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Send Marathon news to: RR@tpprinting.com phone: 715-223-2342 fax: 715-223-3505 P.O. Box 677 103 West Spruce Street Abbotsford, WI 54405 Public library

Due to the rising threat of COVID-19 (commonly known as coronavirus), and in compliance with the state’s effort to respond to and contain the spread of the disease, all nine Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) locations will be closed beginning March 17, 2020. This includes locations in Wausau, Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer, and Stratford. All locations are tentatively set to reopen on April 6, 2020. However, the library’s reopening date is subject to change as developments occur.

Due to the closure, all library programs and events that were scheduled to occur between now and April 6 have been canceled.

Some library services will continue to be offered throughout the closure. Patrons may still contact the MCPL Wausau reference desk for questions and assistance via phone (715-261-7230), email (ref@mcpl.us) or online chat between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Wi-Fi at each of the eight branch libraries will remain on 24/7, providing patrons outside of the library (within range) with access to high-speed Internet. The Wi-Fi at MCPL Wausau will remain on during the hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The drive-thru services at MCPL Wausau and at the Marathon City Branch are temporarily suspended while they assess contamination risk from the virus. No items will be due and no overdue fines will accrue during the closure. Items that were originally due to be returned during the closure will now have a due date of April 10, 2020, and any library cards that were set to expire within the next three weeks have been renewed.

Heritage Center

Due to Easter Sunday and Mother’s Day falling on the 2nd Sunday of the months of April and May, the Marathon City Heritage Center will not be open on April 12 (Easter Sunday) and instead will be open on Sunday, April 5, from noon - 2 p.m. The center will not be open on May 10 (Mother’s Day) and instead will be open Sunday, May 3, from noon - 2 p.m.

China and Tibet 2020

Marathon native Rick Lohr will speak on “Culture and Conflict on the Roof of the World: China and Tibet 2020” on Monday, March 23, 3:30 p.m. at the Spencer Branch Public Library.

The talk, sponsored by the Marathon County Historical Society, is free to the public. All donations are appreciated.

T-Ball registration

Children four years old through first grade are invited to sign up for Marathon T-Ball. Practices and games will be held during the month of June only. Practices are held on Monday and Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at Marathon Area Elementary School and games will be played Friday evenings at Veterans Park, Marathon. Siblings will automatically be placed on the same team.

For more information, contact Colleen, 715-302-3435; Connie, 715-370-0519; or Tracy, 715-574-9654.

Spring raffle

The Rib Falls Lions Club will host a spring raffle Sunday, April 19, at Don’s Bar, Rib Falls. Soda, beer and lunch will be provided. The event starts at 1 p.m. A drawing is at 3 p.m.

St. Mary’s Church

St. Mary’s Church, Marathon, has announced a response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) The church’s last public Mass will be held Thursday, March 19. Daily Masses will continue to be held as long as there are less than 50 people in church. Funerals, wedding and baptisms will continue, but with less than 50 people present.

Bishop William Callahan of La Crosse Diocese has suspended an obligation to attend Sunday Mass.