At 5 p.m. tonight, Monday, March 13, 2023, there will be a presentation that addresses a number of questions regarding the item on the agenda, which is the possible consolidation of the city offices and library.
Many people are speculating on social media and in other public ways as to what that could mean.
We sent Mayor Michael Bablick eight questions regarding this topic. He replied, "There is a public forum tonight at 5 at the City Hall with a presentation that addresses all these questions. I will be glad to answer these questions after the presentation and tonight's forum. I would encourage anyone who is seeking answers to attend the meeting and not rely on unhinged social media posts. There will also be a Q & A with those in attendance."
If you are able to attend the meeting, your questions should get answered there. If you are unable to attend the meeting, we will bring you Mayor Bablick's responses later this week.
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES IN PRICE COUNTY: Park Village offers affordable, active living in a park-like setting for those 55+ and disabled persons in Park Falls. Rent is based on 30% Adjusted Gross Income. Small pets under 30 pounds are welcome. Contact Park Village at 715-762-4747.
Reports received by the police departments in Price County for the month have been condensed and summarized.
PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
2-1-2023: The Price County Highway Department noticed a tan/gray Chevy truck parked north of Short Cut Road. It had been there for two days and could be a hazard to a snow plow driver. The owner of the vehicle was contacted. He said his truck stalled out while taking his wife to have a baby, and he would get it moved soon.
2-2-2023: A Phillips woman called to report that her adult daughter was missing or endangered. The woman stated she received a phone call from a detective in Illinois on December 30, 2022 stating her daughter was found walking on the highway, confused, disoriented, and thinking she was in Iowa. The woman's vehicle was towed in Illinois, and the woman was transported to a hospital there. The mother of the adult woman has not been able to make contact with her daughter and requested she be listed as a missing person.
2-2-2023: A Park Falls man sent a letter to the sheriff's office with concerns about snowmobiles on his road, especially where there is a straight stretch. He estimated the snowmobiles travel at 75 MPH or more past his residence. He stated he followed snowmobiles that were traveling about 50 MPH to talk with the drivers about safety after their reckless behavior near his plow truck. He said several individuals have told him their vehicles have been hit by snowmobiles. The man noted seeing an alcohol can on the freshly plowed area after the snowmobilers went by.
2-2-2023: A Phillips man reported rolling his truck but did not have any injuries.
2-3-2023: A Phillips woman reported a man came to her door asking to call 911 because his wife was injured in a snowmobile accident down the road, but he did not state how severe her injuries were and he already went back to be with his wife on the road at the time of the call. Emergency services responded.
2-6-23: A Park Falls man entered the sheriff's office lobby and said the FBI was slowly killing him and was going to kill him if he fell asleep. Since the nearest deputy was in Park Falls, the man was asked if he could wait for the deputy to arrive, but the man replied he did not want to put up with "stalling techniques." Officers responded.
2-7-23: A panic alarm was activated for the Price County District Attorney's Office, but it was a false alarm as it was accidentally triggered while the IT department was installing the button.
2-8-23: A truck was in the ditch near Short Cut Road. When a Fifield man stopped to see if any one was injured, the person in the vehicle just waved his hands and it was believed the man was highly intoxicated.
2-9-23: A Phillips man reported stolen meat at his residence. He bought eight boxes of meat and left it outside so it would not thaw while he went to buy another freezer. When he came back, one box was missing and the other box had meat spilling out of it.
2-10-23: A Phillips woman reported a scam and stated almost $500 was removed from her account for "Computer Safety." When she called the company to state she did not purchase anything, they told her they would return $150 and the remainder; however, the woman first needed to wire transfer them $10,000, and she was not allowed to tell anyone she was doing so or she would be charged with wire transfer fraud.
2-11-2023: A caller stated a 59-year old female crashed her snowmobile into a tree on 108. The snowmobiler was conscious but was believed to have a broken knee and was experiencing right side pain and chest pain while breathing. Emergency services responded, and the woman was taken to the hospital.
2-12-2023: A Kennan man reported his brother opened the windows at their parents' residence three times during the day, which the caller felt was elder abuse due to the cold weather. The brother being reported called police and explained he opened windows because it was 90 degrees in the house and too hot for his father.
2-12-2023: A Prentice man reported approximately 30 lights in a formation in the sky with no sound. The man wanted this information on file as he believed the incident was government-related.
2-13-2023: A Park Falls man reported his mail carrier would no longer bring his mail to his residence due to a large number of loose animals at his neighbor's residence.
2-21-2023: A Phillips man called stating, "I'm doing this for my paralegal job; the judge is okay." When dispatch asked the caller why he was calling 911, he stated a profanity and hung up. He called again. Dispatch asked for his address, and he replied, "The judge is okay."
