POLICE REPORTS: FEBRUARY 2025

[My Northern Wisconsin]

   

Reports received by the police departments in Price County for the month have been condensed and summarized.

PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

JANUARY 2025, ADDITIONAL REPORTS RECEIVED:

1-28-25:  A Phillips man stated he arrived home and found his wife deceased with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

1-30-25:  A Phillips man reported being scammed out of $600 through a fraudulent bank account.  He stated he had been in contact with a female who told the man she worked on a cruise ship.  The female had the man open a checking account, and make her a trustee on said account, so she could withdraw money from wherever she was.  He had since discovered one of the accounts the female was using did not have correct account numbers, and the account did not exist.

(Article continues after promotional message)

   
JUSTIN LINDGREN, PHILLIPS SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE:  Justin Lindgren feels he is qualified to be a school board member because he has been a teacher and has completed coursework in school administration.  He feels he has the insight on both sides to see what needs to be fixed.  He is calling for change, transparency, and communication on the school board.  "I have spent 12 years serving both the community and the school district, and I would be honored to have the opportunity to continue this."  Learn more about Justin at Vote Lindgren.

FEBRUARY 2025

2-2-25:  A Phillips man called to report that a deer was hit just east of Catawba, and there were pieces of it all over the road on US Hwy. 8.  Dispatch made contact with the Price County Highway Department for removal.

2-3-25:  A Prentice woman called reporting fraud. She advised her bank contacted her stating there was a $1,000 charge for Discover Card from that day.  When dispatch asked who she believed may have had access to her information, she stated the whole United States had access to the information.

2-4-25:  Investigated a possible sex offense.

2-4-25:  A Catawba woman called to report she had contacted Amazon for a return but was advised she had reached her return limit, and they were not able to refund her card.  She said the individual told her she needed to use Venmo or CashApp.  She used CashApp.  The woman stated she was now at a loss of about $1,900 and stated the person could see all of her bank accounts and told her to withdraw $11,000 as hackers were in her account.  She said the person told her to not tell her bank as they would tell her to close the account, but the hackers would just follow any new accounts she opened as they had her personal information.  She had closed her accounts but was unsure what to do from there.

2-5-25:  A Prentice woman contacted dispatch to speak to either Deputy Sean Peterson or Sheriff Brian Schmidt in reference to an incident that occurred on January 15, 2025, in the Village of Prentice.  She stated her neighbor had called 911 on her in that incident and had been harassing her since.  That made the caller feel unsafe, and she stated the woman had chased her up the stairs, which caused her to have to retreat back into her apartment, and she said the woman had ways of listening to her phone calls.  The woman called back, wondering where deputies were, as dispatch had told her it would take approximately fifteen minutes for deputies to get to her, and it had been eighteen minutes.  She stated the woman was in the laundry room, and said, "This is how she does it," and she had been doing "it" for two solid years, and believed the woman was a danger to herself, as well as everyone in the apartment building.  Deputies Jacob Lex and Dakota Haberman responded.

2-5-25:  A Tomahawk man called to report his mother-in-law was a victim of a scam in which she lost $14,000.  He stated she received a text the day prior that there was an issue with her Apple Pay account and was then instructed to purchase Bitcoin in Park Falls.  The machine was not working.  She then went to Wausau, purchased Bitcoin, and stopped at her son-in-law's home on her way back from Wausau.

2-5-25:  An investigator was provided information regarding a possible sex offense.

2-5-25:  A search warrant was executed in Park Falls.

2-6-25:  A Catawba man reported an erratic driver in a gray Jeep.  He passed the female driver and pulled into a driveway, but she blocked the driveway, shouted at him, and then drove off.  The man then left shortly thereafter, and he said the woman was following him to Hawkins.  A woman then called to report she was being harassed by people unknown to her while she was driving, but she was extremely difficult to understand.  She advised there was harassment of elderly people, as well.

