Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr.
7-20-76
The Lincoln County Emergency Board has recommended the county seek funds in light of the recent drought that has severely affected the county. This will enable farmers to receive federal aid to offset crop loss. It is believed under the current drought conditions that farmers locally will lose $2.2 million in revenue. The full measure will go in front of the county board this morning. In Merrill, City Engineer Charles Pierotti noted the city is not running short on water thanks to the well it recently completed, but water usage in the city has tripled in many homes since the drought began. Consumers will soon see that increased consumption on their water bills.
Goldie Rothmeier noted in an ad that Goldie’s Bar has been sold. Goldie wishes Bob and Kathy Thompson of Milwaukee the best in taking over of the tavern.
The West Side Business Association has a large ad with their Krazy Days specials. The members of that association include Woller Coin-Op Laundry, Mel’s Big Dollar, Fran’s Barber Shop, M&G Plumbing, Lincoln County Bank, Wisconsin Window Unit, Eddie’s Bake Shop, Dr. Keith Cronk, State Farm Insurance, Merrill Carpet & Linoleum, The Corner Shop, Gruett’s Appliance, Schulze’s Drug Store, Electrical Wiring & Supply, Knispel & Latzig, Wire Products, Sy’s Discount, Quality Furnace, Social & Sick, Hull’s Ben Franklin, Pritzl Printing, Waldburger Furnace Shop, Estelle’s Ladies, Miller Home Furnishing, the Koebe Company and Glenn Bowen.
Don’t forget about all the happenings in the Sixth Ward on Krazy Day which include pie eating, tug of war, snake dance and of course the water fights behind the Sixth Ward fire barn.
The Merrill Senior League All-stars will advance to sectional play after two wins at Schofield this past weekend. The local boys defeated the Schofield-Rothschild team Friday by a score of 6-5 and on Saturday they knocked off Antigo by again a score of 6-5. Scott Muschinske and John Wais picked up wins in the two games. Roger Detert and R. Biller are coaches for the team whose members include Bob Lass, Rick Bonnell, Randy Detert, Jim Nelson, Joe Winters, Randy Porath, John Weis, Dave Pyan, Greg Hehling, Joe Duginski, Mike Grunenwald, Dennis Elliot, Brian Erickson, and Scott Muschinske.
7-23-86
Heavy rain has led to several road closures throughout the county, but the heaviest damage is on State Rd. 107 near Newwood Park. A picture on page one shows a huge portion of the highway which was washed away in the downpour last Friday. Highway Department workers note it will only take two to three days to replace the culvert and repair the road, but the problem is they need to send away for a culvert of that size which will take some time to manufacture. The washout has created a 20’ drop-off.
The winning ways of the Merrill Marching Jays goes beyond their recent sweep of a marching band competition in Canada as now Wisconsin Governor Anthony Earl is recognizing the local members by declaring July 23, 1986 at “Marching Jay” Day in Wisconsin. Earl stated in the proclamation that the Jays not only have a strong list of accomplishments over the last few years but also a strong network of community support which has helped it achieve its outstanding level of excellence. The measure also recognizes band directors Dan Nordall, Dale Smith, Linda Becker and David Kallio.
Four Merrill men and a man from Wausau are all facing multiple charges after a large drug bust in Merrill this past week. On Thursday Merrill Police Officers arrested the men who range in age from 18 to 28 on charges related to the possession and distribution of LSD in the community. An undercover deputy from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office along with a special agent from the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation conducted controlled purchases of the drug from an apartment on Cottage Street. A home in the 900 block of 7th Street also was found to contain the drug. In all, 257 “hits” of the drug were purchased by undercover officers. The men involved were all brought to the Lincoln County Jail where some were able to post cash bonds and be released. Several of the men are being held as repeat offenders.
7-24-96
St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ has welcomed a new pastor, from down under. The Rev. Scott Callaghan came to the United States from Australia in 1981 to attend the University of Ogden, Utah where he received a bachelor’s degree in social work; he went on to Salt Lake City University for his Masters in social work, graduating in 1987. He then went worked for the State of Utah as an administrator of the child welfare program. Within a few years he answered the calling to serve and entered the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis in 1993 working with Faith United Church of Christ until graduating in June of 1996. Pastor Callaghan saw the open position at St. Stephen’s and he and his family visited Merrill before he accepted the position in June. Callaghan said he had never even heard of Merrill, but once they visited it, they could not imagine being anywhere else. As the Pastor is working to move into his new office he would like people to know his door is always open and his ministry is to the entire community not just the members of his church.
Consumers in Merrill will have a new choice when it comes to movie rentals with the opening of Mr. Movies in midtown Merrill. The new video store opens its doors in the former John’s United Food building this past week. The store has 18 employees and 6,000 titles to choose from. It will be open 365 days a year and will feature free popcorn for customers. This is one of three Mr. Movie stores which is based out of Edina, MN. (Did not last long and it appears the company itself is out of business as well).
Taco Bell is also having their official grand opening this weekend. Located inside Pine Ridge Convenience Store, the grand prize for the celebration is a Dr. Pepper Mountain bike.
The Foto News’s own Kelly O’Day has been honored by the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association for his reporting on local wrestling. The award known as the Thank You award is presented to someone who supports youth wrestling to a high degree in the state, and this is the second time O’Day has won the award in the last dozen years. Tomahawk wrestling Coach Bob Skubal and Merrill wrestling Coach Roger Wendorf nominated O’Day for the award the first time around and Skubal presented him the award as the District Two rep for the WWCA. O’Day is the Sports Editor of the Foto News.