2-25-2023: The Minocqua Police Department contacted Price County Sheriff's Office about a man from their area who reported receiving counterfeit money from a transaction that took place in Price County. The man was selling a generator that he had listed on the Internet. The man had been communicating with a Phillips woman about the transaction and they agreed to meet at a bar in the Park Falls area. The man brought the generator and met with the woman and an unknown man for the transaction to take place. The man did not look at the money until he was in Minocqua, which is when he realized it was counterfeit, and the police department confirmed it. The transaction was recorded on video taken by the bar. See related article.
2-26-2023: A Kennan man called to request a deputy as he believed his brother covered his vehicle with snow. He was certain his vehicle was scratched, and there were tracks all around his vehicle. He was concerned something may have been put in the gas tank or harm may have been done to the tractor.
2-26-23: Snow was plowed into a pile on School Street in Catawba, making it impassable to traffic.
2-26-23: During a traffic stop, dispatch received a call from a woman that her vehicle had been stolen. The vehicle she reported as stolen was the vehicle involved in the traffic stop that was taking place.
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PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT
2-3-2023: Received a complaint from an employee of a local business that he was assaulted by his supervisor while at work. An officer responded to investigate. Two hours later, police were notified of a damage to property complaint that occurred at the same local business. Investigation pending.
2-4-2023: Received a report of an ex boyfriend causing a disturbance in the crawl space under a residence in the City of Phillips. An officer responded to the residence and determined there was no unusual activity occurring and no one had been inside the crawl space.
2-5-2023: Received a phone call of smoke in the area of a residence in the City of Phillips. Phillips Police responded and discovered steam from a dryer vent was the cause.
2-5-2023: Received a report of snowmobiles operating off the trail in Elk Lake Park being driven in a reckless manner. An officer checked the area; however, the snowmobiles had departed prior to the officer arriving.
2-6-2023: An officer spoke to a complainant who advised she was received harassing text messages from her ex-friend. The complainant advised that she would like an officer to speak to her ex-friend and advise her not to contact her any longer. And officer contacted the ex-friend and asked her not to contact the complainant any longer.
2-6-2023: Received a call reporting a person with a felony warrant from Colorado was staying at a motel in the City of Phillips. One adult male was located and taken into custody on a parole violation felony warrant that was issued from Colorado.
2-7-2023: Met with an adult male who wanted to report an assault that occurred on January 28, 2023 with an another adult male. An investigation is pending.
2-7-2023: Assisted a local school district with investigating an incident that occurred on the playground. The incident involved several juvenile male students getting into an altercation. An officer assisted by monitoring students as a school official determined what occurred. It was determined the students would be disciplined within the school and no law enforcement action was required.
2-8-2023: Received a phone call from an adult female who asked if an officer could tell her friend that was staying with her that she did not want the person living with her any longer because of hygiene issues. An officer spoke with the male individual and relayed the message. The officer told the male that the officer could not keep him from going to the residence but was relaying the message. The male said he would not go back to the residence.
2-8-2023: Received information from an adult female that she had found a small bag containing methamphetamine in the pocket of her significant other's pants. The adult female stated she removed the illegal substance from her residence and called the police. The adult female provided the officer with the illegal substance and completed a statement of how she had obtained the drugs. The adult male suspect was later located and placed under arrest for possession of methamphetamine and felony bail jumping.
2-10-2023: Received information of a stolen chainsaw that was in the bed of a truck of a city resident. The chainsaw was reported stolen to the Taylor County Sheriff's Office. Phillips Police were able to recover the chainsaw. A Taylor County deputy retrieved the chainsaw from the Phillips Police Department and interviewed the male suspect who was in custody at the Price County Jail.
2-11-2023: Received information about multiple incidents of sexual assault from a victim which had occurred several years prior. The incident is under investigation.
2-13-2023: A Phillips woman reported she was contacted by her financial institution and was informed they believed she was a victim of a scam. The adult female stated that she had received and deposited a check and was then given instructions to overnight mail the money to South Carolina. This matter is currently under investigation.
2-13-2023: Advised of a battery incident that occurred at a local school. An officer investigated the incident and will be referring one juvenile male to the Price County Human Services Department.
2-16-2023: Assisted with removing an unruly child from a local school bus. An officer assisted the elementary school staff with the removal of the student.
2-18-2023: Met with a female who reported that her vehicle slid on the ice striking a dumpster. The female stated that she did not believe there was damage at the scene, but when she returned home, she noticed there was damage.
2-20-2023: At 5:35 p.m., police received a report of an accident where the driver hit two vehicles and ran his vehicle into a street sign. The driver of the striking vehicle fled the scene. Later, an adult male came to the scene and stated that he was the driver of the vehicle, and he had been drinking. Witnesses stated the male claiming to be the driver was not the driver. Officers were able to locate the driver based on witness statements. One adult male was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated 7th Offense. See related article.
