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Author: Steve Dillon

Merrill Chamber Sponsors A.I. Workshop at Northcentral Technical College Merrill Campus

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – On Friday August 16, the Merrill Chamber of Commerce sponsored the first of three sessions geared towards introducing local businesses to Generative AI for Business Enhancement, helping them understand how to leverage these technologies to improve efficiency and decision making in their respective markets, fields and industries. The Artificial Intelligence Series kicked off at the Northcentral Technical College Public Safety Center of Excellence, located on Champagne St in Merrill. Northcentral Tech Instructor Josh Stutting led the unique training and information session. When asked where he sees A.I. trending…

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August 6 Informational Hearing Includes Testimonies Surrounding June 24 Death of Slain Lincoln Hills Counselor

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – An Informational Hearing of the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety convened on Tuesday August 6, 2024 at Merrill High School. The hearing ran seven and a half hours uninterrupted until all testimonies were heard. The focus of the Committee was the recent death of Corey Proulx who died on June 24 following an attack by a youth inmate at the Lincoln Hills School. The committee requested testimony from Wisconsin DOC Secretary Jared Hoy and other members of the DOC Team including current and former DOC staff…

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MAPS Announces Registration Now Open for High School and Middle School Sports

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – Summer is quickly coming to an end, and Merrill Area Public Schools has announced that registration for High School and Middle School sports is now open. Parents and Students can complete the signup process through Skyward. High School Cross Country, Soccer and Volleyball practices begin on Monday August 19th. The first Varsity Football game is August 29th. The first Middle School Soccer game is September 9th. More information regarding Merrill Area Public Schools athletics can be found on their website at mapsedu.org.

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Lincoln County Forestry, Land and Parks Committee August 12 Meeting Notes

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – The Lincoln County Forestry, Land and Parks Committee met on Monday August 12 at the Lincoln County Service Center. There were discussions during the meeting regarding the DNR’s position on the Coffee Creek Flowage. DNR Wildlife Biologist Carissa Knab informed the committee that the DNR has evaluated and decided to phase out low priority wildlife flowages over the next several years. The Coffee Creek flowage is considered low priority, and as such will be decommissioned barring Lincoln County or another responsible third party taking over maintenance and…

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Baldwin Visits Merrill Dairy Farm As a Part of 2024 Family Farm Tour

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – Local residents gathered at Breitenmoser Family Farms of Merrill on Wednesday, August 14, joining US State Senator Tammy Baldwin as a part of her Rural Leaders for Tammy coalition launch and Family Farm Tour. Baldwin began the visit by touring the property with owner Hans Brietenmoser while they discussed the current state of farming in rural Wisconsin. She then spoke to all who were in attendance, at one point sharing that one of the things that she has heard about during the most challenging of times especially with…

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Tuesday August 13 Primary Results Yield Few Surprises

Steve Dillon

Results from Tuesday’s Wisconsin Fall Primary were not all that surprising for residents of the Northwoods.  Democrat Kyle Kilbourn will oppose Congressman Tom Tiffany for the 7th District House race in November, after defeating Elsa Duranceau in the Democratic primary, receiving 58% of the 56,000 votes cast. 35th Assemblyman Calvin Callahan easily defeated challenger Todd Mayer in the Republican race, garnering 85% of the vote. He will oppose Democrat Elizabeth McCrank, who ran uncontested on the Democrat Ticket. Republican incumbent Mary Felzkowski and her challenger on the Democratic side Andi…

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Merrill Police Department Report: Week Ending August 11

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Police Department responded to 13 incidents last week. There were five calls for disorderly conduct, and one call for public drunkenness where a man who was found passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle was found to be heavily intoxicated and was placed under arrest for OWI.   There were three reports of theft, one where a caller reported his son had stolen his vehicle. Officers responded to one report where man with a warrant through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections was present. The individual jumped…

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Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Report: Week Ending August 11

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 31 traffic stops last week.  There were 15 security checks. Deputies responded to 11 calls involving cars hitting deer. There was also 1 report of a car hitting a bear. Deputies followed up on 11 calls for unsafe driving. On Thursday August 6 deputies were sent to an address on Joe Snow Rd in the Town of Scott to follow up on a report that a juvenile was out of control and causing damage to his house. The parent of the juvenile reported…

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Merrill High School To Hold Open House On August 28

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – Back to School Vibes are in the air in Merrill! In the Fall 2024 Special Edition of the Blue Jay Beat, Merrill High School announced that they will hold an Open House on Wednesday August 28th from 10AM to 6PM. Both new and returning members of the school community are invited to come out! Students can have their school ID photo taken, counselors will be there to help with schedule changes, and members of the administration will be available for questions. All students who attend will be entered…

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