The city’s 20 Flock cameras will have to be covered, according to a new order by city officials.
The city council on Tuesday voted 9-1 to stop using the cameras, which are already left out of the proposed budget for next year, and added a provision that will designate a city department to be responsible for covering them.
That’s because even if Wausau essentially “defunds” the city’s cameras — there are 20 of them — when it passes the city budget next month, stopping the payment only ends the city’s access to them. Flock owns the cameras and they would keep taking pictures unless they’re covered. Wausau Police Chief Matt Barnes says the contract the city has with the company forbids tampering.
City officials of all political leanings have come out against the cameras, citing privacy concerns. Police officials pushed back, saying investigators have solved crimes that they otherwise wouldn’t have without use of the cameras.
Under the motion passed Tuesday, a city department chosen by the mayor would need to cover the cameras within two business weeks.
What the ramifications of the move would be isn’t yet clear. Tampering with the cameras is a breach of the city’s contract with Flock, but whether simply covering them counts would likely need a court to decide.
But Barnes told the council that other municipalities have also covered their cameras and so far there doesn’t seem to have been repercussions. “I’m not losing any sleep over it,” Barnes says.
Police responded to a 12-woman brawl at M&R Station — and now we found out police made an arrest:
Police file charges in 12-woman M&R Station brawl | Wausau Tavern Report
A 29-year-old woman is now facing felony charges following what police say was a brawl involving approximately a dozen women at M&R Station.
Lah Thao has run Rising Son Mixed Martial Arts school for nearly two decades — now his school has a newer, bigger home:
Rising Son martial arts gym moves from Wausau to Rothschild in major expansion
Lah Thao for a while had his eye on a new space for his martial arts business, Rising Son. The parking was limited, and his school was growing without the space for it.
What else in Wausau?
Police say break-ins are on the rise on the northwest side: Police say car break-ins are up this past week, particularly in the neighborhood on the northwest side of the city. Police officials say to keep your car doors locked. Captain Benjamin Graham told The Wausonian that there were six break-ins in October, compared to two in September and three in June. Police arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with three of those break-ins, Graham told The Wausonian.
Could Wausau schools offer Hmong?: The Wausau School Board is weighing a plan to offer Hmong language classes. Right now only La Crosse and Madison districts offer them. Eau Claire had one until its teacher left, and SPASH had a class for some time before dropping it. While many were supportive of the idea, the district already struggles with declining enrollment and students spread out amongst many electives. “We’re operating at millions of dollars a year less than we were a few years ago,” says School Board Member Lance Trollop. “Adding a language would probably come at the expense of one of the languages we currently offer.” No vote was taken at the meeting but staff members will bring back data on whether enough students are interested in the offering.
Data center reconsideration: Wausau’s City Council Tuesday reconsidered and again approved, 9-1, its ordinance regulating data centers in the city, which had already passed earlier. Under the rules, data centers would be limited to medium and heavy industrial areas, and their applicants would need to file wastewater, water, sound and energy reports. They would also need to include a sustainability plan and stay 200 feet from residential zoning.
Around the metro
Weston wants to spend HOW much on mics?: A newer resident to Weston spoke at village board meeting earlier this month and said he couldn’t hear anything — he offered to bring his car karaoke machine if it would help. It turns out, the village board was already looking into replacing the mics. For how much? $69,000. Weston Director of Technology Services Nathan Crowe said when the room was originally outfitted for audio, they went with a less expensive option that sounds good on the village’s Zoom recordings, even if it can leave the sound lacking for those in the room. But a vendor quoted $69,000 for additional wireless microphones for each desk. The board took no action on the mic issue, instead opting to collect more quotes from vendors.
Kronenwetter sand mine pit permit delayed: The village of Kronenwetter’s Plan Commission earlier this month delayed voting on issuing a conditional use permit for a controversial sand mine in the village. The vote was delayed because only four of the seven members were present, and likely will involve a special meeting to ensure everyone can attend. The village board approved rezoning for the sand mine in April, though the idea of a sand mine in the middle of a village has been controversial.
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Business
Sawmill Brewing Company drops to special event-only: Sawmill Brewing Co. is now only open for special events. The brewing company in Merrill has been announcing that they’re open for special events but otherwise not open regular hours. The website and Facebook page say temporarily closed, but the brewery has been announcing special events on its page. The Wausonian reached out to Sawmill Brewing for more details and did not hear back.
Biggby in Rib Mountain closed: The Biggby Coffee Shop in Rib Mountain closed Sunday, the coffee shop’s owners announced on Facebook recently. The move comes as the lease was due and the owners are eyeing retirement soon.
Entertainment
Your Wausau Halloween Guide | Your Wausome Weekend Guide
It’s Halloween, and so we decided to put together the most comprehensive Halloween guide we could so you can find something to do — whether that’s taking the little ones to get some candy in costume or headbanging to some spooky metal. That’ll take up most of the guide, but we’ve got a few other non-creepy crawly events for you as well. All in Your Waus…
Sports
Football: All Wausau area teams in the Wisconsin Valley Conference lost their WIAA playoff games Friday. D.C. Everest lost to Waunakee 36-22, Wausau West lost to Bay Port 32-7 and in Division 2, Wausau East lost to Marshfield 44-14.
Volleyball: D.C. Everest defeated SPASH in three games Saturday in the WIAA playoffs. The Evergreens will take on Bay Port today (Thursday) in the section semifinals and play Saturday if they win for the sectional championships. Wausau West was eliminated by Appleton North Thursday and Wausau East was defeated by Everest earlier in the tournament.
Boys soccer: Wausau West lost to Eau Claire Memorial 3-2 Saturday in a regional final, ending Wausau area Valley teams’ chance at a state title. The Warriors had previously defeated D.C. Everest in the regional semifinals.
Cross country: Four Wausau West cross country runners are headed to the state competition. Anna Colwell, who finished first at sectionals, Eli Akey, Olivia Benes and Charlie Scharer will head to the competition at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids.
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