Just before noon on Thursday, February 8, 2024, the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department received a report of a missing 68-year old woman who had gone for a walk but had not returned.
The tribal police initiated its search protocol. Officers attempted to locate the woman, who reportedly has dementia. Area responders provided aid, and the Newbold Fire Department Search and Rescue offered their highly-trained search and rescue dogs to the effort.
About five hours after the report was received, Vilas County Deputy Julie Mootz received information that a woman matching that description was seen walking on County Hwy. H near East Boundary Road, which is a desolate area.
The tribal police were forwarded the information and responded to the scene. The officer saw a woman who appeared cold, disheveled, and somewhat wet. The woman stated she had walked across a lake, and her tracks were later found extending from the lake. The woman was not in need of medical treatment, and she was returned safely to her home.
The Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police stated, "We are extremely thankful for the happy ending to today’s long search and very grateful to all those who assisted. The Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department and the Lac du Flambeau Tribe would like to thank Newbold Fire Department Search and Rescue, Vilas County Sheriff’s Office and Dispatch, Lac du Flambeau Emergency Management, Lac du Flambeau Fire and Ambulance Department, Lac du Flambeau Conservation Law Department, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Civil Air Patrol, and Vilas County Emergency Management. A special thanks to Vilas County Deputy Julie Mootz for going above and beyond to locate the missing woman."
The January 2024 RED winners from Park Falls Elementary School of the Chequamegon School District are from Mrs. Larson's kindergarten class. They read the most minutes out of all the classes in the elementary school for January.
January's Pop Tabs winner is Mrs. Olson's class. They collected over 37.3 pounds of tabs in January. All pop tabs benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Marshfield.
Park Village offers affordable, active living in a park-like setting for those 55+ and disabled persons in Park Falls. Rent is based on 30% Adjusted Gross Income. Small pets under 30 pounds are welcome. Contact Park Village at 715-762-4747.
The January Eagle Award winners were announced at Park Falls Elementary School.
According to the Chequamegon School District, "For the month of January, these students distinguished themselves as being kind at school."
Front row, left to right: Reed Damrow, Cole Eimermann, Koji Sohl, Quinn Kontny, Serenity Isham, Brantly Doyle, Max Barylski, Atea Sibanuz, and Jayla Hilgart
Back row, left to right: Layla Gokee, Jaylnn Crom, Leland Rabauliman, Alana Mwangin, Andy Overturff, Jackson Larson, and The Screaming Eagle
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At 5:50 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, Rusk County 911 Center received a call about a two-vehicle accidnt on Hwy. 8 near Townline Road, west of Ladysmith.
Emergency services responded to the scene.
It was discovered that a 2019 Chevy Tahoe, which was driven by Gregory Davis, 59, Ladysmith, was traveling westbound on Hwy. 8. While slowing down to make a right-hand turn, a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Kai Rasmussen, 35, Bruce, hit Davis' vehicle from behind.
After the crash, the car driven by Rasmussen was disabled in the road with no working tail lights. He and his passenger, Robert Merta, 18, Ladysmith, attempted to push the vehicle off the road. Another westbound vehicle, a 2017 Ford Escape driven by Mark Western, 62, Cameron, crashed into them. Rasmussen sustained fatal injuries due to the second crash.
Responding agencies included Rusk County Sheriff's Office, Ladysmith Fire Department, Ladysmith Police Department, Rusk County Ambulance Service, the Rusk County Medical Examiner, and Life Link III.
The crash was reconstructed by the Wisconsin State Patrol - Traffic Reconstruction Unit.
The crash is under investigation by the Rusk County Sheriff's Office.
At 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, a 911 call was received in Rusk County about a two vehicle accident on Olesiak Road, West of Weyerhaeuser.
A westbound Jeep, driven by Jorge Sanchez-Tzanahua, 21, Rice Lake, collided with an eastbound semi driven by Steven Nasholm, 35, Clayton.
Nasholm died due to injuries sustained in the crash.
Sanchez-Tzanahua was taken to the Rusk County Jail. He is charged with Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Motor Vehicle and OWI 2nd.
Rusk County deputies, Ladysmith Ambulance, Weyerhaeuser First Responders, Weyerhaeuser Fire, and Wisconsin State Patrol responded to the accident scene.
At 1:19 p.m. on January 24, 2024, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a one vehicle accident at the intersection of Winter Sports Road and Spruce Lake Road in the Town of Grover. The caller stated the vehicle was off the road. There was a large amount of blood in the vehicle. Taylor County deputies, along with EMS and Fire, were dispatched.
Upon arrival, it was determined that Zachary Dunn, 41, Medford, was deceased. However, his death was not caused by the accident. Rather, his death was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, the investigation determined that "Dunn was operating the vehicle and was traveling southbound on Winter Sports Road. While southbound on Winter Sports Road, Dunn’s vehicle began to swerve back and forth, crossing the center of the roadway several times. The vehicle then entered the east ditch striking trees and causing extensive damage to the vehicle. The air bag was deployed. After the vehicle came to rest in the ditch, Dunn retrieved a firearm that was in his vehicle and committed suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound."
