Researched by Michael J. Caylor Jr.
7-26-78
The mystery surrounding the anchor tenants of the proposed Pine Ridge Mall started to unravel a little this past week as the three main anchors of the property were announced. Local realtor Pat Buckett confirmed the identity of the anchors as he works to get the city to annex and provide sewer and water to the property which now lies in the Town of Pine River. The first anchor will be part of the Snyder Drug Store chain; they estimate they will have an 8,000 square foot store in the complex. Roundy’s Pick and Save Markets, a Milwaukee based supermarket chain, would fill about 20,000 to 30,000 square feet, and Spurgeon’s Department Store would be the last anchor expecting to take up to 15,000 square feet and may include a beauty salon in the building. The developers say if the city does not annex the land and provide the sanitary and water needs they are prepared to provide their own wells and septic. Buckett said between seven and 10 other shops would be located in the building with each taking up around 1,000 square feet. One of the developers, Louis Zimmerman of Oconomowoc, spoke at a press briefing and stated that a shopping complex like the one that is being proposed does not mean the death of a downtown. Zimmerman said in some cases it improves local downtowns as consumers stop driving to other cities for their shopping needs realizing everything is available locally. (Spoiler alert, none of this happens for a long time and none of the stores mentioned about ever showed up)
Another development could be coming to Merrill whose tenants would be permanent. The Merrill Cemetery Association has commissioned a study to see if an above ground mausoleum would be a good fit for the hallowed grounds. The plans call for a chapel to be added along with room for additional mausoleums to be placed nearby.
Merrill Area Public Schools has hired a new Superintendent. Dr. Thomas Strick, Napoleon, OH has accepted the job after a special board of education meeting last night. The native of Kimberly, WI was selected on a 7-2 vote. His three year contract calls for a starting salary of $32,000 ($123,000 today) and increases of 5% and 6% during the three years. Strick replaced Dr. Robert McCardle who resigned last spring. Prior to coming to Merrill, Strick was the principal at Winneconne, Junior High principal at Oshkosh, Assistant Superintendent in charge of buildings in Milwaukee, and for the last five years he has served as Superintendent of the Napoleon school district. He is married and has four children.
The Special Committee on Juvenile Corrections held a public hearing at Lincoln Hills this past week and the results were no surprise, residents are scared and they are demanding the school do more for security. District Attorney Richard Olson was the first to give testimony to the group, he asked that the state remove maximum security students from the ground and return the school to its intended purpose as a medium security institution. State Representative Sheehan Donoghue told the group the state is now paying for its sins of the past by selling off property that once housed prisons and by failing to address the mental health issues of the youthful offenders. Merrill’s own Senator Clifford “Tiny” Krueger is vice-chair of the committee.
The Lincoln County 4-H Fair starts next Tuesday when the music of Head East and Black Oak Arkansas takes to the main stage, tickets are $6.50 in advance. On Wednesday the tractor pull will be the feature, then Thursday it’s straight from the Grand Ole Opry with the music of Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely, and on Friday the demo derbies will start at 8 p.m. Rides will be provided by Belle City Amusements.
7-27-88
Could the Pick and Save grocery store be looking to build in Merrill? Interest by the Milwaukee based company has increased now that the city has annexed land from the Town of Pine River to the east of Pine Ridge Ave. Besides the grocer it is possible a major drug chain may also be planning a store in this new area. (See the same from 1977, still no Pick n Save or Snyder drug)
In briefs: Frank Magnus is the new chair of the county board. He replaces longtime chair Neil LeMay who died last month at his Tomahawk home. Elroy Schmidt was acting chair but withdrew from the nomination process for the permanent chair. Linda Hodkiewicz has died, the young mother of three received a heart transplant June 14 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee. The family owns a dairy a farm in the Town of Schley where friends and family chipped in to help run the farm as husband Dan was at his wife’s bedside since her surgery. Dale “Beatle” Anderson, 24, has died of the injuries he received in a motorcycle accident. Anderson crashed his cycle Saturday evening in the Town of Pine River. The Rev. Dale Olson has resigned from the MAPS Board of Education. The pastor of Our Saviour’s Church in Merrill has accepted a calling to Bay View Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay. Sheriff Ronald Krueger has announced he will seek another term for sheriff. The 49-year-old Republican has held the office since 1975.
The Lincoln County 4-H Fair gets underway this upcoming Thursday. On Saturday night country music legend Mel Tillis will be in front of the grandstand and following his show a fireworks display will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the fair. Amusements will be provided by Belle City Amusements.
7-29-98
Lincoln County moved another step closer to building a new justice center with the final location yet to be determined. The County Board approved hiring Vierbicher Architects to design the jail portion of the facility which would eventually hold the sheriff’s office along with two court rooms, law library, Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds, District Attorney, Victim Witness Coordinator, Family Court Commissioner, and a jury room. The estimated cost of the project would be $13 million and would be completed by summer of 2001. County Finance Director Ruth Shock said the county is in good financial shape to borrow for the project at the current low interest rates.
Public outcry has begun over the city’s plans to create a “substantially similar” ordinance, this is an ordinance which requires siding, roofing and outbuildings such as garages to all have the same appearance as the home. Merrill Mayor Michael Caylor has asked the city to slow down the rush to pass ordinances. He told aldermen the trend over the last few years has been to run the legislation through and into the books only to find out it is unworkable or unwelcomed by the constituents.