Wausau news: Community Partners Campus progressing
Wausau news: Community Partners Campus progressing
The Weekly Wausonian for Jan. 20, 2022
Marathon County is considering leasing space in the Community Partners Campus, which gives the community some sense of the project’s progress.
The Community Partners Campus on the north end of Grand Avenue will bring a number of area non-profits such as The Neighbors’ Place, Catholic Charities and the free clinic under one roof.
The project serves a two-pronged effect: Non-profits can save money by colocating in the same facility, saving on building costs, staff and other such things. And it provides a one-stop-shop, so to speak, to provide services the area’s least fortunate need.
Marathon County is considering leasing a 550-foot space that could house some county employees from departments such as Social Services or Health staff, putting services in a good place for people to access them. They need to look at it now because the project is in the design phase, and the organization has hired a director, Marathon County Administrator Lance Leonhard says.
What else in Wausau news?
A trial has been set for a woman accused of pointing her gun at officers at the Day’s Inn in Rib Mountain following a long standoff. Police first shot a non-lethal round at Katina Mulroy, and when she raised her handgun at officers, they fired on her, police reports say. The officer shooting was investigated by the Wausau Police Department, but The Wausonian is still waiting for a response as to the result of that investigation.
Wausau’s School Board approved a $119 million referendum ask to fix its schools and provide better security. That’s pared down from the initial $182 million referendum sought by administrators. Largely removed were upgrades to elementary schools. Improved security for all elementary schools, and added space for classrooms at Stettin and South Mountain where enrollment has grown, are still included. The old referendum would have added 12 cents to the mill rate; the new one will remove 43 cents (because the district will finishing paying back some of its older borrowing.) Voters will decide on the spending April 5.
The ethics investigation of city council member Deb Ryan’s conduct will move forward, the city’s ethics board ruled. But, it will do so with two fewer members after Board Chair Mary Thao resigned and Calvin Dexter recused himself from the case. The Wausonian will release an in-depth story on this for paid subscribers on Friday.
Around the metro
The SAFER Fire District, which serves Weston and Rib Mountain along with some smaller municipalities, appointed a new interim fire chief but officials aren’t saying what happened to the old one. Josh Finke was named interim fire chief at SAFER’s last meeting. But officials at SAFER aren’t saying what happened to Fire Chief Matt Savage.
A 45-year-old Weston man was arrested in Lincoln County following an alleged hit and run crash. Police say Ryan Murray crashed his car on Highway K in the town of Scott and fled the scene Jan. 10. Officers later arrested him and he is facing charges of possessing a firearm as a felon, felony bail jumping, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting or obstructing an officer. He’s being held on a $15,000 cash bond.
Entertainment
I was intrigued when I came across a listing for The Northwoods Bassist. As a former bass player myself, Jason Albert is living the dream. The Northwoods Bassist sings a variety of covers with his bass as accompaniment , and it works surprisingly well. Come check him out at The Office this week, 8 pm Saturday.
I had to check myself from saying “if you find yourself telling your kids to put the video games down…” — because today it’s probably the smartphone. But either way, if you’re itching to get the kiddos outdoors, check out the Winter Open House at the Boston School Forest in Plover. It’s a bit of a drive but you can try out Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and sledding for free. Also there will be some snacks for sale from Gifted Hands Kitchen. Seems like a good way to spend time with the fam. Check out the details here.
One of the first things I ever wrote about was a snowmobile race. I was surprised how much I got into it. So it might be worth your time to check out the Wausau 525, a huge snowmobile race that’s part of the Pro Star Cup, a professional racing series spanning America and Canada. The racing starts Saturday at 10 am and continues on to Sunday through 3 pm. Let the whiny roar of snowmobile engines punch you in the gut as area pros and semi-pros compete on their way to become champions. $18/day, details here.
Sports
Wausau West Girls Basketball looks to defend its undefeated 5-0 Valley Conference record as it heads to D.C. Everest 7:15 pm Thursday. The Warriors are the only Valley team without a loss but also have played at least one less conference game than their competitors. The Warriors have the lowest points against average of any other Valley team by nearly 10 points per game, indicating a strong defense. That’s likely the key to their success since they have only the third-highest point-scoring average of the conference.
D.C. Everest Boys Basketball leads area teams in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The Evergreens are 3-2, with third place in the conference. A win against Wausau East Thursday, along with a SPASH loss, could bump them to second.
The Wausau West Hockey team leads the Valley Conference with a perfect 6-0 record this season. The Warriors beat Marshfield 5-1 Tuesday to keep its dominant lead in the standings. Wausau West leads the Valley in powerplay goals and goaltending. The Warriors will host the 2-4 Evergreens 7 pm today (Thursday).
The Central Wisconsin Storm Girls Hockey team is now 13-3 on the season after back to back wins against the Eau Claire Stars Jan. 6 and Jan. 13. The Storm lost its last game 4-3 against the Fox City but will look to rebound as they head to Medford Friday.
B.C.’s picks
Something new I’m adding to the page. I read voraciously and thought I would share some things I think our readers could benefit from.
This week’s pick is Matt Taibbi’s book The Divide.1 The Divide is an in-depth investigation of the reality that we have two criminal justice systems in America: One for Wall Street (too big to fail policy) and one for the poorest of people in large cities (stop and frisk). If nothing else, the book is worth the read for the most in-depth look at the collapse of Lehman Brothers I’ve seen.
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