A 33 year old Tomahawk man was arrested Christmas Eve on a criminal traffic charge. A deputy was on patrol on County Rd CC when he saw a can of Redi-Whip whip cream get tossed from the driver’s side window of the vehicle. The deputy activated his emergency lights and the vehicle being driven by Matthew T. Manka slowed and as it began to pull over struck a mailbox. The deputy noted the odor of an intoxicant and placed Manka through field sobriety tests. As a result of those tests he was arrested on a second offense charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Manka was later brought to the Lincoln County Jail where he was held for several hours before being released to a responsible party.
A 51 year old Merrill man was arrested Christmas morning on a charge of disorderly conduct after deputies responded to a disturbance in the Town of Merrill. Just after 11 a.m. a 911 call reported the incident on Vista Drive. When deputies arrived they took Dean S. Gille into custody on the misdemeanor charge. He was booked into the Lincoln County Jail and later released after posting a cash bond.
Deputies are seeking the public’s help after a burglary was reported in the Town of Wilson. During the early morning hours of Wednesday, Dec. 26, the proprietor of Sportslands Tavern, W8995 US Hwy 8, arrived to find the business had been burglarized; most likely on Christmas day. Forced entry was made and a safe containing cash had been removed from the business. Deputies were able to collect evidence at the scene but are asking that anyone with information on this crime, or anyone who saw any suspicious activity around the tavern over the Christmas Holiday call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 715-453-5747 or 715-536-6272. Callers may also call Crime Stoppers at 715-536-3726. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
The Merrill Fire Department and deputies responded to a vehicle fire on Wednesday afternoon in the Town of Merrill. A cell 911 call reported the fire on County Rd R just east of Landfill Lane at 3:07 p.m. When firefighters arrived on the scene they found the 2007 Chevy Silverado engulfed in flames. Deputies provided traffic control and summonsed the Lincoln County Highway Department to clean up the roadway after firefighters extinguished the fire.
A 46 year old Merrill man was arrested Thursday afternoon at his Town of Merrill home on a warrant charge. Deputies took Dan L. Graap into custody at 4 p.m. on a warrant for contempt of court in Lincoln County. Graap was brought to the Lincoln County Jail where he was able to post bond and was later released.
Snow caused problems on the roadways Friday night. A slow steady snow moved into the area in the morning hours and continued on into Saturday causing several vehicles to leave the roadway. At 5:38 p.m. a cell 911 call reported a vehicle that had left the roadway and crashed on US Hwy 51 north of Lincoln Drive. The occupants of the vehicle were not injured. As deputies worked to control that scene several other vehicles left the roadway; most in a stretch between Lincoln Drive and County Rd J at Irma. The Lincoln County Highway Department worked to clear the roadways but despite their efforts Deputies investigated two crashes and nine slide-off’s during a twelve-hour period.
A 34 year old Merrill man was arrested and several other people will be referred to the Lincoln County District Attorney after deputies responded to a report of a fight Friday evening in the Town of Birch. Just after 6 p.m. a 911 call reported the incident on Grundy Rd. When deputies arrived they learned a verbal disagreement between female siblings led to the altercation in which the victim was struck in the head by Jeremy M. Woller. Woller admitted to the deputy that he struck the victim who suffered head injuries. Woller was brought to the Lincoln County Jail where he was able to post bond and be released. According to the deputy’s report other charges were likely to occur from the incident.
Winter burning rules are now in effect. You can burn any day of the week at any hour of the day with proper snow coverage. Nineteen people phoned this past week to report they would be burning. You are reminded if you are burning in a well traveled area you should phone the Sheriff’s Office to let the 911 center know. 715-536-6272 or 715-453-5747.
Two people were injured after a crash Sunday afternoon in the Town of Rock Falls. A cell 911 call reported the incident on Tug Lake Ave west of Resort Lane at 1:08 p.m. According to the deputy’s report a vehicle being driven by 45 year old Eva Bentley of Tomahawk was traveling on Tug Lake Ave when she struck a vehicle pulling out from a driveway that was being driven by 60 year old Wayne R. Kottke of Athens. Both drivers were injured in the crash. They were transported by Merrill EMS to Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
A 56 year old Merrill man was taken into custody Sunday afternoon after a cell 911 call reported a possible impaired driver in the Town of Schley. Deputies and EMS responded to County Rd C at Holdorff Rd after a caller reported a man who was sitting in the middle of the intersection that was unresponsive. When Ddputies and EMS arrived they found Lamar Jay Stapleton behind the wheel and noted the smell of intoxicants and an open bottle of vodka. Due to his level of intoxication Stapleton was unable to perform field sobriety tests and had to be transported to Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center where a blood test was conducted. Stapleton was left under the care of the hospital after he was cited for a first offense of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
A 36 year old Merrill man was arrested Sunday evening on several charges after deputies responded to a disturbance in the Town of Merrill. A cell 911 call reported the incident in the 2000 block of County Rd K. According to the victim Timothy Kaufman became upset and caused injuries after an argument in the residence. Kaufman was brought to the Lincoln County Jail where he was charged with disorderly conduct, battery and two felony counts of bail jumping for violating terms of bonds in Marathon County and Lincoln County where he faces charges of OWI fourth, bail jumping and violating a restraining order. Kaufman will be held for a bond hearing Wednesday in Lincoln County Court.
Nine people reported striking deer this past week in Lincoln County.