WJMT Radio

Meet the MAPS BOE

Fri, 18 May 2012 7:14:24 AM CDT

Front Row: Meredith Prebeg, Lin Kautza (Board President),
Jen Seliger (Board Clerk), Loretta Baughan and Eugene
Bondioli; Back Row: Brad Kanitz, Brad Geiss (Board Treasurer),
Chuck Bolder (Board Vice President) and Kelly Collins

The Merrill Area Public Schools Board of Education held their reorganization meeting on Wednesday.

Lin Kautza was elected Board President. Chuck Bolder will be Vice President, Brad Geiss, Treasurer and Jen Seliger, Clerk.

Register for Golf Extravaganza

Tue, 15 May 2012 6:17:15 AM CDT

Registrations are now being accepted for the Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center Foundation’s Golf Extravaganza to be held at Merrill Golf Club on Sunday, July 29.

In its 26^thyear, all proceeds benefit Foundation programs helping the health and medical needs of those less fortunate in the Merrill Community.
New additions to the event this year include a Kick-Off Breakfast with Green Bay Hall of Famer and Broadcaster Larry McCarren and a Hot Air Balloon Golf Ball Drop.

“We have been fortunate for the continued support of our golfers and sponsors for this long standing event in the Merrill community,” said Anne Mathson, Foundation and Community Outreach Director at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center. “We are delighted to have Larry McCarren join us and know the Hot Air Balloon Drop will add another level of excitement to this fun-filled day for a great cause.”

The golf ball drop will kick-off the activities at 9 a.m. The ball closest to the pin on the 9^th Hole at Merrill Golf Club wins $1,000. Tickets are 1 for $10 or 3 for $25. And are available at Drew's Piggly Wiggly, Dave's County Market, Les n Jim's Lincoln Lanes, Checkered Churn Coffee Shop, First Street Coffee Station, Merrill Golf Club, Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center Gift Shop and Murphy's Mini Mart.

The kick-off breakfast featuring Larry McCarren is included in registration for all participating golfers with a limited number of seats for non-golfers available for $25. Join “The Rock” as he shares fun stories and great insight on his many seasons in Green Bay as a player and analyst for the state-wide radio network of the green-and-gold.

The 18-hole golf event begins with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. and utilizes a four-person scramble format with men’s, women’s and mixed (minimum of two women) divisions with many opportunities for golfers to win flag events, purchase tickets for raffle prizes and bid on silent auction items.

The silent auction features many great finds from generous donors plus sports memorabilia from some of Wisconsin’s greatest sports stars including Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, AJ Hawk, Charles Woodson, Ryan Braun and Hank Aaron.

Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Cost is $400 per four-person team or $200 for a two-person team and includes breakfast with Larry McCarren, 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch and reception.

To register or for more information on event, hole and silent auction sponsorships, please contact the Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center Foundation at 715.539.5042.

A member of Ministry Health Care, Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center provides health care services to Merrill and the surrounding region and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. It is a 25-bed critical access hospital that offers a range of primary and specialty care services. The mission of Ministry Health Care is to further the healing ministry of Jesus by continually improving the health and well-being of all people, especially the poor.

Reduce the Risk of Rabies

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:28:30 AM CDT

Spring is the time of year when people may come in contact with baby wild animals, such as raccoons; not only are they cute but people may believe the mother has abandoned them. This can be extremely dangerous – rabies is most often seen in wildlife such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system. The rabies virus is in the saliva and nerve tissues of a sick animal. Baby wild animals may have been infected with the rabies virus and can pass it on to you if you are bitten or scratched by them. Pets, such as cats, dogs and ferrets, can also get rabies if they are not vaccinated.

People usually start to show signs of the disease one to three months after the rabies virus infects them; however, it may take several weeks or even a few years for some people to show symptoms. The early signs of rabies can be fever or headache, but this quickly changes to nervous system signs, such as confusion, sleepiness, or agitation. Once someone with rabies infection starts having these symptoms, the person usually does not survive. This is why it is very important to talk to your health care provider right away if any animal bites you, especially a wild animal.

How can you protect yourself from getting rabies?
Avoid direct contact with unfamiliar animals:

Enjoy wild animals from afar. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or an animal rescue agency for help.
Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
Prevent bats from entering your home or garage where they might come in contact with people or pets.

Be a responsible pet owner:

Keep vaccinations up to date for all dogs, cats and ferrets. This requirement is important not only for the safety of your pets, but also for your safety.
Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance immediately.
Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your yard or neighborhood. They may not be vaccinated for rabies and could be infected.
Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.

What to do if bitten by an animal:

Immediately wash the wound with lots of soap and running water.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately, even for minor wounds.
Immediately confine the pet and contact your veterinarian or local law enforcement.
If the bite is from a wild or stray animal, DO NOT try to capture the animal unless you are sure you can do so without suffering further injury.
DO NOT destroy the animal which has bitten a human or other animal. Contact local law enforcement or the Lincoln County Health Department.
If you have slept in a room, tent, cave, etc... and wake up with a bat in that space, you should assume that you have been scratched and or bitten and take the above precautions.

If an animal suspected of having rabies cannot be observed or tested, or if it tests positive for rabies, treatment of the individual with rabies immune globulin and the vaccine series must begin immediately. Vaccine injections are given in the arm.

For further questions, please contact Lincoln County Health Department at 715-536-0307, 607 N. Sales Street, Merrill or visit http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/

Merrill Gas Station Owner Loses Appeal

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:36:03 AM CDT

An attorney for a Merrill gas station owner disagrees with a state appeals court ruling yesterday that upheld Wisconsin’s minimum markup law for gasoline. But Robert McNamara of the libertarian Institute for Justice stopped short of saying he would appeal the ruling to the State Supreme Court.

The Fourth District Appellate Court in Madison rejected gas station owner Ray Bhandari’s argument from 2007 that the markup law is unconstitutional. He said it wrongly singles out gas retailers for a requirement to mark up their prices above wholesale.

The 1930’s law is designed to keep mom-and-pop gas stations from being priced out of business by large retailers who can afford to charge less.

The appellate judges agreed that a plausible reason exists for treating gas stations differently than other businesses. The markup law requires gas outlets to charge six-percent more than what they paid, or nine-point-one-eight percent more than the local wholesale price – whichever is higher.

A federal judge struck down the law in 2008, but an appellate court restored it a year-and-a-half later.

MAPS Awarded Grand for "Ponder the Pond"

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:32:48 AM CDT

The Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) has received a grant to fund a unique outdoor education project for pre-kindergarten through high school students.

The grant will allow MAPS to launch its “Ponder the Pond” ecological education initiative, which will provide the 3,000 students in MAPS with opportunities to participate in aquatic activities at the school forest pond. The grant also supports nine MAPS teachers in developing classroom lessons for their courses, with emphases on aquatic habitat improvement.

“We are very grateful and excited for the chance to use this grant to teach our students about the importance of environmental responsibility,” said David Brandvold, Director of Curriculum at MAPS. “We have a number of engaging, hands-on activities planned for each grade level, and we look forward to seeing how our students take this project and run with it.”

The “Ponder the Pond” project will educate students in data gathering and problem solving. For example, some grade levels will perform oxygen and pH tests on water from the pond in order to determine solutions for supporting aquatic life. Other grade levels will study wildlife that depends on the pond and compare the needs and adaptations of plants and animals living there. Still others will learn about sustainable resource management through fishing.

In addition, the grant will help the school district preserve the wildlife area in the years to come, as recent studies have shown that the pond currently has inadequate levels of oxygen to support aquatic life.