At this time, it is unclear if Dunn intentionally drove off the road or lost control of his vehicle. The investigation is ongoing.
INFORMATION RELEASED ABOUT APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE IN PHILLIPS
UPDATED ON 1/30/2024
At approximately 4:13 a.m. on January 27, 2024, a third party called the Price County Sheriff's Office to report a possible suicidal man who had just killed his wife. The incident occurred on South Minnow Lake Road in the Township of Elk.
When Price County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the scene, they were unable to make contact with anyone inside the home. According to a statement by Price County Sheriff Brian Schmidt, "Deputies made entry into the residence where they located two deceased subjects. The victim, Patricia Cooper of Cottage Grove, Minnesota was found deceased with apparent gunshot injuries. Richard Cooper of Cottage Grove, Minnesota was found deceased with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound."
According to property tax records, Richard Kain and Patricia Jean Cooper own property at W7311 South Minnow Lake Road, which they purchased in August 2007. Their main address is in Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
The investigation into the apparent murder-suicide is ongoing. Additional assistance in the investigation has been provided by Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
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TWO FOUND DECEASED IN TOWNSHIP OF ELK
ORIGINAL ARTICLE PUBLISHED ON 1/27/2024
On Saturday, January 27, 2024, Price County Sheriff Brian Schmidt reported, "During the early morning hours, the Price County Sheriff’s Office found two people deceased in the Township of Elk. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of family."
The sheriff's office stated there is no risk to the public. The investigation is being conducted by the Price County Sheriff’s Office and further information will be provided. My Price County will update this article when we have more information.
The responding agencies included the Price County Sheriff’s Office, Price County Coroner’s Office, Park Falls Police Department, Phillips Police Department, and Central Price County Ambulance Service.
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My Price County is an independent news source that has been promoting Price County since 2012 and reporting news since 2015. This mostly volunteer organization promotes benefits, fundraisers, and community events plus writes and reports news as a free service to the community. To aid in our mission, you may share our articles from our Facebook page (or X or Instagram), join our Facebook group, purchase an announcement (birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary, obituary, etc.) or classified ad, advertise your business with us, or contribute with news tips or a monetary donation to aid in the promotion of our area and free news. If you are an organization, send us your press releases. If you know someone in need who has a benefit or fundraiser, send us the information. We appreciate your support of delivering free, fact-based news to the area.
Home health and hospice services, located in Phillips and offered by the Marshfield Clinic Health System, will cease at the end of February 2024.
A staff member, who wished not to be identified, explained the amount of employees affected and the sadness felt about the closure, stating, "There are seven nurses; one is the head office nurse and supervisor, and one is intake. There are three CNAs and two social workers, of which one is also the hospice coordinator. There is a physical therapist, an administrative assistant, a billing specialist, and a volunteer coordinator. We also have several dedicated volunteers. Most everyone works less then 40 hours per week. Everyone loves their job and the mission of helping those in need. We have an awesome crew of caring staff. We will all be slowly furloughed as we transfer our patients to other services within a few weeks. Some are already furloughed. We will all need to seek some other employment. Our hearts are heavy with sadness."
An earlier statement from Marshfield Clinic Health System stated that 3% of employees who would be losing their jobs in the health care system and that those patients work in leadership roles and in departments that mostly do not see patients. However, the hospice does see patients. We asked John Gardner, Marshfield Clinic Health System's director of communications, how it was decided that those who are in the last stages of life in a rural area should have their services cut.
He responded, "This was certainly a difficult decision. We’ve provided care and resources in Price County for the past several decades and consider ourselves proud members of the community. As we look for ways to overcome the challenges of delivering care in rural Wisconsin, we need to use our resources in the most efficient and effective manner. That includes making decisions that affect certain services, so we can transition those resources to areas that can benefit the greatest number of patients and meet their evolving care needs. We will continue to provide primary, specialty, and hospital care throughout the region."
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While talking about the challenges of delivering care to rural Wisconsin, John mentioned the closures announced on Monday by Prevea Health and Hospital Sisters Health SYSTEM (HSHS) in western Wisconsin. The Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls will close by April 21, 2024, affecting 1,082 HSHS and 325 Prevea employees. A press release stated those closures were largely due to "operation and financial stress" due to inflation, lingering impacts of the pandemic, workforce constraints, market challenges, and other trends affecting the healthcare industry.
Regarding the home health and hospice closure with the Marshfield Clinic Health System, John added, "We are committed to supporting our patients and employees as we transition our home health and hospice resources. We continue to work with patients to ensure they receive the care they deserve. And we have been in communications with other care providers in the region to ensure future patients have the information they need to receive this important care at that stage in their lives."
Some community members are confused about the closures of home health and hospice and urgent care services since the health system received a $20 million grant in support of healthcare access in Park Falls.
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The funding came from the Healthcare Infrastructure Capital Investment Grant Program. In a March 9, 2022 press release, Governor Evers said the money would "support facility upgrades and modernization at the Marshfield Medical Center-Park Falls, which is a critical access hospital of Marshfield Clinic Health System, to expand access to quality healthcare for rural communities that have been historically underserved."
