Steve Dillon – Bluejay 96.3FM 730AM

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.

TOWN OF BRADLEY MAN ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF CHILD ABUSE

March 10, 2026March 10, 2026 Steve DillonTOWN OF BRADLEY CHILD ABUSE

On Wednesday March 4th Lincoln County Social Services, with the assistance of a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy investigated an alleged child abuse complaint. A 9-year-old child in the Town of Bradley reportedly had bruises on her face that appeared to be consistent with physical abuse. The child shared with officials she had lied to her grandfather when questioned her about taking a yo-yo to school, so he took away her belongings causing her to become upset. The grandfather, Paul Pietschmann of Irma grabbed the child by the hair and proceeded…

MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: FIRST RESPONDERS PROVIDE LIFT ASSISTANCE FOR MEDEVAC TRANSPORT

March 10, 2026March 9, 2026 Steve DillonMERRILL FIRE DEPARMENT REPORT

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 61 calls last week, bringing the total for 2026 to 433. There were 55 EMS calls. The Department provided lift assistance for a Medevac transport on Idle Drive in the Town of Merrill on Wednesday and responded to the report of an odor of gas and potential gas leak on East 6th Street in the City of Merrill on Friday.

SYRUP SHACK EXPLOSION IN TOWN OF HEWITT LEAVES LOCAL MAN WITH BURN INJURIES

March 9, 2026March 9, 2026 Steve Dillon

First responders were dispatched to County Line Road in the Town of Hewitt around 4 p.m. last Thursday after an explosion at a syrup shack left a 59-year-old Hewitt man with burn injuries. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Authorities say propane equipment should always be installed and inspected by professionals. Cylinders should be stored upright and outdoors, with ignition sources and flammable materials kept well away. If a propane leak is suspected, leave the building immediately and avoid…

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE RECOGNIZES JAIL OFFICER ACADEMY GRADUATES

March 9, 2026March 8, 2026 Steve Dillon

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has announced three members of their jail division have recently completed Jail Officer Academy. Corrections Officer Taylor Kolpack graduated from Northcentral Technical College’s Jail Academy, and was selected as the class speaker by fellow classmates reflecting the respect she earned for her leadership during her time at the academy. Graduating from the Nicolet Technical College Jail Academy were Corrections Officers Tanner Walter and Carter Bayer. Both were selected by their peers to receive Nicolet’s partner award, which recognizes teamwork, cooperation, and support of fellow recruits.…