Refugee group looking to buy old UW-Marathon dorm | Weekly Wausonian

Wausau news for the week of June 18, 2025

Correction: A previous version of this post stated that staff would get more information ahead of next meeting - but Leonhard pointed out that it will probably take longer to get information than that. The Wausonian apologizes for the confusion.

Marathon County officials are considering an offer from the Ethiopian Community Development Council to buy the former Marathon Hall building for $1.

The ECDC wants to use the former dorm to temporarily house new refugees coming to the area, provide affordable office space for non-profits, provide housing for foreign and first-generation students, and housing for working, single, unhoused women, according to a letter the ECDC sent county officials.

They also envision community gathering and workforce development spaces at the site.

Marathon County owns the dorms which are no longer used. The county sought proposals in 2020 to try to find a company to renovate the dorms into regular affordable apartments but despite even offering tours to local builders, no one ultimately responded to the county’s request for proposals.

The ECDC is asking to buy the building for $1 or some other nominal fee in exchange for renovating it. That includes new carpet, new windows, upgrading the heating system and building a commercial-grade kitchen among other improvements.

Members of the county’s HR, Finance and Property Committee met in closed session to discuss the matter but ultimately didn’t make a decision. It’ll come back to the committee for discussion again next week. Administrator Lance Leonhard told The Wausonian staff is working on getting more information for a future committee meeting.

First it was in the mall; then Stewart Avenue; then it closed. But now the original owner, along with a partner who is also a veteran, has reopened The Gaming Emporium in Rib Mountain.

And, The Wausonian grabbed an exclusive interview with D.C. Everest graduate Tim Seeley, whose comic book Revival just launched as a TV series on SyFy.

And, read out At least three things to start your weekend that goes out to our subscribers.

What else in Wausau?

Investment adviser accused of using Ponzi scheme to buy hundreds of snowmobiles: A Wausau investment adviser is accused of using investments from his clients to fund a lavish lifestyle, including buying hundreds of snowmobiles, is now facing wire fraud charges. Stanley Pophal, 63, is facing federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering. In the last six years Pophal garnered $15 million from 120 investors. Instead of investing the money, the federal indictment alleges, Pophal used the money to fund an “extravagant” lifestyle including buying 300 snowmobiles. The indictment alleges that Pophal used new investments to make payments to old investors in a Ponzi scheme.

Around the metro

County will sell former Community Corner Clubhouse building: County leaders will soon sell the building that once housed the Community Corner Clubhouse program. North Central Health Care eliminated the program in 2023 amidst budget cuts; the program helped people overcoming mental health and addiction issues regain their social footing and integrate into society. Its closing was unpopular, even amongst various county board members. The site will be sold through auction, and is estimated to be worth about $133,000.

County made a big change in its bid to purchase a Kronenwetter property for a highway department building: Marathon County plans to build a highway department in the village of Kronenwetter - but there was a problem; the closing for some of the parcels wouldn’t happen until November. Marathon County leaders recently approved a change to move up the closing date but allow owners of those parcels to remain in their property for months after the closing, allowing them to have the money in order to bid on a new house or, if they wish, possible move their existing house to a new lot.

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Business

No, Clean Slate Coffee is not closing: A write-up in another publication said that Clean Slate Coffee House— which regularly wins reader survey awards each year — was closing. The coffee shop’s owners say that’s not true. The owners are looking to sell the business, but have no intention of closing, they announced on social media.

Ropa’s to open extra location in Bunkers: Ropa’s Pizza is expanding into a new location at Bunkers at Tribute Golf Course, according to a post on Facebook. According to the post, it will include a limited selection of its Wausau location menu, plus a Detroit-style pizza and a thin crust as well. The restaurant is known for its Chicago-style pizza.

Japanese vending machine store slated to open downtown in July: If the word “gashapon” means anything to you, you’ll be excited about this: a new business called Kykomi’s is set to open in July in the Third Street Lifestyle Center. The business got an entertainment license from the city recently and will offer Japanese action figure vending machines called gashapon along with claw machines with Japanese-themed plush toys.

Entertainment

Brad Emanuel took the 400 Block Rothschild Pavilion stage, birding at Mead Wildlife Center, The Tamaracks play Stoney Acres Farm, Wausau Night Market takes over the downtown and so much more this weekend.

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

Softball: D.C. Everest won its state quarterfinal game by a tight margin, but then fell short in the semi-final by an equally tight margin. The Evergreens defeated Watertown 1-0 in eight innings Wednesday, with first base player Taylor Friedel driving in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth. And the Evergreens went neck and neck with Kenosha Bradford in the semi-final, with Kenosha finally breaking the scoring drought in the bottom of the sixth. The Evergreens weren’t able to answer back in the top of the seventh, giving Kenosha the 1-0 win. And then, Kenosha Bradford lost to Kaukauna in the championship by — can you guess it? — 1-0.

College softball: The Wausau Ignite dropped a two-game series to Mankato on the road, losing 18-3 Monday and 19-4 Tuesday. That left the Ignite in fourth place in the five-team league with a 2-5 record. The Ignite began a three-game homestand Wednesday evening at Athletic Park.

College baseball: The Wausau Woodchucks defeated the Royal Oak Leprechauns 7-0 Tuesday, splitting a two-game series on the road. They’ll now embark on a four-game road series with La Crosse. The Chucks are only half a game out of first place with a 13-8 record, behind the Madison Mallards.

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