2026 – Bluejay 96.3FM 730AM

LOCAL FOOD PANTRY CEASES OPERATIONS, CITING FINANCIAL CHALLENGES

April 3, 2026April 3, 2026 Steve DillonRUBY'S PANTRY CLOSURE

Ruby’s Pantry of Rhinelander has announced that following more than 12 years of serving the community, the local food assistance program will be closing up shop effective immediately. Representatives from Ruby’s Pantry said in a statement that the decision to close comes after months of internal reorganization focused on better matching their mission with available resources. The closing was initially announced Tuesday on the Ruby’s Pantry website, citing financial challenges. Though the Ruby’s closure removes one option for those seeking help with their food supplies, the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry is…

USDA PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT: CONSUMERS SHOULD DISCARD OR RETURN POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED FROZEN CHICKEN NUGGETS

April 3, 2026April 2, 2026 Steve DillonUSDA PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT

A public health alert has been issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service regarding frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready to eat chicken nuggets sold at Walmart locations nationwide. Many of the 29 oz packages of Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead. Those packages contain a BEST IF USED BY date of FEB 10 2027, and lot code ”0416DPO1215” / establishment number “P44164” printed on the back of the bag.. A state partner who was conducting routine…

EARLY SPRING STORMS BRING ICY CONDITIONS LOCALLY, SEVERE WEATHER TO OUR SOUTH

April 3, 2026April 2, 2026 Steve DillonEARLY SPRING STORMS

A very strong low-pressure system made its way across the Midwest on Thursday. The front brought severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings and watches to southern portions of the region, while Central Wisconsin and the Northwoods were pelted with sleet and freezing rain. Locally, schools and some businesses closed for the day due to slippery road conditions. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department confirmed there were numerous calls for vehicles sliding off roads, but no major incidents or injuries were reported. WPS reported counties to the south and east of our area…

SPRING BREAK IN THE NORTHWOODS OFFERS KIDS EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES, FREE BREWERS TICKETS

April 2, 2026April 2, 2026 Steve DillonSPRING BREAK MUSEUMS BREWERS

This week’s spring break activities come with an extra reward for Northwoods families. The Northwoods Children’s Museum in Eagle River and The Children’s Imaginarium of Wausau are taking part in a statewide promotion through the Milwaukee Brewers Community Foundation. Children 17 and under who visit either museum through Saturday will receive two free ticket vouchers to select Milwaukee Brewers home games at American Family Field. Organizers say the promotion is meant to encourage family learning and spring break activities while giving kids a chance to experience Major League Baseball.

SENIOR EMPOWERMENT PROJECT BREAKFAST SPARKS OPPORTUNITIES TO BETTER SERVE OUR SENIORS

April 2, 2026April 2, 2026 Steve Dillon

More than 80 seniors attended the Senior Empowerment Project’s Northwoods Senior Breakfast in Merrill last Saturday. Participants shared a meal together, but the deeper value came from the opportunity to share their opinions. The group listed several challenges that affect their everyday lives. Among the top concerns were access and availability to transportation across city and county lines (including weekends), and isolation, including connecting isolated neighbors, especially those who struggle with technology, to information, resources, churches, enrichment, and libraries. Other challenges discussed included senior healthcare access, caregiver support, and respite…

MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: MAN FOUND PASSED OUT ON GRAND AVE WITH CHEST INJURY, FEMALE SUSPECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

April 2, 2026April 1, 2026 Steve DillonMERRILL POLICE DEPARMENT REPORT

The Merrill Police Department responded to 21incidents during the week ending March 29th. Officers conducted approximately 28 traffic stops and 88 security checks. On Friday, officers responded to the report of a male who appeared to be passed out on the 400 block of Grand Ave. Officers discovered the man had experienced a traumatic chest injury. Further investigation at the scene led to officers taking a female from a nearby residence into custody on multiple charges. Other activity included a hit and run accident in a local business parking lot,…

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: DEERBROOK MAN ARRESTED FOR FIRST OFFENSE OWI

April 1, 2026March 31, 2026 Steve DillonLincoln County Sheriff Report

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 67 traffic stops and 27 security checks. There were four calls involving cars hitting deer, and one incident where a sheriff department cruiser struck a large muskrat. On Saturday, a deputy patrolling in the Town of Corning saw a vehicle traveling left of center on County Highway Z. During a traffic stop of the vehicle for the violation, the deputy noticed signs of impairment with the driver, Raymond Wickkiser of Deerbrook so he asked him to complete sobriety tests which he agreed to.…

MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WEEK ENDING MARCH 29

March 31, 2026March 30, 2026 Steve DillonMerrill Fire Department Report

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 49 calls last week, bringing the total for 2026 to 554. There were 41 EMS calls. There were two instances where crews responded to triggered alarms at local residences or businesses, one for carbon monoxide and one for the odor of gas. No injuries were reported from either event.

FIRST WILDFIRES IN NORTHWOODS REGIONS A REMINDER OF THE NEED FOR CAUTION

March 31, 2026March 31, 2026 Steve DillonWISCONSIN WILDFIRES

An increase in wildfire risk is expected in Wisconsin as the state moves into the spring season. The Northwoods saw its first wildfires over the weekend. Both Lincoln and Price Counties reported wildfire activity, but the season’s first blaze took place on Saturday in Oneida County prompting response from the Nokomis Fire Department and other nearby agencies. Nearly 2.1 acres burned in the Oneida fire. No structures were burned and there were no reported injuries. The DNR’s wildfire dashboard recorded a total of 42 fires throughout the weekend. The risk…

MAPLE SYRUP OPERATION BELIEVED CAUSE OF PINE RIVER SHED FIRE

March 31, 2026March 30, 2026 Steve DillonPINE RIVER FIRE

The report of a structure fire Sunday evening on State Road 64 in the Town of Pine River prompted an immediate response from a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy, with the Pine River Fire Department arriving on site shortly thereafter. A shed on the property was fully consumed in flames and had started to collapse. There was no immediate danger to any nearby structures. The fire had started to spread into the wooded area surrounding the structure; however firefighters quickly extinguished the flames. The owner of the property reported that the…