Merrill’s first major winter storm closes schools for two days

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The lit clock tower on the Lincoln County Courthouse always makes a beautiful backdrop for falling snow photos. Michael Caylor, Jr. photo.

TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR

The first real winter storm of the season blew into Merrill on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, with freezing rain for the day, rendering roads icy and slick, and closing down area schools for the day. Based on weather forecasts, school was also called off that evening for the following day, Thursday, Dec. 15, with high school students having a virtual school day and younger grades getting the day off. Area children were delighted to wake up to about six inches of heavy, wet, perfect-for-building-a-snowman snow on the ground, and along with a no-school snow day, that had energetic kids outdoors shoveling, building snowmen and snow forts, and making snow angels and other creations on Thursday. [See photos that showcase how a little down time for kids fosters creativity.]
The combination of freezing rain, wind, and then wet, heavy snow accumulations downed some tree branches and powerlines, causing power outages in surrounding areas on Thursday and into Friday.
And more light snow falling on Friday made for more travel challenges on Friday and into the weekend.
However, the snow-covered landscape set the scene perfectly as area residents made preparations in the final countdown to Christmas, even if it did make it more challenging to get out to the stores to do their shopping.
The slick sidewalks and roads also resulted in the City of Merrill rescheduling their City of Lights Bus Tour and the judging for the City of Merrill and Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce first Merrill Christmas Decorating Contest. The Bus Tour was rescheduled from Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 7:00 p.m. to one week later on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 7:00 p.m. Winners will be published in next week’s Foto News.
Light snow is forecast for this week, with another snowstorm scheduled to arrive just before Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, along with frigid temperatures. Bundle up, drive safe, enjoy the magic of Merrill’s winter wonderland, and have a very Merry Merrill Christmas!

12-year-old Kylie Lutzke created a snow tower and a chair made of snow on her own, in addition to the projects she did with her siblings and mom. Trina Lutzke photo.
A snow bear created by 12-year-old Kylie Lutzke, 8-year-old Melody Lutzke, 4-year-old Ariana Lutzke, and their mom, Trina Lutzke, of Merrill on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, a snow day from school. Trina Lutzke photo.
8-year-old Melody Lutzke inside the snow fort that she, her older sister, and her mom built on a snow day from school. Trina Lutzke photo.
8-year-old Melody Lutzke peeks out of a window in the snow fort she helped build with her older sister, Kylie, and her mom, Trina. Trina Lutzke photo.
Top to bottom: Kylie, age 12; Melody, age 8; and Ariana, age 4, daughters of Trina and Zach Lutzke of Merrill, were hard at work exercising their creativity on Thursday’s snow day. All three girls, together with their mom, made the snow bear. Trina Lutzke photo.
The lit clock tower on the Lincoln County Courthouse always makes a beautiful backdrop for falling snow photos. Michael Caylor, Jr. photo.
L to R: JannaKay Bushar, Madi Schneider, Xena Bushar, and Issac Bushar used a new snow pile from clearing snow in their yard to create a snow fort big enough for one–or two–depending on your size! Renee Koebe photo.
L to R: JannaKay Bushar, age 9; Xena Bushar, age 5; Madi Schneider, age 6; and Issac Bushar, age 10, pose with the festive snowman/elf they made on their no-school snow day on Dec. 8. Parents are Andrew and Mikalea Schneider and Eric and Jaimie Bushar of Merrill. Renee Koebe photo.

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