Could the River's Edge Trail finally be connected? | Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of May 14, 2025
Mayor Doug Diny cast the tie-breaking vote on an amendment to the city’s No. 8 TIF district allowing for funds to be used to redevelop land along the western riverfront.
Diny prior to casting the tie-breaking vote said moving industry off of the riverfront was one of the city’s long-time strategic decisions, which this latest move qualifies toward.
The amendment allows the purchase of the MBX property with a budget of $2.5 million for the redevelopment and for the extension of the River’s Edge Trail on the west side of the river.
The city for years sought to gain an easement with MBX in order to extend the trail, but was unsuccessful. Public Works Director Eric Lindman also says that the property is being considered for the city’s next fleet facility. But it also could be redeveloped for other uses.
Some council members expressed concern about the lack of a specific plan or more details on the property’s contamination.
But others expressed that the amendment was just giving the council the option to use TIF funding in the future, and any purchase or specific plan would need to be later approved by the city council.
If you missed this one, well don’t! The Wausonian visited Mike Capista of Inner Sleeve Records on the Wausau icon’s 50th Anniversary:
Inner Sleeve Records owner looks at 50
If you walk down Scott Street and happen by Inner Sleeve Records, you’re likely to find owner Mike Capista in one of two spots — either behind a counter filled with CDs, a register and a few other items — or in a chair out front of the store.
Wausonian readers also read the latest from Dr. Fernando Riveron in his column for The Wausonian:
Dancing with disease: When medicine meets marketing
Editor’s note: Dr. Fernando Riveron is well-known, now-retired heart surgeon in Wausau. We’re happy to have him writing this column, From the Heart, for The Wausonian. Enjoy!
And, The Wausonian looked at all the businesses this writer wrote about five years ago to see how they’re doing now:
I looked back at every business I wrote about in 2019
A common saying people will often hear is something along the lines that most businesses fail in their first year.
What else in Wausau?
Wausau City Council notebook:
Wyatt Street: A plan by the city to sell a series of parcels on Wyatt Street on the city’s westside near Lake Wausau to build a duplex drew fire for its low cost — $1,000 — and the fact that no one seemed to know it was for sale. The city council approved the sale 8-2 but Mayor Doug Diny said city staff are working on addressing the issue, including the simple step of putting “for sale” signs on city-owned parcels that are for sale. Lisa Rasmussen said the parcel has been owned by the city since she’s been on city council.
The city council approved two duplexes to be built at the corner of Thomas Street and 12th Avenue. The developer told the city council that he modified the plan from two 2-bedroom duplex units and two 1-bedroom units to all 1-bedroom to cut down on traffic, addressing some neighborhood concerns.
The city council approved Mayor Diny’s appointment of Joe Gehin to the city’s CIP Committee. Gehin previously served on the Wausau Water Works Commission and was the former city public works director.
The city council approved an extension for Green Tree Construction to build houses in its Green Tree Meadow subdivision. The work was supposed to have begun this month according to the company’s development agreement with the city but delays in the DNR permitting process pushed the timeline back.
Police investigate drowning near downtown Wausau: Wausau Police are investigating the drowning death of a teen in the Wisconsin River Sunday. Police say a 16-year-old boy entered the river in the kayak and dock area in the 1200 block of River Drive area and never resurfaced. Rescue workers found him in the water unconscious and brought him to shore. They initiated life-saving measures and continued those measures on the way to the hospital, but once there he was pronounced dead.
Around the metro
Weston has extra liquor licenses and you can’t have any: The village of Weston has unused liquor licenses and is about to get another - and they’re not likely to part with them. The village’s Community Life and Public Safety Committee recently elected to hold off on the possibility of selling one of its reserve liquor licenses. The village currently has nine unused licenses and due to population increases is likely to get a 10th. But a discussion at the committee revealed that committee members aren’t keen on the idea of selling one of those licenses to other municipalities. The committee put a hold on further discussion until another municipality would come forward asking for one.
Kronenwetter to discuss ambulance contract with Riverside Fire: Village of Kronenwetter officials will meet with Riverside Fire District officials to iron out details in the ambulance contract between the two. Kronenwetter Fire Chief Theresa O’Brien last year laid out concerns with how Riverside was handling some of the contract, leading to a proposal for the village to form its own ambulance service. The district has new leadership since then and officials plan to meet to iron out some of the contract details between the two entities.
Former town of Bergen Clerk pleads not guilty in theft case: A town clerk accused of stealing money from the town in order to pay back money she stole from a non-profit where she had worked has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Gloriann Doyle faces felony theft and eight felony forgery charges, along with misconduct in office and theft in a business setting. The highest-level charge would bring a maximum of 12.5 years in prison and a max of a $25,000 fine.
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Entertainment
Riverdance turns 30 and is celebrating with two shows at the Grand Theater, a military show at the airport, a Dungeons and Dragons session, upcoming shows at Stoney Acres Farm and Lamplight Sessions, and so much more in this week’s Wausome Weekend Guide.
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
Softball: D.C. Everest’s winning streak has come to an end this week after the Evergreens fell to Marshfield 4-3 Tuesday. D.C. Everest still leads the Wisconsin Valley Conference with a 9-1 record. The win put Marshfield at even .500 ball with a 5-5 record.
Baseball: D.C. Everest is still unbeaten in conference play after blanking Wausau West Tuesday 3-0 Tuesday. D.C. Everest leads the Wisconsin Valley Conference at 7-0. The Warriors will take another stab at besting the Evergreens as they host them today (Thursday).
Girls Soccer: Wausau West currently leads the Wisconsin Valley Conference at 5-0 (though they took on Merrill too late for The Wausonian to get results) with D.C. Everest one game behind at 4-1.
Boys tennis: D.C. Everest dropped to second place with a loss Thursday in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The Evergreens lost to undefeated Marshfield 5-2. D.C. Everest will host Wausau West in the last match before the Wisconsin Valley Conference tournament to cap off the season.
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