Badge the Therapy Dog set to retire | The Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of March 14, 2024
When this reporter first wrote about Badge in 2018, he’d only been on the job for one year as the department’s therapy dog. His handler, Nate Stetzer, sought out Badge’s training on his own and then got permission to bring Badge to Wausau East with him.
Badge was such a huge hit, and so impactful with the children, that another dog Theo was quickly added to the roster at Wausau West. Badge has helped people in crisis, both at the school and outside of it.
But that story was seven years ago, and Badge is set to retire in May. The city council Tuesday accepted a grant for $15,000 to purchase a new, fully trained therapy dog.
There will be a new dog, but there will be no replacing Badge, who is a good dog, yes he is.
A note about Pat Peckham: I was saddened this week to learn about the passing of former City Pages writer and editor and former City Council Member Pat Peckham, who I considered a mentor and friend. I will be sharing a story tomorrow about Pat once I’ve gathered myself.
In the meantime, here is the Wausau School Board races in case you missed it:
Your Wausau School Board candidates
Editor’s note: There are more contested races this year than any other time I can remember. So many that I can barely keep up! One of those is on the Wausau School Board, where seats have always been up for grabs since I started covering Wausau in 2014. This year is no exception, with six candidates up for three seats, narrowly avoiding a primary.
What else in Wausau?
No wrongdoing in Rothschild shooting incident: The county’s district attorney announced that no charges were necessary following an investigation into a critical incident in January. Police say a man shot himself with a gun after police made a welfare check at his Urban Street residence in Rothschild.
Affordable housing waitlist opening up: Community Development Authority officials say they will be opening up the waitlist for Section 8 housing vouchers. That waitlist is down to 31 people as of Monday, says CDA Assistant Director Juli Birkenmeier. Applications will be accepted from March 25 though April 12, and priority will be given to homeless individuals. Staff at the CDA will be available to assist those who need help applying. Check out this link if you would like to apply or know someone this could help.
Community care paramedic: City leaders gave the first approval to a new program aimed at reducing ambulance transports and emergency room visits. The community care paramedic would work with some of the city’s most-afflicated patients, helping prevent them from needing ambulance transports and cutting down on emergency medical service calls. The program will largely be funded through grants from Aspirus and other foundations, with 15% for the city to fund.
Dog bite: Health Department officials were searching for the owner of a dog they say bit a member of the Wausau West track team last week. The dog bit the teen Wednesday as he and other team members ran by the dog and his owner. Police updated their post to explain that they did in fact find the dog.
Transit battle: City leaders are considering hiring outside attorneys to help handle contract negotiations with the transit union. Human Resources Director James Henderson said he learned that the union was bringing in “heavy guns” for this round of negotiations, and other communities around the state have had difficult negotiations. The city’s HR Committee approved hiring former assistant city attorney Nate Miller as its counsel.
Softball at Athletic Park looks like a go: The city council Tuesday approved an agreement that would allow a women’s summer college softball team at Athletic Park. That came despite some concern expressed at the committee level about PFAS in the artificial turf required for both teams to share the field. That summer league, similar to the Northwoods League that the Woodchucks are part of, would begin in 2025.
Around the metro
Kronenwetter passes resolution for fire truck it already bought: The village of Kronenwetter approved a resolution for the borrowing of a fire truck it actually bought more than a year earlier. The village first approved buying a new fire truck in 2022, and took delivery of the truck in 2023. But it somehow missed approving the actual loan for the truck, and it came to the attention of village officials when the new finance director stumbled across it. Read the full story here.
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Entertainment
Friday, March 15: Lamplight Session is becoming known for being a music venue that brings a lot of bands to town that otherwise wouldn’t probably stop in central Wisconsin. But Rucksack Revolution is different. It’s the combination of Adam Greuel of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, and Sarah Vos from Dead Horses. Both musicians have played around central Wisconsin a lot, while also being nationally known, and their project Rucksack Revolution has done the same. This bluegrass supergroup sells out shows, so you’ll want to get your tickets early. Joining them is the finger-picking folk musician Dandy Freling. 7 pm. $36. Check out the venue’s page for more information.
Sunday, March 17: It might be a little surprising to hear a band of college-aged musicians channeling influences your dad probably listened to, but that’s just what the Tamaracks bring. This Tomahawk-originating duo brings a southern style bluesy rock that’s just fast and fun, with the grit to match. The band just released their first album last summer, Fool Me Once, after releasing an EP in 2022. They’ve been playing around Wisconsin a lot since, and will make their way to the Sawmill Brewing Company, built recently in a former DNR ranger station. 1 pm. Check out the event page for more.
Wednesday, March 20: If there is one phrase you could use to describe Powerman 5000, it would be “high-energy.” The band’s industrial-metal sound is like Filter on speed, and frankly its name really fits the band well. It’s not hard to conjure their hit song “When Worlds Collide” from memory as it kind of punches its way into your consciousness. Amazingly this band formed way back in 1991, dating back to a nearly pre-grunge era. Now they’re making their way to the Q&Z Expo Center. They’ll be joined by September Mourning and The Great Alone. 7 pm. $20. Check out the Q&Z’s page for more info.
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 East lost its sectional quarter-final game 75-65 to River Falls Thursday. The Lumberjacks were the last Wausau area team alive in the playoffs and had a solid Division 2 run.
Semi-Pro Hockey: The Wausau Cyclones are headed to the division finals after sweeping the Wisconsin Woodsmen in the first round of playoffs last weekend. The Cyclones won 3-2 Friday and 5-3 Saturday to complete the sweep and advance to the next round. The Cyclones will host game one of the division finals Friday against West Bend. (And game three on Sunday if the series is tied after Saturday’s game.) Find ticket information here.
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Matt Thums of the Wausau Curling Club is leading the U.S. team at the world wheelchair curling championships in Korea. They are leading their group and have qualified for the final rounds this weekend. I can provide info if you like.