A trail to Schofield | Weekly Wausonian

Wausau news for the week of March 5, 2026

Mar 05, 2026

A new proposed trail that would allow travel from the former mobile home park in Schofield to Wausau through the Eau Claire River Conservancy drew support at Monday’s Parks Committee — along with controversy.

While the trail would allow people to more easily travel between Schofield and Wausau, committee members raised concerns about paved paths through the natural area. Paved paths would likely be required by the grants Schofield is apply for, Parks Director Jamie Polley explained to the committee Monday.

The city’s Parks Committee discussed the potential impact to the conservancy, plus the potential for people riding ebikes through the conservancy, since current city rules would allow it.

But, as District No. 1 council member Carol Lukens pointed out, residents responded to her positively over the potential for the trail, as many want a way to get from Wausau to Schofield while avoiding the very business Grand Avenue.

A map shows two options for the trail’s path, both utilizing part of the conservancy to get from Kent Street to the former mobile home park property. Schofield has been weighing what to do with the rest of the former mobile park area, which has since been clear.

Schofield had originally planned to apply for the grant this year but delayed that decision to allow more time for discussion and planning, Polley told the committee.

What else in Wausau?

New affordable housing project going up in former college parking lot: The groundwork has already begun on a new 8-unit affordable housing unit on South 8th Avenue in what was once a parking lot for UW-Marathon. The parking lot, seen along Stewart Avenue, is already being dug up in preparation for the new small apartment complex. The project is being built with money from American Rescue Plan Act funds. Tammy Stratz told city leaders the contractor wanted to get started earlier on his own dime, and they hope to have the project finished and occupied before the end of the year.

School District searching for finance director: The Wausau School District is seeking a new finance director, according to a post on the district’s social media. That comes after the district also saw the recent departure of Superintendent of Operations Josh Viegut.

Around the metro

Ahlstrom in Mosinee files layoff notices: Ahlstrom, which runs the paper mill in Mosinee, filed notice of the closures of three of its business units to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Friday. According to the WARN Notice filed with the state of Wisconsin, 21 salaried employees will be laid off, along with a number of hourly employees. The closure will come at the end of June. According to the WARN listings, 28 total employees will be affected, but in its letter, the company says the total number impacted is currently uncertain. Other news outlets are reporting up to 200 employees might be effected. The notice is the first such layoff notice for Marathon County filed with the DWD since September 2024.

Wisconsin Rapids man sentenced in Marshfield hitman case: A 28-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man will spend seven years in prison for his role in what prosecutors say was a hit on 20-year-old Christian Schauer. Steven Crandall was found guilty in Marathon County Court after pleading no contest to first-degree conspiracy to commit homicide Tuesday. Prosecutors say Crandall put out a $5,000 hit on Schauer after believing Schauer had stolen drugs from him. Jared Carl of Stratford was found guilty of killing Schauer and was sentenced to life in prison. Shawn Carl, Jared’s father, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading no contest to harboring a felon, among other charges. Schauer’s car was found on Carl’s property.

Naked ambulance theft in Wisconsin Rapids: OK, this one is outside of The Wausonian’s typical coverage area, but we couldn’t resist. Police in Wisconsin Rapids were dispatched on Feb. 17 for a report of a naked man doing pushups on the railroad tracks. They then learned that a naked man with long hair and a beard had made his way into the cab of an ambulance with a patient in it and started driving away, according to the criminal complaint. The EMTs who were in the ambulance jumped out and tried to get him from the cab, but were unable to do so before he drove away with a patient still inside the ambulance, according to a criminal complaint. The man led police on an 18-mile pursuit with several failed attempts to deflate the ambulance’s tires before a successful attempt led the ambulance to get stuck in a corn field, the complaint says. The man suspected of the ambulance theft, Benjamin Feltz of Stevens Point, faces a class F felony for first-degree recklessly endangering safety among other charges, which comes with a potential 12 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.

Entertainment

Evercon has grown into a giant gaming convention - and that’s just one of the many events and fun happenings to be found in Your Wausome Weekend Guide:

Looking for kids/family events? Check out the full listing from The Wausonian’s partner Wausau Mama, who puts together a weekly listing of children/family activities.

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Sports

Boys basketball: The D.C. Everest boys had the top spot in the Wisconsin Valley Conference until the last possible moment — but a 72-63 loss to SPASH Friday left the Evergreens, the Panthers and Marshfield tied for first place to close the season. D.C Everest will take on Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln in the first round of the WIAA playoffs on Friday; Wausau West will take on Superior; and Wausau East will take on Rhinelander after defeating Antigo 85-60 in an early round Tuesday.

Girls basketball: D.C. Everest was eliminated from the WIAA playoffs Friday, meaning all Wausau area Valley Conference teams have now been eliminated from the tournament. The Evergreens, who led Wausau area teams in the conference, lost to DePere 74-10 Saturday. Wausau East and Wausau West were eliminated the prior week.

Boys hockey: Wausau West’s new head coach was named Wisconsin Head Coaches Association Division 1 - Section 1 Head Coach of the Year, the Wausau School District reports. Travis Brown took over the head coach role this season after serving as an assistant coach for 11 years.

Curling: Wausau West won the high school state curling championships Saturday. The Warriors defeated Stevens Point 10-3 in the final match, ending in seven ends to earn the title.

Esports: The Wausau West Rocket League team took the state title last weekend in the Division 1 state tournament. The Warriors defeated Elkhorn 3-1 to take the title.

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