Today Jonny T-Bird and the MPs is a hard-driving blues band that tours Wisconsin and Minnesota and will be worth checking out when they stop by Cheeks Bar and Grill. 1-5 pm. See the event page for more.

Luau Night at Tiki: Island Feast & Fire Show

Friday, Aug. 28: Most people already know Tiki Beach Bar and Grill as central Wisconsin’s place to pretend you’re somewhere more tropical. But this week Tiki is giving the place the full luau treatment, and it promises to be something. Tiki Beach is bringing in a proper Pacific Rim-inspired family feast, a professional luau entertainment troupe, Polynesian dancing, fire performance and more in this end-of-summer blowout. 6 pm. $50, $22 for children 10 and younger. Check out the event page for full details.

Phil Kitze & The Resonators

Friday, Aug. 28: A person could really make it a blues weekend with all the blues acts coming to town this week. It kicks off with Phil Kitze and The Resonators at The Garage. Kitze and his group bring a wide range of blues styles, mostly focusing on Chicago and Texas-style blues, and besides several covers they play originals as well. In fact the band released an album of 13 originals last year called “Can’t be Wrong.” Catch ‘em at The Garage, one of the Wausau area’s music hotspots. 7 pm. See the event page for more.

Want to advertise your upcoming event? We have competitive rates. Contact us at brian@thewausonian.com for rates and promotions.

Central Wisconsin State Fair

Tues.-Sun., Aug. 25-30: If you just didn’t feel like you got your fill of fairs, with a little driving time you can keep the experience going with the Central Wisconsin Fair in Marshfield. The fair features a number of special events such as an Uncle Sam or Betsy Ross look-alike contest, a team puzzle challenge, and ugly weed contest and more. And that’s on top of the crazy food and fun rides and games everyone has come to expect. Plus a music lineup including: Hairball (Wed.), Home Free (Thurs.), Chris Young (Fri.), Blackberry Smoke (Sat.). (Shows at 7:30 pm except Saturday at 7 pm.) $10 adults (13+), $5 children. (4 and under free). Grandstand shows have separate tickets. See the event page for more.

Architecture Amble: Highland Park Boulevard Historic District

Thursday, Aug. 27: If you’re a history buff but feel like you don’t know as much as you would like to about the history of the place where you live, this is a great chance to fix that — and to get a walk in at the same time. This time the Friends of Wausau Historic Landmarks are heading to the Highland Park Boulevard Historic District. This should be a popular one as it contains many of the historic mansions up on the hill that I used to enjoy while on my lunch walk when I worked at that other publication. 6-8 pm. Meet at the intersection of 13th and McIndoe streets. See the event page for more.

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In Brief

• Concerts on the Square: Hip Pocket, 6 pm Wednesday, Aug. 26 at The 400 Block

• DIY Trinket Dish, 6 pm Wednesday, Aug. 26 at MCPL Wausau

• Dinner in the Vineyard, 6 pm Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Willow Springs Garden

• Moonbadger, 8 pm Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Faraway Place

• Family Story Time, 10 am Thursday, Aug. 27 at MCPL Wausau

• Thursday Night Concert Series featuring Knockpoint, 6:30 pm Thursday, Aug. 27 at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill

• Open Mic with Caleb Delaney, 8 pm Thursday, Aug. 27 at Faraway Place

• St. Vincent de Paul Parking Lot Party, 11-4 Friday, Aug. 28 at St. Vincent de Paul

• Scott Kirby at Pizza on the Farm, 5 pm Friday, Aug. 28 at Stoney Acres Farm

• Through Crimson, 5 pm Friday, Aug. 28 at Bull Falls Brewing Co.

• String Cheese Band, 7 pm Friday, Aug. 28 at Homestead on 52

• Old-Fashioned Downtown Tour, 6 pm Friday, Aug. 28 at downtown Wausau

• The Foxfire Affair, 11-2 Saturday, Aug. 29 at Rock Ridge Orchard

• Charity Bingo: AFSP’s Out of the Darkness Walk, 1 pm Saturday, Aug. 29 at Homestead on 52

• Justin Zopel at Pizza on the Farm, 5 pm Saturday, Aug. 29 at Stoney Acres Farm

• 80 Proof, 1 pm Sunday, Aug. 30 at The Garage Wausau

• Hope in the Park, noon Sunday, Aug. 30 at Marathon Park

• Andy Z and the Monkees, 3 pm Sunday, Aug. 30 at Reservoir Dog Saloon.

