On Monday, June 1, 2026, police were notified that a man's body was found near a pontoon in Soo Lake in the Town of Elk.
Deputies arrived on scene. The man's body was brought to the shore by the person who notified the police.
Police determined that the man, Stanley Gruszka, of Phillips, was filling the gas tank of the pontoon. His leg likely became stuck in the ladder of the pontoon, trapping him under water, and he passed on.
The Price County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Price County Coroner's Office, Wisconsin DNR, Phillips Fire Department, and Central Price County Ambulance Service.
Cracking has taken place over the winter. The Department of Public Works marked the cracked areas with pink paint. The affected squares will be fixed under warranty by the company that installed the sidewalk. Work is expected to begin on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
Some residents have asked if the bottoms of the light poles are going to be made to look better. My Price County tried to get this answer, but the question was misunderstood via email, so My Price County will ask again and publish information if we receive it.
UPDATED 6-10-2026:
The director of the Department of Public Works, Jim Heizler, answered some community questions regarding the sidewalks. He stated that the warranty has been extended for an additional year. He said that not all the squares that were painted in pink were going to be replaced. He said, "Some of the small areas that cracked are ground out and filled in with a self-leveling epoxy suitable for concrete repair and sealant."
Jim also stated that there are plans to repair the street light bases now that the sidewalk repairs are done. Those repairs would be made for cosmetic reasons. He assured, "These bases are over six feet long, buried into the ground, reinforced with a rebar frame. The anchor bolts that hold the poles are three feet long. They are safe."
According to the Wisconsin National Guard, the 115th Fighter Wing, out of Madison, Wisconsin, performed a low-level flyover of the Watertown Aero Park on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026. Watertown was having an unveiling of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Two F-35s performed the flyover at 3 in the afternoon. Three o'clock is the local time that Americans are asked to pause for one minute of silence on Memorial Day to honor and remember military members who died while serving the United States.
Merrill, Wisconsin was scheduled to have a fly-over, but it allegedly got cancelled last minute.
However, around 3:30 p.m., residents in Price County, including, (but not limited to), Phillips, Fifield, Prentice, and Rib Lake reported hearing a loud noise. Some thought a jet was crashing and others joked it might be aliens landing. Rather, it was two F-35s flying low in the area for many to enjoy on Memorial Day.
While My Price County's research did not show with certainty where these F-35s were coming from or going to, Watertown is about 250 miles away, and an F-35 could travel that distance, at top speed, in 12 to 15 minutes and could travel in a standard long-range cruising configuration at 675 MPH in about 22 to 25 minutes, so it is possible that they did a flyover of parts of Wisconsin after the flyover in Watertown. No matter where they came from, many residents were delighted to see them fly over.
Get your Phillips garage sale listed for free. Find out how by clicking this link.
On May 9, 2026, two public hearings were held regarding the enactment of an animal biting ordinance and the definition of a "habitual offender."
During public comment, Ginny Strobl stated that sometimes neighbors don't get along and without requiring proof of bites, she feels someone could try to get a dog and neighbor in trouble for no actual reason. She felt a bite should need to be thoroughly checked by a medical professional to prove it occurred.
Walt Madsen stated that his main problem is that it opens it up as a red flag law for dogs. If a person has an issue with a neighbor, the neighbor could falsely report a neighbor's dog. He said he also has experience with a dog coming onto his property but could see how neighbors could use this to be problematic for one another. He felt it violated peoples' rights of life, liberty, and property. He felt it could be passed with some wording changes.
Sheriff Schmidt spoke and said it is not a red flag law at all.