“The benefits of ‘Ponder the Pond’ are truly multifaceted,” said Brandvold. “Our students get the experience of seeing firsthand the concepts they’re learning about in class, which really makes conservation a tangible value for them. Our teachers gain the opportunity to create new, interesting lessons. We also have a chance to improve the quality of our pond. It’s a great project all around.”

The grant proposal was written by MAPS teachers Mary Wendorf and Terry VanStraten.

Pine River Elementary Closes

Thu, 10 May 2012 6:11:20 AM CDT

Pine River Elementary School will close and the building will become the new home of Merrill’s 4k/Head Start program. That decision was re-affirmed by the new Board of Education last night.

After new school board members were elected more than a month ago, Pine River’s supporters again tried to save their school and it was up for vote last night. The Board voted 7-2 in favor of moving forward with it’s plan. Loretta Baughan and Kelly Collins voted against it. Collins said he simply didn’t see the savings involved.

Primary Election Results

Wed, 09 May 2012 5:55:27 AM CDT

Wisconsin voters set up a rematch of the 2010 governor’s race, when they nominated Democrat Tom Barrett yesterday for the June fifth recall election against Scott Walker.

The Democratic primary was no contest, as Milwaukee Mayor Barrett crushed former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk 58-to-34-percent. Alma Senator Kathleen Vinehout finished third with four-percent, Secretary-of-State Doug La Follette had three-percent, and fake Democrat Gladys Huber had one-percent.

Capitol protestor Arthur Kohl-Riggs got three-percent of the Republican vote, and he apparently succeeded in getting Republicans to vote for Walker and not vote in the Democratic primary to try and give him a weak opponent. Walker got 94-percent of the total number of Democratic votes. Falk lost her third statewide race by 24 points – more than most polls had projected – even though the state’s largest employee unions backed her early, and she received four-million-dollars in outside union support. Now, Falk and the unions have said they’ll support Barrett – who has clashed with unions as Milwaukee’s mayor but has promised to try and restore their lost collective bargaining privileges which were the main reasons for the Walker recall effort in the first place.

The head of the state firefighters’ union won the right to try-and-recall Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch on June fifth. Mahlon Mitchell of Madison easily won a three-way Democratic primary yesterday, with 52-percent of the vote. Fake Democrat Isaac Weix finished second with 26-percent, ahead of Milwaukee private investigator Ira Robins who had 22-percent. Kleefisch was not on the ballot yesterday, because she had no G-O-P primary opposition. Mitchell is a Madison fire-fighter who received the endorsement of state Democratic Party leaders, much to Robins’ dismay. Weix – who was put up by Republicans to assure a primary – received 197-thousand votes. And some could have come from Republican voters to try and give the Democrats a weak nominee for lieutenant governor. Unlike the regular elections, the governor and lieutenant governor candidates do not run as a team – as the incumbents stand for recall challenges on their own.

Four Democratic state Senate candidates easily won their recall primaries. They all got 64-to-72-percent of the vote against fake Democrats who were put up by Republicans to assure that no general recall elections would be held yesterday. Fort Atkinson photographer Lori Compas had the biggest margin of victory, 72-to-28-percent over fake Democrat Gary Ellerman. Compas will now face Republican Senate leader Scott Fitzgerald on June fifth.

In the Racine area, former Senator John Lehman will have a rematch with Republican Van Wanggaard – who defeated Lehman in 2010. Lehman easily outpolled fake Democrat Tamra Varebrook, 68-to-32 percent.

In the Eau Claire area, former Representative Kristen Dexter won her Democratic Senate primary over James Engel, 64-to-36 percent. And Assembly Democrat Donna Seidel of Wausau won by the same 64-36 margin over Jim Buckley. Seidel will now face Assembly Republican Jerry Petrowski on June fifth. Petrowski was the only Republican to run after Senator Pam Galloway – who had been targeted for recall – left her post in March. None of the fake Democrats bothered to campaign. They were set up to assure that all the general recall elections would be held on the same day next month.

ELECTION RESULTS….

Governor, R: Scott Walker (incumbent) 626,538, 97%; Arthur Kohl-Riggs 19,920, 3%

Governor, D: Tom Barrett 390,109, 58%; Kathleen Falk 228,940, 34%;
Kathleen Vinehout 26,926, 4%; Doug La Follette 19,461, 3%; Gladys Huber 4,842, 1%

Lieutenant Governor, D: Mahlon Mitchell 395,944, 52%; Isaac Weix 197,052, 26%, Ira Robins 165,074, 22%

State Senate District 13, D: Lori Compas 21,246, 72%; Gary Ellerman 8,212, 28%

State Senate District 21, D: John Lehman 20,273, 68%; Tamra Varebrook 9,507, 32%

State Senate District 23, D: Kristen Dexter 17,638, 64%; James Engel 9,725, 36%

State Senate District 29, D: Donna Seidel 17,920, 64%; Jim Buckley 9,992, 36%

WJMT Wins WBA Awards

Mon, 07 May 2012 5:45:04 AM CDT

Jim Beem and Bill Swift of WJMT with their 11
WBA Awards.

WJMT attended the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Awards Gala on Saturday night in Madison. The awards ceremony honored the best in the state for both radio and television.

WJMT took home first place honors in the following five categories:

Best Commercial: A Bad Morning

Editorial/Commentary: It's Your Fault

Live On-Scene Reporting: Tornado Command Post

News Writing: Tornado

Best Newscast: Noon News - 4/11/11

WJMT also won second place for:

Hard News/Investigative: Pine Ridge

Best Continuing Coverage: Merrill Tornado

And third place:

Best Sports Play-By-Play: State Basketball 3/18/11

Promotional Announcement: WJMT Tornado Promo

Spot News: Tornado Governor Tour

Best Use of Audio in Radio News: Boys Return Home

Last year WJMT News took third place in the Best Newscast Category and was 1st in Best Spot News, Best Live On-Scene Reporting and Best Hard News/Investigative.

Women Arrested on Drug Charges

Mon, 07 May 2012 5:41:09 AM CDT

Kristen I. Janda

Two women are in the Lincoln County Jail after an early morning traffic stop led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and drugs.

A Deputy stopped a vehicle for speeding on County Rd K at Duginski Rd. just after 2:00 A.M.

A check showed the vehicle was reported stolen through the Mosinee Police Department. The driver, 29 year old Kristen I. Janda of Merrill and the passenger 28 year old Andrea M. Wilcox of Wausau were both taken into custody.

During a search Deputies found marijuana, methamphetamine and crack cocaine.

Janda was brought to the Lincoln County Jail and charged with operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, possession of marijuana and possession of crack / cocaine and probation violation.

Wilcox was booked on charges of possession methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor bail jumping.

Both women will have bond hearings on Monday at 1:30 P.M. in Lincoln County Court. An officer from the Merrill Police Department assisted in the arrest.

Ministry to Offer Allergy Testing

Wed, 02 May 2012 5:24:56 AM CDT

For millions of Americans the arrival of spring is met with mixed emotions. The greening of the trees and the blooming of the flowers are beautiful, but these signs of nature are hard to enjoy through clouds of pollen, itchy, watery eyes and fits of sneezing. If you are one of the 35 million Americans who suffer from "seasonal" allergies, it is time to take action.

Ministry Medical Group recently added allergy testing to its offering of services available at its Merrill Clinic, located on the 4^th Floor of Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center.

The testing in Merrill is being offered by Ministry Medical Group Family Medicine specialist Kenechi (Ken) Anuligo, M.D.

"Although most people suffering from allergies are able to handle their conditions with advice from their physician, they must take extra precautions during the height of allergy season to avoid severe reactions," says Dr. Anuligo. "Some reactions are an emergency which require immediate medical care if your reaction includes shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, severe sweating, faintness, nausea, a rapid pulse or pale, cold, moist skin."

