Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr.
2-20-80
Merrill voters took to the polls in masses yesterday as they narrowed down the field for the spring election. In total 57% of the city’s registered voters turned out to decide primary races for mayor and several aldermanic districts. Richard F. Holt led tallies in the mayor’s race with 1020 votes, but Baumgart was close behind with 941. Jean Rogers, alderman and county board supervisor for the first district gained 796 votes and political newcomer Kevin Kuemichel totaled 148 votes. Although Holt won the most votes, it was Baumgart who carried the most wards, four to Holt’s three. Rogers took her home district and district three. The two insurance agents will face off in April to decide who will replace long time Mayor Ralph “Fata” Voigt. In the first ward Richard Hayes and John Kleinschmidt move on as James Mahn was eliminated; in ward three Stanley Frisch and Dave D’Amico will compete after Wallace E. Touchette was defeated. Patrick Nugent fielded the most votes in the fifth ward followed by DeLyle Bohse and then Glorian Klempke and David Mootz came in third and fourth respectively. Anita Gebert and Walter L. Proft will face off in the eighth ward where newcomer Antonio Canez was eliminated.
Depending upon who you ask Pine Crest is either just holding its own or doing very well. Administrator Mark Wilkom provided a balance of $66,000 in the black for January, the first profitable month the nursing home has had since a remodeling project was completed in 1977. County Clerk Ken Oldenburg on the other hand was not as charitable with his numbers but agreed there was a profit, just $11,000 in his estimation. The difference in the amounts was based upon Oldenburg’s consideration of actual payroll and estimated claims expenses. Wilkom stated despite the difference in numbers the facility is still holding its head above water as he had predicted once the new wings were occupied; the facility is now at full occupancy.
Thanks to the efforts of Senator Clifford “Tiny” Krueger (R-Merrill) the state house in Madison now displays the bust of Robert “Fighting Bob” LaFollette. Krueger has been pushing for years to have the state purchase the bust and place it in the Capitol Rotunda. Born on a farm in Primrose, La Follette went on to be a District Attorney of Dane County, United States Congressman, US Senator, three time presidential candidate, and Wisconsin Governor.
2-21-90
Voters favored the newcomers over the incumbents in yesterday’s primary voting for the Merrill School Board. Diane Mikkelson, first elected to the board in 1979 has served both as the vice-president and president of the group was eliminated and board member and president Jay Tlusty drew the second fewest votes in the race which narrowed the field from seven to six for the general election in April. Top vote getters were: Donna Caylor (1619), Richard Franke (1283), Thomas Sazama (1269), Barbara Nolan (1137) Barbara Chisnell (1109), Tlusty (697) and Mikkelson (562). The only other contested race in the primary saw long time county board member Harry Osness losing a three way race in district four where Melissa Schroeder and Bryan Stimers advanced to the April ballot in that contest.
A Merrill man, missing for almost two weeks has been found dead. The man was found seated in his vehicle off of Cherry Rd in the Town of Merrill early this morning. Deputy Coroner Michael Kleinschmidt pronounced the man dead on the scene from exposure. Deputies think the man drove down the dead end road by mistake, getting stuck. The discovery ends an extensive search and much speculation as to the possible reason behind the man’s disappearance.
The Wisconsin DOT is looking for residents input as they prepare plans to construct a four lane highway between Merrill and Tomahawk. The state would like to start purchasing land for right-of-way so they can start the project in 1992. Meeting in Tomahawk led to worries about frontage roads, traffic on secondary roads and the proposed location of the expressway. The cost for the road is expected to top $12 million dollars.
2-23-2000
Lincoln County Circuit Court Judge Glenn Harley has sworn in the new Lincoln County District Attorney Shawn Mutter. For the past ten years Mutter has been a prosecutor in LaCrosse, Waukesha and Taylor County where she served as the district attorney. A graduate of the Marquette School of Law, Mutter was appointed to the post by Governor Tommy Thompson to replace John Schellpfeffer who left for private practice.
For the second time in the history of the program the Merrill Blue Jay girls’ basketball team defeated the challenge of all 16 Valley opponents, ending the season with a perfect 20-0 record. The final game of the season did not come easy with the girls edging out Wausau West 33-31 in front of a capacity crowd. The girls will now head to Regionals, playing Saturday in Marshfield.