Humane Officer Mindy Dabler gave more information on the topic. She said there were no animal-related complaints in 2023, three in 2024, and 20 in 2025. There was a large increase in 2025 due to particular owners who let two dogs breed, the male dog was hit by a car, and the female had three puppies. The owners purchased another dog, and the animals were allowed to run free as a pack. In 2025, 24 citations were issued to that residence. Twelve of the 20 total complaints involved incidents were chickens were allegedly killed on a neighboring property and dogs allegedly chased people (including a toddler), other dogs, and vehicles on the neighboring property. She felt that had the ordinance been in place at the time, ten complaints could have been prevented. She further stated that dangerous dog and vicious animal ordinances "track with the particular animal and require more than one bite or a severe attack by the same animal to take action." However, she stated, "a bite is not always an 'attack.' I would not consider any of the bites an 'attack' as none of the bites were severe; however, all of the bites broke the skin of the victims." One dog was removed from the home after its second bite, because the owners were not following the quarantine rules.
Image Credit: Price County Sheriff's Office
For Bite Levels 3 and above, quarantine orders are issued, so this ordinance would fit Levels 3 and higher.
Patty Stephan, a law enforcement committee member, asked, "How do we prove or confirm a bite?" Humane Officer Dabler said that mandatory reports usually come from medical professionals who are mandatory reporters.
Committee Member Dennis Wartgow said that during public comment he heard concerns that people may file a false complaint that a dog bit them. Sheriff Schmidt said there would be penalties for that. Obstructing charges would be sent to the district attorney, or a citation may be issued.
Amy Casey, the county coroner, was at the meeting and raised her hand with a question regarding the topic while Sheriff Schmidt was at the podium. He said, "You're not a committee member. You're not a committee member. Put your hand down. You're elected. Not a committee member." She said she just had a question and joked that she could arrest him. The chairman allowed her to speak, and she asked, "Is it still protocol to report dog bites to the public health department?" Mindy Dabler came back to the podium and replied that they are reported to her and to public health. "The quarantine orders are actually public health paperwork." Humane Officer Dabler said the police are the ones serving those papers to the people, then it goes to the health department, and she does follow-up if the people are not following the orders. She added that it's her job to make sure there is a correct report, and she has to see broken skin to accept it as a true dog bite report.
Committee Member Bob Kopisch said that there are a lot of "mays" and "shalls" in the wording. To him, "shall" means a person has to do it, so he questioned the wording. He also asked if it was typical for the entire board to make a decision on a habitual offender, and he felt involving thirteen members was a "slippery slope" which made him "uncomfortable." The reason he asked this is because a person accused of this would have a right to appeal to the board.
Patty Stephan asked where the animals go when they are removed. The humane officer said that they go to Catkins if they are adoptable. If they are not adoptable, meaning if they have bitten, then she has to make a decision and have the animal put down.
County Administrator Nick Trimner said this is less about taking of animals, which has always been something the humane officer can do, but this is more about the residence not being allowed to have animals at the residence, because some people who were not allowed to have animals would have an animal at their residence and claim it was owned by someone else. This ordinance would ban the residence from having animals for a specified time, unless someone else bought the property.
The Law Enforcement Committee voted to pass the ordinance with the presented wording amendment, striking "may" and replacing it with "shall." The motion was carried by all committee members.
The definition of the term "habitual offender," referring to an animal owner or harborer, was also amended, and the motion carried by all committee members.
While Sheriff Schmidt and Humane Officer Dabler spoke of dogs during their presentation, since this ordinance states "animals," it appears it would apply to all animals that bite and would affect the ownership of all types of animals. Also, it is the "residence" (all people who live at that address even if they are not habitual offenders) that could be banned from animal ownership and not just a "resident." We asked Humane Officer Dabler for more information; however, our request for information was rather last minute on Monday morning. She stated she has a response ready but needs to get it approved and will likely be able to submit the answers to My Price County on Tuesday. However, that will likely be after the Common Council meeting, where this ordinance may get final approval. If you have questions or comments, the meeting is the morning of Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Public comment is allowed at the meeting for anyone interested in attending to voice an opinion. Otherwise, we will update this article when we have answers. The questions are as follows:
UPDATED 5-20-2026:
For the vicious animal biting ordinance, would all animals be counted for this, since it doesn't just state "dogs," such as cats, horses, etc.?
