Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr
2-11-76
Despite strong opposition, the City of Merrill Common Council voted to go ahead with changes to the election of members to the Merrill Area Board of Education. The council approved what is known as apportionment, electing members to the board by district instead of at large as is currently the practice. The MAPS Board itself opposes the measure, as does the fiscal control board, with the latter feeling it should be put to a referendum and not be a decision by the council alone. The council voted 5-4 to approve the measure with aldermen Stanley Frisch, Alfred Kohler, Patrick Nugent, Gilbert Sabatke and Walter Proft voting for the change. City Attorney Bill Wulf advised this law cannot be changed or appealed for two years. Wulf did state he anticipated citizens or the school board may seek an injunction to block this from taking effect and warned the council if the case went as far as the Supreme Court the city could be on the hook for as much as $5,000 in legal fees. In an article on page two citizens against the change are organizing and will meet Monday at the high school. Alice F. Krueger is taking charge of the group.
Bible Presbyterian Church will be celebrating the church’s 25th anniversary this weekend. The theme for the celebration is “Twenty-five years of Consistently Preaching the Gospel.” The Rev. Ambrose Bandow will be the guest speaker at services this Sunday. Pastor Robert Wildeman leads the congregation which is located at 207 E. 1st St. in Merrill.
Coach Norris Hattlestad is proud of his wrestlers as they showed their strength in the Valley last weekend at the conference tournament at Shawano. Merrill produced six individual champions at the event and shares team honors on top of the valley with an 8-0-1 record. Merrill tied Wisconsin Rapids 21-21 when the two schools met last month. Championships were brought home by: Bruce Waldburger at 112#, Bob MacSwain at 132#, Rod Runge and Dennis Fehlberg at 145#, Dennis Yorde at 155#, and 185-pound Dan Yorde. Second place winners were Jeff Olson at 105# and Dave Wendorf at 126#. Taking third place was Lee Opsahl at 98# while Gary Osness at 119# and Gary Anderson at 167# each took a fifth place. Heavyweight Dean Kleinschmidt took sixth. (All of them are still maintaining the same weight I am sure.)
2-12-86
It’s official, it’s time to start cutting down on our waste in Merrill. Under a plan adopted by the City Council last night you are now limited to the number of garbage containers you can place curbside. All residential addresses are now limited to three cans or six plastic bags, commercial addresses can have up to eight bags per week. The change also brings with it an ordinance for placing your garbage on another’s curb with a fine of $100 to $200. The city will also stop picking up tires, brush and appliances that are placed out with the exception of during three annual clean up weeks during spring, fall and winter. The council also approved the recent shift schedule change at the Merrill Police Department and the change of work hours for the captain and juvenile officer. Chief Charles Johnson said he is open to other changes as his department adapts to its changing city.
It is Valentine Day on Friday and area merchants have just what your sweet heart is looking for. The Fairway Supper Club is featuring its prime rib special for just $6.95 a dinner. The Eagles Club will be serving its fish fry; the second annual Sweethearts Ball is at Schult’s Country Inn featuring Carl and Jeni; Kids Korner Pizza can send you home with two large deluxe pizzas for only $9.95; Country Way now has crab legs and broiled walleye on the menu and the Music Men will play Sunday; the Duke Boys are playing at the Hub Inn. If a movie at home is your style, Gleason Video has half priced movies on Friday night. Pat’s Pizza will give you a free pizza fry with the purchase of at least a 14” pizza, Schmidt’s Ballroom will have a dance featuring Tom Kniess and his Orchestra, the Studio Bar has the music of Dave Drivas, Bruisers in Wausau has fish fry’s for only $3.75, Tanglewood Bar has the Urban Cowboy, Lincoln Lanes is offering bottles of champagne for only $3.50 until 10 p.m. along with giveaways throughout the night for the ladies. Spending the weekend alone? Carl’s Liquor has cases of Red White and Blue beer for $5.95.
St. Robert’s Church in Merrill has two deacons now to supports its missions. Howard Zuch and Richard Heckman became the first Deacons ordained in the Superior Diocese in ceremonies held Sunday at St. Roberts. Bishop Raphael Fliss presided in the ceremony which is part of the diaconate program approved during Vatican II in 1968. Both Deacons can perform nearly all of the functions of a priest except hearing a confession and saying mass. Zuch works as a security guard at Wausau Paper Mill at Brokaw and Heckman is a retired controller at Ward Paper Mill as well as a former recipient of the Anson Scholarship. Zuch will concentrate his ministry at Pine Crest while Heckman plans on working with those suffering from alcoholism and conducting stewardship programs for the diocese.
2-7-96
Club 64 played host to an oversized visitor this past weekend: a 131-foot long, 17 feet high empty tank bound for Indiana. The tank, which will hold nitrogen once installed, was taking the scenic way to Indiana from Texas, going around the Great Lakes in order to avoid the freeway system and overpasses that would not have allowed safe passage while adding on 2,000 extra miles to the trip. While the tank was being driven through Merrill the tractor towing it blew an engine and took refuge at Club 64. Mike Paul from Mike’s Garage got the truck moving again on Monday but as the police were escorting it out of town the clutch went out. The transport crew stated that Merrill is becoming a home away from home as they waited for the latest fix.
Lots of jobs are available on the employment page. Cost Cutters needs a hair stylist with wages starting at $6.00 per hour, MAPS has an opening for a Special Ed aid, C&H Packaging needs production workers on rotating shifts, a maintenance worker is being sought by Lincoln County, Weaver and Sons is seeking a full time secretary, Bette at the Foto News has walking routes if you want some exercise on Wednesdays, Time Line Vinyl is seeking a maintenance person, Super 8 needs overnight help as does Pine Ridge Mobil, a dairy farm is looking for help the first week of April, and Merrill is seeking a new police chief.
The Merrill Bluejay wrestling team has finished fifth in the Valley. Matt Henkelman pinned three opponents in a row to win his class at 140 pounds. Meanwhile, Adam Hill at 103# and Bob Martin at 119# took runner up spots in their weights. The meet was held at Antigo.