Setting boundaries | The Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of Feb. 13, 2025
Following a January decision to close four elementary schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year, the Wausau School Board Monday voted to set new boundaries for the elementary schools that will remain in the district.
The new boundary changes come as the district closes Hewitt-Texas, Hawthorne Hills, Grant and Lincoln elementary schools. Lincoln Elementary will become the district’s 4K site.
The board also voted to allow the district’s administrators to look into selling the closed schools, either through a realtor or other means.
The district made the decision after the number of students in the Wausau School District continue to drop every year - and current birthrate patterns don’t indicate that will change any time soon.
Subscribers this week read the newest edition to The Wausonian - Dr. Fernando Riveron will be writing a column on health. This week’s is on the other side of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic - and their potential downside:
And, they read our latest Full Court Press, breaking down the last month’s civil cases in Marathon County Court:
And last but not least, trouble appears to be brewing in the village of Maine’s Fire Department - and that has residents concerned:
What else in Wausau?
Public comment crackdown: Mayor Doug Diny gave a speech about public comment that led to a debate that ran longer than the rest of the city council’s agenda Tuesday. Some have expressed consternation about the city’s public comment policy, which allows public comment on items on the agenda, as well as unrelated commentary. But allowing non-agenda commentary has been city policy and is spelled out on the city council agenda, both Diny and City Attorney Anne Jacobson says.
Mayor ethics appointment canceled: Mayor Doug Diny planned to appoint a new member of the city’s ethics board Tuesday, but announced that the candidate had withdrawn. Dylan Anderson’s application was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Anderson works for Tiffany and has worked for other Republican lawmakers as well as the state party. Mayor Jim Tipple avoided appointing a member to the ethics board when he faced a complaint.
Records request can go through: The city council Tuesday agreed to waive attorney-client privilege, allowing a legal opinion to be released via open records request. Former city council member Keene Winters filed a complaint with the city saying the way city staff were classifying some of its debt was incorrect, leading to the city to exceed its debt capacity. Representatives from law firm Quarles and Brady in a presentation to the council disagreed with that idea and the council dismissed the complaint. Winters since requested the actual opinion.
UWSP kicking off new dual enrollment program: UWSP officials say they plan to kick off a new dual enrollment program aimed at high school students wanting to take college classes. The program, which would start in the fall, is aimed at students who have the ability to take college classes but might face barriers to doing so. The classes will be offered online, UWSP officials say, because that makes it easier for high school students since the college and high school schedules don’t line up. The program will be offered at D.C. Everest, Marshfield, Pittsville, SPASH and Edgar high schools.
Around the metro
Lincoln County investigating shooting: The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred in the town of Schley. Deputies say they responded last week to a report of a man with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. He was treated on scene and taken to Wausau Aspirus Hospital. Deputies say there is no threat to the public but didn’t provide any further details.
Business
Whitewater Music Hall closed: The owners of Whitewater Music Hall announced Friday that the business would be closing that weekend. The music hall, which opened in 2019, stayed open Friday and Saturday.
October Guitars too: Following on the heels of Whitewater’s announcement, October Guitars this week announced it has closed. A post on its Facebook page says the business will reopen to host a retirement sale.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop’s liquor license could be revoked: Fuzzy’s Taco Shop closed in December - but the village of Weston still hasn’t gotten its liquor license back and staff say they haven’t been able to get in touch with the company.
What’s going on with Jalapenos?: Sources downtown say the business has been closed for nearly three weeks. The business appeared closed Wednesday afternoon, despite their hours suggesting otherwise.
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Entertainment
Friday, Feb. 14: Back in the 1990s, I and a friend got tickets to go see Stone Temple Pilots. Opening for them was a band neither of us had ever heard of, but after the show we quickly became fans. Local H had a hard-driving style and became one of the top under-the-radar bands of the alternative 90s. And, it’s easy to forget, the band was only two members, with the guitarist running his guitar through a guitar and a bass amp to achieve a fuller sound. Impressive since it came before the age of live looping. 7 pm. $25 advanced, $30 at the door. Check out the event page for more.
Friday, Feb. 14: If you’re into the gothic aesthetic, and your idea of Valentine’s Day involves skulls and Edgar Allen Poe’s poetry, Nevermore has you covered. The gothic-themed bar is hosting a Dark Valentine’s Day Party, which will feature the music of DJ Lucius Lovewatts, comedy and crowdwork from the comedians Jimi C and Lewis Bee, and a unique twist: If you’re in a couple, you’re to wear red and black, and if you’re single, you should wear white. Now I definitely want to hear an update on how that idea pans out. 7 pm. See the event page for more.
(And a later option Friday: Check out Wausau’s Cool Hat at The Mill Yard at 9 pm. An upbeat local band with a variety of covers and upbeat originals with a hint of rock and funk. See more at the event page.)
Fri.-Sun., Feb. 14-16: This probably sounds like a broken record at this point, but it always needs saying - don’t overlook these shows because they are children’s theater. The Central Wisconsin Children’s Theater puts on some truly top-notch shows, and this one - Les Miserables - is no exception. Based on the Victor Hugo novel, this story of false imprisonment in 19th century France is the longest-running musical of all time, and it has one of the most-recognized and celebrated musical scores. Check out times and tickets on their page.
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: D.C. Everest beat Wausau West 63-55 Friday but West still remains the top Wausau area team. The Warriors are tied with SPASH for second place with a 6-3 record. With three games left on the regular season schedule, Wausau West could still claim the top spot, but that would require 8-0 Marshfield to falter.
Girls basketball: D.C. Everest defeated Wausau West Thursday 56-41 to come within inches of overtaking The Warriors in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The Warriors (5-5) now narrowly lead the Evergreens (4-5) in third place in the Valley. With two games left for the Evergreens, they could still claim the third spot.
Boys hockey: Wausau West chalked up another win Tuesday, closing out the regular season by beating Wisconsin Rapids 6-2. But SPASH was unstoppable this year again, taking the top spot in the Wisconsin Valley Conference with a 10-0 record. The Warriors finished the season 8-2 and D.C. Everest finished 6-4.
Girls hockey: The Central Wisconsin Storm notched another win Saturday, defeating the Superior Spartans 2-0 on home ice. With two games left in the regular season, the Storm are looking good at 19-3. The team hasn’t lost since early January.