Wausau Pilot

Wausau School Board fires special education teacher over alleged recording; attorney raises Fourth Amendment concerns Damakant Jayshi | Wausau Pilot & Review What started as a discussion a student being bullied by peers at Wausau East High School last November has expanded far beyond the original harassment complaint – resulting in allegations of unauthorized recording of a meeting, an alleged unlawful seizure and search of a teacher’s phone by the school’s resource officer, felony-level implications under Wisconsin law, and ultimately the termination of a special education teacher early last month.

What began as a meeting about alleged student bullying escalated into claims of an unlawful phone search, felony-level implications under state law, and the termination of a Wausau East teacher. We break down the timeline and competing accounts in our exclusive report:

Wausau United ski teams sweep home conference race at Granite Peak WAUSAU, Wis. — Racing on home snow, the Wausau United Ski & Snowboard Team delivered a dominant performance this week with both the boys and girls varsity ski teams winning Conference Race No. 4 at Granite Peak. Wausau United hosted the race. The hill was in great shape, the weather cooperated, and parents, teammates and spectators lined the course. Both varsity ski squads defended their home hill to continue a strong conference season.

Both the boys and girls varsity ski teams earned team victories at Conference Race No. 4 at Granite Peak, with the girls clinching the conference title. The boys ski team remains in position to win the conference heading into the final race.

Wausau area obituaries February 6, 2026 Marilyn A. Smith Marilyn A. (Shaw) Smith, 84, of Rothschild, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Marilyn was born on April 23, 1941 to Raymond and Renetta (Kostus) Shaw. Family meant everything to Marilyn. Known as “Nama” by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Marilyn made every holiday and birthday special for them. Her celebrations included decorations for all occasions, the world’s tastiest apple pie, and activities like scavenger hunts and decorating cutout cookies.

Obituaries are a community service courtesy of Helke and Brainard Funeral Homes.

Celebrating fourteen years of helping Veterans The Veterans Weekly Cup-of-Coffee is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with over 750 veteran members. The group was founded on February 8, 2012 and is purposely not affiliated with any organization. Their main service area is Marathon County. Over 85 members attend the weekly 10:00 am Wednesday meeting at Denny’s in Rothschild. The meetings offer a safe place for Veterans to gather and enjoy a cup of coffee, a meal and camaraderie.

The group was founded on February 8, 2012 and is purposely not affiliated with any organization. Their main service area is Marathon County. 

Weston schedules information sessions ahead of April SAFER staffing referendum Wausau Pilot & Review WESTON, Wis. — The Village of Weston will host a series of community information sessions in March and early April ahead of an April 7 referendum that asks voters to approve a property tax levy increase to fund additional staffing for the South Area Fire & Emergency Response District. The Weston Village Board voted Jan. 19 to place the question on the spring election ballot.

Questions over SAFER staffing and costs shape Weston’s April 7 referendum as public sessions are scheduled. How to attend:

Kilian: Wausau, citizen action is key to just governance and better outcomes For government to be citizen-driven, citizens must drive it. Last week, in subzero weather, so many neighborhood residents from Wausau’s southwest side packed into a government facility for a public input meeting that the venue hit maximum capacity with standing room only. The turnout encompassed a wide variety of ages, including many neighborhood elders. The meeting focused on getting feedback on the city-owned property at 1300 Cleveland Avenue, which has been of high concern to the surrounding area for years.

For better community outcomes, if you’re waiting for the cavalry to arrive, go look in the mirror – you’re it, Kilian says.

Need Valentine’s inspiration? Love Notes return with Feb. 12 deadline Looking for a meaningful way to mark Valentine’s Day? Wausau Pilot & Review is once again collecting Love Notes from readers to publish on Feb. 14 — and submissions are open now. Love Notes can be signed or anonymous and can celebrate romance, friendship, gratitude or anything in between. The only guidelines are to keep submissions appropriate and submit them by…

Need Valentine’s inspiration? Love Notes are back, and we’re publishing reader messages Feb. 14. Submit yours by noon Feb. 12 — last year’s notes offer plenty of ideas.

