What better way to spend the weekend before Valentine's Day than with your family? Two events will be held in Phillips offering plenty of entertainment.
BEN FULLER CONCERT
On Friday, February 10, 2023, a fundraising concert is being hosted by the Northwoods Living Hope, a new non-profit group with a mission to provide temporary and transitional housing to women and children in need.
The doors will open at 6 p.m., and the concert will begin at 7 p.m. at the Phillips High School Auditorium (Performing Arts Center).
Tickets are on sale now at https://nightofhope4u.eventbrite.com at $25 per adult and $15 per student. Free will donations are also appreciated. All proceeds will go to Northwoods Living Hope.
(Article continues after promotional image.) SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: IAP Inc. is a manufacturer of industrial fans and blowers. Impeccable service, high quality standards, continued growth & prosperity. Visit IAP's website. and follow their Facebook page.
FAMILY FORMAL DANCE
On Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the Logger Family Formal will be held at the Phillips Municipal Center. It is being hosted as a fundraising event by the Loggers United Booster Club.
Children of all ages and their parents (or any other adult in their life) are invited to dress up and enjoy a night of dancing in a decorated environment with music provided by a local DJ; photo sessions; snacks and refreshments; a chocolate fountain; and a special performance by the Phillips Dance Team. Every child in attendance will receive a keepsake gift, and adults will have a chance to win gift certificates.
The Loggers United Booster Club is pre-selling tickets. To be able to attend you must have a ticket in advance. Tickets must be purchased by January 21, 2023. Adult tickets are $20 each and children are $5 each. To sign up, fill out the form and make your check payable to the Loggers United Booster Club.
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On Saturday, January 14, 2023, at approximately 7:48 a.m., a 911 call was received reporting a motor vehicle crash with injuries in the Township of Scott. The crash involved two vehicles at the intersection of County Hwy. Q (CTH Q) and Joe Snow Road.
According to interviews during a preliminary investigation, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has concluded that a 63-year old Merrill man was operating an SUV with an adult female and two children southbound on CTH Q. The SUV was struck by a pick-up truck operated by a 61-year old Merrill man who ran the stop sign located on the westbound lane of Joe Snow Road.
The adult female and one of the children were transported to the hospital for significant injuries. The other child was transported to a children's hospital for serious injuries. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening. Neither of the male drivers were injured in the accident.
The operator of the pick-up truck will be cited for "Failure to Stop at Stop Sign - Cause Great Bodily Harm," and other citations may be given based on further investigation.
Reports received by the police departments in Price County for the month have been condensed and summarized.
PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
12-1-2022: A house in Phillips that was destroyed by fire in November caught fire again. The owner reported the second fire.
12-1-2022: A man reported that he got into an accident in Prentice after a small burgundy SUV cut him off, which caused him to drive into a light pole. The man was not injured but his car was not operable.
12-1-2022: A woman reported that her ex-boyfriend of three years ago was using her debit card without her permission. She canceled the card but could not get her money back.
12-1-2022: A woman reported that another woman accidentally hit a U-Haul truck while returning a U-Haul truck.
12-1-2022: A woman reported a vehicle was in her driveway pulled all the way up to her house, so she kept driving past her driveway. However, the vehicle followed her. She was informed to drive to the sheriff's office and deputies were sent. They conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.
12-4-2022: A man reported another man was walking down County Road D and acting suspicious. He was yelling at no one in particular. The man had a tan backpack and was wearing a hat and an orange shirt with a sweatshirt over it.
12-4-2022: A man requested an ambulance for a female who was not responding and possibly overdosed on medication. The Prentice Ambulance Service could not get a crew to take the call and requested Rib Lake Ambulance Service to be paged; they responded. A first responder from Ogema advised CPR was in process. The woman was not able to be revived.
12-7-2022: A bus driver reported a car going past her vehicle while her stop sign was out and flashing lights were on while she was letting children off her bus.
12-8-2022: A man reported tracks to and from his patio window, which was smashed at his home in Prentice.
12-9-2022: An ambulance reported hitting a deer on the way to a call. They were able to continue to the emergency call but did not know if the deer was dead. After the call, they went back and saw the deer was still alive. A deputy was updated.
12-14-22: A woman called requesting an officer assist with removing a man at a local bar. The man refused to leave the establishment and reportedly attacked the woman. Deputies responded.
12-14-22: A woman reported a disorderly neighbor in Prentice who she said was harassing her at their apartment complex.
12-15-22: A woman reported a man had a knife and threatened to kill himself. He then left home on foot.
