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Month: May 2026

Bluejay Girls Season Ends with 8-6 Playoff Loss to Medford

Steve Dillon

In a game heard right here on WJMT and wjmtfm.com, the Merrill girls’ softball season end on the road with an 8-6 (corrected: earlier version listed as 8-4) loss to the top-ranked Medford Raiders in WIAA Division 2 regional final action yesterday.  The Bluejays scored a run in the first on a double by AmericInn Player of the Game Kendall Klug (pictured) and an RBI single from cleanup hitter Abbie Krueger.  The Bluejays game up three runs in the bottom of the first and three more in the fourth to…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: OFFICERS ASSIST DEPUTIES DURING ARREST AT COURTHOUSE

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to eight incidents during the week ending May 24th. Officers conducted approximately 41 traffic stops and 68 security checks. On Wednesday, Merrill Police officers assisted Lincoln County deputies at the courthouse with a man who became unruly and resistive. The man was placed under arrest and transported to the Lincoln County Jail Other activity included a man with a Lincoln County warrant for his arrest surrendering himself at the Merrill Police Department, and three arrests for probation violations. There were two citations for disorderly conduct…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SUPERVISORS APPROVE RESOLUTION TO PURSUE TRAIL IMPROVEMENT GRANT

Steve Dillon

Lincoln County is moving forward with plans to improve the Trout Capital Trail system. The County Board unanimously approved a resolution via voice vote during a recent meeting that allows the Forestry Department to pursue grant funding through the American Trails 2026 Trail Fund. The money would support upgrades to a recently added half-mile trail section near Prairie Dells Road. The segment connects to the new Prairie River bridge and nearby trail routes, but county officials say wet and muddy conditions have made the path difficult to maintain and use.…

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Merrill Memorial Day Ceremony Draws Hundreds to Honor Veterans

Steve Dillon

The City of Merrill hosted its 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial site on St Francis Xavier Cemetery grounds on Monday. Hundreds of veterans and community members gathered as the Merrill City Band opened the morning’s activities with a round of popular patriotic numbers. The featured speaker of the day was Brigadier General Timothy Covington, and City of Merrill Mayor Steve Hass also shared his thoughts on the city’s commitment to our Veterans and remembering the sacrifice of those who laid down their lives for our freedom. Veteran…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE REPORT: TWO CAR ACCIDENT IN TOWN OF SCHLEY LEADS TO INJURIES

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 68 traffic stops and 42 security checks. There were twelve calls involving cars hitting deer, one call where a car hit an Eagle, and one where a car struck a bear. On Monday, deputies were dispatched to the Town of Schley for a two-car crash that resulted in an injured party being transported by Merrill ambulance. Investigation at the scene revealed that a vehicle was traveling northbound on county highway G when the driver failed to observe the posted stop sign, striking a…

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Merrill High School’s 143rd Commencement Excercises Held Friday Evening

Steve Dillon

On Friday night, the 143rd Commencement Exercises of Merrill Senior High School was held in the school’s fieldhouse. Following a keynote address by MHS English Teacher Amy Raddatz and performances from the Vocal Jayz and Wind Ensemble, the Class of 2026 was certified by MAPS superintendent Shannon Murray. The 178 graduates from this year’s Senior Class received diplomas from school principal Trisha Detert and School Board President Kevin Blake.

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Merrill Defeats Antigo 2-0 in Boys’ Baseball Action

Steve Dillon

In a game heard right here on WJMT and wjmtfm.com and seen on WJMT-TV on YouTube, the Merrill Bluejay boys defeated the Antigo Red Robins 2-0 in a game shortened to 4 1/2 innings due to a serious injury to two Antigo players in the bottom of the fourth.  Quinton Kurtzhals picked up the complete game win, scattering four hits over the five innings he threw.  With the win, the boys’ conference record rose to 5-9 as they finished up the regular season with two conference wins this week.  This…

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Lincoln County Looks to Expand Opioid Funding Opportunities

Steve Dillon

Lincoln County Board of Supervisors is taking steps to grow local resources in the fight against opioid addiction. Supervisors approved using $10,000 in opioid settlement funds to hire grant writers to help pursue additional state and federal funding opportunities focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery programs at their meeting on Tuesday. County officials say the highly competitive grants could support future efforts including a family treatment court, prevention initiatives, and long-term medication-assisted treatment services at the jail. Leaders say the move is designed to make settlement dollars go further while…

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Engelberry Farm to Close After 40 Years

Steve Dillon

Engleberry Farms, a local favorite of Merrill and Lincoln County residents is set to close at the end of the growing season. Husband and Wife team Jeannine and Mike Matushak will be retiring following 40 years as a summertime staple for strawberry lovers in the area. The Matushak farm will become the latest local berry farm to close its doors, joining Mike’s Berries in Wausau, M&M Berries in Merrill, and Merry’s Berries in Antigo, all of which have shut down in recent years. They say the physically demanding work, along…

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