4-25-73
“Give A Day for Wisconsin” is set to get underway in Merrill this Saturday. Mayor Ralph Voigt and his Environmental Advisory Board have taken pledges from volunteers who are going to be out in force to clean up Merrill. Ron Henrichs of the Merrill Chamber explains everyone should pitch in to pick up the layer of litter in their neighborhoods. Besides cleaning up litter, the parks are getting a spruce up. Volunteers are painting dugouts, cleaning up Council Grounds, the fairgrounds, Jack Pines, and the industrial park. Volunteers from Russ’s Bar are going to paint the dugouts at Athletic Park and girl scouts will paint the foot bridges at Stange’s Park. The girls got a head start this week by painting the large white letters for Stange’s Park. The troop was led by Mrs. Donald Trantow and Mrs. Lawrence Ludvik.
Five Merrill High School boys and one girl have been selected to attend Badger State in June; Dave Hinke, Merlin Haehlke, Tom English, Jim Kries, and Todd King will be sponsored by Edward Burns Legion Post 46, the American Legion, Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, and the Knights of Columbus. The event will be held at Ripon College. Kathy Perkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Perkins, will be heading to Madison to join the Girls Badger State. She is sponsored by Edward Burns Post 46 Auxiliary.
Penny Proft, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Proft, was the big winner in a recent contest held at McLellan’s Department store in Merrill. Eleven year old Penny donated her prize, a four foot tall bunny rabbit, to the pediatric ward at Holy Cross Hospital.
4-27-83
Lawrence “Bud” Ament, president of Ament and Sons Inc., a local beer distributer died this past Friday morning. Ament, 62, of Edward’s Dr, was northbound on County Rd E when his 1979 Ford Bronco crossed the centerline, went into the ditch, and flipped onto its top. The Sheriff’s Office was notified of the accident at 12:58 AM. Ament was pronounced dead upon arrival at Holy Cross Hospital. His wife was a passenger but was not injured in the incident. The Lincoln County Coroner advised Ament died of a heart attack not from injuries received in the crash. Funeral services were held Monday morning from Wistein Funeral Home and St. Francis Catholic Church. Shortly before 10:00 PM last night Alfred Mussell, age 52 of Merrill, died after his vehicle left the roadway and overturned north of Merrill. The Coroner is also exploring if a medical condition caused Mussell’s vehicle to leave the roadway.
Despite strong individual efforts, the Merrill Track and Field team lost to Wausau West last week. John Gerritts won the 1600 and 3200 meter race; Chad Sladek triple jump; Al Wardell shot put; Gordy Ess pole vault; Tom Weber long jump, John Slewitzke 800 meter run; and the 3200 relay team of Mark Slewitzke, Jim Badeau, John Hass and John Slewitzke. The girls track team fared better at Medford winning the six team invitational yesterday. Kay Sturm and Lisa Kraft were 1 and 2 in the high jump; Lisa Bonnell and Tarry Meyer won the shot and discus; Tammi Rebella was a double winner in the long jump and triple jump; Tammy Oestreich took third in the same events. The baseball team got outstanding pitching from Kevin Golisch and solid hitting from Rob Simon as they defeated Antigo 8-4 yesterday.
Local businesses advertising this week with specials include: Helmstadter’s Jewelers who are celebrating their 27th anniversary. Engagement sets are between 25% and 40% off, wedding bands are up to 50% off and 14K selected jewelry is 25% to 40% off. Fowler Drug Store is featuring a Timex Sinclair 1000 home computer for $54 after mail-in rebate. And 3rd Street Liquor Store is going out of business and is encouraging customers to stop by for reduced prices while supplies last.
4-21-93
In an effort to recoup overdue bills related to the former Merrill landfill, the city has refused to allow six rural townships access to the city wastewater treatment plant. The city council first decided in January to ban the towns of Birch, Corning, Town of Merrill, Pine River, Rock Falls and Scott, but Lincoln County Judge J. Michael Nolan issued an injunction until April 15. Now the city has once again voted to prevent the towns from dumping at the city plant. The dispute is over the $2 million in expenses the city incurred when they closed the former landfill. The City of Tomahawk and towns of Bradley, Harding, Harrison, King, Tomahawk, and Wilson all paid their bills but the others have refused. The expenses range from $13,500 for Rock Falls to $75,400 for the Town of Merrill. City Attorney Jim Godlewski points out the exact cause of the landfill closing is not known as the city deals with claims from nearby landowners who are suing over well water contamination. If the matter is not resolved, the EPA could be brought in and the landfill area would be declared a superfund site which will lead to property owners being billed for the expense of cleanup.
Officer Mark Smith is reminding residents it’s time for spring cleanup in the City of Merrill. Last year, the city contacted 287 residents who had junk cars or other unsightly debris in their yards in an effort to get the properties in compliance. If the property is not properly cleaned, the landowner can be fined $63 a day before the city will eventually clean the land up at the expense of the owner.
The MHS Junior Prom is this weekend, Mark Bares and Suzy Beckman will represent their class as King and Queen. The theme of this year’s event is “Open Arms.” Music will be provided by the band Rock Island.