12-17-22: Urgent Care in Portage County called stating a woman was petting a stray cat in Phillips two days prior when it climbed on her, scratched her, and bit the back of her head. The bite left two puncture wounds that became infected. The cat was described as a gray and black cat with stripes.
12-18-22: A Park Falls man called 911 to request assistance because an M16 combat rifle was levitating in his apartment. He stated it was giving off a blue energy. He said he had been visited by the Treasury Department in November of 2020 but did not believe the situation was related to this visit. He also stated he felt like something was trying to pull the vertebrae out of his back but he was confident his spine would keep the vertebrae in place. Police responded.
12-22-22: A man reported that he and his grandson almost hit snowmobiles on Old 13 Road. The snowmobiles were reportedly using the boat landing and then taking Old 13 Road into town. He said snowmobiles were all over the roadway, riding on the snow banks, and kicking snow back into the roadway. He said the same thing happened last year.
12-22-22: A woman reported damage to a headstone in Fifield.
12-23-22: A woman with dementia called 911 several times stating people were attempting to set fires and blow up the nursing home in Park Falls and no one was doing anything about it. The nursing home was called, there was no fire or threats, and dispatch asked them to monitor the woman so she did not keep calling 911.
12-28-22: A woman reported several subjects were outside her residence taking pictures, were on her roof, and were shining lights into her residence. The woman stated she locked herself in her bathroom because the subjects were in her residence. A deputy responded.
12-28-22: A woman reported her fifteen year old daughter was sexually assaulted by a seventeen year old who tried to put his hand down her pants multiple times.
12-30-22: A train was derailed in Prentice and workers were going to put it back on the tracks.
12-30-22: A man reported a fire in his shop in Phillips. There was a dump truck on fire inside a pole shed.
12-31-22: A caller stated a man had left a deceased cow about 15 feet from the roadway.
12-31-22: A woman reported her husband went looking for their dog, who got scared by fireworks. She said her husband was gone for 45 minutes. The woman was advised her husband was with a deputy and they were searching for the dog.
(Article continues after promotional image) SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: Ken's Carpet & The Consignment Store sells all flooring types (carpet, vinyl, wood, & ceramic), bedding / mattresses, appliances, solar systems, and consignment sales of furniture, automobiles, farming & logging equipment, ATVs, UTVs, trailers, and campers. Call 715-339-4838 for product inquiries, and follow Ken's Carpet & The Consignment Store's Facebook page.
PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT
12/5/22: Received a report of an adult male yelling obscurities in the middle of a city street. An officer and Price County Deputy arrived and spoke with the adult male who had sustained a head wound from fall of with bike. The officer learned the male was on probation and had violated the conditions. A probation hold was placed on the adult male.
12/6/22: Responded to a report of a retail theft at a store in the City of Phillips. Officers responded and were able to locate the individual involved. Officers were able to get the property returned to the
store. Officers issued an ordinance violation to the individual involved.
12/7/22: Received notification from a local school that they had sent a letter to a former student prohibiting him from being on the school's campus. The letter was mailed to the subject and serves as a formal warning.
The letter is on file at the Phillips Police Department.
12/10/22: Assisted the La Ronge Royal Canadian Mounted Police with locating a missing person. The missing male individual came to the Phillips Police Department and stated he was okay. An officer contacted the La Ronge Royal Canadian Mounted Police and advised them the male individual was safe.
12/12/22: Investigated a parent who failed to properly supervise their minor child. The minor child acquired multiple law enforcement contacts within a three-month period for offenses including habitual truancy, property
damage, and possession of CBD products. The parent was issued a city ordinance citation for failure to supervise minor children.
12/13/22: Received a complaint of an individual making threatening comments to do harm to employees of a business in the City of Phillips. An investigation determined the individual made specific threats to harm
another branch of the business outside of Phillips. The individual was determined to be from outside the City of Phillips. The Price County Sheriff's Office was contacted to investigate the incident as it had occurred outside the City of Phillips.
12/13/22: Responded to a local business where an employee was passed out and behaving strangely. The officer learned that the employee was intoxicated. The officer contacted the manager who sent another employee to close the business.
12/14/22: Responded to a local establishment for a report of a disorderly subject that refused to leave. Officers were informed that some type of physical altercation occurred. Officers spoke to the victim and attempted to speak to the suspect. The suspect was arrested for disorderly conduct and battery.
12/17/22: An officer on patrol heard gunfire coming from outside the City of Phillips. The Price County Sheriff's Office were advised. The Price County Sheriff's Office, along with Phillips Police, searched the area but did not locate anything.
