Community responds to tornado damage | The Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of April 23, 2026
A tornado touchdown in the town of Ringle Friday damaged or destroyed as many as 75 homes, Ringle fire officials said that evening.
The outpouring of support was so strong officials had to put a halt to it — at least in terms of item donations.
Ringle Fire and Rescue announced Sunday that it was no longer accepting item donations because they’d received too many of them, but that they were accepting monetary and gift card donations at the station, as well as the Salvation Army after hours.
County officials warned off helpers until they could assess the situation. Later the area was re-opened to residents and contractors, but the area was still off limits to volunteers as of Saturday afternoon. No further updates were given by county officials.
There is now a relief fund for Ringle set up at the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin. The fund has raised more than $120,000 so far. And there will be a Relief for Ringle cookout at Ace Hardware from 6 am-6 pm today (Thursday).
The Wausonian sat down with the folks who have been keeping Northern Valley Industries’ bike program going since it was at The Neighbors’ Place. The program took some twists and turns before it ended up in its current home:
What else in Wausau?
City council clashes over committee consolidation, procedural dispute: The Wausau City Council held off on acting on a proposal to consolidate the city’s committees from six to four. That came because city legal staff argued the agenda item to take up the rules wasn’t properly noticed to comply with open meetings laws. The council did approve appointments to the various committees, though those assignments could potentially change if those committees are shuffled around. Learn more about that proposal here.
New council president: The new Wausau City Council elected a new council president Tuesday. Terry Kilian won the nomination, edging out Michael Martens 6-5. Sarah Watson was appointed to the Plan Commission and Martens was appointed to the Water Commission.
Around the metro
County board: Kurt Gibbs was re-elected as county board chair unanimously by the county board Tuesday. Gibbs’s name was the only one nominated by the board for the position. Gibbs came to tears as he thanked the board for their continuous trust in him. Matt Bootz was then elected vice chair, beating Mike Ritter for the job. The vote total was not announced.
Rules of conduct approved: The new county board Tuesday approved new rules related to how the county handles supervisor conduct. The new rules came in response to reporting by The Wausonian on the two arrests of Marathon County Board Supervisor Nicholas Endres. The new rules lay out a specific process for when a supervisor faces charges related to threats to public safety, fraud or any felony charges. It lays out a notification process and a review process by the county’s executive committee. The process could lead to censure and/or removal from various committees.
Kronenwetter pleads with residents to lower water usage in wake of flooding: The village of Kronenwetter on Sunday asked residents to limit their water usage as the village’s water pumps became overwhelmed. Village leaders on Sunday said water pumps that normally process only 365,000 gallons instead pumped 1.2 million gallons, putting a strain on the system. Village officials asked residents to limit long showers, laundry, using dishwashers and other excessive water use. County Pumpers helped relieve the village lift stations from being overwhelmed. Kronenwetter officials say.
Town of Norrie crash kills two: Two people are dead and several others seriously injured following a three-vehicle crash in the town of Norrie. Marathon County Sheriff’s Office officials say that 80-year-old Carl Slagle, who was driving one of the vehicles involved in the crash, and passenger Darlene Slagle, 77, died April 18 as the result of their injuries sustained in the crash on April 12. The crash occurred at the intersection of highways Y and N in the town of Norrie around 11:52 am Sunday. The crash is still under investigation.
County board member pleads to charges: A Marathon County Supervisor has pleaded no contest to charges relating to a domestic incident. Nicholas Endres pleaded no contest Thursday to charges of disorderly conduct related to domestic abuse following an incident last year in is home. Endres entered an 18-month deferred prosecution agreement and the Wood County District Attorney told The Wausonian that after speaking with the victim, the prosecution wouldn’t be charging the bail jumping count, but read it in as part of the plea agreement. Police records obtained by The Wausonian accused Endres of violating his no contact order last month by visiting and entering his former home.
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New arcade planned for Chang Garden building: Work appears to be underway on a new arcade. Work is underway on the building at 102 Jefferson Street, which last housed Hi Restaurant and before that was a Chang Garden location. The Oasis Arcade in a social media post says it will have more than 45 games including pinball, classic arcade games and larger screen games such as Buck Hunter and Golden Tee. The arcade will also have separate family and adult only hours. The business applied for an entertainment license, which The Wausonian wrote about in our monthly Wausau tavern report feature.
Entertainment
It’s hard to deny the somehow simple yet harmonically complex music of Rockford’s The Lone Canary. They’ll head to The Mish for a Thursday show. Plus, an evening of films and fundraising for the county’s parks foundation, an “urban circus” that’s selling out worldwide, a great chance to get out in nature and so much more in Wausau this weekend.
Sports
Baseball: Wausau area teams have yet to garner a win in the Wisconsin Valley Conference, with Wausau West and D.C. Everest at 0-1, and Wausau East at 0-3 so far this season.
Softball: Wausau West defeated SPASH to earn its first Wisconsin Valley Conference win of the season. The Warriors beat the Panthers 7-6 Tuesday to secure a 1-2 record. That leaves West tied for fourth with D.C. Everest.
Girls soccer: Wausau West is now tied for second place after a win against D.C. Everest Monday. The Warriors scored the only goal in the matchup, defeating the Evergreens 1-0. SPASH currently leads the standings at 2-0.
Boys tennis: D.C. Everest got the Wisconsin Valley Conference season off to a strong start Thursday, defeating Wisconsin Rapids 6-1 to start the season tied for first place with a 1-0 record. SPASH and Marshfield also won to hold even with the Evergreens.
Lacrosse: The Wolfpack boys lost 15-4 to Kimberly Monday. The Wolf Pack girls defeated Hamilton 5-4 Tuesday, leaving them tied for second place in the Bay Valley Conference at 2-0.
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