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Year: 2025

LINCOLN COUNTY UA EXPRESSES SERIOUS CONCERNS REGARDING PROPOSED PINECREST SALE PROCESS

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – People for Lincoln County UA recently raised serious concerns in a letter to the County Board of Supervisors regarding the broker’s role in the proposed sale of Pine Crest Nursing Home. The letter states: “…we have grave concerns that Chapter 19 of the Wisconsin State Statutes, generally the open meetings laws but also including public records and ethical codes, have not been properly followed by Lincoln County’s County Board.” Additionally, the letter pointed out that “It was shocking to hear the video of a recent Portage County…

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ARSENIC TESTING KITS AVAILABLE THROUGH END OF APRIL

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – The Lincoln Heatlh Department is reminding residents that kits are available to test for Arsenic in Well Water. Kits can be purchased from the Health Department at 607 N Sales St from 8:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday. Those participating can then drop off their kits during the same days and times throughout the remainder of April. Private wells should be tested every 5 years, as exposure to high levels of arsenic comes with very serious health risks. 

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SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR MERRILL PARK AND REC SUMMER PLAYGROUND

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – Merrill Park and Recreation is reminding residents that there are still openings for their Summer Playground program. Registration can be completed online @ ci.merrill.wi.us under “Register for Activities”. The cost is $50 per week, however field trips are extra. Those with questions regarding the program should reach out to Park and Recreation at 715-536-7313.

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NEW BASEBALL EXHIBIT TO DEBUT SATURDAY AT MERRILL MUSEUM

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Museum and Historical Society will host the opening of it’s new baseball focused exhibit “Chatter from Left Field” on Saturday April 12th at 10:00 AM. Mayor Hass will throw the opening pitch. The event will include dice baseball competitions, interactive displays and fun games and prizes. The exhibit, which features Merrill’s former Lady Cardinal and Ranger baseball teams will remain on display for the next 2 years.

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ANNUAL YOUTH TURKEY HUNT TAKING PLACE TOMORROW AND SUNDAY

Steve Dillon

The 2025 youth turkey hunt takes place tomorrow, April 12th and Sunday the 13th. Kids under the age of 16 have the opportunity to gain valuable experience prior to the start of the regular season. Young hunters who wish to participate need a spring turkey license, wild turkey stamp and valid harvest authorization. All of these can be obtained through the DNR website or a licensed sales agent. There is a one male or bearded turkey bag limit for the youth hunt.

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MOCK TORNADO DRILLS SET TO TAKE PLACE ACROSS WISCONSIN THURSDAY

Steve Dillon

Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) are conducting a Statewide Tornado Drill at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Many local communities may test their warning sirens during the day as well. Wisconsin typically sees an average of 23 tornadoes annually, however in 2024 the National Weather Service reported 45 confirmed tornadoes across the state. Today’s Statewide Tornado Drill is a part of the annual Severe Weather Awareness Week Campaign, and is designed for businesses and families to review their readiness planes.

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CATASTROPHIC STORM GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR LAST WEEK’S URBAN STORM DAMAGE

Steve Dillon

Clean up efforts continue in many communities as a result of last week’s ice storms that blanketed Northern Wisconsin. The DNR has announced they will be providing Wisconsin Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants ranging from $4,000 to $50,000 with no recipient match required. Funding for the grants was made available as a result of the declaration of a state of emergency that was signed by Governor Evers and backed by local legislators. The grants are appropriated for tree repair, removal or replacement within urban areas in the declared region that experienced…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT WEEK ENDING APRIL 6

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Police Department responded to 11 incidents last week. There were four reports of theft, one where a girlfriend stole and crashed her boyfriend’s car resulting in her arrest for OWI. There were two instances of possession of illegal substances, one where a male driver from Merrill had run a stop sign and the officer found multiple opened cans of beer resulting a citation for OWI. A citation for possession of marijuana was also issued. There were three arrests from open warrants and probation holds. Two calls…

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LONG TIME MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT BATTALION CHIEF RETIRES

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – On Sunday April 6th, Merrill Fire Department Battalion Chief Jon Leiskau officially embarked on his retirement journey. Leiskau joined the department as Firefighter/EMT and upgraded to Paramedic in 2006. He was promoted to one of three Operational Battalion Cheifs in 2019. Leiskau was the shift commander of C Crew and the lead coordinator of the department’s Apparatus, Facility, and Equipment Maintenance Division. Throughout his career Leiskau completed numerous training courses and obtained a wide variety of state certifications and licenses. While working with the department, He has also…

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