• Sunday Funday Party with Chris Kroeze, 4 pm Sunday, Aug. 30 at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill

• Mondays at Monk: Yard Games & Chill, 5 pm Monday, Aug. 31 at Monk Botanical Gardens

• Authentic Mexican Buffet, 6 pm Tuesday, Sept. 1 at Willow Springs Garden

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Through a tour of the recently renovated The Powerhouse, the Greater Wausau Chamber’s project that aims to be a business innovation center, Chamber President/CEO Dave Eckmann points at numbers written in marker on a wood beam.

Those were instructions for the demolition team for how to go about dismantling the more-than-a-century-old building roughly seven years ago.

On two different occasions, in fact, the former WPS power house building was nearly torn down. Last Wednesday, the Chamber hosted its first event, a seminar on powering innovation in marketing, the first of many and varied planned uses for the building.

The roughly $1.4 million first phase of the project came out of one of three recommended projects from TIP Strategies, a consulting firm whose report release this reporter covered back at City Pages. When a consultant saw the former WPS power house building and learned it was going to be torn down, he suggested immediately that instead they save it.

It was one of three strategies TIP recommended. The others included building Rib Mountain into more of a year-round destination; and transforming downtown.

That was eight years ago. Today, new housing projects are built and being built in downtown. Development of new uses and projects in Rib Mountain State Park has been slow to get off the ground, save for mountain biking, for which land is being bought currently. But the plans are laid.

The Powerhouse’s opening is the realization of the third strategy TIP pointed out.

But what exactly is it intended to be?

This Wausau business story is sponsored by:

The Wausau Business Incubator is ready to give your business the space and support it needs to grow.

Building innovation

Eckmann describes The Powerhouse as an innovation center, but what exactly does that mean? I pressed Eckmann to lay out the framework for me.

The chief aim of The Powerhouse, which will have Chamber-only and public elements, is to serve as a hub for business innovation — that means bringing business leaders together to share ideas, bring ideas back to their businesses and learn from each other and from experts in the field.

Eckmann says the Chamber plans to draw on a broad network of outside resources, including the Central Wisconsin AI Center, Northcentral Technical College, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Stout, along with connections he has made through the University Economic Development Association and universities including Notre Dame and Indiana. Especially important, Eckmann says, is the Wisconsin Technology Council, which generally didn’t operate much outside of the Madison area.

The Powerhouse can give the Wisconsin Technology Council a stronger presence in Wausau, Eckmann says, bringing some of the expertise, businesses and investment connections centered around Madison into central Wisconsin.

But the Chamber also has more plans than that. The space includes a podcast studio and storytelling space, offices that can be rented by small firms, and the space upstairs where the innovation programs are held can also be rented as event space for businesses, or even weddings.

And anyone can come in and pay $20 per day to use it as a co-working space for the day, with coffee and wifi. The hope is the space will help foster connections between entrepreneurs, build mentorships and share ideas.

“What’s more important is to make sure we are building an innovation ecosystem in Wausau,” Eckmann told The Wausonian. “[Right now] we don’t have it.”

The aim is for the space to power the next generation of entrepreneurs. Much like the building originally powered the streetcars when they first ran from Wausau to Rothschild.

A Powerhouse of history

The powerhouse was built in 1904 as part of Wausau’s emerging electrical and transportation infrastructure. Mark Ewing, one of the key figures behind the Wausau Street Railway, helped lead that era of development. Ewing, who later served as the Chamber’s first president, along with Neal Brown ran the street car enterprise that connected Wausau to the paper mills in Rothschild.

Wausau Paper later relocated its headquarters to the building in 1984, Eckmann told The Wausonian. A lot of the wood and structure from those offices have been preserved in the construction of the current facility, with Samuels Group handling the contracting and employing mostly local contractors who are also Chamber members.

Eckmann says workers from those enterprises took a lot of pride in working on the project.

