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Latest Wausau news: Top stories this week
Hiawatha Social opens in historic Wausau restaurant
The Hiawatha Social has opened at 713 Grant St., bringing new life to one of the city’s longtime restaurant spaces. The Hiawatha Social Wausau restaurant opening features owner J-J de Roover discussing the building’s history, the restaurant’s focus on community and conversation, and the effort to preserve the character of the former Hiawatha Restaurant.
Wausau overtime spending concentrated in police, fire and Public Works
A Wausonian review of city payroll data found that police, fire and Public Works accounted for more overtime spending than all other Wausau departments combined from 2020 through 2026 to date. The investigation into Wausau overtime spending also found questions about how the city tracks and communicates overtime costs after officials said some payroll and overtime reports did not appear to match.
Could former UWSP-Wausau campus become a police station?
Wausau officials are exploring whether part of the former UWSP-Wausau campus could house a new police station, potentially allowing the Fire Department to expand into the existing police building. The latest Wausau news roundup also covers the city’s projected budget shortfall, a new data-center ordinance and the resignation of Human Resources Director Lisa Nowak.
Wausau finance director holds vacation balance far above city policy
City records show Wausau Finance Director Maryanne Groat has accumulated hundreds of hours of vacation beyond the city’s stated limit. The Wausonian’s examination of Wausau employee vacation balances found Groat remained above the cap even after other employees with exceptions were brought back into compliance, while a plan to reduce her balance stretches into 2028.
Wausau advances lead-pipe replacement ordinance
Wausau officials advanced an ordinance requiring replacement of lead service lines as the city prepares for a larger effort to remove remaining lead pipes. The Wausau lead service line proposal still leaves major questions about how private-side replacements will be funded, particularly after officials removed language that would have limited mandatory work to projects fully covered by grants.
Last updated: July 20, 2026
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More recent Wausau news stories
Here are more recent Wausau news stories, including coverage of local government, business, crime and community events.
Wings Over Wausau survey finds support despite noise concerns
A survey from Wausau City Council Member Carol Lukens found broad support for continuing Wings Over Wausau, even as some Southeast Side residents raised concerns about jet noise, pets, veterans with PTSD and advance notice. As of Monday evening, 83% of respondents who answered said they supported continuing to host the event.
Wausau campaign finance filings arrive months after records request
The Wausonian finally received Wausau campaign finance filings requested around the spring election, roughly four months after the initial request. The records show spending by city council candidates Keene Winters and Vylius Leskys, as well as donations to a firefighter committee from Wausau Firefighters Local 415 and the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin. The Wausonian also plans to dig further into outside spending in local races.
Parish sues Kronenwetter over mine-related zoning change
St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish is suing the village of Kronenwetter over a rezoning decision tied to a proposed non-metallic mine. The parish argues the zoning change could allow mining near land associated with Gate of Heaven Cemetery and says the village failed to properly apply its own zoning standards.
Wausau police therapy dog Badge dies after years helping students
Badge, one of the Wausau Police Department’s pioneering therapy dogs, died last week after years of working with students in schools. Badge was paired with school resource officer Nick Stetzer and helped show how therapy dogs could reach students in situations where adults sometimes could not.
Residents hear new details about Hub City wind farm proposal
Residents learned more details about the proposed Hub City wind farm in southwestern Marathon County. Alliant Energy says the project is likely to include dozens of turbines, and the company has notified state regulators because it plans to use turbines taller than 600 feet. Residents continue to raise concerns about noise, property values and setbacks from homes.
Kronenwetter investigation report nears public release
A long-awaited Kronenwetter investigation report appears close to public release after the Village Board voted to release an unredacted executive summary and a redacted version of the fuller report. The investigation began with a complaint against Village Administrator James Davel, who later told The Wausonian he had been cleared of the original allegations.
Wausau capital projects face tight funding
Wausau city departments pitched more than $40 million in possible 2027 capital projects, but city leaders expect only about $550,000 in cash funding for non-street requests. Proposed projects include Oak Island tennis court replacement, airport runway work, special-event safety barriers, building maintenance, EMS cardiac monitors and a solar array for the drinking water facility.
Metro Ride electronic fares move forward
Metro Ride is moving toward an electronic fare collection system that would allow riders to pay by physical card, app, QR code or credit/debit card. Grant funding is expected to cover the $133,900 startup cost, but possible fare increases are also being discussed, including raising the adult fare from $1.75 to $2 and monthly passes from $42 to $60.
DNR report describes whey spill along Marathon County road
A Wisconsin DNR spill report says an unknown amount of whey was spilled along Esker Road near the Plover River Bridge in the Town of Reid. The report says a warden observed a truck leaking or dumping liquid whey along the road, though the driver told officials he had forgotten to close a valve after unloading most of the whey at a farm where it was being used as feed.
Tavern Report: Bicycle burglaries hit metro-area bars
The latest Wausau Tavern Report looks at a string of bar-related burglaries in the Wausau metro area, led by two men arrested in connection with burglaries on the south side of the metro. The report also includes police calls involving toy-gun juveniles at Nevermore, a false-name and drug arrest outside M&R Station, a drunken-driving case after Callon Street Pub and liquor-license issues in Weston and Wausau.
Madison developer proposes apartments on Wausau city land
A Madison developer is proposing a 45- to 60-unit apartment project on city-owned land near North Second and Bridge streets in Wausau. Eminent Development Corporation is asking to buy the land for $1 and receive $3 million in TIF incentives toward the estimated $14 million to $15 million project.
Fire Department apprentice program could add nine trainees
Wausau’s Fire Department is considering a partnership with Northcentral Technical College that could bring nine firefighter apprentices into the department this fall, followed by a second cohort of nine. The trainees’ wages would be covered by a federal grant, but city officials tabled the proposal while they seek more detail about potential workers’ compensation and other costs to the city.
Reports say Metro Ride driver was not found at fault in student crash
Crash reports indicate law enforcement found no contributing action by the Metro Ride driver in a May crash that injured a 12-year-old student near John Muir Middle School. The reports say the student entered the roadway from between vehicles and was not in a marked crosswalk when the bus mirror struck him.