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Merrill man, 69, killed in Grand Ave. pedestrian crash

A 69-year-old Merrill man died after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Grand Ave. and N. Genesee St. on Sunday night, Sept. 27, 2026, according to a media release from the Merrill …
A wine tasting event is a wonderful opportunity for couples or a group of friends.

Merrill uncorks its first Sip & Stroll wine walk

As the leaves across northcentral Wisconsin turn shades of red, orange, yellow, gold, rust, and umber, the city of Merrill is preparing for its first Sip & Stroll wine walk, a full afternoon of …

Steven Edward Strom

Steven Edward Strom was born on September 26, 1957, to Bernard Russell Strom and Kathleen Anne Kennedy. He was taken too soon from this world and went home to God, joining loved ones who had gone …

Merrill Foto News 10.01.2026

Ronald Felix

Ronald Felix, 89, of Gleason (Town of Birch), Wisconsin, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield. Ron was born February 12, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to …
Business

What to know before harvesting timber this fall

Landowners planning to harvest timber on their property this fall are reminded that Wisconsin law requires filing a County Notice of Intent to Cut before any cutting begins, according to the Lincoln …

A labor of love: Hillview Farms Wedding Barn

Hillview Farms Wedding Barn is not just a gorgeous rustic venue. It is a true labor of love, developed and refined by a couple with a vision for a family-run venue to create beautiful moments and …

Fall Night Market

Sunset Hollow Wine Bistro & Gifts held its Fall Night Market on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, inviting area residents to celebrate the advent of autumn “with an evening of shopping, sipping, and …

From blooms to squeaky curds — Kindhearted Floral has expanded

Kindhearted Floral & Custom Creations on S. Mill St. in downtown Merrill continues to expand its line of offerings to meet requests from community members who shop there. But now they’ve got …
Schools

Campus News

Area students named to spring 2026 Dean’s List at UW-River Falls The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has released its spring semester Dean’s List, honoring 1,497 students. To be named to …

MAPS accepts August donations

The following donations were approved and/or accepted at the Aug. 19, 2026, Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) Board of Education meeting: A monetary gift from Kent & Sue Johnson valued at $100 …

Back-to-school safety reminders

Students in Merrill went back to school this week, and most school districts in the state have already started or will soon begin classes. That means an increase in pedestrian traffic as children …

DATCP: Shop smart, avoid back-to-school season scams

The back-to-school season is a busy time of year for both students and guardians. Consumers of all ages will be searching for the best deals on the supplies and products they need, and for scammers, …
Health
September Law of the Month: Child passenger safety
Babies should ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are 1 year old and weigh 20 pounds, in the back seat if the vehicle has one.

Parents and caregivers: ensure children are buckled into the correct seat

Children are best protected in a vehicle when they are correctly buckled into the correct seat for their age and size. The Wisconsin State Patrol’s September Law of the Month reminds parents and …

Aspirus Merrill Hospital earns national recognition for stroke care

BY TINA L. SCOTT EDITOR Aspirus Merrill Hospital received a Stroke Silver Plus award and a Rural Stroke Silver award in July from the American Heart Association’s Get With The …

Aspirus: how three weekly family meals can lead to healthier kids, adults

Aspirus Health recently shared information on how regular family meals can positively impact the health of both kids and adults. “Between school, sports, work, and after-school activities, finding …

With new school year approaching, Aspirus shares sleep tips for children

With the start of the new school year approaching, Aspirus Health recently shared tips to ensure children get enough sleep. “As families prepare for another school year, school supply lists, open …
Courts
Some of the items to be sold at public auction.

Pophal’s forfeited assets headed to public auction

Assets seized from a former Hamburg resident convicted of running a multimillion-dollar investment fraud scheme will be sold at online public auctions beginning July 28, 2026, U.S. Attorney Chadwick …

White faces upgraded charge of attempted first-degree intentional homicide

An Amended Criminal Complaint filed April 23, 2026, in Lincoln County Circuit Court has upgraded the charges against Julia L. White, 43, of Merrill, in connection with the March 27 stabbing of a male …

Former Merrill woman charged with homicide, child neglect in death of 5-year-old daughter

Katelyn M. Nardi, age 27, formerly of Merrill and now listing a Tomahawk address, was charged in Lincoln County Circuit Court on March 23, 2026, with two felony counts in connection with the Oct. 22, …
Community & Human Interest
When this food waste breaks down in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Households contribute heavily to this, with food waste making up 30% of residential trash.

