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News out of City Hall has been plentiful this week. The City Council OK’d the purchase of two lots bordered by First Street, Main Street, and Scott Street for parking space. This is part of the east side business district renovation project. An ordinance was approved by the council creating a three-man airport commission. Those appointed to the commission were Charles Eckerle, Robert Tesch and Jake Ament. Their duties will be to oversee the entire airport operation. The council also appointed five new members to the airport advisory committee; they are Alderman Gerald Bauer, John Semling, George Russell, Oscar Osness and Robert Mac Swain. The council also gave the approval to hire Peter Lokemoen as the city engineer’s assistant.
Fowler’s Drug Store is under new ownership. Pharmacist Terrance Fochs has purchased the store from Mrs. Evelyn Fowler, widow of John Fowler who along with his wife and brother Carl operated the store for many years. Fochs and his family plan on moving to the area soon. Also, Pat Nugent is now taking bookings for wedding photos by himself. His business is no longer known as Nugent and Turner Photographers. In an ad for those looking forward to snow, Willie’s Tire Center of Merrill and Andy’s Sport Shop of Tomahawk remind you “the best time to buy one is when you can’t use it”-referring to a snowmobile. 1973 models are on clearance and are as low as $649. Willie’s is a half a block from the stoplights and Andy’s is in downtown Tomahawk.
For the first time in 13 years, the Merrill Blue Jay football team defeated the DC Everest Evergreens on their own field last Saturday. The Jays traveled to Schofield to spoil the Evergreens’ home opener and thanks to a tough defense never allowed them past their own 15 yard line, winning by a score of 9-0. Bob Akey was named lineman of the week, and Rick Hass was named defensive player of the week. Todd King scored the only Jays’ touchdown after a Bruce Muschinske 30-yard punt return. King was named the offensive player of the week.
9-14-83
The Wisconsin River is exposing its hidden spoils as the largest drawn down since the Alexander dam was built in 1924 was just conducted by Wisconsin Public Service. Curiosity seekers have been walking the now exposed river bed, which is open from Council Grounds to the Bill Cross Rapids. The draw down is a part of the steel repair project at the Alexander dam, which is slated to continue through the end of October.
The next mayor of Merrill will get a pay raise for his or her work. The Council approved the raise for the part time position from $12,500 to $13,500, beginning after the next mayor is sworn in to office in April of 1984. Besides the pay, the mayor gets an $1,800 per year car allowance and 100% of their health insurance paid for, along with any other benefits allotted to full time city employees. Alderman Bryan Stimers cast the lone dissenting vote on the measure.
The Rev. James Martin has accepted a calling to St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ. Martin was born in Elmhurst, IL and graduated in 1980 with a degree in Divinity from United Theological Seminary. He has served the last three years at Elcho and Kempster. He is married to Jennifer Dawson, who is also an ordained Minister of the United Church of Christ. Pastor Martin will be officially installed on Oct. 9.
World champion marathon swimmer Diana Nyad will visit Merrill next week as a part of the Great Speakers Forum. Nyad will speak to both the Junior and Senior High School students and then the public on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
9-15-93
Holly Strozewski, nurse manager of Good Samaritan Health Center’s OB department, is pictured on page 2 showing off one of the newly renovated rooms. The hospital auxiliary paid for the renovation which allows mothers and babies to stay together from before birth until discharge. Strozewski points out that this is a first for the area. Also in health news, Dr. Julie Davis is pictured on page 2. She opened Family Chiropractic a few weeks ago and notes a steady referral practice. Her office is located in the former Midwest Dental building next to Chips.
The employment page is filled with available jobs this week. Semco is looking for second shift production employees; Diamond Dave’s is hiring wait staff, bartenders and cooks; the library has an aid position open with a starting wage of $4.70 per hour. Badger Wreath and JW Perry are looking for seasonal workers leading up to Christmas; Fox Point has openings for both data entry and sewing machine operators. Club Modern needs kitchen help, clean up people, and a waitress; Hardee’s is looking for a supervisor; and Pizza Hut has waitress positions open on the day and night shift.