“It’s just the talent that people hold, but when you see them, and the meticulous nature of some of the detail work that they do, it’s incredible,” Eckmann says. “I have a deep, profound, a newfound respect for the trades and the people that do that work.”

When the Wausau Chamber decided it wanted to preserve the building, it was nearly going to be torn down. Because of federal regulations, WPS can’t actually sell the building. So the Chamber agreed to make WPS whole for the money they’d already spent on demolition until it could develop a lease agreement for the property. They ended up buying the Washington Street train depot and using it as the Chamber’s headquarters, which granted them access to The Powerhouse parking lot behind it.

In April 2025, the Chamber was nearly ready to give the building back to WPS — it didn’t have the money to complete the project. Eckmann told The Wausonian it was one of the more challenging times in his life.

But a mentor told him to do something that doesn’t always come easy to many of us: ask for help. One came and pledged, and then another, until he ultimately had enough to secure the vision.

“I came back to the board, and I said, I got half of the money we need,” Eckmann told The Wausonian. “And, oh, by the way, I got another 100. And another 100. And the answer became clear: we’re going to keep it.”

Now open

After eight years and two near-deaths for the building, The Powerhouse is ready to be unveiled. The Chamber plans to host a picnic for its members at the building on Sept. 17. A community open house, in which the public can get a view of the building and what it does, is planned for the following week. Besides learning about the building’s current purpose, QR codes will be scattered throughout, giving people various historical videos about the place.

“We want the people of this community to be able to come and look at this and experience its present and its history,” Eckmann says. “It’s bigger than the Chamber.”

In the interest of full disclosure, my fiancée is currently employed at the Greater Wausau Chamber.

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Police in March began investigating a suspected burglary at the former Great Dane Pub building.

A contractor there told police that copper piping had been removed throughout the building. The total value of the stolen copper and the cost to replace it was estimated at $15,000, the contractor told police investigators. They also found a door that appeared to have been forced open.

Surveillance images from May 13-14 showed a suspect that appeared to resemble someone police knew as Jesse Wiese. They believed it was him because of a visible neck tattoo. But they weren’t 100% sure yet.

But someone associated with the property had an idea. They attached an Air Tag to a ladder in the building.

Sure enough, on June 19 a trail camera at the property captured images of a man on a bicycle approaching the property. A few days later, they saw the air tag on the ladder moving.

According to the police reports, investigators tracked the air tag to Wiese’s Baltimore Avenue residence, where they found a bicycle and a ladder that matched those on the surveillance footage. The Air Tag pinged to that residence as well.

Police headed to Wiese’s workplace, where they found him on a bicycle and arrested him.

Wiese is now facing one felony count of burglary, one felony drug possession and four misdemeanor counts of bail jumping. He is currently being held on a $2,000 cash bond in Marathon County Jail.

PLUS: A shooting threat at a Weston bar, two failed underage alcohol checks, 75 demerit points for Lickity Splitz and a new business seeking the former Campus Pub space.

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An incident involving the arrest of a number of teen girls has sparked controversy this week after video of the encounter surfaced on social media.

The video, which depicts some of an incident in which at least some of 11 allegedly intoxicated teens were arrested, some with the use of force, has sparked a Change.org petition and a statement from the police chief.

According to the opening paragraph of the petition, the encounter led to an unnecessarily harsh arrest of a 15-year-old girl depicted in one of two several-minute-long videos posted to Facebook on Thursday morning:

In a deeply disturbing incident in our community, a member of the Wausau Police Department used excessive force against a young girl (15 years old), causing serious physical injuries. A full-grown male officer broke open her lip and face, leaving her bleeding, bruised, and swollen. Shockingly, even after she was handcuffed, he continued to kneel on her back, creating a dangerous and unnecessary situation.

But Wausau Police Chief Matt Barnes says the incident was taken out of context and that the whole encounter paints a different story:

Officers dealt with 11 intoxicated teenagers, some of whom were disrespectful, argumentative, vulgar, physically resisted arrest and assaulted an officer. These teenagers made a series of bad decisions. The Wausau Police Department has no intention of publicly shaming them or sharing video of their behavior.

Our officers seek voluntary compliance whenever they can. They don’t want to use force. The officers in this incident made numerous attempts to deescalate the situation and gave the group multiple opportunities to cooperate and avoid additional consequences.

