Researched by Michael J. Caylor, Jr.
10-6-71
Traffic at Merrill has remained steady this last year according to the DOT, but numbers only showed a moderate increase for weekend traffic counts as compared to 1970. With Highway 51 traversing through the city, the DOT is conducting regular traffic counts and report over two million cars passed through this city this past year with a total of 2,156,267. This is compared to 1969 when 1,975,482 cars came through town. On a typical July day in 1971, 8,861 cars passed through Merrill; this was about three percent above the 1970 totals. Traffic counts did level off in the spring; however, once June arrived, the traffic saw a steady increase.
After 28 years on the Merrill Police Department, Sgt. Leroy Schmalfus has called it a career. Appointed to the force in 1943, the agency then had 7 officers; now it has 17. Schmalfus was promoted to Sergeant in 1949. In looking back over his career, the Merrill native said it was like going from “one horse to a Cadillac” when he considers all the advancements the Department has made over the years. When Schmalfus first started, the only communication between the squad car and radio dispatcher was a red light in the tower of the firehouse. When a call was received, the operator would flip on the light, and the patrolman would seek out the nearest telephone and call in to learn the trouble. Schmalfus was also known for his skills as a professional wrestler, having traveled across the country picking up matches in fairs and carnivals. The high point of his wrestling career was when he wrestled Howard Blaser of Green Bay for the state professional title, although Schmalfus lost in two out of three falls in a match that lasted 90 minutes.
Sheriff Al Giese reports that he and his Deputies along with volunteers have been conducting a search of the New Wood area since this past weekend seeking a lost plane. Frank Majersky, age 33, of Milwaukee and his wife Doris, 30, left Milwaukee’s Timmerman Field on Friday heading to Phillips and have not been heard from since. Giese said the largest group of searchers were in the area with up to 13 planes working the skies above the area, including the Civil Air Patrol. Residents in the area did report a low flying plane Friday night; however, the Airport at Merrill said they were never contacted by the missing aircraft. Giese is hoping a hunter might come up with the next lead. (Unfortunately, this story will take a while to resolve.)
10-7-81
The Wisconsin DNR has commended the Lincoln County Sports Club for their efforts for our natural resources. Club President Lance Nienow accepted the award last week in a ceremony held in the Courthouse rotunda. The occasion was also the unveiling of a mounted timber wolf, which will be on display at the Club during October. The club donated $600 for the animal to be mounted; it was killed accidently in 1979. Some of the clubs efforts lauded by the DNR included forest game management, habitat improvements along the Prairie River, construction of public access to the Grandfather Flowage along with a boat landing, support of the ORAP 2000 program, supporting conservation programs before the Wisconsin Legislature, and its affiliation with the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. The Club has also had a strong hunter safety program in place since 1968.
The Merrill Bluejay Football Team had another come-from-behind victory this past Saturday in front of the Homecoming crowd at Jay Stadium, a win that marked Coach Ira Reballa’s 100th career coaching victory. The Jays, behind 7-0, got the ball back on their own 26-yard line after a punt from the visiting Marshfield Tigers. Senior quarterback Dan Koch, facing a third and 16 from his own 31-yard line hit fullback Tony Hartwig on an inside screen for 18 yards and a first down. On the next play, Koch connected with Hartwig again on a short screen pass, and Senior Hartwig broke free for a 51-yard touchdown run. Tom Krueger’s extra point tied the game up at seven apiece with 1:50 left to play. In overtime, Marshfield missed a 21-yard field goal try which led to double overtime where Koch passed to Senior Jeff Ott in the right flat for a touchdown. Marshfield had one more chance for a tie, but Steve Hintze blew through the Tiger line and caused a fumble on the handoff between the Tiger quarterback and a running back, and Duane Fischer recovered the fumble, sealing the Jays’ victory.
10-9-91
Pine River School has been named the state’s top elementary school technology program. Principal Don Viegut said the award came from the State Department of Public Instruction and in recognition of Pine River’s extensive computer program. This is the second state award for MAPS this fall, after teacher John Gravell was named the state’s top high school teacher last month.
The City of Merrill Common Council voted unanimously last night to purchase a tract of land known as the Rusch property for $58,400. Both the Park and Rec Commission and the Personnel and Finance Committee recommended the purchase prior to the meeting. The 110-acre parcel lies along the Wisconsin River adjacent to Council Grounds State Park. The city intends on developing the area for an outdoor recreation complex.