Trump’s racist post about Obamas is deleted after backlash despite White House earlier defending it By BILL BARROW and JOSH BOAK Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s social media post featuring former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle was deleted after a backlash from both Republicans and Democrats who criticized the video as racist. The Republican president’s Thursday night post was deleted Friday and blamed on a staffer after widespread backlash, from civil rights leaders to veteran Republican senators, for its treatment of the nation’s first Black president and first lady.

The deletion came hours after press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed “fake outrage” over the post. After calls for its removal for being racist -- including by Republicans -- the White House ultimately took it down.

East/Merrill boys hockey uses third-period surge to roll past Marshfield Wausau Pilot & Review MERRILL – A wild start to the third period pushed the Wausau East/Merrill United boys hockey team to an 8-4 victory over Marshfield in a Wisconsin Valley Conference matchup Thursday at the Smith Rec Center. The game was tight through two periods, with East/Merrill leading 3-2 after a goal by Erik Grunenwald and two by Jackson Pierce.

Pierce, Klebenow, Thurs each score twice for the BlueJacks (7-12).

Today in History: Today is Friday, Feb. 6, the 37th day of 2026. By The Associated Press Today in history: On Feb. 6, 1952, Britain’s King George VI, 56, died at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England; he was succeeded as monarch by his 25-year-old eldest daughter, who became Queen Elizabeth II. Also on this date: In 1778, during the American Revolutionary War, the United States won official recognition and military support from France with the signing of the Treaty of Alliance in Paris.

On this date: 1899 Spanish–American War ends, peace treaty ratified by Senate.

Thursday’s boys and girls prep basketball scores The Associated Press BOYS PREP BASKETBALL= Abbotsford 85, Pittsville 53 Altoona 71, Amery 65 Aquinas 74, Tomah 66 Augusta 54, Alma Center Lincoln 51 Augustine Prep 72, St Thomas More 57 Bangor 65, Brookwood 54 Beloit Memorial 80, Wilmot 62 Boyceville 71, Alma-Pepin 52 Central Wisconsin Christian 75, Cambria-Friesland 45 Chesterton 62, University Lake 19 Chilton 49, Green Bay N.E.W. Lutheran 44…

Thursday's scores.

Antetokounmpo remains with Bucks as an extremely hectic NBA trade deadline passes By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer Giannis Antetokounmpo remained with the Milwaukee Bucks while plenty of other players changed addresses as the NBA trade deadline passed Thursday. An extremely busy deadline, at that: There were 28 trades made in the week leading up to the deadline, the most that the NBA has seen in over that timeframe in the last 20 years — with 18 of those trades getting finalized by teams Thursday in the hours before the deadline.

Antetokounmpo repeatedly has said that he loves playing in Milwaukee, but he also has emphasized that he wants to continue playing for a team that’s committed to competing for championships.

D.C. Everest’s Van Ermen wins two events, earns Swimmer of Year honors at WVC Meet Wausau Pilot & Review WISCONSIN RAPIDS – D.C. Everest senior Will Van Ermen won two individual events and was part of a winning relay team on his way to earning Swimmer of the Year honors at the 2026 Wisconsin Valley Conference Boys Swim Meet on Thursday at Lincoln High School. Van Ermen won the 200-yard freestyle (1:44.11) and the 100 butterfly (50.75), while also helping the Evergreens’ 200 freestyle relay team to a conference title (1:33.90), teaming with Bennett Berg, Rutger Busse and Lucas Fructuoso.

Stevens Point wins seventh-straight conference title, D.C. Everest takes second and Wausau East/West fourth.

