A plan to replace 8,000 lead pipes within a five-year period nearly blew up at the city council Tuesday after questions about the company overseeing the work surfaced.
That company, called CIP, includes a number of former employees of a company called Corvias. Corvias was the subject of an ongoing Reuters investigation after developing housing for military families that was considered “hazardous and squalid” according to the report. The company was also involved in a college dormitory that got so bad students camped on the lawn in protest.
That led some council members to attempt to bring the December decision forward for reconsideration. That idea, toward the end of a three-hour meeting Tuesday, was ultimately vote down. But City Attorney Ann Jacobson said she would be crafting language around more transparency and records access according to concerns from some council members.
The replacement plan would employ federal funding to replace residents’ lead pipes in an effort to reduce lead exposure. That exposure can lead to developmental problems in children and irreversible damage to health in all people.
The Wausonian will keep an eye on this story.
This week, subscribers reader about another employee complaint in the village of Kronenwetter:
What else in Wausau?
Community answered the call: A new initiative aimed at keeping homeless people warm during especially cold weather did just that with dozens of people per day, Community Outreach Coordinator Tracy Rieger says. Rieger says as part of the Community on Call initiative started a few months ago, Bridge Street Mission and the Police Department helped house people on five nights, ranging from 45-51 people per night. Calls to police around the unhoused were kept to a minimum on those nights and no one died of exposure to the cold.
Man who taunted police online headed to trial: A man accused of shooting at a house following a dispute and who taunted police on their Facebook page with a meme that read “Can’t catch me” is headed to trial. Nicolas Multani faces two charges of recklessly endangering safety, reckless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm while under the age of 18 stemming from an incident in July when police say Multani fired at someone’s house following a dispute. His trial is set to being in August if he doesn’t come to a plea agreement with prosecutors first.
Campus pub surrenders liquor license: The Public Health and Safety Committee was ready to summon the owner of Campus Pub in order to revoked the business’ liquor license because the business hadn’t been open for months; but now the owner has since surrendered the license. Wausau leaders say the city will take applications for the license, including from the new owners who bought Campus Pub. The city’s Liquor License Subcommittee will review applications and make a recommendation to the Public Health and Safety Committee.
Around the metro
OSHA fine in worker death: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued more than $30,000 in fines to Greenheck Fan Corporation over the death of one of its workers last July. Greenheck contested the fine, according to online records. A worker last July was crushed in machinery at one of Greenheck’s plants, and died from his injuries five days later.
Officer stabbing: Police officials say an officer on the Mosinee Police Department was stabbed Friday after performing a welfare check on a 41-year old man laying unresponsive the sidewalk near Main and Seventh streets. The man was ultimately subdued by a K9 officer. Both the officer and the man were taken to the hospital for treatment and the suspect was kept in custody at the hospital. The officer was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released. The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident and will recommend charges to the District Attorney.
TIF Task Force reveals preliminary findings: A newly created TIF task force has released preliminary findings last week. According to Chair Dave Oberbeck, for instance, TIF Districts have more increment than base value. More active districts in the county have been extended than haven’t. And many municipalities are over the state limit of 12% of their value being in a TIF District. The task force is tasked with looking at the impact of TIF Districts and how they impact Marathon County.
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Entertainment
Fri-Sat, Jan. 26-27: It’s that time of year again! Wausau Events kicks off Friday night with its Winter Brew Fest, with seven different beer vendors, a bratwurst bar and live music. And new this year are offerings from new Wausau business Forward Beverage Company, which will be serving their delicious non-alcoholic cocktails. And then the family-oriented Winter Fest takes place on Saturday from 11-1 pm; but thanks to the warmer than usual for January temperatures, looks like the outdoor events have been canceled (except for the petting zoo) and only the indoor events will be held. But there still will be some fun indoor activities for the kiddos, including pizza and cookies provide by Pizza Kiln - yum! See more details on Wausau Events’ page.
Saturday, Jan. 27: Describing The Driftless Revelers as a bluegrass band just doesn’t quite do this group justice. They’ve got a lot more in common with Lou and Peter Berryman than they do the typical bluegrass act. And that already intrigues me. With influences from blues to jazz, The Driftless Revelers’ sound is like if a group of talented musicians had never heard bluegrass before, which gives them the freedom to create without adhering to the conventions of the genre. Mix in some Wisconsin references and this will be a great act to take in. 8 pm. Learn more at the event page.
Thursday, Jan. 25: Empire Trio here puts together a fascinating collection of music from the world of films, covering the 1930s to the 1990s including works such as Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz and Titanic. But they also include the stories of the performers who sang those songs, including Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. Empire Trio has been taking the music world by storm, selling out the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and playing at 350 different venues around North American and the U.K. 7 pm. Learn more on the Merrill Area Concerts Association website.
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
Boys basketball: Wausau East edged out D.C. Everest 73-72 Tuesday to hold on to third place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The Lumberjacks remains the top Wausau area team.
Girls basketball: Wausau West defeated Merrill 55-49 Tuesday to retain third place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference and remain the top Wausau area team.
Boys hockey: Wausau West defeated Wisconsin Rapids in overtime 2-1 Monday as the Warriors remains in second place behind rival SPASH in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The Warriors will take on SPASH today (Thursday) at Marathon Park.
Girls hockey: The Central Wisconsin Storm defeated Northland Pines 6-1 Tuesday as the Storm improves to 13-3 for the season.
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