The whole incident lasted 90 minutes, Barnes says. The Wausonian asked Barnes when and where the incident took place, which hasn’t been explained anywhere yet. As of Wednesday evening, The Wausonian had not gotten a response.

UPDATE: Barnes told The Wausonian after publication that the incident took place at 11:45 pm Aug. 9, a Sunday, in the 200 Block of Scott Street.

The change.org petition as of Wednesday afternoon has 293 signatures.

Recently, Mosinee announced it had a new fire chief — but we wondered: what happened to the former chief? The Wausonian dug up what happened, but there is even more to the story.

And, almost two months after he was censured, The Wausonian found out what was behind a Wausau Police referral for election fraud charges against a county board member.

Paid subscribers also got a sneak preview at the week ahead, and learned news ahead of anyone else in our group chats. Become a paid subscriber and be in the know today!

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What else in Wausau?

One dead in Wausau Avenue fire: A man and a cat are dead following a fatal structure fire on Wausau Avenue Monday night. Firefighters responded within three minutes to a fire in the 800 block of E. Wausau Avenue around 11:30 pm Monday night. Firefighters were able to remove one occupant from the fire and attempt to save his life, but they were unable to. Officials have not yet identified the name or age of the male victim of the fire.

Wausau Water Works reducing fluoride levels — but not for the reason you think: Wausau Water Works announced this week that it will be reducing its fluoride usage in city water — but not out of health concerns. The move comes as a nationwide supply shortage leaves municipalities struggling to get their usual amount of fluoride to add to the water supply. That reduction will remain until normal supply chains are restored, Wausau Water Works officials say.

Grand Avenue south to be reconstructed in 2029: The city and state transportation department plan to reconstruct Grand Avenue from Kent Street to Lake View Drive by 2029. The process, according to information shared at the city’s Infrastructure and Facilities Committee last week, would involve partial property acquisitions. The total project is expected to cost $4.3 million, with the city’s share coming to just under $600,000. The configuration of the road will largely remain the same. Department of Transportation officials say in the future they plan to reconstruct Grand Avenue from Lake View Drive to the Eau Claire River.

Around the metro

Police department funding passes Weston board: The financing agreement to fund a new $7 million headquarters for Mountain Bay Metro passed the Weston Board Monday, but not without skepticism. The board voted 4-1 to approve the village’s share of $4.3 million of the $7 million projected cost. The department will pay back $130,000 annually toward the cost of the building starting in 2028, with the goal of paying more when the department’s budget can afford it. But some board members questioned why the village was raising its levy to make the payments that would pay back the loan faster than the police department would compensate the village, and why the agreement hadn’t been reviewed by Weston’s attorney. “I keep hearing, ‘They’re paying us back,’ but we’re going to have to increase our levy by quite a bit in order to pay off this loan,” Board Member Barb Ermeling said.

Marathon County committee pushes wind farm issue to full board: Marathon County’s Executive Committee decided to push the decision of whether to pursue a joint development agreement — and thus have some say — with Alliant Energy for a proposed wind farm in the southwest area of Marathon County. The Hub City Wind Farm, which could have between 28 and 38 wind turbines, has not yet been approved by the Public Service Commission but residents and Marathon County officials are concerned about the potential for noise, property value loss and pollution from the turbines. Some committee members wanted a broader discussion on other possibilities, such as a moratorium, a change to the comprehensive plan, ordinance revisions or even intervention in the PSC case itself.

Fundraising begins for new ice arena: A group that hopes to raise money to build a new ice arena in Wausau has begun to raise money. Wausau Community Ice Center is currently working on securing private donations and grants to build a new ice arena to replace the existing facility, which is struggling as it ages. One rink is using a removable mat system to chill the ice after its underlying system failed. The county has resubmitted a FEMA grant that provides money for facilities if they include a tornado safe room aspect to help keep the community safe. And users are seeking other funding sources such as other grants, private funding, user-group funding, room-tax revenue and other sources.

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Business

Forward Beverage closing storefront, Venado moving in: Forward Beverage announced this week that the business would be closing up its retail storefront. The company, according to its owner, will focus exclusively on e-commerce and wholesale supply, according to a social media post the owner made announcing the change. The change comes in response to a federal spending bill that closed the 2018 Farm Bill loophole that allowed for low-THC products to be sold. Meanwhile, Venado Wine Bar applied for a license transfer, stating it was moving to that address. By the way, paid subscribers heard this news first. Become one today!

