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Year: 2026

Lincoln County Residents Invited to Shape Future of Outdoor Recreation and Downtown Development

Steve Dillon

Lincoln County residents will have an opportunity later this month to help shape the future of outdoor recreation, local businesses and downtown development through the County. Community workshops are planned for October 21st and 22nd, bringing together outdoor recreation enthusiasts, community leaders, the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation and the UW-Stout Center for Sustainable Communities. The workshops will provide an opportunity for residents and community stakeholders to share ideas, identify local needs and help develop strategies that could strengthen Lincoln County’s outdoor recreation assets, businesses, downtowns and communities for years…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: TWO-CAR ACCIDENT IN TOWN OF CORNING

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 10 traffic stops and 19 security checks. There were 9 reports of cars hitting deer, and 1 where a car struck a bear. Deputies were dispatched to the Town of Corning Tuesday for the report of a two-car crash with injuries. A passenger reportedly had a bloody nose and seemed disoriented. Deputies found the driver of the first vehicle was westbound on County Highway Z and failed to stop at the intersection of State Highway 107 and 64. The second vehicle was traveling…

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Wausau Considers Purchase of Land for Future Neighborhood Park

Steve Dillon

Wausau officials are considering whether to acquire roughly three acres of Marathon County-owned land on the city’s west side for a future neighborhood park. The Wausau Parks and Recreation Committee will discuss the proposal Monday evening. The property is located near 28th Avenue in the Kraimer’s Addition neighborhood and was originally designated as a private park when the neighborhood was developed. Marathon County acquired the property and several surrounding parcels in 2006 in anticipation of a future roadway project. That project is no longer planned, and the county has approached…

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NINE WOLVES EUTHANIZED IN NORTHERN PRICE COUNTY

Steve Dillon

Nine wolves have been trapped and euthanized in northern Price County following verified threats to human health and safety.The Wisconsin DNR confirmed the action to WJFW, saying the incidents began in July of 2025 and continued through August of this year. The DNR says residents tried non-lethal measures including hazing, increased lighting, removing attractants and increasing human activity, but the efforts did not resolve the problem. Officials say the wolves became increasingly acclimated to people. USDA Wildlife Services carried out the removal in late August and early September, with the…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: ERRATIC DRIVER ARRESTED FOR OWI, CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to 5 incidents during the week ending September 27th. Officers conducted approximately 17 traffic stops and 55 security checks. A complaint of erratic driving on County Highway W on Thursday that was communicated to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office by the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office led to an arrest for operating while intoxicated. A Merrill Police Officer located the vehicle in question and observed that it was swerving across the center line and speeding. The driver showed signs of being intoxicated and agreed to field…

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TWO TEENS ARRESTED AFTER GUN INCIDENT NEAR WAUSAU SCHOOL

Steve Dillon

Two 16-year-old boys are in custody after a reported gun incident near John Muir Middle School in Wausau Thursday afternoon. Wausau Police say three students reported that the teens displayed a gun while walking past the school on Stewart Avenue shortly before one o’clock. The two boys then ran toward Marathon Park, where officers found and arrested them a short time later. Police recovered a gun and say the teens were taken to the Marathon County Secure Detention Facility and will be referred to juvenile justice on weapons-related charges. The…

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MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: MULTIPLE VEHICLE FIRES AND COLLISIONS

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 47 calls last week, bringing the total for 2026 to 1,756 calls. 45 of those calls required EMS Services. The Department responded to the report of a passenger vehicle fire on State Road in the Town of Rock Falls on Monday, and to the report of a Recreational Vehicle fire on US Highway 51 near Lincoln Drive in the Town of Merrill on Friday. There were two motor vehicle collisions, the first occurring in the Town of Pine River on Wednesday. The second, a…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: DEER IN ROADWAY RESULTS IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 30 traffic stops and 24 security checks. There were 12 reports of cars hitting deer. Deputies were dispatched to the Town of Somo Friday for the report of a one car crash with injuries on US Highway 8 near Martin Road. The driver, Isaac Ecklof of Olivia, MN was headed eastbound on US Highway 8 when he swerved to avoid hitting a deer, causing his vehicle to enter the ditch and then go airborne prior to coming to a rest. The impact caused…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: REPORT OF DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE ENDS WITH MULTIPLE CHARGES

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to 13 incidents during the week ending September 20th. Officers conducted approximately 16 traffic stops and 85 security checks. A man is facing multiple charges following a reported domestic disturbance at a local residence Saturday. An officer received a report of the disturbance, which had occurred earlier in the day. Further investigation led to the man’s arrest on charges of domestic battery, strangulation or suffocation, false imprisonment and bail jumping. Other activity included four arrests for probation violations, a report of a possible hit and…

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Oneida County Settles Civil Rights Lawsuit for $1.25 Million

Steve Dillon

Oneida County will pay $1.25M to settle a federal civil-rights lawsuit stemming from a 2024 arrest in Rhinelander. The lawsuit was filed by 45-year-old Thomas Maulson, who alleged a Oneida County sheriff’s deputy used excessive force while arresting him in a Walmart parking lot. Maulson, a member of the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Nation, was handcuffed when the incident occurred. He suffered a head injury that required 13 stitches, and criminal charges against him were later dismissed. The Sheriff’s Office disputed Maulson’s allegations and said the deputy’s actions were appropriate.…

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