January 2026 – Bluejay 96.3FM 730AM

LINCOLN COUNTY OFFICIALS WARN RESIDENTS TO STAY VIGILANT AS NEW SCAM ACTIVITY SURFACES

January 30, 2026January 29, 2026 Steve DillonLINCOLN COUNTY SCAM ALERT

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and County Clerk of Courts are alerting the public to a significant increase in inquiries and complaints received regarding a new scam spreading across our region this week. Reports stated scammers are calling residents and telling them they missed “Grand Jury Duty”, specifically referencing January 12th as the date in question, most likely in an attempt to create urgency. The calls are coming from phone number 715-814-3041, and those that have attempted a call back are greeted with a message identifying the source as the…

NO PRIMARY ELECTIONS FOR LINCOLN COUNTY VOTERS

January 29, 2026January 28, 2026 Steve DillonNO LINCOLN COUNTY PRIMARY

The Lincoln County Clerk’s office has announced that there are no Federal, State or Local elections that will require a Primary in Lincoln County. The Spring Election will take place on April 7th, 2026. State and County election information, including important pre-election voter dates, can be found on the Lincoln County website in the County Clerk portal found under the Departments tab. Sample ballots will be available on the county website mid-February. Candidate information pertaining to your town or city election can be found your specific municipality’s website.

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: FREEZING TEMPS MAKE FOR A LIGHT WEEK

January 28, 2026January 28, 2026 Steve DillonLincoln County Sheriff Report

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 19 traffic stops and 48 security checks. There were six calls involving cars hitting deer. Other activity throughout the week was limited and very minor, most likely due to the sharp dip in temperatures across the region.

CITY OF MERRILL LAUNCHING “CHRISTMAS OF THE PAST” PROJECT TO REPLACE HOLIDAY LIGHTS

January 28, 2026January 28, 2026 Steve DillonMERRILL HOLIDAY LIGHTS PROJECT

The City of Merrill and the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce are launching a new program to replace aging holiday lights as part of a “Christmas of the Past” initiative. The city purchased its current LED decorations in 2010, but officials say the lights have now outlived their expected 10-year lifespan. The new LED lights would save the city money in the end with a one-time purchase instead of paying rent every fall. The new program allows residents, former residents, civic groups, and businesses to sponsor replacement lights in honor…

MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES FOUND DURING FOUR TRAFFIC STOPS

January 27, 2026January 26, 2026 Steve DillonMERRILL POLICE DEPARMENT REPORT

During the week ending January 25th, the Merrill Police Department responded to nine incidents, while officers conducted approximately 47 traffic stops and 91 security checks. On Friday, a business reported a man pulled into their parking lot and started punching and slamming the doors of his vehicle. Though a description of the vehicle was provided, officers weren’t able to locate the vehicle. Activity for the week included four traffic stops leading to discovery of illegal substances – three of those with K9 unit assist, one report of theft, one instance…

WISCONSIN CONSERVATION CONGRESS WELCOMES PUBLIC INPUT ON LAWS AFFECTING NATURAL RESOURCES

January 26, 2026January 26, 2026 Steve Dillon

Wisconsin residents have an opportunity to provide input for the creation or revision of laws affecting the state’s natural resources. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress is soliciting ideas from the public to advise the DNR on issues like wildlife, air, and water quality. Resolutions can be submitted now through February 9th. Those proposals will be reviewed for the 2026 Spring Hearing, held in every county on April 13th and available online through April 15th. Major policies such as Wisconsin’s blaze orange requirement have resulted from this public process. You can find…

Court Schedules Phase Two Trial for Madison Teen Convicted in Corey Proulx Killing

January 26, 2026January 25, 2026 Steve DillonJAVARIUS HURD PHASE TWO TRIAL

MERRILL – 17-yr-old Javarius Hurd will face a jury from February 2nd through 11th as a part of a phase two trial. Hurd previously pleaded guilty to second-degree reckless homicide for the death of Corey Proulx, a youth counselor at Lincoln-Hills – Copper Lake Schools. Hurd is claming mental disease or defect, however the trial won’t focus on his mental state during his attack on Proulx during a 2024 altercation at the Lincoln Hills Youth Prison. The incident began with Hurd throwing a cup of soapy water into the face…

WITH DANGEROUSLY LOW TEMPS NOW IN PLACE, COUNTY OFFICIALS REMIND RESIDENTS RELIEF IS AVAILABLE AT WARMING CENTERS

January 23, 2026January 22, 2026 Steve DillonDANGEROUSLY LOW TEMPS

With the bitter cold now in place in our region, communities across the Northwoods can expect to see temps drop well below sub-zero levels, with lows currently forecasted at minus 25 degrees. Real feel temperatures could reach minus 40 degrees. Lincoln County officials are reminding residents that they can find relief at one of the fourteen warming centers throughout the region. There are eight warming locations in Merrill, five in Tomahawk and one in Gleason. A full list of warming centers including addresses and business hours is featured below, along…

NORTHCENTRAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE RECEIVES THIRD NATIONAL WORKFORCE TRAINING EXCELLENCE RECOGNITION

January 22, 2026January 22, 2026 Steve Dillon

The leading association in continuing education and workforce development, Learning Resources Network has named Northcentral Technical College one of the top training colleges in North America. The honor recognizes NTC’s Workforce Training Plus Professional Development team and places Northcentral among just eleven colleges in North America.The team partners with employers to deliver customized training solutions, technical assistance and consulting with a goal of driving measurable business results. NTC has now been named a top training college by Learning Resources Network three times in the past six years. “The award is…

LINCOLN COUNTY OPIOID TASK FORCE INTRODUCES VITAL STRATEGIES PROJECT

January 21, 2026January 21, 2026 Steve DillonLINCOLN COUNTY OPIOID TASK FORCE PROJECT

The Lincoln County Opioid Task Force met last Wednesday, January 14th. Opioid Task Force Grant Coordinator Erin Ray provided an update on the county’s Vital Strategies project. The four objectives for the initiative include: – Reducing Stigma by providing education to the community on substance abuse as a disease – Reducing overdose risk by expanding naloxone distribution through community partnerships – Initiating recovery case management and peer support services – Addressing the profound impact of substance use on children and families through interagency planning Three town halls are scheduled, the…