Fotos from the Past
Researched by Michael J. Caylor, Jr.
6-30-71
Merrill now has a new choice when it comes to fast food: Chips restaurant, located at the busy corner of Third Street and US Hwy. 51. Jim Ash of Wausau, the new manager of Chips, officially welcomed customers this week as the restaurant opened for the first time. Chips is part of a chain of 12 restaurants in Wisconsin; the company’s headquarters is located in Wausau. Besides Ash, 35 high school or college age boys have been hired to work at the new eatery. The hours are 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. A grand opening is set for later this summer.
An 18-year-old Merrill man died, the victim of a fatal auto wreck north of Merrill. James Peterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Peterson, was riding in a car being driven by an 18-year-old Gleason man when it left the road and struck a house on Riverview Rd. north of Merrill. The driver, along with two passengers, a 17-year-old Appleton girl and a 19-year-old Gleason man, were all taken to Holy Cross Hospital where they were treated and later released. Firemen and deputies rushing to the scene told of how their response was hampered by numerous onlookers who flocked to the scene. Two tavern owners were fined in the wake of the crash for allowing the 17-year-old girl to drink in their beer bars prior to the crash. Funeral services for Peterson were held Monday at Our Saviours Church; he was laid to rest in Merrill Memorial Park.
The Merrill Lions Club is calling their first annual rodeo a huge success. George Dietrich, Club President, and Ray Hinch, the Chairman of the event, were very pleased with the turnout throughout the weekend. Dietrich estimated the crowds numbered around 7,000 for the three performances, with capacity crowds attending on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. All funds raised by the event will be sent to the Wisconsin Lions Club camp in Rothschild.
7-1-81
The Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) Board of Education (BOE) unanimously approved wage increases to three groups of employees this past week. Secretaries, teachers aides, and food service staff will all see an 8% increase in wages with the start of the school year. Dr. Thomas Strick said he would like to conduct a study of other Wisconsin Valley districts to compare wages for next year’s budget. Teacher and custodian salaries are still being negotiated at this time. The BOE also accepted the bid of $41,622 for insurance through the year; that quote came from Wausau Insurance Company. This is the first time the District requested bids on insurance, and Wausau came in about $14,000 less than last year’s insurance cost.
Joe Jackelen has a problem. No one wants to move into his building. Jackelen is the Executive Director of the Merrill Housing Authority, and he reports that although he has no current vacancies at Park Place, when he does get an opening, the 29 people on the waiting list commonly all refuse to move in. Jackelen blames the closing of Mel’s Big Dollar Supermarket, as many residents were dependent on the grocery store for basic needs. Jacklen said Jenny Towers, on the other hand, has 77 applications on hand, and normally no one turns down the opportunity to move in there, mainly due to its central location near downtown and two supermarkets. Jacklen encourages anyone who is looking for local housing to call him to discuss what his two facilities have to offer.
Phillip Henrichs, 40, of Prospect St, has died as result of injuries he received in a traffic crash earlier this month just west of Merrill. Henrichs was alone in his station wagon when it left the roadway and overturned. He died Monday at Wausau Hospital. Graveside services are tomorrow at Merrill Memorial Park. He is the fifth person to die on County roadways this year.
An estimated 3,000 spectators turned out this past Monday for two performances by the Franzen Brothers Circus at Ott’s Park. The Krueger for Senate Committee arranged the stop for the group, who had a date open as they traveled between Antigo and Medford. State Senator Clifford Krueger, a former circus performer himself, attended both shows. The circus was formed seven years ago at Amherst Junction and began their tour this year in Alabama during the spring.
7-2-91
Merrill Police are advising of a drug bust in the city. Officers raided a home on Pier St. this past week and arrested a man and woman for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and possession of LSD. The pair were found with 39 marijuana plants growing in the basement of their home when Police arrived.
The City of Merrill will begin curbside pickup of recycling as of this Friday, with every resident having one opportunity per month for collection. The route will vary based upon your day of pickup for garbage. For example, if your garbage is picked up Monday, your recycling is picked up the first Friday; if your garbage is picked up Tuesday, your recycling day is the second Friday; and so on. If you forget your date, you can always take your recycling to Schultz’s. (Mike Weix’s first job; he was 10 when he started on the route.)
Mayor Ken Sparr is officially back to work. The Mayor returned to regular office hours Monday, after being off since April. Sparr was visiting his son in Milwaukee, when he fell ill and ended up having open heart surgery at the Milwaukee Medical Complex. Sparr confessed he had been coming in for a few hours each week over the past month to prepare himself for a full return to duty.