Mayors Monday: Stevens Point's Mike Wiza
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) -- Count Mayor Mike Wiza among the fans of the new Stevens Point Brewery taproom and gift shop. The $1.1 million remodel of the historic building opened earlier this month. Wiza says he's impressed with the attention to detail the design received, especially considering the age and historic nat...
May 13, 2024
Stevens Point Works to Gather Procceeds to Open First-Ever Cat Cafe
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) -- In the year 1998, Taipei Tawain opened the first ever cat cafe to the world. It became popular among tourists causing Japan to open one in Osaka in 2004. The trend began to spread worldwide to countries like Korea, Austria, Spain, Hungary, Germany France, and the United Kingdom. The US tho...
May 12, 2024
Boating Season Safety Reminders
LAKE DUBAY, Wis. (WAOW-WSAU) -- The weather is getting warmer, which means it's time to get the boat ready and hit the open water. Before venturing the waters though, take pause and remember to practice safe boating protocols. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources found that in 2023, Wisconsin had the highes...
May 12, 2024
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Internal conflicts among Kronenwetter village leaders
KRONENWETTER, WI (WSAU-WAOW) - There has been a lot of conflict in the Kronenwetter Village Hall over the past several years including lawsuits, complaints, resignations, and more. Administrator Leonard Ludi put in his resignation last week and opened one of the highest chairs in Village Hall, which has been open sever...
May 12, 2024
Police Looking For Help From Public To Find Missing Wisconsin Dells Teen
WISCONSIN DELLS, WI (WSAU) - The Wisconsin Dells Police Department said on Friday that it is seeking the public's help to find missing 16-year-old Griffin Clark. Clark was last seen by police on Friday at 4:45 p.m., leaving his father's car off of 420 State Highway 13 wearing a green hooded sweatshirt, tan pants, and b...
May 11, 2024
Portion Of I-94 Closed Near Black River Falls Following Semi Fire
BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI (WSAUWAOW) - I-94 has been closed in Black River Falls after a semi crashed and caught fire early Friday morning. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, it occurred shortly after 3 a.m. Officials did not specify what caused the incident but stated no one was injured. I-94 is closed in both the e...
May 10, 2024
Judge Dismisses Wisconsin Democrats Lawsuit Hoping To Overturn State Absentee Voting Law
MADISON, WI (WSAU) - A lawsuit filed by the National Democratic law firm Elias Law Group contesting Wisconsin's witness requirements for absentee voting was dismissed by a federal judge on Friday. According to the Associated Press, U.S. District Court Judge James Peterson dismissed the complaint on Thursday, stating th...
May 10, 2024
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Wausau Conservatory Of Music To Start Rose Sale On Friday
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) - It is the 35th year that the Wausau Conservatory of Music has held its annual Rose Sale the weekend before Mother's Day, and organizers hope to sell over 300 dozen roses and raise over $9,000. All of the money goes toward student scholarships and activities, which assist the school in realizing...
May 10, 2024
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Merrill Home Considered Total Loss Following Thursday Morning Fire
MERRILL, WI (WSAU) - The Merrill Fire Department has released details surrounding a home fire that occurred on Thursday morning and left the structure as well as the garage at a total loss. According to a press release from the Merrill Fire Department, when firefighters arrived at the scene, the fire had already spread...
May 09, 2024
New school superintedent named for Wisconsin Rapids schools
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU-WAOW) - New leadership is coming to Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools. Current superintendent Craig Broeren is stepping down at the end of June and current Lincoln High School principal Ronald Rasmussen will be taking over as superintendent. Broeren announced earlier this year that he would be...
May 09, 2024
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
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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
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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
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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