Eastbay/Foot Locker is still being silent about what the details of the brand’s demise means for Wausau.
No WARN notice was given in relation to the announcement — the company had announced last October that it would be closing its distribution facility, winding it down over the next few months.
And, the company appeared to be still hiring even as the closure notice was posted. A now hiring sign still appeared outside the business and online employment listings still advertised call center jobs.
The Wausonian reached out to the company’s media relations and heard nothing; same with Department of Workforce Development officials.
Got inside info on what is going on with Eastbay/Foot Locker? Reach out to keepitwausome@gmail.com or respond to this email (only I will see it). You can remain anonymous, The Wausonian just wants to understand what is going on.
Since we last posted a Weekly Wausonian, here are some other stories that appeared in The Wausonian:
And:
Also, we have a new Twitter account. I’d forgotten how hard it is to grow a Twitter account from scratch, so if you’re on the platform, please give it a follow!
School challenge: Five candidates will run for Wausau School Board. Incumbents Lance Trollop and Cory Sillars are joined by Dr. Gillian Battino, Jennifer Paoli and James Juedes. Current board member Lee Webster filed non-candidacy and won’t run for his position. The election is April 4.
New leadership: Gary Olsen was named as North Central Health Care’s first director following a reorganization of the organization’s positions. He replaces interim director Mort McBain. Olsen had been Rothshild’s first administrator before becoming NCHC’s Finance director. Prior to McBain, NCHC had a CEO but the three counties that use NCHC voted in new governance structures that gave them more control, treating NCHC’s director as a department head.
Unused committee: Speaking of firsts, the city will hold the first meeting of its executive committee - which it created in April. The committee will look at the city’s strategic plan, something Mayor Katie Rosenberg campaigned on but the pandemic curbed.
Around the metro
Kronenwetter battle: The village extended its deadline for candidates to file to run for office after one board member — Joel Straub — failed to turn in non-candidacy paperwork. Straub, along with President Chris Voll and Ken Charneski, are running for Village President. Kim Tapper (I), Christopher Eiden (I), Alexander Vedvik and Kelly Coyle are running for village board.
Tables turned: Sheriff’s officials say a would-be robber followed a 79-year-old man to his home and stabbed him; but ended up being shot and killed. Police say the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Alexander Watters of Wittenberg, was shot once in the chest after he stabbed the senior in his garage outside his home, and died while fleeing. The senior was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
School challenge south: Four candidates are running for two D.C. Everest school board seats. Incumbents Dr. Corina Norrbom and Yee Leng Xiong will be challenged by Daren Juneau and James Juedes.
Business
Closing: Condor Coffee in Weston closed recently. The coffee shop had been the next step for the popular Wausau area coffee roaster. The coffee shop is located in front of Target, and Caribou Coffee opened roughly kitty corner from the business a few months ago, which likely didn’t help Condor Coffee’s prospects.
Takeout takeover: This week’s City Pages includes a story about Mortchee’s, a new takeout restaurant recently opened in the former West Side Tasty Treat building. Read all about it!
Entertainment
Thursday, Jan. 5: Some of these options are going to be weather dependent, so bear with. But one of the fun things to do in the winter are the luminary walks at Monk Gardens! Strap on a pair of snowshoes, do your snow dance, and enjoy a lap or two around the gardens on a lit path, drinks some refreshments and bring some ingredients for Smores and this wonderful event. If it works out better for you, there is a snowshoe hike on Rib Mountain on Saturday night at the top of the mountain by the Friends of Rib Mountain. See the details here.
Friday, Jan. 6: Kevin Troestler and Friends bills itself as a country/blues band with a little bit of bluegrass thrown in. But one thing you need to know - whether he’s jamming a blues riff or rolling with some country, Troestler can shred. When country guitarists can really lay it down, the fast and furious style can be fun to watch. This appearance at Whitewater Music Hall is a don’t-miss event! Starts at 8 pm. See the event page for more details.
Saturday, Jan. 7: So far at least, the Snekkevik Ski Race, one of the oldest running Nordic ski races in the state, is on! A lot will depend on how much snow we get over the next few days but so far it has not been canceled. The race is a regular stop for the high school teams and features several categories for adults as well. Check out the Facebook event page (website included on the event page) for more info.
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
Boys hockey: Wausau West lost its top spot after a nailbiting over-time loss to rival SPASH Tuesday. The Warriors held neck and neck with the Panthers but lost 5-4 in overtime in their first loss of the season. That drops West to 4-1, second place to SPASH.
Girls hockey: The Storm won two of its three games at the Culver’s Cup last week, sending the team to an 8-3 record for the season. The storm lost to Superior (7-3) but defeated Lakeshore (8-3) and St. Croix 3-2. They’ll head to Northland Pines today (Thursday).
Boys basketball: D.C. Everest remains the top area team at 2-1 in the Valley Conference, good for second place. They’ll take on last-place Wausau West Friday.
Girls basketball: Wausau West remains the top Wausau Area area team in the Valley conference. Its 2-1 record is good for third place behind Marshfield and SPASH.
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