You are here

Author: Steve Dillon

Aspirus Merrill Hospital marks 100 years with $40 million renovation

Steve Dillon

As Aspirus Merrill Hospital approaches its 100th anniversary, a $40 million renovation and expansion project is bringing major upgrades to the facility. The hospital opened in November 1926 and has served Merrill-area residents for a century. The current project is expected to be completed in early 2027. Improvements include a new Emergency Department triage room, an expanded Imaging Department with new equipment, and a redesigned Laboratory Department. The inpatient unit is also being renovated and expanded, with 10 additional patient rooms. Other project features include a new inpatient physical therapy…

Read More

Former Lincoln Hills inmate sentenced in correctional officer’s death case

Steve Dillon

An 18-year-old former Lincoln Hills inmate has been sentenced to three years in prison followed by three years of extended supervision in connection with the 2024 death of correctional officer Corey Proulx. Javarius Hurd was convicted of battery by a prisoner following a jury trial in Lincoln County. Jurors found him not guilty of first-degree reckless homicide and one of two battery-by-prisoner counts, but guilty of the remaining battery charge. Hurd was sentenced Friday, October 30, to three years of initial confinement followed by three years of extended supervision. The…

Read More

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: VEHICLE IN DITCH IN TOWN OF SCOTT ENDS WITH OWI ARREST

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 10 traffic stops and 24 security checks. There were 15 reports of cars hitting deer, and 1 where a car struck a bear. A Merrill man was arrested Saturday following the report of a vehicle in the ditch in the Town of Scott. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were sent to the area of County Highway K and Creek Avenue where Derek Meringdol drove into the ditch while attempting a U-Turn. Deputies noticed signs of impairment while speaking with Meringdol,…

Read More

Wausau woman sentenced to prison in fentanyl case involving near-fatal overdose

Steve Dillon

A Wausau woman will spend a year in prison for delivering fentanyl in a case involving a near-fatal overdose. Marathon County Circuit Court Judge Suzanne O’Neill sentenced 33-year-old Dalice Brand Thursday to one year of confinement, followed by three years of extended supervision. The case stems from an April overdose at a state Department of Corrections transitional housing facility in Wausau. A staff member found a man unresponsive, and firefighters revived him with Narcan. Brand was convicted of delivering fentanyl as a repeat offender. A separate charge of first-degree recklessly…

Read More

Wrong-way driver on Highway 51 crashes into sheriff’s squad, injuring two

Steve Dillon

An 80-year-old Grafton man is facing multiple charges after allegedly driving the wrong way on Highway 51 in Lincoln County and crashing into an occupied sheriff’s squad car and another vehicle. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says its 911 dispatch center received multiple calls reporting a wrong-way driver traveling south in the northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 51. A deputy located the vehicle near mile marker 225 in the Town of Skanawan and attempted to stop it. According to the sheriff’s office, the driver continued southbound despite the deputy’s emergency…

Read More

Milwaukee Prepares for Brewers’ Historic World Series Championship Parade Friday

Steve Dillon

Milwaukee is preparing to celebrate the Brewers’ first World Series championship with a downtown parade and fan festival Friday morning. The Parade of Champions is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the intersection of North Fourth Street and West Wisconsin Avenue. The route will travel east along Wisconsin Avenue, north on Jefferson Street, east on Mason Street, south on Jackson Street and east on Chicago Street before concluding at Henry Maier Festival Park. The festival grounds, located at Milwaukee’s Summerfest site, will open at 8 a.m. and remain open…

Read More

Milwaukee Brewers Win First World Series Championship in Franchise History

Steve Dillon

MILWAUKEE — After more than five decades of waiting, the Milwaukee Brewers are World Series champions for the first time in franchise history. Milwaukee defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game Five Wednesday night, closing out the series and bringing a long-awaited championship home to Wisconsin. The Brewers’ victory came in the franchise’s 58th season, ending a championship drought that dates to the team’s move to Milwaukee in 1970. Their previous World Series appearance came in 1982, when they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Misiorowski…

Read More

Lincoln County Humane Society Assists in Second Animal Rescue at Same Property

Steve Dillon

The Lincoln County Humane Society is once again assisting with an animal rescue at a Lincoln County property where animals were removed about a year ago. Earlier this week, shelter staff worked alongside local law enforcement to remove 19 cats and kittens and one dog from the home. Additional animals are still being recovered. Humane Society officials describe animal hoarding as a complicated and often emotional issue. They say owners may believe they are helping animals even as the number of pets grows beyond their ability to provide appropriate care.…

Read More

MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO CITATIONS FOR MULTIPLE OFFENSES

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to 11 incidents during the week ending October 25th. Officers conducted approximately 22 traffic stops and 114 security checks. During a traffic stop on Saturday, an Officer discovered that the male driver was operating on a suspended driver’s license and there was an open warrant for his arrest. The driver was taken into custody and while being searched, he was found to be in possession of THC, resulting in citations being issued for both offenses. Other activity included three instances of property damage, four reports…

Read More

Goodwill Plans New Merrill Store for Spring 2027

Steve Dillon

A former Church Mutual Insurance building on East Main Street will become the newest retail location for Goodwill North Central Wisconsin. Goodwill NCW plans to break ground at noon Monday, November 2, at 3500 East Main Street. The building’s interior and exterior will be remodeled by MJI Building Services, with the new store expected to open in spring 2027. The Merrill location will expand Goodwill NCW’s retail presence in north-central Wisconsin. Revenue generated through Goodwill stores helps support employment programs and job-skills training for people facing barriers to employment. The…

Read More