Wausau weather for Friday and Saturday Wausau Pilot & Review Today A chance of flurries before noon. Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 12 by 5pm. North northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around -5. Wind chill values between -10 and -15. North northwest wind 5 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Saturday Increasing clouds, with a high near 16. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wausau weather for Friday and Saturday

Wausau Pilot & Review Today A chance of flurries before noon. Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 12 by 5pm. North northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around -5. Wind chill values between…

Sheriff refutes report on immigration enforcement, cites limited ICE role By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review WAUSAU, Wis. — Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb on Wednesday forcefully rejected claims made in a local TV news report that deputies ask for immigration documents during routine law enforcement encounters, calling the assertion false and misleading. In a statement released Feb. 5, Billeb said Marathon County deputies do not request immigration documentation during traffic stops, investigations or other routine contacts and are not authorized to conduct immigration enforcement in the field.

Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb on Wednesday forcefully rejected claims made in a local TV news report that deputies ask for immigration documents during routine law enforcement encounters, calling the assertion false and misleading. Here's what he is saying:

Our view: When government skips the press, the public loses By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review When a government agency issues a “press release,” the expectation is simple: It is shared with the press. This week, that basic principle broke down. We learned that SAFER Fire had posted what it described as a press release exclusively to Facebook — without distributing it to news organizations. When we asked to be added to the agency’s media email list, we were told that social media is the sole method of release.

A Facebook post is not a press release. When government agencies bypass news organizations, transparency and public access suffer. Here’s why it matters.

CRIME: Marathon County Felony Gallery for Feb. 5, 2026 Wausau Pilot & Review

This week, prosecutors charged out crimes ranging from burglary to strangulation, theft, and more - while a judge issued an arrest warrant for a sex offender. Details:

Marathon County Public Library programs Marathon County Public Library’s Wausau Headquarters, 300 N. First St., Wausau, will hold two genealogy meetups suitable for adults and teens on Feb. 9. The daytime session will run 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., and the evening session will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All genealogy experience levels are welcome. Free, no registration. Call 715-261-7230 for more info.

Programs include a genealogy meetup, crafting Galentine's Day cards and creating faux leather earrings.

More than 900K tons of food waste ends up in Wisconsin landfills, report finds By Danielle Kaeding- Wisconsin Public Radio The state wants residents, businesses and agencies to help the state cut food waste in half as more than 900,000 tons of wasted food and scraps ended up in Wisconsin landfills in 2024, making up 20 percent of all trash. Those are the latest findings of a report evaluating food waste in the state outlined in a presentation Tuesday by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Food waste made up 20 percent of the 4.5M tons of trash at Wisconsin landfills in 2024.

Wisconsin’s Gerard the Poodle, owner win big at Westminster Dog Show By Steph Conquest-Ware- Wisconsin Public Radio Gerard, a standard poodle from Wisconsin, always leaves his dog shows with a ribbon. “Everyone has their different goals for agility and dog training in their dog sports,” said Gerard’s breeder, owner and trainer John Pittman. “I always want my dogs to win.” Pittman and his agile pup just won their biggest competition yet…

The duo took home the top prize in the Masters Agility Championship's 24-inch height division.

Wisconsin US Sen. Ron Johnson opposes Trump’s call for Republicans to ‘take over’ elections By Rich Kremer- Wisconsin Public Radio Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said Tuesday he doesn’t agree with President Donald Trump’s call for Republicans to nationalize elections, but he voiced support for new limits on voting, including requiring proof of citizenship and scaling back absentee ballots. Johnson’s comments during a Tuesday telephone town hall with constituents came a day after Trump called for the Republican Party to “take over” and “

Johnson voiced support for new limits on voting, including requiring proof of citizenship in federal elections and scaling back absentee voting.

Wausau area events this weekend

"Don’t let the February freeze keep you inside! Wausau is packed with reasons to get out this weekend. Which one are you hitting?

Repeat drug trafficker sentenced to six years in federal prison Wausau Pilot & Review A Rothschild man was sentenced to six years in federal prison after authorities found fentanyl, methamphetamine and a loaded firearm during a drug investigation that began with a domestic incident call, federal prosecutors said. Edward L. Jackson III, 29, was sentenced Jan. 8 by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley after pleading guilty to possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine with intent to distribute and to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, according to a news release from the U.S.