12/19/22: Received a report from a local school district regarding two adult males who had gained access to the school and used the facilities when school was not in session. The school representative indicated he
would be looking into the matter further and would advise if any law enforcement involvement would be necessary.
12/19/22: Advised of an argument that had a occurred at a business in the City of Phillips. An officer responded and spoke with all parties involved. An investigation is pending.
12/20/22: Responded to a residence for the report of the odor of marijuana. The officer responded and met with the complainant who stated that the other tenant has masked the odor with spray and there was no longer an odor. The officer was unable to identify the odor of marijuana. The officer spoke with the other tenant who stated they believed the complainant was harassing them.
12/22/22: Met with a citizen who wished to file a complaint against the Department of Public Works. The citizen stated the snow was unevenly distributed on the sides of the roads. The officer informed the Department of Public Works of the complaint.
12/23/22: Notified by the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry of an adult male who is going to be working in the City of Phillips.
12/24/22: Responded to an assisted living facility to assist Central Price County Ambulance Service with a female patient. An officer shoveled the entranceway for the ambulance crew to load the patient. The patient was
transported via ambulance to the medical center in Park Falls, Wisconsin.
12/27/22: Responded to an incident at a residence in the City of Phillips. The officers made contact with the complainant and were able to assist her. Officers discovered the presence of a controlled substance and seized the contraband. Officers will be referring this incident for criminal charges. Officers will also be referring this report to Human Services.
12/28/22: The City of Phillips Police Department, along with the Price County Sheriff's Department, responded to an apartment in the City of Phillips for a report of an abandoned 911 call. While making contact at the apartment, drug items were voluntarily given to the officers by a tenant. A search warrant was applied for and one male was arrested for possession of
methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felony bail jumping.
12/29/22: Met with a resident of the City of Phillips who had a complaint of images being shared electronically without his consent. The matter is under investigation.
(Article continues after promotional message) SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: Birchland Realty, located at 104 North Lake Avenue in Phillips, specializes in commercial, residential, recreational, and vacant land real estate. Visit Birchland Realty's website or call 715-339-2181 for assistance finding your new property.
PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT
12/01/2022: An officer responded to a residence to assist a female subject who believed she was scammed on her computer.
12/02/2022: An officer received a complaint of a threatening message sent from a subject possibly residing in Park Falls. The officer did not make contact with the suspect as they no longer live at their listed address.
12/03/2022: A person called in a complaint of her neighbor removing her bread and peanuts she uses to feed squirrels. The neighbor was warned for trespassing.
12/06/2022: An officer assisted a Price County deputy with a vehicle on fire on Hwy. 182 outside of city limits.
12/08/2022: A domestic violence incident occurred, and the predominant aggressor was arrested and transported to jail. Charges of disorderly conduct, battery, and false imprisonment are being referred for the male offender. A charge of disorderly conduct and battery are being referred for the female offender.
12/09/2022: A deer that appeared to have been shot was reported as being deceased in a yard.
12/10/2022: A felony domestic abuse incident occurred involving an edged weapon. There were minor injuries. The offender was arrested and transported to the Price County Jail. Charges were referred to the district attorney's office.
12/24/2022: An officer responded to the STH 13 bridge for the report of an unknown accident. An officer arrived on scene and located a single vehicle pulled over in a nearby driveway. Upon investigation, it was found the vehicle had lost control and drove into the west guard rail and then the east guard rail. An officer observed significant damage to the vehicle making it a reportable
crash. The driver received numerous citations.
12/24/2022: A motorist called reporting a male subject on the ground in the snow in the area of STH 13 and STH 182. Officers responded and located an intoxicated male subject on the ground on the snow-drifted sidewalk near STH 182 and 3rd Avenue South.
12/24/2022: An officer spoke with a female subject who reported she was at a bar the night prior. The female subject reported a male subject who was in the bar had taken her phone and vehicle keys from her jacket. The female stated she confronted the male subject and he was then kicked out of the bar by the owner. An investigation was conducted.
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: Norvado is an Internet, television, and telephone service provider dedicated to the best technology allowing connection to the world while living the “up north” lifestyle. View current offers on Norvado's website.
At a December meeting of the county board, it was approved that some of the county's cash reserves would be put into CDs or bonds to receive higher interest rates than they would be receiving in a checking or savings account, according to County Administrator Nick Trimner.
He stated that several other counties participate in this type of investing with PMA, known as PMA Financial Network, LLC and PMA Securities, LLC. "PMA approached me at a conference, which, in turn, I brought the conversation to the full board for consideration."
