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.)

Marathon County Health Outcomes & Health Factors

Marathon County Continues to Be a Leader in Wisconsin for Health

For the past several years, Marathon County has been ranked in the top quarter or third of the 72 counties for our health. Being among the top-ranked counties demonstrates our commitment in achieving our goal of working toward being the healthiest, safest, and most prosperous county in Wisconsin.

See how the current health-ranking results break down in terms of our strengths — and our areas for improvment — in the full article. (Click the title for details.)

County Board Supervisor Jenifer Bizzotto :: Making Marathon County Home & Civic Engagement a Priority

An accomplished professional and attorney with Judicare, Jenifer Bizzotto has already immersed herself in Marathon County culture and government, though she has only lived here since 2018.

Bizzotto ran for a position on the Marathon County Board of Supervisors in 2020, and, while she did not win the election, she was appointed by the Board to represent District 2 when former Supervisor Romey Wagner resigned after moving out of the district.

Learn why this young professional was inspired to move to Marathon County from Madison and get involved in our local politics in the full article. (Click the title for details…)

Supervisor Matthew Bootz :: With Marathon County Roots So Many Generations Deep, Some Call His Neighborhood “Bootzville”

County Board Supervisor Matthew (Matt) Bootz is a true hometown hero. His story is one sprinkled with adventure, a focus on family, a commitment to service, and unfortunately a tragedy to overcome that most of us can’t even imagine.

Learn what he feels is the most meaningful work he’s done so far on the board — and more — in the full article. (Click the title for details.)

Supervisor Rebecca Buch :: Faith, Family, & Forty Years in Marathon County

Coming from a missionary family who modeled the art of giving throughout a lifetime, Marathon County Board Supervisor Rebecca Buch has a natural desire to serve her community.

Supervisor Buch shares her globe-travelling stories, her views on the local Pride and the No Place for Hate resolutions, her love for Marathon County, and more in the full article. (Click the title for details…)

Year-1 Progress Report on the “Greater Wausau Region Economic Development Strategic Plan”

In March of 2019, the Greater Wausau Region Economic Development Strategic Plan was unveiled and led to the creation of the Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership (GWPP) to identify and assemble resources to establish a tactical path forward, focusing on the 3 strategic goals of Talent, Innovation, and Placemaking.

Learn about:
The GWPP’s new regional talent attraction and retention website: GreaterWausau.org, plans to save and reposition the Clark Island Powerhouse building as an innovation center of excellence, and much more. (Click the title for details…)

Taking Advantage of Outdoor Activities in Marathon County Amid a Pandemic

With all of the uncertainties that have come with COVID-19, you may be asking yourself, What CAN I do this summer to stay active? Public Health Educator Jenna Flynn connects you to ideas and updates on options put forth by the Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department. (Click the title for details…)

Give the Gift of a SMOKE-FREE Life to Your Friends & Family :: Participate in The Great American Smokeout

Did you know that smoking is still the #1 cause of preventable death and disease in the world? Or that 15% of adults in Marathon County are smokers? If you (or someone you love) is a smoker, November 15 — the Great American Smokeout — could be a great day to consider quitting smoking. The health benefits of quitting are almost instantaneous. (Click the title for support ideas, encouragement, and more…)

What are we THANKFUL for in Marathon County?

We asked several local community leaders — plus our Editorial Board — to share what they’re grateful for in 2018 and what they’re looking forward to in 2019. Their answers run the gamut from A to Z… Awe-inspiring to zany! (Click the title to learn more.)

Mythbusting E-Cigarettes :: Know the Facts About Vaping

Vaping (inhaling a vaporized e-liquid) is often thought to be a safe alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. But limited federal oversight makes it difficult to know the true dangers of vaping devices. What’s worse, the misconception that vaping is “safe” may be increasing smoking behaviors in adults and youth. Get the facts on vaping so you can better understand this nicotine-based trend gaining ground in Marathon County. (Click the title to read more…)