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Month: July 2026

New Finance Director Approved for Lincoln County

Steve Dillon

Lincoln County has a new finance director following action by the County Board Tuesday. Supervisors unanimously approved the appointment of Korey Bloch to the position, effective August 17. Bloch succeeds Heather Marheine, who recently resigned after serving as finance director for the past two years. County Board Chair Don Friske said Bloch is a Merrill native with financial experience at a large local business. Bloch attended Tuesday’s meeting and was welcomed by supervisors following the board’s vote. Bloch steps into the role as Lincoln County begins work on its 2027…

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Lincoln County Board Tables Proposal to Limit Recording in County Buildings

Steve Dillon

The Lincoln County Board has voted to table a proposed policy that would limit photography and video recording in certain county government buildings. Following a lengthy discussion Tuesday, supervisors voted 13 to 9 to delay action on the proposal. Supporters said the policy is intended to protect the privacy of individuals receiving confidential services in areas such as the Health Department, Social Services, and court offices. Opponents, however, raised concerns that the proposal could infringe on First Amendment rights, particularly in public areas of the Lincoln County Service Center where…

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Construction Workers Injured After Roof Truss Collapse in Town of Merrill

Steve Dillon

Three construction workers were injured Tuesday after roof trusses shifted and collapsed at a construction site on Hemlock Lane in the Town of Merrill. According to the Merrill Fire Department, one worker was initially trapped beneath the collapsed trusses but was able to free himself before emergency crews arrived. Three workers were evaluated at the scene. Two were treated with basic first aid and declined transportation to the hospital. A third worker, who had been working among the roof trusses when they collapsed, was transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. The…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: DOMESTIC INCIDENT ENDS WITH MULTIPLE CHARGES REFERRED

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to ten incidents during the week ending July 19th. Officers conducted approximately 25 traffic stops and 139 security checks. On Saturday, Officers responded to a report of a vehicle with a window broken out. Investigation at the scene revealed that the broken window was the result of a domestic incident. The female suspect could not be located throughout the weekend, but will be referred for multiple charges including battery, disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property, strangulation and suffocation and bail jumping. Other activity included three…

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Wisconsin Rapids Man Arrested After High-Speed Chase

Steve Dillon

A Wisconsin Rapids man is facing a seventh-offense OWI charge following a high-speed police chase Monday night in Wood County. Authorities say 47-year-old Daniel Erdman fled a traffic stop in the Town of Grand Rapids, speeding through stop signs and into Wisconsin Rapids before leading officers on a pursuit. Police say a female passenger was able to get out safely during the chase, and a deputy later used a PIT maneuver to stop the truck. Erdman then ran from the vehicle but was quickly taken into custody. In addition to…

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Bluejays Win, Lose to Wausau in American Legion Softball Regional Tournament

Steve Dillon

In a pair of games heard right here on WJMT, wjmtfm.com, and the WJMT app, the Merrill Post 46 girls’ softball squad defeated the Wausau Post 10 Bulldogs in the semi-final game suspended Monday due to tornado warnings 9-4 before succumbing to the Bulldogs in in the first of two finals games 17-5 in a five inning contest last night at Sunnyvale Park in Wausau. The loss sets up a final game in the tournament Wednesday at Sunnyvale Park, with coverage beginning at 4:45 with the Nicolet Bank pre-game show…

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Bluejays Defeat Shawano in Regional American Legion Tournament Game 7-6 

Steve Dillon

In a game heard right here on WJMT and wjmtfm.com, the Merrill Post 46 girls’ softball team defeated Shawano 7-6 in American Legion regional tournament play.  The second game pitting Merrill against Wausau Post 10 was suspended due to a tornado warning in the top of the second inning with Post 46 leading 2-0 when play was stopped.  The game will be resumed tonight at 5:00 at Wausau’s Sunnyvale Softball Complex.  The loser will play at 7:00 against the winder of the Crandon-Shawano contest, which was also suspended due to…

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NTC Earns National Recognition

Steve Dillon

Northcentral Technical College is preparing to expand career training opportunities after being selected for a nationwide apprenticeship initiative. The college is one of only 11 community colleges across the country invited to take part in the program, which helps schools develop Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in career fields that have not traditionally used the model. NTC will receive planning support as it works toward becoming an apprenticeship sponsor, creating more paid, hands-on training opportunities while helping employers build a stronger workforce. The college expects to begin enrolling apprentices in the new…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: ILLEGAL U-TURN LEADS TO TWO-CAR CRASH IN TOWN OF RUSSELL

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 32 traffic stops and 28 security checks. There were 4 calls involving cars hitting deer. Deputies were dispatched to State Highway 17 in the Town of Russell Monday regarding the report of a two-car crash with injuries. As they arrived at the scene, they learned that the driver of car #1 was attempting a U-turn where highway 17 meets Prairie Drive, entering the path where car #2 was heading southbound. The driver of the second vehicle was unable to stop before striking the…

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