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Month: July 2026

Authorities Release New Details in Fatal Lincoln County Pursuit

Steve Dillon

New information has been released in the investigation of Tuesday’s police pursuit that began in Lincoln County and ended with a fatal crash in Marathon County. Investigators say 48-year-old John D. Wallace of Oregon, Wisconsin died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after his vehicle came to a stop near County Highway K and Rainbow Drive. A preliminary autopsy found no evidence that law enforcement officers fired their weapons during the incident. Officials say Miller was the lone occupant of the vehicle, and deputies recovered a handgun from inside. The Wood…

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Lincoln County Provides Update on Road Projects

Steve Dillon

Lincoln County motorists are being advised of updates involving two road construction projects. County Highway D, between Wagonmaker Lane and Mail Route Road in the Town of Harrison, will close August 10th through August 20th for a bridge replacement over Big Pine Creek. The road will temporarily reopen August 11th to accommodate Election Day traffic before closing again. Meanwhile, the closure of Highway 17 north of Merrill near Barnes Creek will remain in place until work commences on the adjacent roadway project, which is expected to get underway within the…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: BATTERY INCIDENT LEADS TO MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to seven incidents during the week ending July 26th. Officers conducted approximately 21 traffic stops and 117 security checks. Officers responded to a report of a battery at a local residence on Sunday. Officers attempted to take a male party into custody for hitting his girlfriend, but he was physically resistive and injured and Officer. He continued to threaten Officers while they were getting him medically cleared. The male suspect was booked into the Lincoln County Jail with multiple felony charges. Other activity included two…

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MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: BUILDING COLLAPSE IN TOWN OF MERRILL ON TUESDAY

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 47 calls last week, bringing the total for 2026 to 1,318 calls. There were 43 EMS calls. The Department responded to a building collapse situation on Tuesday, and a motor vehicle accident that required extraction on Saturday. Both of those incidents were in the Town of Merrill. There was a vehicle fire on California Street in the City of Merrill on Sunday.

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Man Found Dead After Pursuit Ends in Marathon County

Steve Dillon

A man was found dead Tuesday afternoon after a pursuit by local law enforcement that began in Lincoln County and ended with a crash in Marathon County. According to the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance at about 12:15 p.m. after a vehicle being pursued left Lincoln County on County Highway K and entered Marathon County.A short time later, law enforcement learned the vehicle had crashed near the intersection of County Highway K and Rainbow Drive in Marathon County. Deputies from the Marathon County and…

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DNR Highlights Accessibility at Council Grounds State Park During Disability Pride Month

Steve Dillon

Council Grounds State Park is being recognized as one of Wisconsin’s parks offering expanded opportunities for visitors of all abilities. As part of Disability Pride Month, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is highlighting accessible features across the state park system, including an accessible fishing pier, adaptive kayaks, and accessible campsites and picnic areas at Council Grounds. The DNR says improving accessibility helps more families and visitors enjoy Wisconsin’s public lands together. An interactive map of accessibility features at state parks is available on the DNR website.

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT REPORT: MOTORCYCLE VS DEER CRASH IN TOWN OF SCHLEY

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 35 traffic stops and 31 security checks. There were 6 calls involving cars hitting deer, 1 involving a car hitting a bear, and a third where a car hit a coyote. On Sunday, the 911 center received a call regarding a motorcycle vs deer crash with injuries in the Town of Schley on county highway X near county highway C. Scottie Wenzlick of Merrill was driving the motorcycle when it struck the deer. Wenzlick sustained minor injuries from the crash and refused medical…

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EARLY VOTING BEGINS TUESDAY AHEAD OF AUGUST 11 PRIMARY

Steve Dillon

Early in-person voting for the August 11 Partisan Primary begins tomorrow, Tuesday, July 28, at Merrill City Hall. Hours for absentee in-person voting ahead of the primary election are posted on the city’s website, ci.merrill.wi.us. The city has also given notice that public testing of the DS200 Tabulating Equipment and ExpressVote machines to be used for the August 11th primary is scheduled to being on Monday, August 3rd at 9:00 a.m. The testing will be conducted in the Common Council Chambers at 1004 East First Street.

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Bluejay Boys Finish Their Season Losing Two in the Regional Playoffs

Steve Dillon

In a pair of games heard right here on WJMT and wjmtfm.com, the Merrill Post 46 American Legion boys’ baseball team saw their 2026 season come to an end with a pair of walk-off losses in the regional tournament held Friday in Three Lakes.  In the first game, the Jays, who were the visitors in both contests, lost 7-6 with two outs in the eighth inning to Medford before succumbing to the Northwoods squad in the nightcap 8-7 with no outs in the bottom of the seventh. In the first…

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Stevens Point Pre-Teen to Represent Wisconsin at National Miss Amazing Pageant

Steve Dillon

A Stevens Point pre-teen is preparing to represent Wisconsin at the National Miss Amazing pageant after winning the state’s pre-teen title earlier this year. Emma White, who has Down syndrome, earned the opportunity to compete on the national stage through the Wisconsin Miss Amazing program, which empowers girls and women with disabilities by promoting confidence, self-esteem, leadership, and personal achievement. Emma will compete this weekend in Chicago, where participants from across the country will take part in talent, interview, and formal wear events. For her talent presentation, she plans to…

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