Steve Dillon – Bluejay 96.3FM 730AM

Bluejays Defeat Shawano in Regional American Legion Tournament Game 7-6

July 21, 2026July 21, 2026 Steve DillonBLUEJAY GIRLS LEGION SOFTBALL

In a game heard right here on WJMT and wjmtfm.com, the Merrill Post 46 girls’ softball team defeated Shawano 7-6 in American Legion regional tournament play. The second game pitting Merrill against Wausau Post 10 was suspended due to a tornado warning in the top of the second inning with Post 46 leading 2-0 when play was stopped. The game will be resumed tonight at 5:00 at Wausau’s Sunnyvale Softball Complex. The loser will play at 7:00 against the winder of the Crandon-Shawano contest, which was also suspended due to…

NTC Earns National Recognition

July 21, 2026July 21, 2026 Steve DillonNTC NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Northcentral Technical College is preparing to expand career training opportunities after being selected for a nationwide apprenticeship initiative. The college is one of only 11 community colleges across the country invited to take part in the program, which helps schools develop Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in career fields that have not traditionally used the model. NTC will receive planning support as it works toward becoming an apprenticeship sponsor, creating more paid, hands-on training opportunities while helping employers build a stronger workforce. The college expects to begin enrolling apprentices in the new…

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: ILLEGAL U-TURN LEADS TO TWO-CAR CRASH IN TOWN OF RUSSELL

July 21, 2026July 20, 2026 Steve DillonLincoln County Sheriff Report

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 32 traffic stops and 28 security checks. There were 4 calls involving cars hitting deer. Deputies were dispatched to State Highway 17 in the Town of Russell Monday regarding the report of a two-car crash with injuries. As they arrived at the scene, they learned that the driver of car #1 was attempting a U-turn where highway 17 meets Prairie Drive, entering the path where car #2 was heading southbound. The driver of the second vehicle was unable to stop before striking the…

Canadian Wildfire Smoke Delays AirVenture Cup Race Until Monday

July 20, 2026July 19, 2026 Steve DillonAIRVENTURE CUP RACE DELAYED

Following two delays due to poor air quality conditions resulting from Canadian wildfire smoke, a decision was made to postpone Sunday’s 28th Annual Airventure Cup Race in the interest of the safety of all participants. The race has been moved to Monday morning, with hopes that the smoke and haze will clear. Weather and atmospheric conditions permitting, the start time for tomorrow’s rescheduled event is 9:00 a.m. in Wausau at Wausau Flying Service, Inc.Wausau Downtown Airport. The timed cross-country race will end at the Merrill municipal airport around 4 p.m.…

Marathon County Disaster Recovery Center Opens to Help Storm and Flood Victims

July 17, 2026July 16, 2026 Steve DillonMarathon County Disaster Recovery Center

RINGLE, Wis. — A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Marathon County to assist residents affected by the severe storms and flooding that occurred between April 13 and April 23, 2026. The center provides in-person assistance for individuals with uninsured losses or emergency needs related to the disaster. Staff from FEMA and other state and federal agencies are available to help residents apply for disaster assistance, check the status of an application, answer questions about the appeals process and connect people with available recovery resources. The Disaster Recovery…

WISCONSIN STATEWIDE AIR QUALITY ADVISORY EXTENDED THROUGH FRIDAY

July 17, 2026July 16, 2026 Steve DillonWI AIR QUALITY ADVISORY

The Wisconsin DNR has extended a statewide Air Quality Advisory through noon today, and the advisory could be extended again. This is due to smoke from wildfires in Canada. Thursday morning, Madison’s air quality was in the Hazardous range. Roughly half of Wisconsin was in the “very unhealthy” Air Quality Index category, which means the risk of health effects is increased for all populations. Experts say at this level, most people should limit or avoid outdoor activity. Not only are the skies hazy, but there’s a burning smell and that…

MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: ROAD RAGE LEADS TO WARNINGS FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT

July 16, 2026July 16, 2026 Steve DillonMERRILL POLICE DEPARMENT REPORT

The Merrill Police Department responded to five incidents during the week ending July 12th. Officers conducted approximately 31 traffic stops and 56 security checks. An individual faces multiple charges following a disturbance Tuesday night in a residential neighborhood. Officers were called after reports of someone who appeared to be under the influence and had wandered into a wooded area. The individual was found with an altered mental state and was taken by EMS to a hospital for evaluation. Authorities say the person became combative during treatment, resisted officers and emergency…

Merrill Fire Department Continues Ambulance Information Sessions

July 15, 2026July 14, 2026 Steve DillonMFD EMS INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS

The Merrill Fire Department is continuing its series of public meetings focused on the future of the department’s ambulance service. Yesterday’s session featured Aspirus Merrill Hospital Emergency Department and Day Surgery Manager Joni Hahn, who discussed the importance of maintaining adequate ambulance staffing and the close working relationship between hospital staff and Merrill paramedics. Another meeting is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 8 a.m., with Medical Director Dr. Clark serving as the guest speaker. The department says the presentations outline current ambulance operations, community needs, and challenges facing local EMS…

West Nile Virus Detected in Wisconsin Mosquitoes, Birds

July 15, 2026July 14, 2026 Steve DillonWI FIRST WEST NILE VIRUS ACTIVITY

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has confirmed the first West Nile virus activity of the year. The virus was detected in mosquitoes collected in Milwaukee County and in a wild bird from Bayfield County, signaling that infected mosquitoes are now present in Wisconsin. No human cases have been reported so far this year. Health officials say most people infected never develop symptoms, but older adults and those with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of serious illness. Residents are encouraged to reduce mosquito breeding areas around their homes…

MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT, WEEK ENDING JULY 12

July 15, 2026July 14, 2026 Steve DillonMerrill Fire Department Report

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 55 calls last week, bringing the total for 2026 to 1,229 calls. There were 51 EMS calls. There was a call to investigate a possible hazardous situation on Tuesday on East Main Street in the City of Merrill. The caller reported the presence of an odor possibly caused by gas or smoke.