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The Human Condition And Its Many Variations

Dear Reader,  Remember the song "Just Dropped In (to see what condition my condidtion was in)"  by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition? In today's world, rare indeed is the person who …

Triathlon event donates to Friends of the River Bend Trail

The Black Squirrel Scurry paddling triathlon recently donated $1,400 to the Friends of the River Bend Trail for continued improvements and expansion. The triathlon was held in parts of the City of …

Business News & Tidbits

Hugo’s Pizza supports local St. Vincent de Paul Hugo’s Pizza of Merrill has donated more than $1,000 to St. Vincent de Paul over the past four years. Going forward, 10% of the sales …

It’s pumpkin picking and family time!

A wagon ride returns with a load full of passengers who went out to pick their own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch at Grampa's Farm. Tina L. Scott photo. BY TINA L. SCOTT EDITOR It’s pumpkin picking …

The price of progress: Demolition of the Holy Cross Chapel to make way for expansion of Aspirus Merrill Hospital

The Holy Cross Chapel sits high on Holy Hill, attached to Aspirus Merrill Hospital. The building is set for demolition later this month to make way for hospital expansion. Photo courtesy of Aspirus …
Sports
Kendell Klug makes the hit.

Merrill Girls Varsity Softball Team struggles to get back on the board

On Thursday, April 10, 2025, the Merrill Girls Varsity Softball Team had their home opener taking on the Marshfield Girls at the MARC. In the end, it was the Marshfield Tigers who took home the win. …
EJ Wiex on the mound pitching for Merrill.

Bluejays Varsity Baseball Team finds rhythm after early season tests

The Merrill Boys Varsity Baseball Team battled through a challenging start to their 2025 season, currently posting a 3-4 record overall with a 0-2 mark in Conference play. “We have been able to …
Mak Herdt throws a pitch (third base player in the distance). .

Merrill Girls Varsity Softball Team comes from behind to defeat Wausau West

The Merrill Bluejays Varsity Softball Team continued their winning streak Tuesday, April 8, 2025, coming from behind to defeat the Wausau West Warriors 6-4 in their first Conference match-up of the …

The bidding war behind the NFL Draft

GREEN BAY – On May 19, 1935, the NFL club owners approved a plan for a college player selection process, now known as the NFL Draft. “The players were free to sign with any team before …
The Merrill Varsity Girls Bowling Team, L to R:  Peyton Smith, Marley Krueger, Avery Frisch, Bella Kottke, and Izzy Scheffler (all from Merrill) and Jayden Dellinger (from Tomahawk).

Girls Bowling Team claims second consecutive State Championship

The Merrill-Tomahawk Girls Bowling Team captured their second straight State Championship at the Division 2 Girls Bowling Tournament held March 8-9, 2025. “The girls bowled 15 baker-style …

Lambeau Field, second oldest and second biggest

At the 1957 dedication of the New City Stadium, many well-known figures were in attendance, including then-Vice President Richard Nixon, center, and the reigning Miss America, Marilyn Van Der Bur, left, and NFL Commissioner, Burt Bell, right.

GREEN BAY – Though the Green Bay Packers have a long-standing reputation for being the oldest team in the NFL, their stadium is close to holding a similar status. New City Stadium …

De Pere studio looks to relinquish Packers history

A 1970s posed photo of the Golden Girls, Green Bay Packers cheerleaders.

GREEN BAY – Over the last century, Green Bay Packers photography has grown synonymous with names like Stiller, Biever and Harmann, but one of those names is looking to relinquish that history …

Green Bay’s Golden Girl: An early start

Mary Jane Van Duyse Sorgel started her dance career at the Dorothy Leyse La Plant School of Dancing at the age of six. Three years later, she began to twirling baton and started wowing the crowds at regional festivals with her acrobatics and baton twirling skills.

Part I in a series GREEN BAY/STURGEON BAY – “She was a very gregarious person. Everyone knew Mary Jane, and Mary Jane knew everyone else, especially in the Green Bay area,” …

Obituaries
Jean M. Anderson
Jean M. Anderson
Jean M. Anderson, age 74, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau, while surrounded by her loving family and under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care …
Phyllis Jane Reinhardt
Phyllis Jane Reinhardt
Phyllis Jane Reinhardt, age 92, passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services. Phyllis was …
Meredith Oehlkers
Meredith Oehlkers
Meredith Oehlkers ~ June 9, 1938 – April 19, 2025 MONONA - It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Meredith Oehlkers on April 19, 2025, at Agrace HospiceCare. Meredith was …
EPSON MFP image
Linda Sue Kanapka
Linda Sue Kanapka passed away on April 11, 2025, at the age of 69 years old.  Born in Merrill, Wi on September 16, 1955, the daughter of the late Elmer and Joyce (nee Wetzel) Kanapka. …
Arthur J. Drew
Arthur J. Drew, affectionately known as "Art," was born on January 12, 1937, in Gleason, Wisconsin to the late Charles and Blanche (Yanda) Drew. He passed away peacefully at his residence on April …
Business

Business Identity Theft, Scams & Frauds Targeting Small Businesses workshop

The Merrill Enrichment Center will host a workshop on Business Identity Theft & How to Protect Against Scams & Frauds Targeting Small Businesses on May 13, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in …

Smith Automotive Repair LLC opens on E. Second St.

