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Author: Steve Dillon

New Partnership Offers Local Path to Four-Year Degrees

Steve Dillon

Students in central Wisconsin now have a new way to work toward a four-year degree without leaving the area. Northcentral Technical College and UW-Stevens Point are teaming up through the Purple and Blue Advantage program. About 300 students have either enrolled or expressed interest.Students from both schools are taking classes at NTC’s main campus, with UW-Stevens Point students using facilities throughout the campus, including the Health Sciences Building and A-Wing.The partnership gives students access to shared laboratories, academic support and extracurricular activities while allowing them to remain enrolled at their…

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Lincoln County K-9 Unit Getting Two New Members

Steve Dillon

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is rebuilding its K-9 unit, and one of its newest members is already a familiar face around Merrill. Dasty, who spent five years working with the Merrill Police Department, is moving to the Sheriff’s Office along with his handler, Deputy Josh McCaskill. McCaskill previously served with the county’s Corrections Division before spending 15 years with the Merrill Police Department. The county is also bringing in another new K-9 to replace Poncho and Nina, who recently retired from service. Funding for both dogs comes through a…

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MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: HEAD ON COLLISION LEADS TO MOTOR VEHICLE EXTRACTION

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 42 calls last week, bringing the total for 2026 to 1,507 calls. There were 39 calls requiring EMS Services. On Friday, the Department performed a motor vehicle collision extraction of an individual after responding to a head-on collision on County Road K just south of County FF. Three patients were transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital following the crash.

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: WEEK ENDING AUGUST 16

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to 4 incidents during the week ending August 2nd. Officers conducted approximately 37 traffic stops and 112 security checks. A call was received on Thursday regarding damage caused to an individual’s vehicle during the overnight hours after a chunk of concrete had been thrown onto it. Investigation into the incident is ongoing. Other activity included two reports of theft, and a County Jail inmate reporting someone had hacked into his online accounts, and he suspected it was a citizen of Merrill.

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Merrill Schools Schedule Open Houses and Orientation Events

Steve Dillon

Merrill Area Public Schools will hold several open house and orientation events next week as families prepare for the new school year. Merrill High School will hold its open house Monday, August 24th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A meeting for parents of freshmen will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 that evening. On Wednesday, August 26th, Prairie River Middle School will hold WEB Day, an orientation for fifth-grade students and students new to grades six through eight. WEB Day runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is…

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Lincoln County Targets Existing Sites for Future Merrill, Tomahawk Highway Shops

Steve Dillon

The Lincoln County Board has settled on a preferred direction for replacing two aging Highway Department facilities, although construction is still some distance away. County supervisors voted Tuesday to begin preliminary work on replacement highway shops in Merrill and Tomahawk, keeping both operations at their current locations. The county had been weighing whether to purchase new property, combine the two operations or rebuild where the facilities are already located. Officials ultimately favored the existing sites because they already have infrastructure needed for highway operations, including fuel and salt storage, and…

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Merrill Community Night Out Connects Residents With Local Services

Steve Dillon

Merrill’s 14th annual Community Night Out brought residents together with local emergency responders and community organizations Tuesday evening. The event was held at the Merrill Expo Center and fairgrounds, and featured representatives from the Merrill Police and Fire Departments, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, DNR and several other area services. Families had a chance to see emergency equipment, meet personnel and learn more about the resources available in the community.Merrill Police and Fire also gave special presentations during the event, which included free food, activities and live music.…

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One Man, Cat Die in Wausau House Fire

Steve Dillon

A man and a cat are dead following a late-night house fire in Wausau. The Wausau Fire Department was called to a home in the 800 block of East Wausau Avenue shortly after 11:30 Monday night, where initial reports indicated someone might be trapped inside. Firefighters entered the residence and located a male occupant within minutes. Firefighter-paramedics performed life-saving measures, but the man died. The cat also died in the fire. The origin and cause remain under investigation by the Wausau Fire Department, Wausau Police Department and Wisconsin State Fire…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: TOWN OF SCOTT SPEEDER ARRESTED FOR OWI FIRST OFFENSE

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 29 traffic stops and 35 security checks. There were 6 incidents involving cars hitting deer. A Deputy stopped a vehicle traveling 82-mph in a 45-mph zone on Joe Snow Rd in the Town of Scott on Friday. During the stop the driver, Isabelle Latzig of Merrill showed signs of impairment. She agreed to sobriety tests, which resulted in her being arrested for a first offense OWI. Latzig was later released to a responsible party.

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Wausau OWI Crash Damages Multiple Parked Vehicles

Steve Dillon

Wausau Police were conducting an OWI investigation on South Fifth Avenue when officers heard a crash from several blocks away. They arrived to find an 18-year-old driver had lost control after crossing a railroad crossing at a high rate of speed. Police say the vehicle struck multiple parked cars. The driver was arrested and is facing a first-offense OWI charge. No one suffered significant injuries. Following the crash, police reminded drivers that alternatives such as a friend, taxi or rideshare are available for anyone who has been drinking as getting…

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