2-9-25:  A Colby man reported he was on a snowmobile trail, and he believed he was having a heart attack.  The man was confused and did not know where he was.  Emergency services responded.

2-9-25:  A deputy investigated a sex offense.

2-11-25:  A Phillips woman called to report she received a call at her work stating she missed jury duty.  She stated it was a male who called and stated if she hung up that she would be cited.  She stated the male wanted her date of birth and that was when she hung up.

2-11-25:  A Park Falls woman reported a deer was lying in the middle of the road.  She was unsure if the deer was injured or dead, but it was a traffic hazard.

2-12-25:  A man called to report a vehicle was in the ditch at the intersection of State Highway 70 and Hemlock Road.  No one was injured.  The vehicle, a silver Traverse, appeared to be hung up on the culvert.  The driver was attempting to make contact with someone with a truck to come pull him out.  The caller was a law enforcement officer and thought the vehicle was in a precarious position.  He didn't know what the driver was doing.  He did not see the driver, but there were two other male subjects with the vehicle.  An officer patrolled the county line but did not locate the vehicle in the ditch.

2-12-25:  A Catawba man called to report there was a vehicle driving on State Highway 8 and Woodlawn Road that swerved into oncoming traffic and almost hit another vehicle head-on.  He stated the vehicle was then driving at an accelerated rate of speed.  He stated he would continue to follow the vehicle.  He stated the vehicle was a silver Chevrolet Cruz and gave the license plate number.

2-13-25:  An Ogema man called to report there was a vehicle in the ditch between Hultman Lake Road and County Road C.  He said he saw fresh footprints in the snow, and it appeared the driver walked away from the vehicle, a black SUV.

2-13-25:  A Phillips man called to report the mother of his child was at his home trying to pick up the child, but she was intoxicated, and he did not believe she would use the breathalyzer he had.

2-13-25:  A Prentice man called to report a woman was staying at his residence when she was not allowed there.  He stated another woman, who was supposed to move out before Christmas, invited her to move into his residence.  He stated there was a 9 mm and ammunition missing, and the woman possibly had access to other firearms in the residence.  He said he walked next door.

2-15-25:  A caller reported snowmobiles driving in the middle of the roadway near a residence in the Town of Flambeau.  The caller did not see the number of snowmobiles or if they were coming or going from the residence.

2-15-25:  A Schaumburg, IL man called 911 for a woman who crashed a snowmobile into a tree.  She was alert and conscious but had wrist and chest pain.  There were no other signs of obvious injuries.

2-15-25:  A Phillips man called 911 to report a large lab was chasing his vehicle.  He stated the dog was biting at his tires and had jumped on his vehicle.  He said the dog stopped and remained in the center of the road.  Police did not observe a dog chasing vehicles upon responding to the area.

2-15-25:  A Minocqua woman reported a dark-colored Jeep Wrangler traveling west on State Highway 70.  She said the vehicle was driving in the opposite lane, and she was unsure if it was due to the weather or the driver being impaired.

2-16-25:  A Park Falls man called 911 from a bar to report someone in a blue Ford truck was threatening him.  He said the individual was going to put a laser
on his head and shoot him.  He said he went to look outside for the truck, and it turned out the individual was making threats from Wisconsin Rapids.

2-16-25:  A Kennan man reported two men, who he has not talked to in years, were stealing his firewood.

2-16-25:  A Phillips man reported a chimney fire at his residence.  Fifield Fire Department was requested for manpower with air packs and a tanker.  Pike Lake Fire Department was requested due to Fifield not having enough manpower.

2-18-25:  An Ashland man called 911 to advise he was rear-ended.  He stated the vehicle that rear-ended him rolled over, but that he and the other driver were out of their vehicles and able to walk around.  Dispatch asked if the man could have the driver of the roll-over sit down.  He stated the driver was sitting in his truck.  While dispatch was on the phone with him, he stated another vehicle hit the vehicle that was rolled over.

