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Author: Steve Dillon

Youth Apprenticeship Program Celebrated at Merrill High School Banquet

Steve Dillon

Merrill High School is recognizing standout students in its youth apprenticeship program. Thirteen “student stars” were honored Thursday night during a banquet at the Eagles Club, with families and local employers joining students to celebrate their work. The program connects students with local jobs, allowing them to earn school credit and income while gaining hands-on experience alongside industry mentors. School officials say Merrill High School has 117 youth apprenticeships this year, spanning a wide range of careers and fields. Among those recognized was Brady Eggebrecht, a phlebotomy apprentice with Aspirus,…

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Minocqua Business Owner Announces Run for Governor During Ongoing Protest

Steve Dillon

A local taproom owner is entering the race for Wisconsin governor. Minocqua Brewing Company’s Kirk Bangstad made the announcement Saturday during a livestream, as protesters gathered outside his establishment over a recent controversial social media post referencing free beer tied to the death of former President Donald Trump. That post also led to interviews with the U.S. Secret Service and FBI. The governor’s seat hopeful says his campaign is focused on challenging what he calls establishment Democratic politics, while also targeting Republican frontrunner Tom Tiffany. Bangstad mounted a Democratic campaign…

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Deadly Langlade County Crash Leads to Charges Against Antigo Man

Steve Dillon

A deadly crash in Langlade County has led to multiple charges against an Antigo man. WAOW-TV reported 25-year-old Kory Piszczor is charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, along with OWI, bail jumping, and possession of a masking agent. Authorities say he is currently wanted on a bench warrant issued April 24th. The crash happened around 10:30 the night of April 22nd and claimed the life of 45-year-old Gina Marie Brunner of Wittenberg. Piszczor was treated for injuries at a nearby hospital. Investigators say early evidence suggested alcohol…

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BLUEJAY GIRLS COME UP SHORT AGAINST MARSHFIELD

Steve Dillon

In a game heard on WJMT and wjmtfm.com and seen on WJMT TV on YouTube, the Merrill girls’ softball team fell to the Marshfield Tigers 17-5 in six innings at home in a non-conference game on Friday.  Bluejays’ starting pitcher Abbie Krueger, the AmericInn Player of the Game, took the loss and came back to finish the game inside the circle after relievers Maddie Barker and Jaci Lyons were not able to stem the Tigers’ offensive tide.  At the plate, Krueger was 3-4 with two RBI to pace the bluejay…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: K9 DASTY SEARCH REVEALS POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to eleven incidents during the week ending April 26th. Officers conducted approximately 52 traffic stops and 117 security checks. On Friday, a vehicle registration query by an officer revealed the owner had a suspended driver’s license. The officer stopped the vehicle, and during the stop K9 Dasty completed an exterior sniff of the vehicle. The K9 inspection produced a positive alert for an illegal substance, and a search by officers uncovered several methamphetamine items. A male and female subject were arrested for possession of methamphetamine.…

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BLUEJAY GIRLS DEFEAT LAKELAND 9-3 IN SLUGFEST

Steve Dillon

In a game heard right here on WJMT and wjmtfm.com. the Merrill Bluejay girls’ softball team defeat the Lakeland Thunderbirds in Great Northern Conference action 9-3 at the MARC yesterday.  The Bluejays gave up two runs in the top of the second and a single tally in the fifth but scored once in the bottom of the second and twice in the fourth before a six run outburst in the bottom of the fifth sealed the victory. In that frame, the Bluejays scored on a solo homerun by junior third…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFFS REPORT: UNSAFE DRIVING INVESTIGATION ENDS WITH FOURTH OFFENSE O.A.R. CITATION

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 73 traffic stops and 32 security checks. There was one call involving a car hitting a deer. A report was received on Monday of a driver swerving all over the road where US highway 51 enters Lincoln County at the 205-mile marker. A deputy conducted a traffic stop on Lake Road after locating the suspect vehicle traveling westbound on County Highway Q. The driver, Timothy Schultz of Merrill told the deputy he was en route to the court house regarding an unrelated traffic…

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MAPS BOARD OF EDUCATION LOOKS TO FILL VACANCY AS KAUTZA DECLINES POSITION

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Area Public School District is dealing with an unexpected vacancy on its Board of Education following the spring election. Only two candidates appeared on the ballot for three open seats, leaving the third position to be decided by write-in votes. That seat went to Lin Kautza, but district officials say she has declined the role after not filing the required oath of office by the April 27th deadline. In a letter to Superintendent Shannon Murray, Kautza indicated the decision came after careful thought, noting her long-standing commitment to…

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BIG RIG SEVERES UTILITY POLE, 3500 MERRILL RESIDENTS HIT WITH SHORT-TERM POWER OUTAGE

Steve Dillon

Shortly before 11:50 am Wednesday morning, 3500 residents across the City of Merrill lost power due to a semi-truck hauling a gravel-loader conveyor trailer taking out a utility pole at the corner of East Main and Stuyvesant Streets. Initial reports indicated the driver of the semi failed to properly negotiate the curve, allowing the rig to strike and sever the pole, leaving it hanging from power lines. Merrill Fire Department ladder trucks were on scene immediately following reports of the incident along with Merrill Police Officers. WPS utility vehicles arrived…

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LINCOLN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HOSTS 2026 SUMMIT IN MERRILL

Steve Dillon

The Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation held their 2026 Economic Summit at the Merrill Expo Center on Tuesday, focusing on the theme “Energizing the Small Business Spirit.” Sara Guild, Executive Director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation shared, “This morning we had some great updates, including a report from the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce on the Wisconsin Competitiveness Report. We also had a presentation from Joe Thiel talking about innovation and his experiences at ‘Innovate Marquette’.” Guild went on to highlight information from the afternoon session, stating “we had…

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