The Merrill High School girls swim team competed at the WIAA Division II Sectionals at UW-Stevens Point on Saturday, posting their highest team score in decades and more than doubling last year’s score.

The team started off by cutting three seconds from their seed time in the 200 Medley relay, swam by Katie Myszka, Rylee Hoeppner, Aliyah Pillai and Kaylee King. In the 200 free, Merrill showed a strong presence with two swimmers in the top heat. Trinity Kanitz finished in third place, and set a new school record. Erin Kanitz missed her first turn but went back and then pushed hard to pull out a 10th place finish. Up next was Camryn Schulz who cut over six seconds and set a new school record in the 200 IM, making the podium in eighth place. Schulz then came back strong and cut two seconds in the 100 Free finishing 11th place overall. In the 500 Free the Kanitz cousins battled it out again with Erin taking fifth place in a personal best swim and Trinity taking third place and qualifying for the WIAA Division II State Meet. Trinity also set another school record with her personal best swim. In the 200 Free Relay, Erin, Camryn and Trinity joined together with Kaylee King to take 10th place, just missing the school record by 0.04 seconds. Then again Erin, Camryn and Trinity joined together this time with Aliyah Pillai to take eighth place and set a new school record in the 400 Free Relay.

All in all the Merrill team had 12 personal best swims in individual events, and four new school records in addition to their first swimmer qualifying for State in several years. The Division II state meet takes place in Madison at the University of Wisconsin’s natatorium on Friday, Nov. 10, swimming starts at 6:30 p.m.

The Merrill football team had 10 players selected to the Great Northern Conference All-Conference team, with three players getting honors on offense and defense. Pictured are the All-Conference winners from left to right in the back row: Jared Olhoff (2nd team WR, 2nd team DB), Rob Oestreich (2nd team OL), Isaac Meyer (2nd team OLB), Riley Young (Honorable Mention OL) and Josiah Nohr (Honorable Mention TE). The bottom row from left to right: Noah Bolling (Unanimous 1st team DL), Quinn Steckbauer (Honorable Mention DB), Adam Detert (Unanimous 1st team OL), Zach Mootz (1st team QB, Unanimous 1st team Punter) and Nevada Laabs (2nd team RB, 2nd team LB).

The Lincoln County Fair Association Annual Meeting will be held Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Park City Credit Union Community Room (use the back parking lot entrance).

Merrill football held their year end banquet Sunday night at St. Johns where many awards were given out including 30 varsity letters.

The Bluejays had 15 players earn their first varsity letter this year. To earn a Varsity Letter in football each player had to play in 14 or more of the 36 quarters played this season. The 15 first time Letterman include: Tyler Baade, Kade Bonnell, Kobe Blake, Connor Mootz, Holden Smith, Chase Bonnell, Dominic Leistikow, Jake Spoehr, James Pawlicki, Dawson Dengel, Bryce Dresen, Vaughn Albrecht, Luke Baker, Brant Raleigh, Jackson Vandervelde and Jacob Leopold (Manager). The returning Letterman include: Quinn Steckbauer, Kole Meyer, Zach Mootz, Rob Oestreich, Adam Detert, Nate Grefe, Isaac Meyer, Josiah Nohr, Noah Bolling, Jared Olhoff, Riley Young, Cade Rajek, Nevada Laabs and Hunter Hintz.

There were nine other individual awards given out at the banquet. The winners of each award include: Hill Award- Riley Young, Buck Award- Adam Detert, Lucas Anderson Award- Nevada Laabs, Silver “M” Offensive MVP- Zach Mootz, Silver “M” Defensive MVP- Noah Bolling, Booster Club Most Improved Offense- Tyler Baade, Booster Club Most Improved Defense- Brant Raleigh and Booster Club Special Teams P.O.Y.- Quinn Steckbauer.

The Bluejays finished their season with a regular season record of 3-5, good enough for the even seed in the playoffs where they lost in the first round to Rice Lake by a score of 35-7.

The Push-Up Challenge to raise money to fight human trafficking was held on Oct. 11 at Bible Presbyterian Church in Merrill. The evening was a great time of friendly competition and encouragement that raised $2,650 for Operation Underground Railroad. A total of 35 people from various local churches, both male and female up to 62 years of age participated. A total of 1,352 push-ups were completed! The most moving part was seeing the photo booth pictures. Everyone who came made a sign revealing why they came that night. Pictures were taken of all holding their signs.
Nationally over $750,000 was raised for this cause through Life Leadership.