Matt Smith officially opened Smith Automotive Repair LLC at 601 E. Second St. in Merrill on April 1, 2025, after purchasing the building in December 2023 and spending approximately 10 months …

New child care platform from Lincoln County native set to launch this summer

On April 9, 2025, Lincoln County native and former candidate for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District announced the upcoming launch of a new child care platform in the Badger State. Elsa …

Brooks joins Merrill Chamber as new Member Engagement & Office Manager

The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Sarah Brooks as the new Member Engagement & Office Manager. Brooks, who moved to Merrill 10 years ago when her husband completed his …
Schools
The dinosaur crew at Washington School celebrating great attendance:  "We ROAR for great attendance!"

Celebrating Godzilla’s birthday and great attendance

Washington Elementary School students were treated to some special visitors last Friday as part of an innovative approach to improving school attendance. The school held a “Godzilla’s …

MAPS Great Speaker Forum: Beckman focuses on reclaiming human connections

Merrill Area Public Schools will host nationally-recognized youth speaker Joe Beckman at this year’s Great Speaker Forum on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the Merrill High School …

PRAIRIE RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL 2024-2025 third quarter Honor Roll

EIGHTH GRADE Gold 4.00: Alle Bergh, Ella Bergh, Darby Bonnell, Aaron Collinsworth, Bethany Crockford, Elijah Dymerski, Colton Fox, Autumn Genisot, Jaedyn Goetsch, Jase Huston, Kassandra Johnson, Mara …

Merrill High School Third Quarter Honor Roll 2024-2025

GRADE 9 HIGHEST HONORS (4.0): Brooklyn Clabots, Brady Genisot, Shane Gibson, Sawyer Grubb, Marie Hagemeister, Lilee Haltinner, Noelle Iverson, Kendell Klug, Claire Kufahl, Finlee Lange-Peronto, …
Health
Pictured is map of Wisconsin showing where ticks have been collected and sent to Marshfield Clinic Research Institute for identification.

Marshfield Clinic Research Institute seeking ticks for second year of study

The Marshfield Clinic Research Institute is once again asking Wisconsin residents to send in ticks they find this year. In 2024, the Research Institute launched the Tick Inventory via Citizen Science …

Lincoln County Health Department measles update

The Lincoln County Health Department (LCHD) issued a press release on April 1, 2025, to provide the community with a measles update in light of a recent increase in cases throughout the U.S. …

Aspirus Merrill Hospital confirms renovation and expansion is moving forward

A March 31, 2025, press release from Aspirus Health confirmed their plans for a $40 million renovation and expansion at Aspirus Merrill Hospital is on track to start construction this coming summer. …

Lincoln County to sue Dunphy for interfering in Pine Crest sale

On Monday, Mar. 10, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in a special meeting of the Lincoln County Administrative & Legislative (A&L) Committee that lasted approximately two hours, most of which was held in …
Special Sections
Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill.
Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill.
Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill.
Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill.
Courts
Bobby Dabbs, age 27, of Trenton, Tenn., made his initial appearance in Lincoln County Court on Monday, March 31, 2025, via Zoom video from the Lincoln County Jail. Dabbs is charged with multiple …
According to a press release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LISO), on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at approximately 6:06 p.m., the Lincoln County 911 Dispatch Center received a call …
A court appearance has been scheduled for a Tomahawk woman charged with stabbing and killing her husband earlier this year. Court records show that Michelle Marie Sanderson, 43, is set to appear in …
Opinion and Editorial
Dear Reader, Easter is upon us, a time of great celebration for Christians around the world. It is the day we proclaim, Christ is risen!—a moment of triumph over death, of hope restored, …
Dear Reader, In a world overwhelmed by noise, wisdom is too often drowned out. Today, everything fights for our attention—headlines, outrage, sirens, engines—clamoring for dominance in an …
We welcome letters to the Editor, a chance for members of the community to comment on issues of concern to them. All letters must be original, not duplications of letters addressed to public …
Community & Human Interest
Council Grounds State Park will host a volunteer cleanup event on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon as part of Wisconsin State Parks’ celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day. Area …
The mission statement of the Lincoln County Sports Club (LCSC) is to promote conservation, the responsible uses and handling of firearms, shooting sports, and participation in outdoor activities; and …
MARCH 27, 2025 Girl, Aurora Grace Maddix, born to Carissa Howe and Dyllon Maddix of Merrill. APRIL 1, 2025 Girl, Ruby Louise, born to Morgan Nofsinger and Myles Nofsinger of Weston. APRIL …