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Lincoln County Board Debates, Approves Pine Crest Sales Agreement Published on 06/18/2025 under News

The Lincoln County Board approved a purchase agreement with a private provider that would lead to the sale of Pine Crest nursing home by the end of the summer.

The vote last night came at the end of a nearly three hour meeting. Earlier this month, the County announced a tentative purchase agreement for the skilled nursing facility in Merrill had been reached with Ensign Group and subsidiaries Merrill Health Holdings LLC and Jack Pines Healthcare LLC.

The purchase price is listed at $9.5 million. The resolution projects the county will save approximately $1million annually, and the property will also return to the tax roll. As far as related costs, the County will need to lease space from Ensign or find an alternative location for Health and Human Service. That was a point raised by several supervisors.

Before the supervisors began discussion, citizens had a chance to weigh in during public comment. It was an unusually crowded board room, and additional chairs were set up to accommodate. Many in attendance held signs and work yellow People for Pine Crest t-shirts. Around a dozen people who spoke were in opposition. Two citizens did utilize their allotted time to support the sale.

Pine Crest was the last item on the agenda, and the supervisors took a short recess before introducing the resolution. They spent approximately 45 minutes during the discussion raising a number of concerns, and even some new developments.

Many of the negotiations have been conducted at the Administrative and Legislative Committee and in closed session. Supervisor Greg Hartwig noted that they actually received multiple offers for Pine Crest, and Ensign was not the highest. However, he noted that the A&L Committee felt they would be in the best interest to serve Lincoln County going forward.

The impetus to sell Pine Crest originated with concerns over operational and maintenance costs of the facility going forward. Earlier in the meeting, the 2026 preliminary budget was presented, with a projected $1.5 million shortfall needing to be balanced.

Gary Olson of North Central Health Care was asked to address the board. NCHC has been operating Pine Crest on behalf of the county dating back to 2020. He noted that the ownership uncertainty over the last several years has been difficult. He added that their executive committee would be reconsidering that contract at the end of the year.

While supervisors opposed to the sale attempted several maneuvers to delay, that vote ultimately came and the sale approved 14-8. They anticipate a closing date of August 1.

This is actually the second attempt at a Pine Crest sale. A sale had been agreed to last summer as well, however the deal fell apart.

In Other News

Latest Discover Wisconsin Segment Highlights Scary Stories of Lincoln County

Published on 09/08/2026 under News Halloween is still a few weeks away, but a new video short is shining a light on some of Lincoln County's haunted history. As part of an ongoing partnership with Discover Wisconsin, Lincoln County is first location featured in a new series titled "Dare to Discover-Paranormal Wisconsin." Host Andrea Boehlke recently visited the Merrill area to explore three local ghost stories passed down through generations. The segment highlights the chilling tale of Jenny Hill, the spooky history of the former Haunted Sawmill, and the legend of the headless horseman of the Merrill School Forest, Heinrich 'Boomdecker' Becker. During her trip, Boehlke also takes a look at popular seasonal fall activities in the region. Over the years, Lincoln County and Discover Wisconsin have teamed up to spotlight local people, places, and events, including a dog-sledding production that took home a regional Emmy Award last year. The latest episode was released over the weekend on the Discover Wisconsin YouTube channel, and a link is available in the online version of this story.

Published on 09/08/2026 under News September is National Preparedness Month, and the Lincoln County Emergency Management team is encouraging residents take action. This year's theme, "Americans Stand Ready," focuses on ensuring people have the knowledge, plans, supplies, and skills needed to protect themselves and their loved ones when the unexpected strikes. Emergency Management Director Tyler Verhasselt and his team are sharing 21 practical preparedness actions throughout the month, one for every weekday in September. Designed to help residents better understand local risks, prepare their households, and strengthen community resilience, some tasks take just a few minutes, while others may take some long term planning. In week one, the team has encouraged residents to sign up for Lincoln County's newly launched Emergency Alerts system, identify common household hazards, and start open conversations about emergency plans at home. You can follow along with daily updates, tips, and activities on the Lincoln County Emergency Management Facebook page. We'll also have more coverage on preparedness as the month goes on.

Published on 09/08/2026 under News Kids across the Northwoods have returned to campus, and now some older learners are heading back to class as well. Nicolet College is launching its popular Learning in Retirement (LIR) program on Wednesday with a Fall Kickoff and orientation on campus. Proving that learning never retires, the annual program gives adults ages 50 and older the chance to try new hobbies, explore fresh topics, and make new friends. Described as "learning for the pure pleasure of learning," there are no grades, tests, or required attendance. The program currently boasts a membership of more than 250 active learners. This fall semester features over 30 classes and excursions spanning a wide range of topics, including art, health, food, and nature. A few highlights on the upcoming schedule include a local presentation by "Ed the Diver," a culinary history class on "Foods from the Great Gatsby Era," and an expert-led session on local loon rescues. An annual membership costs $50 and covers LIR classes for both the fall semester and the entire academic year. The course catalog and registration details are available on the Nicolet College website.

Published on 09/08/2026 under News Northwoods locals gave summer travelers a warm send-off on Labor Day, carrying on a decades-old tradition to thank departing visitors. Positioned along the Highway 51 corridor through Minocqua, Hazelhurst, and Woodruff, residents gathered to wave at southbound seasonal community members and tourists heading home. Often referred to as the "Wave Line" or "Wave Parade," the simple gesture serves as an annual token of gratitude for the visitors who fuel the region's economy. According to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, in Oneida County, visitor economic impact reached a record $408 million last year. What originally began as an informal gathering has evolved into a cherished tradition. At landmark spots like Whitman's, locals have been lining the roadside to wave goodbye to summer for over half a century.