Today, Reps. Adam Jarchow (R-Balsam Lake), Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma), Romaine Quinn (R-Rice Lake), and Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) circulated LRB 3737/1.

This bill would prohibit law enforcement from enforcing any federal or state laws related to managing the state’s wolf population. It also prohibits the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from using any funds for the purpose of managing wolves in Wisconsin.

“If Congress refuses to act – we will. It is clear that Congress will not be solving Wisconsin’s wolf issue anytime soon, therefore we must take matters into our own hands.” said Rep. Jarchow. “It is heartbreaking to hear about a farmer losing livestock or a family losing its pet to a pack of wolves. Thank you to my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate for standing with the citizens of Northern Wisconsin by joining me in attempting to solve this issue once and for all,” Jarchow continued.

Since the wolf has been put on the Endangered Species List, the increase in the number of wolves in this state has proven to be a nightmare for Northern Wisconsin, the legislators said. If the Legislature passes this bill, Congress will have no choice but to de-list the wolf in Wisconsin, just like it did for Idaho in 2011, they added. In 2011, Idaho Governor Butch Otter issued an executive order which would have had similar implications to this bill. Congress responded by de-listing the wolf in Idaho.

“During the Great Lakes Wolf Summit last fall, we heard dozens of people tell their stories about how the overpopulation of wolves has affected their lives. It is time for Wisconsin to once again manage our own wolf population and this bill will allow us to do just that,” said Senator Tiffany.

“I’m tired of telling constituents that there is nothing the state can do. There is, and this legislation is it. If the Federal government wants to enforce a ridiculous judicial ruling, let them pay for it themselves,” said Rep. Quinn.

Hunting season is upon us! Come join us to learn some tips to can and preserve your wild game and other meats with a free informational presentation on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the community room at T.B. Scott Free Library.

The library welcomes Jackie Carattini, family living agent with UW-Extension, who will teach attendees how to preserve wild game and other meats using a pressure canner and through other preservation methods, all of which will yield a tasty (and safe!) product.

On site testing of dial gauge canner lids will also be available at no cost. For more information, please contact T.B. Scott Free Library 715-536-7191 or online at www.tbscottlibrary.org.

Each year, the Merrill High School Choir Department hosts its Holiday Concert. As per tradition at this concert, singers from the community (and a few students) will make up a choir to sing some of Handel’s “Messiah.” This event is taking place again this year, and they are in need of your help. It does not matter if you have ever sung the Messiah before or if you sing it every other weekend, we want you.

There are scheduled rehearsals in the high school choir room (enter the high school through the courtyard and door #13, follow the sounds from there) to help brush up the piece before the performance. These rehearsals are not required, but recommended if you haven’t sung this piece before or it has been many years. These rehearsals will take place on Dec. 5, 7, 12 and 13 starting at 6 p.m. Music will be provided, so all you need to bring is yourself and your voice.

We will then have a dress rehearsal on Sunday, Dec. 17, in the high school auditorium at 10 a.m. with an orchestra and full accompaniment for final touch-ups. If you are interested in singing with us, please plan on attending this dress rehearsal.

The concert will take place on Monday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium, with the community choir singing in the second half of the performance.

Please consider joining us for this yearly tradition, whatever your ability level. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Josh Olson by phone (715-536-4594 ext. 18095) or by email (joshua.olson@maps.k12.wi.us).

T.B. Scott Free Library Adult Department announces the continuation of the Building Merrill Together Program Series with a dynamic community discussion to help cultivate business and civic leaders in our community. The discussion will be held Tuesday, Nov. 14, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the T. B. Scott Free Library Community Room.

A vibrant city needs to have plenty of leaders and citizens ready to make a difference. The challenge is how to attract, grow and retain talented leaders in both the work-place and the community at-large. A Round Table Community Discussion will address these issues by focusing on: important leadership skills, talents and personality traits that empower us to be the best leaders we can be; how citizens get inspired with community-based projects such as non-profit organizations, service clubs, and foundations; and business-based and community-based educational leadership development opportunities for Merrill citizens.

Expert leaders from the non-profit, manufacturing, corporate, educational, county board, and professional sectors of Merrill will address such questions as:
•What are the skills, talents and personality traits you have developed for leadership roles?
•What skills, talents, and personality traits have helped you the most?
•When hiring an employee, what skills, talents and personality traits are you looking for?
•How do good leaders know how to succeed and fail intelligently?
•How is civic leadership different from business leadership?
•How do we cultivate business and civic leaders in our community?

