LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE REPORT

For two weeks, ending June 9, 2024

On 05/27/2024 the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of a reckless driver on USH 51 near the 229 mile marker in the City of Tomahawk. It was reported the suspect vehicle, a black Chevy Tahoe, was being operated all over the roadway. A deputy located the suspect vehicle a short time later and followed the vehicle, noticing some of the same driving behaviors. The deputy stopped the suspect vehicle on USH 51 near CTH K in the Town of Birch. Upon making contact with the driver, a 58-year-old man from Portage, the deputy noticed signs of impairment. The deputy placed the driver through a series of standard field sobriety tests and, as a result of those tests, placed the man under arrest for a first offense of OWI. The driver was later released to a responsible party.

On 05/31/2024 the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a physical domestic disturbance at an address on STH 86 in the Township of Tomahawk. It was reported that the victim, a 35-year-old Tomahawk woman, had gotten into an argument with her brother, a 34-year-old Athens man. During the course of this disturbance, the brother strangled his sister, causing her injury. The victim later went to the emergency room for treatment of her injuries. The suspect had left the scene prior to the arrival of law enforcement. The male subject was later located by Marathon County Sheriff’s deputies and taken into custody where he was later turned over to Lincoln County deputies. The suspect was then booked into the Lincoln County Jail on that charge.

On 06/01/2024 the Sheriff’s Office received a reckless driving complaint on USH 51 near the 212 mile marker in the Township of Merrill. It was reported that the suspect vehicle, a black SUV, while pulling a pontoon boat, spun out and then continued driving on their way. The pontoon boat reportedly partially came off the trailer in the process. Prior to the deputy locating the suspect vehicle, the Sheriff’s Office received a second complaint on this vehicle in regards to more of the poor driving behavior. Once located, the deputy stopped the vehicle being operated by a man out of Sugar Grove, Ill. In making contact with the driver, the deputy noticed signs of impairment. The deputy then ran the subject through a series of standard field sobriety tests. As a result of those tests, the driver was placed under arrest for a first offense of OWI. The driver was later released to a responsible party.

On 06/02/2024 the Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of a violation of a court order at an address on Maple Rd. in the Township of Merrill. It was reported that the suspect, a 25-year-old Merrill man, had been ordered by Lincoln County Court to avoid the address on Maple Rd. At the time of the call, the suspect was at the address he was ordered to stay away from. Upon the deputy’s arrival at this address, he located the suspect and took him into custody for one count of felony bail jumping and one of misdemeanor bail jumping. He was transported to the Lincoln County Jail.

On 06/03/2024 the Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of two missing juveniles in the area of CTH E in the Town of Bradley. It was reported that two juveniles were looking for a ride, and they were uncertain of their location on CTH E. Deputies checked several locations and addresses on CTH E without locating the individuals. It was discovered that the juveniles had snuck out of the house when the parents went to sleep. The pair was later located on South Gate Dr. in the City of Tomahawk. Both juveniles were returned to their parents, and Lincoln County Social Services was notified of the circumstances

On 06/03/2024 the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a man with a gun in the W4700 block of CTH C in the Town of Merrill. It was reported that a male subject was seen walking along the road in camouflage clothing, carrying what was described as an AR15 long gun. Deputies responded to the area, located the subject, and made contact with him. The subject, a 22-year-old man From Merrill, told the deputies that he does Vietnam reenactments and he was just preparing for one. The subject showed his long gun to deputies who determined that it was not a real weapon and he didn’t have any live ammunition on him. The subject was made aware of the complaints called into the Sheriff’s Office and was advised to report such activity next time before doing his reenactments.

On 06/03/2024 deputies were dispatched to the area of Big Eddy Rd. and Center Rd. in the Town of Pine River for a reported motor vehicle crash with injuries. Investigation revealed that a vehicle being operated by 30-year-old man from Rothschild was traveling southbound on Big Eddy Rd. when he failed to negotiate a curve at the intersection of Big Eddy Rd. and Center Rd. The vehicle entered a private driveway and then struck a group of trees. When deputies arrived on scene, they found the subject to be unconscious but breathing. The driver was transported to Aspirus Merrill Hospital. The driver was cited for failure to keep his car under control.

On 06/06/2024 the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a crash with injuries on CTH MM near Cedar Rd. in the Town of Corning. Upon arrival, deputies found that a straight truck was being operated by a 34-year-old man from Fargo, N. Dak. For unknown reasons, the vehicle left the roadway and struck a group of trees. The driver sustained serious injuries and was transported by Lifelink Helicopter to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. The truck was a transportation truck carrying Amazon packages. The crash remains under investigation.

On 06/07/2024 a deputy on patrol stopped a vehicle for speeding on Wintergreen Rd. near Raspberry Ln. in the Town of Pine River. When stopped, the deputy made contact with the driver, a 60-year-old man from Merrill. When making contact with the driver, the deputy noticed signs of impairment. The driver was subsequently placed through a series of standard field sobriety tests and, as a result of those tests, he was arrested for a third offense of OWI. The male was transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was turned over to corrections officers.

On 06/08/2024 a deputy on patrol stopped a vehicle for lane deviation on STH 64 near Range Line Rd. in the Town of Pine River. When stopped, the deputy made contact with the driver, a 71-year-old man from Merrill. When making contact with the driver, the deputy noticed signs of impairment. The driver was subsequently placed through a series of standard field sobriety tests and, as a result of those tests, he was arrested for OWI. The male was transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was turned over to corrections officers.

On 06/09/2024 the Sheriff’s Office was responded to and investigated a fatal car crash on USH 51. (See separate article.)

On 06/10/2024 the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a physical domestic disturbance in progress at an address on First Ave. in the Town of Russell. It was reported that a 20-year-old man from Antigo took a truck belonging to his father, a 55-year-old man from Gleason. As the younger man drove off with the vehicle, the mirror of the vehicle stuck the older man in the face, and the tire rolled over his foot. No charges have been filed as of yet and deputies are still investigating this case.

During this two-week timeframe, deputies conducted 75 traffic stops and 56 security checks and responded to 25 car vs. deer crashes. The 911 Center took 9 hang-up calls and 14 nuisance calls during this same timeframe.