Olerich Warrant Quashed, June Trial Remains on the Schedule
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- A Wausau man who missed a court appearance earlier this week, leading a judge to issue a bench warrant, appeared in court earlier today. Jason Olerich was in court Thursday afternoon where a judge increased his bond after hearing a statement from his attorney. Olerich missed a scheduled hearing on ...
May 09, 2024
Hit-and-Run Reported in Town of Reid
TOWN OF REID, WI (WSAU) -- Marathon County Crimestoppers are asking for help to identify a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run incident involving two bicyclists and a car. According to Crimestoppers a man and a woman were out for a bike ride along Plover Road near Miller Road in the Town of Reid Wednesday evening. The vi...
May 09, 2024
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Releases Statement on the Heels of Potential Gaza Refugee Program
MADISON, WI (WSAU) - Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has weighed in on the Biden Administration's proposed plan to bring refugees from Gaza. "As Tammy has continued to say, she believes the administration's highest priorities should be achieving a mutually agreed upon ceasefire, bringing hostages home, and ge...
May 09, 2024
Shawano County Infant Dies in "Tragic Accident"
BONDUEL, WI (WSAU) -- A five-month-old child has died in Shawano County in what officials are calling a "tragic accident." First responders were called to an unspecified address in Bonduel Wednesday evening for a report of a baby girl who had been run over by a vehicle. Crews performed life-saving measures a...
May 09, 2024
Paul Long / CC
Law Enforcement Training Taking Place at Nine Mile Forest
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- The Marathon County Sheriff's Office says residents should expect an increased law enforcement presence in the area of Nine Mile Forest near Springbrook Road and County Highway KK. It should be noted that this is a planned training exercise and there is no actual emergency or threat to the public. ...
May 09, 2024
Scott Davidson / CC
State Of Affairs Ep. 15 UW Madison Law Student Samantha Crane Talks University Encampments
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) - State of Affairs episode fifteen is now available, featuring UW Madison Law Student and Federalist Society President Samantha Crane joining the program to discuss life on campus as a Jewish student since the anti-Israel protests began in recent weeks. While speaking about the effect the protests ha...
May 09, 2024
Stewart Avenue Construction Project Detour Begins Thursday
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- A new phase will begin on Thursday in one of Wausau's major summer street projects. Stewart Avenue will be closed for eastbound traffic between 48th and 68th Avenues, though westbound traffic will be maintained. This traffic pattern is expected to last through late July. It's part of a complete rec...
May 08, 2024
ventanamedia / Depositphotos.com
Man charged with intentionally setting camper fires
NECEDAH, WI (WSAU-WAOW) - A 38-year-old Necedah man was charged with intentionally setting a fire that resulted in the explosion of a pair of campers at his home. The Juneau County Communications Center received a report of a camper on fire at 5:35pm Sunday and a possible explosion in the North 10300 block of 16th Aven...
May 08, 2024
Ehrisman Trial to Proceed
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) -- A Wisconsin Rapids man accused of trying to kill a relative will go to trial after being found not competent late last year. Tommy Ehrisman was in court on Wednesday where both his representatives and the state agreed that the case is ready to move to trial. He's accused of trying to smot...
May 08, 2024
Wausau Botanic Gardens To Keep Monk's History Front And Center After Community Calls To Reverse Name Change
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- The Wausau Botanic Gardens has hinted at another name change after their most recent rebrand was met with significant community pushback, including sharp criticism from the family of Robert Monk. According to a press release, the organization acknowledged Monk's dedication and still plans to ensure...
May 08, 2024
Wausau Economic Development Committee Approves RFI for South Riverfront Land
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- The Wausau Economic Development Committee has approved issuing a request for interest (RFI) for land in the Riverlife area near First and Fulton Streets. Economic Development Manager Randy Fifrick says this isn't a traditional request for proposals, or RFP, that the city has often used to fill vaca...
May 08, 2024
Grand Rapids police chief retiring
GRAND RAPIDS, WI (WSAU-WAOW) - Police Chief Melvin Pedersen has more than 40 years of service. A decade of that time has been spent with the Grand Rapids Police Department. He's now retiring. A lot has changed since the 1970s when Pedersen first started his career in Law Enforcement with styles, music and culture chan...
