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Month: July 2025

SENTENCING HEARING HELD FOR MERRILL MAN CHARGED IN KNIFE ATTACK

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – A Merrill man charged in a roadside knife attack last fall was back in Lincoln County Court Wednesday for a sentencing hearing. Bradley Labarge, 32 of Merrill has been ordered to serve nearly 4 years in prison. Labarge was arrested in October of 2024 after he had been following a vehicle with an ex-girlfriend and another man, then had an altercation with the man outside of the vehicle where he cut him with a utility knife. While Labarge had initially faced a total of six charges, he plead…

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NO COST WELL WATER TESTING STILL AVAILABLE THROUGH LINCOLN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Steve Dillon

The Lincoln County Health Department is reminding residents that NO COST well water testing is available through the Wisconsin Well Testing Access Program, or WellTAP. In order to qualify you must be enrolled in a government assistance program such as Badger Care, WIC, Forward Health and Medicaid, or be pregnant, under 12 years old and/or have a weakened immune system. WellTAP provides testing for bacteria, nitrate, fluoride, and a list of metals that can be found on the County Health Department Facebook page. Call 715-536-0307 or go online to LCHealth@co.lincoln.wi.us…

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WI STATE TROOPERS TEAM UP WITH MOTOR CARRIERS ASSOCIATION TO “GET A BETTER VIEW”

Steve Dillon

As you’re traveling across Wisconsin’s highways this week you may find something a bit out of the ordinary. In an effort to curtail poor driving habits, Wisconsin State Patrol troopers will be in the passenger’s seat with semitruck and bus drivers across the state. This strategy gives troopers a higher viewing platform to observe behaviors including distracted driving, speeding, seatbelt violations and following too closely. Once a violation is identified, troopers will contact patrol cars in the vicinity to initiate required procedures. The initiative, dubbed “Trooper in a Truck” is…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT WEEK ENDING JULY 13

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Police Department responded to four incidents last week. Officers conducted approximately 34 traffic stops and 117 security checks. There was one instance of a probation violation, one occurrence of bail jumping, and one report of theft. On Thursday July 10, officers responded to a report of a hit and run. The suspect was identified and will be cited.

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BLACK BEAR ATTACK IN BARRON COUNTY ENDS WITH SERIOUS INJURIES

Steve Dillon

BARRON COUNTY – The woman injured in a black bear attack over the weekend in Barron County has been identified as 69-year-old Karen Frye. According to the Wisconsin DNR, the attack happened Saturday. Despite her injuries, Frye was able to call 911 and was first taken to a hospital in Cumberland, then transferred to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where she remains in serious condition. Efforts to find the bear are still underway. While rare, bear encounters do happen—but Wisconsin has never recorded a fatal attack.

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BLACK SQUIRREL SCURRY RETURNS TO LINCOLN COUNTY JULY 26

Steve Dillon

The 8th annual Black Squirrel Scurry Triathlon returns to Lincoln County on Saturday, July 26. The event includes a 2-mile long paddle down the Prairie River, followed by a 17.5 mi scenic bike ride, and a 5K trail run through the MARC and Council Grounds State Park. Packets for the Triathlon can be picked up on Friday July 25th between 5 and 8 PM, or Saturday July 26th at Prairie Trails Park between 6:30 and 8:30 AM. There are divisions for all skills levels, including tandems, relays, eBikes and youth.…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE REPORT WEEK ENDING JULY 13

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 50 traffic stops and 57 security checks. There were 13 calls involving cars hitting deer. On Friday July 11, deputies were dispatched to the town of Skanawan regarding a disturbance in progress. Witnesses reported observing a male subject striking a female and then seeing her flee the scene. Upon searching the area deputies located the 37-yr-old Rhinelander woman a short distance away. Shortly thereafter the suspect a 37-yr-old man from Beloit was located. As a result of statements taken from witnesses he was placed…

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Lincoln County Board To Draft Formal Response Plan In The Event Pine Crest Sale Fails To Close

Steve Dillon

With the sale of Pine Crest Nursing Home on the table, Lincoln County officials are also preparing for what happens if the deal doesn’t go through—including the possibility of closing the facility. The County Board earlier approved a purchase agreement with Merrill Health Holdings LLC and Jack Pines Healthcare LLC to take over the Merrill-based nursing home. That sale is expected to close by August 1. During last night’s board meeting, supervisors voted 16 to 5 in favor of a backup plan. The approved resolution directs the Administrative and Legislative…

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TRAFFIC STOP FOR MOTORCYCLIST EXCEEDING 100 MPH LEADS TO MULTIPLE CITATIONS

Steve Dillon

On Wednesday July 9th the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office regarding a yellow motorcycle traveling N/B on USH 51 in Marathon County at speeds exceeding 100 MPH. A Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy was able to get into position to locate the motorcycle and saw the vehicle pass between two vehicles at a very high rate of speed, clocking it on radar at 121 mph in a 65-mph zone. Upon completing a traffic stop of the vehicle, the deputy made contact with the…

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