Lincoln County Sheriff Jeff Jaeger is warning residents of an old scam that is becoming more popular again, the computer ransom scam. In this scam a person is either called on the phone or they receive an email or pop up on their computer from someone claiming to be from Microsoft or similar company. The person is told their computer is infected and they ask you to go to a specific web site to try and fix the problem, or in some cases the scammer will actually hack the computer and freeze it. What follows is a series of requests for money for the alleged repairman to fix your computer. Three residents in the past two weeks have reported having their computers completely frozen by hackers. If you allow a hacker access to your computer they can see personal items such as passwords, online accounts including banking and stored documents such as tax returns. Microsoft will never call you and tell you that you have a problem with your computer, nor will they send you an email or pop up. If you have an issue with your computer the best thing to do is take it to a local trustworthy repair person to address it.
Firefighters from the Town of Russell Fire Department along with the DNR and deputies responded to a grass fire on Thursday afternoon in the Town of Schley. A highway department worker spotted the fire alongside of the road on County Rd. C east of State Rd. 17 just after 3:30 p.m. When a deputy arrived on the scene minutes later he found the fire was out but the area was checked by firefighters for hot spots.
A 29-year-old Tomahawk man was arrested early Friday morning after a traffic stop in the Town of Birch. A deputy stopped a vehicle on US Hwy. 51 at County Rd. V at 1:38 a.m. without functioning tail lamps. A check on the driver showed he was wanted by the Oneida County Sheriff for failing to pay fines. The man was released from the Lincoln County Jail after posting bond. He was also cited for driving on a suspended license and for not having insurance.
A 20-year-old Merrill man was arrested Friday afternoon after deputies checked on a wanted person in the Town of Scott. Deputies made contact and confirmed the warrant, the man was brought to the Lincoln County Jail where he was held until able to post bond and be released. He will be cited for driving a motor vehicle after revocation.
Deputies are searching for the driver of a vehicle that was found crashed in the Town of Pine River Saturday morning. At 8:26 a.m., a cell 911 caller reported finding a vehicle flipped over onto its roof on Shady Lane Avenue south of Center Road. Deputies and personnel from Pine River Fire and First Responders conducted a ground search but were also unable to locate any driver. Deputies found evidence at the scene to indicate whoever was in the vehicle were likely injured in the crash. The investigation continues.
Two people were injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday afternoon in the Town of Pine River. At 12:32 p.m., cell 911 calls reported the crash on State Rd. 64 at US Hwy. 51. A 38-year-old Clintonville woman pulled out from the stop sign at the bottom of the northbound off ramp in front of a vehicle being driven by a 24-year-old Merrill man. The woman was trapped in her vehicle and had to be extricated by firefighters from the Pine River Fire Department. She along with the other driver were transported to Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center. The male was treated and released and the female was later transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital for further treatment of her injuries. The Pine River First Responders also assisted at the scene.
No one reported striking any deer this past week in Lincoln County but a few other animals caused issued. A Merrill woman struck a turkey on County Rd. Z at Mill Road on Tuesday evening. On Friday evening another Merrill woman struck a raccoon on County Rd. C in the Town of Merrill.