Weekly Wausonian | Felony charges requested for accused cat killer
Weekly Wausonian | Felony charges requested for accused cat killer
Wausau news for the week of Sept. 2, 2021
A man accused of beating a cat so badly it had to be put down is now likely to face felony charges.
Andrew Gehr, 30 of Schofield, is accused of beating his girlfriend’s cat after it bit him. The cat was injured so severely she had to be put down; a veterinarian told police the cat had injuries of similar severity to a car accident or a horse kicking it, except only its head was injured.
Prosecutors originally filed only misdemeanor charges against Gehr but last Thursday requested the charges be upgraded to a felony considering the severe nature of the injuries. The charging request followed pressure from a group formed on Facebook called Justice for Penelope. A GoFundMe page was also set up.
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What else in Wausau?
A plan by Wausau Opportunity Zone to build a four seasons farmers market along river drive, as well as a walkway leading down to the riverfront south of Washington Street, is planned for the next couple of years. A county committee gave a preliminary thumbs up to the idea, which would mean county buildings like Parks and Planning and Zoning would have to move. The proposal is part of the bigger Wausau Center mall redevelopment plan.
The Wausau Daily Herald building on Scott Street has been sold. Bauer Storage bought the building, and will lease part of it to the Daily Herald. The move follows a pattern in central Wisconsin as Daily Herald-owner Gannett has sold the buildings of the Stevens Point Journal, Wisconsin Rapids Tribune and the Marshfield News-Herald.
A number of residents are challenging the Wausau School District’s COVID-19 policy around testing and quarantine. In response to numerous residents and inquiries by The Wausonian, district officials released a statement that they will be offering free testing and will following Marathon County Health Department quarantine procedures.
Around the metro
A couple accused of abusing their child causing hospitalization for head trauma will likely face more severe charges now that the child has died. Jonathan and Sumitra Stolp of Weston already faced charges of physical abuse of a child (recklessly causing bodily harm), child neglect, and obstruction following an Everest Metro investigation.
Multiple people wrote to the Wausau School District this week concerned about the district’s COVID-19 testing policy and quarantine procedures. Superintendent Keith Hilts released a statement this week saying the district will provide free COVID testing and has a quarantine procedure in place. The district is working with the health department and upgraded its air purification filters.
Police and numerous fire departments responded to a fire in attached garages at 1510 Metro Drive in Schofield in the Metro Apartments complex Wednesday afternoon. Police say the fire is under investigation, there was a significant amount of property damage and police are looking for any witnesses or video of the early stages of the fire. Those who witnessed the fire, have video of it or suffered property damage from the fire are encouraged to fill out a packet at the Metro Apartments office or at the Everest Metro Police Department.
Entertainment
If you love art, you know what an asset the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art is. This the cutting edge of the art world, the stuff that people are talking about today. And their Painting the Figure Now, back for its fourth edition, is the highlight of the art culture artist David Hummer created when he opened the museum. See some of the best figure painters in the country and even the world as they compete for prizes. The exhibit opens Thursday (Sept. 2) and there is an opening night reception 6-8 pm at the museum.
If you’re in town on Monday, Wausau will host its annual Labor Day parade starting at 4 pm. The parade runs between Wausau Avenue down Third Street to the Labor Temple. Live music throughout the day starting at 1 pm. After the parade, enjoy food like burgers and hot dogs, and participate in a stuff the bus event in which a Wausau Metro Ride bus will be filled with school supplies for the needy.
Whitewater Music Hall will host an evening with The Wildwoods 7 pm Friday. Comprised of Noah and Chloe Gose, the duo combines Americana/folk music with storytelling for an enchanting evening. $5 at the door. See Whitewater Music Hall’s Facebook event for more.
Sports
D.C. Everest Boys Soccer got off to an early conference win, dispatching Wausau East 5-0 Tuesday. That puts them tied for first with Wisconsin Rapids in the Wisconsin Valley Conference, each with one win.
D.C. Everest Football lost 10-9 in a non-conference game Thursday. The Evergreens host Wausau West this Friday for the opening game of the Valley Football Association season.
Girls tennis and volleyball kick off Thursday in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. Wausau West topped the Valley conference last year in girls tennis, and D.C. Everest volleyball tied with Marshfield atop the volleyball Valley stats.
On the pod
This week, the Keep it Wausome podcast interviewed new Marathon County Health Officer Laura Scudiere, and we talk about COVID, Star Trek and retro TV sitcoms. (Like Perfect Strangers and Family Matters!):
Thank you for reading The Wausonian! Got a great story tip or a correction? Please let me know by emailing me at keepitwausome@gmail.com.