Kronenwetter investigates, clears administrator | Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of April 2, 2026
The village of Kronenwetter has investigated and cleared its new administrator of any wrongdoing in a workplace conduct complaint.
The village last month initiated an investigation into Administrator James Davel, without disclosing that it was the administrator who was under investigation at the time. The village only disclosed the subject once the investigation was completed.
Village leaders are keeping mum about the allegations that sparked the investigation and the report that resulted. The nature of the complaint and the resulting report are being kept under wraps, with the village citing attorney-client privilege.
But that’s not legal under current Wisconsin Open Records law. Multiple Wisconsin court cases set legal precedent that the public interest of allegations against a public official outweigh attorney-client privilege when it comes to investigative reports about those public officials.
The investigative report was made public in the case against former Marathon County administrator Brad Karger, for instance. And in the case of Karger and former Weston Administrator Daniel Guild, they were named in agenda items even when those agenda items were noticed for closed session. Wisconsin open records law is clear that an agenda item must give the public a reasonable amount of detail in order to know what is being discussed, even if the details are kept under wraps.
The Wausonian has filed an open records request with the village citing that case law.
This week, The Wausonian ran three election preview stories. Our Marathon County Metro Districts Preview and the Rural Districts Preview. Plus, our preview on the Wausau City Council District 7 below:
Plus, we found time for a new business story - this week we wrote about Room of Words, which is looking to become your cozy, book-filled place to hang out:
What else in Wausau?
Children’s Imaginarium awarded major grant: The Children’s Imaginarium has been selected to receive a T-Mobile Hometown Grant, the organization tells The Wausonian. The $50,000 grant will support the development of the STEM Careers in Action Lab, part of the Imaginarium’s efforts towards promoting science and math at its facility.
Man arrested for threatening to blow up a Kwik Trip: Police arrested a man last week after he allegedly shoved a customer and threatened to blow up a Kwik Trip. Police arrested Shishir Bom, 31, last week after police say Bom was first asked to leave the Community Partners Campus around 7:30 pm Saturday and police told him to head to the other shelter instead. Police were then called to Kwik Trip about 30 minutes later for a report of Bom shoving another customer, threatening to blow things up and hurt people, and blocking the doors. Bom faces a felony charge of threatening to cause harm to certain individuals within the legal system, plus misdemeanor disorderly conduct and bail jumping.
Man arrested on vehicular homicide charges: Marathon County Sheriff Deputies arrested a 37-year-old man on charges of vehicular manslaughter while using a controlled substance. Jail records show police arrested 37-year-old Adam H. Borchardt on Tuesday. Official charges have not yet been filed in Marathon County Court, according to online court records. Borchardt is expected to appear in Marathon County Court Thursday, according to court records. The Wausonian has filed a public records request for the police report.
Around the metro
Budge Inn residents evacuated, remains closed: Residents of the Budge Inn are still displaced after the Inn was shut down due to health concerns last week. Riverside Fire District on March 25 issued an order to vacate the premises after an inspection revealed that previous issues with the property hadn’t been addressed and new safety concerns had emerged. Riverside Fire District Chief David Briggs told The Wausonian that the order remains in place as of Wednesday, and that the district is waiting for the property owners to fix the issues at the Budge Inn. The building had 13 safety violations, according to a recent inspection report. Residents were given 24 hours to vacate.
County weighs battery storage systems in farmland: Marathon County leaders are drawing up plans to address battery storage systems in farmland preservation zones. The county’s Environmental Resources Committee directed staff to do more research before deciding on a plan to permit small-scale battery storage systems but prohibit commercial systems, such as might be used for a solar or wind farm, within the county’s zoning code. The state Public Service Commission could override the county’s zoning if it grants a wind and solar project a certificate of necessity. Under the new rule, systems of less than one megawatt and largely for power use on site such as backup for farming operations would be OK, but systems of greater than one megawatt and providing power off-site in a commercial setting would be prohibited.
Third skier collides with tree at Granite Peak: Another skier at Granite Peak was hospitalized Sunday while skiing at the ski resort. Granite Peak officials say the skier collided with a tree between Western Frontier and Westwood Glade around 10 am Sunday. Ski patrol rendered first aid to the skier until emergency medical services were able to arrive. Granite Peak didn’t provide further details about the skier’s condition or any further information about the person involved. Two skiers died this year so far at Granite Peak after colliding with trees, The Wausonian previously reported.
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Demolition began on old Fazoli’s building: Demolition began Monday on the former Fazoli’s building in Rib Mountain, which is slated to become a Raising Cane’s restaurant, Rib Mountain Community Development Director Jared Grande confirmed to The Wausonian. Raising Canes got approval to open a store at the location last year from the village of Rib Mountain, though Fazoli’s management seemed unaware of that fact.
Entertainment
Soul Asylum and The BoDeans both grace the Grand Theater stage this weekend - plus two Hmong festivals, a bevvy of Easter Egg hunts and festivities, and much more this weekend.
Sports
High school sports haven’t begun yet. Most seasons kick off in the next couple of weeks.
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