The city’s Get The Lead Out program, started under the Rosenberg administration, was confusing from the get-go.
That hadn’t changed as the city council Tuesday considered an ordinance that seemed to imply residents would have to pay for the private side of lead service pipe replacement when the city replaces the public side of the pipes.
Needless to say, people weren’t happy, since everyone was led to believe the costs would be covered through the program.
The city council paused on the ordinance after passing an amendment to it that would only allow service replacement if the city had enough grant money to pay for it.
Members of the city council elected to hold off on the ordinance until it could have more public hearings and a committee of the whole to discuss the situation further and allay some of the confusion that has existed since the program was introduced.
Subscribers this week read about Avelo leaving Central Wisconsin Airport after less than a year in service — and how our freelancer writer had seen it coming:
And read about the area’s newest CrossFit gym, built to purpose:
What else in Wausau?
Historical expansion: The Marathon County Historical Society Wednesday announced a major expansion, including a second building. The society will spend $7.5 million building a separate storage facility called the John and Carolyn Sonnentag Legacy Center, and then will remodel its current space. Right now the historical society has run out of room and stopped accepting new items because of it.
Avelo avails itself of CWA, after less than a year: Avelo announced last week that it is ending its service from CWA to Orlando after less than a year in operation. Local leaders didn’t listen when The Wausonian pointed out that it has done the same in Dayton and Charlottesville, as our most recent post points out. See our story above for more details.
Committee splits vote on animal control revamp: The city’s Human Resources Committee Monday split its vote on whether or not the city ought to replace its current humane officer with a team of part-time CSOs that can better cover animal calls. Those seeking to keep the humane officer position say it would be dangerous to have part-time workers and patrol officers responding to animal calls, which the humane officer is trained to do. But those pushing for the change say that’s already happening, as 60% of calls happen outside of the current humane officer’s dayeime work hours. Part-time CSOs would cover night and weekends when more animal calls come in.
Suspension of disbelief: The city council voted to not suspend the rules, avoiding discussion of an item that would have reduced the water utility’s pilot payment to the city in lieu of taxes. If you’re wondering what that means, the main idea is that reducing that payment would also reduce water rates, thus alleviating crushing water bills for residents. City Council President Lisa Rasmussen spoke out against taking up the decision as the city had a meeting to discuss the financial impacts and other aspects at its August meeting. That drew a rebuke from attorney and former mayoral candidate Jay Kronenwetter, who told the city council they ought to give the same deliberation on giveaways for huge development projects.
Around the metro
Manhunt ends in arrest: Police were searching for an armed and dangerous man on the run in the Stratford area from the law on state charges. Police announced they were searching for Bartholemew Baumann on Friday, and on Monday announced they’d taken him into custody. He was driving a maroon car with shot-out windows and witnesses had reported seeing him with a gun.
Business
New dermatology place: A Wausau dermatologist opened a Plover office and plans to eventually open a Wausau location as well (as soon as a non-compete period ends). Above and Beyond Dermatology aims to provide a new business model for medical treatment.
Wisconsin Moonstone site opens: A new business, Wisconsin Moonstone, opened the only pay-to-pick moonstone site in the area in May. Moonstone is a rare mineral that is found in Wisconsin but sought out from around the world.
Sponsored by
Venado: Your Haven for wine, spirits, beer and delights. Indulge in the perfect blend of relaxation and flavor at Venado, where we curate an exceptional experience just for you. Whether it's wine, spirits, beer or delectable bites, we've got you covered. Savor the moment with our exquisite light food plates, from mouthwatering raviolis to artfully crafted charcuterie boards featuring a delightful selection of cheeses. Each dish is a symphony of flavors, complementing our extensive drink menu. Private events tailored for you to celebrate your important moments with us! Venado offers private events, ensuring your special occasions are memorable and personalized. Whether it's a milestone birthday or a corporate gathering, we've got the perfect setting for your celebration. Join us during our regular hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 2 PM - 8 PM Friday and Saturday: 2 PM - 9 PM Our team is dedicated to providing personalized attention, ensuring you thoroughly enjoy your time at Venado. Let us be the backdrop for your moments of joy and relaxation. Visit Venado, where every sip, bite and celebration is crafted to perfection. Cheers to unforgettable experiences!
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Entertainment
Thursday, July 11: It might surprise you to learn we have a rapper who got his start in the area but Emmitt James has been on a tear since leaving Stevens Point. I first became aware of James during a poetry contest at the Riverfront Rendezvous event. At the time he was an up-and-coming rapper — now he’s built a reputation for himself in LA and Milwaukee, with an interesting style that blends jazz and hip hop for a unique style that’s subversive and chill at the same time. See James as part of the Levitt Amp series at Pfiffner Pioneer Park in downtown Stevens Point along the Wisconsin River. Free. 6 pm, headlining bands start at 7 pm, and come at 5 pm for yoga. Check out the event page for more information.
Fri-Sat, July 12-13: There was a point in the year when it didn’t look like Taste N Glow was going to happen. And then it was, but things got confusing as the old website wasn’t updated (turned out there was a new one). But rest assured, Taste N Glow Balloon Festival is on! The festival features everything from flea markets to lumberjack shows to a professional drone show, local vendors and so much more. Gates open 11 am-10:30 pm Friday, 6 am-10:30 pm Saturday. $10 per day, weekend passes available. Check out the website for more information (this is the right one - if you Google it the old website still comes up).
Sunday, July 14: If you want a nice way to spend a lazy Sunday, Jazz on the River is a great way to while the day away. The series takes some of the best jazz musicians from around the area and beyond and puts them on the portable stage on Kickbusch Plaza behind the Wausau library branch downtown. Take a chill pill while tuning into some jazz, with Tim Buchholz and his quarter. Buchholz teaches jazz at the local brand of UW-Stevens Point and besides being a world-class adventure racer, he’s a heck of a musician who has played at Carnegie Hall and The Lincoln Center. 5 pm. Free. See the Facebook page for more information. Rain location: St. Andrew’s, Rib Mountain.
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
College baseball: The Wausau Woodchucks are on a two-game winning streak after taking a pair of games from the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, including a 20-3 away win Monday. The Chucks take on the Rafters again today (Thursday) as they look to build on their 5-1 second-half record. (The Chucks are an outstanding 31-9 on the season as a whole.)
Thanks for reading The Wausonian! If you’re not already subscribed, you can sign up for free to get this roundup sent to you every Thursday. Or, consider a paid subscription to get all The Wausonian’s content.
Feel free to respond directly to this email to offer any tips or corrections. Thank you!
Already a subscriber? Refer your friends and earn rewards with your unique link below!