Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr.
6-18-74
City officials want to know who is lighting fires in the Sixth Ward and have offered a $250 cash reward in order to help solve the mystery. Mayor Ralph Voigt approved the reward money at the request of Fire Chief Ray Priebe whose department battled a fire on Friday at the Donald Radke store and apartment building located at 104 S. Foster St. This is one of about a dozen fires of a suspicious nature that have occurred in the Sixth Ward since April. Chief Priebe requests all leads be given to the Merrill Police Department as they are responsible for the investigation into the fires. (That is quite a bit of money for back then, almost $1,200 in today’s money)
Wet weather is keeping a damper on some outdoor activities. In the last five days, 3.56 inches of rain have fallen according to reports from the Sixth Ward Fire Barn. Saturday alone saw 1.17 inches in a 24 hour period. More rain is predicted for tonight and Thursday. The rain caused the annual Knotty Pine Slo Pitch Tournament to be postponed. When action was called off on Sunday, Club 107 and Mid City Tap were undefeated going into the final round. In other city sport news, Jerry and Diann’s Bar took first place in the city pool tournament. Members of the winning team are pictured on page 15, they include: Barb Schmitz, Kathy Woller, Karen Roeder, Barb Raasch, Linda Oestreich, Carol Woller, and Sandy Schmitz along with sponsors Jerry and Diann Decker.
Workers from George Hougard and Son’s Construction Company of Green Bay (the same company who built Lambeau Field) are busy working in the Town of Rock Falls this summer replacing the tubes at Grandfather Falls Dam. The entire length of 1,320 feet of redwood tubes, which have been used at the hydro plant since 1938, are being replaced. The tubes carry on average of 1,800 cubic feet of water per second. The project, which also includes the replacement of the cradles on which the tubes sit, will cost Wisconsin Public Service an estimated $1 million dollars. The project should be completed by November. Wilburn Perry of Merrill is pictured removing large steel bands from the now empty cradles.
Les and Jim’s Lincoln Lanes will be the destination for entertainment this week as the “King of the Twist” comes to town. Chubby Checker will put on a show tomorrow night at the bowling alley. Showtime is at 9 p.m. and admission is $4.25.
6-19-85
Members of the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors are still caught up in a battle with Lunda Construction Company, and it appears the case might be headed to court. A month ago the board voted to offer Lunda $330,000 to settle the contract for work that was performed on the Prairie Dells Dam. The figure was based on a finding by the engineering consultant hired by the county to oversee the project. Lunda claims the county owes them $423,000 and has rejected the county’s offer to settle. County attorney Michael Ravn noted he does not have the time to defend the county in the potential law suit that will follow and urged them to seek outside legal help, something the board appears to be prepared for as they set aside $5,000 for potential legal fees in the battle.
The board did authorize the go ahead to make the courthouse handicapped accessible. The board approved $100,000 to install an elevator and an additional $16,000 to remodel bathrooms. A ramp to the north door, an automatic door opener, and a fire detection system round out the list of improvements estimated to cost an additional $14,500. The board did strike out a burglar detection system calling the additional $5,000, a luxury they could not afford.
6-14-95
The Lincoln County Highway Department is announcing County Rd. H will be closed for the summer, one of many changes motorists will see as the new four lane section of US Hwy. 51 is built. County Rd. H will be closed between County Rd. K (Pier Street) and US Hwy. 51 (County Rd. K) while a major phase of the project is completed. Motorists will also find that Olivotte Lake Road and Schulz Spur Road will permanently dead end at the new expressway. It is hoped that paving of the new highway will begin in 1996.
Father’s Day is this Sunday and many of the businesses on the Entertainment page are offering deals. Mulligans has a buffet for $6.95, Back to Eden has a ham dinner for $5.95, Harry-O’s has the music of Long Shot and Broken Arrow, Pine Ridge Restaurant will give you a free scoop of ice cream to top any piece of pie purchased, Diamond Dave’s has a porterhouse steak dinner for $12.95 and will give any dad who partakes a coupon for a free steak dinner for his next trip. Gleason will be busy this weekend as Heritage Days are held at Lions Park. The Central Wisconsin Polka Fest will be held at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds beginning on Friday. The Cosmo Theatre is showing “Batman Forever” in Cosmo One and “Congo” in Cosmo Two. Ed and Sharon’s Restaurant in downtown Corning is open this weekend and tells of their new sandwich, the Billy Burger. (A big fan of the 39th President, Ed named the burger after his brother Billy Carter as he reminded him so much of his own sons)
Drew’s Piggly Wiggly is inviting the public to the grand opening of their newly renovated and enlarged west side location. Some of the specials you will find include: free carnations all morning for the ladies, a cookout with $1 brats and Pepsi products, along with free coffee, doughnuts, and pizza. The grand prize for the event will be family vacation trips along with TV’s and other prizes.