At 8:29 p.m. on Sunday, August 7, 2022, a 911 call was received regarding a one vehicle accident. The accident occurred on CTH N, west of Eagle Nest Court, in the Township of Plum Lake, Wisconsin.
The 36-year old male driver, Scott W. Kviz of Eagle River, died at the scene of the accident.
A preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle, a 2017 Ford Expedition, was traveling east on CTH N and then drove off the road. It went down a steep embankment, rolled, and landed on its roof. The driver was thrown from the vehicle. There were no other passengers in the vehicle.
Plum Lake Ambulance Service, Plum Lake Fire Department, Vilas County Medical Examiner, and the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.
On Saturday, July 23, 2022, a felony domestic substantial battery incident was reported to the Park Falls Police Department.
The incident was between a 42 year old man, and his adult daughter, both of who had recently moved to the Park Falls area.
After allegedly being stabbed by her father in the early morning hours, the woman went to a residence in Park Falls. That person called 911, and the Park Falls Police Department, Price County Sheriff's Office, and Park Falls Ambulance Service all responded. The woman did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
Police made contact with the man who emerged from his residence after a short time, and he was taken into custody without incident. He is currently being held in the Price County Jail. His offenses are listed as DC/Domestic, Substantial Battery, and Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety. He is being held on a $5,000 cash bond and has an upcoming court appearance.
Photo by: Price County Sheriff's Department / Price County Jail
In order to address rising operating costs, Park Falls Water Utility was awarded a $3.75 million government grant for infrastructure repairs to support water conservation efforts and safe drinking water on August 3, 2022.
Due to the closure of the paper mill, the city's water utility has faced a significant shift in demand. The grant, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, will allow for the installation of new water mains, improvements to the water tower, and additional infrastructure repairs that strive to save water, prevent freezing water lines during the winter, and ensure reliable water services.
Governor Evers stated, “The city of Park Falls has faced changing community needs, higher costs, and limitations of older infrastructure for years. Today’s investment will make necessary improvements to the city’s aging water utility system and make sure that residents have access to clean, safe, and reliable water. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with Mayor Bablick and his administration to address the imminent needs of the Park Falls community and greater area and to help ensure folks and families aren’t stuck footing the bill for this upgraded infrastructure.”
According to Mayor Bablick, “City staff and I have been working very hard to find solutions to deal with the aftermath of the permanent mill shutdown. We are very thankful to Governor Evers and his staff for working so hard to help us in our time of need. These funds will go a long way in solving our infrastructure needs in the utility, protecting future ratepayers.”
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: Deer Creek Angus, LLChas 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.
On August 1, 2022, at approximately 7:25 p.m., the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting there was an explosion in a garage in the Town of Crescent.
Crescent Fire Department, Crescent First Responders, Rhinelander Fire Department, Newbold Fire Department, Oneida County Emergency Medical Services, and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office responded.
Upon arrival, it was determined a thirty-four year old male was deceased from injuries sustained during the explosion.
Due to the deceased person being found, the Oneida County Medical Examiner’s Office responded.
The cause of the explosion is being investigated by Oneida County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Marathon County Bomb Squad. The investigation is ongoing.
On July 29, 2022 at 1:30 p.m., Vilas County Dispatch received a report of a small explosion and black smoke in the area of Church Road in Conover, Wisconsin.
Upon arrival, responding units located a fully engulfed structure fire. The single family dwelling sustained significant fire damage. The incident remains under investigation. The Salvation Army was contacted to assist the family.
Responding to the scene were Conover Fire and Ambulance, Land O Lakes Fire, Phelps Fire, Eagle River Fire, WE Energies, and Vilas County Sheriff’s Office.
Reports received by the police departments in Price County for the month have been condensed and summarized.
(Article continues after promotional message) SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: From burgers for grilling to bacon-wrapped tenderloins, Deer Creek Angus, LLC has a large selection of Black Angus beef 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.
PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
6/1/22 - A business owner in Catawba reported his back door had been broken down.
6/3/22 - A woman was suspected to be headed to her residence to damage her boyfriend's property, according to a Taylor County deputy. The woman supposedly kicked a man out of her vehicle and left him on the side of the road. The woman was later incarcerated at the Rusk County Jail.
6/3/22 - A man reported a driver had pulled up a rifle while stopped at the temporary stoplight on the bridge in Phillips. The man did not paint the rifle at anyone or any thing and then covered it up on his seat and went to a gas station.
6/5/22 - It appeared someone tried to break into a garage in Catawba.
6/5/22 - A woman reported harassment incidents that were occurring at her apartment complex in Prentice.