A Rothschild man was sentenced to six years in federal prison after police found fentanyl, meth and a loaded gun during a 2024 investigation that began with a domestic incident call. What happened in court this week:

Your letters: Weston resident appeals to voters on ‘Christian moral principals’ Dear editor, On Aug. 21, 2024, the D.C. Everest School Board voted to adopt updated Title IX policies, incorporating federal recommendations from the U.S. Department of Education that expanded protections to include gender identity. These changes allowed students to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity rather than biological sex, raising significant concerns about girls' privacy and safety.

" ... it's crucial to elect leaders who prioritize science-based policies and Christian moral principles. I urge voters to support Daron Juneau and Jennifer Douck, who can help safeguard our students' well-being." - Cindy Russell of Weston

Today in History: Today is Thursday, Feb. 5, the 36th day of 2026. By The Associated Press Today in history: On Feb. 5, 2020, the Senate voted to acquit President Donald Trump in his first impeachment trial. Most senators expressed unease with Trump’s pressure campaign on Ukraine that prompted the impeachment, but just one Republican, Mitt Romney of Utah, broke party ranks and voted to convict. In 2021, the Senate acquitted Trump in a second trial for allegedly inciting the violent Jan.

On this date: In 1944, "Captain America" serial film premieres starring Dick Purcell, first appearance of a Marvel superhero outside of a comic book.

GoFundMe launched for Weston homeowner after fire leaves home heavily damaged, cat missing By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review WESTON, Wis. — A family has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help a Weston homeowner rebuild after a fire this week badly damaged his home, left him without insurance coverage and displaced at least one of his pets. The fire broke out about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday at a two-story home on Callon Avenue near Highway J, according to fire officials.

A Weston family is asking for help after a chimney fire badly damaged a longtime family home — and one of the homeowner’s cats is still missing. A GoFundMe has been launched after the family learned there is no insurance coverage to help with repairs.

Trustee resignation creates vacancy on Kronenwetter Village Board Wausau Pilot & Review KRONENWETTER, Wis. — Mary Jensen, a recently appointed trustee on the Village of Kronenwetter Village Board, has resigned, creating a vacancy on the seven-member board. Jensen submitted her resignation letter to Village Clerk Jennifer Poyer on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, according to village officials. Jensen was appointed to the board on Nov. 24 after Dan Joling was selected to fill the village president seat left vacant by David Baker's Oct.

Want to serve on the village board in Kronenwetter? Here's your opportunity to apply:

Bucks overcome a 44-point game by Trey Murphy III and beat Pelicans 141-137 in OT MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ryan Rollins scored 27 points and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood a brilliant performance from Trey Murphy III to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 141-137 in overtime Wednesday night. Murphy scored a career-high 44 points and shot 12 of 19 from 3-point range. His 12 3-pointers matched the fifth-highest, single-game total in NBA history. The single-game record belongs to Klay Thompson, who had 14 for Golden State against Chicago on Oct.

Bucks: Host Indiana on Friday.

Theater group to bring “Shrek the Musical” to stage WAUSAU — The Central Wisconsin Educational Theatre Alliance invites audiences to journey to the swamp when "Shrek the Musical" opens Feb. 5 at Wausau West High School. This high-energy, family friendly production brings together performers from schools across central Wisconsin, showcasing the depth of regional talent in a musical that celebrates acceptance and friendship. “'Shrek the Musical' is everything we love about theater,” said Laurie Maegli, CWETA founder and artistic director, in a news release.

This high-energy, family friendly production brings together performers from schools across central Wisconsin.

Wausau weather for Thursday and Friday Wausau Pilot & Review Today A chance of snow before 1pm, then a chance of flurries between 1pm and 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. South southwest wind 7 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Tonight Snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain before 5am, then a chance of snow.

Wausau weather for Thursday and Friday

Wausau Pilot & Review Today A chance of snow before 1pm, then a chance of flurries between 1pm and 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. South southwest wind 7 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of…