February 2026 – Bluejay 96.3FM 730AM

SNOWMOBILE TRAILS IN LINCOLN COUNTY REOPENING, ATV USE LIMITED

February 27, 2026February 26, 2026 Steve DillonSNOWMOBILE TRAILS REOPENING

Effective 4pm today, Lincoln County’s funded snowmobile trails in Zones 2,3 and 4 will officially reopen. The Hiawatha Trail and trails in Zone 1 remain open. Zone 1 trails are in good condition overall; however, riders should be on the lookout for the possibility of scattered bare spots especially on roadsides. Trail conditions are better in forested areas. Zones 2,3 and 4 trail conditions are listed as fair to good, with the best areas for riding, again in forested areas. Overall, these trails are described as “early season” with some…

HAZELHURST MAN DIES WHILE ASSISTING WITH VEHICLE STUCK ON ICE

February 26, 2026February 26, 2026 Steve DillonHAZELHURST MAN DIES ASSISTING WITH STUCK VEHICLE

On Tuesday, February 24, shortly after 12:30 PM a call was received by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office regarding a 73 yr old male being run over by a vehicle on the Willow Flowage in the Town of Little Rice. Life saving measures were administered immediately following the call, however the man succumbed to his injuries on scene. Further investigation revealed the vehicle became stuck on the ice during a period of heavy snow and wind, resulting in whiteout conditions. The deceased, Randall G. Bernau of Hazelhurst, Wisconsin, stepped onto the…

MERRILL CHAMBER ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

February 26, 2026February 26, 2026 Steve DillonMERRILL CHAMBER SCHOLARSHIP

The Merrill Chamber Foundation has announced a $1,000 scholarship opportunity for a 2026 Merrill Area High School student who is planning to attend a two- or four-year college. The Chamber is committed to supporting local students who exhibit a strong desire to be involved in their community and who are making a positive impact in Merrill and beyond. Students interested in applying are asked to complete the official scholarship application and submit a brief statement summarizing their involvement in and contributions to the community. Scholarship requirements include: Scholarship applications can…

MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: ASSIST FROM K9 DASTY LEADS TO DISCOVERY OF METHAMPHETAMINE

February 26, 2026February 25, 2026 Steve DillonMERRILL POLICE DEPARMENT REPORT

During the week ending February 22nd, the Merrill Police Department responded to eight incidents. Officers conducted approximately 69 traffic stops and 113 security checks. On Friday, a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy requested a K9 traffic stop within city limits. K9 Dasty conducted a drug sniff on the vehicle and indicated a positive alert, and a syringe containing methamphetamine was located when the vehicle was searched. Charges are being handled by the Deputy. Other activity included a water rescue assist, two arrests for probation violations, a citation issued to an individual…

MERRILL MOTORIST REAR ENDS SNOW PLOW ON HIGHWAY 51

February 25, 2026February 25, 2026 Steve DillonCAR VS SNOW PLOW INCIDENT LINCOLN COUNTY

Wisconsin DOT reports there have been more than a dozen incidents involving passenger vehicles and snowplows this winter, with the latest taking place last week. On Friday, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to US Highway 51 near the 224 Mile Marker in the Town of Skanawan for a crash involving a Lincoln County Plow truck and a passenger vehicle. Deputies arriving on the scene were informed that a 34 year old man from Irma that was driving the plow truck northbound on US Highway 51. As he was completing…

LINCOLN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OPIOID TASK FORCE VIRTUAL COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SCHEDULED FOR THIS EVENING

February 25, 2026February 24, 2026 Steve DillonLCHD VIRTUAL COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

Lincoln County residents and others in the surrounding area will have the opportunity this evening to join a virtual event focused on promoting harm reduction and reducing the stigma surrounding substance use. Lincoln County Environmental Health Technician and Opioid Task Force Coordinator Erin Ray welcomed all who are interested in supporting this great initiative, stating “The Lincoln County Health Department, in partnership with the Lincoln County Opioid Task Force, invites you to a community conversation about substance use, and how together, we can foster hope, understanding and support for individuals…

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: LOCAL BAR PATRON ARRESTED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT

February 25, 2026February 24, 2026 Steve DillonLINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF'S REPORT

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 39 traffic stops and 30 security checks. There were six calls involving cars hitting deer, and one call regarding a car hitting an unknown animal. On Saturday deputies were dispatched to Holly’s Bar in the Town of Bradley regarding the report of a disorderly patron who was shoving other customers and trying to get into a car to leave the bar. The first deputy arriving on the scene identified the suspect as Douglas Plachetka. Employees at the establishment advised the deputy that Plachetka…

MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: MAN RESCUED LAST MONDAY FROM ICE BREAK ON WISCONSIN RIVER

February 24, 2026February 24, 2026 Steve DillonMERRILL FIRE DEPARMENT REPORT

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 48 calls last week, bringing the total for 2026 to 330. There were 42 EMS calls. There was a water rescue involving an individual being pulled from the Wisconsin River on Monday after he had broken through the ice while in his fishing shanty.

INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS WEEK PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR EDUCATION ON PREVENTING SPECIES SPREAD

February 24, 2026February 23, 2026 Steve DillonNATIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS WEEK

This week is National Invasive Species Awareness Week, providing a perfect opportunity for Northern Wisconsiners to become educated on invasive plants and plan ahead for the upcoming gardening season. Invasive species are not native to our area. They have a negative impact on the state’s economy and ecology and pose a threat to our health. These plants can erode natural habitat and could potentially reduce biodiversity and crop growth. Forest regeneration can be negatively affected and there can even be damage to the ecological infrastructure. The DNR encourages the public…

WISCONSIN DNR ANNOUNCES REGIONAL ICE SHANTY REMOVAL DEADLINES

February 23, 2026February 22, 2026 Steve DillonWI ICE SHANTY REMOVAL DEADLINES

Deadlines for permanent ice shanty removal around the state officially started last Friday with Wisconsin and Iowa Boundary Waters. Shanty owners along Wisconsin and Minnesota boundary waters have until March 1st. Upcoming deadlines include: Shanties on Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Lake Superior and inland waters north of Highway 64 must be removed on or before March 15. One exception to this rule is on the Fox River downstream from the De Pere dam in Brown County, where ice fishing shelters must always be removed from the ice daily and when…