A free-flowing dialogue will give the audience an opportunity to address these questions from their own knowledge, expertise and life experience as well. In this way, the Round Table Discussion will be an open and spontaneous question and answer session that will garner insights into how we can cultivate business and civic leaders in our community.

Please join us in the Community Room at the T.B. Scott Free Library to become better informed and to share. The Building Merrill Together initiative, co-supported by T.B. Scott Free Library, the Interactivity Foundation (IF), and the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy & Service (WIPPS), aims to stir government, business, and the general public to positively change Merrill through information and discussion, and by creating an open and transparent environment for change.

Refreshments will be provided courtesy of The Checkered Churn and First Street Coffee Station. “Join a Community Discussion: Growing Leaders and Civic Engagement” is part of T.B. Scott Free Library’s Building Merrill Together Program series. Learn more about library activities and services on Facebook, call 715-536-7191 or visit us at www.tbscottlibrary.org.

If you love classic rock & roll performed the way it used to be back in the day, you don’t want to miss out on this fantastic opportunity to see three of the nation’s the top Elvis tribute artists right here in Merrill. On Saturday, Nov. 18, stars Dakota Pongratz, Perry Groves and Davis Beck will take you on a trip through Elvis’ memorable career including Elvis ‘56, The Movie Years, his ‘68 Comeback, and the 1970 Concert Years.

Tickets for the “I’ll Remember You” Tribute to Elvis are available for purchase at Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes, online at www.MerrillEvents.com, or call 715-615-2110. Door will open on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 5 p.m. and the show will run from 6-9 p.m. Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes is located at 1208 N. Center Ave. in Merrill.

HAVEN Bingo jackpot winner Patty Halbach was all smiles as she received a check for $3,272 from volunteer John Timm on Oct. 8.

HAVEN (Household Abuse Victims Emergency Network) holds bingo as an ongoing fundraiser every Sunday evening at Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes in Merrill. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and play begins at 7 p.m. with regular bingo games, followed by progressive bingo.

The proceeds help HAVEN provide advocacy, resources and shelter to those who experience the many forms of interpersonal abuse including domestic violence and sexual assault. For information or help call 715-536-1300 to speak with an advocate 24 hours.

Bea Lebal, president of the Merrill Historical Society, today announced that the 2017 Trivia Night winner was a team named “BANKING ON A WIN-chester,” sponsored by Lincoln Community Bank. The team won a hotly contested match of eight teams held Saturday night, Nov. 4, at the Merrill History and Culture Center.

The winning team, consisting of Andy Ament, Jan Ament, Dick Ruder, Betsy Wiesneski, Missy Waid and Paul Waid, narrowly edged out the “Knorthwoods Knowms” for the victory. The Gnomes also tied for the Best Team Costume title, but lost in a tie breaker to “River Rats” due to that team’s theme having more Merrill historical content.

Ryan Schwartzman was Triviamaster. Teams of six members consumed pizza from Salvo’s and beverages from the Beacon Bar, while answering eight rounds of questions on such topics as: Local History, We the People (Citizenship), Noise Pollution, Rock Solid, The Oscar Goes To, Nature Calls, Riddle Me This (Quotes), To Boldly Go (Inventors and Exploration), North & South.

Raffle prizes were provided by: Ye Olde Sweet Shoppe, Lake of Torches Resort Hotel, Weinbrenner Shoe Co., Merrill Golf Club, Kind Hearted Home Care, Wellness Center/Dr. Carri Kennedy, Merrill Publishing Associates, Rivers Edge Gifts, Merrill Parks & Recreation, Brickners’ Park City, NAPA Auto Parts, Loz Mezcales, Ace Hardware, Rich & Brenda Mamer, Courtside Furniture, Ryan Schwartzman, Cosmo Theater, The Beacon, and Vino Latte. Johnsons’ supplied the prizes for Best Team Costume.

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Winning Team - Banking on a Win-chester.

The winners will have bragging rights until next year’s Trivia Night the first Saturday in November, 2018.

