Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr
3-21-79
Last week the Lincoln County Board took a major step by approving the construction of a $1.9 million dollar safety building to replace the aging county jail. Now this past week the board tabled the measure. Members of the board expressed concern that the measure may not pass the bonding resolution for the project with the required two thirds majority. Supervisors Herbert Carow and Charles Sczygelski were not present for the afternoon portion of the monthly meeting which made other board members fear the resolution to allow the funding would be rejected. Finance Committee members are also hoping to learn more about a potential to receive federal grants to help offset part of the cost of the project. An
Atlanta based company has offered to help the county find grant money and has been successful in similar building projects. A Merrill Police Officer was injured and a squad car demolished after one of two high speed chases over
this past week, one of which injured three passengers. Officer Jay Proft, 29, was on patrol at South Center Ave and Main St when he witnessed a vehicle being driven by a 19 year old Merrill man at a high rate of speed. Proft tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled south out of town. A Trooper from the Wisconsin State Patrol joined in the chase, but when the suspect crossed the county line, he struck a bridge railing crashing his vehicle. Proft crested the hill and tried to slow after he saw the wrecked car, but he too lost control struck a snow bank and rolled the patrol car multiple times. The driver was arrested by the trooper and brought to the jail at Wausau. In the other incident, another 19 year old Merrill man reached speeds of 100 MPH as he fled west out of town while being pursued by Merrill officers. They had spotted the man crossing the Sixth Ward bridges at an estimated 40 MPH and tried to stop him. The man lost control of his vehicle at Glen Drive, left the roadway and went airborne for over 130 feet. The three passengers, all 18, suffered minor injuries. Quality Print of Merrill, printer of the Merrill Foto News, has invested in the future with the purchase of a new printing press from the Heidelberg Company based in Germany. The new press cruises at a speed of 10,000 impressions per hour according to Dan E. Daniels, plant manager of Quality Print. He, along with publisher of the Foto News L. James O’Day, traveled to New York City this past October to see the company’s presses in operation before committing to the purchase. O’Day reports much research went into the purchase, which he considered a major investment similar to the cost of buying 12 new cars.
3-22-89
The Lincoln County Board has decided to proceed with caution as they address the space crunch issue at the court house. Russ Scheu and the Veteran’s Service office will be moved to the basement of the courthouse and space previously occupied by him will be converted into temporary space for the bulging Clerk of Court’s Office. The board also voted unanimously to create a Long Range Planning Committee and tasked County Board Chair Frank Magnus with appointing its members. The board also
voted to add positions in the Social Services agency and a half time position in the Clerk of Court’s Office. A lengthy discussion and debate also took place on the purchase of four new patrol trucks for the Highway Department. In the end, the board voted 13-7 to go ahead with the $230,000 purchase. Easter is early this week and the paper is filled with bright ideas on where to eat Sunday. Kathy and Cal’s Club 64 has a buffet staring at 10:30 Easter morning where ham, ribs, tips, and chicken will be featured at a cost of $6.95 per person. Club Modern also has a buffet for $5.50 per person. The Fairway Supper Club has a buffet for $7.95 per person which includes prime rib. Sturdevant’s Cork and Dyne features roast duck, leg of lamb, or a buffet for $4.95, South of the Border is serving up all you can eat chicken or ribs for $4.95 per person, a tenderloin and shrimp combo is $7.95. The Pine Ridge Restaurant will have
breakfast specials in the morning and then a buffet for lunch that carries a cost of $4.75. 3’s Company restaurant will feature a ham and chicken family style dinner for just $5.95. Champs has both lunch and breakfast schedules; they will open at 7:00 AM.
3-24-99
The chamber ambassadors are pictured enjoying a cup of coffee with Wayne and Ruth Karpenske, new owners of Skipper’s Restaurant in downtown Merrill. They purchased the longtime Merrill eatery from
Signa Lambrecht this past December and are finally getting settled in. Wayne said he was so happy with the Lambrecht’s operation he hasn’t changed a thing since he took over. Ted Nickel (R-Merrill) easily defeated Birnamwood Republican Gary Lueck to capture the Republican nomination for the 35 th Assembly seat left vacant in February by Antigo Republican Tom Ourada. Nickel will now take on Sarah Waukau (D-Antigo) in a special election on April 13 th . Nickel and Waukau are just
two of many candidates who will participate in a candidate forum tonight at the Inshalla Country Club. The event is sponsored by WJJQ Radio and the Tomahawk Chamber. The forum will also likely feature local judge candidates Glenn Hartley and Don Dunphy.