The full referendum ask | Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of Jan. 15, 2026
The city’s Finance Committee and City Council this week approved the language of an upcoming referendum question asking to exceed state levy limits — and they chose the higher of the two possible amounts.
The city council Tuesday voted 9-2 to ask voters in April for the full $1.45 million expected to cover the 12 additional firefighter positions the city added in recent years. Those positions were funded through grants initially, but those grants were for a limited time.
That was the choice instead of asking for $1.045 million, which would have subtracted the amount added to the levy next year by closing TIF District No. 7 this year.
Why? City leaders thought asking for the smaller amount wouldn’t leave enough “wiggle room” for other increasing expenses in the 2027 budget.
The measure is expected to cost $33 per $100,000 of home valuation — the reduced amount would have been $23 if the lower cost referendum had been approved.
The Wausonian this week put together its Wausau Spring 2026 Election Guide. As we conduct interviews and dig through campaign finance reports, it will all be linked to this page which currently lists Wausau area races.
And we look at two important TIF District closures this week, including one that may be happening soon in Weston. The two are quite different, our analysis found:
And last, David Hummer found a new use for the old Wausau Club building when he opened the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art there. But now he’s got a new event space opening on the second floor. And it will once again be called The Wausau Club:
What else in Wausau?
Man pleads guilty in elephant ear stand arson: The man suspected of burning down the Wausau Noon Optimists’ elephant ear stand pleaded guilty in Marathon County Court this week. Kenneth Taylor, 54 of Rothschild, pleaded guilty by way of mental defect to two counts of arson and will be committed for 10 years to the state’s mental health system. Taylor burned the elephant ear stand down and set fire to a shed near the Rothschild Pavilion and the Tidal Wave Car Wash in August of 2024. The community came together to help rebuild the Noon Optimist elephant ear stand, which the organization uses to raise money for local groups.
Neighborhood group meetings are coming back: City leaders are working on a plan to bring back the N2N (Neighbor to Neighbor) meetings. The meetings were a gathering of leaders from the various neighborhood groups across the city. Mayor Doug Diny told The Wausonian that the group fell off during the COVID-19 pandemic but that he is working with community leaders to bring the group back. It’ll serve a listening session role, Diny told The Wausonian, allowing city leaders to get valuable feedback from the neighborhood groups and the people they represent.
City council says no to ethics board-initiated investigations: The City Council Tuesday said no to the idea that the city’s Ethics Board could launch investigations on its own. Currently an investigation can only come from a citizen complaint, but the new rule allowed under state statutes would have allowed the board to initiate investigations, something council members said could open the door for retribution and political targeting. The move came as the council in the same meeting appointed Tara Alfonso, by a narrow vote of 6-5, to the ethics board. Alfonso formerly worked as an assistant city attorney for a number of years at the city before retiring.
Around the metro
County leaders back talent recruitment grant: The county’s Extension, Education and Economic Development Committee Thursday approved writing a letter of support for an application for a new grant that incentivizes recruitment. The Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership plans to apply for a grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, which could fund up to $500,000 to help attract out-of-state talent. The grant requires a 20% match, which GWPP leaders say would be funded through foundations and other in-kind donations. Target individuals would need to earn at least $55,000 per year to be eligible for the program. Part of the program is to ensure that transplants integrate deeply in the community to ensure they stay for some time.
Kronenwetter leaders weigh solution about train crossing blockages: Village Board members Monday weighed the next steps in addressing train blockages at crossings in Kronenwetter. Some of those blockages last as long as an hour. Board members say the blockages are potentially stifling development and business in the city. A village committee had conducted a request for proposals in 2024, said village board member Ken Charneski, but ultimately nothing ever happened with it. The board approved sending the item back to the CLIPP Committee to take action on addressing the train crossing delays.
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Business
New yoga/dance supply shop opening soon: A new yoga supply shop is opening later this month in downtown Wausau. The All Movement Store is planning a grand opening Jan. 23 and plans to feature fitness apparel, yoga supplies and dance equipment. The store will also feature an online componenet. Check out the business’s website in the meantime.
Buzzed plant shop moves to Bridge Street location: Buzzed, a plant and coffee shop combination that opened in the former La Prima Deli location downtown, announced it will be moving to a location on Bridge Street. The current shop is closed with a sign on the door, and an announcement on the business’s Facebook page suggests the new store will be open soon.
Entertainment
Fort France is a long-time indie band out of Chicago, and their appearance at the Grand Theater shouldn’t be missed! But that’s only one of many events in Your Wausome Weekend Guide this week. And even if you already read it, we added another event we came across, so it might be worth a second look!
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
Boys basketball: D.C. Everest nearly doubled up on Wisconsin Rapids Friday, beating them 95-54 to improve to second place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The Evergreens are tied with SPASH and Wausau East, which defeated cross-town rival Wausau West 60-54 Friday. The Lumberjacks and the Evergreens will take each other on Friday to settle the tie.
Girls basketball: D.C. Everest beat Wisconsin Rapids in a 30-26 contest to tie the team for second place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. SPASH leads the conference with a perfect 4-0 conference record.
Boys hockey: Wausau West shut out Wisconsin Rapids 9-0 Thursday to retain the No. 2 spot in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. That conference is currently led by undefeated SPASH at 4-0. (The Warriors are 4-1 in the conference this season.)
Girls hockey: The Central Wisconsin Storm defeated Wisconsin Valley Union 3-1 Tuesday to improve to second place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The Storm will head to Northland Pines on Monday.
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