2026 – Page 4 – Bluejay 96.3FM 730AM

NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN RESIDENTS REMINDED TO KEEP METERS VENTS CLEAR IN WAKE OF STORM

March 17, 2026March 17, 2026 Steve DillonSNOWSTORM FOLLOW UP

Given the significant snowfall that has hit the region over the last few days, the Lincoln County Health Department and Wisconsin Public Service are reminding residents to keep gas meters and all vents clear of snow to keep your heating appliances properly functioning and prevent deadly carbon monoxide build up inside your home or any enclosed spaces around your property or workplace. Meter piping can be damaged from the extra weight of snow and ice, or vents can become clogged creating a hazardous situation. If you have experienced a power…

TOWN OF MERRILL HOME DESTROYED IN SUNDAY AFTERNOON FIRE

March 16, 2026March 16, 2026 Steve DillonTOWN OF MERRILL HOME FIRE

A home in the Town of Merrill was destroyed by fire Sunday afternoon. The Merrill Fire Department was dispatched just before 3:30 p.m. to a structure fire at N4235 County Road K. Crews arriving on scene found heavy smoke and flames coming from the second story and initially began defensive operations.Given limited access to the rural property, firefighters set up a water shuttle using tenders from several neighboring departments, with a fill site established at the hydrant near North Center Avenue and 14th Street in the city. One person was…

BONUS PERMITS FOR 2026 TURKEY SEASON NOW AVAILABLE

March 16, 2026March 16, 2026 Steve Dillon

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will start selling bonus permits for the 2026 spring turkey season today.The permits—formerly called leftover tags—went on sale Monday at 10 a.m. through the state’s Go Wild license system and at license agents, with a separate sale date assigned to each turkey zone. Hunters must now create a Go Wild username and password before purchasing permits, and the DNR recommends doing so as soon as possible to avoid delays. Bonus authorizations cost $10 dollars for residents and $15 for non-residents, and hunters can buy…

VILAS COUNTY SNOWMOBILE TRAILS RE-OPEN

March 16, 2026March 15, 2026 Steve Dillon

Snowmobilers once again have the opportunity to enjoy riding in Wisconsin’s Northwoods. Effective Saturday at 8 AM, the over 500- mile Vilas County Snowmobile Trail system was re-opened, including all state and club-funded trails. All trails are safe for passage, per the Vilas County Snowmobile Alliance Clubs. Select trails will remain unopened or could be rerouted because of water issues, and there may be trails that are not groomed. As riders enjoy the extended season, they should avoid trespassing and assume all trails are private property as off-trail riding could…

CITY OF MERRILL DECLARES SNOW EMERGENCY FOR LATE SATURDAY THROUGH EARLY MONDAY

March 13, 2026March 13, 2026 Steve Dillon

The City of Merrill has released a snow emergency declaration effective late Saturday night March 14th through 12:00 PM Noon on Monday, March 16th. Upwards of two feet of snow is forecast across the region. Vehicles are not to be parked on city streets during the snow emergency period. Any vehicles parked on city streets are subject to being ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense. Forfeiture for parking on the street during a snow emergency is $20, not inclusive of the costs for towing. Keeping vehicles from parking on…

BRIDGE INSPECTIONS AT US 51/WIS 29 INTERCHANGE TO CAUSE LANE CLOSURES TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY

March 13, 2026March 13, 2026 Steve DillonBRIDGE INSPECTION LANE CLOSURES

Lane closures are planned next week at the US 51 / WIS 29 West Interchange while crews complete routine bridge inspections. Work is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17th through Wednesday, March 18th, though the timetable could change depending on weather. A single lane will be closed on the westbound WIS 29 ramp at Exit 191-A, and the eastbound WIS 29 ramp to northbound US 51 at Exit 164-B will be fully closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Drivers can use the eastbound WIS 52 exit as a…

LOCAL TV SCREENS GO “DARK” AS DISH NETWORK DROPS GRAY MEDIA STATIONS

March 12, 2026March 13, 2026 Steve DillonDISH NETWORK DROPS GRAY MEDIA STATIONS

Some television viewers across our area are suddenly missing a pair of local stations. DISH Network customers lost access to WSAW and WZAW Tuesday evening including CBS, The CW, FOX and local programming on Channel 7 after the satellite provider and station owner Gray Media failed to reach a renewal agreement. The change means DISH subscribers can no longer watch programming from those stations, including shows like the CBS Evening News, NCIS, Survivor, and The Amazing Race. DISH customers who want the channels to be restored are encouraged to contact…

MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: JUVENILE SON HITS MOTHER WITH KEY LANYARD, REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES

March 12, 2026March 11, 2026 Steve DillonMERRILL POLICE DEPARMENT REPORT

The Merrill Police Department responded to nine incidents during the week ending March 8th. Officers conducted approximately 43 traffic stops and 95 security checks. On Tuesday, a caller reported her brother hit her mother with a key lanyard causing injury to her leg. Investigation revealed the juvenile son swung the lanyard at his mother’s leg during a disagreement about vehicle usage. The juvenile was referred to Lincoln County Social Services. Other activity included two arrests for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, and another arrest for armed while intoxicated. There were…

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: MAPLE TAPPING EFFORTS LEAD TO TWO CAR ACCIDENT IN TOWN OF SCHLEY

March 11, 2026March 10, 2026 Steve DillonLincoln County Sheriff Report

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 59 traffic stops and 33 security checks. There were two calls involving cars hitting deer. Deputies were dispatched to the Town of Schley on Saturday for a report of a two-car crash with injuries in the area of County Highway X and Jane Spur Road. Initial investigation at the scene revealed a vehicle with its flashers on and hauling a trailer was parked facing north on the southbound side of the highway while passengers from that vehicle collected maple sap, and one of…

FORMER WAUSAU FIRE DIVISION CHIEF SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS PROBATION, RESTITUTION AND COUNSELING

March 10, 2026March 10, 2026 Steve DillonWAUSAU FIRE CHIEF PROBATION

A former Wausau fire official will serve probation after admitting to stealing powerful narcotics from the department. Forty-six-year-old former Division Chief Jared Thompson pleaded guilty Monday to two felony counts of misconduct in office and was sentenced to three years of probation. Investigators say more than one-thousand vials of hydromorphone and fentanyl were discovered missing during an audit of department supplies. City officials say Thompson was fired after the allegations surfaced. He must also complete treatment and counseling and pay restitution to the city.