You are here

Month: July 2025

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WARNS RESIDENTS OF “CHECK WASHING” ACTIVITY

Steve Dillon

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the public to recent check fraud or “check washing” complaints. Check washing is a type of financial crime where a criminal steals a check that has been made out to another party, often from the mail, and uses chemicals or other means to “erase” the ink allowing them to re-draft the check to themselves or another entity. These criminals often use fake names that are not easy to track. The funds are released by the checking account of the individual who wrote the check,…

Read More

MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT WEEK ENDING JULY 20

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Police Department responded to eight incidents last week. Officers conducted approximately 35 traffic stops and 77 security checks. There were two instances of probation violation and an open warrant, three reports of domestic disturbance and disorderly conduct, one report of theft, and one report of property damage. On Friday (July 18), an officer completed a traffic stop of a vehicle being operated by a driver without a license. A K9 sniff was conducted during the stop leading to the discovery of drug paraphernalia. Citations were issued…

Read More

TRAVELLER DEMANDS “FREE STAY” AT LOCAL HOTEL

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – On Saturday July 18, Merrill Police Officers were dispatched to a local hotel regarding an individual who was refusing to leave the property. The reporting party stated that a person was asking to stay at the hotel without having money to pay for a room. The individual became argumentative, prompting the call to the police department. Law enforcement officers were successful in removing the unruly party from the property without incident.

Read More

WISCONSIN DNR IN SEARCH OF HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS

Steve Dillon

Volunteers are needed to teach hunter education for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Instructors are needed for both basic and advanced education courses. More than 20,000 volunteers have taught hunters across the state since 1967, resulting in the certification of over a million hunters. Visit the DNR’s website to obtain more information on becoming a hunter education volunteer.

Read More

MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WEEK ENDING JULY 20

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Fire Department responded to 34 calls last week, bringing the total for 2025 to 1,263. There were 28 EMS calls. There was one motor vehicle accident with injuries on Wurl Rd in the Town of Bradley on Thursday. Following the storm that passed through the area over the weekend, there was one windstorm assessment at Council Grounds and a call for a downed power line on Eugene St in the City of Merrill on Saturday.

Read More

WESTON MAN ACCUSED OF PUSHING WOMAN FROM VEHICLE FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES

Steve Dillon

WESTON – A Weston man accused of pushing a woman from a moving vehicle is being held on a $500,000 bond. 33-yrd-old Shawn Mitchell was arrested at the scene of the incident on June 22 after police say he forced the woman out of his car on the Maple Ridge Road off-ramp from Interstate 39. Mitchell told officers he wasn’t driving and claimed the woman fell out of the car. However, witnesses said it appeared she was pushed. She was found unresponsive at the scene with a head injury. Police…

Read More

NO COST CHILDHOOD VACCINES AVAILABLE THROUGH LINCOLN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Steve Dillon

The Lincoln County Health Department is reminding families with Medicaid, ForwardHealth and BadgerCare that childhood vaccines are available at no cost. Should you have questions regarding which vaccines your child needs, a staff member will be able to help you to obtain that information. Contact the Health Department at 715-536-0307 or LCHealth@co.lincoln.wi.us for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Read More

Severe Storm Brings Hail, Wind Damage Across Three Northcentral Wisconsin Counties

Steve Dillon

A Strong storm system swept through parts of central and northeastern Wisconsin early Saturday, bringing hail, damaging winds, and power outages across three counties. The storm left downed trees and branches, as well as utility poles snapped in half in its wake. Hail ranging from 1 to 1.75 inches in diameter was reported in several areas. According to the National Weather Service in Green Bay, the storm turned severe in Lincoln County around 5:25 a.m., then moved into northeast Marathon County between 5:45 and 6:15 a.m. It continued into northwest…

Read More

ALABAMA MAN TO STAND TRIAL IN WAUSAU FOR MULTIPLE CHARGES

Steve Dillon

WAUSAU – A 33-year-old Alabama man will stand trial in connection with a violent assault case in Wausau dating back to 2023. Logan Craft had initially fought extradition to Wisconsin, causing delays in the legal process. He now faces several felony charges, including sexual assault, false imprisonment, strangulation, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Authorities say Craft traveled to Wausau using the alias Wesley Taylor to meet a woman he had connected with online. He allegedly attacked her after she told him she didn’t want a relationship.…

Read More

DNR ANNOUNCES GAME BIRD SURVEY

Steve Dillon

Wisconsin residents now have the opportunity to become community scientists. The Department of Natural Resources announced yesterday that wildlife enthusiasts are invited to join the Game Bird Survey, which is designed to measure the reproductive status of game birds. The survey is open from now through the end of August, and DNR scientists will use data collected coupled with harvest information to determine the key elements needed to make informed management decisions for these species. No registration is required to participate in the Game Bird Survey. Sightings can be submitted…

Read More