A new trail plan | The Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of Feb. 6, 2025
The Greater Prosperity Partnership recently announced a new plan for hiking, biking and snowshoe trails for Rib Mountain State Park.
According to the plan, some trails apparently will require a state park pass to access, and some residents aren’t thrilled about that.
The plans also include realigning hiking trails because, the plan says, some of the trails are misaligned for long-term sustainability. And, the plan includes a community path circumnavigating the mountain and shared-used trails.
The DNR will hold a meeting at 6 pm Feb. 13 in the professional conference room at Northcentral Technical College, room 1004A. Online comments can also be submitted through March 2.
This week The Wausonian had two stories about Bull Falls Brewery. The first about how it was bought through a sheriff’s sale:
And then another after The Wausonian spoke with the owner about his plans:
What else in Wausau?
Meth equation: Police last week seized about 1.6 pounds of meth after getting a tip that it would be coming to town. Police arrested Tyler Briggs, 31, of Wausau outside of a business on Thomas Street, police say. His backpack contained the meth in question, police say. The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office and the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force assisted in the operation.
Infused given the OK: Late last year an eye doctor developing an event space out of a former Wausau Chemical building was sent back to the drawing board because the city’s Economic Development Committee didn’t like the exterior. On Tuesday, that same committee gave a quick OK to the new Infused Wausau exterior plan, which includes a spruced-up sign and a plan for planters around the property. Infused owner Matthew Aschbrenner told the committee that he is open for events and by appointment, and is looking at holding regular hours in the future. And, the business is about to host it’s first social event on Feb. 13.
Former journalist, city council member honored with trail name: The city’s Parks and Recreation Committee elected to name a section of the city’s River’s Edge Trail after former City Pages News Editor and city council member Pat Peckham. Peckham was an avid cyclist and advocate for bike infrastructure. The committee also named the amphitheater at Stewart Park after Madame Waltraud Karkar, who founded the central Wisconsin School of Ballet and was pivotal in helping restore Stewart Park.
Police seeking suspect in convenience store robbery: Wausau Police are seeking a suspect in a robbery on East Wausau Avenue. Police say a man entered the Mobil Fast Fuel Mart and started to purchase cigarettes. He then showed a gun in his waistband and demanded money, according to police reports. He fled on foot to the north on 8th Street and was wearing all black with a camouflage face mask, police say. As of Wednesday, he doesn’t appear to have been apprehended.
Around the metro
Parks offices, others moving out of River Drive: The city/county parks offices will be moving in a couple of months to the UWSP-Wausau Campus. The Wausonian reported late last year that UWSP-Wausau is only using 21% of its building space and had plans to open up space for new uses. All county offices will be vacating the River Drive properties, opening up those to potential development.
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Entertainment
Thurs-Fri, Feb. 6-7: OK, I can’t think of the word murder mystery without imagining Michael Scott saying “I do declare” (Office fans, if you know, you know). This one has nothing to do with the south or The Office though - instead it has more to do with the 60s. Peace, Love and Murder promises to be one groovy mystery, baby. Enjoy a three-course meal, costumed characters to help get you into the vibe of things and a cocktail hour beforehand. 5:15 pm both nights. Limited spots available. $60. Check out the event page for more.
Friday, Feb. 7: Mia Brown is one of the city’s great success stories. Growing up in Wausau, she ultimately was signed with Big Timber Entertainment in Nashville in 2023. Her music is a blend of pop with a little twist of country, the perfect vehicle for her powerful vocals, which are inspired by the likes of Amy Winehouse, Stevie Nicks, Steven Tyler and Kacey Musgraves. In this show she’ll bring her band The Get Down to the Intermission, which has been quietly hosting a strong music lineup as of late. See the event page for more. 9 pm. See the event page for more.
Saturday, Feb. 8: Quinton Tarantino famously said the 80s was one of the worst decades for movies. Well, I think he’s wrong. (But maybe we just remember the films from our childhood fondly?) Dirty Dancing is one of the most iconic 80s movies from the decade, and no one can hear the song “The Time of My Life” without thinking of that film (and frankly, of an era with different attitudes toward romance and love). This event brings to life the music of Dirty Dancing with a live band while the film is projected behind them - sounds like a pretty epic 80s experience to me! 7:30 pm. $35-$77.
Looking for kids/family events? Check out the family-oriented listing from The Wausonian’s partner Wausau Mama, who puts together a weekly listing of children/family activities.
Sports
Boys basketball: Wausau West continues to dominate Wausau area teams, with a 6-2 record and second place behind Marshfield in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The Warriors beat Wisconsin Rapids 58-29 Friday to keep its spot.
Girls basketball: Wausau West remains on top of the Wausau area teams, with a 5-4 record and third place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The Warriors beat Wisconsin Rapids 49-42 Friday. Wausau West is ranked third behind SPASH and Marshfield respectively.
Boys hockey: Wausau West and D.C. Everest remain locked in second place behind undefeated SPASH. The Warriors appear to have the last chance to tie against SPASH with two games left (the Evergreens have one), but it would require West to win both games and undefeated SPASH to lose both its remaining games.
Girls hockey: The Central Wisconsin Storm notched another win as the post-season draws near. The Storm beat the Metro Lynx 6-0 on Saturday, elevating the team to an 18-3 record. The Storm have two more games left in the regular season.