Saturday, December 7, 2024
A completed longhorn (cattle) European mount.

Team Smack Down Outdoors moves headquarters to rural Merrill

Team Smack Down Outdoors moved their business headquarters from Medford, where the business originated, to rural Merrill, about 10 miles (or about 15 minutes drive) northwest of the City of Merrill …

Donate deer hides for Lions Camp, antlers for pups, hearts for refuge

The MerrillMerrill Lions Club is again collecting deer hides, antlers, and hearts. Deer hides Deer hunters who wish to put their deer hides to good use and support a worthy cause should …

The roles of the of the U.S. military

Veterans Day is a great time to learn more about the branches of the U.S. military. Army The U.S. Department of Defense notes that the Army is the largest and oldest service in the …

Preliminary election results

Voters across the country cast ballots in federal, statewide and local races in the Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, General Election. U.S. President Republican former President Donald J. Trump …
Levon Van Der Geest presents a donation check to the Merrill Area Concert Association..

Van Der Geest races to raise funds

At age 20, Merrill’s Levon Van Der Geest is living out his dream and setting a fast pace raising funds for local charities, as he endeavors to compete both on and off the race track as one of …
Sports
L to R:  Emily Frahm holds her MVP award, Jenna Malluege holds her award for Most Improved, and Claire Hintz holds her MVP award.

End-of-year Tennis Banquet honors standout players

The Merrill Varsity Girls Tennis Team held their end-of-year Tennis Banquet on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, to celebrate their accomplishments, improvement, and teamwork, and to recognize team members who …
The Merrill Girls Swim Team poses for a photo in the pool.

Merrill Varsity Girls Swim Team: On the road to State

Tournament season is here. The Merrill Varsity Girls Swim Team started on the road to State with a trip to Wisconsin Rapids on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, for the Wisconsin Valley Conference meet. …

Wausau West Varsity swimmers outpace the Lady Jays in a pool dual

The Merrill Girls Varsity Swim Team hosted a dual against Wausau West at the Prairie River Middle School pool on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. Wausau West swimmers were in peak shape and placed high in …

Merrill Varsity Football 2024 season comes to an end at the playoffs

On Friday night, Oct. 25, 2024, the Merrill Varsity Football Team traveled to Onalaska to compete in the 2024 playoffs. They were the #7 seed in round one. And there, unfortunately, is where the …
The Merrill Bluejay Varsity Football Players and Dance Team make an entrace, with the football players in special pink jerseys for breast cancer awareness.

Merrill Varsity Football: A loss and a win, qualifies the team for playoffs as #7 seed

On Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, the Merrill Varsity Football Team hosted Tomahawk’s team in an afternoon of fall football, but Tomahawk took away the win. “For the second week in a row the …
Entertainment

Movies You Gotta See

There are few comedic actors working today who are more iconic than Will Ferrell. He’s one of the greatest Saturday Night Live cast members of all-time, and he’s starred in some of the …

Area Events & Entertainment Community Calendar

Nov. 7 - Bingo at St. Francis School Nov. 7 - Open Mic Night at Sawmill Brewing Company Nov. 8 - Free Swing Dance Basic Lessons at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Nov. 8 - Murder at the Murder …
Obituaries
Sherryl L. Westfall
Sherryl L. Westfall, 72, of Gleason, passed away Thursday, November 28, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family. Sherryl was born February 5, 1952, in Rhinelander, daughter of Connie Bruns. …
Sandra A. Spears
Sandra A. Spears died peacefully with her family at her side on December 1, 2024. Sandy loved children, especially her grandchildren and great grandchild. She took care of many children during her …
Velda E. Johnson “Dolly”
Velda E. Johnson “Dolly”, age 93, of Woodruff, formerly of Wausau, passed away on December 1, 2024 at Milestone Senior Living in Woodruff.  Velda was born on January 24, 1931 in …
Fred M. Reader
Fred M. Reader, 91, of Merrill, formerly of the Town of Schley, Lincoln County, passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Fred was born January 14, 1933, in …
Lynn J. Henrich
Lynn J. Henrich, of Merrill, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, November 30, 2024, while filling his bird feeders, something he took great pleasure in.  Lynn was born, March 29, 1949, to the …
Business

New Ace Hardware Store opens in Antigo

Antigo, Wis. – America’s most celebrated “helpful place” has opened its doors as of December 3rd in Antigo. The new Antigo Ace Hardwarestore, located at 715 Superior …