Humane Officer Dabler replied, "The current ordinances track with one particular animal. The new ordinance would allow for the county to track the bites pertaining to a specific address, not the specific animal. This is specifically meant for a residence with multiple residents with multiple animal owners and multiple animals.
"For your question about all animals being included, yes, to a reasonable degree. The likelihood of a farm animal creating a reason for this ordinance to be enforced is quite low and unlikely. I am required to issue quarantine orders for all cat, dog, and ferret bites, which occur in Price County. Most of the bites are reported by mandatory reporters, such as clinics and emergency rooms, when they are treating the patients for the bite wound."
If any animal habitually bites, are all animals covered in this ordinance? And does that mean that if a dog bites, then the residence cannot own a cat, for example?
Humane Officer Dabler replied, "The ordinance is not intended to handle one dog that bites. It is intended to address the cases with multiple different animal bites by different animals within a year. Yes, if convicted, it would mean they are not allowed to own ANY animals for the amount of time a judge orders them not to own animals."
And does the ordinance apply to anyone living at the residence?
Humane Officer Dabler replied, "Yes, it would apply to anyone living at the residence; however, once that person left that residence, this ordinance would no longer apply to them. It would be for the specific residence and anyone living there, unless everyone moved out and someone new moved in."
So, if a boyfriend and girlfriend moved in together, and the girlfriend could not have dogs at her residence due to being a habitual offender, does that mean the boyfriend could not have a dog at that residence?
Humane Officer Dabler replied, "With this question, please look at the information [definitions and ordinance information provided below] and understand that a Habitual Offender is different than a Habitual Animal Offender Premises.
"A Habitual Offender is convicted as an individual and the order prohibiting animal ownership follows them for the amount of time ordered.
"A Habitual Animal Offender Premises is specifically for a particular address.
"For your question, if the girlfriend is a Habitual Offender, the dog could not be at the residence if she were going to be owning, possessing, harboring, keeping or having custody or control of the dog.
"If the girlfriend’s prior residence was a Habitual Animal Offender Premises, but she moved in with the boyfriend at a different location, the dog could stay."
ORDINANCES AND DEFINITIONS PROVIDED BY HUMANE OFFICER DABLER:
§ 223-27 Vicious animals.
A.
The owner of any animal shall be in violation of this article if the animal engages in any activity or exhibits any behavior as defined by this article under "vicious animal" in § 223-19.
B.
Upon being adjudicated guilty of or entering a guilty plea or no contest plea to a charge made under this provision, the owner of the vicious animal, if allowed to maintain the animal, will have to adhere to the following requirements for possessing a vicious animal:
(1)
The owner must possess a proper enclosure to confine the vicious animal; and
(2)
The owner must post the premises with a vicious animal warning sign.
C.
Price County shall have the right to inspect, randomly and without notice, a vicious animal which is required to be confined pursuant to this section in its environment. Permission of the owner or person with custody of the animal confined shall not be unreasonably withheld.
D.
Any person who releases a vicious animal either willfully through failure to exercise due care or control or who takes such animal out of such proper enclosure in such a manner which is likely to cause injury to another person or damage to the property of another person shall be in violation of this article.
E.
For a conviction under this section refer to § 223-44 of this article.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)
VICIOUS ANIMAL
A.
Any animal which:
(1)
Constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals by virtue of an attack of such severity or intensity as to cause severe property or physical damage;
(2)
Makes an unprovoked attack on animals or on human beings; or
(3)
Intentionally attacks physical property in an effort to cause harm to a human or other animal.
B.
An animal shall not be a vicious animal within the meaning of this article if:
(1)
It inflicts an injury upon a person when the animal is being used by a law enforcement officer carrying out official duties; or
(2)
The injury inflicted by the animal was sustained by a person who was committing a willful trespass or other tort; was tormenting, abusing or assaulting the animal; had in the past been reported to have tormented, abused or assaulted the animal; or was committing or attempting to commit a crime.
§ 223-25 Dangerous dogs.
