An important clubhouse is closing | Wausau news

The Weekly Wausonian for Aug. 11, 2022

A clubhouse that assisted tpeople with mental illnesses and addiction issues, helping them grow friendships, find jobs and schooling, and connect with the community will close by the end of the year.

Community Corner Clubhouse, which helped with job training and seeking, as well as educational support, will not be funded in next year’s county budget. North Central Health Care, the tri-county human services organization, announced Tuesday that the clubhouse would be closing.

The cut comes as the organization restructured earlier this year to have tighter county control and as former county administrator Mort McBain was hired as its interim director. The organization had turned around financially under former CEO Michael Loy, but since COVID-19 has been running at an operational loss.

The closure comes at a time when mental illness has become a strong concern. The last Youth Risk Behavior survey showed increasing mental health concerns and the latest, which was just released, promises to be worse. (The Wausonian will be obtaining a copy of the report.)

Paid subscribers this week read Part IV of the Big Trouble in Little Kronenwetter series. We ask former employees in the village just why did they leave, anyway? Hint: It’s not the Great Resignation.

Big Trouble in Little Kronenwetter Part IV

What else in Wausau?

• Cory Tomczyk won the Republican primary for the 29th State Senate district and will face Bob Look in the November contest. Kelly Schremp won the clerk of courts Republican primary, which nearly guarantees her the seat since no one is running on the Democrat side.

• The Wausau School District has begun its search for a new board member to replace Ka Lo, who resigned via press release. That she didn’t officially resign created a challenge because of state laws around what constitutes an actual resignation of an elected official. Interest parties can send a letter of interest, biographical information and qualifications to the Longfellow Administration Building at 415 Seymour Street, Wausau WI 54403 or emailed to khilts@wausauschools.org by 4 pm Aug. 12.

• Police say a strong police presence around the Fern Island area was related to someone police believe was intending to harm themselves. Rumors of an active shooter were false and police say residents should be careful about spreading misinformation online.

• City leaders expect to have a new human resources director by December. The city hired a firm to recruit candidates for the position to replace Toni Vanderboom, who left for another job earlier this year.

• A Wausau woman is facing federal charges after federal agents say she attempted to buy two firearms for someone else. Known as a straw purchase, the crime comes with a potential five-year prison term. Ashley Zastrow, 31, remains in federal custody after being arraigned in federal court Monday.

• Henry West, convicted of shooting three people and killing one at Pine Grove Cemetery in 2019, was sentenced to life in prison without parole Tuesday. ¹ West also was sentenced to 60 years running consecutive to the life sentence, and 17 years on the arson charges.

Around the metro

• Sheriff’s deputies rescued nearly two dozen dogs and one cat from a town of Hull residence in western Marathon County. Deputies say the animals showed signs of neglect. They’ve been examined by a veterinarian and taken to a shelter.

Entertainment

• Saturday, Aug. 13: Yep, it’s that time of year when your Wausonian editor gets all fancied up and goes on a fancy art and wine walk. I’ve always kind of liked Exhibitour, ever since I happened to stumble across it one year not realizing it was happening. Back then it as free, which was pretty sweet, but $15 for a bougie night of sipping wine, pretending I know the first thing about art and hobnobbing with fellow Wausonians is still a pretty good deal. BTW, you might want to sign up ahead of time because it’s $15 pre-signup, $20 at the “door.” 5-8 pm. More details here.

• Fri-Sun, Aug. 12-14: LogJam is one cool event. It’s like walking into a fur trading encampment from the early 1800s or something. There are numerous people LARPing blacksmiths, hide tanners and other folk from the early days of Wisconsin. Take a trip in a pioneer-style canoe, take on some people in horseshoes or cornhole, or check out the great assortment of music LogJam has had lately. Spread out over three days, it’s always a fun walkaround at the very least. See the Facebook page for more.

• Friday, Aug. 12: Yep, it’s the final game of the season for the ole Woodchucks. They’ll take on the Madison Mallards at home starting at 5:35 pm. Enjoy not only the game, but post-game fireworks after the Chucks send the duckies home, thinking about their epic loss all the way back to Madtown. We can hope, right! The Woodchucks have done a great job turning the ball game into a real experience and this is your last chance of the year to cheer them on! More at the event page.

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.

Sports

• Speaking of the Wausau Woodchucks, our beloved Northwoods League team swept the Lakeshore Chinooks, concluding with a 5-2 win on Tuesday. I saw the Lakeshore bus at Eastbay. They must have thought new shoes would finally help them overcome the heroic Chucks. Reader, they did not. The win put the Chucks up 36-31 on the season, good for second place in the Great Lakes West division.

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As always, please email tips or corrections to keepitwausome@gmail.com.

1. Correction: In last week’s Wausonian, we incorrectly stated the number of people West was accused of killing. It has been corrected in the original as well as in the latest briefing in this report.