Recently Re-opened Public Library in Wausau Has a New Look!

All Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) locations returned to pre-pandemic operating hours on June 1, 2021. A closure that lasted more than 1 year gave the library a chance to make some changes at its Wausau Headquarters.

If you haven’t been back to the library yet, check out some pictures of updates you can look forward to at MCPL Wausau, including new, modern furniture; comfy, private study nooks; an updated Teen Zone with charging stations; a beautiful repurposed Rotunda, first-floor computers; and more! (Click the title for details…)

Save the Dates :: Central Wisconsin Book Festival Is Coming Sept. 17-26, 2021

The 5th annual Central Wisconsin Book Festival will include up to 30 events spread across Wausau, Stevens Point, and Wisconsin Rapids, along with various virtual events. Children’s authors, non-fiction, poetry, and, of course, fiction will all be part of the 10-day lineup. Read on to see some of the authors and poets already scheduled to attend. (Click the title for details…)

Community Health Improvement Director Judy Burrows to Retire After 29 Years of Service to the County :: Leaving the County a Better Place to Live, Work, Visit, & Do Business

After 29 years, Judy Burrows is retiring from the Marathon County Health Department. She’s been a key leader in Wisconsin for Smoke-Free Air legislation and has led many statewide tobacco prevention and control efforts and coalitions.

Judy founded the Chronic Disease Prevention Team (now called the Community Health Improvement Team) at the Marathon County Health Department, and was the Public Information Officer in front of the camera throughout the COVID-19 response.

On behalf of the State of Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers, Senator Jerry Petrowski, and Representative Patrick Snyder issued Judy a legislative citation recognizing her 29-year career in public service. Congratulations to Judy on this well-deserved distinction!

Read the full article to learn more about Judy’s amazing career serving Marathon County. (Click the title for details.)

Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA) to Resume 11 Flights Daily to Detroit, Minneapolis, & Chicago :: Plus, New Evening Flights

Beginning in June 2021, the Central Wisconsin Airport will resume pre-pandemic flight volumes, with more planes leaving Central Wisconsin than there have been in over a year!

Through the summer, Delta Airlines will be offering 6 flights departing Mosinee to Detroit and Minneapolis;
American Airlines is flying 3 times daily to Chicago; and United Airlines is flying twice daily to Chicago. That’s 11 flights daily departing CWA!

Read on to learn more about our local airport’s recent state-of-the-art renovations, low fares right now, and current safety protocols for flying safely. Central Wisconsin Airport… Your journey begins here. (Click the title for the full story…)

MCDEVCO Proudly Announces 10+ Local Entrepreneurial Business Launches, Upcoming “Crops & Shops Marketplace” Events, & More

After 4 months of weekly classes, 35 (volunteer) professional business class instructors, and one-on-one mentoring, 18 entrepreneurs are on their way to launching — or already have launched — their businesses right here in Marathon County with the help of MCDEVCO.

Learn about their “dolphin tank” experience, upcoming programming for future assistance, and their “Crops & Shops Marketplace” events that feature food trucks and children’s crafts and are open to the public to purchase items that are ag-related (CROPS) or from a small business located throughout Marathon County (SHOPS).

(Click the title to read more…)

From the Classroom to the Parks System to the Government Board Room — Marathon County Supervisor Allen Opall Leads & Serves His Community

After working for a decade as a teacher and then serving as a Park Manager for Wausau and Marathon County for 20 years, Allen Opall got involved in Town of Rib Mountain Government.

He has close to 2 decades at the helm for the Town of Rib Mountain, and spent the last 6 years representing Rib Mountain while also serving on the Marathon County Board of Supervisors. His interest in civics and local government is matched (or perhaps exceeded) by his love for the outdoors. Get to know a bit more about Supervisor Opall in the full article… (Click the title for details.)

Together Through the Seasons :: National Skilled Nursing Care Week (May 9-15, 2021)

On May 9–15, 2021, we’ll celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week to honor the collaborative commitment of skilled nursing care facilities and their staff throughout Marathon County in providing compassionate care to their residents during this unprecedented time under a global pandemic. We thank you for your sacrifice, talent, and compassion.

Be sure to click over to the full article to get an inside (and outside!) peek of the new 96-bed skilled nursing facility being constructed at the North Central Health Care Campus in Wausau. (Click the title for details…)

Mental Health Awareness Month — An Opportune Time to View New Findings on Students’ Mental Health During the Pandemic

Through a grant from Security Health, area schools in Marathon County have been able to utilize the b.e.s.t. screening tool to determine how students are adjusting to school closures in terms of their mental health. This has helped school staff to create and deliver interventions to support our local students.

In addition, the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service (WIPPS) conducted research with 160 middle and high school students from across Wisconsin (many from our rural schools) in a study entitled “The Voices of Wisconsin Student Projects: Learning, Coping, and Building Resilience During COVID-19.” Read the full article for the project’s findings regarding the impact of school closures on students’ learning and what coping skills they are employing during this difficult time. (Click the title for details.)

New Recreation Superintendent Mark Dorow to Manage City & County Recreation Facilities & Programs

Mark Dorow comes to the Wausau / Marathon County Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department with over 11 years of experience providing recreation programs, with an emphasis on aquatic programming.

Learn about Mark’s background, his collaboration with Wausau Area Pickleball to offer pickleball classes and a tournament at the newly renovated Marathon Park pickleball courts, and more. (Click the title for details . . .)

Marathon County Public Libraries Aim for June Reopening to the Public

The Marathon County Board of Trustees set a tentative date of June 1, 2021, for all 9 MCPL locations to return to pre-pandemic hours of operation.

Get the details on what will be available (and what won’t) at that time, and read about some of the great summer programming they have lined up for their dedicated patrons — including outdoor family story times! (Click the title for details…)