Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Merrill man, 69, killed in Grand Ave. pedestrian crash

A 69-year-old Merrill man died after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Grand Ave. and N. Genesee St. on Sunday night, Sept. 27, 2026, according to a media release from the Merrill …

Homicide suspect among four arrested in Grand Ave. drug raid

Four people, including a man wanted on a homicide warrant, were arrested after Merrill police searched a home in the 800 block of Grand Ave. on Aug. 19, 2026, according to a media release from the …

Donna Dale Woller

Donna Dale Woller, age 87, passed away at her home in Merrill, Wisconsin, on September 25, 2026. Born on February 28, 1939, to Dale and Norma (Klein) Jabas , she spent her entire life living in …

Wausau man arrested for 8th-offense OWI after motorcycle stop in Lincoln County

A Wausau man was arrested Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, on an eighth-offense drunken driving charge after a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper stopped his motorcycle for speeding in Lincoln County. According …

Merrill Foto News 10.01.2026

Business
Diane Goetsch displays a bottle of wine and many of the new offerings in Kindhearted Floral's wine and spirits section of the store.

From blooms to squeaky curds — Kindhearted Floral has expanded

Kindhearted Floral & Custom Creations on S. Mill St. in downtown Merrill continues to expand its line of offerings to meet requests from community members who shop there. But now they’ve got …

SBTA grants available to organizations assisting small businesses

Organizations that support Wisconsin small businesses are now able to apply for Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) grant funding from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). In …

Aspirus Merrill Hospital earns national recognition for stroke care

BY TINA L. SCOTT EDITOR Aspirus Merrill Hospital received a Stroke Silver Plus award and a Rural Stroke Silver award in July from the American Heart Association’s Get With The …

Westside Market bourbon raffle raises $4,080 for Never Forgotten Honor Flight

Westside Market in Merrill marked its ninth anniversary this spring with a bourbon raffle that raised $4,080 for the Never Forgotten Honor Flight. Tickets for the “Right to Purchase” raffle cost …
Schools

Campus News

Area students named to spring 2026 Dean’s List at UW-River Falls The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has released its spring semester Dean’s List, honoring 1,497 students. To be named to …

MAPS accepts August donations

The following donations were approved and/or accepted at the Aug. 19, 2026, Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) Board of Education meeting: A monetary gift from Kent & Sue Johnson valued at $100 …

Back-to-school safety reminders

Students in Merrill went back to school this week, and most school districts in the state have already started or will soon begin classes. That means an increase in pedestrian traffic as children …

DATCP: Shop smart, avoid back-to-school season scams

The back-to-school season is a busy time of year for both students and guardians. Consumers of all ages will be searching for the best deals on the supplies and products they need, and for scammers, …
Health
September Law of the Month: Child passenger safety
Babies should ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are 1 year old and weigh 20 pounds, in the back seat if the vehicle has one.

Parents and caregivers: ensure children are buckled into the correct seat

Children are best protected in a vehicle when they are correctly buckled into the correct seat for their age and size. The Wisconsin State Patrol’s September Law of the Month reminds parents and …

Aspirus: how three weekly family meals can lead to healthier kids, adults

Aspirus Health recently shared information on how regular family meals can positively impact the health of both kids and adults. “Between school, sports, work, and after-school activities, finding …

With new school year approaching, Aspirus shares sleep tips for children

With the start of the new school year approaching, Aspirus Health recently shared tips to ensure children get enough sleep. “As families prepare for another school year, school supply lists, open …

LCHD responds to illness reports at Lincoln County Fair

The Lincoln County Health Department (LCHD) looked into reports of stomach illness among people who attended the Lincoln County Fair last week, just a day or two after the fair had begun, after …
Courts
Some of the items to be sold at public auction.

Pophal’s forfeited assets headed to public auction

Assets seized from a former Hamburg resident convicted of running a multimillion-dollar investment fraud scheme will be sold at online public auctions beginning July 28, 2026, U.S. Attorney Chadwick …

White faces upgraded charge of attempted first-degree intentional homicide

An Amended Criminal Complaint filed April 23, 2026, in Lincoln County Circuit Court has upgraded the charges against Julia L. White, 43, of Merrill, in connection with the March 27 stabbing of a male …

Former Merrill woman charged with homicide, child neglect in death of 5-year-old daughter

Katelyn M. Nardi, age 27, formerly of Merrill and now listing a Tomahawk address, was charged in Lincoln County Circuit Court on March 23, 2026, with two felony counts in connection with the Oct. 22, …
Community & Human Interest
Mother holding newborn baby in hospital. Stock photo.

