Kronenwetter to release investigation | Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of July 25, 2026
Last month an investigation led to a department head being fired, a trustee resigning and the administrator being directed to take further, unspecified actions against additional personnel.
That investigation? No one outside the village board and staff has likely seen it.
That’s about to change. The Kronenwetter Village Board Monday voted to release the report pending further redactions.
The board voted to release the executive summary unredacted, but will redact names of witnesses interviewed in the full report before releasing it to the media.
The report started by investigating a complaint against the Kronenwetter village administrator. But instead led to other staff members facing consequences. Administrator James Davel told The Wausonian at the time that the report cleared him of any wrongdoing. “I was completely cleared, not substantiated on the allegations.”
The Wausonian requested the full report in March.
The board voted on Monday. As of press time, no report has been released.
Subscribers this week read about one magical whey spill, a brewery beer seizure, a deeper look at Weston’s referendum fallout and a woman’s conviction for armed burglary:
That's one magical whey spill
Sometimes I end up with a collection of stories that deserve a little more ink than a brief, but aren’t quite enough for a full post in and of themselves. When I have enough of them, they go into a Three Things post.
And, The Wausonian dug up some interesting bar stories for our latest Wausau Tavern Report:
The bicycle burglaries of Weston | Wausau Tavern Report
Two men were arrested last month and are facing numerous felony charges in connection to a string of bar burglaries in the metro south.
What else in Wausau?
City capital projects will be competitive: City leaders learned this week that there will only be about $550,000 for new capital projects, making the process competitive as city departments pitch their projects. That doesn’t include streets, water main and other projects, totaling nearly $40.5 million in total capital projects. Some proposed projects included replacing the Oak Island tennis courts, updating a runway at the airport, safety barriers for special events, building maintenance projects, EMS cardiac monitors and a solar array for the drinking water facility. The city’s Capital Improvements Project Committee will reconvene in July to review its project rankings.
Transit electronic ticket system coming, but so might fare increases: Transit leaders have long talked about upgrades that include an electronic payment system for the bus. That’s finally coming, says new Transit Director Ron McAllister. Grant money will cover the $133,900 cost for the new system that’s operated out of Milwaukee County Transit. The commission forwarded that to the Finance Committee. But also likely coming: fare increases. McAllister said a fee increase from $1.75 to $2 is likely, plus senior fees could increase from 85 cents to $1. Monthly passes could go from $42 to $60. The commission didn’t take any action on the fare increase at its Thursday meeting. Metro Ride is also working on implementing a new system that allows users to track buses and their arrival times. That could go live as soon as this fall.
Around the metro
County board member censured, removed from committee: Following a closed session, County Board Member Nicholas Endres was officially censured by the board, and removed from all county committees. That came after an amendment broadened it from the county’s Executive Committee’s recommendation to remove him from the Health and Human Services Committee. The action stemmed from Endres’ two arrests related to a domestic violence situation deputies responded to, as well as an alleged falsification of his nomination papers. Those incidents led to the county to rethink it’s rules around how it handles board member conduct. The Wausonian was the first and, for awhile, only media outlet to report on the county board members’ arrests.
Marathon City development receives $250K grant: The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation announced a $250,000 grant award to a Marathon City fitness-centric commercial development. The new development planned for the 400 block of Main Street in Marathon City called Integrate Functional Health is expected to bring “health services, groceries, jobs and more” to the city, according to the WEDC press release. The $2.6 million project is under construction now and is expected to open in early 2027.
Committee member calls for a pause on Kennedy Park project: A Parks Committee member called for a pause on the Kennedy Park project after sharing concerns about the fundraising aspect of the project. Parks Committee Member Katrina Beck, the only member to have been on the committee when it was originally presented, said the project should be put on pause while the village reassesses its future since the fundraising hasn’t unfolded the way the village expected. “Maybe we decide we don’t move forward,” Beck told the committee. “Maybe we decide that the two fields was enough and the appetite for the community has changed.” Members didn’t agree, though some said it might need to be revisited because Kennedy Park has served this year as a new location for the farmers market.
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Business
LeadCar Toyota planning to build on old Nigbur’s site: The city’s Plan Commission gave conditional approval for a roughly 41,000-square-foot automobile dealership in the former Nigbur’s Furniture site on the city’s north side. The dealership would sit at the intersection of Bus. Highway 51 and Merrill Avenue. When built, the dealership would employ 60-90 people, documents for the dealership show. Residents raised concerns about noise, traffic and light pollution from the dealership, but staff members say the area already has automobile dealerships and other commercial uses, so it fits the area.
Entertainment
It’s Wausau’s big weekend, and it’s going to be loud! Airplanes at the airport, including Navy fighter jets, plus all that lovely chalk art at Chalkfest. But that’s hardly all, with reggae at Tiki, Greenwood at Faraway, a Concert in the Clouds and much more in Your Wausome Weekend Guide!
Wausau's New Big Weekend: Wings Over Wausau, Chalkfest | Your Wausome Weekend Guide
It’s Wausau’s big weekend, and it’s going to be loud! Airplanes at the airport, including Navy fighter jets, plus all that lovely chalk art at Chalkfest. But that’s hardly all, with reggae at Tiki, Greenwood at Faraway, a Concert in the Clouds and much more in Your Wausome Weekend Guide!
Sports
College softball: The Wausau Ignite have started turning their season around, winning four of the team’s last five games. That includes beating the Minot Honeybees 9-7 on the road Tuesday. At 5-6, the Ignite improved from last place to third place in the Northwoods League. The Ignite played at home Wednesday and will then return to Athletic Park Saturday to take on the La Crosse Steam.
College baseball: The Wausau Woodchucks are on a three-game win streak following a 10-9 nail-biter win against Fond du Lac Dock Spiders Tuesday at Athletic Park. The streak continues what has been a barnburner season for the Chucks, who lead the Great Lakes West Division with a 17-8 record. The Chucks return to Athletic Park Thursday for a game against the Green Bay Rockers.
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