6/6/22 - A woman reported she was getting scam texts from someone posing as a friend of hers and asking her to buy gift cards and text the codes to the person.
6/6/22 - A woman reported that an adult woman had propositioned her 17 year old son.
6/9/22 - A man reported he had fallen asleep while driving in Kennan. He had minor injuries and did not believe he damaged any property.
6/9/22 - A woman reported someone tried to break into her storage unit in Prentice.
6/9/22 - A man reported having a green laser light shined into his eyes while traveling on Hwy. 13 between Fifield and Park Falls. He said it was not the first time it had occurred in the area.
6/10/22 - An ATV accident resulted in one juvenile being brought to the emergency room by his mother.
6/10/22 - A woman requested a welfare check on her father who messaged her a picture of his blackened ankle.
6/11/22 - A man reported someone on the side of the road with a laser, and the laser was pointed at the man's eyes.
6/11/22 - A man was seen beating up a female on North Fork bridge. The woman reporting the incident said the female flagged down a car and got in. The vehicle drove off. The male was screaming at the female and then began running/walking down the middle of the road after the woman in the vehicle.
6/12/22 - A man reported a woman being smashed in the head by a man. The woman did not want an ambulance.
6/12/22 - A male requested an officer because a man had hit him and was going after his siblings.
6/13/22 - A woman reported a car in a parking lot in Prentice that came there three times in the past week at a certain time. Other cars were there, and it appeared the people were possibly handing something through the windows.
6/16/22 - A man reported he was involved in a two vehicle accident in Fifield. He stated he rear-ended another vehicle when a car in front of them was turning and the man did not brake quickly enough. No injuries were reported.
Reports for the end of June 2022 were not received at the time of this publication.
(Article continues after promotional message) SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: Long Lake North offers premium vacation rentals in Phillips, Wisconsin. The rentals are located at 219 County Road F. For reservations, call 715-820-1283, visit Long Lake North's website, and follow the Facebook page.
PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT
6/3/22 - Helped the Price County Sheriff's Office apprehend a person who had an arrest warrant at a private residence in the City of Phillips.
6/3/22 - Received a report of a male subject acting strangely near a business on Peterson Drive. Caller reported the individual appeared to be on drugs or was intoxicated and was causing their clients to be concerned about his behavior. An officer responded to the area, located the individual, and warned him to stay off the property of the business.
6/3/22 - Phillips Police met with an adult male who stated that, while at a local business, another adult male was making inappropriate comments to his seven year old daughter.
6/5/22 - Assisted the Price County Sheriff's Department with a domestic situation in the township of Emery. An officer assisted the deputy who ultimately arrested an adult female for domestic abuse, disorderly conduct.
6/6/22 - Conducted a traffic control detail on Park Drive. An officer made numerous motorist contacts and advised the drivers of the detour on County Road D. The officer explained that Park Drive was closed to local traffic only. An officer warned all drivers that failure to comply with the sign is a violation of Wisconsin State statute.
6/7/22 - Received a complaint from a male adult who advised he believed someone poured an unknown chemical into his window. Officers arrived and looked the window over. Officers could not find where any liquid was poured into the window and the grass outside the window was not disturbed. Officers cleared from the residence after speaking with the complainant.
6/7/22 - Were advised of a sexual assault that occurred in the City of Phillips approximately two years ago. An officer spoke with the complainant who stated she was in contact with Embrace and did not know what she wanted to do yet. An investigation is ongoing.
6/9/22 - Received a report of a horse wandering loose in the City of Phillips near Peterson Drive and County Road D. The owner was contacted, and the horse was returned to the residence.
6/9/22 - Police were notified of three dogs at large. An officer was able to capture all three dogs. The officer discussed with the Price County Humane Officer what to do with the dogs. The officer returned the dogs to the owner and issued three dog at large citations and a correction order for dog licensing.
6/11/22 - Received a complaint of chickens being kept at a private residence in the City of Phillips in violation of a local ordinance. The incident is under investigation.
6/13/22 - Received a report of a vehicle that had come to a local hardware store and had multiple people sitting in lawn chairs in an enclosed trailer. The male individual just wanted an informational report of the incident.
6/21/22 - Advised by a male individual that he thought he heard someone on the roof of his residence. An officer patrolled the area and conducted foot patrol in the area and observed everything was okay.
6/21/22 - Received a complaint of a retail theft in the City of Phillips. An officer is investigating this matter.
