Discover more from The Wausonian

The Wausonian is a local newsletter featuring the Wausau news you need to know, delivered to your inbox every Thursday, with long-form stories for paid subscribers on the weekend.

Police investigate drowning death |The Weekly Wausonian

Wausau news for July 27, 2023

B.C. Kowalski

Jul 27, 2023

One woman is dead and another survived after police responded to an emergency call at the Wisconsin River near downtown.

Officers responded 5 pm Tuesday after receiving reports of two people in the Wisconsin River near the dam by Whitewater Park in downtown Wausau. One woman, 55-year-old Tammy Miller, was pulled from the water and was declared dead at the scene.

Police in an update Wednesday afternoon said Miller was homeless at the time of her drowning. The believe it was accidental and that alcohol may have been a factor in the drowning.

A second person washed up on the river’s rocky edge and ultimately left under her own power.

What else in Wausau?

Smooth criminal: A man wanted in connection with a shooting on the city’s west side over the weekend taunted police on their Facebook post about the crime. Nick Multani is wanted in connection with a shooting on the 800 block of Fifth Avenue in which a man shot at a residence there after an altercation. No one was injured. On the Police Department’s Facebook post, Multani apparently posted a meme with the words “can’t catch me” and another suggesting it would be impossible for him to get a gun at 17-years-old. Police have not yet caught up with Multani.

Solar task: A new solar task force will investigate whether it makes sense to build a solar array on the north side of the city and, if so, what size. The city wants the array to power the city’s drinking water plant, hopefully saving money in the process. Neighbors were previously opposed to the idea because it would cut down trees and potentially prove unsightly to residents living there.

Chief interest: The city is receiving a sizable amount of interest in the the open police and fire chief positions. So far 12 have applied for the police chief role, which will be open when Chief Ben Bliven resigns to work in the private sector in September. That includes one internal candidate. And, seven have applied to replace Chief Robert Barteck, who retires at the end of the year. The city hopes to hold interviews next month.

Around the metro

Prison death: Cindy Schulz Juedes, convicted in 2021 of murdering her husband in 2006, died in prison last week. Authorities have not released her cause of death. Schulz-Juedes was arrested in 2019 in the death of her husband, after remaining free for 15 years. She had been locked up that entire time but was sent to women’s prison last year.

Brewing trouble: Earlier this week we brought you the story about Minocqua Brewing Company and owner Kirk Bangstad’s battle with Oneida County as the brewery faces shutdown. The meeting to decide the brewery’s fate happened today and, well, it was essentially shut down early after a shouting match erupted between Bangstad and committee members. Full story coming later this week.

Business

Vitality downtown: A business called Vitality Bar is slated to open downtown at the intersection of Scott and Third streets. The Bar will be run by a pair of physicians and their wives and feature wellness services such has cryotherapy and sauna.

Entertainment

Aug. 1-6: Starting Tuesday, the Wisconsin Valley Fair returns to Marathon Park, bringing all those rides and carnival games, not to mention animals and plenty of entertainment. Here is the grandstand schedule: Tuesday (Aug. 1): Mitchel Tenpenny; Wednesday (Aug. 2): Rick Springfield; Thursday (Aug. 3): Jo Dee Messina; Friday-Saturday (Aug. 4-5): PCRA Rodeo; Sunday (Aug. 6): Demolition Derby. All grandstand events except the demolition derby are included with gate admission; reserved seats are $25 prior to the start of the fair, $30 afterward. Tickets before 1 pm $6; after 1 pm $10. Children 10 and under admitted free. wisconsinvalleyfair.com

Sat.-Sun., July 28-29: That’s right, the Wausau Hmong Festival is back for another year of competitive sporting events, singing and dancing, fireworks and delicious Southeast Asian cuisine. It’s a huge event held at Peoples Sports Complex that grows every year. Don’t miss it! One day $8, $15 for the weekend. wausauhmongfestical.org.

Friday, July 28: Max Koepke was crushing it in the area music scene since high school - now he’s chasing his dream in Chicago, but tends to play around here when he comes back to visit town. The Garage will host the talented singer (check out his rendition of Piano Man to see what I mean) this Friday. 6 pm. Check out the event page for more.

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 lost 5-2 to Kokomo Sunday, capping off a 3-1 season series loss to the Jackrabbits. That leaves Wausau with a 9-11 losing record for the second half of the season as the Chucks head into the all-star break. The Chucks will host the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters today (Thursday).

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!

The Wausonian