Wausau mourns COVID losses as new antibody treatments show promise | Weekly Wausonian
Wausau News for the week of Dec. 2, 2021
People in Wausau mourned the loss of more than 300 Marathon County residents to COVID-19 Tuesday, as new antibody treatments show promise at area hospitals.
Dozens gathered on The 400 Block Tuesday to mourn those who died in the county in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. Candles were spread across the 400 Block park and artwork adorned the center of the square. According to the Department of Health Services website, as of Wednesday 319 people have died because of the coronavirus.
But that comes on the heels of news that area hospitals are having success with monoclonal antibody treatments. Aspirus Wausau Hospital officials say antibody treatments, available at ten of its sites, have helped prevent 269 hospital admissions and 54 deaths.
With new variations including the latest Omicron popping up, antibody treatments and new antiviral medications being developed could deal a significant blow to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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What else in Wausau?
Wausau School District’s Enrich, Excel and Acheive Learning Academy was chosen to have a JAG program. JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) is a program that helps prepare students for life after high school and helps them identify their interests. The program is like an elective, a school official told The Wausonian, but they’re hoping all EEA students take advantage of the program the first year.
Flags were lowered this week to honor the memory of a state trooper lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. State Master Trooper Daniel Stainbrook, who served in the Wausau area, fell ill with COVID-19 in October and was hospitalized. He died in November. Services were held in Plover Tuesday.
The City Council passed its $109 million 2022 budget last week. Although the budget for next year includes a tax rate increase, city leaders say most bills ought to go down, because of changes in state property valuations in other taxing jurisdictions. The budget was balanced this year without making major cuts to service or infrastrure improvements, city officials told The Wausonian.
Around the metro
Marathon County could get a grant to help pay for its regional morgue. The Regional Forensic Science Center is expected to cost around $7 million, but the grant could more than cover the cost at $9 million. The same program, the Neighborhood Investment Fund Grant program, could also pay for improvements at Big Eau Pleine Park and Nine Mile Recreation and Forest Area. A total of $12 million in grants is being sought.
A county board supervisor announced he is running for judge. William Harris, the first black Marathon County Board member and one of the first black politicians in the Wausau area, announced Tuesday he is running for Marathon County Judge Branch 2. That seat is currently held by Judge Greg Huber, who has said he won’t seek another term.
Police arrested a 49-year-old man who police say hit a 37-year-old man with his car following an altercation near Merrill. According to police reports, the men argued after the older man had been following the younger man too closely. The older man sped off, and was later arrested in Oneida County.
Entertainment
It’s the most Wausau time of the year! Yeah that’s right, it’s time for the annual Wausau Holiday Parade running from 6-8 pm Friday. After last year’s drive-through parade (which turned into a traffic jam nightmare — because a ton of you wanted to see it!) it’ll be nice to return to the usual style of parade. And Wausau’s is one the best around. The long string of floats traverse from Marathon Park all the way to the 400 Block, and some of them are just amazing, including one that blows giant fireball into the night sky. Followed by a tree lighting ceremony with santa and Mayor Katie. And treats in the Great Hall. It’s like it’s Christmas already!
Breakfast with Santa? Snore. Breakfast with the Grinch? Hey, now we’re talking. Yep, the Marathon County Literary Council is hosting a Breakfast with the Grinch 9:30 am Saturday at the First United Methodist Church of Wausau. There will be photos ops, crafts and a raffle too. And it’s the literary council, so there’s probably some reading involved too. I’d say, maybe don’t tell the Grinch what you want, kids. He’s probably looking for presents to steal. (Or is this the Grinch at the end of the story? We don’t know!) $8 per adult, $2 per child, three and under participate for free. See the event page for more details.
And if you’re ready to add a little Schnapps to your egg nog, Hiawatha is hosting its own Christmas party 9 pm Saturday. Wausau Rock Band Fennec Fox will play its original indie tunes while you kick back a few adult beverages and enjoy this east side treasure. Here’s the event page.
NEWS: Last year it totally sucked when the Concerts on the Square had to be canceled because of the rain — and that seemed to happen quite a bit. So Wausau Events announced this week that it is partnering with Whitewater Music Hall to ensure there won’t be any cancelations in 2022. Next year any acts that are rained out will instead perform at the music hall, with limited capacity.
Sports
The Mosinee School District typically hosts a two-day Turkey Shoutout basketball tournament. This year, the school’s athletic director decided to send all proceeds, along with extra donations, to the Waukesha High School Band, WAOW Channel 9 reports. The band marched in the parade in which a man drove his SUV into a holiday parade in Waukesha, killing six and wounding dozens.
Wausau East and West, and D.C. Everest girls basketball teams kick off Wisconsin Valley Conference play Tuesday, as does Merrill/Wausau East hockey. Boys basketball kicks off later that week.
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