Election concentration in Wausau | Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of Jan. 8, 2025
The Wausau City Council will have seven contested races after the deadline to file paperwork to run for public office passed on Tuesday.
That includes a three-way primary in an open contest between challengers Mario Diaz, Keene Winters and Kristin Slonski in the District No. 6, currently held by Becky McElhaney who isn’t running this election.
That contrasts with the county board, which only has five contested races for 38 seats, and one seat that’s being held open until Friday because the incumbent, Jasper Hartinger, didn’t file non-candidacy paperwork.
And, it includes an open race between former Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg and Dane Suleski in District. No. 1.
Kronenwetter will have five candidates running for three seats; Wausau School Board will have six candidates running for four seats; and Weston will have five candidates running for three seats.
The Wausonian plans to release a guide soon as to who will be on the ballot, and later will publish election previews.
This week subscribers read about the top Wausau business trends and stories we covered in 2025.
What else in Wausau?
New proposals for Riverlife concession stand: City leaders next month could decide between two different vendors for the RiverLife Park concession building. The city’s Parks Committee on Monday heard presentations from two vendors: Dylan Alwin of Sawmill Trampoline Park, who presented a slow rollout starting with ice cream products and eventually ramping up to more variety to help ensure sustainable growth. His would also feature a fundraising component. Venado owner Juan Casarrubias’s proposal would offer coffee and pastries in the morning and sandwiches, wraps and bowls in the evening, along with events. The latter proposal also seeks a liquor license and would offer food via Doordash to make it a year-round operation. The proposals come after the first vender, the ice cream shop Briq’s, left after 2024. Pho zone operated the concession stand in 2025. The committee will evaluate the proposals and make a decision at its February meeting.
City committee OKs deal for downtown “missing middle” housing: The city’s Economic Development Committee Tuesday approved a deal with Lokre to develop 11 Scott Street, currently an office building, into apartments meant to address Wausau’s “missing middle.” The apartments would range from $1,100 to nearly $1,600 per month. The development agreement designates up to 150 stalls for use by tenants of the building at a discount rate, bringing in potentially $55,000 per year. The deal will still need approval by the city council and includes a $750,000 forgivable loan for the developers if they maintain a mid-market rent level for seven years.
River District hires new director: After a controversial exit by the last director, The Wausau River District has hired a new director. Rylie Hutchinson will take over the role of executive director at the Wausau River District. Hutchinson worked as a teacher and an athletics and activities director at Faith Christian Academy. The move comes after the Wausau River District dismissed former director Callie Wulk after Wulk appeared to celebrate on social media the apparent assassination of podcaster and political commentator Charlie Kirk.
Police report multiple crashes after freezing rain storm: Wausau Police and Marathon County Sheriff’s Officials responded to numerous crashes Tuesday as a storm left freezing rain across the area’s streets. The ice and warm temperatures also severely damaged city streets. Several areas of Grand Avenue were cordoned off Wednesday morning to prevent road users from driving over giant potholes left in the street in the storm’s wake. Wausau Public Works Director Eric Lindman told The Wausonian that two patch crews have been working hard patching holes after the extreme temperature fluctuations wreaked havoc on streets in several areas of the city. A further snowstorm could pull workers off of patching potholes, which could take 10-12 days to make serious progress on, Lindman says.
Around the metro
Rothschild PFAS levels at non-detectable state: PFAS levels of the village of Rothschild’s water treatment plant are below detectable levels, according to the village of Rothschild administrator. Administrator Ryan VanDeWalle told The Wausonian that the village plans to put out more information next week about the completion of its new PFAS facility connected to the water treatment plant.
Weston Avenue to 45 miles per hour?: Weston officials are weighing the possibility of increasing the speed limit on Weston Avenue from Von Kennel Street to Ryan Street from 35 miles per hour to 45 mph. (That section of the road is east of Camp Phillips.) Staff members told the committee that the street was designed for a maximum of 40 mph, and that an increase in 10 miles per hour would increase the likelihood of a fatal crash by 25%. But some committee members say the road used to be 45 mph and now feels like a speed trap at the lower speed level. Two different motions on the subject failed in a tied vote, so the committee decided to seek more resident input on the speed change.
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Entertainment
Snow conditions aren’t necessarily great right now for upcoming outdoor activities, but there are plenty of other events this weekend too, 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.
Sports
High School sports postponed: Icy conditions led to the postponement of high school sports matchups this week. Boys basketball, boys hockey and girls hockey all had matchups slated for Tuesday, the first game back after the holiday break. Girls basketball doesn’t return from break until Friday.
Junior hockey: The Wausau Cyclones struggled last weekend against division leader West Bend Power. The Cyclones lost 4-3 Friday on the road and fell to Power 7-2 Saturday at Marathon Park. Wausau now dropped to fourth place in the Central Division.
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