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Month: June 2026

MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: FIGHT AT LOCAL PARK LEADS TO CHARGES, SOCIAL SERVICES REFERRAL

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to six incidents during the week ending May 31st. Officers conducted approximately 22 traffic stops and 77 security checks. On Tuesday, a report was received regarding a fight near Stange’s Park. An adult male had allegedly confronted a group of juveniles who had made vulgar remarks. The juveniles left the park and the adult continued to follow them, and the juveniles reported the man threw a punch at one of them prompting the juvenile to punch the man in the face. The juvenile was referred…

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Bluejay Boys’ Baseball Season Ends with 12-7 Playoff Loss

Steve Dillon

In a game heard right here on WJMT and wjmtfm.com, the Merrill boys’ baseball team saw their season come to an end in a controversy-filled contest on the road against the Wisconsin Dells Chiefs 12-7. The Bluejays scored first in the top of the first inning on a phantom double play where the Chiefs’ second baseman was clearly across the bag on a ground ball hit by AmericInn Player of the Game Cooper Wendorf (pictured), scoring Eric Grunenwald. The Blue jays then gave up three, four, and five runs in…

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MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE FOUR BLAZES DURING THE WEEK

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 45 calls last week, bringing the total for 2026 to 949 calls. There were 39 EMS calls. There was a vehicle fire on County Road G in the Town of Merrill on Wednesday. The department also battled three other fires throughout the week – one on east 6th Street on Friday, another on County Road Q on Saturday, and a third on County Road FF on Sunday.

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Phillips Man Dies in Apparent Boating Accident on Soo Lake

Steve Dillon

Another water-related tragedy has occurred in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, the second in less than a week. On Monday, a 911 caller reported they had located a body on Soo Lake. Price County Sheriff Brian Schmidt who received the call said the caller stated he found the deceased, Stanley Gruszka of Phillips near a pontoon boat. A Price County Sheriff’s Office news release stated the 9-1-1 caller had brought the man’s body to shore prior to deputies arriving on scene. Initial investigation suggests Gruszka’s leg became stuck in the ladder of the…

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Wausau Man Jailed After 130 MPH Chase in Lincoln County

Steve Dillon

What was intended to be a traffic stop for a driver with open warrants for his arrest suddenly turned into a high-speed chase on U.S. Highway 51 for a Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy last week. As the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver instead accelerated and fled. A pursuit ensued, with speeds reaching up to 130 miles per hour. Several miles later, the deputy discontinued the pursuit after losing visual contact with the vehicle and due to safety concerns. The sheriff’s office learned shortly thereafter that the suspect,…

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Not Guilty Plea Entered in Deadly Highway 52 Crash

Steve Dillon

An Antigo man charged in a fatal head-on crash near Wausau last September has been bound over for trial. Adam Borchardt appeared in court Monday, where he waived his preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty to six charges, including vehicular homicide. Authorities say the crash occurred September 26th on Highway 52 near Forest Lawn Road and claimed the lives of 81-year-old Shirley Erickson and 82-year-old Arlan Erickson. Borchardt remains jailed on a $300,000 cash bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 10.

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: ARREST FOR FIRST OFFENSE OWI DURING TRAFFIC STOP IN TOWN OF SCHLEY

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 59 traffic stops and 30 security checks. There were 17 calls involving cars hitting deer, one call where a car hit an Eagle, and one where a car struck a fox. On Wednesday, a deputy on patrol observed a vehicle with no working tail lights during the night hours on State Highway 17 in the Town of Schley. The deputy completed a traffic stop of the vehicle and noted that the Driver, David Belter of Merrill was exhibiting signs of impairment. Belter agreed…

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MARATHON COUNTY JOB CENTER RELOCATES FROM FIRST STREET TO SCOTT STREET

Steve Dillon

Effective today, The Marathon County Job Center has moved to 11 Scott Street in Wausau. The Center was previously located on First Street. All development programs will continue to be offered, including job search assistance, career counseling, unemployment insurance services, support with writing resumes, and training and education resources. Service offered at the Job Center will remain unchanged. According to the Job Center, the relocation supports its mission of delivering accessible employment and workforce services to residents across Marathon County and surrounding areas.

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