Revenue sharing | The Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for June 22, 2023
Wausau is expected to get $1.2 million in additional shared revenue under a new deal reached between Gov. Tony Evers and Republican lawmakers.
The deal increases shared revenue for counties, villages, towns and cities. Evers and GOP lawmakers battled over who would get larger increases: urban or rural areas, respectively, before reaching a deal.
The bill was signed in Wausau Tuesday morning, though many including members of the press weren’t notified.
See more on the shared revenue bill and how it will benefit area municipalities:
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What else in Wausau?
House calls?: City leaders are looking at a plan to host a community paramedic that would make house calls for those with chronic problems. The plan would reduce the number of calls for service and emergency room visits for those with chronic issues. Nothing concrete has been approved yet, but similar programs operate in Madison and Merrill.
Survey says: City Pages’ annual Best of the Wausau area survey is open. Click here to vote for your favorite people, places and things in the Wausau area. It’s the city’s best reader survey because no ballot stuffing or other tomfoolery is allowed.
Water: Wausonians finally have PFAS-free water - but now it’s time to pay for it. Water rates will be increasing July 1 after getting approval from the state, according to a release from the city. (But not sewer.) The reasons for the rate increase, besides PFAS removal, are that the city built a new water treatment plant and has to start paying back that debt, increased operational costs and other capital projects. Here’s an infographic to explain to you why you’re getting soaked on your next bill.
Around the metro
Well, well, well: Folks have been wondering about some building going on in the Camp Phillips area, across from the Boy Scout headquarters. Turns out, it’s a new well, says Weston Administrator Keith Donner. And no, it’s not because of PFAS. New wells were planned more than a decade ago, before any of us were thinking about PFAS. They’re also building a new shelter area, since it’s a park that also hosts a disc golf course.
Mosi-neat: The city of Mosinee just got a $50,000 grant to spruce up its downtown. The grant will go toward turning a garage into an all-season gazebo with glass roll-up doors. Mosinee’s downtown has grown in recent years, attracting people with the addition of Mosinee Brewing Co and music venue Lamplight Sessions.
Searching for a leader: The village of Kronenwetter will hire a recruiter to fill its vacant administrator position. The village has been operating under various interim administrators for nearly a year following the departure of Richard Downey, including Duane Gau, village police chief Terry McHugh, and most recently retired village of Plover administrator Dan Mahoney. If you want to know why that might be, read The Wausonian’s investigative series on Kronenwetter.
Business
Expansion: Pharmaceutical-grade lactate manufacturer Kerry announced it is working on $4.9 million expansion of its Rothschild facility, including things like gender-neutral bathrooms, employee welfare spaces, locker rooms, mothers rooms, among other things. Kerry officials say it’s to make way for future growth.
Entertainment
Sat-Sun, June 24-25: It’s Chalkfest weekend! Once again the downtown 400 Block square will be covered in chalk art, and a lot of it is just really darned impressive. It was popular this year as all the artists spots have sold out (but there is a waiting list), but it’s fun to come down and walk around to see art being created live. And, the children’s area doesn’t have registration so they can come on down and create. Check out the Facebook page for all the details.
Saturday, June 24: I’ve been listening to Eddie 9V all week. The best way I can describe the band is a new wave of Motown R&B, with the horns that make you think 60s Detroit. I can only imagine how this big band sized act will fill the cozy space at Lamplight Sessions, quickly becoming one of the top venues in the area in the talent it can attract to the area. And fitting in with Eddie 9V is Al Holliday, which sounds similar to Eddie but perhaps a little more bluesy. Oh, and did I mention it’s Lamplight’s first-year anniversary?
Thursday, June 22: A movie in the park? Why of course! If you’ve never seen Despicable Me — or if you’ve seen it a billion times (or your kids have) — you’ll wanted to head down to the 400 Block this Thursday (today). Bring your own snacks, chairs and refreshments and enjoy this family-friendly movie. 7 pm. Check out the Facebook event page for more details and future movies and dates.
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 a tight one 3-2 to Wisconsin Rapids Tuesday, splitting the series with the Rafters. On Wednesday the Woodchucks defeated Madison 14-8 in game one of a doubleheader (game two concluded after press time), putting them solidly into second place ahead of the Mallards. (Did you know you can watch the Woodchucks online? Check out the live action tab on the Chucks’ website.)
Mountain biking: Wausau’s Lauren Lackman finished 46th of 62 riders at the U23 World Cup Mountain Bike Race in Leogang, Austria. That improves on her 57th place finish the previous weekend in Lenzerheide, Switzerland as she gets comfortable with a new level of racing. The full video can be found below, though you won’t see much of Lackman in it.
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