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Year: 2026

2025 ANOTHER BANNER YEAR FOR WISCONSIN AND LINCOLN COUNTY TOURISM

Steve Dillon

Lincoln County’s tourism economy continued its upward climb in 2025, setting another new record. New figures released Tuesday by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism show visitors generated $115 million in economic impact in Lincoln County last year, marking the fourth straight year of record tourism spending and a 2.3 percent increase from 2024. Statewide, Wisconsin tourism reached an all-time high of $27 billion. The latest numbers highlight the value visitors bring to the area according to information received from the Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce, showing support to local businesses, job…

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MERRILL COMMON COUNCIL SUMMARY: TUESDAY JUNE 9TH

Steve Dillon

The City of Merrill’s May Common Council Meeting was held at City Hall Tuesday evening. Mayor Steve Hass shared that the Council honored City Street Superintendent Dustin Bonack for ten years of service to the City. Resolutions were completed for Todd and Joy Annis for their retirement from The Merrill Park and Recreation Department. Merrill’s next City Common Council meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday July 14th.

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: TASER BULLY CITED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to eight incidents during the week ending June 7th. Officers conducted approximately 24 traffic stops and 89 security checks. On Tuesday, a report of an individual using a taser on people turned out to be a group of people chasing others around with a cattle taser.  A male individual who actually did tase someone was cited for disorderly conduct. Other activity included three additional citations issued for disorderly conduct in unrelated incidents, an arrest for bail jumping, two reports of theft, and a call for…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: DRIVER IN TOWN OF SCHLEY ARRESTED FOR SECOND OFFENSE OWI

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 48 traffic stops and 34 security checks. There were 11 calls involving cars hitting deer. On Thursday, a caller reported an unresponsive male in his vehicle in the middle of the road near the intersection of CTH C and Mosser Rd in the Town of Schley. Deputies dispatched to the scene made contact with the driver Andrew Shestak of Antigo who showed signs of impairment. Shestak refused sobriety testing when asked. As a result of his refusal he was placed under arrest for…

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SUV CRASHES INTO WISCONSIN RAPIDS CONVENIENCE STORE

Steve Dillon

Monday morning at around 7:30 am, Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department units were called to the scene of a car versus building crash at the BP station on Baker St. According to reports a Mercury SUV drove through the front entrance of the establishment, resulting in significant damage to both the vehicle and the convenience store. One individual reportedly suffered minor injuries. Information regarding the driver’s condition and a possible cause of the accident has not yet been released.

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MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: UNITS RESPOND TO CAR ROLLOVER ON CENTER AVE

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 39 calls last week, bringing the total for 2026 to 990 calls. There were 33 EMS calls. The Department responded to a call for an electrical line event on North State Street in the City of Merrill on Wednesday. Units were dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle accident where a car had rolled over at Center and Main Streets on Tuesday.

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Barn Fire Claims Animals in Pine River

Steve Dillon

A barn fire in the Town of Pine River Monday morning resulted in the loss of most of the animals housed inside. The Pine River Fire Department was dispatched just before 5:45 a.m. to a property on State Highway 64, where the barn was reported to be fully engulfed. Firefighters arrived to find the roof had already collapsed and heavy flames showing from all sides. Crews launched a defensive attack and brought the fire under control within about 15 minutes. The owner said the building was being used to house…

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WOODCHUCKS SET LEAGUE RECORD SCORING 29 RUNS IN WIN OVER RAFTERS

Steve Dillon

The bats showed up in a big way on Saturday at Wausau’s Athletic Park, as the Woodchucks scored a big win over Wisconsin Rapids with a Northwoods League record setting 29 runs. The team banged out 23 hits in the lopsided 29 to 2 contest, four of them clearing the fence as 8 runners crossed home plate in the second inning, and another 13 in the eighth. First baseman Ryan Chase had 7 RBI’s, going 4 for 5 on the night, and Shortstop Kyler Northrop was 4 for 6 –…

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HAVEN GIVES FOCUS TO ELDERLY ABUSE IN JUNE

Steve Dillon

Haven Inc of Merrill, the Household Abuse Victims Emergency Network, provides support and services for all impacted by domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking and trafficking. Throughout the month of June, they’re focusing on the abuse of the elderly. Abuse can take many different forms from financial issues to controlling someone’s every move. Haven Advocate Nancy Baacke shared that people commonly think it shouldn’t be that difficult to separate oneself from abusers, but it’s not always that simple. She emphasized the need for friends and family to give particular attention to…

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TWO MEMBERS OF MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT CELEBRATE SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES

Steve Dillon

Last week, the Merrill Police Department celebrated significant milestones for two long-tenured team members. On Wednesday June 3rd, Officer Brad Becker achieved 30 years of service to the community. Friday the 5th, Captain Don Seubert crossed the 31-year mark. Coworkers at the Police Department reflected on their humble, servant spirit over more than three decades of serving Merrill residents and said the City is fortunate to have them as law enforcement representatives.

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