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Author: Steve Dillon

Lincoln County Health Department, Healthy Minds Coalition Look to Increase Awareness During Suicide Prevention Month

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – September is Suicide Prevention Month. The Lincoln County Health Department has joined with the Healthy Minds for Lincoln County Coalition to increase the public’s knowledge of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The County Health Department recently put out a release stating that efforts include developing a pool of resources to aid with increasing awareness surrounding the 988 line. Wallet card, magnets and posters will be distributed that are customized for Lincoln County.  An increased focus has been given to men in Lincoln County, as they are…

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Merrill Fire Department Honored as Gold Helmet Department

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Fire Department was honored this past week with a distinguished recognition from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, earning the title of a Gold Helmet Department. The NIOSH recognizes U.S. fired departments that enroll 50% of their active firefighters or more than 300 of their active firefighters in the National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer as a Gold Helmet Department. The Registry is the largest initiative aimed at understanding and reducing cancer among firefighters across the U.S. Gold Helmet Departments receive a certificate, web…

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Lincoln County Landfill to Close Tuesday Morning September 10, Re-Open Wednesday

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – Due to unforeseen necessary scale maintenance, the Lincoln County landfill will be closing on Tuesday September 10 at 8:30 AM. The landfill is also limited to only scaling loads under 60K lbs until the scale maintenance is completed. The landfill will be accepting refuse beginning at 7 AM on Tuesday, until the scheduled 8:30 am closing. Regular business hours will resume on Wednesday September 11 at 7:00 AM.

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Merrill Fire Department Awarded $50,000 from State Fire Dues Program

Steve Dillon

On Tuesday September 3rd, Merrill Fire Chief Josh Klug was presented with a ceremonial check for more than $50,000 from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary Dan Hereth and Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance Nathan Houdek. In recent years, the Merrill Fire Department has utilized its Fire Dues funding, in part, to establish and maintain a dedicated Fire Inspector position on staff. Chief Klug and Fire Inspector Joe Bozinski joined Mayor Steve Hass and City Administrator Rod Akey to accept the check. When asked about his experience in…

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Merrill Man Pleads Guilty to Reckless Homicide, Reaches Plea Deal

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – During a plea hearing in Lincoln County Court on Tuesday September 3rd, Tanner Graap of Merrill pleaded guilty to charges in connection with a fatal 2022 shooting. Graap, who was arrested in January of 2022 as a result of the shooting death of a 28-year-old Merrill woman, told investigators during initial questioning that the handgun went off accidentally and struck the victim in the back. Due to a felony conviction, Graap was prohibited from legally possessing a firearm. Court records show Graap pleaded guilty to an amended…

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Merrill Police Department Report Week Ending September 1

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Police Department responded to 15 incidents last week. There were 2 reports of disorderly conduct.  In one instance, a citizen flagged down a passing officer to report four juveniles had walked past his residence and one broke his porch door window by throwing a rock at it. One call was received for theft. Officers responded to three accidents, one of those on August 26 in a business parking lot where an unoccupied vehicle had been left in neutral and it rolled into another vehicle in the…

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Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Report Week Ending September 1

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 53 traffic stops last week.  There were 37 security checks. Deputies responded to 8 calls involving cars hitting deer. Deputies followed up on 11 calls for unsafe driving. On Sunday September 1, deputies were dispatched to US Hwy 51 and CTH V in the Town of Birch regarding a reckless driving complaint. The vehicle was located on and followed, and the deputy stated that the vehicle was being operated all over both N/B lanes of traffic. A traffic stop was completed, and it was noted…

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Merrill Fire Department Report Week Ending September 1

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Fire Department responded to 39 calls last week, bringing the total for 2024 to 1510 calls. There were 35 calls requesting EMS services. The department responded to a call regarding an accident on August 30 where a motorcycle struck a deer County Road G in the Town of Pine River, resulting in injuries to the 19 year old motorcyclist. He was transported to Aspirus Merrill Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

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Lincoln County Emergency Management Highlight’s “Start a Conversation” Theme During National Preparedness Month

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – During the month of September, Lincoln County Emergency Management will be communicating daily tips and sharing resources surrounding National Preparedness. September is National Preparedness month, and the Emergency Management team is highlighting the theme “Start a Conversation” to urge county residents to take the opportunity this month to discuss steps they’ve taken to prepare for potential disasters or emergencies. Whether developing an emergency plan, creating an emergency, or simply discussing how to stay informed, every conversation that we have is another building block in the effort to…

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Merrill Police Department Celebrates K9 Dasty’s Third Birthday with Grateful Hearts

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – Happy Birthday, Dasty! The Merrill Police Department celebrated their beloved K9 team member Dasty’s 3rd Birthday on Friday, August 30th. This year’s birthday celebration was a little more special for the department’s coverboy, as Dasty was officially declared free from blastomycosis earlier this summer. The department shared that back in May of 2024, Dasty deployed and successfully protected an officer who was engaged with a person that was actively resisting officers. Dasty joined the Merrill Police K9 team in October of 2022, training with Office Josh McCaskill.

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