There are many methods of allergy testing. Among the more common are Skin tests, Elimination-type tests, and Blood tests.

Skin tests are the most common and involve placing a small amount of suspected allergy-causing substances on the skin, usually the forearm, upper arm, or the back. Then, the skin is pricked so the allergen goes under the skin's surface. It is then observed for signs of a reaction, usually swelling and redness of the site. Results are usually seen within 15-20 minutes. Several allergens can be tested at the same time. A similar method involves injecting a small amount of allergen into the skin and watching for a reaction at the site. This is called an intradermal skin test and is more likely to be used when testing is being done for something specific, such as bee venom or penicillin. Patch testing is a method to diagnose allergic reactions on the skin. Possible allergens are taped to the skin for 48 hours and are checked after 24 hours and then 48 hours later.

Skin tests are most useful for diagnosing food allergies, mold, pollen, animal, and other allergies that cause allergic rhinitis and asthma.

An elimination diet can also be used to check for food allergies. An elimination diet is one in which foods that may be causing symptoms are removed from the diet for several weeks and then slowly re-introduced one at a time while the person is watched for signs of an allergic reaction.

Blood tests can be done to measure the amount of immunoglobulin antibodies to a specific allergen in the blood. This test may be used when skin testing is not helpful or cannot be done

Dr. Anuligo believes increasing your knowledge about allergies can help prevent you or a loved one from requiring emergency care for allergy-related attacks. To help allergy sufferers through this difficult time of year, Dr. Anuligo offers the following tips:

Know your allergies. If you and your physician suspect you suffer from allergies, you may be tested to try to determine what is triggering your allergic symptoms.
If you are allergic to pollen and mold, avoid the outdoors on windy days or when you begin to notice symptoms. The wind often stirs up pollen and mold and carries it through the air. It is also a good idea to avoid mowing your lawn, or being near someone who is cutting the grass, if you are allergic to grass or molds. If you must mow, wear a high quality mask and change your clothing when finished.
If you are allergic to pollen, minimize activity outdoors at dawn (5 a.m. to 10 a.m.) and at dusk (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.), when pollen is usually emitted into the air.
Keep car windows closed when you drive. It is also a good idea to use an air conditioner at home and in the car.
Avoid hanging laundry outside to dry. Pollen and molds can collect on sheets and clothes.

Visit your physician regularly if you have allergies. The continuing advice of a doctor is crucial to the long-term treatment of allergic conditions. Your physician may recommend drug therapies, allergy shots, or to see a medical specialist with special training in diagnosing and treating allergic diseases.

Of course, springtime can also mean more time outdoors with insects. Most reactions to insect bites, from bees or ants for instance, are mild and result in short term itching or stinging. Mild reactions can be treated by first removing the stinger if it remains in the skin, and then treating the bite with an ice pack to reduce the pain and swelling.

"If there is any difficulty breathing, tightness in the throat and chest, hives or severe itching resulting from an insect bite, or the person is feeling dizzy, or confused, call 911 or go immediately to an emergency department," says Dr. Anuligo. "Severe reactions to insect bites, although not that common, can progress rapidly and should be treated by a physician as soon as possible."

For more information on Allergy Testing or Ministry Medical Group’s Primary Care services in Merrill, please call 715.539.2350 or visit ministryhealth.org.

Ministry Medical Group, the physician-directed division of Ministry Health Care, consists of clinics located throughout northern and central Wisconsin. Multiple locations offer convenient access to quality primary and specialty care services, along with consistently well-managed, cost-effective care.

Slow Down: E. Main from 35 to 25 MPH

Tue, 01 May 2012 11:35:24 AM CDT

The City of Merrill Common Council approved the reduction of the 35 MPH speed limit down to 25 MPH on E. Main Street from Memorial Drive, east to the intersection at Sturdevant Street.

The reduction in the speed limit will take effect on June 1, 2012.

The speed reduction is an attempt to ease congestion at the intersection of Memorial Drive and E. Main Street by slowing down the westbound traffic on E. Main Street as it approaches Memorial Drive.

“The reduction of speed in this area should make it safer for drivers to enter or cross E. Main Street from Memorial Drive, while also making it safer for pedestrian traffic near the intersection and along E. Main Street,” according to Merrill Police Chief Ken Neff.

The new speed limit signs are expected to be erected before June 1st.

“Violators of the new speed limit will receive warnings for the first couple of months after the change
takes effect in an effort to educate the public first,” Neff added.

Letter to the Editor from Laura Millis

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:24:57 AM CDT

Letter to the Editor

The closure of Pine River school was a hastily made decision that neglected to examine just what would happen to the students not only the Pine River students, but also the students displaced when they were dispersed into the remaining elementary schools, neighborhoods, and communities of Merrill.

Now, as more concrete numbers become available on just how much the conversion of the building to a Headstart/Pre-k facility will be... IN ADDITION to the loss of funds from frustrated parents who have open-enrolled their children elsewhere or have gone to parochial schools, people are beginning to scratch their heads and wonder if this was a good decision and worth the mayhem and fall-out its caused.

The redistricting was not done in any compassionate way-- It tore apart neighborhoods, destroyed established communities, and sent children living within sight of their schools on a bus across town. And why? Because an Early Childhood Building was no longer fit for headstart and 4k?

What I don't understand is, then why did MAPS turn around and plan for rental to a DAY CARE?? Also, why couldn't the Headstart/4k share Pine River with the existing elementary students?

And last-- if Loretta Baughan's idea of moving the 6th grade back to the elementary schools wasn't feasible because there was not room for the 167-or so middle school students at the already full elementary level, WHY IS THERE ROOM FOR 142-or so PINE RIVER STUDENTS?? None of this makes sense!

Please avoid further embarrassment, STOP and rethink it. And, for parents that have children who have been transferred from their neighborhoods and friends-- PLEASE ATTEND the APRIL 30th school board meeting-- that is this Monday-- at 4:45. There will be a listening session held first, followed by the regular meeting. You may speak for 3 minutes to let them know how you feel about Pine River closing, the shabby redistricting job, and the transfer of your children!!

If you don't want to speak, please still come to show your support!

Thank you- Lara Millis

Fire Department Informational Meeting

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:13:05 AM CDT

Merrill Fire/EMS personnel have announced that they will be holding a public informational meeting tonight, Tuesday April 24th, 2012 at 7p.m. at Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes in the banquet /meeting hall.

Through a power point /video presentation firefighters will show the public exactly what they are currently receiving for full-time services as well as the costs of providing such services including fire, ambulance, rescue services and more.

“We plan to inform all area residents who receive any or all of our emergency services, an exact costs to them through their annual taxes, so they may decide if the critical full-time emergency services we provide are worth the costs to them,” explains Merrill Fire Chief Bob Odegard.

The meeting will be open to anybody, but is especially targeting the residents from the City of Merrill, Towns of Merrill, Scott and Rock Falls who receive full time fire, rescue and EMS from the department and also the towns in the southern half of Lincoln County who receive full time EMS service from the department.

Personnel plan to allow time for questions and answers after the presentation, expectations are for an hour to a hour and a half presentation with a number of personnel speaking on issues relating to the services and costs of Merrill’s Fire Department, after researching the information and numbers from the City Finance Director and the County Finance Director.

With regards to recent staffing levels at the Fire Deparment, Mayor Bialecki said that public safety is a top priority and that "is tempered by fiscal realities." Bialecki maintains that the staffing of the fire department remains 7 personnel per shift.

