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Month: June 2026

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: TWO EJECTED IN TOWN OF BRADLEY CRASH

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 34 traffic stops and 20 security checks. There were 9 calls involving cars hitting deer, and there was one report of a car hitting a bear. On Thursday, deputies were sent to the Town of Bradley near Tannery and Green Box Roads regarding a single car crash with injuries. The driver, Andrew Dvorak of Tomahawk told deputies a deer ran out in front of his vehicle causing him to lose control and go into the ditch. Dvorak’s car rolled to a final rest…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARMENT REPORT: YOUNG ATV DRIVER CITED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to eight incidents during the week ending June 14th. Officers conducted approximately 23 traffic stops and 95 security checks. On Sunday, a mini four-wheeler was seen driving through Stange’s Park. Officers sent to the scene located the vehicle and knew the driver had recently received numerous warnings regarding where he should and should not be driving the ATV. The young man was cited for several ATV violations and for disorderly conduct with a motor vehicle.   Other activity included a report of extreme public intoxication,…

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NEW PUBLIC ALERT SYSTEM TO GO LIVE THIS WEEK IN LINCOLN COUNTY

Steve Dillon

Lincoln County Emergency Management announced on Monday that public enrollment is now open for Lincoln County Alerts, a new public alert and warning system designed to provide residents and visitors with timely emergency information from local public safety officials. Lincoln County Director of Emergency Management Tyler Verhasselt shared, “When seconds matter, people need information from trusted local public safety officials. Lincoln County alerts gives residents and visitors a direct way to receive emergency information from the people responsible for protecting this community. In a large rural county, redundancy matters. This…

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TWO-VEHICLE CRASH IN PORTAGE COUNTY ENDS IN DEATH OF 75-YEAR-OLD WOMAN

Steve Dillon

An accident in Portage County Saturday has claimed the life of 75-year-old woman. A press release from the Portage County stated a call was received at 12:23 pm reporting a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of County Highway’s J and HH in the Township of Stockton. Preliminary investigation revealed the the 75-year-old’s SUV was truck by a pickup headed soulth on county highway J after she failed to yield at a stop sign. She was pronounced dead at the scene.   The name of the deceased has not been released,…

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LIGHTNING STRIKE HALTS CONCERT IN RICE LAKE

Steve Dillon

Lightning struck a utility pole and stage at Rice Lake’s Aquafest concert in Barron County Friday night, as the band and audience sought shelter from a thunderstorm. Thousands of people were in attendance at the 90s country band BlackHawk concert. Fortunately, no injuries resulted from the strike, however EMS on site did provide medical evaluation for several crewmembers. The grounds were evacuated and the remainder of the concert was canceled. Damaged stage equipment was replaced and the event continued Saturday evening.

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CITY OF MERRILL HOLDS STREET SIGN DEDICATION FRIDAY FOR LESLIE “CHES” KIENITZ

Steve Dillon

Friday morning at 10 a.m., family, friends and members of the community gathered in Merrill in response to an invitation from Mayor Steve Hass to honor the late Leslie “Ches” Kienitz. An honorary street sign was dedicated in Kienitz name near his family’s home on West 10th Street near Chippewa St, by the City of Merrill’s Historic Preservation Committee. Kienitz is remembered as serving in many different capacities for the city. He was Merrill City Band’s drum major in 1937, serving in the that role until 1985 except for his…

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2025 ANOTHER BANNER YEAR FOR WISCONSIN AND LINCOLN COUNTY TOURISM

Steve Dillon

Lincoln County’s tourism economy continued its upward climb in 2025, setting another new record. New figures released Tuesday by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism show visitors generated $115 million in economic impact in Lincoln County last year, marking the fourth straight year of record tourism spending and a 2.3 percent increase from 2024. Statewide, Wisconsin tourism reached an all-time high of $27 billion. The latest numbers highlight the value visitors bring to the area according to information received from the Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce, showing support to local businesses, job…

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MERRILL COMMON COUNCIL SUMMARY: TUESDAY JUNE 9TH

Steve Dillon

The City of Merrill’s May Common Council Meeting was held at City Hall Tuesday evening. Mayor Steve Hass shared that the Council honored City Street Superintendent Dustin Bonack for ten years of service to the City. Resolutions were completed for Todd and Joy Annis for their retirement from The Merrill Park and Recreation Department. Merrill’s next City Common Council meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday July 14th.

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: TASER BULLY CITED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to eight incidents during the week ending June 7th. Officers conducted approximately 24 traffic stops and 89 security checks. On Tuesday, a report of an individual using a taser on people turned out to be a group of people chasing others around with a cattle taser.  A male individual who actually did tase someone was cited for disorderly conduct. Other activity included three additional citations issued for disorderly conduct in unrelated incidents, an arrest for bail jumping, two reports of theft, and a call for…

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