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Month: December 2025

WEEKEND POWERBALL DRAWING PRODUCES FOUR WINNERS ACROSS THE STATE

Steve Dillon

Last weekend’s Powerball drawing produced four big winners in Wisconsin, even though no one hit the jackpot. Four tickets sold in Elm Grove, Madison, Hartford, and Janesville matched four of five numbers plus the Powerball. Three of those tickets are worth $50,000, while the Janesville ticket added the 3-X Power Play, boosting the prize to $150,000. Once again, no ticket matched all six numbers in Monday night’s $1.6-billion drawing. As a result, the jackpot for the Christmas Eve drawing is now estimated at $1.7 billion—the fourth-largest prize in Powerball and…

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MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT; LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS PROVIDE AID FOR ANTIGO STRUCTURE FIRE

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 52 calls last week, bringing the total for 2025 to 2,151. There were 43 EMS calls. There was a motor vehicle accident resulting in injuries Friday on Commerce Street in the City of Merrill, and a vehicle fire Thursday on North Center Ave, also in the City of Merrill. The department provided mutual aid for a building fire in Antigo on Saturday.

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MERRILL FIRST RESPONDERS JOIN FORCES TO QUICKLY EXTINGUISH VEHICLE FIRE

Steve Dillon

A vehicle fire on North Center Avenue drew a response from Merrill Fire last Thursday afternoon. Multiple ambulance calls were also occurring at the time, so Engine-61 and various other units were dispatched to the scene. Merrill Police Officers used a fire extinguisher on the vehicle while fire units were en route. Firefighters arriving on scene used a hose line to fully extinguish the fire. One firefighter did sustain a minor injury. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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LINCOLN COUNTY CULVERT STREAM CROSSINGS PROJECT: PHASE ONE REVEALS SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Steve Dillon

A project focused on the assessment of culvert stream crossings on public roadways was initiated by the Lincoln County Land Services Department earlier this year. The project’s object is evaluating the current condition of culverts and what the impact is to the environment. Information gathered will help with prioritization of crossing replacement. Findings from the projected are communicated to the municipalities responsible for maintaining and replacing the structures, allowing road managers to develop a plan for culvert replacement. Plans also include determining correct size and placement, and developing a financial…

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WISCONSIN DNR REMINDS SNOWMOBILERS TO KEEP SAFETY AT THE FOREFRONT AS TRAILS OPEN

Steve Dillon

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is reminding winter outdoor enthusiasts that as snowmobile trails begin to open, riders need to stay sober and be aware of unsafe ice. Weak ice and impaired operation are two of the most common contributors to off-highway vehicle tragedies around the holidays, and both can be greatly diminished with proper planning and making wise decisions. The state has seen 10 snowmobile fatalities to date in 2025, three of those determined to be alcohol related. Riders should also contact local experts like outfitters, bait shops…

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CRASH DETECTION REPORT ALERTS LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE OF CAR IN DITCH

Steve Dillon

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received an Apple Crash Detection report on Sunday December 14 alerting them to a possible car accident on US Highway 8 near Sheldon Road in the Town of Bradley. Dispatchers could hear someone on the phone but they were not responding. Upon arriving at the scene deputies made contact with the 64-yr-old female driver from Marinette. She reported that she fell asleep while traveling westbound on US Highway 8, and the vehicle left the road coming to rest in the ditch. The impact caused the…

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NEW LEGISLATION REQUIRES WISCONSIN SCHOOLS PROVIDE PROMPT NOTIFICATION OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Steve Dillon

Earlier this month Democratic Governor Tony Evers signed Republican-authored legislation into law that requires Wisconsin schools to notify parents of sexual misconduct. Schools must notify a student’s parent or guardian promptly should their child become the alleged victim of a sexual offense by a school employee or volunteer. Included in the new requirements is a timeline for notification, which was not a part of previous directives. If the school receives a report of sexual misconduct during school hours, parents or guardians must be notified by 5 pm the same day,…

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NORTHWOODS SNOWMOBILE TRAILS OPENING DESPITE WARMER TEMPS

Steve Dillon

Though temperatures have risen well above freezing, today will mark the opening of another snowmobile trail system. The Vilas County Forestry, Recreation and Land Department has announced the Vilas County trail system is open effective 8 a.m. The eleven clubs that make up the County’s Snowmobile Alliance who made the decision noted the opening had been delayed due to damage resulting from the late November winter storms. Trails will be in early season riding conditions, so riders should use caution and keep off lakes as they have not yet been…

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FIRST AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK IN WISCONSIN DISCOVERED IN DODGE COUNTY CATTLE

Steve Dillon

DODGE COUNTY – On Sunday, the Wisconsin State AgriculturE Department announced an Avian Flu outbreak in a herd of cows in Dodge County. It’s the first time the illness has been discovered in the state. Officials have placed the farm on quarantine, separating those animals who are sick so they can be treated. It is unlikely that the virus would be transmitted through the milk supply since milk is pasteurized prior to distribution. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection urges farmers and producers to practice thorough bio-security with…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: ARREST FOR OPEN WARRANT LEADS TO POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES CHARGES

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – During the week ending December 14, the Merrill Police Department responded to eight incidents, while officers conducted approximately 18 traffic stops and 23 security checks. On Tuesday, officers arrested a man wanted on a Wisconsin Department of Corrections warrant. During a search, officers found narcotics and drug paraphernalia, including a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. The man now faces additional drug charges. Other activity included two reports of fraud or scam, two instances of disorderly conduct – the first a domestic dispute and the second involving a…

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