Nick feels the county should see a significant increase in the amount of money it receives in interest. "I'm not aware of any cons or high risk issues," he added.
Short-term funds and long-term funds will be invested. "The strategy used is like a ladder," Nick explained. "We will look at 3, 5, 9, [and] 12 month investments. So every three months we would have an opportunity to review a portion of the investment."
He said the county is not investing excess money. "It is money that is set aside for our minimum required reserves and for projects that have not been completed yet." During our interview in December, Nick stated that the amount had not yet been determined at that time.
(Article continues after promotional message.) SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST Ken's Carpet & The Consignment Store sells all flooring types (carpet, vinyl, wood, & ceramic), bedding / mattresses, appliances, solar systems, and consignment sales of furniture, automobiles, farming & logging equipment, ATVs, UTVs, trailers, and campers. Call 715-339-4838 for product inquiries, and follow Ken's Carpet & The Consignment Store's Facebook page.
FAIRGROUNDS UPDATE
Regarding the fairgrounds, a rumor was going around that the property was not going to be sold to the Baratkas due to a failed wetlands survey. County Administrator Nick Trimner said the opposite is true. "We got the reports back, and it is not a flood plain, so the purchaser wants to continue with the sale."
Owners of Deer Creek Angus, LLC, Karen Kerner and Greg Denzine, have been farming their beef cattle operation in Phillips, Wisconsin since 1994. Like most businesses, it started out smaller and has grown over the years, now featuring 200 cattle.
Both Karen and Greg grew up on family farms, so farming is a family tradition. The interest holds with their children, Alexis and Wyatt, taking a strong interest in farming. "We hope Alexis and Wyatt will someday take over the farm and continue to grow it," Karen shared.
In January 2023, Deer Creek Angus was awarded "Operation of the Month" by Purina Cattle. About receiving the recognition, Karen said, "We were shocked, couldn't believe it, and honored that they picked us!"
According to Purina Cattle, Karen and Greg met with Ray Melander, a now-retired Purina beef specialist, back in 2010. "Ray encouraged them to try finishing out some of their quality feeder calves and invited them to a VIP experience at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center." Karen and Greg implemented new management techniques and began using Purina® wind and rain minerals and lick tubs with their home-grown grain rations. According to Karen, it has paid off. "I stand by the motto, ‘Animals speak for themselves.’ They definitely do here.”
Deer Creek Angus, LLC sells their beef to the School District of Phillips and also sells their beef directly to the consumer via the farmer's market in Minocqua and their website. All their beef is processed at a state-inspected and licensed facility. Customers can purchase Angus beef in individual packages or in quarters, halves, and whole. The farm also offers non-beef food options, as they are now selling a small amount of pork, plus they sell eggs at a farmer's market. As a volunteer activity, Karen helps 4-H members sell meat chickens.
You can meet Karen and Greg at the Minocqua Farmer's Market, which is held every Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the summertime. Deer Creek Angus, LLC's website includes product information, photos of their products, and pricing at https://www.deercreekangusfarm.com/meatpricing.html. To purchase their products at their farm in Phillips, call 715-550-6156.
My Price County featured a Spotlight story on Karen in 2021. If you missed it, you can read it by clicking here.
Photo Submitted by: Oneida County Sheriff's Office
1/4/23 Original Article:
The Oneida County Sheriff's Office is asking for assistance with locating Cody Kamrath.
Kamrath is approximately 150 pounds and 5 feet 7 inches tall. He has shoulder-length, curly, light brown hair that some may describe has a reddish color to it. He has blue eyes. He is 26 years old. According to recent videos posted by Kamrath on his social media page, to further help the public identify him, it appears his front teeth are missing in a jagged fashion.
If you see Kamrath, police ask that you do not approach him or attempt to make contact with him in any way. Instead, call the Oneida County Dispatch Center immediately. Their phone number is 715-361-5201. If you feel you are in danger, immediately dial 911.
The Oneida County Sheriff's Office added, "Please only call if you are witnessing this individual at the present time. We are not looking for additional information on where he has been in the past at this time."
While the Oneida County Sheriff's Office is the office requesting the public to immediately report if Kamrath is seen, he could be anywhere in the northwoods so everyone should be on the lookout. He is listed in the Wisconsin circuit court's database with closed offenses and pending alleged crimes in Lincoln County. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office added, "This individual has been witnessed in multiple locations including Rhinelander and Minocqua." Some people on social media are stating he also frequents the Tomahawk area. His social media videos often show him walking the streets or in the woods.