May 07, 2024
Warrant Issued for Wausau Man Facing Child Enticement Charges After He Fails to Show for Court Hearing
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- A Wausau man accused of trying to lure a teen for drugs and sex failed to show up for a pre-trial motion hearing on Tuesday, resulting in a warrant for his arrest. Jason Olerich didn't show for Tuesday's appearance, leading Judge Scott Corbett to cancel his $7,500 signature bond and issue a bench w...
May 07, 2024
Antigo Teacher Advances Into Quarter Finals In Race For America's Favorite Teacher
ANTIGO, WI (WSAU-WAOW) - Kelly Kohler, a special education teacher at Antigo High School, has advanced to the quarterfinals of America's Favorite Teacher, where she will have the opportunity to appear in Reader's Digest, win a trip to Hawaii, and earn $25,000. As a former student of Antigo High School, Kohler has becom...
May 07, 2024
U.S. Senate Candidate Eric Hovde Talks Regulations While Touring Athens Miltrim Farm
ATHENS, WI (WSAU) - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde made a campaign stop in central Wisconsin on Monday afternoon to tour Athens Miltrim Farm. Hovde spent time with the business owners discussing the farms' history and the impacts of regulations, foreign trade, and how the cutback of 2% on whole milk produc...
May 07, 2024
Kronenwetter Administrator to Resign
KRONENWETTER, WI (WSAU) -- Kronenwetter Administrator Leonard Ludi has submitted his resignation, effective later this month. In a statement to WSAU News, Village Board President Chris Voll said Ludi submitted a letter of resignation to the Village. His last day will be May 17th. "He mentioned to me that it was ti...
May 06, 2024
No announcement after botanical gardens board meeting
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) - The issues between the newly renamed Wausau Botanic Gardens and the Monk family continue. For the first time, members of the Monk family are speaking out. This comes after the gardens announced its new name, changed to Wausau Botanical Gardens, on Facebook. Since then, there's been pushback fro...
May 06, 2024
Lo Sentenced to Life Without Parole
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- A Wausau man found guilty of killing Mai Rue Vang during an argument in 2021 will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. Umberto Lo was sentenced Monday afternoon, four months after he was found guilty at trial. Judge LaMont Jacobson gave him the mandatory life sent...
May 06, 2024
Mayors Monday: Wausau's Doug Diny
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- Wausau Mayor Doug Diny knows the clock is ticking on a groundbreaking for the Foundry on 3rd project at the former Wausau Center Mall site, but so far he's not worried about the developers missing that June 1st deadline. "We're very optimistic," said Diny. "We've been in touch with a...
May 06, 2024
Forest County Humane Society Holds National Adoption Event
FOREST COUNTY, Wis. -- (WAOW-WSAU) If you're looking to add a four-legged friend to your family, then you're going to want to check this out. The Forest County Humane Society is participating in a national adoption event called "Empty the Shelters". The adoption of spayed or neutered pets, who are vaccinate...
May 05, 2024
Burglary at W.O.W. in Wausau
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) - The Wausau Police Department is investigating a burglary that happened early Saturday morning. The robbery took place at the restaurant Wausau on the Water, popularly known as W.O.W, located in Wausau's River District. According to police, the suspect entered the building by breaking a window aroun...
May 05, 2024
Wausau Fire Department, DCI to Conduct Live Burn Exercise
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- The Wausau Fire Department and Wisconsin Department of Justice- Division of Criminal Investigation will conduct live fire training on a home near Bridge Street this week. According to a news release from the city they'll conduct firefighting and investigative training on a home located at 1514 Nort...
May 05, 2024
Tucker Pleads Not Guilty for Attempted Homicide
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- A Wausau man accused of attempted homicide and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon has pled not guilty to the charges in Marathon County court. Todd Tucker is said to have pointed a firearm at a woman who was trying to sell some items to another woman. Investigators say the woman had facil...
May 04, 2024
Wausau Botanical Gardens Leadership to Meet Monday as Name Change Backlash Continues
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) -- Board Members for Wausau Botanical Gardens will meet on Monday to go over feedback they've received regarding the recently announced name change for their facility. WAOW TV reports that members of the board have been cataloging the feedback to "survey the entirety of the community respons...
May 04, 2024
Strasser Scheduled for Trial on Arson Charges
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- A Marathon County man facing accusations of arson and intentionally pointing a firearm at law enforcement will go to trial in September. John Strasser has been scheduled for a three-day trial from September 25th to the 27th for a trio of felony counts including arson of a building without the owner...
May 03, 2024