2-21-2023: Assisted the Price County Sheriff's Department with a male individual who was calling the Price County Dispatch Center and making vulgar comments. An officer arrived at the residence and spoke with the male individual until Price County deputies arrived. The male was warned for his actions and Probation and Parole was contacted.
2-22-2023: Received a report that two juvenile boys had gotten physical with each other at a school event two days prior. Discipline was being handled by the school. A school official asked that the school resource officer speak with both juveniles about consequences should the behavior occur in the future. A report was generated to document the incident.
2-24-2023: Responded to report of a male that had fallen and struck his head and was not breathing outside the City of Phillips. The officer arrived on scene and preformed CPR until the Central Price County Ambulance arrived. The male subject was pronounced dead at the scene.
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PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT
2-1-2023: Deputies responded to a domestic situation with two male juveniles out of control and fighting with their parents. One male juvenile had a bloody nose and the other male juvenile had barricaded himself in a bedroom containing firearms. One male was arrested.
2-3-2023: A person reported that he followed a male home after he "flipped him off" and had a yelling argument, but the reporting party stated he did not want anything done.
2-6-2023: Responded to an argument between two adults, which was an ongoing situation for several weeks. An officer spoke to both individuals regarding the situation and tried to mediate.
2-6-2023: Information came from Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office referencing a traffic stop that led to the finding of a check from the Chequamegon School District. The check appeared to be stolen after the school had mailed it out.
2-7-2023: A caller stated that there was an unknown man stalking her in the library. However, the claim turned out to be unfounded as the caller knew the man and had asked to meet him there.
2-10-2023: Officers responded to the nursing home for the report of a male in the building who was not supposed to be there. Upon arriving, officers learned the suspect had departed in his vehicle.
2-10-2023: Individuals came to the police department to report neighbors yelling at their contractor who was plowing their driveway. The issue was handled with a no contact placed on them.
2-12-2023: Officers received information that a male was currently at a bar. Upon investigation, officers discovered the man had numerous warrants for his arrest. Officers observed the male subject outside of the bar and took him into custody without incident.
2-17-2023: An officer responded to Park Falls Hardwoods regarding a man who had gotten his hand stuck in a machine and was bleeding heavily. An officer arrived and controlled the bleeding with first aid. The man was transported to the hospital.
2-21-2023: Officers responded when a female stated she wanted a male to leave her residence and for law enforcement to take away his medications. Upon investigation, it was deemed the male resided at her residence and the medications were prescribed to the male. The female ultimately stated she would be filing a complaint at the police department and with federal DEA agents.
2-21-2023: An off-duty officer was walking with a friend on Case Avenue when a dog from a residence began running at them. The off-duty officer and her friend then encountered the owner of the dog who had been using profane language toward the two. On-duty officers investigated the matter further, and the male began using profane language towards the officers. The male was cited for disorderly conduct.
2-24-2023: A caller reported numerous criminal activities going on inside someone else's home including child abuse, possession of THC, and felon in possession of a firearm. This is an ongoing investigation.
2-24-2023: Officers responded and assisted with a fire call at Park Falls Hardwoods. There were no injuries as a result of the fire. See related article.
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At approximately 12:53 a.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2023, a 911 call was received regarding a snowmobile crash on Trail 20 in the Town of Mercer.
A witness at the scene was instructed by emergency dispatchers on how to administer CPR to the unresponsive snowmobiler. The call dropped and dispatch had to re-establish contact several times until emergency services arrived to take over care of the snowmobiler. Unfortunately, life-saving measures were not successful, and the snowmobiler was pronounced deceased at the scene.
In determining the cause of the crash, investigators believe the snowmobiler failed to negotiate a curve, left the trail, and hit several trees.
Mercer Ambulance, Mercer Fire, Iron County Sheriff's deputies, and the Wisconsin DNR all reported to the scene.
On Thursday, March 2, 2023, the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call. The caller reported his detached garage was on fire on Deerskin Road in the Town of Phelps.
There were no injuries reported.
Phelps Fire Department, Phelps Ambulance Service, Conover Fire Department, WE Energies, and the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, but the detached garage was a total loss.
Based on the initial investigation by law enforcement, the cause of the fire was likely related to an outdoor wood furnace, which was located beside the garage.
The Price County Sheriff's Office is investigating an incident involving counterfeit money.
A search warrant was conducted in the Township of Worcester, and two suspects were taken into custody. The suspects are being investigated in Price County, as well as throughout Wisconsin, for passing counterfeit U.S. currency.