Entertainment

Devon Allman is the talented son of Gregg Allman, founding member of the legendary Allman Brothers Band. Devon headlines the Big Bull Falls Blues Fest, and that’s not all this weekend, with a dog fundraiser your pooch can participate in, a classy vintage jazz singer, a kite festival and so much more. All in Your Wausome Weekend Guide. Remember to tell them The Wausonian sent ya.

Sports

High school football: Non-conference games start today (Thursday). D.C. Everest plays at Chippewa Falls, and Wausau West plays at Menomonie. Both games start at 7 pm. Most other high school sports we cover start their conference season in early September.

Email me tips at brian@thewausonian.com. And as always, thanks for subscribing to The Wausonian! If you haven’t subscribed yet, check out the free and paid options below to help support local journalism and stay on top of Wausau news:

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Big Bull Falls Blues Fest 2026

Fern Island Park

Fri.-Sat., Aug. 21-22: If you’re a fan of the blues, you’ve probably already bought your tickets. The Big Bull Falls Blues Fest at Fern Island Park is one of Wausau’s long-standing events, and they keep bringing an impressive line-up that makes it a must-do every summer. Especially worth noting is Devon Allman, son of Gregg Allman of Allman Brothers fame. This year the lineup includes: Friday: Jon Peck and the Bad Dogs (side stage); 5 pm Howard “Guitar” Luedtke and Blue Max; 7 pm Raine Stern Band; Ally Venable 9 pm; Saturday: 1 pm Tom Holland and the Shuffle Kings; 3 pm Mathias Lattin and band; 5 pm Ronnie Baker Brooks; 7 pm Ana Popovic and band; 9 pm Devon Allman Project. $15 Friday, $75 Saturday. See more on the event page.

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Pint-Sized Concert with CWSO Steel Drums

Uncommon Pints

Wednesday, Aug. 19: Uncommon Pints really nailed it with this event name. The place known for serving uncommon pints, aka beer from places that often don’t normally distribute, is holding pint-sized concerts, and this one is especially interesting. The CWSO will regale the joint with its steel drums, which should be a ton of fun. 6 pm. See the event page for more.

Wausau Night Market

Downtown Wausau

Thursday, Aug. 20: Summer is winding down — and one way we know that is that this weekend is the last Wausau Night Market of the season. This year the night market has grown leaps and bounds, expanding for blocks and creating a festival-like atmosphere in downtown Wausau. With dozens of vendors and live music on both ends of the event, and with many shops staying open later, you don’t want to miss the last of these events for the season. 5-9 pm. See the event page for more.

Debbie Briggs at Pizza on the Farm

Stoney Acres Farm

Friday, Aug. 21: I really love it when a musician looks the part. To me it shows a dedication to showmanship, something that separates the amateurs from the pros. So Debbie Briggs and her vintage jazz act is a great example of that. She looks like an old-timey jazz singer and her music is top notch. Briggs has a regular gig at The Velveteen in Stillwater, Minn. and plays in the Twin Cities regularly. Getting to see her in the rustic setting of Stoney Acres Farm, with a wood-fired pizza in hand, is a great experience to be had. 5 pm. See the event page for more.

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Tails and Ales Dog Party & Rescue Fundraiser

Sawmill Brewing Company

Saturday, Aug. 22: Like many of you, I love our four-legged friends — and so this event at Sawmill Brewing Company is a pretty neat way to express it. This event not only raises money for Fetch Foster and Rescue, which helps dogs find homes, but it also present opportunities for dogs and their owners to participate together. There is a dog show, dog agility contest, human agility contest, dog and human pie-eating contest (my golden would so win), and more. If you love dogs this is the event for you. 2-7 pm. See the event page for more information.