Home Sales Up

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 5:56:58 AM CDT

Lincoln County existing home sales shot up significantly in March, with home sales growing 47 percent over the levels of March 2011, according to the latest monthly report by the Wisconsin REALTORS Association. Lincoln County Home prices in March also skyrocketed for the first time since the end of 2010, the average price for a home in Lincoln County was up 65 percent in March of 2012. This is an indicator the increase in sales was NOT due to the sales of foreclosures.

Lincoln County is outpacing the state in existing home sales, Wisconsin as a whole saw a 25 percent increase over the levels of March 2011. The Wisconsin Realtor Association says an improving state jobs market is helping home sales. Since December, the state has added nearly 18,000 nonfarm private jobs even as government employment fell by 3,400 based on seasonally adjusted estimates.

^ Arrested in Tomahawk

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 1:11:06 PM CDT

Angelique Jaeger

Six people are in the Lincoln County Jail and additional arrests may be made after Deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Merrill Police Department served three simultaneous warrants Thursday morning on suspected drug houses in the City of Tomahawk.

Along with the six arrests Deputies seized drugs, cash, and guns.

The following people were arrested in the City of Tomahawk on 04/19/12 and are facing multiple felony charges stemming from a drug investigation and warrants carried out on 04/19/12. All will make their initial appearances on Monday, April 23, 2012.

SHANE KSOBIECH, age 21

CODY BURNETT, age 19

CODY KAEHNE, age 19

MICHELLE LOISELLE, age 23

ANGELIQUE JAEGER, age 29

KYLE STAEHLE, age 23

The investigation is ongoing and complex.

The six suspects in custody will have bond appearances on Monday at 1:30 PM in Lincoln County Court. All six will face multiple felony charges.

Tomahawk Man Missing

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 1:16:54 PM CDT

Robert Cartwright

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a search and is seeking the public’s help to find a missing Tomahawk man.

Friends of Robert Cartwright reported him missing on Tuesday evening. Deputies have concluded that Cartwright most likely left his Town of Bradley home on Sunday. He did not take a vehicle, or his wallet.

Ground searching has taken place the last two days by Friends, Deputies, Tomahawk Firefighters, the DNR and several K9 units. So far no sign of Cartwright have been found.

Cartwright is fifty six years of age; he is 5’7 and weighs 165 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes.

The ground search will continue in the upcoming days of areas near his residence. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Robert Cartwright you are asked to call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 715-453-5747 or 715-536-6272.

Statewide Tornado Test Today

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 9:51:56 AM CDT

The statewide tornado drill scheduled for this afternoon is a go. The National Weather Service has determined that there is a minimal threat of actual severe weather this afternoon.

At 1pm, the National Weather Service will issue a mock Tornado Watch and at 1:45pm a statewide mock Tornado Warning. For the first time ever, Radio, TV and Cable stations across Wisconsin will participate in the drill. And for the first time, NOAA Weather Radios (also known as Emergency Weather Radios) will be tested during the drill. This is an ideal opportunity for schools, businesses and individuals to practice safe procedures for severe weather.

“Listen, act and live.” That’s the message from Tod Pritchard, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator with Wisconsin Emergency Management. “As we enter peak tornado season, listen for the warnings. Then, take action. Get to the safest shelter available. Don’t waste time going outside to look at the sky or seek other confirmations of danger. You are at risk. Take cover. You’ll have a greater chance of survival.”

When an actual warning is issued and threatening weather approaches:

In a home or building go to the basement and get under a desk, table or staircase.
If underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a desk or table if possible.
Stay away from windows.
Do not try to outrun a tornado in a car. Instead seek shelter in a sturdy structure.
Do not seek shelter under a highway overpass.
Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned. Seek shelter in a sturdy structure.

For more safety tips visit http://readywisconsin.wi.gov

Marathon County Whooping Cough Outbreak

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 7:57:22 AM CDT

The city of Wausau appears to be in the middle of an outbreak of whooping cough.

The Marathon County Health Department confirmed more than 100 cases of whooping cough with more expected in the coming days.

Parents of students in the Wausau Newman, D.C. Everest, Mosinee and Wausau school systems have been notified.

Any child showing cold-like symptoms is being told to stay home from school to avoid spreading it and see a doctor.

Merrill Accepts Contract of New City Administrator

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 7:53:25 AM CDT

It’s now official. Merrill has a new city administrator. The city has accepted the signed contract of David Johnson who will begin his employment with the city on May 14^th.

Mayor Bialecki said that Johnson would be in earlier than that, sitting in on committee meetings to get up to speed on things.

The city has been without a city administrator for nearly a year after Tony Chladek resigned last April.

Johnson is the former Wabasha County administrator who lost his job after being fired by the county board an abolishing the position.

Johnson’s annual salary will be $86,346.

Packers 2012 Schedule Unveiled

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 6:56:08 AM CDT

The Green Bay Packers will open their regular season at home with a late afternoon game on Sunday, September 9th against San Francisco.

The N-F-L announced its schedule last night, and it gave the Packers a three-game opening stretch like they’ve never had before. After playing the 49’ers – who were just a muffed punt away from the Super Bowl last season – the Packers only have three days to get ready for a Thursday night home battle against Chicago. That’s because the N-F-L Network expanded its Thursday night schedule. Coach Mike McCarthy says the short week will be a challenge and a test of its own for the Packers.

After that, they’ll will have 11 days to rest and prepare for a Monday night game at Seattle on September 24th which will feature for Green Bay quarterback Matt Flynn.

The schedule also has three straight road games in October at Indianapolis, Houston, and Saint Louis. McCarthy says that won’t be an extraordinary challenge.

The Packers’ bye will be relatively late, on November 11th. They’ll then have five N-F-C North games in the final seven weeks – including three home contests in December. Green Bay will close out the regular season inside the Minneapolis Metrodome on December 30th against the Vikings. And there are five night games, including three in the first six weeks.

===Green Bay Packers 2012 schedule===

Pre-season

Thursday, Aug. 9 – at San Diego – 7 p.m., ESPN
Thursday, Aug. 16 – Cleveland – 7 p.m., State network (Milwaukee tickets)
Thursday, Aug. 23 – at Cincinnati – 6 p.m., State network
Thursday, Aug. 30 – Kansas City – 6 p.m., State network

Regular season

Sunday, Sept. 9 – San Francisco – 3:15 p.m., Fox
Thursday, Sept. 13 – Chicago – 7:20 p.m., NFL Network (Milwaukee tickets)
Monday, Sept. 24 – at Seattle, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Sunday, Sept. 30 – New Orleans, 3:15 p.m., Fox
Sunday, Oct. 7 – at Indianapolis – Noon, Fox
Sunday, Oct. 14 – at Houston – 7:20 p.m., NBC
Sunday, Oct. 21 – at St. Louis – Noon, Fox
Sunday, Oct. 28 – Jacksonville – Noon, CBS
Sunday, Nov. 4 – Arizona – Noon, Fox (Milwaukee tickets)
Sunday, Nov. 11 – Bye
Sunday, Nov. 18 – at Detroit – Noon, Fox
Sunday, Nov. 25 – at New York Giants – 7:20 p.m., NBC
Sunday, Dec. 2 – Minnesota – Noon, Fox
Sunday, Dec. 9 – Detroit – 7:20 p.m., NBC
Sunday, Dec. 16 – at Chicago – Noon, Fox
Sunday, Dec. 23 – Tennessee – Noon, CBS
Sunday, Dec. 30 – at Minnesota – Noon, Fox

** HOME games in BOLD **

NOTE: After the bye, start times and networks may change due to NFL flexible scheduling.