Rounding up for the Honor Flight and other good causes

“Rounding up” has become the latest trend in fundraising, and with good reason. It’s easy to give, giving in small increments barely impacts the giver’s budget, and lots of …

Merrill’s Craft & Vendor Extravaganza is this weekend

On Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, Merrill will host vendors and crafters from around the area and beyond at craft shows around the city at Merrill’s Citywide Craft & Vendor Extravaganza. “We …

2024 Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce Awards

The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual celebration, banquet, and awards ceremony to recognize local area businesses and announce their Chamber Business of the Year Awards on Oct. 10, …
Schools

MAPS accepts recent donations

The following donations were approved and/or accepted at the Aug. 21, 2024, Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) Board of Education meeting: State Farm Matching Program (matching Bob and Janet …

Op-ed Lincoln County Retired Teachers Association observes National Education Week

Since 1921, National Education Week, observed this year from Monday, Nov. 18 through Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, has become a celebration during which we recognize the important roles public schools and …

Trinity Lutheran School announces 2024-2025 first quarter Honor Roll

Students are recognized on the Trinity Honor Roll for a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 and higher. An*indicates a 4.0 GPA FIFTH GRADE Easton Baade Brinlee Brazeau Eli Clerveaux* Grace …

PRAIRIE RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL 2024-2025 first quarter Honor Roll

EIGHTH GRADE GOLD 4.00: Alle Bergh, Darby Bonnell, Mason Bowman, Ella Burrow, Aaron Collinsworth, Elijah Dymerski, Colton Fox, Autumn Genisot, Jaedyn Goetsch, Jacob Hanson, Jamis Hanson, Liam Hayes, …
Health
Rose Wendorf and her therapy dog, dressed as a triceratops.

Trick-or-treaters visit Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill

Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill was busy on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, as trick-or-treaters collected candy from residents for Halloween. Diana Zimmerman’s father, John Sladek, is a resident …

Fall Memory Cafe soft opening at T.B. Scott Library

The T.B. Scott Free Library in Merrill will hold a soft opening for their new Memory Cafe event on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. in the Community Room at the library [106 W. …

Health Department works to increase awareness of 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and the Lincoln County Health Department, with support from the Healthy Minds for Lincoln County Coalition, is working to increase the public’s knowledge of …

Fueling Success: Back-to-School Nutrition Advice for Parents from a Registered Dietitian

Colorful healthy foods, fruits, and vegetables. Stock photo. As the new school year approaches, making sure your kids get the right nutrition is key to supporting their overall health and well-being. …
Special Sections
Colorful healthy foods, fruits, and vegetables. Stock photo.
Colorful healthy foods, fruits, and vegetables. Stock photo.
Colorful healthy foods, fruits, and vegetables. Stock photo.
Colorful healthy foods, fruits, and vegetables. Stock photo.
Courts
In Lincoln County Court on Nov. 11, 2024, 30-year-old Tanner Graap of Merrill was sentenced to 15 years in state prison, to run consecutive with any other sentence, followed by 10 years of extended …
On Oct. 1, 2024, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced a settlement has been reached with the previous owners/operators of Morning View Dairy - Morning View Dairy, LLC, Erich W. Roth, the …
Bradley LaBarge, age 31, of Merrill made an initial appearance in Lincoln County Court on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. He is charged with five crimes, the most serious being one count of attempted first …
Opinion and Editorial
Whether it’s in real life or film, every so often, we get an era-defining matchup. From a star power perspective, Michael Mann’s 1995 Los Angeles crime epic Heat, starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, might be the high-water mark of movie showdowns.
Since 1921, National Education Week, observed this year from Monday, Nov. 18 through Friday, Nov. 22, has become a celebration during which we recognize the important roles public schools and their staffs play in student development.
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
The Lincoln County Humane Society (LCHS) would like to thank the following donors for their support in October: Meghan Stevenson; Dean Barker; Steven Roberts; Mark & Patti Johnson; Peggy Bauman; …
Fred Lundin just celebrated 50 years as a member of the Rotary Club of Merrill on Nov. 1, 2024. He was recognized at the club’s regular meeting held at the Eagles Club. Throughout his tenure, …
Food For Kids hosted their “Love Your Neighbor” Fundraising Banquet on Nov. 2, 2024, at Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes. “We had a wonderful turnout and raised over $19,000 for …