A 38 year old man from Ontario, Canada escaped serious injury after crashing his semi-truck last Monday morning in the Town of Bradley. At 5:02 a.m., a cell 911 call reported the crash involving the truck on US Hwy 8 and County Rd L. According to the deputy’s report, the semi driver was traveling west on US Hwy 8 when he became confused during the heavy rainfall and thought County Rd L was a curve. Once he started into the curve he realized it was an intersection and went off the roadway. The truck was hauling freshly milled lumber from a Canadian mill valued at $80,000. It took deputies and a crew from Rod’s Wrecker Service in Merrill eight hours to clean up the intersection, which was closed for most of the morning and early afternoon. The driver was transported by Tomahawk EMS to Ministry Sacred Heart Hospital where he was treated and released.
Deputies are seeking the public’s help as they investigate a burglary and vehicle theft from an establishment in the Town of Scott. Last Monday morning, the owner of Schult’s Country Inn phoned the Sheriff’s Office and reported he interrupted a possible burglary at 4:15 a.m. Monday morning. The owner said he came into the bar to do some early work when he found a young male inside of the building. The male, who was described as being in his late 20’s with a black short military style haircut and a scruffy beard, ran off going west from the address when the owner interrupted him. Due to a delay in reporting the incident, deputies were not able to locate the suspect but noted over $500 in cash was stolen from the business. At 2:30 p.m., the owner returned to the establishment and found a vehicle owned by a family member had been stolen in the proceeding five hours. The owner explained that a black 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee had been parked in the driveway with the keys left inside of it. When he returned from running errands, he found the vehicle had been stolen. The owner of the vehicle advised that the vehicle had a unique red and white stripe on the driver’s side door. On Tuesday a resident in the 100 block of South Foster Street in the City of Merrill reported a suspicious vehicle parked in front of his house. When Merrill Police officers arrived, they found it was the vehicle stolen the day before. Neighbors reported seeing the vehicle being parked on Monday and a male and female both 25-30 years of age walking to the east. The male driving the Jeep was again described as being tall, wearing glasses and having a scruffy beard, while the female was short with hair that almost went to her waist. Deputies are reviewing video surveillance in order to try and identify the suspects but if you have any information you are asked to call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 715-536-6272. Callers may also call Crime Stoppers at 715-536-3726. Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
A 59 year old Irma man was arrested last Tuesday evening after deputies responded to a report of lewd activity in the Town of Rock Falls. The victims, both 23, from Merrill reported they were swimming at Tug Lake Recreational Area when they saw the suspect at a picnic table at the park watching them. They thought the suspect was taking pictures of them on his cell phone, which caused them to remain in the water despite their desire to leave the park. While they were waiting for the man to leave, he pulled down his pants and exposed his underwear to them. A short time later, more people showed up at the park and the girls thought it was safe to leave. They went to the changing room and while one guarded the door the other girl used the facilities. As they were doing this, the man went up to the window of the changing room and held his camera phone up to the window. The victims noted they could hear the distinctive sound of the shutter clicking as the man stood there. The suspect then left the area but thanks to a detailed description of his vehicle the suspect was found minutes later parked at the Larson Lake wayside. The suspect voluntarily handed over his phone and denied the allegations against him. The man was booked into the Lincoln County Jail and was charged with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct and a felony count for capturing an image of nudity without consent. At a bond hearing the next day the man was released from the Lincoln County Jail on a signature bond.
Severe storms moved through Lincoln County on Thursday night, prompting several warnings to be issued by the National Weather Service. Deputies monitored storms as dispatchers sent out alerts as warnings were issued and updated. Damage was first reported in the Tripoli area as the storm entered the county just after 9 p.m. Gusty winds took down some trees on US Hwy 8 near Tripoli, which prompted a severe thunderstorm warning to be issued. Just after 10 p.m., a tornado warning was issued after radar indicated rotation of a storm passing through the Merrill area. Deputies found damage on Center Rd in Pine River and trees down on County Rd C near County Rd X in the Town of Schley. In Tomahawk, a deputy assisted a Tomahawk man whose home on Belliveau Rd in the Town of Bradley was severely damaged after a tree fell onto the home. On Friday morning, gusty winds caused a tree to get into some wires and caused a small fire on Loop Rd west of Tomahawk. The Tomahawk Fire Department stood by for WPS. No injuries were reported during the storms.
Deputies reported heavy traffic most of Friday afternoon into Friday evening as people headed north for the holiday weekend. Deputies also checked on several stalled vehicles and searched for a few reckless drivers who were called into 911. The Rec. Deputy also reported the trails and lakes were full throughout the weekend and noted few problems.
A 24 year old Black Creek man was arrested late Friday night after a deputy stopped a suspected impaired driver. Just before 11 p.m., cell 911 calls reported a vehicle traveling north on US Hwy 51 north of Merrill that was all over the roadway and only going 40 MPH. A deputy found the vehicle near Irma going 80 MPH and weaving all over the road. A roadside checked showed the driver was not drinking, but after a positive indication by the Tomahawk Police Department K9 unit, drug paraphernalia and synthetic marijuana were found in the vehicle. The driver was brought to Merrill where a Merrill Police officer specially trained in recognizing people impaired by controlled substances evaluated him. Deputies are awaiting the results of a blood test to determine if citations for operating under the influence will be issued. The driver was brought to the Lincoln County Jail, where he was cited for speeding and operating without a license. He was released after he posted a cash bond on the drug charges.
