Heavy rains kept deputies busy throughout the week. Several trees fell on roadways and several roadways had to be closed or signed after heavy rains caused water to flow over, causing potentially dangerous situations. Deputies worked closely with the highway department and townships to monitor the roadways for standing or running water while the 911 center kept an active list of closed roadways to assist emergency responders for potential detoured routes to emergencies.
Two Merrill residents were checked after a single vehicle crash last Wednesday in the Town of Corning. Just after 3 p.m. a single vehicle crash was reported on State Rd. 64 near the Lincoln/Taylor County line. This was one of several traffic incidents that were investigated late Wednesday into Thursday morning as intermittent snow fall kept roads slippery throughout the county.
A 37-year-old Tomahawk man was cited after a one vehicle crash this past Thursday afternoon. Just after 3 p.m. a single vehicle crash was reported in the Town of Bradley on County Rd. A at Short Road and was cited for a first offense of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, failing to have insurance and failing to keep his vehicle under control. The driver was released to a responsible party.
A 55-year-old Neenah man was taken into custody Friday evening after a deputy investigated a reckless driving complaint. At 5:23 p.m. a cell caller reported a vehicle that was driving recklessly on US Hwy. 8. A deputy spotted the vehicle stopped on the ramp on US Hwy. 51 to County Rd. A and stopped to check on the driver who was sleeping behind the wheel. Detecting an odor of an intoxicant, the man was placed through field sobriety tests and was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated first offense. Unable to find a responsible party, he was held in the Lincoln County Jail until Saturday afternoon when he was sober enough to be released.
Deputies are investigating and are seeking the public’s help after numerous signs were damaged overnight Saturday in the Tomahawk area. The damage was discovered in the towns of Bradley and King. Roads where signs were damaged include County Rd. A, Schmidtbauer Road, Spring Creek Road, Nibler Road and others in the Town of Bradley. At least one mailbox was also damaged. Evidence collected at the scene shows a pickup truck was likely used to knock the signs over. If you have any information, you are asked to call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 715-536-6272 or call Crime Stoppers of Lincoln County at 715-536-3726. Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
The number of car deer crashes has doubled compared to past weeks with eight being reported. An eagle was also struck on Sunday. A motorist reported striking the bird as it tried to take off from a deer carcass on USH 51 south of US Hwy. 8. A DNR Warden was in the area and was not able to locate the bird after it was struck.