Merrill residents are being encouraged to brighten the community this holiday season by entering the City of Merrill’s sixth annual Tour of Lights Decorating Contest. The city is inviting homeowners to showcase their Christmas decorations, whether they feature elaborate light displays, festive characters or other holiday-themed displays. Homes entered in the contest must be located within Merrill city limits. The registration deadline is Monday, November 30, 2026. Residents can register their

The Merrill Police Department responded to 14 incidents during the week ending November 1st. Officers conducted approximately 11 traffic stops and 37 security checks. While serving a search warrant at a local residence Monday, an occupant abruptly attempted to flee, slamming an officer’s hand in the door. The suspect was arrested on charges of battery to law enforcement and resisting an officer. A THC vape found on the suspect also led to a possession charge. Other activity included a property

MERRILL, WI (WSAU) -- A Wausau man facing more than a dozen charges in connection with a high-speed chase in Lincoln County has been scheduled for a p...

The Merrill Fire Department responded to 41 calls last week, bringing the total for 2026 to 1,985 calls. 32 of those calls required EMS Services. The Department responded to a fire at a home on South Foster Street Sunday evening. Residents of the home were outside when crews arrived, and fortunately no one was injured. Firefighters rescued three cats. The fire was brought under control shortly after 8:30 pm.

An 80-year-old Grafton man is now formally charged following last week’s wrong-way driving incident on Highway 51 in Lincoln County. Rory Hofmann faces four counts, including first-degree recklessly endangering safety, second-offense OWI causing injury, and fleeing an officer. Authorities say Hofmann was driving south in the northbound lanes of Highway 51 when a sheriff’s lieutenant deliberately positioned his squad car in the vehicle’s path to stop the threat to other motorists. The crash

A Merrill family is displaced following a house fire Sunday evening. The Merrill Fire Department responded to a home on South Foster Street shortly after 7:30 p.m. Firefighters found smoke inside the residence and coming from the roof. Everyone was outside when crews arrived, and firefighters rescued three cats. No injuries were reported. The fire was brought under control just after 8:40 p.m., but the family is now staying with relatives. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

As Aspirus Merrill Hospital approaches its 100th anniversary, a $40 million renovation and expansion project is bringing major upgrades to the facility. The hospital opened in November 1926 and has served Merrill-area residents for a century. The current project is expected to be completed in early 2027. Improvements include a new Emergency Department triage room, an expanded Imaging Department with new equipment, and a redesigned Laboratory Department. The inpatient unit is also being renovated

Goodwill North Central Wisconsin has officially broken ground on its new Merrill store. The groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday at the former Church Mutual Insurance building at 3500 East Main Street. The building will undergo interior and exterior renovations by MJI Building Services, with the new store expected to open in spring 2027. Goodwill says revenue from its stores helps support job training and employment programs for people facing barriers to work.

An 18-year-old former Lincoln Hills inmate has been sentenced to three years in prison followed by three years of extended supervision in connection with the 2024 death of correctional officer Corey Proulx. Javarius Hurd was convicted of battery by a prisoner following a jury trial in Lincoln County. Jurors found him not guilty of first-degree reckless homicide and one of two battery-by-prisoner counts, but guilty of the remaining battery charge. Hurd was sentenced Friday, October 30, to three y

An 80-year-old Grafton man is charged with multiple felonies after authorities say a sheriff's lieutenant had to deliberately hit the suspect's vehicl...