6/23/22 - Assisted the Price County Sheriffs Department with a report of a physical altercation among three adult males. The officer investigated the situation until a Price County deputy arrived. The Price County deputies concluded their investigation and all parties involved did not want anything done. All parties were warned that if there was anything further and law enforcement needed to respond, that an arrest would be made. The officer was requested to respond a second time due to one of the subjects being disorderly. The officer arrested one male for disorderly conduct.
6/24/22 - A resident of the City of Phillips called to report vandalism to a vehicle which occurred overnight while parked in the yard of his residence. The incident is under investigation.
6/26/22 - The City of Phillips Police Department was dispatched to a private residence in the City of Phillips. The homeowner reported someone overnight had sprayed some sort of chemical onto his house. An officer responded and wasn't able to view the same activity described by the homeowner.
6/26/22 - The City of Phillips Police Department received a report of drug items and paraphernalia being located by a property owner in the City of Phillips while the home was being renovated from damage caused by the previous tenants. An officer responded and collected the items. The incident is under investigation.
6/27/22 - Assisted the Price County Sheriff's Department with a report of an adult female yelling outside a vehicle at a church parking lot. The vehicle drove away, and the female continued to yell. The officer and deputy contacted the adult female. The female stated that she was just upset and had told her mother to leave her alone. The adult female stated that she wanted to walk home. The officer contacted the mother and stated that she attempted to pick up the adult female and the adult female told her to leave.
6/28/22 - Received a report from a female individual that another female individual had disciplined her child without her consent. The female individual wanted a report for record of the incident.
6/28/22 - Dispatched to a residence in the City of Phillips. The homeowner reported someone had sprayed some sort of chemical into his residence. An officer responded and wasn't able to view the same activity described by the homeowner.
6/29/22 - Received a report from the Park Falls Police Department of a domestic abuse incident that occurred in the City of Phillips. One male was arrested for Domestic Abuse, Disorderly Conduct, Battery, and False Imprisonment. The male subject was transported to the Price County Jail for booking.
6/30/22 - Requested to respond to a residence in the City of Phillips for a black bear on a residential deck. The Phillips Police responded and while en route to the residence, the bear ran into the woods.
(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.
PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT
6/2/22 - A reporting party called 911 to report someone pounding on the outside of her house. Officers responded and were able to determine the pounding was coming from next door where the building owner was working on a remodeling project.
6/3/22 - A subject made a complaint regarding their neighbor yelling and talking to him. The subject wanted their neighbor to be told not to talk or yell at the subject.
6/4/22 - An officer assisted a Price County deputy on a traffic stop. A passenger of the vehicle had a warrant for their arrest. The passenger was arrested and transported to Price County Jail.
6/4/22 - Received a report of a women's bathroom being locked at Hines Park and that someone may be locked inside. An officer notified DPW and obtained a key for the bathroom. Everything was found to be okay, and no one was inside the bathroom.
6/8/22 - An officer assisted a Price County deputy in a warrant check. The suspect with the warrant was not home. The mother of the suspect was home, and the deputy smelled an odor of marijuana. The deputy was allowed to enter the residence and seized marijuana and a pipe.
6/8/22 - A report of vandalism in the men's restroom of the facilities at Tuscobia Park was made. Toilet paper was strewn about, cigarette butts left on the floor, and dirt was on the floor. The reporting party advised he cleaned up the mess and wanted a report for record.
6/8/22 - The Price County Sheriff's Office requested assistance with determining the nature of a call at the Tuscobia Trailhead. It was reported that there was yelling and multiple vehicles at the trailhead. Upon investigating, it was determined to be local young adults and juveniles parked in the parking lot. No criminal activity had occurred or was occurring
6/9/22 - Received a report of a possible break-in at the Little League concession stand. Damage to the door was photographed.
6/13/22 - An officer received information regarding a juvenile entering the church and drinking communion wine and taking wafers.
6/15/22 - A report was received of a bear hit on Hwy. 13 north of Park Falls. An officer and Price County deputy responded. There were no injuries. The bear was not located. The vehicle was still operable, but a crash report was required.
6/16/22 - A man was arrested for battery and misdemeanor bail jumping. Charges of disorderly conduct and felony/misdemeanor bail jumping to be referred to the district attorney for the female subject.
6/19/22 - A report was made of a victim being struck by a motor vehicle while on foot. No injury was sustained. The incident occurred approximately six months ago. The reporting party wished for report for record.
6/21/22 - There was an attempt to locate a fugitive murder suspect, possibly in the Park Falls/Price County area. The suspect was ultimately captured in Phillips.
6/22/22 - An open and unguarded pit was found on a Park Falls city parcel. This is in violation of Park Falls City Ordinance 11-6-5(I).
