You water bill is probably going up next year... a lot | The Weekly Wausonian

The Wausau news for the week of Dec. 15, 2022

Residents are going to get an unpleasant surprise on their water bill next year — about halfway through the year the bill will increase by more than half.

Water bills will increase 65% halfway through the year next year, according to data presented at the most recent Water Works Commission. And sewer bills will increase 5% as well.

Those increases are to help pay for the new drinking water and waste water facilities completed this year. Debt payments will start to become due next year.

Last week paid subscribers read the latest Perfectly Wausonian, about Wausau Mama’s Cheryl Wolken! Subscribe today if you want to see it or wait until Saturday when it unlocks for everyone.

What else in Wausau?

Bridge goes nowhere: City leaders rejected the inclusion of the city owning and maintaining a new pedestrian bridge/walkway connecting the mall redevelopment site to the Wisconsin River. The provision would have been part of the agreement that would govern the first two apartment buildings on the site.

No road back for Riverlife condos: The city council pounded the final nail in the coffin of the Riverlife condo project. Originally meant to bring condos and a public amphitheater to the flagship development site, too many delays and project changes led the city council to finally pull the plug on the development. Out of three sites with projects in five years at Riverlife, only one so far has come to fruition.

Cross-ing picket line: Employees of Red Cross offices throughout Wisconsin are planning to strike Dec. 23 if their new contracts can’t be negotiated. That would impact offices in Wausau among several other sites. The strike would come at one of Red Cross organization’s busiest times.

School closings: By the time you read this, a number of schools and other businesses will have announced closures for Thursday. Some businesses too. Make sure to check these listings before you send your kids to school or anywhere else.

Around the metro

New center open: Weston’s municipal center opened to the public this week. The facility at 4747 Camp Phillips Drive largely came in on budget, at $16 million. But one facility that is coming in much higher than budget: the center’s new salt shed. Originally estimated at between $300,000-$400,000, the actual bids are coming in at more like $1-1.2 million. The village will use its existing salt shed for this winter season and alternatives will be considered, Maloney tells The Wausonian.

(CORRECTION: The previous version of the above item left out the last line. Also, it should be noted that the salt shed is part of the $16 million budget. The expensive new salt shed has not been approved.)

Rib Mountain approved: The Natural Resources Board on Wednesday approved the new master plan for Rib Mountain State Park. The master plan included an expansion for Granite Peak Ski Area, adding mountain biking to the park and other amenitites. See The Wausonian’s breakdown of the master plan.

Business

New Hiawatha: The new owners of Hiawatha, Robert Reed and Chris McMahon, applied for the Hiawatha liquor license Tuesday.

New restaurant: Mike Masgay applied for a liquor license for his new restaurant, the Velveteen Plum. That will be a newly constructed restaurant at 1520 Elm Street. That’s near Festival Foods on 17th Avenue.

Replacing Angelo’s: Elliott Johnson and Ed Kraimer applied for a liquor license doing business as Tuesday’s Bar in the former Angelo’s Pizza location.

Business closing: The owners of longtime country Mexican restaurant Freddy’s announced the restaurant will close in January. The business had been up for sale for some time but apparently, no buyers came forward with the right offer. Freddy’s briefly had a second location in the basement of Washington Square where Jalapenos is now.

Entertainment

Saturday, Dec. 17: What can I say, my former City Pages coworkers have turned this local makers market into a Holiday tradition (they do several throughout the year). If you’re still looking for a last-minute Christmas present, this is easily one of your best bets. Plenty of local artisans, crafters and other assorted local goods as well as holiday cocktails and treats. Oh and live music. What’s not to love? Starts at 4 pm. See the event page for more details.

Friday, Dec. 16: Back in the day, there was a musician around town who ran a band called Jef Leopard. I always thought that was pretty clever. Janikowski has been back in town for a while now and making music, and he’s developed a lot of skills over the year. Check out Janikowski for a solo show at The Garage, which is quickly becoming a top music venue. Find out more here.

Saturday, Dec. 17: You might think of Rocky Ridge Orchard as a summer place for its pizza nights, but turns out they’re having an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party this weekend! Dress in your fugliest Christmas sweater, and come on down to check out the pizza, snacks, drinks and music by Jerry Schmitt Band! Hey, if you’re going to do a Christmas party, might as well be pizza involved. See the event page for more.

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 Basketball: D.C. Everest is off to a strong start, getting its first win of the season Friday over Wausau East 94-69. That puts the Evergreens tied for first place in the Valley Conference with Merrill and Marshfield.

Girls Basketball: Wausau West defeated Merrill 56-43 Friday to move up to tied for second place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. That makes them the best of the area teams in the Valley so far.

Boys Hockey: Wausau West continues its dominant season with a win over cross-town rival D.C. Everest Tuesday 5-1. The Warriors are leading the Wisconsin Valley Conference, 4-0 on the season so far.

Girls Hockey: The Central Wisconsin Storm are now 5-2 on the year after losing its game to Hayward Saturday 4-1. Tristan Wicklund and Julie DeByle lead the team in points with seven each.

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