The Town of Russell Fire Department was called out early Monday morning on a report of a structure fire in the neighboring Langlade County Town of Summit. The Town of Russell provides fire protection to several neighboring towns under contract. The initial report was that a pump house was on fire but additional callers reported a trailer home was engulfed in flames. Russell Firefighters requested Town of Pine River Firefighters to respond and assist as Langlade County sent an ambulance from Antigo to assist firefighters in the cold temperatures. Just after 8 a.m., firefighters declared the fire under control and returned to their stations.
Two people were injured after a two vehicle crash on Tuesday night in the Town of Merrill. At 8:23 p.m., a cell 911 caller reported the crash on US Hwy. 51 at Lincoln Drive. Reports indicate a northbound vehicle being driven by a 20-year-old Rhinelander woman struck a west bound vehicle being driven by a 52-year-old Merrill man that failed to stop at the sign. The vehicle being driven by the Merrill man flipped over during the crash. Both drivers were brought by Lincoln County EMS to Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center where the Rhinelander woman was treated and released. The Merrill man was kept at the Merrill Hospital until Saturday when he was transferred to the trauma center at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield. As of Sunday, he was in stable condition in the ICU Unit. Deputies feel speed and alcohol were factors in the crash and are awaiting results of a blood test before seeking charges against the Merrill man for a third offense causing injury by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.
A 24-year-old Rhinelander man, formerly of Tomahawk, is in the Lincoln County Jail after law enforcement searched for a reported reckless driver this past Wednesday. At 11:25 a.m., a cell 911 call reported a pickup truck traveling on US Hwy. 8 in Oneida County that was all over the roadway. No officers were in position to stop the truck, but the caller kept watch as it turned south on County Rd. A heading into Tomahawk. A short time later, a Tomahawk Police Officer spotted the truck on Anna Street and observed a male standing outside of it urinating. When the officer attempted contact, the suspect fled on foot. A deputy caught up with the suspect on Mary Street and tried to get him to stop, but the suspect continued to run. When the deputy caught up with him, the man resisted and the deputy deployed his taser device on the suspect. Additional officers arrived and they were able to get the man into custody. In checking, the man was on a bond requiring him to remain sober after being arrested by a deputy in September for traveling 80 MPH while intoxicated on South Tomahawk Ave. and damaging a squad car door after being placed under arrest. On Wednesday the suspect, who showed obvious signs of intoxication, continued to resist, and made numerous threats to law enforcement officers and medical staff after the man was brought to Ministry Good Samaritan Hospital for medical clearance. He was booked in the Lincoln County Jail on charges of disorderly conduct, two counts of resisting arrest and bail jumping. The suspect appeared in Lincoln County Court on Monday for a bond hearing.
A Thanksgiving Day turkey fryer fire brought damage but no injuries at a Town of Pine River home. A resident of Center Rd. called 911 at 11:18 a.m. to report they had a fire but the fire was now out. The resident declined the fire department, but a deputy went to the scene and found the fire damaged the exterior siding of the garage along with a vehicle that was parked nearby. The homeowner assured the deputy and the Pine River Fire Chief that he would continue to monitor the area throughout the day in case the fire re-kindled.
Tomahawk Firefighters were called out on Thanksgiving Day after a resident of the Town of Bradley reported her C02 detector sounding. The woman called 911 from her home on Muskellunge Lake Rd. at 7 p.m. to report the alarm sounding. Tomahawk Firefighters were on the scene for about 15 minutes but reported no problems.
A 23-year-old Antigo man suffered serious injuries after a one vehicle crash early Friday morning in the Town of Pine River. A resident of Trillium Lane called 911 at 3:23 a.m. to report a man full of blood was on her door step seeking help. Deputies along with Lincoln County EMS and Pine River First Responders responded to the home and found the man had been in a car wreck earlier and had walked to the residence to seek help. The man was transported by ambulance to Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center and then to Aspirus Wausau Hospital where he was in stable condition in the ICU Unit. According to the deputies report, the man went northbound on Range Line Rd. to the dead end where he drove off a cliff, causing his vehicle to roll end over end and come to a rest. The man was able to free himself from the vehicle and walk to the nearby residence to seek help. Deputies feel alcohol was a factor in the incident.
The Rec. Deputy reported another busy week as he monitored county forest land during the gun deer hunt. Common violations found again this year were hunters who were erecting permanent tree stands on county land and those who were traveling on closed roads or county lands with their ATV’s. The Rec. Deputy also noted local hunters remain very respectful to land owners as only three trespassing complaints were phoned in during the entire nine day hunt, two of which appeared to be misunderstandings about property lines, not intentional acts.
Sixteen people struck deer this past week including a patrol squad. A deputy on patrol Sunday night struck a deer with a Chevy Impala. The vehicle’s headlamp was damaged in the collision.