Tavern League Treasurer Accused of Felony Theft

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 7:19:16 AM CDT

A 47 year old Tomahawk woman will be referred today to the Lincoln County District Attorney after Deputies completed a felony theft investigation.

In February the Tomahawk/Merrill Area Tavern League contacted the Sheriff’s Office after noting discrepancies in their bookkeeping. An investigation by Sheriff’s Detectives shows the woman; who was the league’s treasurer, diverted thousands of dollars in funds for personal expenses.

In total Detectives found that over $20,000 had been taken from the league.

A felony charge of theft in a business setting was referred in the matter.

Gleason Man Arrested

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 1:10:45 PM CDT

Bobb Bergman

A fifty one year old Gleason man has been arrested on several charges after Deputies investigated a child enticement case from the Town of Russell.

On Wednesday the parents of an eleven year old child came to the Sheriff’s Office to report their child received unwanted text messages from his school bus driver.

The bus driver, Bobb Otto Bergman was located Thursday morning and arrested as he began his bus route. Bergman was brought to the Lincoln County Jail.

On Friday a criminal complaint was sent to the Lincoln County District Attorney charging Bergman with exposing genitals to a child, exposing a child to harmful material, causing mental harm to a child, and stalking. All charges are felonies.

At a bond hearing on Friday Bergman received a $10,000 bond from a Lincoln County Judge with $1500 of that bond required to be in cash. As of Friday afternoon Bergman posted the cash portion of the bond and was released from the Lincoln County Jail.

The investigation into this matter is ongoing.

MFD Will Recognize Hero

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 1:09:28 PM CDT

Cole West-Hanson receives a plaque
honoring his bravery from Merrill Fire
Chief Bob Odegard.

The Merrill Fire Department will regognized a young hero on Monday April 16th.

Tthe Merrill Fire Department will formally recognized 8 year Cole West-Hansen, a 2^nd grader at Pine River Elementary school, for his acts of courage.

Young West-Hanson was alone with his mother when she went into labor on Saturday March 17th. The youngster acted heroically by calling 9-1-1 to report the medical emergency. Merrill Fire Department's ambulance, Medic 1 was dispatched to the Merrill residence where Merrill EMT/Paramedics delivered the baby at the home and then transported both mother and newborn to Good Samaritan Hospital.

Captain Mike Drury, an EMT from the responding Merrill Fire Department, who assisted in the delivery, stated that “not only did Cole make the call to 9-1-1, but he then went back to his mother’s side to help her until we (medical personnel) arrived!”

The Spirit (air ambulance) helicopter, from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, who later transferred the infant, was scheduled to fly to Pine River School as well that morning.

“What Cole did was extraordinary and we want to not only honor him, but let other students no how important they can be in emergent situations," exclaims Merrill Fire Chief Bob Odegard. "This information is instilled in youngsters by firefighters across the country each year and it is our belief that Mr. Jeff Zettler, a Pine River volunteer firefighter, was very instrumental in preparing Cole for this situation.”

Each year firefighters in Merrill and across the country reach out to teach kids and adults about fire safety as well as other emergency situations and how to handle them. In 20011, Merrill Firefighters reached over 1200 students in their fire jurisdiction.

The Merrill Fire Department says that Cole very well may have saved two lives that day.

Merrill Historical Society Moves to Future

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 5:50:58 AM CDT

The Merrill Historical Society “It’s About Time” capital campaign for a new museum has reached the $665,000 mark according to President Bea Lebal. Because fund raising has been successful, Lebal said plans for bidding the project and discussions with museum exhibit companies are moving forward.

To make the museum a stand-out experience, consideration is being given in the second phase of development to offering exhibits that engage the viewer through touch screen technology, video and multi-dimensional animation. As additional funds are raised, the hope is to assure that viewing Merrill history will be fun and exciting. That would be done through engaging displays that are easily accessible and environmentally protected. Also being considered are methods to provide intuitive research technology for access to archived information.

As plans for the new building and the construction schedule are proceeding, the Historical Society is entertaining an offer from Habitat for Humanity of Merrill. The volunteer group may contribute labor for interior renovations and finish work in the existing Heritage Center. Habitat has assisted other Merrill non-profits with construction projects.

One Year Later: The Merrill Tornado

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 7:45:13 AM CDT

Damge to storage units on Hwy. K from the
Merrill tornado

It was a year ago today that a tornado ripped through parts of Merrill, damaging the MARC, the airport, several businesses in the industrial park and dozens of home in Merrill and the Town of Merrill were either destroyed or damaged. The National Weather Service confirmed it was an EF-3 twister, with winds of up to 140 miles per hour that cut a path 21 miles long.

To listen to a WJMT News interview with the Merrill Fire Department, click HERE for part 1, and HERE for part 2.

With the damage to the MARC now nearly completely repaired, Dan Wendorf of the Parks and Rec Department says that everyone is happy to be back at the MARC running the programs that the community has been a custom to. The Merrill softball team returns to the MARC later today for their home opener after spending most of last year playing home games at Ott’s Park, which also sustained damage, including downed trees and a destroyed dugout. The MARC's fields will be ready for today's game, but there are still bleechers missing and the consession stand has not yet been rebuilt.

Click HERE for comments from Dan Wendorf.

Mayor Bill Bialecki said that the city owned property is about 90% rebuilt with the only exception being some work at the MARC. He also mentioned the Merrill spirit, with everyone jumping into action to help clean up and rebuild. Help also came from throughout the state and other states.

Click HERE to listen to all of Mayor Bialecki's comments.

Northcentral Technical College had their Fire and EMS training center of excellence destroyed on April 10^th, 2011. Doug Jenning, Director of Fire and EMS with NTC said that not only did NTC rebuild, but they used it as an opportunity to expand, going from one classroom to three as well as other improvements. And the expansion will continue at the Emergency Villiage in Merrill this July when NTC will break ground on construction of a 300x500 foot asphalt lot that will serve as training for motorcycles and emergency vehicles and other continuing educational classes.

Click HERE for our full interview with Doug Jennings.

Merrill Police Chief Ken Neff said that while he hopes the community will never have to deal with a disaster like last year’s tornado again, we are better prepared should the need arise.

Click HERE for comments from Ken Neff.

Debe Kinsey of the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce said that there will be an event coming up in a couple of weeks at the High School to not only look back, but also see how far we’ve come. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday April 26^th at the High School.

As we approach another tornado season, a state-wide tornado test is planned for next week Thursday, April 19th.

Merrill Teens Arrested

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 7:15:01 AM CDT

Dylan Graap

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has taken four people into custody and is now involved in an investigation into property crimes in three counties.

On Sunday evening a Town of Corning Firefighter who owns property on Tower Rd. radioed the Sheriff’s Office to report a burglary in progress at a seasonal cabin on Tower Rd. As Deputies from both Lincoln and Taylor County responded to the area the firefighter continued to radio reports in as he observed other attempts to burglarize property. When the suspects left the area Deputies from Lincoln County stopped the suspect’s vehicle and took four people into custody. The suspects; two seventeen year old males Dylan Graap and Travis Dallman, a sixteen year old female, and a fifteen year old male, all from Merrill were brought to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

Based on interviews with the suspects Deputies are now putting together criminal complaints involving multiple burglaries in western Lincoln, northern Marathon, and eastern Taylor County. In addition Deputies have received information linking the suspects to multiple criminal damage to property cases in the area. Further, the Wisconsin DNR is investigating multiple game violations mostly involving thrill killings of animals.

The two adult suspects are being held in the Lincoln County Jail. The two juvenile suspects are being held in secure detention. Deputies expect the adult suspects will have bond hearings today, Tuesday April 10th, in Lincoln County Court Branch II at 1:30 PM.