Jeremy Ratliff
Reporter

It’s been over two years since a devastating arson fire completely destroyed the home and possessions of the family of Joe and Michelle Brown of Merrill. This afternoon, the Browns were joined by family and friends and members of local law enforcement, as the individual responsible for the devastation was sentenced to nearly 20 years of confinement in the Wisconsin Prison System; pleading guilty to Felony charges of Arson of Building without Owner’s Consent and Injury by Negligent Use/Weapon/Explosive
23-year old David Ostrowski of Merrill appeared Thursday in front of Marathon County Judge Lamont Jacobson in Lincoln County Circuit Court. In addition to 19 1/2 years of initial confinement, Ostrowski was sentenced to 14 years of extended supervision and ordered to pay $289,003 in restitution.
During emotional victim impact statements both Joe and Michelle explained to the court not only the impact of the devastating blaze which Ostrowski set, while they, their children and three of their children’s friends were asleep, but the devastating aftermath of emotional and financial hardship. While rendering his sentence, Jacobson agreed with the Brown’s desire and Lincoln County District Attorney Galen Bayne-Allison’s recommendation, for Ostrowski to be confined for an extended period of time.  Jacobson indicated Ostrowski is a threat to the community, and listed that principle as a key factor in his decision.

Watch as Marathon County Judge Lamont Jacobson renders his sentence:

Pine Crest Nursing Home held a Veteran’s Day ceremony on Thursday afternoon with the help of Merrill’s VFW Post 1638. Guest speaker was retired Army Colonel Paul Russell of Merrill. Also featured was a video prepared by third grade students at Jefferson Elementary School, the singing of patriotic songs and the recognition of Pine Crest residents who served in the military.

Pine Crest residents and VFW members join in singing “God Bless America.”

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Haven’t received your flu shot yet? It’s not too late. Lincoln County Health Department is continuing to offer Walk-In Wednesday Flu Shot Clinics through the end of November.

While seasonal flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time flu activity peaks in January or later. Lincoln County Health Department encourages residents to get their annual flu shot as it is the most effective way to protect yourself, your family and your community. “Stay healthy during the holiday season by getting your flu shot. It can take up to two weeks for the flu shot to take effect,” says Jennifer Johnson, Public Health Nurse for Lincoln County Health Department.

Stop by the Lincoln County Health Department on one of the dates below to get your flu shot. No appointment is necessary.
•Wednesday, Nov. 22, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
•Wednesday Nov. 29, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Flu shots are $36. Traditional Medicare, Advocare and Railroad Retirement are accepted. Please bring your insurance card. Unable to bill private insurance. Clinics will be offered while supplies last. For more information contact the Lincoln County Health Department at 715-536-0307.

For more information about Lincoln County Health Department’s programs and services, visit lincolncountyhealthdepartment.com or find us on Facebook. Lincoln County Health Department is always working for a safer and healthier Lincoln County.

November 6
2:56 a.m.- An officer on patrol located a female subject that had an active warrant for her arrest. The female subject was taken into custody on the active warrant and transported to the jail.
4:34 p.m.- Officers took a report of a vehicle that was stolen from a residence in the city. An attempt to locate was sent out to surrounding agencies and the vehicle was later located in the City of Wausau. Suspects have been identified and the investigation is ongoing.

November 7
10:08 a.m.- Officers were requested to the 1000 block of East First Street to take a male subject into custody for a probation violation. The male subject was taken into custody and transported to the jail.
4:20 p.m.- Officers were requested to the 1000 block of East First Street to take a male subject into custody for a probation violation. The male subject was taken into custody and transported to the jail.

November 9
8:36 a.m.- A caller reported her husband had shoved her following a verbal argument. He left the residence and returned a short time later and shoved her again. He fled prior to officers’ arrival. He was located a short time later and arrested for domestic disorderly conduct and two counts of felony bail jumping.
3:38 p.m.- A caller reported someone struck her vehicle while she was parked at work by backing into it. A crash report was completed.

Prairie River Middle School held its annual Veterans Day assembly Friday morning with involvement from local veterans groups including Mid Wisconsin AMVETS Post 2000, DAV Chapter 29 & Auxiliary, VFW Post 1638 & Auxiliary, National Association of Atomic Veterans, 32nd INF/Div. Assoc. and American Legion Post 46.

The PRMS 8th grade band and 7th/8th grade choir performed during the assembly. Guest speaker was retired Army Colonel Paul Russell.

Patriots Pen essay winners Olivia Troyer, Madison VanDerGeest and Evan Perry read their essays on what gifts American has given to their generation.

Also during the assembly, members of American Legion Post 46 presented a total $1,500 donation to PRMS technical education instructor Pete McConnell for the

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Freedom Pen project. PRMS student volunteers stay after school to make wooden pens that are given to each veteran on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight. The American Legion donation will go toward an additional lathe in the technical education department.

The Prairie River Middle School 8th grade band plays “Yankee Fanfare” while veterans proceed with the colors to open Friday morning’s assembly…