[Amended 4-21-2015 by Ord. No. 1-15; 4-18-2023 by Ord. No. 2-23]
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to have or possess a dangerous dog without notification to the Price County Sheriff's Office. "Dangerous dog" defined as such under § 223-19.
B.
Requirements of keeping dangerous dog.
(1)
A adequate structural strength enclosure to confine the dog from escape.
(2)
Posting on the premises of a dangerous dog a sign: "Warning. There is a dangerous dog on the property."
(3)
Annual license of the dog and paying an additional license fee for the dangerous dog.
C.
Right to inspect. The Price County Health and Human Services Department shall have the right to inspect, randomly and without notice, a dangerous dog which is required to be confined pursuant to this section in its environment. Permission of the owner or person with custody of the animal confined shall not be unreasonably withheld.
D.
Notice to County Sheriff's Department.
(1)
The owner of a dangerous dog shall notify the Price County Sheriff's Department within 24 hours if the dog is loose, unconfined, has attacked a human, has died, or has been sold or donated. If the dog has been sold or donated, the owner shall provide the Price County Health and Human Services Department with the name, address, and telephone number of the new owner of the dog and notify the new owner of the designation.
(2)
The owner of a dangerous dog shall notify the Price County Sheriff's Department within 10 days if the owner is moving within Price County's jurisdiction or out of the County.
E.
Violations. Any person who releases a dangerous dog either willfully through failure to exercise due care or control or who takes such animal out of such proper enclosure in such a manner which is likely to cause injury to another person or damage to the property of another person shall be in violation of this article.
DANGEROUS DOG
A.
Any dog that, according to the records of the County, has without provocation either inflicted body harm on a human being on public or private property or bitten, attacked or endangered the safety of humans after the dog has previously bitten others. The owner will be notified of such classification.
B.
A dog shall not be a dangerous dog within the meaning of this article if:
(1)
The dog inflicts an injury upon a person when the dog is being used by a law enforcement officer executing official duties.
(2)
The injury inflicted by the dog was sustained by a person who, at the time, was committing a willful trespass or other tort; was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog; had in the past been reported to have tormented, abused or assaulted the dog; or was committing or attempting to commit a crime.
It shall be unlawful to be a habitual offender. If found to be a habitual offender, the court may order no animal ownership for a minimum period of three years, not to exceed 10 years.
HABITUAL OFFENDER
Any animal owner or harborer, who within any three-year period is convicted of three or more violations of domestic animal related offenses under Chapter 223 of the Price County Code. The controlling date is the date of each violation, not the date of the plea entered or the date of conviction resulting therefrom.
[Added 4-18-2023 by Ord. No. 2-23]
ANIMAL BITE
Any physical contact of the teeth of the animal with human flesh, including but not limited to a puncture, pierce, scratch or tear.
OWNER
Any person owning, possessing, harboring, keeping or having custody or control of any animal subject to this article. This definition is intended to embrace any person who is a custodian.
The 6th annual community-wide garage sale event will take place on June 11, 12, 13, and 14, 2026 for anyone with a Phillips address, both in the city limits and in the country.
"For anyone wanting to have a sale, the listing is free. My Price County promotes the event and the list of sales, so getting on the list should greatly increase traffic to each sale. We have had people remark that the community-wide garage sale weekend brings them the most shoppers they see all year at their sales," said Lynne Bohn, event organizer.
My Price County is offering free advertising to residents who would like to have a garage sale on that weekend. To participate, reserve your ad spot by submitting your first and last name, full address of your garage sale location, the days (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday) and the times you set for your garage sale, along with a short list (30 words or less) of some of the items that will be at your garage sale. Either message My Price County on Facebook or send an e-mail to Contact@MyPriceCounty.com with "Garage Sale" in the subject line. While getting the garage sales sent via email is preferred, you can call 715-339-6677 if you do not have access to Messenger or email. My Price County will confirm receipt of all messages and emails. The deadline for submitting your garage sale is 5 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026. Please note, you will need to place your own garage sales signs and do any additional advertising that you choose.