1/5/23 Update:
UPDATE: According to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, "Kamrath was located and taken into custody without incident. Rhinelander Police Department was able to take him into custody when he was reported as being on the library steps. Thank you to the community for information, calls, and support!"
Garbage pick-up has changed in the City of Phillips. Garbage stickers will no longer be used. Instead, residents will use carts to dispose of their garbage and recycling.
The new garbage carts are appearing around the City of Phillips. The carts with the yellow lids are for recycling. According to a representative from Waste Management, all recyclables should be put in that cart. Recyclables should not be put in a bag but set freely in the cart as putting the recyclables in a plastic bag will deem them not able to be recycled. The other cart, the 96-gallon one without the yellow lid, is for bagged garbage. The same pick-up schedule will be in effect.
If a resident has other legal means of disposing their garbage and does not want to pay for a garbage cart, the yellow-lid recycling bin will still be available for recyclables. The city pays for that service and gets reimbursed by a grant, because each city must have a means of recycling for their residents. To opt out of the garbage pick-up portion of the service, call the City of Phillips at 715-339-3125.
Some residents have unused garbage stickers that they used with the old system. To get a full refund for those stickers, the stickers can be taken to the customer service desk at Pick 'n Save in Phillips. Refunds will be given until January 28, 2023. After that time, no further refunds will be given, so now is the time to return any unused garbage stickers.
A Waste Management representative was supposed to attend the January 3, 2023 city meeting; however, that meeting got cancelled due to inclement weather. The meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. at the city hall.
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST Ken's Carpet & The Consignment Store sells all flooring types (carpet, vinyl, wood, & ceramic), bedding / mattresses, appliances, solar systems, and consignment sales of furniture, automobiles, farming & logging equipment, ATVs, UTVs, trailers, and campers. Call 715-339-4838 for product inquiries, and follow Ken's Carpet & The Consignment Store's Facebook page.
The land records office has a simple way for residents to be alerted if their property becomes the victim of property or mortgage fraud. This type of fraud has become the fastest growing while collar crime, according to the FBI as stated on the Property Fraud Alert website.
If someone records a fraudulent document on your property, you can now be alerted if you register for free at Property Fraud Alert.
The sign-up process is simple. Go to https://www.propertyfraudalert.com. Select your county from the drop-down list. On the next page, click continue. On the next page, read the disclaimer. At the bottom, check the box that you agree to the terms. On the final page, select the type of property (personal or business), and then enter your personal or business name along with either your e-mail address or phone number. You will have to type this information twice to confirm you did not make any errors. Click "Save." Your registration is complete.
(Article continues after promotional message) SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: Deer Creek Angus, LLC has a large selection of Black Angus burgers, steaks, roasts, and other beef products sold by individual packages and in quarters, halves, and whole. Contact Deer Creek Angus, LLC at 715-550-6156, find products & pricing on their website, and follow their Facebook page.
Current counties in Wisconsin that are participating in the service include: Adams, Barron, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Door, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Jackson, Jefferson, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Monroe, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Rock, Rusk, Sawyer, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon, Waushara, Winnebago, and Wood.
On December 22, 2022 at about 8:19 a.m., Ashland Police and Ashland Fire Paramedics were called to a body in the roadway on Junction Road between Turner Road and Sanborn Avenue.
A deceased male was located who was identified as 25-year old Bailey Zuniga from Ashland.
A preliminary autopsy report showed no injuries, and it’s believed that the death was due to exposure from the elements and not being properly dressed for the weather. Alcohol is believed to be a factor.
An investigation is still ongoing. No foul play is suspected.
The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the Cenex gas station in Gilman, Wisconsin.
This is an active, ongoing investigation, and the suspect is still at large. There is no evidence that would indicate the general public is in danger at this time.
Further details will be released as soon as possible.
Update: December 27, 2022:
On December 24, 2022, at 5:47 p.m., the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting an armed robbery at a gas station located at 485 East Main Street in the Village of Gilman, Taylor County.
It was reported that a man entered the gas station in dark clothing wearing gloves and a mask to cover his face. The suspect was armed with a handgun that he pointed at the clerk while demanding money. The clerk indicated that the suspect exited the store with the money and was last seen leaving the scene on foot.
Taylor County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene and were unable to locate the suspect. However, they were able to follow the suspects foot tracks in the snow which led to an area where it appeared the suspect entered a parked vehicle and drove away.
Taylor County detectives continued the investigation into the robbery, and a suspect developed. On December 26, 2022, a search warrant was conducted on the suspect's home, which is also located in the village of Gilman. As a result, 36-year-old named Tommy Lee Wilkes was arrested and taken into custody for the robbery.
