Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr
10-27-76
A Merrill man remains in the Lincoln County Jail after a routine accident revealed the man was wanted on two counts of murder. The man was involved in the accident last week on State Rd 17, and when his name was ran through a computer later in the day it was learned he was wanted in Dallas, Texas on two counts of first degree murder. The man was later found at his Stuyvesant Street home and taken into custody. Lincoln County Judge Donald Schnabel set a $25,000 cash bond and held the man until November 3rd.
The Page Milk Plant will be filled with ghosts and goblins as the annual Jaycee haunted house opens its doors tomorrow evening. Owner George Page volunteered the use of the factory to the local club. Walt Wendland is the project manager; he stated it took about 120 man hours to construct the ghoulish scene on the first floor of the factory. The show is promised to be rated PG.
The November election will decide more than just the next occupant of the Oval Office. Two local contested races involve the office of the District Attorney and the County Clerk. DA Dennis Montabon resigned the post and now two Merrill attorneys seek to fill it. Richard Olson is a democrat and currently associated with the law firm of Russell & Olson. On the republican side Steven Seeger seeks the job; he is associated with the law firm of Nienow and Guenzl. The incumbent County Clerk is challenged as he seeks his fifth term in office. Alice Kruger, currently a sales manager for Quality Print in Merrill, is vying for the post on the democratic ticket.
The Merrill Blue Jay football team picked up its fifth win of the season by defeating the Rhinelander Hodags with a score of 6-0. Junior quarterback Eric Finanger scored the Jay’s lone touchdown on a yard run midway through the final period. The Jays now take on Wausau West Friday night at Thom Field. Coach Ira Rebella says that West’s 3-5 record is deceiving, citing their 22 points in offense in the first half of their game last week against the Tigers, a game in which the defense held Marshfield to only 8 yards on the ground all four periods.
10-29-86
Voters heading to the polls this next Tuesday will find numerous races on the ballot although most are at a state wide level. For the 35th Assembly seat Tom Ourada (R) will face off against Mark Voigt (D) and Labor-Farm party candidate Paul Gilk. United States Senator Robert Kasten is being challenged by Ed Garvey (D), and Congressman Dave Obey who has represented the 7th district in Washington for the last 17 years is being challenged by Kevin Hermening. Hermening is a newcomer to policis who was held hostage in Iran when the American Embassy was taken over while he served as a Marine there. In the governor’s race incumbent Governor Tony Earl became the 40th governor in 1982 in a landslide but now he is facing tough challenge from republican Tommy Thompson. Earl is an attorney by trade having served Wausau as city attorney and Marathon County as district attorney. He was elected to the assembly where he served as majority leader before heading off to lead the DNR. Thompson was first elected to the assembly in 1966, at the time one of the youngest legislatures to serve in Wisconsin history. In 1981 he was elected as the republican floor leader; his running mate is Scott McCallum. Sheriff Ron Krueger, Coroner James Janowiak, Register of Deeds Warren Weckwerth, County Treasurer Florian Koehler, Clerk of Court Janet Beyer-Thums, and County Clerk Elizabeth McHenry are all running unopposed as Republicans.
Is the strike at Northern Wire coming to an end? The union and company reps have set a November7th meeting date to sit back down at the bargaining table. Jack Meyer from Green Bay will serve as the federal mediator. Acting Chief of Police Dennis Hintze reports the picket lines are quiet with only three citations being issued this past week for alcohol related offenses, with all offenders being bystanders and not actual workers or strikers.
The word from Corning is they are ready to roll. The Corning Volunteer Fire Department’s 24 members have completed their initial training and they are ready to start serving the town as of January 1st. According to Chief Ed Dinges the members took the Firefighter 1 classes right at the Corning Town Hall thanks to NCTI. They hope to begin the future training soon. The department has an engine, a tank,er and an equipment van and should have 3400 gallons of water coming up the driveway if they are paged to an alarm. The volunteers range in age from 19 to 62 with the chief noting that not everyone will have a lead role in fire suppression as the fire ground requires a tremendous amount of support from a variety of positions. The fire department was formed in the wake of several fires in the township including a barn fire.
10-30-96
Voters will have much to choose from when they head to the polls next week. In the race for district attorney John Schellpfeffer is vying for the seat he was recently appointed to by Governor Tommy Thompson on a full time basis. He is being challenged by local attorney Mike Gravely. Cindy Kimmons, who was recently appointed to the office of Clerk of Court after the resignation of Janet Beyer-Thums, will face a challenger from Christine Rozewicz. Merrill resident Mike Barkely is challenging incumbent state assemblyman Tom Ourada for the 35th Assembly post. Sheriff’s Sgt. Paul Proulx will face off against Deputy William Voigt for the top job at the Sheriff’s Office. Incumbent Sheriff Ron Krueger is running as a write-in candidate after he was knocked off in the primary. Nancy Levanetz is challenging incumbent 12th District Senator Roger Breske. Letters to the editor and ads throughout the paper make it clear this is a very contested election.
Need extra cash for the holidays? The employment page is filled with ads: Fox Point as always is hiring sewing machine operators, Steve Latzig at Badger Evergreen is looking for people for all shifts and offers both inside and outside work, Hardees has an open cook position for both breakfast and night shift, Good Samaritan is looking for a housekeeper, Northern Wire is hiring both first and second shift, Sear’s in Wausau has sales jobs in every department. Burger King is announcing they are coming to Merrill and is hiring all positions, and you can drop off your application at the Chamber. River Valley Bank has a cleaning position, the Smith Center is looking for skate guards, The Arena Restaurant needs a cook, Hugo’s Pizza needs a baker, and the Pine Ridge Best Western has a full time third shift desk job opening.