Doug Diny pulled up to his election night party around 7:45 pm, huddling through the snowy night into Bull Falls Brewery, where supporters such as former mayor Jim Tipple awaited him. He was focused on his phone, where info about some challenges with ballots were reaching him.
It’s there Diny learned later that evening that he became the next mayor of Wausau after a contentious race that saw record amount of spending, including from outside groups in support of both candidates.
Diny defeated Katie Rosenberg 5,222 votes to 4,798 to become Wausau’s next mayor following his first term as city council member.
You can see The Wausonian’s full coverage of Tuesday’s elections free of charge below:
What else in Wausau?
NCHC overhaul reaches $82 million: A campus overhaul of the North Central Health Care campus reached $82, NCHC officials told The Wausonian. That’s nearly $10 million more than the $73 million NCHC leadership said the renovations would cost. The project began in 2019 and was to take four years.
Bond increase: All three Wausau-area suspects in a fatal beating of a 61-year-old man in Stevens Point are now being held on a $250,000 cash bond. Christian Emerson, 18, of Wausau, initially was free on a $50,000 cash bond. But after charges of reckless homicide were filed, a Portage County judge granted a motion to increase that amount to $250,000.
Wausau River District director stepping away: Blake Opal-Wahoske announced late Wednesday that he would be stepping down as director. Opal-Wahoske worked as director for more than eight years and worked part-time in the office before that. He did not name a reason for leaving. Opal-Wahoske’s last day is April 17; Alex Eichten will serve as interim office manager starting Monday.
Around the metro
Convicted murderer’s killer to enter plea: Taylor Sanchez is expected to enter a plea this month in the apparent murder of Cindy Schulz-Juedes, who was convicted in 2021 of the murder of her husband Ken Juedes in 2006. Sanchez, Schulz-Juedes’ roommate in prison, told authorities that voices told her to kill Schulz-Juedes. The Ken Juedes murder was the subject of several TV shows, including the recent Taking the Stand on A&E (which your Wausonian editor appears in).
Entertainment
Friday, April 5: We’ve been seeing a lot of bluegrass supergroups lately - and they always seem to involve the super Adam Greuel! The High Hawks, which members from Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, Leftover Salmon, Railroad Earth and more, will take to the Whitewater Music Hall this Friday. Besides the jam, have one of their many beers brewed on site or even non-alcoholic options. 8 pm. $20. See the event page for more.
Fri.-Sat., April 5-6: OK, confession time: I love John Hughes movies, so this event caught my attention with just its name. Bantr’s Pretty in Pink event features a variety of events. Friday features music from Spicy Tie Band, a Pretty in Pink costume contest and a charity raffle with Miss Wisconsin; and Saturday will feature DJ Kryptonite and and an open karaoke session. Sounds like a pink party! Starts at 6:30 pm Friday, 7 pm Saturday. See the event page for schedule details.
Sunday, April 7: iLuminate is one interesting-looking show - think a blend of music, dance, technology, comedy and more, but all with a glow-in-the-dark style that will visually catch your attention. Think a pitch black stage so the performers almost look like cartoon characters - it’s a pretty wild effect. You can see for yourself with the video below. $60. 6:30 pm. Check out the event page for more.
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Business
Time rebrand: Timekeeper Distillery announced it will be rebranding and changing its business model. The distillery is holding a “re-opening party” in early May to announce that the business will be called Timekeeper Lounger and Distillery, and will feature a full range of beverages and expanded food options. Check out the launch party event for more.
Sports
Softball openers postponed: Wausau West and East, and D.C. Everest softball teams were set to kick off their seasons Tuesday, but a late-season snowstorm put the brakes on those games. The Evergreens’ game against SPASH was postponed to Monday; the East-West game was moved to May.
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.
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Regarding statements made by all sides about quality of life in Wausau, I find it interesting that many of the state and national ratings websites give us above average marks. Check out areavibes.com as one example.
Tipple, Meilke, Rosenberg, Diny….the Mayor-go-round continues.