Mayoral protest | Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of July 13, 2023
Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg held a campaign launch event at Whitewater Music Hall Saturday. The event had several attendees including Gov. Tony Evers, who also signed the budget bill in Wausau last month.
But it also included a dozen or so protestors outside the hall, who held up signs protesting the event, Rosenberg’s policies and Gov. Evers himself. One protestor held a sign that said “Gov. Evers, thanks for helping Illinois.”
This publication was not made aware of the launch event. Rosenberg had already announced her intention to run for another term as mayor after unseating former mayor Robert Mielke in 2020.
What else in Wausau?
Coloring books: The Wausau School Board voted to adopt a new color scheme for the new combined Wausau high school and junior high, which is set to combine by 2025. The board voted to adopt a blue and red color scheme, paying homage to both Wausau East and West. The board also voted to establish a committee to start investigating implementation of the color scheme, finding a new logo, and determining the cost and timeline of everything involved.
No such thing as a free bus… or is there?: Wausau is set to receive a handful of buses from other transit departments, and most of them are free. Wausau will get three free buses from Duluth Transit Authority and another two from Waukesha for $5,000 total. Transit Director Matthew Rosenbloom-Jones explained to The Wausonian buses depreciate fast, and the new buses will replace several that can no longer pass inspection (and one totaled in a 2022 crash).
Green space delay: A project that aims to turn a former chemical building into a green space and event space has been delayed - but progress continues. Infused aims to be an indoor green space, an event space and a tea and mocktail lounge received a one-year extension to have the project fully up and running. Asch Properties, which purchased the old Wausau Chemical building from the city for $40,000, has made a lot of progress on the project but delays with contractors and the extent of the work needed has delayed the project. Construction is expected to start in August.
Musical feasibility: City leaders say they have contacted firms about conducting a feasibility study for a new proposed 3,500-seat concert venue called The River aimed at the north part of downtown. The city is vetting firms and will allow venue proposer VY Properties to select from a few of them. The venue’s proposers say the venue will draw conservatively 250,000 tickets per year but an analysis of The River by The Wausonian shows that would place it toward the top of venues nationwide.
Another T. Wall project delayed: Wausau’s mall redevelopment isn’t the only T. Wall Enterprise project to see delays. An apartment project in Watertown has also experienced delays recently. The 87-unit, high-end development was originally supposed to break ground in 2022, according to a story in the Watertown Daily Times. That’s been postponed now to September, which officials say is still expected, according to emails obtained by The Wausonian.
Around the metro
Town no more: Rib Mountain is set to become a village. The town voted 1,194-104 to become a village in a referendum held Tuesday. The results will need to be certified by the Department of Administration and then an election for village board will be held 40-50 days following the referendum.
Fire retire: A captain with the Kronenwetter Fire Department who was one of the first to work at the department retired recently. Steve Toboyek served for 52 years with the department, and was one of its first volunteer firefighters at the department’s formation. Back then they fought fires with a $17,000 fire truck and not all the firefighters had phones.
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Business
A and A: A new sign has gone up on the old Jenny’s Cafe restaurant on Grand Avenue for what is likely to be a new restuarant called A and A. A lot of work has been going on at the site over the summer. The Wausonian will report back when it learns more.
Sponsored
Venado Cerveceria's Tap Room is now open for business in downtown Wausau! Located at 209 Grant Street, lobby of Onora Suites, this new establishment officially opened its doors on the June 30, creating a haven for beer enthusiasts and a welcoming space for all. At Venado Cerveceria, we have crafted an inviting atmosphere that offers a perfect setting for you to unwind and enjoy a refreshing draft beer. Whether you're a resident or a guest at Onora suites, we extend a warm invitation to experience the taste and ambiance we have carefully cultivated. Operating hours for the Tap Room are as follows: Weekdays: 11 AM to 7 PM; Friday and Saturday: 11 AM to 9 PM. Join us in celebrating this exciting milestone at Venado Cerveceria's Tap Room and discover the variety of beers we have on tap. We can't wait to share this experience with you!
Entertainment
Thursday, July 13: Lamplight Sessions just hasn’t missed with its music yet. Every act that comes in is so carefully curated to delight you that you pretty much could go to any show and enjoy it. Jeffrey Martin and Anna Tivel is no exception. Martin’s dark, deep voice paired with Tivel’s mournful fiddle make for a powerful combo. 7 pm. Check out the event page for more.
Sunday, July 16: Zachary Finnegan is originally from Weston, but he’s a big-time trumpeter based out of Chicago now, touring with the likes of Grammy winner Michael Buble. Finnegan is bringing his own group to town for the Jazz on the River this Sunday. This is high-level stuff, and you’ll get to see it for free. 5 pm. rivervalleyjazz.org.
Friday, July 14: If you’re going to watch theatre, it ought to be outdoors, especially if it’s Shakespeare. I don’t know wherefore thou art right now, but you oughta be at Rib Mountain State Park this Friday evening to take in some high-level Shakespeare performance for free. 7 pm, but if you arrive a little early (5:30 pm) you can enjoy a workshop that helps explain Shakespeare a little. Clicketh of this link for more details.
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 split a pair of games to Green Bay this week, winning 18-7 Monday but falling to the Rockers 8-3 Tuesday. That leaves the Chucks toward the bottom of the Great Lakes West division, with a losing 3-4 record in the second half of the season.
Northwoods League tragedy: An umpire for the Northwoods League died in a car crash on the way to umpire a game. Umpire Conor McKenzie died Sunday in a car crash on his way to Madison to umpire a game between the Wausau Woodchucks and the Madison Mallards. The teams held a moment of silence at the stadium in his honor.
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