A Taylor County Deputy and a Trooper from the Wisconsin State Patrol assisted in the arrest Sunday night.

Fire Danger High

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 5:09:58 AM CDT

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in conjunction with the National Weather Service, announced that a Red Flag Warning was in effect Sunday in nearly all of Wisconsin. A Red Flag Warning is issued when wind, temperature and humidity combine to produce conditions supporting extreme fire behavior, should a fire occur. Lincoln County has very dangerous conditions.

Fires start easily, spread very rapidly, crown and spot. Very difficult to control. Burning is not recommended. Introducing any fire in the outdoors is strongly discouraged again today.

The DNR will be suspending all burning permits and citizens should check with local fire officials for any additional restrictions in place. This alert means that large forest fires are possible due to the predicted weather conditions. Continued dry and windy weather in much of Wisconsin is pushing wildlfire risks into the “extreme” range in many areas. Hazardous conditions are expected to continue until there is a change in current weather patterns, say Department of Natural Resources fire control officials.

Fire danger ratings are available on line at dnr.wi.gov keyword “burn.”

Under extreme conditions fires start easily from a match, hot coals, vehicle exhaust systems, or spark, burn fiercely and move into tree tops readily.
“We’re urging extreme caution in all outdoor activities,” said Trent Marty, director of DNR’s Bureau of Forest Protection. “We request that no campfires be made, that persons refrain from smoking in woody or grassy areas and dispose of hot ashes or charcoal briquettes in a non-combustible container with a lid. We are also recommending that in the red flag warning areas, people report any outdoor burning they observe to their local dispatch center or Ranger Station.”

“In Wisconsin, people are liable for suppression costs and damages caused by fires they start,” reminds Marty. “At this time of year in these conditions a fire can be started by simply parking a hot vehicle over dry grass.”

MAPS Names Interim Superintendent for 2012-13 School Year

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 5:23:01 AM CDT

The Merrill Area Public School Board announced Tuesday that it has named Don Stevens interim superintendent for the 2012-13 school year. A contract has been offered to Mr. Stevens, but is still subject to legal counsel and Mr. Stevens’ approval. The announcement comes after the board previously voted to extend its search for a permanent replacement into the next school year.

Mr. Stevens, who has more than 30 years of educational experience, including serving as a superintendent, will retire from CESA 5, where he is currently the agency administrator. In addition to serving as interim superintendent, Stevens will also continue his role as consultant to the district in the process to find a permanent superintendent. Stevens will assume his new role on August 1.

“We are thrilled to name Don Stevens as the interim superintendent for the 2012-13 school year,” said Bill Jaeger, school board president. “Don has been working with the district to find a permanent superintendent, and he knows our board, our schools and our community well. It’s a great fit.”

In addition to working in his leadership roles as a superintendent and CESA administrator, Mr. Stevens also served as an assistant state superintendent at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

“While we are no less committed to finding an outstanding leader to serve as a permanent superintendent of the Merrill Area Public Schools, our district is in very good hands under Don Stevens’ leadership,” said Jaeger.

Election Results

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 7:18:36 AM CDT

The City of Merrill will have two new Aldermen. In District 1, Chris Malm defeated Dean Haas 166-103 after the incumbent Dan Heil did not run. District 6 went to Mark Peterson who was unopposed on the ballot following the death of Allan Gulke. Incumbent Dave Sukow opted to not run. In District 2, incumbent Steve Hass successfully held off a challenge from John Spiegelhoff, winning 218-58.

In the race for Merrill School Board, four of the five candidates were voted in. They are Jen Seliger, Brad Kanitz, Kelly Collins and Gene Bondioli. John R. Shull Jr. was defeated by 213 votes. Seliger was the top vote getter with 2,520.

In Tomahawk, Robert Lee remains the city’s mayor. He held off the challenge from Patricia Haskin to win 333-236. And Wausau’s mayor Jim Tipple also won re-election. He defeated challenger Ed Gale by a more than 2 to 1 margin. Gale remains on the Wausau City Council. All but 1 incumbent council members won reelection. Keene Winters defeated Gary Klingbeil in the 6th District 685 to 397.

Incumbent Robert Lussow narrowly defeated Brian Hafeman for Lincoln County’s District 14 seat. Lussow, the current Lincoln County Board Chair, edged Hafeman by just two votes, 139-137. Carl Vander Sanden topped Arlene Meyer 212-95 in District 20 and in District 21, Kortney Pike defeated E. Richard Simon.

With almost all the Wisconsin returns in, Romney won the statewide vote 43-to-38 percent over Santorum, with Ron Paul third at 12-percent and Newt Gingrich fourth at six-percent. That gave Romney all 18 statewide delegates, and he received 15 more by winning in five-of-the-eight congressional districts. Santorum won nine Wisconsin delegates by carrying the Third, Seventh, and Eighth congressional districts.

Santorum was the favored candidate in Lincoln County. He defeated Mitt Romney 2,001 to 1,345, or 44 to 30 percent.

Mitt Romney continued to pull away in the Republican presidential race yesterday, with a sweep of three primaries in Wisconsin, Maryland, and Washington D-C. Romney now has more than half the available convention delegates so far with 658. The A-P’s national count shows Rick Santorum a distant second at 281. Almost six-of-every-10 delegates are in Romney’s pocket as the primary season just passed the halfway point.

School Board Candidates 5 of 5

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 5:31:13 AM CDT

The week of March 12-16, WJMT news spoke with each of the five school board candidates running in the April 3rd election.

What follows are their responses to our questions.

Question 5: Candidates' closing statements.

Jen Seliger
John R. Shull, Jr.
Kelly Collins
Gene Bondioli
Brad Kanitz

NOTE: This is the final segment in a five part series. Tomorrow, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You'll be asked to vote in the Republican Presidential Primary, Merrill Aldermatic Districts and Merrill School Board contests. For school board, you'll be asked to vote for four candidates. Three will be elected to three year terms and one will serve a two year term.

School Board Candidates 4 of 5

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 5:30:29 AM CDT

School Board Candidates 3 of 5

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 5:25:53 AM CDT

The week of March 12-16, WJMT news spoke with each of the five school board candidates running in the April 3rd election.

What follows are their responses to our questions.

Question 3: What is the one most pressing issue in the Merrill School District?

Jen Seliger
John R. Shull, Jr.
Kelly Collins
Gene Bondioli
Brad Kanitz

NOTE: This is the third in a five part series. Tomorrow we'll review the candidates' reponses to the question: Do you support the closing of Pine River?

School Board Candidates 2 of 5

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 6:00:34 AM CDT

The week of March 12-16, WJMT news spoke with each of the five school board candidates running in the April 3rd election.

What follows are their responses to our questions.

Question 2: What are your qualifications?

Jen Seliger
John R. Shull, Jr.
Kelly Collins
Gene Bondioli
Brad Kanitz

NOTE: This is part two in a five part series. Tomorrow we'll review the candidates' reponses to the question: What is the one most pressing issue in the Merrill School District?

Tiffany and Koth Announce Bids

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:40:16 PM CDT

Kevin Koth

Earlier today Republican Tom Tiffany (R-35th Assembly District), announced that he will be leaving the Assemby to run for the State Senate.

A senate seat will be up for grabs this fall after Democrat Jim Holperin steps down. Holperin announced last Friday that he would be leaving state politics to do other things, after three decades of public service.

Holperin survived not one, but two recall efforts against him. First in the 1990's for his support of spear fishing and most recently last summer, when he was recalled for leaving the state in a failed effort to stall a vote on the proposed elimination of most bargaining rights for public unions.

