Steve Dillon – Page 3 – Bluejay 96.3FM 730AM

Jury Acquits Hurd of Homicide in Death of Lincoln Hills Officer

October 28, 2026October 28, 2026 Steve DillonJURY ACQUITS JAVARIUS HURD

A jury has found 18-year-old Javarius Hurd not guilty of reckless homicide in the 2024 death of Lincoln Hills correctional officer Corey Proulx, while finding him guilty of one count of battery by a prisoner. The verdict was returned Tuesday afternoon, October 27, in Lincoln County Circuit Court, following a trial that began last week. Hurd was accused in the June 2024 death of Proulx, 49, who suffered fatal head injuries during a confrontation at the Lincoln Hills youth correctional facility. Prosecutors said Hurd had assaulted another correctional officer by…

MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 25

October 28, 2026October 28, 2026 Steve DillonMerrill Fire Department Report

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 51 calls last week, bringing the total for 2026 to 1,941 calls. 47 of those calls required EMS Services. The Department responded to a carbon monoxide alarm alert Sunday evening, in the 1600 block of East 2nd Street in the City of Merrill.

Merrill Committee of the Whole to Consider Updated EMS Agreement

October 27, 2026October 26, 2026 Steve DillonMERRILL LINCOLN COUNTY EMS AGREEMENT

As reported previously on WJMT, a proposed agreement between Lincoln County and the City of Merrill would increase county funding for emergency medical services beginning next year. Lincoln County has approved the agreement, which would increase its EMS funding to Merrill from $1.3 million in 2026 to $1.6 million in 2027. The proposal also calls for annual funding adjustments of two percent. Under the proposed arrangement, Lincoln County would provide ambulances and communications equipment, while the City of Merrill would be responsible for staffing and medical supplies. The agreement would…

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: TOMAHAWK MAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES

October 27, 2026October 26, 2026 Steve DillonLincoln County Sheriff Report

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 16 traffic stops and 35 security checks. There were 16 reports of cars hitting deer. A Tomahawk man was arrested Wednesday following a reported disturbance at a bar in the Town of Bradley. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to Cockatiel’s Bar after Erick Rigby allegedly refused to leave and became aggressive toward the person reporting the incident, causing him to have to end the call. When dispatch called back, another person reported that the confrontation had turned physical.…

Rondele Ranch Acquires Pinewood Golf Club, Plans 2027 Renovations

October 26, 2026October 26, 2026 Steve DillonRONDELE RANCH PINEWOOD ACQUISITION

Pinewood Golf Club in Harshaw is preparing for significant improvements in 2027 following its acquisition by Rondele Ranch, which plans to invest in the golf course and expand its amenities. The renovation plans include a new clubhouse featuring panoramic views of the first, ninth, 10th and 18th holes. The facility is expected to accommodate up to 150 people for golf outings, weddings, banquets and other events and celebrations. Golfers can also expect several course improvements in 2027, including a new irrigation system and upgraded golf cart paths. Plans also call…

Companies Challenge Wausau’s PFAS Lawsuit, Citing Firefighting Foam Use

October 26, 2026October 26, 2026 Steve DillonWAUSAU PFAS LAWSUIT

Several companies facing a lawsuit over PFAS contamination in Wausau’s drinking water are arguing that the city should share responsibility for cleanup costs. In counterclaims filed in the city’s lawsuit against local industries, the companies point to a separate 2023 case in which Wausau alleged that firefighting foam used by its fire department contributed to PFAS contamination in municipal wells. The companies contend those earlier allegations support their argument that the city may bear some responsibility under federal environmental cleanup law. They deny responsibility for the contamination attributed to their…

Merrill Honors Early Industrialist Ferdinand Ollhoff with Street Sign Dedication

October 26, 2026October 25, 2026 Steve DillonOLLHOFF STREET SIGN DEDICATION MERRILL

A street sign dedication Sunday honored Ferdinand Ollhoff, an early industrialist whose sawmills helped shape Merrill’s development and provided steady employment for generations of local families. Family members gathered Sunday afternoon, October 25, at West Main and Thomas Streets to dedicate a sign recognizing Ollhoff and his contributions to the community. Born in Germany in 1872, Ollhoff immigrated to the United States with his family in 1874. After settling in Wisconsin, he established his first sawmill in the Town of Pine River in 1893. He later operated a second mill…

Lincoln County Supervisors Approve Updated EMS Agreement With Merrill

October 23, 2026October 23, 2026 Steve DillonLINCOLN COUNTY MERRILL EMS AGREEMENT

A proposed update to the agreement governing emergency medical services in the Merrill area has cleared one major hurdle, with Lincoln County supervisors voting Tuesday to approve the contract. The agreement, negotiated by county and city officials over the summer, would increase county funding for emergency medical services from $1.3 million in 2026 to $1.6 million in 2027. Funding would then receive a 2% annual adjustment under the proposed terms. The agreement updates a contract that had not undergone a major overhaul since 2007. Lincoln County has coordinated regional EMS…

Lincoln County Seeks Community Input on Outdoor Recreation and Economic Growth

October 23, 2026October 23, 2026 Steve DillonLCEDC ORTAP

Lincoln County is exploring how outdoor recreation can support local businesses, strengthen downtowns and contribute to long-term economic growth. A community workshop took place Thursday at the Lincoln County Service Center in Merrill, following a public session Wednesday evening at SARA Park Hall in Tomahawk. The sessions are part of Lincoln County’s participation in the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation Technical Assistance Program, in partnership with UW–Stout’s Center for Sustainable Communities. The initiative brings together local stakeholders and state and federal partners to assess recreation infrastructure, including trails,…

Merrill to Honor Longest-Serving Mayor Ralph “Fata” Voigt Saturday

October 23, 2026October 23, 2026 Steve DillonVOIGT STREET SIGN DEDICATION

A piece of Merrill’s history will be recognized Saturday when an honorary street sign is unveiled in honor of former Mayor Ralph “Fata” Voigt. Voigt, born in Merrill in 1917, served as mayor from 1960 through 1978 after winning election to the Common Council in 1951. He returned to the position in 1979 to finish the unexpired term of Mayor Patrick Nugent. Before entering city government, Voigt graduated from Merrill Senior High School and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. During World War II, he served in France and Germany with a…