Wausau School leaders this week passed a new mitigation policy for COVID-19, but with some changes from the one proposed by the school’s superintendent.
Under the new plan, depending on the percentage of students with COVID at a school, the district could implement new measures such as limiting visitors, recommending masks, or holding outdoor classes. Only at 5% confirmed cases would the district require masks for a 10-day period.
The district rejected plans to have the district contact trace and to have the district add a new virtual option in addition to WAVE, which is already a virtual learning program; and it passed on having the school district take over contact tracing. Staff last year worked around the clock to help contact trace, something that wasn’t sustainable in the long term.
What else in Wausau?
Police are investigating a strong arm robbery on the city’s upper east side. Police say a man told an employee of a nearby business that he was armed, robbed him, and fled in a blue/grey minivan with a missing hubcap driven by someone else. Police are seeking information on the crime.
Marathon County Public Library will stick with the Wisconsin Valley Library Service… at least for now. A task force found a number of things deficient, and decided in January to move to the South Central Library System. But the board this week decided to give the WVLS a chance to improve things such as responsiveness and better library loan services. Former library director Ralph Illick, who resigned from his position this year following an investigation into a toxic work culture, was pushing the idea. Board Chair Sharon Hunter says a year-long investigation found issues with the WVLS and that came independently of any input from Illick.
Wausau announced its first poet laureate, Dawn Anderson. Anderson is a long-time poet in Wausau and appeared on the Keep it Wausome podcast last week — the episode will release later this week. Subscribe to the Keep it Wausome YouTube channel so you don’t miss it!
Around the metro
A new regional morgue could cost up to $7 million. County leaders are pushing for a morgue (and have been since 2015) because there are a limited number of places that perform forensic autopsies and the number of death cases continue to rise. The morgue would cashflow, meaning it would pay for itself and then some, but wouldn’t cover the costs. County leaders are working on finding potential funding sources for the construction.
Two county supervisors would be drawn out of the districts they serve under a new redistricing plan. Counties redraw their maps every 10 years following the results of the U.S. Census to make sure residents are distributed evenly. But the new maps would draw Jean Maszk and Brent Jacobson outside of their current districts. The new maps, if approved, wouldn’t take place until next election, meaning Maszk and Jacobson would need to apply for new districts.
A plan to change one of the TIF districts in Weston came back, with only one change: Moving adjacent parcels out of the TIF. Residents last week railed against a plan that would have paved the way for new spending in the district, as Weston is already overleveraged on TIF. This new plan only removes two small parcels so its owners could develop it without complication. In both cases, owners own two pieces of adjacant land, one in the TIF and one outside.
Business
Bath and Body Works opened in Rib Mountain. The new location is located just north of Best Buy on Rib Mountain Drive. The store reopened in late August and the parking lot in front of the story was undergoing construction.
Entertainment
So, it appears Wausau’s airport will no longer host the annual Balloon Glow and Rib Fest following the successful version out in Stettin. But that doesn’t mean there’s no fun on the horizon for the Southeast Side: the airport will host a Fireworks Family Fest and Wausau Events 5K this weekend. Friday night the airport will host a fireworks fest with fun for the whole family including bounce houses, train rides, 13 food vendors, a fire-throwing demonstration and photobooth. Fireworks will go off at dusk (8 pm), so keep an eye out for that. And, take part in the 5K the next day, starting at 9 am. Details for costs and such at Wausau Events.
Be sure to get out your lederhosen and head on over to Bull Falls for their annual Oktoberfest 1-6 pm Saturday. Drink beer, eat German food such as Bavarian pretzels, beef tips and German chocolate cakes, and you could even win an award for best German outfit. (So really, get that lederhosen out of the closet!) There are even games such as stein holding and a chicken drop contest (I don’t know, it’s German?) Check out more details on the Bull Falls Oktoberfest event page.
Many of you probably know Dr. Charles Hughes from his work in the house band at Stoney Acres Barn Dances every year. But he’s also a professor of music and has written several books! His latest is called Why Bushwick Bill Matters, and Hughes will discuss his book about the pioneering rapper 6:30 pm Friday at Whitewater Music Hall. The event is part of the Central Wisconsin Festival of Books, so be sure to check out all the events in the series.
Sports
D.C. Everest Volleyball has kicked off the season at a blistering pace, running up a 5-0 record in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. Everest at a Saturday meet rolled past Wisconsin Rapids in three straight sets, and came from behind at two sets to one to defeat Wausau West. Merrill trails Everest by one game, with its only loss coming to Rapids last Saturday. Everest will take on Merrill at Merrill today (Thursday).
D.C. Everest and Wausau West football are tied for second, along with Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids, in the Valley Association Football League. Each team is 2-1 in conference play this season. Everest heads to SPASH 7 pm Friday, and West heads to Marshfield same time and day.
The Wausau West girls tennis team is dominating on the court this year, enjoying an undefeated 5-0 record in the Valley Conference. West defeated SPASH 7-0 Tuesday, with all four singles players and all three doubles teams getting wins. West will host Rapids on Thursday.
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