According to the sheriff's office, "The suspects are known to pass $20 and $50 bills. The serial number on the counterfeit U.S. $20 bill is JE 28112820 G. The serial number on the counterfeit US $50 bill is JJ 28129343 A."
If you have received one of these counterfeit bills, you are asked to contact your local law enforcement agency or Price County Deputy Taylor Drake at 715-339-3011.
The sheriff's office reminded residents, "Please be mindful to inspect all money you receive."
Updated 3/7/2023:
The Minocqua Police Department contacted the Price County Sheriff's Office stating a man from their area reported receiving counterfeit money from a transaction that took place in Price County.
The man was selling a generator that he had listed on the Internet. The man had been communicating with a Phillips woman about the transaction and they agreed to meet at a bar in the Park Falls area.
The man brought the generator to the bar and met with the woman and an unknown man for the transaction to take place.
The man selling the generator did not look at the money until he was in Minocqua, which is when he realized it was counterfeit, and the police department in Minocqua confirmed the money was counterfeit.
The transaction was recorded on video taken by the bar.
The Rusk County Sheriff's Office is asking the public to contact them with any information regarding the location of Jason Johnson.
Jason is a 37-year old white male with blue eyes and brown hair weighing about 243 pounds and standing six feet tall. He was reported missing by a family member and was last seen at his residence in Sheldon, WI on Sunday, February 19, 2023.
He was last seen wearing a green camouflage hooded sweatshirt, dark blue quarter zip sweater, dark color winter jacket, and blue jeans.
Jason has not shown up to work or contacted family or friends since that time, which is abnormal for Jason.
He drives a white 2014 Chevrolet Sonic with Wisconsin license plate 329-ZCZ. His vehicle was spotted in Barron, WI from February 20th to the 23rd. It has been confirmed he stayed in Millston, WI from February 24th to the 26th. He was also seen in the La Crosse area from February 25th to the 27th.
There is concern for Jason's safety and well-being. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Rusk County Sheriff's Office at 715-532-2200.
On Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 5:54 a.m., Sawyer County Sheriff’s deputies, assisted by the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office, Sawyer County EMS, Town and City of Hayward Fire Departments, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources responded to a 911 call.
The call was in regard to a two-vehicle crash, which involved a semi-trailer truck and a vehicle, located on US Highway 63 near the intersection of Northern Lights Road in the Town of Lenroot.
A 1999 Chevrolet Tracker operated by Harley J. Karow, 27, of Cable, WI was traveling north on US Hwy 63 when it crossed the centerline. Harley's vehicle struck, head on, a southbound semi trailer truck driven by Thomas A. Franchek, 55, of Ashland, WI.
Harley sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in the Karow vehicle, Andrew J. Ferguson, 31, of Hayward, WI sustained life-threatening injuries and was air lifted to a Minnesota hospital to treat his injuries. The extent of his injuries is unknown at this time. The driver of the semi trailer truck did not have any reported injuries.
The crash remains under investigation by the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Sawyer County Coroner’s Office.
A 71-year old man, Kevin P. Peterson, Tripoli, was reported as missing on February 27, 2023 at 10:53 a.m. He had not been seen or heard from since the evening hours of Friday, February 24, 2023.
The reporting party stated the man was likely last seen on his snowmobile in the Tomahawk area.
Investigators were led to Somo Lake in the Town of Wilson. They discovered an open section of water with snowmobile tracks leading to the open water.
Rescuers from the Tomahawk Fire Department accessed the open water and recovered the missing man from the lake at approximately 4:20 p.m. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office was assisted by Tomahawk Fire Department, Tomahawk EMS, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Oneida County Sheriff's Office Dive Team, and the Lincoln County Coroner's Office.
On February 27, 2023 at 1:33 a.m., the Vilas County 911 Center received a call stating a snowmobiler had struck a tree in the Town of Plum Lake,
The snowmobile had deviated off the marked trail on Plum Lake. It then struck a tree on the shore line.
Lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful and 55-year old driver of the snowmobile was pronounced deceased. The deceased man was an Illinois resident.
Assisting with the investigation was the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, Plum Lake Fire and Ambulance, Vilas County Medical Examiner, and WI Department of Natural Resources (WDNR).
The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a head-on snowmobile crash on Friday, February 24, 2023 at approximately 6:59 p.m. The crash occurred on Kelly Dam Road, north of Old 8 Road in the Town of Little Rice.
Emergency services responded, and a 55-year old man was pronounced deceased at the scene. The name of the deceased is being withheld at this time pending notification of the family.
The other driver was transported to the hospital in Tomahawk with, what appear to be, non-life threatening injuries.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will complete the accident report. The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Little Rice Fire Department, Little Rice First Responders, Nokomis Fire Department, DNR, Oneida County Ambulance Service and the Oneida County Medical Examiner’s Department.
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