The blizzard and the plows | Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of March 19, 2026
Wausonians got an early dose of spring a little more than a week ago, followed by a record blizzard that shut down the city for two days.
Snowfalls of nearly 30 inches over the course of the storm all but shut down city traffic, left vehicles stranded on the roads and in some cases proved too much for even the city’s snowplows, which became stuck or slid down hills. Graders and end-loaders eventually took over the initial plowing, with plow drivers putting in 16-hour days, only to rest up a few hours and start again.
The promised snowfall materialized, but other warnings, including the potential for massive power outages and high wind damage, didn’t.
The snow shut down not only area school districts on Monday, but all Marathon County and city of Wausau buildings as well. Most municipal meetings were shut down Monday, as were many businesses.
Marathon County Sheriff’s Office officials on Sunday responded to 204 property damage crashes, one traffic crash with an injury and 347 disabled vehicles, sheriff’s office officials say.
The Wausonian covered the developments as we found them. You can find our coverage below:
What else in Wausau?
Pets killed in Wausau duplex fire: No human occupants were home when aduplex on Elm Street caught fire Friday - but unfortunately some pets were. City officials say two cats, a dog and a lizard were killed in a fire the Wausau Fire Department responded to in the 400 Block of Elm Street on March 11. Investigators say the heating lamp on the lizard’s cage caused the fire, according to a city press release. The residents of that unit were not home, but the resident of the upper unit heard a smoke alarm and called 911.
Central Wisconsin-native musician to appear on American Idol: Genevieve Heyward is no stranger to the Wausau area. The singer grew up in Wisconsin and cut her musical teeth in the central Wisconsin before moving to Nashville. This publication had twice featured her in its events section, including shows at the Grand Theater and The Elbow Room in Stevens Point. Heyward is now an American Idol contestant and made it to the show’s top 20, earning glowing praise from the show’s judges. See her Ohana Round performance here.
Around the metro
Northern Lutheran High School expanding: Northern Lutheran High School is expanding, village officials say. The school bought 21 acres adjacent to the campus for future development, though school officials say future expansion plans are still under discussion. The village of Kronenwetter staff received numerous questions about the development, since they saw tree clearing going on in that area.
Mosinee appoints new mayor: The Mosinee City Council recently appointed Tom Helbach as the city’s next mayor. The appointment comes as the previous mayor, Peter Nievinski, resigned in February due to health concerns. Helbach was the fourth ward city council alderman and was not seeking re-election for that seat. His former seat, which he held for 20 years, will remain vacant until the April 7 election. Nievinski died March 13, according to an obituary.
Mosinee man sentenced for more than four years in cocaine, money laundering case: A 38-year-old Mosinee man was sentenced to four years in federal prison in Western District Federal Court last week. Travis Ingram was sentenced to 52 months in federal prison after being convicted of selling cocaine, maintaining a drug house and money laundering. According to federal records, Ingram laundered drug money through banks and casinos.
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Business
Malarkey’s Pub to become new business: Buzz around town this week is that the name Malarkey’s Pub is retiring. Worse, a vaguely worded announcement led many people to believe the place was closing entirely. Here is the scoop: The new owners plan to retire the name Malarkey’s Pub after Friday, including a blowout last call we highlighted in the Weekend Guide. MumbleWrap will move into its own space elsewhere, and the bar will be re-imagined as a new lounge with live music under a different name.
EJ’s Diner now open in Rib Mountain: New restaurant EJ’s Diner is now open. The restaurant, which is owned by the owners of Era Pancakes and Cafe, opened in the former IHOP location on Highway NN in Rib Mountain. Unlike Era however, which only serves breakfast and lunch, the diner is open 8 am-8 pm, with later hours on Friday and Saturday nights.
Entertainment
This week marks the final music show at Malarkey’s Pub. At least as Malarkey’s Pub. And while that is absolutely don’t miss, there are plenty of other things going on this weekend including an early Easter egg hunt, a musky expo, a Linda Ronstadt tribute and much more in Your Wausome Weekend Guide.
Looking for kids/family events? Check out the full listing from The Wausonian’s partner Wausau Mama, who puts together a weekly listing of children/family activities.
Sports
Girls basketball: Mosinee lost to Oostburg in the WIAA State Semifinal Thursday. Oostburg defeated Mosinee 63-50 before defeating Wisconsin Dells 64-37.
Junior league hockey: The Wausau Cyclones’ season has come to a close after a two-game shutout in the first round of the Fraser Cup. The Rochester Grizzlies defeated the Cyclones 7-4 Friday and 6-0 Saturday to advance to the next round.
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