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Month: September 2025

LINCOLN COUNTY COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 7

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – Today is the final day for groups, organizations, and agencies wishing to participate in the Annual Lincoln County Community Baby Shower to sign up. This free event offers support for pregnant and parenting families with children 0-16 months and also provides the opportunity to connect with community resources and to learn about child safety and milestones. Public Health Educator Lexi Buntrock of the county’s Health Department, who helps coordinate the event, stated past attendees have offered near unanimous positive feedback. No registration is necessary, and each family will…

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REGIONAL FIRE CHIEFS SETTLE “WAR ON 64” WAGER, REFLECT ON STUDENT AND COMMUNITY FOCUS

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – On Tuesday, Antigo Fire Chief Corey Smith traveled to Merrill to settle a friendly wager with Merrill Fire Chief Josh Klug. Smith’s task was to wash a Merrill fire truck after his Red Robins fell to Merrill in the annual “War on 64” rivalry 35-0 at Jay Stadium. Both Chiefs reflected on tradition’s impact including inspiring future firefighters, with Smith giving emphasis to connecting with local youth. Klug spoke on both school and community pride. Following the truck-washing ceremony, Chief Smith fulfilled part two of the wager, serving…

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LINCOLN COUNTY FOOD PANTRIES TO RECEIVE BEEF DONATION FROM COUNTY FUNERAL HOMES

Steve Dillon

Local food pantries recently received a very generous donation from two Lincoln County funeral homes. Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral and Cremation and Krueger-Nimsgern Funeral and Cremation Services have shared they’ll donate a locally raised steer to the Tomahawk and Merrill food pantries. The steer was purchased during the animal market sale at the 2025 Lincoln County Fair. Representatives from the funeral homes said the donations will provide hundreds of pounds of locally processed ground beef and roasts, which staff of both funeral homes will deliver directly to the food pantries. Additionally, a…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SPORTS CLUB MEETING TO FEATURE DNR LARGE CARNIVORE SPECIALIST

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – As a part of this coming Thursday’s Lincoln County Sports Club General Meeting, the public is invited to receive a special presentation entitled “Wolves in Our Area”.  The speaker for the evening is DNR Large Carnivore Specialist Randy Johnson, who will also provide an update on Bears and Mountain Lions. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM. The Lincoln County Sports Club is located at W5071 Schultz Spur Rd in Merrill.

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MERRILL PARK AND RECREATION ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF COLORAMA BIKE TOUR

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – Merrill Park and Recreation has announced that due to a low response for registrations, they will need to cancel the fall Colorama Bicycle Tour that was scheduled for Saturday September 27th. This year would have marked 42 years for the event. Those who have already registered will have their fees returned to them promptly.

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MOTORCYCLE CRASH IN LINCOLN COUNTY REVEALS DRIVER NOT LICENSED, BIKE STOLEN

Steve Dillon

TOWN OF WILSON – On Saturday September 13th, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to CTH CC in the Town of Wilson for a motorcycle crash with injuries. Deputies discovered that the 59-yr-old man from Appleton who was driving failed to negotiate a curve, sending him off of the road and into a culvert. As a result of the crash the driver sustained minor injuries. He was cited for operating without a license and no cycle endorsement. The bike was later found to have been reported stolen in Waupaca County…

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LINCOLN COUNTY TASK FORCE RELEASES SUBSTANCE USE REPORT, LEADS TO MINI-GRANT PROGRAM

Steve Dillon

Lincoln County is launching a new mini-grant program focused on tackling substance use with monies received from nationwide opioid lawsuit settlements. The county has been the recipient of more than half a million dollars through those settlements, which are earmarked for prevention, awareness, or treatment. A task force created to guide spending recently released its first report, recommending the creation of a mini-grant process. The plan was approved by the County Board this week, making $50,000 available for community groups, with grants of up to $10,000 per project. A review…

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MERRILL VS ANTIGO “WAR ON 64” TAKES PLACE THURSDAY EVENING

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – This week is War on 64 week, as the Merrill Varsity Bluejays football team will clash with the Antigo Red Robins on Thursday evening in what has become a local fall classic. Beginning in 2023, Fire Chiefs Josh Klug of Merrill and Corey Smith of Antigo decided to raise the stakes by placing a friendly wager. In 2024, the Bluejay prevailed 31-0, resulting in Chief Smith of Antigo cleaning the floors at the Merrill Fire Department and bringing brats for their crew. For the 2025 contest, the Chief…

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LINCOLN COUNTY OPIOID TASK FORCE RELEASES SUBSTANCE USE ASSESSMENT

Steve Dillon

A new report was recently released by the Lincoln County Opioid Task Force regarding substance use in the county. The assessment, which has been compiled over the last year looked at local trends, community input, and available resources. Five major challenges were identified, including access to substances, community attitudes, family disruption, mental health, and stigma. The findings from the report will serve to guide county officials on the use of national opioid settlement funds, prioritizing prevention programs and expanded peer support for those in recovery. Members of the task force…

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