REPORT FROM THE LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

For two weeks, until June 9, 2024

On 05/27/2024, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office received a complaint of a reckless driver on USH 51 near mile marker 229 in the Town of Tomahawk. The suspect vehicle, a black Chevrolet Tahoe, was reported to be traveling all over the roadway. An officer located the suspect vehicle a short time later and followed it, noticing some of the same driving behaviors. The deputy stopped the suspect vehicle on USH 51 near CTH K in the Town of Birch. Upon contact with the driver, a 58-year-old man from Portage, the deputy noticed signs of impairment. The deputy subjected the driver to a series of standard field sobriety tests and, following those tests, placed the man under arrest for a first-time OWI offense. The driver was then handed over to a responsible person.

On 05/31/2024, the Sheriff's Office received a report of a domestic physical disturbance at an address located on STH 86 in Tomahawk Township. It was reported that the victim, a 35-year-old Tomahawk woman, had gotten into an argument with her brother, a 34-year-old Athens man. During these disturbances, the brother strangled his sister, causing her injuries. The victim then went to the emergency room to treat his injuries. The suspect had left the scene before the arrival of law enforcement. The male subject was then located by Marathon County Sheriff's Deputies and taken into custody, then released to Lincoln County Deputies. The suspect was subsequently booked into the Lincoln County Jail on this charge.

On 06/01/2024, the Sheriff's Office received a complaint of reckless driving on USH 51 near mile marker 212 in Merrill Township. It was reported that the suspect vehicle, a black SUV, while pulling a pontoon boat, spun and then continued on its way. The pontoon boat reportedly partially detached from the trailer in the process. Before the deputy located the suspect vehicle, the Sheriff's Office received a second complaint about this vehicle regarding more poor driving behavior. Once located, the deputy stopped the vehicle driven by a man from Sugar Grove, Illinois. Upon making contact with the driver, the deputy noticed signs of impairment. The deputy then subjected the subject to a series of standard field sobriety tests. As a result of these tests, the driver was placed under arrest for a first OWI offense. The driver was then handed over to a responsible person.

On 06/02/2024, the Sheriff's Office received a complaint of violation of a court order at an address on Maple Rd. in Merrill Township. It was reported that the suspect, a 25-year-old Merrill man, was ordered by Lincoln County Court to avoid the Maple Road address. At the time of the call, the suspect was at the address he had been ordered to stay away from. Upon arriving at that address, he located the suspect and took him into custody on one count of felony bail jumping and one count of misdemeanor bail jumping. He was transported to the Lincoln County Jail.

On 6/3/2024, the Sheriff's Office received a report of two missing juveniles in the CTH E area of ​​the Town of Bradley. It was reported that two juveniles were looking for transportation and were unsure of their exact location on CTH E. Officers checked multiple locations and addresses on CTH E without locating the individuals. It was discovered that the minors had sneaked out of the house when the parents were asleep. The couple was later located on South Gate Dr. in the Town of Tomahawk. Both juveniles were returned to their parents and Lincoln County Social Services was notified of the circumstances.

On 6/3/2024, the Sheriff's Office received a report of a man with a gun in the W4700 block of CTH C in the Town of Merrill. It was reported that a man was seen walking along the road, dressed in camouflage clothing and carrying what was described as an AR15 long gun. The police went to the scene, located the subject and made contact with him. The subject, a 22-year-old man from Merrill, told deputies he was doing Vietnam re-enactments and was preparing for just that. The subject showed his long gun to officers who determined that it was not a real weapon and that he did not have live ammunition on him. The subject was informed of the complaints filed with the Sheriff's Office and was advised to report such activity next time before doing his reenactments.

On 6/3/2024, deputies were dispatched to the area of ​​Big Eddy Rd. and Center Road. in the town of Pine River following a traffic accident causing injuries. The investigation revealed that a vehicle driven by a 30-year-old man from Rothschild was traveling southbound on Big Eddy Road. when he failed to negotiate a turn at the Big Eddy Road intersection. and Center Road. The vehicle entered a private driveway and struck a group of trees. When police arrived on scene, they found that the subject was unconscious but breathing. The driver was transported to Aspirus Merrill Hospital. The driver was cited for failing to maintain control of his car.

On 06/06/2024, the Sheriff's Office received a report of a crash with injuries on CTH MM near Cedar Rd. in the Town of Corning. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a straight truck was being driven by a 34-year-old Fargo man, N. Dak. For unknown reasons, the vehicle left the roadway and struck a group of trees. The driver was seriously injured and was transported by Lifelink helicopter to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. The truck was a transport truck carrying Amazon packages. The accident is still under investigation.

On 07/06/2024, a deputy on patrol stopped a vehicle for speeding on Wintergreen Road. near Raspberry Ln. in the town of Pine River. When he was stopped, the officer made contact with the driver, a 60-year-old man from Merrill. Upon contact with the driver, the officer noted signs of impairment. The driver was then subjected to a series of standard field sobriety tests and, as a result of these tests, he was arrested for a third OWI offense. The man was transported to the Lincoln County Jail, where he was released to corrections officers.

On 06/08/2024, a deputy on patrol stopped a vehicle for lane departure on STH 64 near Range Line Rd. in the Town of Pine River. When he was stopped, the officer made contact with the driver, a 71-year-old man from Merrill. Upon contact with the driver, the officer noted signs of impairment. The driver was then subjected to a series of standard field sobriety tests and, as a result of those tests, he was arrested for OWI. The man was transported to the Lincoln County Jail, where he was released to corrections officers.

On 09/06/2024, the Sheriff's Office received a response and investigated a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred on USH 51. (See separate article.)

On 06/10/2024, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office received a call regarding a physical domestic disturbance in progress at an address on First Avenue in the Town of Russell. It was reported that a 20-year-old Antigo man took a truck owned by his father, a 55-year-old Gleason man. As the younger man drove away in the vehicle, the vehicle's rearview mirror struck the older man's face and the tire rolled onto his foot. No charges have been filed at this time and deputies are still investigating this case.

During that two-week period, officers conducted 75 traffic stops and 56 safety stops and responded to 25 car-deer crashes. The 911 Center received 9 hang-up calls and 14 nuisance calls during this same period.