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Month: April 2025

QUARTERLY REPORT FOR LINCOLN HILLS SHOWS SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT

Steve Dillon

IRMA – In a recent development, prison monitor Teresa Abreu submitted her quarterly report on conditions at Lincoln Hills. The court-mandated report offered a more positive outlook, as Abreu identified strong compliance with 45 of the 50 provisions set forth by the court. The report was based on dozens of interviews with staff and youth during a visit to the site in March. Also noted was an increase in the number of offenders on site, with the facility census rising from 58 in previous reports to 81 at the time…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE REPORT WEEK ENDING APRIL 20

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 52 traffic stops, and 41 security checks. There were five calls involving cars hitting deer and one where a car struck a bear. On Monday April 14, a 67-yr-old male driver from Tomahawk was traveling N/B on CTH E in the Town of Bradley when he struck a deer. As a result of the collision, the man sustained leg and chest injuries and was transported by ambulance to Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital.

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GAZEBO NIGHTS IN NORMAL PARK ROLLS OUT SUMMER 2025 SCHEDULE

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – Gazebo Nights in Normal Park has announced this year’s lineup as they prepare to move into their 14th season this summer. The popular concert series kicks off on July 10 with the polished and harmonious sound of Hip Pocket. The performances take place every Thursday evening, except for August 7 when they’ll take a break during the Lincoln County Fair. While the concerts are free of charge, local non-profits benefit through food and concessions, as well as weekly 50/50 raffles. In 2024, over $16K was raised by sixteen…

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MERRILL GO ROUND COMPLETES COMMEMORATIVE 50TH ANNIVERSARY RIDE

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Go Round successfully completed its 50th Anniversary commemorative tour on Monday April 21. Bus Driver Brandy Brandt took a group of seven riders around Merrill, including Mayor Steve Hass and winner of the bus naming contest in 1975, Mike Ravn. Brandt followed the old trolley route, traveling on east and west first street across the river to West Main St, then completing the loop after the turnaround point in the 6th ward. The city has provided bus service consistently since 1973 with Dial-a-Bus service for the…

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MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WEEK ENDING APRIL 20

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Fire Department responded to 41 calls last week, bringing the total for 2025 to 713. There were 34 EMS calls. There was one motor vehicle accident resulting in injuries on STH 64 in the Town of Pine River on Wednesday April 16th, and one call for smoke odor on Eugene St in the City of Merrill on Thursday April 17th. The first brush fire of the season took place on Forest Drive in the Town of Merrill on Wednesday April 16th.

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LINCOLN COUNTY BOARD ESTABLISHES AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR RULES REVIEW

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – During their meeting on Tuesday April 15th, the Lincoln County Board Supervisors approved a resolution establishing an ad-hoc rules committee. The resolution states the purpose of the committee is to bolster board governance through clarification and expansion of their meeting rules. The 5-board member committee will review the current general rules of the board including the template provided by the Wisconsin Counties Association. Recommendations will then be provided to the full board for consideration. Though Ad Hoc committees have historically been appointed by the board chair, current…

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UNCONVENTIONAL TRAFFIC STOP IN TOWN OF MERRILL ENDS WITH ARREST, MULTIPLE CHARGES

Steve Dillon

TOWN OF MERRILL – A traffic stop completed by a Lincoln County Deputy in the Town of Merril last Sunday took an interesting turn. The deputy had initiated the stop of a vehicle without license plates, and then a second vehicle pulled behind the squad car. A second deputy arriving on the scene spoke with the driver of the second vehicle. An investigation including the services of Merrill K9 showed a positive alert, prompting a search of both vehicles revealing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the second vehicle. Signs of…

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MERRILL AREA CONCERT ASSOCIATION TO HOST NATIONALLY RENOWNED A CAPPELLA GROUP

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – On Saturday April 26, the Merrill Area Concert Association will host a performance by Nashville based male a cappella group Street Corner Symphony. The group was a runner-up on NBC’s Sing Off in 2010. Music performed by the group includes gospel, rock and pop genres. Street Corner Symphony has performed across the US and Internationally. Information on how to order tickets for the event can be found at maca.merrillconcerts.org/season-tickets.

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MERRILL CITY WIDE SPRING BRUSH CLEAN UP WEEK OF APRIL 21

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The City of Merrill Streets Department is reminding residents that the week of April 21 is City wide spring brush clean up week. Those looking to discard of unwanted brush should move it to the curb no later than 6 AM on their scheduled garbage pick-up day. Piles of brush are to be positioned with butt ends toward the street next to garbage cans and recyclables. Bundled brush will still be collected throughout the year.

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WISCONSIN DNR WARNS EARLY SPRING CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR ONGOING WILDFIRES

Steve Dillon

The Wisconsin DNR is urging residents to avoid any activities that could lead to a spark or flame. More than 450 wildfires have already been investigated across the state this year, 97 of those over just this past week with a growing number here in the Northwoods. The risk of wildfire increases as the snow cover melts prior to vegetation growth. As of Tuesday, much of the state was categorized as facing moderate to very high fire danger levels. The DNR is expecting risks for wildfire to increase given dry…

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