DNR encourages residents to reduce food waste

In a recent release, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encouraged residents to celebrate Food Waste Prevention Week, Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026, by using simple tips to keep food waste …

Ron Kautz: A man with a heart for Labor Day

Who doesn’t love a parade? Ron Kautz of Merrill certainly does, and for six decades, he has been the steady hand guiding one of the community’s most cherished traditions: the annual Merrill Labor …

Suicide prevention vigil and walk event draws about 30 to Memorial Park in Athens

About 30 people gathered at Memorial Park in Athens on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, for a candlelight vigil and walk aimed at raising awareness of suicide, how it impacts communities nationwide, and how …
Opinion and Editorial
We welcome letters on local issues. National topics may be referenced only if they have direct local impact. Letters must include the writer’s name, address, phone, and email; only the name and …
Dear Reader, I’ve been thinking lately about how we relate to one another—really connect—and what makes some relationships flourish while others never quite take root. It starts …
Dear Reader, I have come to believe the world was never meant to be the Garden of Eden. It was meant to be a playground. Eden, as the story goes, was a finished place. Everything was …
Obituaries
Linda Marie Pierce
Linda Marie Pierce
Linda Marie (Barney) Pierce, 75, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Murrayville, Illinois. She was born December 6, 1950, in Merrill, Wisconsin, to David Barney and Grace (Hanson) …
Patricia “Patti” K. Ricci
Patricia “Patti” K. Ricci
Patricia “Patti” K. Ricci, age 78, of Irma, WI, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026. Patti was born in Rhinelander, WI, on March 31, 1948, to the late Clarence and Rosella (Therber) …
Faye E. Marsceau
With heavy hearts and loved ones by her side, Faye E. Marsceau, 95, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. Faye was born at home on March 28, 1931, to Harold W. and Ellen M. (Engstrom) …
Robert Casper
Robert “Bob” Casper, 98, passed away peacefully and comfortably in Merrill, Wisconsin, on October 1, 2026. Bob was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. …
Ronald Felix
Ronald Felix, 89, of Gleason (Town of Birch), Wisconsin, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield. Ron was born February 12, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to …
Sports

Merrill Varsity Football shuts out Mosinee, 13-0, in home conference win

The Merrill Varsity Bluejays snapped a nine-year losing streak to Mosinee with a 13-0 shutout win Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at Jay Stadium in Merrill. The win also came on Senior Night for the …

Bluejays fall to Medford 36-0, look to rebound against Mosinee

The Merrill Varsity Boys Football Team dropped a 36-0 decision to Medford on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Medford Area Senior High School’s Raider Field. “Medford was a very physical football …
2026 Merrill High School Varsity Cross Country Team. Front L to R: Caylinn Van Der Nest, Madlyn Hunter, Natalia Woller,  and Amelia Weberpal. Middle L to R: Charlotte Van Der Nest, Olivia Smith, Rebekah Hagemeister, Evelyn Hagemeister, and Bryanna Doerr. Back L to R : Kayla Klimek, Jameson Morgan, Emmett Johnson, Preston Schmidt, Ben Hanson, Kane Hanson, and Siobhan Schuetze. Missing from photo: Sophia Wendt..

Cross Country 2026 correction

Editor’s Note: The information included in last week’s special Fall Sports Profile section for Merrill High School Cross Country was inadvertently a repeat of the 2025 Cross Country Team …
Deylah Schulz.

Merrill Swim Team is off with a splash

Packers/NEA Telephoto image Blue Sky Photography/Peter Tesch …
Peter and Siobahn Schuetze of Merrill (Beauty and the Beast) were the champion Relay Team in the event.

Local athletes shine at Black Squirrel Scurry Triathlon

Athletes from Merrill and across the country converged on the Merrill area Saturday, July 25, for the Black Squirrel Scurry Triathlon, a paddling triathlon included paddling the Prairie River, biking …

Fritsch: Good clean play

The Oshkosh All-Stars were an American professional basketball team based in Oshkosh, that played from 1929 to 1949. Fritsch is pictured in the front row, second from left in 1946-47.

That winter, Ted played guard for the Oshkosh All-Stars. The Oshkosh All-Stars were an American professional basketball team based in Oshkosh that played from 1929 to 1949. They became a …

Fritsch: From gridiron to diamond

Ted Fritsch in 1942.

Continued from previous week Ted Fritsch finished his rookie season with the Green Bay Packers as the lead rusher with 323 yards, ahead of Tony Canadeo, who had 272. He was also fifth in …

Fritsch: A backfield coach’s tip

Fritsch

Continued from previous week In January of 1942, Green Bay Packers Coach Curly Lambeau took a trip to Chicago, where he met with Elmer Layden, National Football League commissioner at the time. …

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