Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr.
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Officials at Lincoln Hills School in Irma are denying allegations in a class action lawsuit filed against the institution by seven juveniles. The suit was filed in federal court in Madison by Thomas Dixon, attorney for the Youth Policy Center, a private organization operated through donations outside of fundraising. The center currently represents 20 youths being held at LHS. John Ross, acting superintendent of Lincoln Hills, stated the charges of cruelty are groundless. One of those detained, identified as “Janice” in the suit, has allegedly been subjected to long periods of isolation in a security cottage since April of last year, usually on “lock up” status, according to Dixon. Ross countered that Janice has been involved in 22 assaults on staff members, six of which were incidents which caused serious danger for staff. Dixon acknowledged the violent past of Janice but state it was up to Lincoln Hills to find another way to rehabilitate her. Ross advised Janice has been through every program the institute has to offer and has failed each one, and further she was been taken to two mental institutions in the state in an attempt to rehabilitate her. Ross did admit Janice has been maced 25 times during her stay at LHS. Ross also stated that recent stories published in the Milwaukee Journal about incidents at the school were greatly exaggerated.
With the change of the year some changes also came to the Merrill Fire Department. Chief Raymond Priebe has announced the retirement of Deputy Chiefs Joe Schneider and Andrew Fehr. Assuming the posts of deputy chief as of the first of the year will be Lt. Harvey Emanuel and Lt. Lavern Krueger. Frederick Heller and Robert Klug Jr. have been appointed to lieutenant to fill the vacancies created by the promotion of Emanuel and Krueger. Two new firemen have joined the ranks to replace the retiring men, Wayne Rajek and Dennis Schneider.
In area briefs: Seven local officials began new two-year terms Tuesday morning. Judge Donald Schnabel administered the oath office to Sheriff Ron Krueger who is beginning his third two-year term, Kenneth Oldenburg, beginning his sixth term as county clerk; Florian Koehler, county treasurer since 1969; Richard Olson, who is starting his second term as district attorney; Janice Beyer, clerk of court since 1974; Warren Weckwerth, starting his seventh term as register of deeds; and Dr. James Janowiak, who is now starting his second term as coroner. A Lincoln County deputy did not have to go far New Year’s Eve to make an arrest for a robbery after an 18-year-old walked into the jail lobby and told the deputy he had just robbed Day’s Bar and Grocery Store in the Town of Enterprise outside of Rhinelander. The man was taken back to Oneida County to face charges there. David R. Haskins, Merrill Route 2, is the first candidate to publicly announce he is a candidate for the Merrill Area Board of Education. Three candidates will be on the ballot come this April.
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Wisconsin Public Service has announced it is moving to its new location on the east side of Merrill. As of Monday, the company will be based out of their new facility located at 3200 E. Main St.; all business will be conducted out of that office from this point forward including bill payment. Previously, the company conducted business out of their offices at 301 E. 2nd St. and 306 S. Park St.
The annual January Thaw contest makes its debut in this week’s paper. The winner of the contest will spend seven days in sunny Orlando, Florida. You can register at the following participating businesses: Campbell’s Clothing store, Carl’s Foodlane, Dave’s Red Owl, Diamond Dave’s Mexican Restaurant, Drew’s Piggly Wiggly, Electrical Wiring and Supply, Fairway Supper Club, Gold-n-Way Video, Hardee’s Restaurant, Hargrave Appliance Center, John’s United Foods, Johnson Pharmacy, Leisure Way Travel, Snyder Drug Store, 3’s Company restaurant, Trantow Building Supply, VIP Office Supply and Weinbrenner Shoe Factory.
With the New Year comes some new faces. James Davis Tritten received the honor of the first baby born in 1989 in Merrill at Good Samaritan Hospital. He is pictured with his mother Tammy. The last baby of 1988 was Michelle Lynn Pophal born to Trude Pophal. County officials were sworn in for new terms yesterday. Judge J. Michael Nolan administered the oath to Sheriff Ron Krueger, Register of Deeds Warren Weckwerth, newly elected Coroner Dave Haskins, Corporation Counsel Nancy Bergstrom, newly elected Treasurer Jan Lemmer, Clerk of Court Janet Beyer-Thums, County Clerk Liz McHenry, and District Attorney Karen Smith.
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Snow has crippled the Midwest and left a fresh blanket of snow on northern Wisconsin. The front page of the paper shows the steps heading up from the base of the entry to Lion’s Park to East Street which were absent except for the handles. Locations to the south saw much more snow with deadly results. Last year at this time it was 40 degrees locally.
The meetings are still continuing around the county as members of the Lincoln County Board try to sell their justice center concept to the voters. The next meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 12 at the Bradley Town Hall and then a week from today at the Corning Town Hall. Building Committee Chairman Wallace Wurl explained that the meetings will continue despite the fact members of the board have agreed to reexamine the decisions made so far by the eight-member group which is charged with deciding the future of the jail and court offices. Wurl noted the group has worked for over two and a half years and has spent thousands and thousands of dollars and he would hate to see the process go back to square one, although he agreed the process needs to take a step back. Asked about criticism that the public education tour will not include stops in the cities of Merrill or Tomahawk, Wurl contended that Tomahawk does not have sufficient space to hold such a meeting and he is waiting to see if there is enough interest in the city of Merrill to hold such a meeting.
The Merrill Historical Society now will have a home for its archives. Building Committee Chair Erin McCarthy explained the group will close on the purchase of the American Legion building as of March, giving them much needed storage space for their growing collections. The current home of the museum is the former home of Merrill’s first mayor Thomas Scott. The building was used as a funeral home for many years before being purchased by Christ United Methodist Church who in turn has leased the building to the Historical Society. McCarthy stated the lease with the church for the museum will come due in six years so they are looking for a backup location in case they have to vacate the present museum. The American Legion building sits on property owned by the city of Merrill and is part of the original Stange family gift to the city. Society President Alice Krueger said once the group takes ownership of the building the first concern will be replacing the roof and adding climate controls to the building along with a security and fire alarm system.