We ‘Sau Summer

Faraway Place

Saturday, Aug. 22: Faraway Place is the new version of Malarkey’s Pub, and they’re working on keeping the music tradition alive. This latest event celebrates the end of summer, or what is left of it, with a mix of bands including Horace Greene, Scorched Waves, The Vox Ultima and a DJ set by The Groove Brothers. Plus tiki drinks, band singalongs and, corndogs we think? Either way it ought to be a great way to get a little more summer fun before the leaves change. (Well, more than they already have - thanks, drought!) 7 pm. $5 cover, or wear a Hawaiian shirt instead. See the event page for more.

Mead Kite Festival

Mead Wildlife Area

Saturday, Aug. 22: When I was a kid, people used to fly kites. But when you see the kites that populate the Mead Kite Festival, you’ll see that these kiters take it to another level, with complex cord systems to keep those monstrous beauties afloat. At the Mead Kite Festival, you can bring your own kite or build one at the festival, grab some lunch from food trucks and watch the pros fly some truly impressive-looking kites. 11 am-3 pm. See the event page for more.

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In Brief

• Community Game Night, 5 pm Wednesday, Aug. 19 at MCPL Wausau

• Pizza on the Patio, 6 pm Wednesday, Aug. 19 at Willow Springs Garden

• All-Stars Under the Stars 2026 Benefit Concert, 6 pm Wednesday, Aug. 19 at The 400 Block

• Sea Glass Art Workshop, 6:30 pm Wednesday, Aug. 19 at Willow Springs Garden

• Moonbadger, 8 pm Wednesday, Aug. 19 at Faraway Place

• The Ramble at Rock Ridge Orchard, 6 pm Thursday, Aug. 20 at Rock Ridge Orchard

• Fish and Shrimp Boil, 6 pm Thursday, Aug. 20 at Willow Springs Garden

• Thursday Night Concert Series featuring Mistakes Were Made, 6:30 pm Thursday, Aug. 20 at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill

• Open Mic with Caleb Delaney, 8 pm Thursday, Aug. 20 at Faraway Place

• Still Reckless, 7 pm Friday, Aug. 21 at The Garage Wausau

• Dandelion Delivery Duo, 5:30 pm Friday, Aug. 21 at Ruby Coffee Roasters

• Movie Under The Stars: Ghostbusters, 6 pm Friday, Aug. 21 at Friendship Park

• Evan Garski LIVE, 7 pm Friday, Aug. 21 at Homestead on 52

• Big Bull Falls Blues Fest After-Party with Bluezdriver, 10 pm Friday, Aug. 21 at Faraway Place

• Rib Mountain Craft and Vendor Extravaganza, 9-4 Saturday, Aug. 22 at Office Max Parking Lot

• Read to a Therapy Dog, 10 am Saturday, Aug. 22 at MCPL Wausau

• Juliet and the Montages at Pizza on the Farm, 5 pm Saturday, Aug. 22 at Stoney Acres Farm

• Reckless Dezire, 7 pm Saturday, Aug. 22 at Homestead on 52

• Through Crimson, 7 pm Saturday, Aug. 22 at The Garage Wausau

• THE GLAM BAND, 8 pm Saturday, Aug. 22 at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill

• Travis Zalewski, 1 pm Sunday, Aug. 23 at The Garage Wausau

• Pizza in the Gardens: Tours with Horticulturist Sabastian, 5 pm Monday, Aug. 24 at Monk Botanical Gardens

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Correction: A paragraph describing Endres’ two arrests incorrectly identified the nature of one of them, although the correct nature of that arrest was stated later in the same sentence. The paragraph has been corrected.

The Wausonian was the first to report news of Marathon County Supervisor Nicholas Endres’ first arrest. Remarkably, we were the only one to do so through the first and second arrests. That’s surprising, since normally a public official being arrested isn’t debatable as a news event.

The second story led a county board member to raise concerns about Endres’ conduct, and the ethics of Marathon County officials.

Ultimately, the county board passed new rules governing review of supervisor conduct. And following that, the board voted to censure Endres and removed him from any committee assignments he’s had.

After the Marathon County Executive Committee made its findings clear following an investigation, The Wausonian requested the report. That report was received on July 30, but because of a snafu in the records request portal flagging the request as opened, this Wausonian reporter didn’t see the filings until this week.

What was left unknown in media reports, including The Wausonian’s, is what the specific allegations in the election fraud referral were.

Thanks to the investigation report and its contents, The Wausonian now knows.

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