Wausau School District leaders Wednesday told The Wausonian that it saw some real struggles with busing company First Student in the first couple of days of school.
One reader told The Wausonian one of their relatives hadn’t been picked up on time and others were picked up late or dropped off hours after they were supposed to be home.
The Wausau School District has had struggles with First Student in the past.
District leaders say they have met with First Student leadership and are creating an action plan to address the bus problem. The action plan the district sent to The Wausonian:
First Student will ensure the Wausau School District is made aware of any delays so that we can begin to help with communication about that.
When you call First Student with questions or concerns they will be more responsive to you.
Our Assistant Superintendent of Operations is working, on site, from First Student for the remainder of the week to help address concerns that come in and to help First Student find solutions.
Members of the Wausau School District administrative team are riding along on some of the AM and PM bus routes tomorrow (Thursday, September 4) to analyze and address problems that are occurring.
Members of the administrative team will meet with upper management at First Student again, later this week, for a progress update.
This week subscribers read our deep dive into the rise and fall of Rockwater Cafe - which came out of our interview with Wausonian Marcus Nelson. That will be the first of several stories about Nelson who went on to an extensive career in Silicon Valley and now in AI:
The Rise and Fall of RockWater Cyber Cafe
Many of you probably have seen it even if you didn’t pay much attention to it. Found on many websites is a little tab that reads “feedback.”
What else in Wausau?
City takes first look at new Wyatt Street proposal: City leaders took a first look at a new proposal for a single-family house on city owned property on Wyatt Street. The proposal is the first since the city nearly sold the property to a 17-year-old boy who had proposed a duplex on the property. The plan was only a concept, but the committee tabled the discussion to get more details about the proposal (the city started doing a Request for Information process so it could bring concepts to the city first, before spending the time to work out all the numbers). Meanwhile, The Wausonian requested emails between city staff and the 17-year-old boy June 3 and that request has not yet been fulfilled.
City considering speed signs at trails: The city’s Parks and Recreation Committee asked the parks director to bring back a proposal for increased education and potential speed signs for ebikes — despite no one actually identifying a problem with them. Parks Director Jamie Polley said the city doesn’t have it’s own ordinances around ebikes but follows the state rules, which include a 15 miles per hour speed limit on trails. But some committee members wanted to go even further, adding speed bumps on the trails. But in the end the committee directed Polley to bring back a proposal for education and speed signs. Weston’s Community, Life and Public Safety Committee will also talk about ebikes at its next meeting this month.
City considers removing boating access, signs after drowning death: City leaders discussed the possibility of removing the boating access of the wharf on the RiverLife area of the Wisconsin River following the death of a 16-year-old boy at the site in May. Parks Director Jamie Polley told the Parks and Recreation Committee that the wharf rarely gets used, but it invites people to use the water which may entice someone to swim. That’s not safe because of the current. The Parks Committee directed Polley to bring back a proposal for more no swimming signs at sites where the city has water access infrastructure and to possibly modify the wharf (which Polley says is so difficult to take in and out that the contractor might not even come back to do it anymore) to make it safer.
City seeking next poet laureate: The city is seeking applicants for its third poet laureate. The poet laureate, first started under Mayor Katie Rosenberg, is a position that represents the city through poetry and the poet receives a stipend as well. Find out more and apply here. Application deadline is Friday, Sept. 5 and the city council will decide who becomes the next poet laureate at its Sept. 23 meeting.
Diny hearing delayed: The hearing scheduled for Friday in the Diny ballot box ethics complaint has been adjourned. The Wausonian found out Friday that the city clerk, Kaitlyn Bernarde, and city attorney, Anne Jacobson, did not follow the Ethics Board’s orders and sit for a deposition. The mayor’s attorney, Andrew Erlandson, told the board previously that he would ask for an adjournment of the hearing if that didn’t happen. The board agreed to hold the hearing in mid-October, which board members hope will allow time for the depositions to take place and to sort out new motions introduced Tuesday, which they did not have time to review.
Around the metro
Woman accused in high-speed chase sentenced: A woman accused of leading officers on a high-speed chase pleaded guilty Thursday. Amber Boyd was sentenced to one year and six months in prison after police say she led officers on a chase through Kronenwetter at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour after they attempted to pull her over. She got credit for 151 days spent in jail pre-trial.
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Business
The Domino sold: After the previous owners underwent a tumultuous time owning the business as patrons didn’t care for the changes, the building has sold for $542,300 according to real estate records. The Domino has sold to Domino Bar LLC, which records show is owned by Dan Baur of Ringle (who appears to be the former owner of the bar). The Domino lost its liquor license last summer after it was closed for some time - the owners at the time said it was for sale. The Wausonian will keep an eye out for further developments.
Entertainment
It’s Artrageous Weekend! We’ve got a full guide for you, plus a one-man band, an open mic at an art museum, a local blues rock band that should be on your radar and more this weekend. All in your Wausome Weekend Guide.
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
Football: Both D.C. Everest and Wausau West lost their second game of the season last Thursday. Everest fell to River Falls 54-21, and the Warriors lost to Hudson 30-14. Friday kicks off conference play with the Evergreens heading to Wisconsin Rapids and Wausau West hosting Eau Claire North.
Boys soccer: D.C. Everest and Wausau East both notched their first wins with shutouts Tuesday. The Evergreens defeated SPASH 6-0 and the Lumberjacks beat Marshfield 3-0. Everest will head to Wausau West Tuesday and the Lumberjacks will head to SPASH.
Girls tennis: Conference play begins today (Thursday) with SPASH heading to D.C. Everest, Marshfield heading to Wausau East and Wausau West heading to Rapids. All matches start at 4 pm.
Volleyball: Conference play kicks off today (Thursday) with Marshfield heading to Wausau East and Wausau West traveling to Wisconsin Rapids.
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