Wausau suspects facing charges in Point beating | The Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of March 28, 2024
Three Wausau area suspects accused in the fatal beating of a 61-year-old man are in custody or on bond, according to police reports.
Court records show 18-year-old Christian Emerson of Wausau, Brandon Lee Boehm, 21 of Wausau, and Arlin Olli Sangster, 19 of Rothschild all face charges of party to the crime of reckless homicide, with a modifier because the victim was elderly. That modifier comes with an increased penalty.
A fourth person police initially suspected as involved in the fatal beating, Daemon Kritzow, was determined not to have been involved, according to a press release from the Stevens Point Police Department.
Police say witnesses saw the men get into an argument with 61-year-old Donald Mitchell, Jr. of Stevens Point and beat him. He was transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital and died shortly after being admitted.
The mayor election (and all the other spring races) is April 2. The Wausonian held a livestream debate with mayoral candidates Katie Rosenberg and Doug Diny. Check out our writeup from the livestream and, even better, watch the replay for yourself:
And, our subscribers read our tavern report, a look at the underbelly of Wausau’s bar life - check that out here:
What else in Wausau?
Taxing the art museum: The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum got a little surprise - a tax bill for more than $17,000. That came on property they’d previously not been taxed on. It’s complicated but basically city staff said when the museum started improving on two vacant lots it owned, that became taxable until the museum applies for an exemption. The museum paid the tax but is contesting it, and the city council denied the museum’s request for a refund.
Firefighter injured in fire: Wausau Fire Department officials say one of their firefighters was severely injured fighting a structure fire in the 1100 block of Elm Street on the city’s west side. The firefighter is expected to make a full recovery, Fire Chief Jeremy Kopp says.
Interim school superintendent named: Wausau’s school board named Cale Bushman, the district’s director of pupil services, as interim superintendent. The district is searching for a new superintendent after Keith Hilts announced his retirement from the role. That announcement came shortly after the Wausau School Board pulled the brakes on a major school restructuring Hilts pushed for.
School board member running for Assembly: Wausau School Board Member Cory Sillars announced he is running for State Assembly. Sillars, appointed to the board in 2022 and elected to the seat in 2023, also serves on the Rib Mountain Village Board and owns a construction business.
Around the metro
Merger approved: Rothschild’s village board on Monday approved a plan to merge Rothschild and Everest Metro police departments. But, not everyone was thrilled about it — according to WSAU, board member Deb Ehster pointed out that the process was rushed and that the board had little input into the process before it came to a vote.
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Business
New cafe coming to Weston: A new cafe called Weston House Cafe is slated to open this spring, according to the business’s Facebook page. The cafe appears to be located in the new CrossFit gym, Adventure Awaits, and will offer coffee, acai bowls, smoothies, light food and homemade pastries.
Burger honor: Westsider Diner recently announced a new program in which they will name a menu item after a local celebrity. The first one is named after radio host and photographer Dave Kallaway! Check out Westsider’s Facebook page for more. Hmm. The Wausonian Wasabi burger or the BC Broiler has a nice ring to it. Just sayin…
Entertainment
Thursday, March 28: You never know what comedians you’ll encounter with the Brewery Comedy Tour, but you know they will be some of the top touring comedians around! The Brewery Comedy Tour is back at Mosinee Brewing Company. Personally, I think it’s nice to see more comedy shows popping up at various spots in Central Wisconsin. 7 pm. $15 early, $20 day of. See the event page for more information.
Thurs.-Sat., March 28-30: Wausau Community Theatre has been working on turning things around, and they’ve been trying out different formats. This smaller show at Whitewater Music Hall is one example of that. Outside Mullingar is the story of two introverted, 40-year-old misfits who live next door to each other in rural Ireland and form a strange romance in a tale that’s both hilarious and heartbreaking. And being at Whitewater Music Hall, it means you can grab a beer at intermission. 7 pm all three nights. $15. See the event page for more.
Saturday, March 30: The timing of Brad in the Snow at Granite Peak is interesting since we just had a pretty good helping of the stuff winter is made of. This show with Brad Emanuel, your local party musician with a voice of gold, is the season finale for Granite Peak events and it will be outside! First up is the annual pond skim challenge, where skiers and snowboarders try to ski over a pool, wearing some pretty funky costumes. (There will be tutus… oh yes, there will be tutus.) This will be a day that feels like an 80s ski movie, and yes you will expected to win a ski contest to protect the community center from those evil corporate resort owners. All montage jokes aside, this will be a fun day on the slopes, and Emanuel will be joined by Harold Melo on guitar and John Altenburgh on keys. 1:30 pm. Pond skim should be at noon. See the event page for more.
Looking for kids/family events? Check out the family-oriented listing from The Wausonian’s partner Wausau Mama, who puts together a weekly listing of children/family activities.
Sports
Springs sports kick off next month: High schools sports seasons, including baseball, softball, boys tennis and girls soccer, kick off in April.
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