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Author: Steve Dillon

MERRILL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: MEDICAL CALL LEADS TO ARREST ON ACTIVE WARRANT

Steve Dillon

The Merrill Police Department responded to nine incidents during the week ending April 5th. Officers conducted approximately 19 traffic stops and 58 security checks. On Monday, officers responded to a medical call regarding a female that appeared to be unconscious. Upon arrival, Officers determined that she had an active warrant. After receiving medical treatment, she was taken into custody. Other activity included a traffic accident involving two vehicles that resulted in a citation for inattentive driving, two instances of possession of illegal substances – one of those a juvenile, one…

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Wausau Mayor Cleared in Ballot Drop Box Investigation

Steve Dillon

More than a year and a half after Wausau Mayor Doug Diny moved an unsecured ballot drop box inside City Hall, prosecutors have closed the case without filing charges. Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney announced this week that a bipartisan review found there was not enough evidence to prove any criminal violation beyond a reasonable doubt. The case dates back to the weekend before the 2024 presidential election, when a municipal absentee ballot drop box was placed outside Wausau City Hall. City Clerk Kaitlyn Bernarde had intended…

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HASS ELECTED TO SECOND TERM AS MERRILL’S MAYOR

Steve Dillon

Incumbent Mayor Steve Hass claimed victory in his bid for a second term as Merrill’s Mayor, with the vote tally reflecting a significant defeat of challenger and former mayor Derek Woellner. In a statement shared with Bluejay 96.3 News following the unveiling of local spring election results, Hass expressed his gratitude. “I am very, very happy with the voter turnout and the win. It was great to see the support of the people and the citizens of Merrill. It is overwhelming to me that this many people came out and…

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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT: CAR CHASE ON HIGHWAY 51 ENDS WITH K9 UNIT CAPTURE

Steve Dillon

Last Week, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 22 traffic stops and 40 security checks. There were nine calls involving cars hitting deer. On Friday, the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office regarding a car chase of a vehicle heading northbound into Lincoln County on US Highway 51. The request included placement of tire deflation devices to disable the suspect car, which Lincoln County deputies successfully completed. The suspect, Patrick Finnegan of Antigo exited the vehicle shortly after his car was stopped and then started…

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Northwoods Road Construction Underway, with work scheduled in two phases

Steve Dillon

Construction is set to begin this week on a section of US Highway 51 near Tomahawk, bringing a temporary closure and detour for motorists. Crews will be working on US 51 between US Highway 8 and Oneida County Highway L. The project includes concrete pavement repairs, asphalt resurfacing and bridge work. The first phase of the project is expected to continue through mid-May. During that time, the highway will be fully closed and traffic will be detoured. The work then transitions into a second phase which will continue through the…

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Forestry Revitalization Act Clears Way for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant in Northern Wisconsin

Steve Dillon

Last Thursday, Tony Evers signed into law The Forestry Revitalization Act. The legislation, authored by Senate President Mary Felzkowski and Representative Chanz Green, is the largest economic development initiative in Wisconsin’s Northern region in state history. It paves the way for tax credits to be utilized by a plant for converting woody biomass to sustainable aviation fuel. The economic impact across the Northwoods promises to be significant. Figures in the billions with thousands of direct jobs added have been projected surrounding the development of the new plant, with many other…

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Merrill Brake-Line Sabotage Leads to Prison Sentence for Athens Man

Steve Dillon

24-year-old David Genrich of Athens, who was charged with severing brake lines on two vehicles, has been sentenced to four years in prison followed by five years of extended supervision. The charges resulted from a series of incidents spanning four months back in 2023 leading to his arrest. Investigators said the incidents were driven by Genrich’s fixation on a co-worker who at the time was dating, and has since married, one of the victims. Genrich was captured on home video cutting the brake lines on a vehicle at a residence…

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LOCAL FOOD PANTRY CEASES OPERATIONS, CITING FINANCIAL CHALLENGES

Steve Dillon

Ruby’s Pantry of Rhinelander has announced that following more than 12 years of serving the community, the local food assistance program will be closing up shop effective immediately. Representatives from Ruby’s Pantry said in a statement that the decision to close comes after months of internal reorganization focused on better matching their mission with available resources. The closing was initially announced Tuesday on the Ruby’s Pantry website, citing financial challenges. Though the Ruby’s closure removes one option for those seeking help with their food supplies, the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry is…

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USDA PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT: CONSUMERS SHOULD DISCARD OR RETURN POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED FROZEN CHICKEN NUGGETS

Steve Dillon

A public health alert has been issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service regarding frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready to eat chicken nuggets sold at Walmart locations nationwide. Many of the 29 oz packages of Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead. Those packages contain a BEST IF USED BY date of FEB 10 2027, and lot code ”0416DPO1215” / establishment number “P44164” printed on the back of the bag.. A state partner who was conducting routine…

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