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Year: 2025

Meet the Faces Behind the Fire Gear: Merrill Firefighters Share Their Stories

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – It’s not always easy to get to know the first responders who show up in an emergency — but the Merrill Fire Department is hoping to change that. They’ve partnered with Merrill Community Media for a new video segment called “Get to Know Us.” Recently, five members of the department shared why they chose a career in emergency services, what brought them to Merrill, and what they want the community to know. The 8-minute video is now up on the department’s YouTube channel and has also been shared…

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LINCOLN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT URGES RESIDENTS TO HAVE CHILDREN VACCINATED FOR MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE

Steve Dillon

The Lincoln County Health Department is reminding residents to schedule time with their healthcare provider to meet the Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) requirement for children entering 7th grade, with a booster required entering 12th grade. Meningococcal disease is a rare bacterium that infects the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. One of seven people who contract the disease die, and one of five who recover are left with permanent damage including hearing loss, brain damage, or loss of limbs. The vaccine protects against 4 types of bacterial meningitis. It…

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Man Dies After Jumping Into Water Near Lisa’s Landing

Steve Dillon

TOWN OF GREEN VALLEY – A 33-year-old man died Thursday evening after jumping into the water near Lisa’s Landing Boat Launch in the Town of Green Valley and not resurfacing. Witnesses told authorities the man went under around 5:15 p.m. Emergency crews from several agencies, including the Marathon County dive team and fire departments from Mosinee and Stratford, responded and searched the water for about two hours before locating his body. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Marathon County Medical Examiner. His name has not been released.…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT WEEK ENDING JUNE 29

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Police Department responded to 16 incidents last week. Officers conducted approximately 28 traffic stops and 96 security checks. There were five instances of probation violations, open warrants and bail jumping, three reports of domestic disturbance and disorderly conduct, two reports of theft, and one report of trespassing. One individual was cited for lewd and lascivious behavior. There were four accidents reported, one of those a hit and run that was observed by witnesses who stated an apparently intoxicated male and a female had entered the suspect…

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ADRC PRODUCE VOUCHERS AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS AGAIN THIS SUMMER

Steve Dillon

NORTHWOODS WI – Seniors can once again obtain vouchers from the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin to spend at local farmer’s markets this summer. Serving Lincoln, Langlade, Marathon and Wood Counties, the local ADRC’s goal is to make locally grown fruits and vegetables more accessible to area Seniors. The $25 vouchers are available to residents to be used at numerous locally approved farmer’s markets. To qualify, residents must be 60 or older and meet some income requirements. Those interested in verifying eligibility and voucher availability should contact…

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TRIAL FOR LINCOLN HILLS TEEN ACCUSED OF RECKLESS HOMICIDE AND BATTERY SET FOR FEBRUARY

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – Javarius Hurd, the teen accused of fatally attacking a Lincoln Hills Correctional Officer, is set to go to trial next February on charges of reckless homicide and battery by prisoners. The three-week trial is scheduled for February 2nd through the 20th. Hurd, now 17, is accused of beating 49-year-old Corey Proulx, who was trying to restrain him after Hurd threw a cup of soapy water at a female officer. Proulx died at a hospital after hitting his head during the incident. Hurd is being tried as an adult…

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WAUSAU ETHICS BOARD SCHEDULES TENTATIVE DATE FOR DINY COMPLAINT HEARING

Steve Dillon

WAUSAU – A tentative hearing has been scheduled for August 25th by the Wausau Ethics Board in the complaint against Mayor Doug Diny. Board members are also seeking additional information from about a dozen potential witnesses, including several department heads and police officials. Those individuals will have 21 days to respond once the investigation order is signed, though board members say some may simply confirm they had no involvement. The inquiry focuses on any contact Mayor Diny may have had between September 19th and 29th of last year related to…

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TWO DEAD, ONE CRITICALLY INJURED IN PRICE COUNTY HOUSE FIRE

Steve Dillon

FIFIELD, WI – A house fire last weekend in the Town of Fifield in Price County left two victims deceased and one injured. The Price County Sheriff’s Office stated the call was received just after 3am on Sunday morning, with the caller stating while one person escaped the home, two others were still inside. The surviving individual sustained what was described as significant, life threatening injuries. The bodies of the deceased were recovered from what remained of the home. The State Fire Marshall’s Office is assisting local officials as the…

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MAY UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES IN THE NORTHWOODS TAKE TURN FOR THE POSITIVE

Steve Dillon

NORTHERN WISCONSIN – Local unemployment estimates took a turn in the right direction in May, per the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. They released county job figures last week, which reflected improvement in 37 of the state’s 72 counties, with some of the most significant progress taking place here in the Northwoods. The unemployment estimate in Lincoln County dropped from 4% in April to 3.5% in May. Oneida county fell to 3.3% from 4% in April, and Vilas saw the biggest decrease as the 6% estimate reported for the County…

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