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Year: 2026

WISCONSIN DNR PROVIDES UPDATE TO LAST WEEK’S MANURE SPILL IN MARATHON COUNTY

Steve Dillon

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has provided an update to last week’s manure spill at a farm in Marathon County. The manure discharge came from a waste storage structure near the Village of Athens, and was caused by a failed valve within the waste transfer system. Manure spilled into a tributary to Black Creek from the Deercreek Holsteins Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation. No figures have been released to date regarding the total amount of waste contamination. Dead fish were observed by DNR staff, who have initiated protocols for containment…

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BURNING WOOD PILE LEADS TO STRUCTURE FIRE IN LAND O’ LAKES

Steve Dillon

A call reporting the presence of smoke at 6373 US Highway 45 in Land O’ Lakes was received Saturday afternoon shortly before 2:30 PM at the Vilas County 911 Center. Emergency responders arriving on scene found that fire had spread from a wood pile burning behind one of the structures on the property, causing the structure to catch fire. The business located at the address was close when the fire broke out, so no employees were present. Fire departments responding to the blaze included Land O’ Lakes, Conover, Phelps, Eagle…

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MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES DONATION FROM MERRILL LIONS CLUB

Steve Dillon

On Thursday, the Merrill Fire Department received a charitable $4000 donation from the Merrill Lions Club. Officials at the Department share that Jack Kasper and the whole Lions Club organization have been a generous partner through the years. The funds reportedly will be used for first aid kits and new safety jackets for members of the department.

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BLUEJAY GIRLS LOSE HEARTBREAKER TO PACELLI 6-5

Steve Dillon

In a game heard Friday on WJMT and wjmtfm.com, the Bluejay girls’ softball team dropped a 6-5 heartbreaker to the Pacelli Cardinals in non-conference action at Spud Field in Plover. The Bluejays scored single runs in the top of the first, third and fourth innings while giving up a single run in the bottom of the first before the Cardinals scored five in the bottom of the fifth inning highlighted by a three run homer by Pacelli, making the score 6-3 going into the sixth inning. The Bluejays scored a…

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BLUEJAY GIRLS SUFFER CONFERENCE LOSS TO UNDEFEATED MEDFORD

Steve Dillon

In a game heard right here on WJMT, wjmtfm.com, and seen on the WJMT TV Channel on YouTube, the Merrill Bluejay girls’ softball team lost to the undefeated Medford Raiders 12-4 in Great Northern Conference action yesterday at the MARC. The Bluejays mustered four runs against the top pitcher in the conference, and Bluejay catcher Kendall Klug (pictured), who was the AmericInn Player of the Game, got on base three times and scored twice to pace the Bluejay attack. The girls had a fine defensive effort behind starting pitcher Mackenzie…

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ONEIDA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT PROVIDES FATAL UTV CRASH UPDATE

Steve Dillon

The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office has released an update to a story released earlier this week. Original reports listed 57-year-old Ronald D Miller of Bristol as a passenger who had minor injuries in a fatal crash involving a UTV striking a tree the Town of Enterprise. While Miller was a part of the group of riders and was on scene, he was not a passenger in the vehicle involved in the crash. The correct name of the passenger involved is Robert J Ogle, 70 of Antioch, Illinois. Ogle was treated…

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State Upgrades Charge Following Hurd Plea Withdrawal

Steve Dillon

Javarius Hurd, the teen charged in the death of Lincoln Hills youth prison counselor Corey Proulx, has withdrawn his plea agreement. The 18-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to second-degree homicide while maintaining he was not mentally responsible for Proulx’s June 2024 death. The matter of Hurd heading to prison or to a mental health facility was to go to trial, but that has now been cancelled. Hurd is reportedly seeking to have his case moved to juvenile court following a recent appeals court ruling that changed how judges consider transfer…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: CAR VS DEER STRIKES ON THE RISE WITH SPRING MOVEMENT OF DOE AND FAWN

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 56 traffic stops and 8 security checks. There were seven calls involving cars hitting a deer, and one where a car hit a turkey. The Sheriff’s Office received a call on Monday regarding an intoxicated driver that was headed to Merrill. After prompt follow up by an officer from the Merrill Police Department, the individual was eventually located and placed under arrest for numerous charges.

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SCAM ALERT: LOCAL RESIDENTS URGED TO REMAIN VIGILANT

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department is alerting residents to another round of scam texts and messages circulating regarding unpaid toll fees, jury duty and bail payments. Scammers often demand immediate payment to avoid enforcement. No legitimate law enforcement will ever text or call residents demanding payment or immediate action. In fact, there are no toll roads in Wisconsin, so demands on unpaid toll fees from state roads are always unfounded. All questions regarding unreasonable solicitations and scam activity should be directed to the Merrill Police department. Legitimate citations can be verified…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: DRIVER ARRESTED FOR OWI 6TH OFFENSE

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to eleven incidents during the week ending May 3rd. Officers conducted approximately 20 traffic stops and 54 security checks. On Sunday, a caller from Marathon County alerted the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office that an intoxicated driver was en route to Merrill. A Merrill Police Officer located the vehicle and driver at the driver’s home shortly after the call was received. The suspect had in fact been drinking, and was in violation of an open felony bond, and there were pending charges from a separate, unrelated…

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