Fotos from the Past

11-1-72

With less than a week to go before the election the final push is on for votes. City wide polls will be open next Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Tomahawk and Merrill and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the townships. Pictures on the front page show both major political parties, Rep. Dave Obey seeking the Seventh Congressional seat on the Democratic ticket and Lawrence "Larry" Schield, Democratic for County Clerk attended a coffee hour given by Mrs. William Wulf at the Wulf home Monday. On the Republican side both local and area candidates attended a dinner at Trinity Lutheran School Sunday night. Pictured are Ronald Priebe, district attorney candidate, Sheehan Donoghue, 35th assembly candidate, and Rep. Alvin O'Konski, seven congressional district candidate.

Chief Plautz is commending the youth of Merrill after Halloween has come and gone and only one report of vandalism was received. The event took place at the Whispering Pines Trailer Court when someone slashed the roof of a convertible top. Minor egg throwing was also reported. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Department also reported a quiet holiday.

Despite a slow first half the Merrill Blue Jay Football Team did what no other school team has done; won seven games in a season when they defeated Wisconsin Rapids Friday night 37-14. The Jays were behind 14-13 at halftime but quick scoring plays by Phil English and Bob Grunenwald turned the tide of the game. Thirteen seniors will now bow out leaving Coach Ira Rebella some rebuilding to do for next year. Seniors on the team include Bob Odegard, Tom Schulz, Bob Grunenwald, Mark Lemmer, Basil Woller, Gary Baumann, Mark Bubolz, Brian Emanuel, Randy Rajek, Rick Semling, Scott Diagostine, Steve Dahm, and George Johnson.

11-3-82

The ballots have been counted and less than 200 votes mark the margin of victory for Republican State Representative Sheehan Donoghue over her Democratic opponent Frank Murphy. The lead between the two shifted throughout the night with Murphy winning Lincoln County by 30 votes; but Donoghue supporters in Langlade and Marathon County made the slim difference in the race giving the nod to the incumbent Donoghue. The only other locally contested race was for County Sheriff. Ron Krueger defeated Democrat Paul Proulx and independent Paul Garner to retain the post. Uncontested local races included Kenneth Oldenburg County Clerk; Florian Koehler Treasurer; Dr. James Janowiak Coroner; Christopher Coakley District Attorney; Warren Weckwerth Register of Deeds; and Janet Thums Clerk of Court.

In state elections, William Proxmire will return to the United States Senate after defeating Scott McCallum, and Dave Obey will return to the US Congress after defeating Republican Bernard Zimmerman. Lincoln County did not follow the popular vote, choosing Republican Terry Kohler for governor with Tony Earl winning the states popular vote. Voter turnout was strong in the City of Merrill with 66 percent turning out to cast a ballot.

The Milwaukee Road is close to completing its six million dollar project to rehabilitate the line from Brokaw to Tomahawk. Forty two miles of track are being rebuilt as the railroad looks to the future. 235 workers have been coming to the area since mid-June to work on upgrade. The workers have come from all over the state and have made a large impact on the local economy, according to manager Larry Carroll, who notes most live out of suitcases and return home only on weekends.

In sports news, the Merrill Blue Jay volleyball team is headed to the WIAA State Class A tournament with a win over Medford in sectional play on Saturday. The Blue Jays had an easy first round in the playoffs after SPASH was forced to forfeit after two violations of WIAA rules were alleged. The Merrill football team finished its least successful season in the last twenty five years after being defeated by D. C. Everest last Thursday. The Jay's went 0-9 on the season.

10-29-92

Local elections are less than a week away. No local race is more contested then the race for Sheriff. Republican Incumbent Sheriff Ron Krueger faces opposition from his former and current Chief Deputies. Harvey Woodward, the former Chief Deputy, is running as a democrat, while current Chief Deputy Bob Lee of Tomahawk is running as an independent. In remarks both challengers noted their desire to reduce overtime in the agency and the need to increase the local war on drugs. Another local election on the ballot is the race of DA. Incumbent DA Ken Johnson who was first appointed by Governor Tommy Thompson in 1989 will face off against Wausau attorney Paul Goetz.

In state elections Republican Tom Ourada, in his eighth year as 35th Assembly Representative, is being challenged by Christine Thomaschelfsky, a Merrill native and Democrat. In the 12th Senate District Democrat, Roger Breske of Eland and Bob Ourada of Antigo are fighting over terms limits, with Breske being against and Ourada in favor.

Briggs Bar in Three Lakes was the setting for the first annual Three Lakes Fall Tournament in mid-October and Merrill's Sports Bar team took home the winning trophy. Debbie Alvin, Candy Ostrowski and Brenda Zettler lost a third match to Geeo's of Eagle River but came through the losers bracket to avenge themselves against Geeo's for the win. In other local sports news four new inductees to the Merrill Bowling Hall of Fame were recognized Saturday at a banquet held at Kathy and Cal's Club 64. The new members include Joe Folta, Karen Ludvik, Les Sukow and the late Alice Proft.