"The busiest days are Friday and Saturday," Lynne added, "but we will accept sales for Thursday and Sunday, as well, because some people like to run three- or four-day sales. Anyone who hosts a garage sale can choose their days and times; no one has to host a sale on all four days unless they want to."
The community-wide garage sale event is being held to help promote the community. Please help us make others aware of this event by sharing this article's link or the Facebook post. You can also follow and invite your friends to the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1484183433122293.
Sales will be posted by the morning of June 11, 2026 at https://www.mypricecounty.com/sales.html. Save that link but realize there are no current sales listed there yet, and the full list won't be published until June 11, 2026, if not a few days sooner.
The 3rd annual Price County Garage Sales Event will be held on August 6, 7, 8, and 9. More information will follow in July.
You can share this article on Facebook from our public Facebook page at this link.
A forester, who was marking trees, called Rusk County Dispatch on Friday, May 8, 2026. He stated he may have discovered human bones.
Rusk County deputies, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigations responded.
According to Sheriff Phil Grassmann, law enforcement was led through the woods, and the suspected human bones were recovered. To confirm if they are human bones, and then to confirm the identity of the individual, law enforcement is working with a forensic anthropologist and the Rusk County Medical Examiner's Office.
Police expect that identification of the individual will be made from medical records.
UPDATED 5-20-2026
A forensic pathologist employed by the Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigations confirmed, on May 20, 2026, that the bones found in the Blue Hills on Friday, May 8, were human bones. The bones were identified as Seth Miller of Ladysmith, Wisconsin.
Seth Miller, 35, was last seen in Bruce, Wisconsin on July 6, 2025, and his abandoned vehicle was found two days later on Dearhammer Road, northwest of Bruce. He was also reported missing that day.
A witness had reportedly seen a man standing by the driver's side door at approximately 6 p.m. on July 6, 2025. On the same day, another witness saw a man walking westbound.
According to the Rusk County Sheriff's Office, the case is still under investigation.
Jesse Lane, the VP of strategic development for Bug Tussel, spoke at the April 28, 2026, county board meeting. According to Jesse, there are six tower sites they are considering for "if and when we do proceed with the builds." He stated those builds would provide a great solution for 911 services.
Larry Palecek said, "When we signed on with Bug Tussel, first of all, we're in dire straits with our emergency radio system, and we were led to believe that within a year there would be some action on it, and that's been two years ago, and now we're really in a bad spot, because we don't know if we should continue with Bug Tussel or if we should go into long-term borrowing and update our system for ourselves. I just want to impress on you the urgency of getting something going."
Jesse replied, "That urgency is not lost upon us." He said they are working toward it as quickly as they can, and he apologized for how long it is taking, a miscommunication on their parts on the timeline, and not getting it together sooner. He did not have a good faith time estimate for when the project may happen, though. He was able to provide some insight on funding. "If negotiations go the way that we anticipate and, yes, hope that they do, we would not need additional funding. There would be actually plenty of funding left on the side that we hope to continue to try to find ways to build out and benefit in Price County including support of other carriers in their efforts."
Nick Trimner said he and about 16 or 17 other counties were going to meet with Bug Tussel and right now Bug Tussel has been responsive. He explained, "We have 15 million dollars that is sitting in a bank." He explained that neither Bug Tussel nor the county has access to those funds unless there is a draw request. He gave the example of metal being purchased for a tower and then the draw request would be made to release the funding. There have been three total draws to date. $7,000 for engineering costs is the most recent draw request.
When asked about fiber placement and if the scope of the project has changed over the years, Jesse said, "The project scope has changed some. The original project scope did have fiber running east to west across the southern part of the county. We are reevaluating all of those. I will say as these six tower sites go up, we always put our fixed wireless equipment on the towers so that would bring fixed services to certain members of the community through cellular Internet services." He said fiber is being reevaluated to see what the best financial is for the current situation.
