Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr
7-28-76
It appears the city will not be closing Scott Street after all. The City Plan Commission met this past Monday to discuss closing the 100 block for parking for the planned senior citizen high rise which will be built upon the city owned parking lot next to the fire barn. Local business owners spoke of their displeasure over the closure of the street, but one man held the key to putting an immediate stop to the project, local business owner Dan Woller. Wisconsin State law dictates if an adjoining business/property owner opposes the close it is prohibited. Woller, who owns the building at 801 E. 1st St., told the City Plan committee he would file the necessary paperwork with the City Clerk to object to the move, effectively killing the proposed closure. The commission was informed that most likely property on the west side of the proposed high rise would be purchased to accommodate parking for residents.
The Lincoln County 4H Free Fair is all set to go at the fairgrounds starting next Tuesday. The fair will officially open at 5:30 p.m. next Tuesday and run through Friday night. On Wednesday the city band will play, and the Vintage Vignettes will present “Sodbuster Saga” in front of the grandstand. Thursday, direct from Nashville, it is Grand Ole’ Opry stars David Houston along with the fiddle music of Japan’s own Shoji Tabuchi headlining, and of course Friday the demolition derby will offer one thrill filled show starting at 8 p.m. Admission for the demos will be $2.50 for adults and $1 for children. Belle City Amusements will once again be providing the midway entertainment with the exciting new ride “the Cobra” being the centerpiece of their show.
How is that for neighbors? The men out on Route 6 kept their promise to widow Mrs. Otto Young this past week. The men had all promised Mrs. Young at her husband’s funeral a couple of weeks ago that they would bring in the 50 acres of hay on the family farm. Neighbors who turned out to help included: Walter Krause, Robert Bauman, Duane Krause, Russell Gaston, Harold Pophal, Ed Uttech, Kary Schmidt, Gerhardt Haig, Larry Krause, Alan Pophal, Steve Tiffany, Rev. Bob Wildeman, Otto Young Jr., and Brian and Scott Schmidt.
7-30-86
Way to go, Joe Harkner! The son of Joe Harkner and Linda Engman is being credited for saving the life of a Merrill boy. Harkner and eight-year-old Frank Reich were swimming in the small stream behind a neighbor’s home, but dangerous currents due to storms the night before sucked the young boy under the water leading Harkner to leap into action. The 13-year-old jumped into the swollen creek and grabbed hold of Reich and pulled him to safety.
It wasn’t in the sports section, but a small story on page 19 notes that Ron Lass has won the first annual yacht race on Knight Lake. Lass reportedly edged out Bob Mutz in the open class part of the competition for the victory. Lass stated in a phone interview that his past Coast Guard experience gave him the upper hand in the race. At press time Mutz was contesting the results based on possible illegal use of decorative flags on Lass’s craft. (I am guessing there is much more to this story)
The Lincoln County 4H Free Fair begins this evening at the fairgrounds. The fair runs through Sunday evening and will feature numerous community activities. On Thursday “Bad Boys” band will be rocking the grandstand, Friday the annual tractor pull will get under way at 7 p.m, On Saturday the All American Stunt Team and Auto Thrill Show will bring their amazing performers to the front of the grandstand, on Sunday the Hermann Royal Lipizzan Stallions will perform at 1 p.m. followed by the demo derbies at 8 p.m. Costs for the grandstand range from $2 to $4 for the demos. Belle City Amusements will be on the midway, wristbands on Sunday are only $5 for unlimited rides.
Sounds like a bunch of big names are coming to Irma as an ad on the entertainment page is promoting a ‘50s nostalgia concert being planned for the weekend of Aug. 16. Forrest Tucker, Billy Haley’s Comets, J.P. Morgan, and Tiny Tim will all be performing along with many other local favorite entertainers. A raffle will also be held with the grand prize being a 1957 Chevy Delray. Tickets are only $18 in advance, $23 at the door. (One of Forrest Tucker’s last performances, he was dead by October)
7-31-96
The ballot will be full this November as a host of candidates have declared for local offices. Incumbent County Clerk Marlene Fox has announced she will not be running for position after 12 years in the office and the last six as clerk. Robert Kunkel has announced his candidacy for the spot; Kunkel has 15 years of experience as an accountant and currently works as the accountant and manager of Merrill Fuel Mart. Ellen Marlowe has also declared for the Clerk’s job. She has vast experience in office management and leadership and managerial positions throughout her life. Bruce Severt of Merrill has also announced his intention to run for the Clerk’s job. He is a realtor at Lincoln Realty and is a former member of the board of education. Democrat Mike Gravely has announced he will take on embattled DA Jim Blask. Gravely is an assistant district attorney in the Marathon County DA’s office and lives in Merrill with his wife. Prior to working for Marathon County he spent four years in Kenosha County working as an assistant DA. (Gravely is the only person on the ballot for the Kenosha DA this November). Incumbent DA Jim Blask has announced he will seek a second term to that office. Blask reiterated his pledge of being an advocate for the victims of crime in his announcement. Interim Clerk of Court Cindy Kimmons will now seek that post permanently. Kimmons was appointed to the position after the resignation of Janet Beyer Thums who has endorsed Kimmons for the job. Challenging Kimmons is Christine Rozewicz (Ament-Tomaschefsky). Rosewicz has 25 years of experience in the legal field and is paralegal at a Wausau law firm. William Voigt of Tomahawk will seek the sheriff job on the democratic ticket. Voigt has been a deputy for 14 years and holds an associate degree in police science. Paul Proulx is running for sheriff on the Republican ticket. Proulx is a 26-year veteran of the force and is involved in the Concerned Parents and Citizens Committee focusing on Merrill Junior High School. Incumbent Sheriff Ronald W. Krueger has announced he will once again seek that office. Krueger recently returned to that position after defeating Harvey Woodward in 1994. Krueger has 27 years working for the county, 20 of those as sheriff.
Roger Breske has announced he will be seeking another term in the Wisconsin State Senate, Dave Zien a state Senator from the Town of Wheaton has announced he will challenge Dave Obey for the 7th congressional district seat. Tom Ourada of Antigo is seeking another term for the 35th Assembly seat, and Mike Barkley of Merrill has announced he will seek the same seat on the democratic ticket.