The Merrill Fire Department responded to 38 calls last week, bringing the total for 2026 to 371. There were 35 EMS calls. There was one instance of a fire alarm being accidentally activated on Saturday on East Main Street in the City of Merrill.
Read MoreEffective today at 4:00 PM, ALL of Lincoln County’s funded snowmobile trails will be CLOSED for the season. Riders are asked to follow all “TRAILS CLOSED” signs, stay on marked routes, and respect private property. Riders are also advised that even should additional snowfall occur later in March, trails will NOT reopen. Latest trail conditions can always be found on the Lincoln County website, or by calling the Trail Hotline at (715) 539-1033.
Read MoreThe Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council has announced its annual awards recognizing individuals and organizations working to protect and expand tree canopies in communities across the state. The council says the awards are designed to spotlight leaders whose efforts often go unnoticed but play a key role in strengthening and sustaining Wisconsin’s urban forests. Five winners were honored this year in four categories, with recipients announced at the 2026 Wisconsin Arborist Association–DNR Urban Forestry Conference. Among them was Rhinelander’s Tom Jerow receiving the Leadership Award. Jerow, an unpaid volunteer, served for…
Read MoreEffective 4pm today, Lincoln County’s funded snowmobile trails in Zones 2,3 and 4 will officially reopen. The Hiawatha Trail and trails in Zone 1 remain open. Zone 1 trails are in good condition overall; however, riders should be on the lookout for the possibility of scattered bare spots especially on roadsides. Trail conditions are better in forested areas. Zones 2,3 and 4 trail conditions are listed as fair to good, with the best areas for riding, again in forested areas. Overall, these trails are described as “early season” with some…
Read MoreOn Tuesday, February 24, shortly after 12:30 PM a call was received by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office regarding a 73 yr old male being run over by a vehicle on the Willow Flowage in the Town of Little Rice. Life saving measures were administered immediately following the call, however the man succumbed to his injuries on scene. Further investigation revealed the vehicle became stuck on the ice during a period of heavy snow and wind, resulting in whiteout conditions. The deceased, Randall G. Bernau of Hazelhurst, Wisconsin, stepped onto the…
Read MoreThe Merrill Chamber Foundation has announced a $1,000 scholarship opportunity for a 2026 Merrill Area High School student who is planning to attend a two- or four-year college. The Chamber is committed to supporting local students who exhibit a strong desire to be involved in their community and who are making a positive impact in Merrill and beyond. Students interested in applying are asked to complete the official scholarship application and submit a brief statement summarizing their involvement in and contributions to the community. Scholarship requirements include: Scholarship applications can…
Read MoreDuring the week ending February 22nd, the Merrill Police Department responded to eight incidents. Officers conducted approximately 69 traffic stops and 113 security checks. On Friday, a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy requested a K9 traffic stop within city limits. K9 Dasty conducted a drug sniff on the vehicle and indicated a positive alert, and a syringe containing methamphetamine was located when the vehicle was searched. Charges are being handled by the Deputy. Other activity included a water rescue assist, two arrests for probation violations, a citation issued to an individual…
Read MoreWisconsin DOT reports there have been more than a dozen incidents involving passenger vehicles and snowplows this winter, with the latest taking place last week. On Friday, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to US Highway 51 near the 224 Mile Marker in the Town of Skanawan for a crash involving a Lincoln County Plow truck and a passenger vehicle. Deputies arriving on the scene were informed that a 34 year old man from Irma that was driving the plow truck northbound on US Highway 51. As he was completing…
Read MoreLast Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 39 traffic stops and 30 security checks. There were six calls involving cars hitting deer, and one call regarding a car hitting an unknown animal. On Saturday deputies were dispatched to Holly’s Bar in the Town of Bradley regarding the report of a disorderly patron who was shoving other customers and trying to get into a car to leave the bar. The first deputy arriving on the scene identified the suspect as Douglas Plachetka. Employees at the establishment advised the deputy that Plachetka…
Read MoreLincoln County residents and others in the surrounding area will have the opportunity this evening to join a virtual event focused on promoting harm reduction and reducing the stigma surrounding substance use. Lincoln County Environmental Health Technician and Opioid Task Force Coordinator Erin Ray welcomed all who are interested in supporting this great initiative, stating “The Lincoln County Health Department, in partnership with the Lincoln County Opioid Task Force, invites you to a community conversation about substance use, and how together, we can foster hope, understanding and support for individuals…
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