2-18-25:  A Park Falls man reported his house was on fire, and he believed it was in the attic.  He and his wife left the house.  Power companies were contacted, and Park Falls Fire Department requested Fifield Fire Department for manpower and Butternut Fire Department for manpower and air packs.

2-18-25:  The Park Falls Fire Department reported that when one of the fire trucks left the fire they were fighting, the driver backed into a red truck that was parked behind them.  It was not reported immediately, because they were cold and wanted to get back to the hall.

2-19-25:  A deputy spoke with a subject regarding a sex offense that occurred in the Town of Worcester.

2-22-25:  A Park Falls man called to report he received a phone call stating there was a water main leak on County Road B and County Road E.  He stated he went out to the area to investigate and confirmed it was a septic leak.  He was concerned, because he had water basins out in the area and didn't want that running into his water basins.

(Article continues after promotional message)


ANTHONY SLECK, TOWN OF WORCESTER CHAIRMAN CANDIDATE:  If elected chairman, Anthony said, "I pledge to uphold the will of the residents, ensuring their tax dollars are managed wisely and their concerns are addressed with integrity. My leadership style is grounded in common sense, accountability, and a long-term vision for Worcester's success, and I am ready to serve the residents."  Learn more about Anthony at Voice of Worcester 2.0.

PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT

JANUARY 2025, ADDITIONAL REPORTS RECEIVED:

1-28-25:  Received a complaint from a Flambeau Avenue resident who advised her neighbor had a company cut part of a tree that was on the property line and now the company wants her to pay for removal of her half of the tree.  The woman wanted it on record in case they damaged any of her property.  Later that day, police responded to the same residence, and the female individual indicated her male neighbor had violated the stalking/harassment warning letter that was issued to him in May of 2024.  An officer interviewed the female victim and arrested the male for violating the stalking/harassment letter.  The male individual was brought to the Price County Jail and was booked and released.

1-30-25:  Asked for assistance with checking several residences for a truant student.  An officer and the school principal checked on two residences with negative results. Additional follow up will be done.

1-31-25:  Escorted the Phillips dance team, who had made it to state competition.

FEBRUARY 2025

2-2-25:  Received a report from a citizen who advised they had allowed a person to use their vehicle, and the vehicle had not yet been returned.  The caller asked if an officer could make contact with the other party to return the vehicle.  An officer attempted contact via phone and received no response.  An officer requested Park Falls Police Department to attempt contact.  The vehicle was located.

2-4-25:  Received a complaint from an adult female on Victoria Street who advised her neighbor, who had been harassing her, moved her recycle bins to her house and was shoveling her stoop by her driveway.  The woman wanted the male warned to stay off her property.

2-7-25:  Responded to a three-vehicle accident on Shaw Street at Woodfield Boulevard.  The vehicles included a Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, and Dodge Dakota.  There were no injuries and no road blockage.  An officer collected statements and took photographs.  A state accident report was to be completed.

2-9-25:  Learned of a local establishment on North Lake Avenue serving underage personnel alcohol. This matter is being investigated further.

2-10-25:  Received a report of a driver's license found in a person's vehicle that did not belong to the vehicle's owner.  An officer spoke with the adult female who advised they did not know the person on the driver's license.  The officer will attempt to locate the owner of the driver's license.

2-13-25:  Asked to conduct a welfare check on an elderly male who was not heard from since the day prior.  An officer made contact with the male and was advised he was fine and out to a dinner party.

2-13-25:  Asked to conduct a welfare check at a residence on Forest Avenue as the caller stated there was an argument at the residence and the living conditions at the residence were not good.  An officer arrived at the residence and spoke with the mother who stated she had an argument over the phone with her daughter who resides in Medford now, and her boyfriend was playing games.  The officer observed the residence was neat and orderly and cleared from the residence.

