You are here

Year: 2026

MARATHON COUNTY TO KEEP FLOCK LICENSE PLATE CAMERAS

Steve Dillon

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office plans to keep its network of Flock automated license-plate cameras, despite questions being raised about how the system is monitored. Sheriff Chad Billeb says the county’s 10 cameras remain a valuable public-safety tool and have helped with numerous investigations. More than 23,000 searches have been conducted through the system. But a review of the Sheriff’s Office policy shows that language governing audits was changed in 2023. The policy now says command staff “may” conduct audits of camera searches, rather than requiring them on a regular…

Read More

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: MICHIGAN MAN INJURED AFTER MOTORCYCLE VS DEER COLLISION

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 44 traffic stops and 16 security checks. There were four reports of cars hitting deer, and one where a car struck a bear. There were three OWI arrests during the week. Deputies were dispatched to the Town of Harrison Monday for the report of a motorcycle striking a deer on County Highway D, resulting in the driver suffering rib and leg injuries. The 57-year-old Hubert Michigan man driving the bike said the deer entered the roadway in front of him around the W1000…

Read More

Wausau Man Faces Eighth OWI Charge After Lincoln County Traffic Stop

Steve Dillon

A Wausau man with seven prior OWI convictions is facing an eighth OWI charge following a traffic stop Sunday in Lincoln County. Wisconsin State Patrol says a trooper stopped 51-year-old Ryan D. Plisch around 1:13 Sunday afternoon after observing him speeding on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on State Highway 86 near County Highway T, west of Tomahawk. According to the State Patrol, the trooper observed signs of impairment during the traffic stop. Plisch was arrested on suspicion of eighth-offense OWI. He is also accused of operating with a revoked driver’s license…

Read More

MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: COOKING APPLIANCE FIRE, REPORT OF GAS LEAK

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 49 calls last week, bringing the total for 2026 to 1,658 calls. There were 44 calls requiring EMS Services. The Department responded to the report of a fire on South Park Street in the City of Merrill on Monday. The fire was confined to a cooking appliance. On Friday, emergency units were dispatched to East 1st Street in the City of Merrill for the report of a possible gas leak.

Read More

MARATHON COUNTY FLOCK CAMERA SEARCHES RAISE OVERSIGHT QUESTIONS

Steve Dillon

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office is facing questions about how it oversees a network of automated license plate cameras used by law enforcement. According to records examined by Wausau Pilot & Review, the Sheriff’s Office has conducted more than 23,000 searches through its Flock camera system. The county operates ten cameras, with the system’s data available to law-enforcement agencies across the country. Records show the Marathon County system is shared with more than 1,400 agencies in 40 states. County policy requires deputies to document a reason for each search but…

Read More

Local Wisconsin Powerball Ticket Wins $100,000

Steve Dillon

A winning Powerball ticket for the Wednesday September 16th drawing was purchased at the BP station on Grand Avenue in Merrill. The $100,000 ticket marks the largest ever sold at that location. The purchaser opted for the $1 Power Play add-on, initiating the 2 times multiplier doubling the $50,000 prize to 100,000. The ticket matched four of the five white balls – 2,21,24,25, and 64 – plus the Powerball 7. The estimated jackpot for Saturday’s drawing grew to $298 million, since no ticket purchase nationwide matched all six numbers. The…

Read More

Samuel Pressure Vessel Closure Affects 76 Jobs

Steve Dillon

The planned closure of Samuel Pressure Vessel Group’s Tomahawk facility will affect 76 employees. The company’s Bridge Street operation is expected to close by the end of the year, with employees being let go as the shutdown progresses. The 76 affected positions include workers involved in fabrication, machine operation, welding and production supervision. The closure represents a significant loss of manufacturing jobs in the Tomahawk area, with local workforce organizations working to assist affected employees. Samuel Pressure Vessel Group manufactures specialized metal pressure vessels at the Tomahawk facility.

Read More

Wausau Woman Arrested After Highway 51 Pursuit in Lincoln County

Steve Dillon

A Wausau woman is facing multiple charges after a reported impaired-driving incident led to a pursuit on U.S. Highway 51 in Lincoln County. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were dispatched September 11th after receiving a report of a white Ford Fusion being driven erratically on Highway 51 near mile marker 208 in the Town of Pine River.A deputy located the vehicle and reported seeing similar driving behavior before attempting a traffic stop. The driver failed to stop, and the deputy followed the vehicle south into Marathon County. The…

Read More

MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: WEEK ENDING 9/13

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to 11 incidents during the week ending September 13th. Officers conducted approximately 19 traffic stops and 76 security checks. On Saturday, Officers were dispatched to a local residence for a report that a male party was bit by a dog, and another male was wielding a firearm. Injuries from the dog bite were documented by the Officers. Other activity included two arrests for property damage – one criminal in nature, two instances of disorderly conduct, and arrests for bail jumping and violating probation. A citation…

Read More

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: LASER POINTING INCIDENT REPORTED BY MINNEAPOLIS AIR TRAFFIC

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 30 traffic stops and 22 security checks. There were 5 reports of cars hitting deer. The Sheriff’s Office received a call on Sunday from the Minneapolis Airport air traffic control regarding a complaint of a laser being pointed from the area of County Highway E and Wadell Rd in the Town of Bradley. The laser was directed at a 737 traveling at 34,000 feet. Deputies dispatched to the area did contact the property owners but were unable to identify a suspect. There were…

Read More