Weston-Rothschild police station gets early approval, draws concerns | Weekly Wausonian

Wausau news for the week of May 21, 2026

The Weston Village Board Monday OKed the next step for a new, potentially $7 million police center for the Mountain Bay Metro Police Department.

But concerns about more municipal spending are already circulating on social media, echoing those that came from Weston’s new municipal center.

The Weston Village Board approved the site plan for the new center, which is slated to be built at 3600 Community Center Drive if ultimately approved.

The $7 million figure isn’t final, but it’s what the Mountain Bay Metro Police Board has said it would like to stay at or under. The final cost won’t be known for sure until the project is bid.

The project costs would be split 65-35 between Weston and Rothschild, respectively.

But opposition is already forming, village board member Katrina Clark said Monday. Clark suggested the village reach out to the public to get more information to the public, and get feedback about it.

And board member Barb Ermeling, who voted no Monday, said when the Mountain Bay Metro department was formed from the Rothschild and Everest Metro departments, she was told the current building would be adequate. Board President Mark Maloney said he took that on himself, as he also believed at the time of the merger that a new station wouldn’t be necessary.

“This has been nothing but a success story,” Maloney said, adding that the new center was necessary. Expanding the current Rothschild department would have cost millions on its own. Staff said they are using parts of the old building and reduced the size of the project to help keep costs down.

The Wausonian toured the new Bridge Street Mission homeless shelter and recovery center, and we asked its leadership about the controversy.

A nationally renowned expert in restoration visited Wausau to warn contractors, and homeowners, in Ringle about what to expect from insurance companies:

What else in Wausau

Wausau committee approves new ebike rules: The city of Wausau will have new ebike rules for its paths, if a newly updated ordinance is ultimately approved by the city council. The city’s infrastructure committee approved the update Thursday, which sets a speed limit for bikes including ebikes on city paths of 15 miles per hour. Some commenters at the meeting asked for a 10 mph speed limit and for bells to be required. The new ordinance removes mandatory bicycle registration. The ordinance also generally bans motorized vehicles without pedals from city trails, paths and sidewalks.

Wausau East student wins Congressional art contest: A Wausau East art student won the 7th Congressional District’s most recent art contest. Ayasha Bowman, a senior at East, won the contest with her work ‘Apostle Islands.’ Bowman will now travel to Washington, D.C. to view her work on display at the U.S. Capitol.

Wausau School District weighs 1.5% budget cut: Wausau School District budgets could be cut by 1.5% if the preliminary budget comes to pass. The Wausau School Board heard that as part of a presentation on the preliminary budget plan Monday. District officials told the board that leaders of each building will be determining what to cut in order to get to the 1.5% decrease. Wausau School Board members told staff they want to see at a future meeting what specific cuts will be proposed.

City proposes trade with railroad for Gilbert Park crossing: The city’s Infrastructure Committee approved a plan Thursday to work with Fox Valley & Lake Superior Rail System on a railroad crossing agreement that would help extend the River Edge Trail. Under the committee’s plan, the city would agree to close several railroad crossings in exchange for the railroad not fighting a crossing of the railroad tracks in the south end of Gilbert Park. That crossing would allow the city to extend the River Edge Trail north on the east side of the Wisconsin River. The committee in approving the plan requested the city attorney review the agreement and add stronger language requiring the railroad explicitly not to contest the crossing.

Around the metro

Farmers Market at Kennedy Park draws safety concern: The new Kennedy Park location for Weston’s Farmers Market has been popular — but that’s also been the problem. Weston officials discussed problems with the new park location, including people parking on the grass and potential safety concerns. The village moved its market from the previous location at the corner of Camp Phillips and Schofield Avenue because the site was private and the owner told the village he was developing a new building on that site. The item before the board was discussion only, but board members said they’d keep an eye on parking and safety issues at the market.

TIF No. 1 is closed, but $9 million of debt remains: Village of Weston officials say TIF District No. 1 is officially closed, but a $9 million debt payment later in the year remains. The debt is due in October, Finance Director Jessica Trautman says. The village doesn’t have the money to pay the debt yet, but will once a settlement due in August is received. Closing the district puts all the properties within it fully on the tax rolls, which can relieve tax pressure on residents.

Deputies, wildlife group rescue bear cub: Marathon County deputies and staff members from Wild Instincts wildlife rescue organization rescued a bear cub earlier this month. Deputies were called by the Wausau Police Department after officers found a bear cub alone on Highway 29 west of Wausau. The cub’s mother had been struck and killed by a motorist. Deputies say the cub is doing well after they consulted with Wild Instincts staff. The organization hopes to eventually return it to the wild.

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Business

Parker John’s, Tendeez planned for former 2510 building: Last month The Wausonian broke news about 2510 closing its doors after decades as a Wausau institution. Sources told The Wausonian that two restaurants were planned for the site. The Wausau Daily Herald confirmed earlier this month that Parker John’s and Tendeez Hot Chicken plan to co-locate in the former restaurant site. A third independent deli will also use part of the former deli space.

Entertainment

Scotty Austin is one of the musicians who doesn’t quite sound like how he looks - but he definitely will be rocking the roof off the Q&Z Expo Center this weekend. Plus, your guide to Memorial Day, a hot new house band at Faraway Place, a nostalic look at Wausau and much more in YOUR Wausome Weekend Guide.

Sports

Baseball: D.C. Everest defeated Wisconsin Rapids 8-4 Tuesday, but remains third place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. As the top Wausau area team, the Evergreens are still within reach of the conference title.

Softball: D.C. Everest looked unstoppable in a 13-3 win over Wausau East Tuesday, but the Evergreens remain in third place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. With one game left, D.C. Everest is out of contention for the conference title.

Girls soccer: Wausau West remains the top Wausau area team, but finally dropped a conference game this season against SPASH Tuesday. The Warriors never found the net in a 3-0 loss to the Panthers. West remains in second place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference, but while SPASH looks unstoppable this year, there are still enough matches left that the Warriors could potentially still take the top spot.

Boys tennis: The Wisconsin Valley Conference tournament results linked up exactly the same as the end-of-season standings, as D.C. Everest finished third as the top Wausau area team. The Evergreens finished behind SPASH and Marshfield at first and second. Wausau West finished one point behind the Evergreens in the conference tournament Tuesday.

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