October 8, 2015

Latest News

Local veteran’s patience rewarded

Local veteran’s patience rewarded

Oct 8, 20152 min read

Waid Funeral Home manager Anna Winningham presents a donation to local veteran Doug Alderton toward the upcoming Never Forgotten Flight.

Pictured from left are Norma Schroder (Joes younger sister), Honor Flight Coordinator Jim Campbell, Phyllis Kretschmer (Joes wife), Joe Kretschmer, Amy Monroe (Joes daughter) and Anna Winningham, Waid Funeral Home Manager.

Jeremy Ratliff Reporter One local veteran was greeted with a pleasant surprise at…

Lincoln County Circuit Court

Lincoln County Circuit Court

Oct 8, 20151 min read

Sentencings Joshua J. Henson, 27, Beloit, possession of firearm by a felon, sentenced to 1…

From Merrill to Arlington National Cemetery, another Merrill Hero

From Merrill to Arlington National Cemetery, another Merrill Hero

Oct 8, 20159 min read

Michael J. Caylor, Jr. Seventy years ago this week our nation was beginning to heal…

Merrill Historical Society provides more than a static view of local history

Merrill Historical Society provides more than a static view of local history

Oct 8, 20154 min read

The Merrill Historical Society is bringing local history to life with a host of programs…

Wisconsin State Patrol presents awards for heroism, lifesaving actions and exceptional service

Wisconsin State Patrol presents awards for heroism, lifesaving actions and exceptional service

Oct 8, 20153 min read

Governor Scott Walker recently presented awards during a ceremony in Madison to members of the…

Service Beyond the Call of Duty: United States Coast Guard – World War II Pacific Theatre

Service Beyond the Call of Duty: United States Coast Guard – World War II Pacific Theatre

Oct 8, 20157 min read

RM3C Roland Hetfeld, far right, at the purple heart ceremony with the other coastguardsmen wounded in action. A Japanese G4M “Betty” bomber hit their ship during the Lingayen Gulf operation in January 1945.

USS LST-204, and support ships, landing cargo at Leyte invasion, 20 October 1944. The LST was a tank landing ship 328′ feet long with a crew of 13 officers and 104 enlisted. She was powered by twin general motors 900 hp diesel engines and had a cruising speed of 11.6 knots.

Within a year of returning from World War II, Roland Hetfeld tackled three objectives he had thought about during his 3 years in combat overseas. In no admitted order on his part they were to marry his high school sweetheart, hunt deer and buy a car. He achieved them all by the end of 1946 and is pictured here with his 1941 Plymouth and buck/bear combo from that hunting season.

Radioman Second Class Roland Hetfeld (far right) looking down the barrel of a 40 mm anti-aircraft gun during crew training.

LST 204 when fully combat loaded could sail with her crew, an additional 163 personnel and between 1,600-1,900 tons of equipment depending on weather conditions. She was equipped with six 40mm anti-aircraft and twelve 20mm ship defense weapons.

Paul Russell If you were fortunate, you had him as your science teacher…

Largest group of Vietnam veterans will board 22nd Never Forgotten Honor Flight

Largest group of Vietnam veterans will board 22nd Never Forgotten Honor Flight

Oct 8, 20153 min read

For the first time since The Never Forgotten Honor Flight organization began in 2010, the…

TIF in action: Local manufacturer on the ‘cutting edge’ of technology

TIF in action: Local manufacturer on the ‘cutting edge’ of technology

Oct 8, 20155 min read

Merrill Tool & Water Jets new 16-ton, 20×35-foot fiber optic laser.

1PG powered fiber-optic laser, fitted with a Highyag german-made cutting head, capable of cutting 60 inches per minute.

MTWs new fiber-optic laser cut this large steel side panel in about 15 minutes.

Water jet capable of cutting nine inches per minute.

Jeremy Ratliff Reporter In light of all the recent buzz about TID (Tax…

Letter To The Editor

Letter To The Editor

Oct 8, 20151 min read

A letter like this always brings joy to our hearts. To all of the generous…

Fotos from the past

Oct 8, 20156 min read

Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr. 10-8-75 Three separate ribbon cutting ceremonies will be held…