6/23/22 - An officer received a scam complaint from a subject who lost $350 to a scam where someone was selling dogs on a local Facebook group.
There was a single vehicle crash on County Hwy. F near Langham Lane in the Town of Sand Lake on Friday, July 22, 2022 at about 6:33 p.m.
A 1982 Chevrolet Corvette, driven by Raymond J. Wilcox, 62, of Stone Lake, Wisconsin, was traveling south on County Hwy. F. Eyewitnesses said the man tried to pass several vehicles at once, and, while doing so, his vehicle hit the gravel on the shoulder of the northbound lane. He likely over-corrected and entered the ditch on the southbound lane. His vehicle struck a tree. While livesaving efforts were performed by deputies, the man succumbed to his injuries at the crash scene.
Sawyer County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted by Sawyer County EMS, Stone Lake Fire Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol. The accident remains under investigation by the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office and the Sawyer County Coroner’s Office. Speed is believed to be a factor in the accident.
It's not really Christmas in July, but now is a great time to help The Santa's Elves Foundation, which is requesting donations to assist families during Christmas.
According to Debra Alexander, president of the foundation, "Our mission is to bring joy to the children of Price County at Christmastime. We provide gifts for the children of families that are going through financial hardships."
In 2021, 71 families with 194 children were given a brighter Christmas thanks to donations from the community.
According to Deb, the total number of families and children helped fluctuates every year. The foundation has helped as many as 300 children during past Christmases.
Finding room to store all the much-appreciated donations is another challenge, however. For that reason, the Santa's Elves Foundation started a building fund many years ago so they can have a permanent home. Deb shared, "We have been utilizing space in churches and area businesses throughout the past years. This is a difficult process as we have to be able to use the facility for six to eight weeks in order to setup, review, process, and distribute the gifts to the qualified families." The group has been researching purchasing an office trailer, mobile home, or some other permanent option. "We have had property donated to us, so we need a building where we can get heat, water, and electric. If someone has one they want to donate or sell at a very reasonable price range, that would be great. We would still have the expense of site prep, utilities, transportation, and labor," Deb added.
Santa's Elves Foundation is a 501-3c organization. You can mail your monetary donations to Santa's Elves Foundation, P.O. Box 127, Fifield, WI 54524 or donate via GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/f/christmas-che...c604758b74
Ashland County dispatch received multiple 911 calls around 12:26 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 2022. The calls reported an accident on US Hwy 2/Lakeshore Drive near Turner Road in the City of Ashland. The Ashland Police Department and Ashland Fire Department responded to the crash.
A preliminary investigation shows that the accident occurred when a vehicle driven by Wisconsin State Senator Janet Bewley, age 70 of Mason, Wisconsin, pulled out from Maslowski Beach turning east onto US Hwy 2. Janet's vehicle collided with a vehicle that was westbound on US 2 driven by Alyssa Ortman, age 27 of Clearfield, Pennsylvania. Alyssa's vehicle then spun across the highway where it was struck by an eastbound vehicle driven by Jodi Munson, age 45 of Mason, Wisconsin.
There were no injuries reported to Janet Bewley or Jodi Munson. However, Alyssa Ortman was transported to the hospital where she died due to her injuries. Her five year old daughter was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
The Ashland County Sheriff’s Department, Bayfield County Sheriff’s Department, Ashland County Highway Department, Bayfield County Highway Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Ashland Public Works, Bad River First Responders, and Mason Fire Department all assisted with the road closure or the accident scene.
UPDATE - October 19, 2022:
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by Brandon Fink, the father of the 5-year old girl, Khaleesi, who died on July 22, 2022 in the car crash. The lawsuit is against Janet Bewley and three insurance companies.
A crash report by the Ashland Police Department states Janet was distracted by her hands-free mobile phone at the time of the crash.
UPDATE - October 26, 2022:
After law enforcement reconstructed the scene and looked at evidence contained in the vehicles, it is reported that Alyssa Ortman was traveling at about 100 MPH at the time of the crash.
On the morning of Tuesday, July 12, 2022, Jamie Goffard noticed a 3-year old child standing in water. No adult was present, and the child was unable to speak. Jamie picked the child out of the water and began efforts to locate an adult or parent of the child.
Deputy Logan Pontbriand arrived on the scene and attempted to assist in locating the parent or a member of the child’s family.
The deputy found an open door at a condominium nearby. After some investigation, the deputy discovered the autistic boy's grandmother was not aware he had left the condominium.
It is believed that Jamie's quick thinking and efforts saved the boy’s life. The Vilas County Sheriff's Office presented Jamie with a Citizen Lifesaving Award and remarked they are thankful for his efforts.
