Steve Dillon – Page 3 – Bluejay 96.3FM 730AM

MARSHFIELD HEALTH SYSTEM IMPLEMENTS VISITATION RESTRICTIONS WITH COVID AND FLU CASES ON THE RISE

January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 Steve DillonMARSHFIELD CLINIC AND HOSPITAL VISITATION RESTRICTIONS

Expect some changes if you’re planning a visit to a Marshfield Clinic birthing facility. The healthcare system announced Friday they would be implementing temporary visitation restrictions as COVID and flu activity remains high and rising across Northern Wisconsin. The restrictions will impact outpatient and inpatient obstetrics and all newborn nurseries across Marshfield Clinic region, as well as the NICU at Marshfield Children’s Hospital. No visitors under 18 will be permitted, including siblings. No more than two support persons are allowed during labor and delivery and hospitalizations, and grandparents can make…

SEVERAL PROJECTS ON TAP THIS YEAR FOR WISCONSIN DNR, INCLUDING ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS

January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 Steve DillonWISCONSIN DNR 2026 PROJECTS

With the new year in full swing, the Wisconsin DNR is taking on some significant projects. Improving accessibility is part of their focus for 2026, per Parks and Recreation Management Director Steve Schmeizer. Accessible kayak launches, beach access mats, and track chairs that will be installed to improve trail accessibility will appear at properties around the state. There are also plans for updating kiosks at state parks to dispense a sticker on site, so visitors won’t need to return later to redeem their ticket for a state park sticker. Those…

MERRILL POLICE REPORT: MISUSE OF 911 LEADS TO OBSTRUCTING AN OFFICER

January 13, 2026January 12, 2026 Steve DillonMERRILL POLICE DEPARMENT REPORT

During the week ending January 11th, the Merrill Police Department responded to twelve incidents, while officers conducted approximately 28 traffic stops and 51 security checks. On Monday, a caller reported that two days prior while shopping at a convenience store a male companion who was with her became upset and slammed her vehicle door causing the window to break. The investigation into the male companion’s actions is ongoing. Other activity included one report of theft, one instance of disorderly conduct, five reports of bail jumping and probation violations, two arrests…

MERRILL CHAMBER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPLETES FIRST YEAR OF ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

January 12, 2026January 11, 2026 Steve Dillon

The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that the Chamber’s Executive Director Sarah Brooks has completed her first year at the Institute for Organization Management. The Institute is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The four-year non-profit leadership training program is held at the Winter Institute in Tuscon, Arizona. Since it’s commencement in 1921, the institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber and other non-profit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates.…

MERRILL AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT RELEASES ANNUAL NOTICE OF EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS

January 9, 2026January 9, 2026 Steve DillonMERRILL NOTICE OF EDUCATION OPTIONS

The Merrill Area School District has released their annual notice of educational options for children who reside in the School District. Merrill Area Public Schools, also known as MAPS, offers students a variety of options for education. Options for students in Headstart and 4K through grade 4 include Pine River School for Young Learners, Kate Goodrich Elementary for grades K through 2, and Washington Elementary for grades 3 and 4. Middle schoolers grades 5 through 8 are taught at Prairie River Middle School, while students in grades 9 through 12…

MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4

January 9, 2026January 9, 2026 Steve DillonMERRILL FIRE DEPARMENT REPORT

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 42 calls last week. The total for the 2025 calendar year was 2,227 calls. There was a motor vehicle accident on US Highway 51 in the Town of Rock Falls on Wednesday, December 31st. No injuries were reported from the crash.

MAPS BOARD SPRING ELECTION BALLOT TO FEATURE TWO CANDIDATES, ONE OPPORTUNITY FOR WRITE-IN

January 9, 2026January 8, 2026 Steve DillonMAPS BOARD OF EDUCATION SPRING ELECTION

There are two candidates on the ballot for Merrill Area Public Schools Board of Education Spring elections. While three board member positions are up for re-election in 2026, only two of those members have announced their candidacy. Board President Kevin Blake and Board Member Nubs Ashbeck have both completed the candidacy filing process, while Board Clerk Ron Liberty has announced non-candidacy. No other filings have been received to run for the vacated position. This leaves a write in option for the 9th Board opening. Terms for three of the other…

WISCONSIN DHS PROJECTS MEDICAL EXPENSES TO EXCEED TWO YEAR STATE BUDGET

January 8, 2026January 8, 2026 Steve Dillon

The Wisconsin Department of Health Service expects medical expenses for the state to exceed the budget. The Medicaid general program revenue is projected to be $213 million higher than expected when the new two-year state budget was originally signed last summer. DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson submitted a letter to co-chairs of the legislature’s joint Finance Committee outlining reasons for the projected shortfall. The letter cites unexpected cost increases for prescription drugs, Medicare buy-in programs, and fee-for-service mental health and substance use disorder services. In early October, DHS projected a $144…

MERRILL MUNICIPAL SPRING BALLOT WILL FEATURE ELEVEN SEATS, ALL ALDERPERSONS UNOPPOSED

January 8, 2026January 8, 2026 Steve Dillon

Eleven seats will appear on the ballot for the City of Merrill in the upcoming April 7 spring elections. All eight Alderpersons will run unopposed. Those include incumbents Andrew Caylor, Michael “Gus” Caylor, Nathan Meyer, LaDonna Fermanich, Mark Weix Jr, and Rebecca Rutkowski. Jewell Holdorf will be on the ballot for District 5 as incumbent Landis Holdorf has announced non-candidacy, and Derrick Sukow is running for the District 6 seat as Mike Rick has also announced his non-candidacy. Tom Hayden will run unopposed for the Municipal Judge seat, and incumbent…

SPRING BALLOT FOR LINCOLN COUNTY BOARD ELECTIONS SHOWS MOST SEATS UNOPPOSED

January 8, 2026January 8, 2026 Steve DillonLINCOLN COUNTY BOARD SPRING ELECTIONS

Lincoln County voters will see a largely settled county board ballot this spring, with most seats uncontested and a limited number of races drawing competition. Candidate filing closed Tuesday. Of the board’s 22 seats, 17 incumbents filed paperwork and will appear on the ballot without opposition. Several openings were created after current supervisors chose not to seek re-election. In District 9, Christine Vorpagel is stepping aside, and former challenger Don Friske is running to take back the seat. District 18 is also open, with Andy Tomaszewski filing after Ken Wickham…