3-21-73
It’s back to the voters for the Jefferson School project. For a third time the voters in the Merrill School District will face a referendum on the proposed new Jefferson School to replace the aging building in the sixth ward. The Fiscal Control Board had voted in February to go ahead with the $550,000 project but now another advisory referendum will be held on the April 3rd ballot.
Another project placed on hold this week was the new landfill. Originally slated to be built near the intersection of County Rd H and US Hwy 51 the measure was put on hold by the county board at the suggestion of board chairman Patrick Nugent. Residents of the Town of Birch presented strong opposition to the proposed site. The board did agree to reimburse the Sheriff $1.10 per meal for each meal served to prisoners in the county jail.
Fashion is the theme in this week’s Foto News with numerous ads touting the latest styles from Merrill’s clothiers. Along with ads, several pictures show residents modeling goods. Bargains include: Strand’s Department Store offers spring dresses $11.99-$14.99, Stevie’s Shoes, 924 E Main St., has Ten Speed Casual shoes on sale, Jean Day Style Shop 814 E 1st Street has a large slection of Nelly Don, British Lady, Hobnobber, Kay Whittney and other dresses, Nelson Rexall 800 E 1st St is offering a sale on all Jovan scents, The Corner ShoP 412 W Main St has Ruth Norman, Edith Flagg, Sue Brett and Carly style dresses, and in a full page ad Estelle’s (“Merrill’s House of Fashion”) features coats from Betty Rose $28-$62, pant suits $16-$66, and coat and dress costumes $24-$68.
3-23-83
The City of Merrill officially kicked off its Centennial Celebration with a banquet last Saturday at Les and Jim’s. Two hundred fifty people attended the banquet in which the annual Merrill on the Move and Chamber Commerce Awards were presented. Clifford “Tiny” Krueger was awarded the Chamber’s Hall of Fame Award, the Ambassador Award was given to Phil Russell, Past Presidents Award was given to Pastor Dale Kuck, Jan Wickman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Wickman was honored with the Merrill on the Move Award, the Merrill Wrestling team and the girls basketball program were honored with Merrill on the Move organization award for their successful seasons and Madison appearances. Two individual awards were given: Ellsworth “Zonie” Plautz was recognized for his individual contributions to the City, he is currently the longest serving alderman and president of the city council, and Michael Ravn was given a Merrill on the Move Award for his continued involvement in his home community. Ravn is the former city attorney for the city and is active in numerous civic organizations.
Local cable subscribers are asked to attend a public hearing in front of the Merrill Cable TV Committee April 19th, at City Hall. WLUK in Eau Claire is going to switch from an ABC station to an NBC station leaving cable viewers with only one ABC channel to watch. The balance would then be three NBC stations, two CBS and one ABC. An option is to bring in WFRV out of Green Bay but reception is poor. A second option is to take off WLUK and replace it with a 24 hour weather channel or Cable Health Network. Another item on the agenda for the committee is the possibility of adding WVTV Channel 18 from Milwaukee which would increase the local channel selection all the way to 17 full time channels!
Raoul’s Tavern took first place in the Women’s Tuesday Night Pool League for the third consecutive year. The team compiled a 26-2 record on the season. Pictured with owner Raoul Heckendorf are Linda Janisch, Sara Williams, Terry Frisch, JoAnn Hass, and Marlene Benzinger.
3-17-93
An open house was held last Thursday to demonstrate the benefits of the proposed $8.1 million dollar remodeling project for Merrill Senior High School. Principal Lanny Tibaldo led the tour and pointed out the integrity of the buildings including the 1922 building. Also at a special School Board meeting on March 10th School Administrator Ralph Neale explained the architect for the proposed new elementary school prefers the site on State Rd 107 near Council Grounds or the site on County Rd Q near the south city limits.
In other school news Coach Pete Miller has announced he is resigning as the boys basketball coach and girls track coach. Miller explained the requirements of his new job as Athletic Director may distract him from his coaching, and he does not want to see the programs suffer. Greg Eichelkraut will take the reins of the track team; a new basketball coach has yet to be named.
St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ has installed a new minister. Rev. Earl Eckhart came to the church from Texas where he recently was employed in nursing home administration while he ministered to the elderly. Rev. Eckhart was ordained at his home church St. Mark’s United Church of Christ, New Albany, IN. Earl and his wife Janice have two sons, Andrew who is a student at Bradley University of Peoria, IL and Adam, a junior at Merrill Senior High School.