Short a few dollars | The Weekly Wausonian

Wausau news for the week of March 21, 2024

Mar 21, 2024

One of the somewhat under-the-radar stories this week is the Wausau School District working on a plan to address a $3.5 million shortfall for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Some of that deficit is the result of ending of ESSER funding, Federal funds designated to help school districts stem pandemic learning loss. And some of it is carryover deficit from the previous year.

District staff proposed a series of cuts to staff, including teachers, administrators and even janitorial staff.

One particular position proposed to be cut was a dean of students position at Horrace Mann — that position is meant to address student behavior problems. Numerous teachers spoke at Monday’s Wausau School Board meeting about the behavioral challenges teachers are dealing with and calling for the board to reconsider the plan to eliminate the position.

What else in Wausau

Campus overhaul complete: North Central Health Care completed the last of its renovations on Mount View Care Center, the county’s nursing home. That caps off the campus renovation that began in 2019, prior to the pandemic. The original total was supposed to be $73 million. The Wausonian has requested the total project cost and will report back.

Suspects sought in fatal beating: Four young men from the Wausau area are suspected of fatally beating a 61-year-old man near the Cobblestone Hotel in Stevens Point Friday. Police already have in custody 18-year-old Christian Emerson of Wausau and Brandon Lee Boehm, 21 of Wausau. They’re still seeking Arlin Olli Sangster, 19 of Rothschild; and Daemon Kritzow, 19 of Wausau. Police say the four men attacked a 61-year-old man outside his truck. The man was flown to Aspirus Wausau Hospital but died of his injuries.

Sheriff’s Office employee on leave following arrest: A Marathon County Sheriff’s Office employee (non-deputy) is on leave following an arrest on charges of false imprisonment, using a computer to send a threatening/obscene message and disorderly conduct stemming from a situation at his other job in loss prevention at Fleet Farm. County officials say Micheal Evon is on unpaid leave and an internal investigation is being conducted. According to the police reports, Evon harassed a female coworker, at one point blocking the door to the break room until she “gave him a kiss,” and after she reported it, sending her a threatening email. The county is conducting his own internal investigation.

Faster parking downtown: The city’s Capital Improvement and Streets Maintenance Committee gave the first OK this week to a plan to install 15-minute stalls in three (of 40) of the new Washington Street parking area. They would operate similarly to the ones on Third Street, meant to allow patrons of businesses to run in and out quickly to get what they need.

Don’t miss it!

Tomorrow night is The Wausonian’s first-ever livestream debate between Incumbent Mayor Katie Rosenberg and challenger Doug Diny. It’s 7 pm on YouTube, so you can watch from right from your living room. We’re trying a more open style of debate than is typically seen in Wausau, so be sure to tune in!

Around the metro

Police merger: A merging of the Everest Metro and Rothschild police departments is one step closer to a reality. The Weston Village Board Monday voted to approve the merger that would create the 40-officer Mountain Bay Metropolitan Police Department. The move would save money on equipment and help both villages recruit officers, and address officer shortages. See the full story The Wausonian published here.

Entertainment

Saturday, March 23: The Driftless Revelers are one interesting act; they’re almost a little more like Lou and Peter Berryman than your 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, at the classic Wausau music venue Malarkey’s. 8 pm. See the event page for more information.

Saturday, March 23: Bingo might seem like something your grandma would go to, but moonshine bingo at the Eagles Club takes the game to a whole new level! Your grandma might not like the loud music and glow in the dark lights, but you’ll love it. (And hey, maybe grandma will too?) This is the most excitement you’ll find hearing “B6” shouted you’ll ever find. 7 pm. See the event page for more details.

UPDATE: A post about Pop Rock Orchestra has been removed as it was listed in error.

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

Semi-pro hockey: The Wausau Cyclones had a stellar season, but they fell just short in a 1-0 loss to West Bend Power Saturday, ending the team’s playoffs following a 5-0 loss to West Bend Friday. The loss wraps what was the Cyclones’ best season since the team came to Wausau as the RiverWolves in 2017. The team was sold and became the Wausau Cyclones, named after another semi-pro team that once played in Wausau. The Cyclones went 36-10-0-1 in the regular season.

Happy 1,000 to The Wausonian

The Wausonian got its 1,000th subscriber Wednesday - that’s 1,000 Wausonians (and honorary Wausonians) getting the important news of the area sent to their inbox. Thank you so much to everyone who subscribed and helping make The Wausonian a success! Tell your friends and we’ll see everyone at 2,000 subscribers!

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