MERRILL AREA BIRTHS

AUGUST 29, 2026 Boy, Jeffrey Michael Jr., born to Megan Millinren and Jeffrey Milliren of Three Lakes. Girl, Desirae Lindsey, born to Megan Millinren and Jeffrey Milliren of Three Lakes. …

$100,000 winning Powerball ticket sold at Merrill BP

A Powerball ticket worth $100,000 was sold at the BP station at 1201 Grand Ave. in Merrill for the Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, drawing, according to a release from the Wisconsin Lottery. The winning …

Merrill marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with prayer, silence, and bells

Twenty-five years after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, members of the Merrill community gathered in solemn remembrance to honor the victims, first responders, and heroes of that life-changing …
Opinion and Editorial
Dear Reader, I have come to believe the world was never meant to be the Garden of Eden. It was meant to be a playground. Eden, as the story goes, was a finished place. Everything was …
We welcome letters on local issues. National topics may be referenced only if they have direct local impact. Letters must include the writer’s name, address, phone, and email; only the name and …
Dear Reader, Everybody loves a winner. The trophies, the accolades, the flowers and roses—they all go to those who finish first. Winners get remembered, celebrated, lifted up. And the losers? …
Obituaries
Steven Edward Strom
Steven Edward Strom was born on September 26, 1957, to Bernard Russell Strom and Kathleen Anne Kennedy. He was taken too soon from this world and went home to God, joining loved ones who had gone …
N’Ette S. Hibler
N’Ette S. Hibler passed away September 29, 2026, at the age of 77. Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation, Merrill, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at …
Donna Dale Woller
Donna Dale Woller, age 87, passed away at her home in Merrill, Wisconsin, on September 25, 2026. Born on February 28, 1939, to Dale and Norma (Klein) Jabas , she spent her entire life living in …
EPSON MFP image
Gerald DuWayne Wick
Gerald DuWayne Wick, son of Percy T. Wick and Viola Nel Wick, was born, December 10, 1932 in Park Falls, Wisconsin. He passed to Heaven on September 22, 2026 at Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau. He …
John N. Wienandt
John N. Wienandt, age 61, of Irma, WI, passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at his residence.  John was born in Neenah, WI, on April 12, 1965, to the late William E. and Dorothy …
Sports

Merrill Varsity Football shuts out Mosinee, 13-0, in home conference win

The Merrill Varsity Bluejays snapped a nine-year losing streak to Mosinee with a 13-0 shutout win Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at Jay Stadium in Merrill. The win also came on Senior Night for the …

Bluejays fall to Medford 36-0, look to rebound against Mosinee

The Merrill Varsity Boys Football Team dropped a 36-0 decision to Medford on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Medford Area Senior High School’s Raider Field. “Medford was a very physical football …
2026 Merrill High School Varsity Cross Country Team. Front L to R: Caylinn Van Der Nest, Madlyn Hunter, Natalia Woller,  and Amelia Weberpal. Middle L to R: Charlotte Van Der Nest, Olivia Smith, Rebekah Hagemeister, Evelyn Hagemeister, and Bryanna Doerr. Back L to R : Kayla Klimek, Jameson Morgan, Emmett Johnson, Preston Schmidt, Ben Hanson, Kane Hanson, and Siobhan Schuetze. Missing from photo: Sophia Wendt..

Cross Country 2026 correction

Editor’s Note: The information included in last week’s special Fall Sports Profile section for Merrill High School Cross Country was inadvertently a repeat of the 2025 Cross Country Team …
Deylah Schulz.

Merrill Swim Team is off with a splash

Packers/NEA Telephoto image Blue Sky Photography/Peter Tesch …
Peter and Siobahn Schuetze of Merrill (Beauty and the Beast) were the champion Relay Team in the event.

Local athletes shine at Black Squirrel Scurry Triathlon

Athletes from Merrill and across the country converged on the Merrill area Saturday, July 25, for the Black Squirrel Scurry Triathlon, a paddling triathlon included paddling the Prairie River, biking …

Fritsch: Good clean play

The Oshkosh All-Stars were an American professional basketball team based in Oshkosh, that played from 1929 to 1949. Fritsch is pictured in the front row, second from left in 1946-47.

That winter, Ted played guard for the Oshkosh All-Stars. The Oshkosh All-Stars were an American professional basketball team based in Oshkosh that played from 1929 to 1949. They became a …

Fritsch: From gridiron to diamond

Ted Fritsch in 1942.

Continued from previous week Ted Fritsch finished his rookie season with the Green Bay Packers as the lead rusher with 323 yards, ahead of Tony Canadeo, who had 272. He was also fifth in …

Fritsch: A backfield coach’s tip

Fritsch

Continued from previous week In January of 1942, Green Bay Packers Coach Curly Lambeau took a trip to Chicago, where he met with Elmer Layden, National Football League commissioner at the time. …

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