Watertown’s city council sent T. Wall Enterprises — which is currently redeveloping the Wausau Center mall site — packing Tuesday, after T. Wall missed the deadline to start work on a city project.
T. Wall’s deadline to develop the site in Watertown ended Sept. 30. That deadline was not met, the city’s development director confirmed, and the city council voted Tuesday to take back its land and sent notice to T. Wall that the deal is off.
T. Wall similarly missed its deadline to start development on the first Wausau Center mall redevelopment project, and city leaders are renegotiating the deal. That renegotiation includes putting promises made by Wausau Opportunity Zone into writing under their next agreement.
Those agreements should be coming before the Wausau City Council later this month.
This week The Wausonian started its series looking into what happened with failing grades during the pandemic - and we’re setting up meetings with local administrators to learn what’s being done about it:
What else in Wausau?
Sober graduation: Bridge Street Mission this week will graduate its largest class yet. The mission will have six graduates at its Friday ceremony. They’ve completed “a comprehensive life change curriculum which includes individual counseling, classroom instruction and a vocational track,” BSM officials say. It’s their third class, and after Friday the organization will have graduated 14 people.
ARPA dispute: City leaders could reallocate some of the American Rescue Plan funding it had been devoting to affordable housing. The city council recently rejected one of the projects on Wyatt Street over neighborhood concerns, and deadlines to allocate that ARPA funding are looming. City Council Member Lisa Rasmussen says that if another project isn’t found soon, that money might have to go somewhere else, otherwise it would have to be returned.
Meth sentence: A 27-year-old Wausau man was sentenced for possession of methamphetamines after he led troopers on a chase. Prosecutors say Trenton McCorkle fled police after they attempted to stop his car when he was driving erratically. He crashed, attempted to flee on foot and was apprehended. A federal judge sentenced him to seven years in prison.
Bantr stays: City leaders approved a change to its development agreement with Bantr that would allow the Wausau location to offer hotel stays. Right now the apartment complex offers long and short term stays, but now it can offer hotel-length stays (ie a couple of days) as well. Developer Michael Loy says Bantr works with area businesses to provide short term stays for their young professionals, both those who are visiting and those who are transitioning into the community.
BREAKING — Police make arrests in west side shooting: Police have arrested three suspects following a shooting on the city’s west side Tuesday night. A caller told police he was threatened by someone with a gun while at Marathon Park around 9 pm and that he and a group of people were chasing him. While still on the phone, police say, that person fired shots at the car as he fled in the 500 block of Garfield Avenue. Officer found nine shell casings and damage to the victim’s vehicle. Police arrested Todd Tucker (24) on charges including Recklessly Endangering Safety, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Disorderly Conduct. Two others, JoJo Zepeda and Alana Brantley, were also arrested. The incident is under investigation.
Around the metro
Morgue business: County leaders say a new forensic science center - a fancy term for a morgue - could be bid out for construction in January. The morgue, the concept of which this reporter has been covering since 2015, would take a huge burden off overworked medical examiner staff and sheriff’s deputies who right now must drive to the southern part of the state every time a forensic autopsy must be performed. The new center will serve counties north of Marathon as well.
Sponsored by
At Venado Cerveceria, it’s always wine time. Open 4-8 PM Tue - Thur & 4 - 9 PM Fri & Sat. Located at 209 Grant Street, downtown Wausau.
Business
Downtown updates: The former Honest J’s coffee shop location could be open by the end of the month, according to downtown sources. The new coffee company will be called The Pinery Coffee Company and will feature a new look, and other new features such as a Bellwether Coffee Roaster to ensure fresh cups. In addition, Sweets on Third has new owners an is now operating again. Check out their new hours on their page.
Entertainment
Friday, Oct. 6: This isn’t the first time the Resonant Rogues have played Lamplight Sessions, but this time instead of being the opening act, they’re the main attraction. The Ashville, N.C. duo packs a real song-writing punch, with a folk-bluegrass sound that almost seems like it’s from another era. They’ll be joined by Detroit-area singer-songwriter Libby DeCamp, who adds a little electric grit to her folks blues-rock sound. 7 pm. $32. Check out the event page for more.
Starting Thursday, Oct. 5: Monk Gardens lights up the night with their festival, in which colorful lights adorn the already beautiful gardens for a nighttime feast for the eyes. Not only will the lights guide you through the gardens but they will bring you to the kitchen garden where you can buy shirts and food from several food vendors present. The event is held Thursday, Friday and Saturday through the end of October, and arrival times are divided into 15 minute blocks. 7 pm (starts at 6:30 pm starting Oct. 19). $18, $48 for households of up to 6 adults and children. No pets except on Pet Night on Oct. 19). Check out the event page for all the dates and more info.
Saturday, Oct. 7: Are you sick of pumpkins yet? I’m not. The more, the merrier! And there will be plenty of those this weekend at the 400 Block during Wausau Events’ Harvest Fest. There will be 1,200 free pumpkins on hand for children to take home (one pumpkin per little one, 12 years old and under), and it’s quite the sight to see all those pumpkins filling the downtown park. Bring a non-perishable food item to benefit Peyton’s Promise. New this year, Wausau Events will have impromptu potato sack races set up so kids can race their friends. Plus a petting zoo, kids crafts, pumpkin carving and so much more. 11 am-1 pm. Check out the event page for full details of available activities.
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
Football: The Warriors dismantled Appleton West 57-6 Friday, but still remain in second place behind undefeated SPASH. They’ll need SPASH to lose once in the next two weeks in order to have a chance of reclaiming first.
Volleyball: D.C Everest defeated SPASH in straight sets Thursday, but the Evergreens still trail Marshfield by one in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The Evergreens’ 6-1 record still keeps them in contention for winning the conference but they’ll need Marshfield to stumble.
Boys Soccer: D.C. Everest earned its first loss, 2-1 to Marshfield, last week but still remains at the top of the Wisconsin Valley Conference as the season nears its end. Pool play starts Thursday.
Girls Tennis: Wausau West dominated the Wisconsin Valley Conference meet last week, earning 37 points to easily top the team rankings. Here are the full results:
1. Wausau West 37
2. Stevens Point 22
3. Wis. Rapids 21
4. Marshfield 18
5. D.C. Everest 14
6. Wausau East 12
7. Merrill 2
The Warriors finished the season by winning the Valley Conference title. Sectionals began Wednesday.
Thanks for reading The Wausonian! If you’re not already subscribed, you can sign up for free to get this roundup sent to you every Thursday. Or, consider a paid subscription to get all The Wausonian’s content.
Feel free to respond directly to this email to offer any tips or corrections. Thank you!