Gender Queer book sparks library controversy | Wausau News
The Weekly Wausonian for Sept. 22, 2022
Residents concerned about a book that’s often been found on banned book lists in states such as Florida and Texas are looking to get the book banned from the Marathon County Library.
The book, called Gender Queer, sparked nearly a dozen commenters decrying the book at Monday’s Marathon County Library Board. The book was not on the agenda but many during the public comment period said the book promotes pornography to children. It’s included in the library’s young adult section.
Marathon County Library Director Leah Giordano says a reconsideration of the book has been requested and a committee is being formed to decided if the book should be removed. That committee will make a recommendation to the library board.
An infographic distributed by the Republican Party of Marathon County encouraged residents to speak up at the meeting.
Hey! I’ve opened up the first part of the Big Trouble in Little Kronenwetter series so anyone can read it. Check it out!
What else in Wausau?
Transit expansion: Residents got the first look at a series of expansions recommended by a consultant for the city’s public transportation system. Under the ideal scenario, all of the projects would cost roughly $3 million, though a piecemeal approach is expected. The situation is complicated by the trouble with finding bus drivers — Metro Ride has been almost perpetually shorthanded and the director has even been driving routes.
Puppy mill ban: Wausau leaders held off for more information on an ordinance that would have prevented puppy mills and pet stores from selling puppies, kittens and rabbits in the city limits. A similar ordinance was proposed in Weston but village leaders chose not to act on it. A battle ensued between activist and the owner of a new pet store in the v village, complicating the situation.
Around the metro
New village hall: The village of Weston staff are nearly ready to move into the new $16 million municipal center. One hiccup is the elevator, which has been delayed, Village President Mark Maloney tells The Wausonian. Weston officials are seeing if the village can move in anyway, using the stairs until the elevator is complete.
Business
Restaurant/bar closure: Hiawatha Restaurant and Lounge closed this past weekend. The restaurant had one last Friday night fish fry before closing for good. Staffing issues made keeping the restaurant open difficult, sources tell The Wausonian.
Footwear closure: Sources tell The Wausonian that Eastbay’s retail outlet has closed. The store was closed Tuesday and was almost completely free of merchandise. The news comes as much of Eastabay/Footlocker’s operations have moved to Florida and with other companies such as Game One hiring away the company’s talent.
Entertainment
Through Sunday, Sept. 25: It’s book week! Or maybe more accurately, book long weekend. The Central Wisconsin Book Festival is back with a host of authors and other speakers. Comic book writer John Jackson Miller will make an appearance Saturday morning along with numerous other Wisconsin authors in the fiction and non-fiction fields. Plus poetry walks and so much more. Check out the schedule for all the info here.
Thursday, Sept. 22: It’s a little hard to describe a band like The Go Rounds. This Kalamazoo, Mich.-based psychedelic pop-rock band has a unique style that seems to combine Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and Bon Iver into a dreamy psychedic sound that seems to hint at some of The Beatles’s gentler psychedelic era sound. If that sounds disorienting, it’s actually pretty relaxing. I almost guarantee you haven’t seen a band like this. And, it’s always a great excuse to check out Lamplight Sessions, which now has a coffee shop operating out of it as well. More details here.
Sunday, Sept. 25: Ever wanted to see people from Wausau’s past come to life? Thankfully it won’t be the actual people, but several folks from the Marathon County Historical Society will be re-enacting people from Wausau’s past Sunday at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Wausau. It’s a pretty cool experience - they’ll act out the characters, tell stories and interact with folks walking through, all while dressed in period-appropriate costumes. It’s not scary, really! Check out more details on the event page.
Sports
Tennis: Wausau Warriors Girls Tennis now stands alone atop the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The Warriors are 6-0 on the season after defeating Marshfield in a tight 4-3 win Tuesday. The Warriors’
next matchup will be the Valley Conference meet to wrap up the conference season.
Football: D.C. Everest and Wausau West are now in a three-way tie with Wisconsin Rapids in the Valley Football Association conference. Everest defeated Stevens Point (1-2) 44-18 Friday, and West lost a tight game to Marshfield (3-0) 28-24. The Evergreens head to Hortonville and the Warriors head to Appleton West Friday.
Soccer: D.C. Everest boys soccer now stands alone at the top of the Wisconsin Valley Conference with a 4-0 record. The Evergreens defeated SPASH (1-2) 4-1 Tuesday to remain undefeated. The Evergreens host Wisconsin Rapids 7 pm today (Thursday).
Volleyball: D.C. Everest is now the top-ranked Wausau metro team, in second place in the Valley Conference with a 4-1 record. (Undefeated Marshfield holds the top spot.) The Evergreens defeated Merrill Saturday but later lost to SPASH, earning its first conference loss of the season. The Evergreens take on Wausau East (2-3) today.
Correction: Last week’s post about the mall project incorrectly stated that the $10.8 million in tax incentives was for both planned apartment projects. It is for the first one, and it includes interest and fees. While The Wausonian maintains that’s still an important number to include, it’s fair to point out that municipal leaders could potentially refinance down the road. The post has been updated with a correction note.
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