Tiffany challenged Holperin in 2008 for the senate and after losing that election, he successfully ran for the 35th Assembly seat.

Also today, Town of Bradley Chairperson Kevin Koth announced that he will run for the state Assembly in the 35^th District. Koth, a 30 year employee of the PCA Tomahawk Mill and longtime Town of Bradley elected official said in a statement that he will “work towards common-sense solutions that address the everyday problems facing our working families.”

Koth told WJMT News that he'd been considering a run at state politics since 2004, but felt the time was right to make a difference after watching what has transcribed over the past two years in Madison.

Koth plans to travel the district in the coming months to meet with families to gather their ideas and input. Kevin is a husband, father of three and an avid deer hunter.

Gleason Man Killed

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:20:27 PM CDT

A 56-year old Gleason man is dead after being struck by a pickup truck early this morning in Gleason.

Just before 2 a.m. the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office received a 9-1-1 call of a vehicular crash involving a truck versus pedestrian outside of the bowling alley in Gleason. It was initially reported that a male subject was struck by the truck and that was unconscious but still breathing. The caller believed he had struck the man, but the victim was already lying on the road at the time of the incident. It was not immediately known whether or not another vehicle may have struck the man and fled the scene.

Units responding to the scene include the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Merrill Ambulance, Aspirus MedEvac Helicopter and the Town of Russell Fire Department and First Responders. The victim was flown to Aspirus Wausau Hospital from the scene. He was pronounced dead approximately four hours later.

Reconstruction experts from the Wisconsin State Patrol then responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. At this time it is not believed that another vehicle was involved. Neither alcohol nor speed are believed to have been a factor for the operator of the pickup truck. Alcohol and/or a medical issue may have been a factor for the pedestrian.

The accident remains under investigation. The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of relatives.

School Board Candidates 1 of 5

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:09:12 AM CDT

NOTE: This is the first in a five part series. Tomorrow we'll review the candidates' reponses to the question: What are your qualifications?

Sheriff Warns of Scams

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 6:01:37 AM CDT

Sheriff Jeff Jaeger is warning residents of another increase in scams. Deputies were kept busy this past week investigating credit card fraud and several people who reported filing their taxes only to learn from the IRS that someone had already filed using their information and gotten refund checks.

The Sheriff also noted it is college spring break time and as a result attempts of the “Grandma scam” usually increase. The grandma scam involves people phoning usually elderly residents and calling the person who answers the phone “Grandma or Grandpa”. The scammer then tells of a tale where they are stranded normally outside of the United States and need cash due to some trouble with law enforcement, vehicle break down or crash or a medical emergency. The grandparent is told not to tell anyone of the problem in order to not cause family problems, and to wire them cash in countries such as Mexico or Canada. Some tips to avoid being caught up in the Grandma scam include:

1. Don’t feed them information. If they call you grandma or grandpa don’t name off a grandchild you think it might be. If you give them a name to work with they will continue to use it to their advantage.

2. Remain calm, these are seasoned swindlers who want you to feed off the panic in their voice. Ignore their requests for privacy and alert family members to ensure the emergency is real.

3. Ask specific questions. Ask questions only your grandchildren would know.

4. Get a call back number. Most of the times the scammer is not able to provide a phone number as it is not part of the script.

Grandchildren can also help their grandparents avoid being scammed. If you are going on vacation don’t post all the details to social networks such as face book. Scammer feed upon open pages to learn the names of spring breakers, where they are going and who they are with. All these things can be used to make a scam sound more legitimate. Also check in often, keeping in touch with relatives will let them know you are safe. Finally the Sheriff encourages anyone who receives a suspicious call to phone his office and allow law enforcement to check on the legitimacy of a claim of needing help.

Kate Goodrich Recipient of $5,000 Grant

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 1:15:32 PM CDT

Earlier this month volunteers at Kate Goodrich Elementary School announced that the school has been awarded a $5,000 Toolbox for Education grant from Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation for updating playground equipment and the construction of an outdoor classroom. The grant covers a significant portion of the $18,000 needed for the project, with the rest coming from additional fundraising efforts that are now in progress.

The project at Kate Goodrich includes installing new pieces of playground equipment, including climbing and hanging bars. An outdoor classroom complete with six picnic tables will also be constructed with help from a local Boy Scouts group. The classroom will provide teaching opportunities both during the day and in after-school programs. It is also the hope of the staff that neighborhood families will enjoy using it outside of school hours. The project is scheduled to be complete in August.

Now, the school is engaged in a number of fundraising efforts, including reaching out to area businesses and families at Kate Goodrich to make donations. The next fundraising effort will be an all-school assembly challenging the students to raise $500 through a coloring contest, special snack and dress up days, a pie-throwing contest and winning a special lunch with Mr. Jahnke, principal of Kate Goodrich. Parents will also have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets toward winning “Summer Fun” baskets put together by donations from staff.

“We are thrilled to receive this generous grant from Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. The $5,000 will go a long way in helping us to achieve our goal,” said Sandi Rusch, a teacher at Kate Goodrich. “The new playground equipment and outdoor classroom will be a welcome addition to our school community. We look forward to sharing additional fundraising efforts.”

Kate Goodrich was one of more than 585 schools or parent organizations to be awarded a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education during the 2011-2012 school year. The grant is for parent-initiated school improvement projects benefiting K-12 public education across the United States.

Brett Woller, a Life Scout with Merrill Boy Scout Troop 599, will lead the construction of the outdoor classroom as his Eagle Scout service project. Woller looks forward to seeing the completed structure, something he can drive by years from now and know he made a difference in his community.

Click HERE to listen to WJMT's Community Scan interview with Woller and Principal Jahnke.

Missing Dog in Irma

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:34:52 AM CDT

Gunner, a tri-colored male French Brittany, has been missing since Monday, March 19th. He has a blue collar with a bell and went missing in Irma. Gunner is very friendly.

If found, please call Bill at 715-536-8771.

Church Mutual Pays Storm Claims

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 6:26:07 AM CDT

Church Mutual insurance company in Merrill that covers churches and religious groups said its storm-related damage claims last year were the second-highest in three decades. And because of that, Church Mutual Insurance said it lost 28-and-a-half million dollars in 2011.

The firm paid almost 39-thousand damage claims which totaled 430-million dollars. Of those, just over 430 were major claims of 150-thousand dollars or more. C-E-O Mike Ravn said Church Mutual was hardly alone among insurers in losing money. He said last year had the second-most catastrophic losses in the past 30 years.+

In 2005, when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit, was the only year with more damage. But the firm said it surpassed 550-million-dollars in direct premiums for the seventh straight year – and its corporate assets and surplus for policy-holders were both the fourth-highest in Church Mutual’s 115-year history.

Tiffany-Authored Bill Passes Both Houses

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 6:12:16 AM CDT

“This is an important private property protection bill,” noted Representative Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) of Senate Bill 472, which the State Assembly passed by a margin of 53-28
during its marathon end to the regular session last week. The bill, which had already been passed by the State Senate earlier in the session, protects the ability of homeowners to repair and
maintain nonconforming homes.

A structure is nonconforming when it does not meet one of the dimensional requirements found in a current zoning ordinance. Generally, a building becomes nonconforming simply because a community changes the regulations after the home or building has been constructed, causing issues for anyone attempting to maintain a nonconforming structure.

Certain regulations have come under scrutiny, as they undermine the rights of property
owners to maintain the value of their property. The 50% rule, for example, limits repairs on
nonconforming structures to 50% of the building’s value, leaving owners with limited
maintenance options. Lenders have taken issue with the current system and are more reluctant to
lend because nonconforming homes are considered to be “higher risk” of falling into disrepair.