Published on 09/08/2026 under News Wisconsin's deer season officially kicks off this Saturday with the opening of the archery and crossbow hunt, and state safety officials are urging hunters to take extra precautions before climbing up into the trees. Surveys from the Department of Natural Resources show that one in four bowhunters has experienced a fall or near-fall from an elevated stand. Despite those odds, less than half say they wear a safety harness while climbing. The DNR says simple habits can save lives: inspect your gear and your stand before every hunt, keep three points of contact while climbing, and always use a haul line to raise and lower your bow or firearm. Officials also warn hunters to avoid setting up stands in ash trees, which may be weakened and structurally unsafe due to emerald ash borer damage. The Treestand Manufacturers Association offers a free 15-minute safety refresher online. The archery season runs from Saturday through early January.

Published on 09/08/2026 under News After a summer break, a road construction project is scheduled to resume this week. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced that crews will return to Minocqua to resume work on Highway 51 between Front Street and the Lake Minocqua Bridge. Work on the project originally started this spring and paused in early June to accommodate the summer tourism season. Now they are getting back to work. According to the announcement, they've got about six weeks left with a target completion date on October 20. Single-lane closures will be in effect through downtown Minocqua during active construction. Crews do plan one more temporary pause. They'll remove traffic controls for the annual Beef-A-Rama celebration the weekend of Sept. 26.(A full list of state project updates can be found on the DoT website)As for ongoing road construction impacting local traffic, according to the weekly Department of Transportation report... In Lincoln County, Highway 17 remains closed to through traffic between Highway 64 and Big Hay Meadow Creek for a two phase project. Crews will be working on the paving project during the fall construction season, pause for the winter, and then resume next spring. The posted detour uses Highways 64, 51, and 8. Local access to homes and businesses along the construction corridor will be maintained. In Lincoln County, WIS 107 remains closed to through traffic between Wilderness Drive and County S as crews continue culvert work and roadway restoration. The project is scheduled to continue through mid-October. In Oneida County, paving work continues on U.S. 8 between WIS 47 and WIS 17 North in the Rhinelander area. This segment of Highway 8 remains closed and detoured. This project is in it's final few weeks. In Oneida County, crews continue asphalt paving on U.S. 45 between U.S. 8 and WIS 32 near Three Lakes. Motorists should expect single-lane closures controlled by flaggers. Work is expected into early-October.

Published on 09/07/2026 under News Downtown Antigo is turning its light poles into a public art gallery, one hand-painted canvas at a time. While many communities use light pole banners to mark seasonal holidays or honor local veterans, downtown Antigo is taking a much more personal approach to its streetscapes. Through a creative collaboration between the City of Antigo and Antigo Visual Arts, custom-designed banners are popping up along 5th Avenue, featuring one-of-a-kind artwork hand-painted by local artists. Each 2.5 by 5-foot canvas covers a wide range of themes from deeply personal local tributes to nature-inspired landscapes. Among the two newest installations is a special memorial piece honoring longtime Antigo Daily Journal publisher and community advocate Fred Berner, capturing his legacy and love for the city. Another is a simple, but elegant monarch butterfly. Organizers say the project is an open-air celebration of community pride, turning everyday utility poles into a vibrant showcase of local storytelling and civic collaboration. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to take a stroll or drive down 5th Avenue in Antigo to enjoy the local craftsmanship firsthand.

Published on 09/07/2026 under News The first Monday in September marks Labor Day, a long weekend where many workers get a well-deserved day off. Established as a federal holiday in 1894, Labor Day honors the American labor movement and recognizes the vital contributions of workers. While many in the Northwoods celebrate with cookouts or trips to the cabin, Merrill marks the holiday with two beloved annual community events. Festivities kick off this morning with the annual Labor Day Parade at 10:00 a.m. After winding down near the courthouse, the action shifts to the Merrill Fairgrounds, where the Lions Club is hosting its annual Labor Day Car Show, a tradition still going strong after more than four decades. Organizers say the show typically draws 200 to 250 entries. While classic vehicles from the 1960s and '70s are the most common, attendees can expect to see everything from 1920s models to modern classics. During the event, the city also plans to announce the winner of its summer-long America's 250th Decorating Contest.

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Published on 09/07/2026 under News Labor Day marks the last hurrah for summer travel, and officials are urging drivers to prioritize safety on area roadways. Here in the Northwoods, traffic is expected to be heaviest heading south on Monday afternoon. For those closing up cabins for the season, hauling extra cargo and trailers is common practice. Officials remind drivers to ensure all loads are properly secured, not only to prevent lost items, but also to protect motorists traveling behind you. Trailer Safety Checklist:Check tires and lights: Inspect tire pressures and lights, especially if the trailer has been in storage all summer.Match the hitch: Ensure the hitch ball and coupler are the exact same size and latched securely.Use safety chains: Crisscross safety chains under the trailer tongue before heading out.Standard rules of the road still apply: obey posted speed limits, buckle up, and avoid distracted driving. Law enforcement is also participating in the statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through Labor Day.

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