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Month: October 2025

WAUSAU MAYOR DINY ETHICS CASE MOVES TO HEARING

Steve Dillon

WAUSAU – The long-discussed ethics case involving Wausau Mayor Doug Diny moves to a hearing today, with ten witnesses expected including City Clerk Kaitlyn Bernarde and Attorney Anne Jacobson. Both have declined to testify because of an ongoing Justice Department investigation. Others set to appear included the Mayor Diny, Police Chief Matthew Barnes, and Council President Lisa Rasmussen. The complaint focuses on Diny’s handling of a locked, unsecured drop box before the 2024 Presidential Election.

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NORTHCENTRAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF COMMUNITY SAFETY SIMULATION CENTER IN MERRILL

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – Northcentral Technical College is taking safety training to the next level with the launch of its new Community Safety Simulation Center in Merrill, part of NTC’s Public Safety Center of Excellence. The Center is designed to help schools, healthcare facilities, and places of worship better prepare for potential security threats through realistic training and classroom instruction. The 3500 square foot facility has a multi-room space with 360-degree smart screens for custom training scenarios. Teams can utilize the center’s audio-visual capabilities to review their actions and discuss alternative approaches.…

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NORTHWOODS FIREFIGHTERS HEAD TO LOCAL CLASSROOMS DURING FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

Steve Dillon

This week’s all about fire safety, and firefighters across Lincoln and Oneida Counties are taking that message straight into their communities. Crews from the Tomahawk, Nokomis, and Little Rice Fire Departments are stopping by classrooms and other venues like the library to teach kids what to do in case of a fire. In Merrill, they’ll invest several weeks sharing information with students, helping them start to build those lifelong safety habits. Fire Prevention Week for 2025 focuses on lithium-ion batteries, as Fire crews remind folks to choose the right kind…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 5; LOCAL RETAILER TURNS OVER COUNTERFEIT BILLS TO MPD

Steve Dillon

During the week ending October 5, the Merrill Police Department responded to ten incidents, while officers conducted approximately 39 traffic stops and 82 security checks. There were two reports of Disorderly Conduct, one of those with a motor vehicle. There was one report of possession of an illegal substance that also included bail jumping, three reports of theft, one report of public intoxication, one instance of possible trespassing, and one probation hold. On Sunday a store found counterfeit bills in their cash register and turned them over to MPD. The…

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HY-VEE PURCHASES CROSSROADS COUNTY MARKET, COMING TO WAUSAU

Steve Dillon

WAUSAU – Wausau shoppers will soon see a familiar name in grocery stores. Hy-Vee, a Des Moines based chain has purchased Crossroads County Market and will transform it into the company’s 10th Wisconsin location before Thanksgiving. The store will close November 11th for remodeling and will reopen as a full Hy-Vee about a week later. Positions will be offered to All 130 County Market employees at the new store. Also included in the deal is the nearby Circle K, which will reopen as a Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh. Hy-Vee currently…

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KWIK TRIP MAKES CHANGE WITH CHANGE

Steve Dillon

Kwik Trip says it will no longer accept or give out pennies. The Wisconsin-based convenience store chain announced Thursday that this is in response to a move by the U.S. Treasury, which is phasing out production of one-cent coins. Going forward, all cash transactions at Kwik Trip will be rounded down to the nearest five cents, with no effect to Digital and card purchases. CEO Scott Zietlow says the move is meant to make transactions simpler and fair for customers.

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LINCOLN HILLS AND COPPER LAKE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ACHIEVE FULL COMPLIANCE

Steve Dillon

IRMA – State officials say Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake have achieved full compliance with all court-ordered reforms — a first for the youth correctional facilities. The Lincoln County sites have been under quarterly review by a court-appointed monitor to track progress on 50 required changes, including staffing, training, and limits on restraints and pepper spray. A new report released this week confirms all goals have now been met, though the Department of Corrections must maintain compliance for several more reviews before oversight can end. DOC Secretary Jared Hoy called…

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HARRISON HILLS FALL RIDE TAKES PLACE TOMORROW IN GLEASON

Steve Dillon

GLEASON – The Harrison Hills Fall Ride takes place tomorrow, Saturday, October 4th from 9am til 2pm at Nutzee’s Resort, N9831 County Rd B in Gleason. Riders will receive maps for a self-guided ride, with club members and Trail Ambassadors on the trails to help keep everyone on course. An after party is scheduled following the event from 3pm til 7pm at Nutzee’s Bar & Restaurant, including a raffle drawing at 4PM. Registration for the event is $20 per machine.

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CRASH ON 107 IN TOWN OF MERRILL ENDS WITH “MIRACULOUS” RESULT

Steve Dillon

‘ TOWN OF MERRILL – Shortly after 10 am on Wednesday October 1st, the Merrill Fire Department dispatched Engine-61 and Med-61 in response to a motor vehicle crash on Highway 107 near Lokemoen Rd in the Town of Merrill. Firefighters and EMS responders were also joined by Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies at the scene.  Prior to EMS arrival, the driver self-extricated. He miraculously survived the crash with only minor injuries and was evaluated by medics but refused transport.

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