Researched by Michael Caylor Jr.
12-19-73
The two Merrill men accused of shooting Lincoln County Deputy Michael Soucy both pled no contest during this past week in Lincoln County Court. Judge Robert Dean of Wausau sentenced the driver to one month in the county jail plus costs and restitution. The man that was accused of firing the shot had previously pled no contest to a charge of endangering safety and the safety of others by conduct regardless of life. Judge Donald Schnabel is withholding sentencing awaiting a pre-sentence report from the State Department of Health and Social Services. The maximum penalty Schnabel can impose is five years in the Wisconsin State Prison. In other court news this week, Wayne L. Smith, the man who stands accused of the murder of Hye Son Hanke on Dec. 6, pled not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect last Wednesday. Attorney John Smith of Tomahawk entered the plea for Wayne Smith in front of Judge Schnabel who ordered the $50,000 bond remain and Smith be taken for a mental health exam.
In the thickest paper of the year, plenty of Christmas wishes can be found in the 64 pages. Businesses wishing their customers a Merry Christmas include: Gulke Plumbing and Heating, Sy’s Discount, George’s Super Service, Knispel & Latzig, Schroeder’s Gamble Store, Lydia’s Beauty Salon, Northern Door, Anderson’s Clinic Pharmacy, Elsie’s Beauty Salon, Knotty Pine Bar, Ament & Sons, Fowlers Drug Store, Page Milk, Kloss TV, Seeger’s Dairy, Harold’s Bar, Pat Nugent Photographer, Arlo’s Self Service, Hinz’s Cork and Dine, Estelle’s House of Fashion, Lazy J Bar, Trego Transfer, Luebke’s, Ed’s Shell, Waldburger Furnace Shop, Fred’s Bait Shop, The Pink Top, Larry’s Auto, South of the Border, Lee’s Arco, Zettler’s Bakery, Otto Teschner’s Garage, Raynan Upholstery, Martha Schneider’s Bar, Gooze’s Superette, Lindy’s Clark, Legion Lounge, Grunty’s Bar, Heine’s Gas & Oil and Badger Paint Store. As with tradition, the Caylor’s ad has a rhyme for the holidays from Granny Caylor: “When all of the gifts have been opened, and the last ‘Merry Christmas’ said, we’ll pick up our poor weary bodies, and like Santa, we’ll sneak off to bed.”
Merrill’s newest restaurant, the House of Hibachi, located in the Lincoln House, will be open on Christmas serving the complete menu.
12-21-83
Incumbent city council candidates have started to take out their nomination papers but no challengers have stepped forward as of yet. The longest serving city council member, Ellsworth “Zonie” Plautz, says he will seek yet another term. Plautz has represented Merrill’s second ward since 1943 and has served as acting mayor twice during the absences of the elected mayors. Zonie and his wife reside at 1010 E. 6TH Street and are members of St. John’s Church. Plautz still works part time at Merrill Candy Company. Anita H. Gebert representing the seventh ward also filed for re-election. First elected to the council in 1976, Gebert is the chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee and is a member of the Health and Safety Committee. She and her husband John are members of Christ United Methodist Church in Merrill.
The cutest babies in town are now known thanks to the Beta Eta Sorority. In a recent contest, three babies were chosen as cutest. First place went to Andrew Van Der Geest, son of Sue and Scott Van Der Geest of County Rd K Merrill, second place was Carla Marge Pophal, daughter of David and Trude Pophal of Merrill, and third place was Jillian Marie Swan, daughter of Patrice and Rick Swan, also of Merrill. Winners each received gift certificates from Livingston’s Department Store.
In a quarter page ad, the Lincoln County Tavern League is wishing all of its patrons a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Members include: Badeau’s Bayshore, Mid City Tap, Club Modern, Biff’s Big Eddy, Grand Central Station, Dominick’s Pub, Frisch’s Bar, Cork ‘N Dyne, Pine Grove Bar, West Side Bar, Nick’s Bar, Liermann’s Ballroom, D’s Bear Den, Elly’s Place, The Bowery, Jumping Jerry’s, Plawman’s Playhouse, Riverside Club, Thielman’s Bar, Toots & Jim’s, E&K, Westfall’s, Zanders Bar and Club 107.
12-22-93
Eight Merrill students of Dorinda Rasmussen are bound for Orlando, Florida to participate in halftime activities at the Florida Citrus Bowl airing on New Year’s Day on ABC. Those students include Amanda Hoffman, Jennifer Hodgson, Erin Peterson, Holly Brose, Stephanie Theorin, Kristi Hinner, and Amy and Angel Sandas. The girls will have the opportunity to visit Disney World and Sea World between rehearsals which begin at 8 a.m. each day.
Christmas greetings this week include Bruce’s Cover All, Joe’s Standard, Drapery Den, C&H Packaging Company, Trantow Russell Insurance, Maty’s Hair Club, Merrill View Motel, Weaver and Son’s, Mulligan’s Supper Club, Warchala Video Systems, Dean’s Repair Service, North Central Hairlines, and Bob and Signa Lambrecht and the staff at Skippers.