Nick said, "When we first got into the project, Mitch Olson, a representative from Bug Tussel, was there, and it was projected at about 18 months' time to complete the project." Nick said he did not feel like Price County was a priority in the line of projects, and Price County was somewhat ignored by Bug Tussel for a while. Nick said that it needs to be "now or never" with this project. He shared the "end of life" is coming to the system, but "end of life" does not mean "end of service." Nick explained it just means it is a more difficult product to maintain long-term, and the radio system needs to be upgraded by 2028.
Paula Houdek said it has become a contentious issue in the county. She admitted that Jesse has come into the project at a tense time, but said to him, "If you cannot promise us, if you cannot be honest and transparent with everyone, us and the county, then I would say why don't you just get the heck out and move on and let us do what we need to do? So, that's kind of my thought, is, if you don't have these answers, then, then quit dragging us along. That's what I'm saying."
Jesse explained there has been a lot of reorganization with a different team of representatives at Bug Tussel, which he hopes will be positive. He said that Steve Schneider is a former CEO who is now acting CEO and Mitch Olson is no longer with the company.
Jason Hastings, who was on the Price County Board of Supervisors representing District 5, which includes the Town of Fifield and the Town of Eisenstein (Ward 2), resigned on April 22, 2026.
The resignation letter he shared with his constituents is as follows:
"Dear Constituents,
In the oath we took last week, we swore to defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. In America, we are all governed by the consent of we the people, who are the rulers.
I am resigning from my position as County Supervisor, a decision not made lightly. I thought it was important that you know the dangerous and corrupt environment Price County’s local governance has become.
It is my duty to inform you, we the people, that your government has wandered from its constitutional obligations. The promises we make to uphold the rights and liberties, enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, are being blatantly undermined, and my efforts to oppose these indiscretions have been repeatedly blocked.
Since assuming office, I have been subjected to intimidation and threats, not only to censor my voice, but to endanger my family and personal undertakings. My attempts to eliminate corruption, promote transparency, and protect our community’s interests have been met with relentless resistance and absolute inaction, all of which are verifiable on the Price County YouTube channel.
The jacked up bureaucracy in which we find ourselves is no accident — it is a calculated attempt to stifle anyone who has a dissenting opinion and maintain a "good old boys club" that privileges a select few at the expense of our community and constitutional rights. Roadblocks are intentionally set to silence any attempt at change, as seen through blocked incoming emails from my constituents, threatening lawsuits, and censorship during meetings, failing to respond to emails that posed questions.
Our community’s resources are being mismanaged through schemes like the Solberg Lake project, that had no board approval in different ways, misusing the ARPA funds and Price County's deal with the carbon credits. These were both unjustified financial maneuvers that relocate your hard-earned tax dollars to projects with no accountability or benefit to you. Those who you are supposed to trust with governance have consistently chosen self-interest over public service, all while silencing those who dare to hold them accountable.
I have attempted to serve you by standing against malicious initiatives, such as unauthorized land transactions, fantasy world carbon credit financial entanglements, Bug Tussel tower projects that don’t come to fruition, and the covert expansion of bureaucratic projects — all of which are detrimental to our county's welfare.
Stand firm and demand the accountability that is your constitutional right. Call your supervisors, because your emails are now being censored. Engage in local governance — attend council meetings, question these crazy policies, and do not be silenced by fear.
Thank you to those who were there for my support.
Jason Hastings"
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.
"From a pool of more than 724 nominated seniors across 379 Wisconsin high schools, just 32 have earned the distinction of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (WIAA) Scholar Athlete Finalist for 2026," according to the WIAA.
Sixteen senior boys and sixteen senior girls compose the 32 athletes selected for 2026, and three of those athletes are from Price County. To have one student from any town is a great feat, but two have two students from Phillips, and three total from Price County, is remarkable.
The WIAA determines the top 32 finalists based on athletic and academic achievement from each of four WIAA divisions.
