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Author: Steve Dillon

NORTHWOODS SEES RISE IN JANUARY UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES

Steve Dillon

Following several months of minimal change the Northwoods saw an increase in unemployment estimates in January, per job data released this week by the Department of Workforce Development. 71 of the state’s 72 counties saw an increase over December numbers. Lincoln County figures jumped from 3.1% in December to 4.5% in January, while Oneida County rose from 3.4% to 4.7% and Vilas County from 3.7% to 5.1%. Though month-over-month comparisons have shown a significant increase, the trend is typical during the winter months and numbers are only slightly up from…

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MERRILL AREA UNITED WAY APPOINTS MOELLENDORF AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Area United Way Board of Directors recently announced that following the retirement of Dee Olsen, Debbie Moellendorf will become their new Executive Director. Moellendorf is a Lincoln County mainstay, having held previous positions with the UW-Extension system including their 4-H and Health and Well-Being programs. Along with education and outreach, her roles included grant writing and administration. The Board hopes her skills and strong community ties will support her in this role. Current Executive Director Dee Olsen will continue serving through May 2nd in the role…

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LINCOLN COUNTY PURSUING EARNEST MONEY FROM 2024 PINE CREST APA

Steve Dillon

Lincoln County is seeking earnest money as a result of the potential sale of Pine Crest that did not go through last summer. An asset purchase agreement (APA) for the Merrill based skilled nursing facility was approved by the County last Spring with Merrill Campus LLC and Senior Management, Inc.  The County states that the buyer paid $110,000 in earnest money as a part of the APA, and those funds are still with the title company. A resolution was unanimously approved during Tuesday night’s County Board meeting that would begin legal…

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MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT WEEK ENDING MARCH 16

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Police Department responded to 9 incidents last week. There were two instances where officers took an individual into custody at the request of WI Dept of Corrections, two reports of hit and run accidents, one report of theft, and one K9 assist from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office during a traffic stop. The driver admitted he was in possession of drug items prior to K9 deployment. The items were located and given to the deputy for investigation. There was one arrest for OWI 3rd offense following…

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STUDENT FOCUS GROUP PROVIDES KEY INSIGHTS FOR MERRILL HIGH FACULTY

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – Merrill High School staff took the opportunity to tap into the best source of information this past Friday March 14th. Ten students from each grade and from different social groups were nominated by teachers for the opportunity to participate in a Student Focus Group. Areas of discussion included Academics, Athletics/Activities, and the Culture/Climate at Merrill High. Each group created action steps in each area that will be considered to create change.

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE REPORT WEEK ENDING MARCH 16

Steve Dillon

LINCOLN COUNTY – Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 76 traffic stops, 48 security checks, and responded to to three calls involving cars hitting deer and one where a car hit a turkey. There were six reports of unsafe driving. On Friday March 14th a call was received regarding a car in the ditch in the area of CTH G and Polak Rd in the town of Schley. The deputy dispatched to the scene made contact with the driver and immediately noticed signs of impairment, so he requested the…

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MISSING PERSON REQUEST ON TUESDAY EVENING ENDS WITH ONE DEAD, SUSPECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

Steve Dillon

TOWN OF CORNING – A request for a missing person/welfare check in the Town of Corning on Tuesday evening ended with the discovery of a deceased person. 48-yr-old John Stevenson was found dead following individuals reaching out to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office stating he had not shown up to work and no one was aware of his whereabouts. The Sheriff’s Office has communicated that 25-yr-old Austin Stevenson has been taken into custody in connection with the death. He is scheduled to appear in court today on charges of 1st…

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DRIVING COMPLAINT LEADS TO ARREST FOR OWI 2ND OFFENSE

Steve Dillon

TOWN OF BRADLEY – On Saturday March 15th a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to the area of USH 51 and USH 8 in the Town of Bradley for a driving complaint. While en route, the deputy came upon a vehicle going 81 MPH in a 65 MPH zone in the S/B lanes of USH 51 so the deputy completed a traffic stop of The 27-yr-old male driver from Marshfield. The deputy, a specially trained drug recognition expert observed signs of impairment and requested that the driver perform sobriety…

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DUSTY AIR FROM SOUTHWEST STATES SHOWERS RESIDUE ACROSS THE NORTHWOODS

Steve Dillon

Last weekend’s rain showers across the Northwoods left some residents a bit puzzled. The rain left a residue on recently washed cars.  Per the National Weather Service, the probable cause was “dirty rain” due to strong southeast winds pulling soil and dust from Oklahoma and Texas up into the atmosphere late last week. The dusty air could actually be detected on satellite imagery. A strong weather system crossing the country carried the debris across the plains and deposited it into our region and eventually the moisture carried it out of…

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MERRILL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WEEK ENDING MARCH 16

Steve Dillon

MERRILL – The Merrill Fire Department responded to 52 calls last week, bringing the total for 2025 to 497. There were 48 EMS calls, and there was one call regarding the presence of an odor of smoke on Monday March 10th on W 10th St in the City of Merrill. There was a motor vehicle accident with injuries on Sunday March 16th on N State St in the City of Merrill.  

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