Rep. Tiffany—who authored the bill in the Assembly– added, “Some local zoning
ordinances like the 50% rule took away peoples’ abilities to repair and maintain their homes.
Now homeowners can take care of their property regardless of cost and won’t have to jump
through hoops to do it. They can keep what they have.”

Antigo Coach Pleas Not Guilty

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 6:03:52 AM CDT

Antigo's former high school football coach and elementary school principal has entered a plea to drug dealing charges.

John Lund pled not guilty Monday to seven felony charges, including three counts of dealing marijuana, three counts of possession with intent to deliver and one count of maintaining a drug trafficking place. A county drug investigator had testified at Lund's preliminary hearing last month that Lund bought marijuana at least twice from his brother-in-law Scot Peterson, and also sold the drug to other men.

The two others have also been charged. Lund is free on bond pending a status conference May 14th.

Lincoln County Home Sales Up.

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 9:26:30 AM CDT

February home sales rose for the eighth straight month, with existing home sales in Lincoln County up 23 percent from February 2011, according to the latest monthly report by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association. Lincoln County Home prices were up in February, 8.7 percent compared to one year ago.

This increasing sales trend began last summer and has continued at a healthy pace throughout the fall and winter. Rob Keefe, Chairman of the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association board of directors, noted that sales over the last five months have seen growth rates in double digits without any distortion from federal incentive programs. He also noted that 30-year fixed-rate mortgages have been under 4 percent for the last four months, and the Federal Reserve has continued to keep short-term interest rates low to help nurture the recovery and avoid a double-dip recession.

Existing home sales grew in every region of the state in February, with most increasing over 10 percent compared to the same month last year. Total unsold inventory of homes has fallen significantly over the past eight months. In July 2011, there were nearly 72,000 unsold homes in the state, and that figure dropped to just fewer than 53,000 last month. New listings of homes were also down in February relative to last year.

Underage Drinking Party

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 5:56:44 AM CDT

Deputies are still investigating an underage drinking party that took place early Saturday morning in the Town of Merrill.

A caller reported a vehicle that appeared stuck on Merrill Town Hall near Anna Rd. When Deputies arrived they found numerous people standing around a camp fire, several of whom fled into the woods. Deputies did locate and test eight underage drinkers ranging in age from eighteen to twenty. They were all cited for the offense. The offenders were from Merrill, Owen, Port Edwards, Nekossa, and Athens.

The Rec. Deputy and the DNR are investigating damage done to state land by large pickup trucks that were present.

Merrill's Paul Jesperson Will Play in NCAA Tournament Today

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 7:22:55 AM CDT

Merrill's Paul Jesperson

Although both the Merrill boys and girls basketball teams have seen their seasons come to an end, there is a Merrill alumni who will be taking the court with his team later today.

Merrill native Paul Jesperson is a freshman guard on the University of Virginia basketball team. His Cavaliers are a No. 10 seed in the West Region of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and will play their first game at 1:10 today.

Jesperson started the year as a red shirt, but 11 games into the season he was called into action.

Merrill boys basketball coach Kurt Soderberg had the pleasure of coaching Jesperson all four years of his high school career. A career that saw Paul start every game possible on his way to becoming Merrill’s all-time leading scorer with 1,696 points. Soderberg said he was able to watch just about all of Paul's games this season and will often call or text to continue to coach and offer encouragement.

With the Cavaliers Jesperson has been averaging just over 10 minutes per game with 1.4 points per game and just shy of one rebound per game. Soderberg said he’s looking forward to seeing Paul take his game to a national audience and that in many respects Paul is living his dream.

The Jesperson family is very excited for Paul. In fact, the entire family will be courtside in Omaha watching Paul this afternoon. The University of Virginia and Florida square off at 1:10 this afternoon from Omaha, Nebraska. The game will be televised on TNT.

Click HERE for our Coaches Corner interview with Kurt Soderberg.

Merrill Girls Face New London Tonight

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:36:44 AM CDT

UPDATE: Merrill lost to New London 67-22 Thursday night. The Bluejays finished the season as Regional Champions with a 14-11 record.

--------------------------------------

The Merrill Bluejay girls basketball team will be in action tonight at they face New London in a WIAA Division 2 sectional semifinal from Wausau East.

Tip off for tonight's game is scheduled for 6 p.m., our Bluejay pre-game show starts at approximately 5:40.

On Saturday Merrill beat Waupaca 50-43 to claim the Regional Championship. Prior to that the No. 3 seeded Bluejays topped Antigo 53-31.

No. 1 seed New London cruised into tonight's matchup after blowing out both Hortonville (74-18) and Rhinelander (73-23).

The Bulldogs enter the game with a perfect 24-0 record while the Bluejays improved to 14-10.

The winner of tonight's contest advances to the sectional finals in Marshfield this Saturday at 7 p.m. and will take on the winner of La Crosse Logan (20-4) and Hayward (18-5).

Judge Hartley Resigns

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:30:13 AM CDT

Eight weeks from today, Lincoln County Judge Glenn Hartley will step down from the bench.

Hartley mailed his resignation to Madison last week and asked that a replacement judge be appointed as soon as possible to maintain Lincoln County’s level of service.

Governor Walker’s office has already begun taking applications to fill the position.

In a letter to WJMT News, Hartley thanked the residents of Lincoln County, but did not say why he was resigning, stating only that it was time for his to give up his seat and “move on to other things important in my life.”

His last day on the bench will be June 10th.

Conversation With The Mayor

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 4:00:13 PM CST

This week WJMT News had a chance to sit down with Merrill's Mayor Bill Bialecki. The conversation covered a wide range of topics that are important to Merrill residents. It is our hope that we can meet with the mayor several times throughout the year to discuss issues as they arise.

Below you can listen to our conversation, broken down into the topic featured in each segment:

WALMART
Future Development
More Development
Merrill Fire Department
Water Treatment
Merrill Tornado

MAPS Issue Preliminary Layoff Notices

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 2:15:34 PM CST

The Merrill Area Public Schools have given preliminary layoff notices to five teachers. But the Board of Education noted that four will likely be called back.

Interim superintendent Bruce Anderson said the teachers include an art instructor, a literacy specialist, a music teacher, and grade-school instructor. All four could move to the Maple Grove Charter School or at least be offered part time positions within the district.

A reading specialist received a layoff notice because the position is funded by a federal grant which is expiring next year.

Weight Limits Posted

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 6:03:23 AM CST

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) North Central Region today announced the seasonal posting of weight limits on area state highways. The weight restrictions are 6 tons gross load for single axle vehicles and 10 tons gross load for tandem axle vehicles (any two axles under 8 feet apart). The maximum gross weight is 24 tons.

Weight restrictions will be effective at noon on Friday, March 9, 2012 on the following highways:

• WIS 153, Marathon County, Marathon County J to Shawano County line

• WIS 153, Shawano County, Marathon County line to US 45

Weight restrictions will be effective at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 on the following highways:
• WIS 107, Lincoln County, Mathew’s Road to Lincoln County S

• WIS 107, Lincoln County, Marathon County line to WIS 64

• WIS 107, Marathon County, Marathon County A to the Lincoln County line

• WIS 52, Forest County, from Smith Road to the Langlade County line

• WIS 52, Langlade County, from WIS 55 to the Forest County line

• WIS 55, Forest County, from Argonne to the Michigan state line

• WIS 169, Iron County, from US 2 to the Ashland County line

• WIS 122, Iron County, from WIS 77 to the Michigan state line