2-14-25:  Advised of a female individual who was looking to get her child back from the child's father.  An officer was advised there was no child custody agreement in place and the father was awaiting a DNA test.  The officer advised the father that he needed to return the child to the mother as he is not on the birth certificate and did not have rights to the child.  The father agreed and stated he would meet the mother the following day.

2-15-25:  Received a fraud complaint from a man who advised someone in Madison tried to buy a phone with his account information through Verizon.  The store clerk caught the fraudulent purchase and notified the local authorities.

2-18-25:  Observed a large fire in a resident's backyard on South Avon Avenue.  The officer made contact with the property owner who stated that they had been burning a large tree limb that had fallen and had put a piece of paneling on the fire.  The officer warned the resident about the city's burning ordinance, and the resident stated that they would not add to the fire and keep it contained.

2-20-25:  Performed a welfare check on an adult male who had been moving pictures upside down, moving furniture around, and talking to himself at an apartment building. An officer met with the adult male tenant and spoke with him at length.  The officer did not determine the male was a danger to himself or others.

2-26-25:  Assisted the Price County Sheriff's Office with arresting an adult female on Eyder Avenue for delivery of illicit drugs.

2-26-25:  Received a phone call regarding an adult female coming to her residence and opening the mailbox and walking across the street and opening neighbors' mailboxes.

2-27-25:  Asked to assist the Price County Sheriff's Department with a male individual who had possibly broken into the trucker's lounge at a truck stop outside the City of Phillips.  Officers cleared the building and located the male individual and detained him.  The male was questioned and released.

2-28-25:  Received a report of a fire that had re-ignited at an address in the City of Phillips where there had been a controlled burn.  The officer had the Price County Dispatch Center page the Phillips Fire Department, and the fire was put out.

(Article continues after promotional message)


The Phillips Public Library, located at 286 Cherry Street in Phillips, has a new tiered library card system.  View the library's website for more information.

PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT

2-4-25:  An officer was given information by Price County Dispatch that a person was picked up from the Ashland County Sheriff's Department by an individual that he isn't supposed to have contact with per his felony bond conditions.  It was believed that these people were coming back to Park Falls.  Officers and deputies waited for their arrival back to the city, but no sign of them or their vehicle was located.

2-5-25:  Officers assisted the Price County Sheriff's Office and SRT Team with the execution of a search warrant on a residence in Park Falls.  One female suspect was taken into custody upon drug charges, who attempted to flee the residence on foot.  One male suspect was taken into custody upon drug charges at a different location.

2-7-25:  An officer responded to a vehicle which struck a parked vehicle in a parking lot.

2-8-25:  An officer checked a vehicle parked in the middle of the road near STH 13 on Wells Street.  The officer discovered that the vehicle had been involved in a crash with a light pole, and the operator did not report the accident.

2-8-25:  Officers responded to the report of a snowmobile roll-over.  Officers arrived on scene and observed the location of the roll-over.  Officers found the snowmobile and operator were not in the area and departed the scene of the crash.

2-19-25:  A loitering warning was issued to a male using the vestibule of the library to sleep.

2-20-25:  A person reported flashlights being seen where a structure fire occurred some time ago.  Upon arrival, no one was in the area.  No other suspicious activity was identified.

2-22-25:  Received a report of damage being done to mailboxes in the Tuscobia Trailer Park.  The park manager was notified, and the case was to be left open.

2-23-25:  Price County Dispatch informed an officer of a two-vehicle accident.  A crash report was created.

2-25-25:  A male called to inform the police department that he had been threatened with a gun by another male.  The caller did not wish to disclose any further details and did not want an investigation completed; he only wanted to notify the police.

2-27-25:  Officers were dispatched to the attached area for a physical altercation between two males in the street.  The witness explained that two younger males were physically fighting in the roadway and then they both got back into the same vehicle and left northbound.  Officers responded and couldn't locate the suspect vehicle or any evidence that the altercation had taken place besides the witness's statement.  At no time did any victim report any altercation to the police department.  Officers returned to service without locating the parties involved.


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.