Lincoln County Sheriff's Department reports

A 59 year old Arpin man was arrested Monday afternoon after a cell 911 caller reported a reckless driver on State Rd 17 in the Town of Merrill. At 4:20 p.m. the 911 caller reported a pickup truck traveling near Hinz Rd that was all over the roadway. When the deputy intercepted the vehicle it turned onto County Rd G and then immediately turned onto Pine Ave going onto private property. When contact was made with the driver Steven J. Rennhack, the deputy detected signs of intoxication. Rennhack was placed through field sobriety tests and taken into custody on a second offense charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. That charge could be changed to a third offense as Rennhack is already facing a second offense count after an arrest in Adam's County. Rennhack was brought to the Lincoln County Jail where he was booked in on a charge of bail jumping for violating the bond in Adam's County which required absolute sobriety. He was released after posting cash bond.

A 43 year old Menasha man was taken into custody after a one vehicle crash Monday night in the Town of King. At 7:44 p.m. a cell 911 caller reported a vehicle in the ditch on County Rd A at Pickeral Creek Rd and the driver appeared to be unconscious. Tomahawk EMS, Tomahawk Fire Department, Troopers from the Wisconsin State Patrol and a deputy all responded to the crash. Michael A. Sipin eventually refused transport from Tomahawk EMS. He was placed through field sobriety tests and taken into custody by the Trooper for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated first offense, with an enhancer for having a passenger under the age of 16 in the vehicle. Sipin was later brought to the Lincoln County Jail where he was released to a responsible party.

Tomahawk Firefighters were called out Tuesday morning after a tree branch crossed over power lines and caused a fire. A passerby reported the arcing and sparking branch on County Rd A near South Twin Lake Rd to 911 at 11:43 a.m. Tomahawk Firefighters were on the scene for less than half an hour before Wisconsin Public Service arrived to work on the line.

Merrill Firefighters and a deputy responded to a reported fire in the Town of Merrill Tuesday afternoon. Neighbors on Balsam Blvd saw flames coming from the rear of the home next door and dialed 911 at 2:45 p.m., they then armed themselves with fire extinguishers and ran over and put out the fire. The fire was confined to an outdoor hot tub. According to the deputy's report the fire may have been caused by an electrical malfunction. Firefighters were on the scene for less than 20 minutes. No injuries were reported.

A 54 year old Merrill man was arrested Tuesday evening after deputies investigated a battery complaint in the Town of Merrill. At 7 p.m. a 911 call reported that Arden L. Pooch had come to a home in the 2000 block of County Rd K and struck two people. Pooch was later located at his home off of Pope Rd in the Town of Merrill. He denied striking anyone and claimed he had not been drinking as witnesses reported. A breath test showed Pooch had been drinking violating terms of his probation. Pooch was brought to the Lincoln County Jail where he was booked in on two counts of battery. He remains jailed on a probation hold.

A 19 year old Schofield man was taken into custody Tuesday evening after a 911 cell caller reported a possible impaired driver. An officer from the Merrill Police Department and a deputy were searching for the vehicle after it was reported to be parked in the lane of traffic on County Rd Q south of Merrill in the Town of Scott. A deputy caught up to and stopped Troy D. Miller after he saw his vehicle pulled over to the side of the road just into Marathon County on US Hwy 51. When the deputy stopped behind the vehicle and activated his emergency lights the vehicle sped off reaching a speed of 80 MPH before stopping again. The deputy noted the vehicle was driving off the side of the road onto the rumble strips as it went south. Miller was placed through field sobriety tests and taken into custody on a first offense of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Miller was later brought to the Lincoln County Jail where he was held overnight before being released to a responsible party. Deputies reported a quiet Fourth of July holiday. Traffic throughout Lincoln County was busy during the week with over 30 disabled or stopped motorists were checked on and numerous traffic stops were conducted. The Rec. Deputy reported the county's waterways were packed throughout the week but very few problems were noted. Only a small amount of complaints were received during the week about fireworks but those complaints increased as the week went on. In several cases the parties shooting off the fireworks had proper permits from their towns.

Heat caused more problems on US Hwy 51 on Thursday as pavement began to buckle near County Rd A. A cell 911 caller reported the trouble just after 4 p.m. A Trooper stood by while the Lincoln County Highway Department made temporary repairs.

A 70 year old Medford man received minor injuries after a motorcycle crash Sunday afternoon in the Town of Merrill. Deputies and EMS responded to the State Rd 107 north of Strawberry Lane after a 911 call reported the crash at 4:36 p.m. According to the deputy, Lee D. Schuster was traveling north on State Rd 107 when he slid out on rain soaked pavement. Schuster refused medical transport from the Merrill ambulance that responded to the scene.