Morgue progress | The Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of Oct. 17, 2024
This reporter first covered the concept of a regional morgue - officially known as the forensics science center — in 2015.
That building, nearly a decade later, is nearing completion, county leaders say.
Marathon County Medical Examiner Jessica Blahnik says the building’s exterior should be completed before the snow flies (or deer gun season, as she put it). The building is progressing as expected, on time, at the site the county purchased from Northcentral Technical College.
The regional morgue would not only save the medical examiner’s office and the sheriff’s office staff time and money — right now they have to drive bodies to Madison to be autopsied — but it would bring in revenue by providing services to other counties whose staff also has to make that drive.
The county is currently hiring a forensics pathologist to perform autopsies. That position would start next year when the morgue opens.
This week, The Wausonian tried something new. We interviewed the owners of Northern Lights Sauna in Wausau in the actual sauna. Here’s how it went:
We also brought you another full court press, our look at civil case filed in Marathon County Court, and an early look at the Marathon County Budget.
What else in Wausau?
Horseshoes and grants: Last month The Wausonian reported that Greenheck-Turner Field House would be hosting the world championships horseshoe tournament in 2026 and 2029. Now Visit Wausau reports that it received a $25,000 grant from the Wisconsin Tourism Department to promote the event. Suggestion: Have Horsehoes and Hand Grenades play a set. Seems appropriate.
Around the metro
Road rage trial: A Ringle woman is slated to face trial in an alleged road rage incident that happened near Clubhouse and Ringle roads. Terra LaFave, according to police reports, sped up to a car that had passed her and flashed her bright lights and turn signals. When the woman stopped at a stop sign and got out of her car to find out why, according to the complaint, LaFave beat her and nearly strangled her unconscious. Police found the woman lying on the road with swollen eyes. LaFave is free on a $5,000 bond ($1,000 in cash) according to court records. Her trial is slated to begin May 7.
Good news for county taxpayers - hopefully: That good news is that county taxpayers will see a lower rate next year, according to Marathon County Administrator Lance Leonhard. Taxpayers could see a 15 cent per $1,000 of valuation reduction in the rate, a $30 reduction in the county portion of taxes for someone with a $200,000 home. But, re-valuations have increased the taxable value of resident’s homes so whether or not taxpayer’s property tax bill decreases is yet up in the air.
What to do with all this money: County leaders are still deciding what to do with money received from the settlement of a class action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers. County leaders commissioned a gap analysis to look at where the money could do the most good. A consultant identified a number of areas needing help, including treatment facility expansion, funding harm reduction efforts and community-based prevention programs. The county has not yet made any decisions about how to deploy the money. [how much?]
Broadband update: The county’s executive committee last week approved an $8 million loan to Bug Tussel in its efforts to provide broadband service to rural Marathon County residents. Under the program, Bug Tussel is building 191 miles of fiber and 16 towers in rural areas of the county to help increase broadband. Broadband in rural areas is notoriously bad and has been a focus for the county for more than a decade.
BREAKING — Bangstad arrested: Minocqua Brewing Co. owner Kirk Bangstad says he’s been arrested on charges of criminal defamation. According to a post Bangstad released on the Minocqua Brewing Co. Facebook page, Bangstad said he was arrested and detained for two hours in Oneida County Jail before being released. He says he doesn’t yet know from what the charges stem, but believes it is related to the defamation lawsuit he lost against Gregg Walker when he falsely implied Walker let his brother die in a hunting accident. No charges have yet been filed in court, according to Oneida County Court records. Shout out to Rob Mentzer of WPR for breaking this story.
Business
Nevermore, said the Polack: Nevermore on Third, the new bar in the former Polack Inn, is open and looks like a steampunk/Edgar Alan Poe dream. A post on the bar’s Facebook page on Oct. 1 announced the new establishment’s opening and it’s a gothic lover’s bar through and through.
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Entertainment
Thursday, Oct. 17: If you've got a k9 friend, you know how important those dog parks are. Doggies gotta run wild! And Sandy’s Bark Park in Rib Mountain is one of the more unique dog parks around. If you’re the type who likes to dress their dog up in costumes (I see you) this event is right up your alley. You’ll dress ole Fido up in his best costume, join the parade and attempt to win prizes. Plus enter drawings, come away with some doggie treats and more. Registration at 4:30 pm, dogs on parade at 5 pm. See more at the event page.
Friday, Oct. 18: Pete Henry is one of those musicians who can take some pretty standard instrumentation and make it sound fresh somehow. His wispy, gritty voice is compelling and works perfectly with his acoustic playing and harmonica. Sometimes he’s on a resonator and sometimes on banjo, but his unique voice is the gel that keeps the sound together. Henry got his start playing around the Stockton and Modesto areas of California before eventually making his way to the Midwest. He’s opened for Dave Chappelle and the lead singer of Creed, Scott Stapp. Now he’s making his way to Malarkey’s. 8 pm. Check out more at their Facebook page.
Saturday, Oct. 19: Every year when I come across this listing I have to pull up the Thriller music video. It’s a classic. Meeting people on a trip who knew the dance and taught it to us, makes it even more special. Fortunately for all of you I won’t be on stage for this production, but the talented dancers of the Wausau Dance Theatre will be, and they always put on a spooky good show. 1 pm and 7 pm. $20 adults, $17 children. Check out the event page for more.
Trick or Treat bonus! Wednesday, Oct. 23: There are usually a lot of places to trick or treat (or bar crawls, which are really the adult version of trick or treat) but this one seems like a really good option. Head on downtown with the kiddos Wednesday for some trick or treating right in the heart of downtown. The little ones can take their baskets from business to business picking up some candy along the way from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, then stick around for a showing of the movie Hotel Transylvania on the 400 Block at 6 pm. Should be great for the adults too since they can sneak a little shopping in. And with the Children’s Imaginarium downtown, families can make a real afternoon of it. Free. Check out more at the event page.
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
Football: Blake Bangston leads the conference in rushing yards as D.C. Everest defeated SPASH 47-41 in a double-overtime win Friday. The Evergreens are undefeated in conference play and likely will remain so as their last game of the season Thursday is against Eau Claire Memorial, which boasts a 1-4 conference record.
Volleyball: D.C. Everest defeated Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau West and Merrill in the Wisconsin Valley Conference tournament Saturday. That leaves the Evergreens on top of Wausau area teams in the conference, 9-2 and second behind undefeated Marshfield. D.C. Everest takes on SPASH today (Thursday) for the final game of the conference season.
Boys Soccer: D.C. Everest defeated Marshfield 3-1 Tuesday in pool play, and Wausau West beat Wisconsin Rapids 3-0. That leaves both teams tied for first. The Warriors and the Evergreens will both attempt to get the edge as they take each other on today at Wausau West to cap off the season.
Girls tennis: The individual singles tournament kicks off today (Thursday). Wausau West No. 1 singles player Mia Bailey will take on Hayley Jarzembowski of Westosha Central at 12:15 pm and Lilly Wittwer of West will take on Mekenna Verhagen of Arrowhead.
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