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Year: 2026

Tomahawk Woman May Reach Plea Deal in OWI Case

Steve Dillon

A possible plea deal appears to be in the works for a Tomahawk woman facing multiple drunk driving charges in Lincoln County. A plea and sentencing hearing for 56-year-old Connie Jones has been scheduled for January 15th of next year. Jones was arrested last October after authorities received multiple reports of a vehicle traveling north in the southbound lanes of Highway 51. Deputies stopped the vehicle near mile marker 208 and reported signs of impairment, including an open bottle of alcohol. Investigators also learned Jones was already out on bond…

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Wausau Woman Convicted Following Marathon County Break-In Spree

Steve Dillon

A Marathon County jury has found a Wausau woman guilty on seven of eight charges connected to a string of burglaries and thefts last year. Forty-two-year-old Ashley Pinkert was convicted Tuesday on charges including burglary, theft, criminal trespass, and one count of arming herself with a dangerous weapon. She was acquitted on a second weapons charge. According to the criminal complaint, reports of break-ins began in April of last year. In one case, homeowners in the Town of Rib Falls returned home to find their door unlocked, items moved, and…

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MORE LATE SPRING SEVERE WEATHER IN SOUTHERN WISCONSIN

Steve Dillon

The National Weather Service is tracking severe storm damage from multiple tornado touchdowns on Wednesday night. Meteorologists say at least two tornadoes touched down and more were possible after conditions shifted during Wednesday to make twisters more likely. Two homes in the Dane County village of Belleville were significantly damaged by a tornado. The National Weather Service in La Crosse tracked a tornado that moved from Iowa into Crawford County. Assessment teams will be out across the region this week looking for other possible tornado touchdowns near Boscobel.

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: TWO EJECTED IN TOWN OF BRADLEY CRASH

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 34 traffic stops and 20 security checks. There were 9 calls involving cars hitting deer, and there was one report of a car hitting a bear. On Thursday, deputies were sent to the Town of Bradley near Tannery and Green Box Roads regarding a single car crash with injuries. The driver, Andrew Dvorak of Tomahawk told deputies a deer ran out in front of his vehicle causing him to lose control and go into the ditch. Dvorak’s car rolled to a final rest…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARMENT REPORT: YOUNG ATV DRIVER CITED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to eight incidents during the week ending June 14th. Officers conducted approximately 23 traffic stops and 95 security checks. On Sunday, a mini four-wheeler was seen driving through Stange’s Park. Officers sent to the scene located the vehicle and knew the driver had recently received numerous warnings regarding where he should and should not be driving the ATV. The young man was cited for several ATV violations and for disorderly conduct with a motor vehicle.   Other activity included a report of extreme public intoxication,…

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NEW PUBLIC ALERT SYSTEM TO GO LIVE THIS WEEK IN LINCOLN COUNTY

Steve Dillon

Lincoln County Emergency Management announced on Monday that public enrollment is now open for Lincoln County Alerts, a new public alert and warning system designed to provide residents and visitors with timely emergency information from local public safety officials. Lincoln County Director of Emergency Management Tyler Verhasselt shared, “When seconds matter, people need information from trusted local public safety officials. Lincoln County alerts gives residents and visitors a direct way to receive emergency information from the people responsible for protecting this community. In a large rural county, redundancy matters. This…

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TWO-VEHICLE CRASH IN PORTAGE COUNTY ENDS IN DEATH OF 75-YEAR-OLD WOMAN

Steve Dillon

An accident in Portage County Saturday has claimed the life of 75-year-old woman. A press release from the Portage County stated a call was received at 12:23 pm reporting a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of County Highway’s J and HH in the Township of Stockton. Preliminary investigation revealed the the 75-year-old’s SUV was truck by a pickup headed soulth on county highway J after she failed to yield at a stop sign. She was pronounced dead at the scene.   The name of the deceased has not been released,…

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LIGHTNING STRIKE HALTS CONCERT IN RICE LAKE

Steve Dillon

Lightning struck a utility pole and stage at Rice Lake’s Aquafest concert in Barron County Friday night, as the band and audience sought shelter from a thunderstorm. Thousands of people were in attendance at the 90s country band BlackHawk concert. Fortunately, no injuries resulted from the strike, however EMS on site did provide medical evaluation for several crewmembers. The grounds were evacuated and the remainder of the concert was canceled. Damaged stage equipment was replaced and the event continued Saturday evening.

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CITY OF MERRILL HOLDS STREET SIGN DEDICATION FRIDAY FOR LESLIE “CHES” KIENITZ

Steve Dillon

Friday morning at 10 a.m., family, friends and members of the community gathered in Merrill in response to an invitation from Mayor Steve Hass to honor the late Leslie “Ches” Kienitz. An honorary street sign was dedicated in Kienitz name near his family’s home on West 10th Street near Chippewa St, by the City of Merrill’s Historic Preservation Committee. Kienitz is remembered as serving in many different capacities for the city. He was Merrill City Band’s drum major in 1937, serving in the that role until 1985 except for his…

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