A 44 year old Irma man was injured after a motorcycle crash Saturday evening in the Town of Rock Falls. At 6:08 p.m., a cell 911 call reported a male had crashed his motorcycle on State Rd 107 at Rock Falls Drive. When a deputy arrived on the scene, he found the male was injured but he refused medical attention, saying he was fine. Lincoln County EMS responded to the scene and transported the driver to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where he remained as of Sunday in good condition. Deputies suspect alcohol was a factor in the crash and are awaiting the results of a blood draw that was performed before citations are issued.
A 22 year old Iola woman was arrested Saturday evening after the Rec. Deputy stopped to check on some people fishing on Lake Mohawksin. One of the three on the pontoon boat had a fishing license, but a couple from Iola did not. When a check was done on the female, it was learned she was wanted by the Marathon County Sheriff for failing to pay a fine. The female was arrested on the warrant charge and brought to the Lincoln County Jail, where she was able to post bond and be released. Both the woman and her companion will be referred to the DNR for the license violation.
A 58 year old Wisconsin Rapids man was taken into custody early Sunday morning on a traffic charge. Just before 1 a.m., a deputy was monitoring traffic on US Hwy 51 south of Tomahawk when he observed a northbound vehicle traveling at 34 MPH in the 65 MPH zone. The deputy pulled out to follow the vehicle and watched as it exited the at County Rd S, failed to stop at the stop sign and get back onto southbound US Hwy 51. After the vehicle crossed the center line and drove onto the shoulder, it was stopped and the deputy noted the strong odor of an intoxicant. The driver stated he was at a friend’s house in Stevens Point drinking and was on his way back to Wisconsin Rapids when he was stopped. When asked where he thought he was, the driver stated he was just south of the City of Stevens Point. The man was placed through field sobriety tests and as a result was taken into custody on a first offense charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. He was later released to a responsible party.
Rescue workers responded to the Harrison Hills Sunday morning after a 911 call reported a child was missing in the woods. A caller phoned 911 at 11:14 a.m. to report a father and mother and their nine year old child, all from Belvidere, IL were walking on Overlook Drive when their two dogs took off and the boy took off after them. The parents lost sight of the boy and his dogs and searched the area for about an hour before calling for help. As a deputy and Tomahawk Firefighters organized a command post on Overlook Drive, the Rec. Deputy spoke with ATV riders who reported seeing the boy and his dogs near a trail head off of County Rd B near Parrish Rd. The Rec. Deputy and Tomahawk Firefighters went to the area and found the boy, who was with his father and the two dogs. The father stated he was able to follow the boy’s footprints and had caught up to them just minutes before. The lad told the Rec. Deputy he knew enough to follow the trail as it would eventually lead him to the road. The Rec. Deputy reported all of them were tired but not hurt. Wardens from the DNR and a K9 unit from Rhinelander were also responding to the area when the child was found 1.6 miles from where he was last seen.
Two Merrill men were injured after a two vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in the Town of Pine River. Just before 2 p.m., a cell 911 call reported the incident at State Rd 64 and High Ridge Rd. According to witnesses, a minivan was stopped at the stop sign at High Ridge Rd but pulled out in front of an east bound pickup truck being driven by a 20 year old New London woman. The pickup truck then spun around and struck a telephone pole. Both the 56 year old driver and 51 year old passenger were transported by Lincoln County EMS to Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center for injuries they received in the crash. They were both later transferred to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where they remained hospitalized as of Monday night. The 51 year old Merrill man was in serious condition while the 56 year old driver was in stable condition. The New London woman refused medical transport. The Pine River Fire Department and First Responders assisted at the scene.
A 47 year old Tomahawk man was injured Sunday evening after striking a deer with his motorcycle in the Town of Wilson. The man was traveling north on County Rd CC when he struck the fawn just south of US Hwy 8 around 8:30 p.m. The impact caused him to lose control of his bike and roll it over. The driver was transported by Tomahawk EMS to Ministry Sacred Heart Hospital where they were met by the Spirit Medical Helicopter. From there the driver was flown to the trauma center at Ministry Saint Joseph Hospital. As of Sunday he was in stable condition.
A 33 year old Merrill woman was arrested late Sunday after a traffic stop in the Town of Merrill. Just after 10 p.m., a deputy was traveling south on US Hwy 51 near County Rd C when he observed a south bound vehicle turn off its headlamps. The headlamps came back on after a few seconds, but the deputy noted the vehicle was swerving all over the roadway. The driver was asked to perform field sobriety tests and as a result was taken into custody on a third offense charge of operating while intoxicated. She was later released to a responsible party.
Traffic on US Hwy 51 was slowed for almost two hours on Monday afternoon during some of the peak hours for holiday traffic. The incident started when a 1997 Pontiac Bonneville being driven by a 37 year old Schofield man lost its hood. The man was driving south near County Rd S south of Tomahawk when the hood of his vehicle flew up, detached and flew backwards into traffic. A second southbound vehicle being driven by a Kaukauna man swerved to miss the hood which landed in the median and ended up blowing out a tire on his 20 foot camper trailer. It took some time for deputies to get the scene cleared and get traffic moving again. The Schofield man who lost his hood was cited for not having insurance on his vehicle.