Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr
10-19-77
Don’t expect any major changes as Dr. Robert McCardle prepares to take the helm of Merrill Area Public Schools. McCardle is in town for what is expected to be a final visit prior to a formal contract offer from the BOE. McCardle was one of three finalist for the job of Superintendent which was made vacant by the resignation of Roger Lowney in July. McCardle comes to Merrill from Mitchell, SD where he has been employed for the last 15 years. One of the hot button items McCardle hopes to address is the controversial plan to switch the High School and the Junior High buildings. McCardle, a Wisconsin native, said he was attracted to Merrill due to its geographical location in the state.
In business news: Kelly O’Day of the Foto News reports the green tube project is going well. The Foto News announced a few weeks ago that they would discontinue mailing the paper to rural addresses, and instead a rural delivery system would be developed. O’Day reports better than 100 tubes per day are being installed and currently most of the Merrill area is complete. Work will commence in the Tomahawk area next week with the entire project completion date set for around Halloween. Lincoln Realty is congratulating Judy and Dick Goff the new owners of the Kozy Korner Restaurant. Wisconsin Public Service will officially move across the street to the Park City Credit Union building, at 301 E. 2nd St. beginning next Monday. WPS decided they needed less space while Park City Credit Union felt the need for more space leading to the swap. The PCCU lobby will close for a short time for remodeling to be completed. Brose Flower Shop is officially opened. Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Brose are pictured in front of the new floral shop located one mile south of Merrill on Business Hwy. 51; Peter Markstrom will manage the business.
The Merrill Blue Jay football team stunned the Marshfield Tigers on Friday by snatching a win on Tiger turf in the final minutes of the game. Marshfield had taken an early lead in the fourth quarter after an interception, but then an interception by Kirby Stoelting led to a Dale Yorde touchdown sealing the win 12-7 and giving the Jays a 6-1 record in the Valley. The D.C. Everest Evergreens come to town for the final home game of the season this Saturday. The Evergreens are fresh off a 14-10 win over Wausau West and have a 5-3 record in the Valley.
10-21-87
The Lincoln County Board has approved the preliminary 1988 budget and taxpayers will see a modest cut in taxes. One department not happy with the budget is the Highway Department which saw a $400,000 cut in their equipment replacement fund. Supervisor Harry Osness explained all cuts are difficult but they felt the need to return some money to the taxpayers after enacting a ½ sales tax this past year. In other action at the board meeting, Chair Neil LeMay accepted the resignation of third ward supervisor George Knospe. Knospe was forced to give up his seat due to a work conflict.
The Arvery Corp of Chicago has announced it is in the process of selling the local Ward Paper Company. Ward is one of 10 factories that will be sold to Hammermill Paper Company of Erie, PA. The long term effect of the sale on the local operation is not yet known but so far local executives of the company are encouraged by the sale and talks between the two companies.
The Town of Russell Fire Department just got a big boost in the amount of water they can transport to a fire. Chief David Jackson, Captain Leonard Krueger, Assistant Chief Jack Prueser, treasurer John Ronis, and Lt. Scott Olund are pictured with the 3,000-gallon tanker which doubles the department’s water capacity. The truck also now brings the total fleet for the volunteer department to five. Chief Jackson feels the increased water capacity will help with the department’s long term goal of lowering insurance rates. (I think Russell got a good run out of that tank, it is in the process of being replaced at this time with a new tank which is safer for transporting the heavy load.)
Want a delicious way to collect $100? Champ’s Family Restaurant is offering a special, when they serve their 100,000th potato pancake they will award that customer $50. If you are the lucky diner to have 99,999 and 100,000 in your stack you get the full $100. The current pancake count at Champ’s is 98,572 and counting served. (I helped with that number)
Merrill Blue Jay Coach Greg Schofield sure would be happier today if high school sports had instant replay after this past Friday when his team was taking on the visiting Wausau West Warriors. When their first drive of the second quarter stalled West attempted a 30 yard field goal. By all accounts the kick missed by about three feet, wide right. But somehow the scoreboard soon showed a 0-3 score and West went on to win the contest by 13-10. In other football news could this be the final Schofield match up? Gordy Schofield, longtime coach of the Antigo Red Robins, brings his team across on State Rd. 64 tonight for a 7:30 match up under the lights with his son Greg Schofield. Rumor is Gordy will be stepping down as head coach at the conclusion of this season. Merrill will be missing some key players when Antigo comes to town, Jamie Guld watched the game against West in a wheelchair after he was sidelined with a broken ankle and Tony Mann will miss the game due to a knee injury.
10-22-97
Maps District Administrator Greg Kautza led a residential tour of the soon to be Merrill Senior High School on North Sales Street this past week. Interested citizens, students and teachers got a chance to see firsthand how the building is progressing. Walls are going up and the auditorium is taking shape at the complex.
Merrill may soon see more police on patrol after the Merrill City Council voted to accept a COPS grant. The federally funded program will allow Chief Neil Strobel to hire three dispatchers and a clerk to free up officers for street patrol.