“On behalf of the WIAA and our membership, it’s an honor to recognize these scholar athletes for the discipline, integrity, and commitment they’ve shown in both the classroom and competition,” said Jake Beschta, Assistant Director of the WIAA. "Their achievements reflect not only personal excellence, but also the support of their families, coaches, and schools. We are proud to celebrate students who truly embody the balance of academics and athletics, and we look forward to the positive impact they will continue to make in their communities and beyond.”
Representing Phillips in Division 3 are Leah Harper and Gavin Esterholm from Phillips High School.
Leah Harper holds a 3.9 GPA and is a 10-time letterwinner. According to the WIAA, "She received Marawood Conference first team all-conference honors three times in cross country and is a three-time team sectional cross country champion. She has lettered three times in track & field and earned all-league honors twice and MVP accolades her junior year. Harper earned a state track & field championship in the 1,600-meter relay her freshman year. In addition, she lettered three years in basketball and was a member of two conference championship squads." Leah shared, “I have learned that the key to success is balance. If I don’t find the perfect balance I either get burnt out or I fall behind. Learning to balance academics, sports, extracurricular activities and more has allowed me to become a better athlete, student, teammate, and leader. I will be able to apply each of these roles later in life and will become a better person because of them.” Leah will continue her education at UW-Stevens Point while participating in cross country and track & field.
Gavin Esterholm holds a 4.0 GPA. He is the student liaison at the school and contributes to My Price County. According to the WIAA, "he has lettered four times in cross country and three times in track. He is a four-time All-Marawood Conference first team performer in cross country and a three-time conference runner of the year. The Logger is a two-time cross country sectional champion and a four-time State cross country participant. As a senior, he placed third at the State cross country championships. He also earned all-conference honors in track & field his sophomore and junior seasons." Gavin shared, "One lesson that will stay with me is the importance of building meaningful relationships with those around you. Whether teammates or competitors, I have been able to connect with amazing people who continue to contribute significantly to my life and motivate me to keep pushing beyond my limits.” Gavin will continue his education by studying psychology at UW-Stevens Point. (The article continues after the ad; keep reading.)
Pine Village in Prentice offers affordable, active living in a wooded setting for those 50+ and disabled persons. Rent is based on 30% Adjusted Gross Income. Small pets under 30 pounds are welcome. Contact Pine Village at 715-428-2300.
Representing Prentice in Division 4 is Heston Hueckman from Prentice High School.
According to the WIAA, "Heston ranked first in his class academically with a 4.0 GPA, and he is a nine-time letter winner. Hueckman is a three-time baseball team MVP and two-time first team all-conference selection in the sport. He helped the Buccaneers' cross country team earn back-to-back trips to State as a junior and senior and a basketball conference and sectional championship his senior season." Heston shared, “To be able to stick to something and to work hard at it until it is achieved is something that I think is sort of rare in this world. I believe that it is an extremely important skill to have, and, while I am far from perfect, I think that learning how to do this will be very helpful in the future.” Heston will study mechanical engineering at a yet to be determined educational facility.
The finalists will be recognized at an awards ceremony on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Stevens Point. A live stream of the awards program will be available on the websites of the State Television Network stations, including WXOW-TV, WQOW-TV, WAOW-TV, WKOW-TV, WVTV and WCWF at 1:00 p.m. on May 3. A delayed telecast of the ceremony will be aired on a future date.
Just before 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a traffic stop incident on U.S. Highway 51 north of County Road A near Tomahawk. The traffic stop was initiated by the Wisconsin State Patrol on Wade Johnson, 36, of Minocqua.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, "A Trooper from the Wisconsin State Patrol conducted a traffic stop on Mr. Johnson’s vehicle for an equipment violation. After briefly stopping for the trooper, Mr. Johnson fled from that traffic stop and traveled approximately .25 miles before his vehicle entered the ditch and came to a final rest.
"During that short period of time, Mr. Johnson sustained an apparent self-inflected injury that he succumbed to. Given the extent of the injury that Mr. Johnson sustained, life saving measures were not attempted, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured or fired their weapons during this incident."
Deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded, along with members of the Tomahawk Police Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
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