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Month: February 2025

LINCOLN COUNTY BOARD APPROVES GRANT APPLICATION FROM BERTRAM COMMUNICATION

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – As part of a continuous initiative to expand broadband access for more businesses and residents throughout the Northwoods, Lincoln County has approved a grant application from Bertram Communication during the County Board Meeting on Monday, Feb 17th. The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment grant program provides Internet Service Providers with grants to bring broadband to rural areas. A brief overview was shared by Supervisor Ken Wickham to the full board ahead of their vote. Wickham highlighted there are approximately 3,000 locations across the county that qualify for the…

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LINCOLN COUNTY TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE REVIEWS 2024 Q4 INFORMATION AT QUARTERLY MEETING

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – The Lincoln County Traffic Safety Committee met on Tuesday, February 18th at the County Service Center. Merrill Police Chief Corey Bennett noted that there were 8 injury crashes in the 4th quarter of 2024. Lincoln County Sheriff Department Chief Deputy Tyler Iverson noted one accident involving fatalities on STH 17 in October and mentioned car vs deer crashes decreased in the 4th quarter. On the state level, committee member Todd Rasmussen shared that while there was an increase in fatal crashes statewide, Lincoln County crashes actually decreased.…

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MINOCQUA MAN ARRESTED FOR SECOND OFFENSE OWI, OPEN INTOXICANTS DURING TRAFFIC STOP

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – On Friday February 14th, a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy followed up on a complaint of a vehicle traveling N/B on USH 51 from the Wausau area that was weaving across the center lane and did not have working taillights. The deputy located the suspect vehicle exhibiting similar behavior near the 225 MM and completed a traffic stop to investigate. The 71-yr-old male driver from Minocqua was exhibiting signs of impairment. The driver agreed to perform sobriety tests, and as a result of those tests he was placed…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 16

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Police Department responded to 12 incidents last week, including three reports of theft and one report of fraud. There were two reports of property damage, one of those where a motorist struck a street sign. There were three reports of public disturbance and disorderly conduct. Officers took a man into custody on behalf of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Probation and Parole on a probation hold and later transported him to the county jail. Officers assisted the Merrill Fire Department with a structure fire on Thursday, February…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WARNS RESIDENTS OF BAIL MONEY SCAM

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents to a scam that has recently resurfaced in neighboring counties. Potential victims will receive a call from a scammer stating that a loved one is in jail and is needing bail money. The caller typically will claim the loved one is in critical condition and will send a courier to collect the money in person. The courier then moves on to another community to avoid apprehension. The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone receiving such a call to contact their loved…

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FIRE IN TOWN OF MERRILL DESTROYS GARAGE, HOME SPARED AMIDST DIFFICULTIES

Steve Dillon

TOWN OF MERRILL – Shortly after 5:15 PM on Thursday, February 13th, The Merrill Fire Department was dispatched to 606 Cottage St for a detached garage fire in close proximity to the home. Engine-61 responded with only two personnel, as the remaining three on-duty staff were transporting a recently revived patient to Wausau Hospital. Upon arrival firefighters found heavy smoke and fire coming from behind the house in the detached garage. Law enforcement officers assisted with deployment of hose lines in an attempt to prevent the fire spreading to the…

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LISO CORRECTIONS OFFICER COMPLETES JAIL ACADEMY TRAINING

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has announced that Corrections Officer Jorge Pacheco has successfully completed the 200-hr Jail Academy at Nicolet College. Jorge joined the Sheriff’s Office in May of 2024, and since then has dedicated himself to putting in the hard work to achieve this mark. His commitment to the citizens of Lincoln County is not only commendable, but is crucial for ensuring safe and effective operations within the jail.

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WISCONSIN SCHOOL BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK FEBRUARY 10-14

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – This week is Wisconsin School Bus Driver Appreciation Week, and Merrill Area Public Schools and the City of Merrill is reminding residents to thank our drivers for their dedication, kindness and commitment to keeping students safe on their journeys to and from school. The Bus Driving force is an essential part of the MAPS family, going the extra mile as they do their job every day, literally and figuratively. Be sure to give our drivers a wave of appreciation when you see them driving around town this week.

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MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 9

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Fire Department responded to 42 calls last week, bringing the total for 2025 to 288 calls. There were two motor vehicle accidents with injuries, and 32 calls requesting EMS services excluding the two motor vehicle accidents. There were two recreational vehicle fires, one passenger vehicle fire and one building fire on Monday February 3rd all on River Rd in the Town of Merrill. No injuries were reported from this event, however the vehicles were a total loss.

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Lincoln County Man Dies After Being Hit by Vehicle

Steve Dillon

TOWN OF MERRILL – A Lincoln County man is dead after being hit by a vehicle on State Road 107, west of Merrill. Lincoln County Dispatch Center got a report of the incident at 8:47 p.m. last night, Monday February 10th. First responders attempted to save the victim, but the pedestrian, a 30-year-old Merrill man died from his injuries. State Road 107 was closed for about 5 hours while the crash was investigated. The Lincoln County Coroner’s Office, Merrill Police and Fire Departments, Wisconsin State Patrol and Lightning Towing assisted…

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