The governor further stated, "This healthcare facility bridges an important gap in healthcare access in the Park Falls community, and they would not be able to continue to provide care without some critically needed upgrades and modernization. This investment will allow them to keep providing high-quality care in the community, and I am glad to support this project today and to continue supporting the health and well-being of folks in the Park Falls area.”
Given the hospital was built in 1966, Governor Evers stated the funds would "support substantial and transformational upgrades to modernize the facility and enhance the quality of care for patients." He added that "the next closest medical facility is more than an hour away, and these funds will allow the facility to stay open to continue to serve the community and bridge this gap, while keeping jobs in the area, and helping to attract and retain new medical professionals."
My Price County has reached out to Governor Evers with questions about this funding and these closures, and we will update this article if we receive a response.
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My Price County is an independent news source that has been promoting Price County since 2012 and reporting news since 2015. This mostly volunteer organization promotes benefits, fundraisers, and community events plus writes and reports news as a free service to the community. To aid in our mission, you may share our articles from our Facebook page (or X or Instagram), join our Facebook group, purchase an announcement (birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary, obituary, etc.) or classified ad, advertise your business with us, or contribute with news tips or a monetary donation. If you are an organization, send us your press releases. If you know someone in need who has a benefit or fundraiser, send us the information. We appreciate your support of delivering free, fact-based news to the area.
Urgent care services, which have been offered to the community for a number of years, will be ceasing on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at the Marshfield Medical Center in Park Falls.
A staff member that My Price County spoke with at the clinic was not aware of this closure but directed us to another department. That staff member confirmed the closure and stated patients can be served in the emergency room or through an appointment with their care provider. When My Price County asked why this decision was made, we were directed to Laurie McKuen, but she was in a meeting. We are told she will get in touch to answer our questions. We will update this article after we talk with Laurie.
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In the meantime, we were in communication with John Gardner, Marshfield Clinic Health System Director of Communications, regarding the closure of home health and hospice services in Price County, so we also asked him about the urgent care closure. John told My Price County, "We believe our providers will be able to offer the same care in a more cost-effective manner for our patients by utilizing same day appointments at the clinic or an appointment within 24 hours. The emergency department will continue to provide emergent care 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
He further stated that no employees will be impacted by the closure of urgent care.
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My Price County is an independent news source that has been promoting Price County since 2012 and reporting news since 2015. This mostly volunteer organization promotes benefits, fundraisers, and community events plus writes and reports news as a free service to the community. To aid in our mission, you may share our articles from our Facebook page (or X or Instagram), join our Facebook group, purchase an announcement (birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary, obituary, etc.) or classified ad, advertise your business with us, or contribute with news tips or a monetary donation. If you are an organization, send us your press releases. If you know someone in need who has a benefit or fundraiser, send us the information. We appreciate your support of delivering free, fact-based news to the area.
Forty years ago, Janice Olson, and her sister-in-law, Darla, set up an outdoor Christmas display like many people do to make the holiday more colorful and extra cheerful. Some of the first display pieces were a gingerbread house and a gingerbread man.
At the time of their first display, Janice had been fighting a rare type of cancer for six years, being diagnosed at fourteen years old. She was only able to be a part of two Christmas displays, because she passed on one year later at the age of 21.
To assist in keeping Janice's memory alive, Janice's dad, Clayton, and her sister, Shirley, continued decorating. According to Shirley's daughter, Mary, "As the years grew, so did the decorations. My mom is the mastermind behind all this. She has put so much time, blood, sweat, and tears into all of these years. If it wasn't for her, this would not be what it is today."
Shirley's favorite decoration is the nativity scene, which is the first display she created 30 years ago. Mary said that every year they have added more plywood cutouts, lights, and inflatable decorations. The Christmas trees that are in the yard are real but not planted. The family gets the trees from a local tree farmer. "We make a hole and kind of shimmy the tree in and usually we have to add a few stakes or shims to keep it upright and stable. The trees usually freeze into the ground, but this year is a different story," Mary remarked. While all these decorations started in memory of Janice, "Now we decorate in memory of all the family we've lost," Mary shared.
The family definitely has a lot of time to think of those long lost loved ones while working on the large display. They start setting up on November 1st and usually have it ready for viewing, with all the lights on, by the first week in December. Shirley is outside for hours every day getting the job done. Mary and her girlfriend, Nicole, help when they are done with work. Mary's sister, Jaccqlyn Ratzlaff, and their father, Thomas Ratzlaff, also help when they can. However, it is not only family that gets involved. Their neighbor, Tommy Morgan, lives directly across the road, and has some of the inflatables, plywood cutouts, and lights in his yard. Mary explained, "We ran out of electricity and Tommy was more than willing to have some of the display put in his yard."
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Mary shared that they have some of the lights on four circuit breakers that they are able to shut off from the breaker box in the basement. "That power is ran out to a post with plug-ins sticking out of the ground out in the yard. The rest of the lights are on timers. We don't know the exact number of lights and extension cords, but it is a lot."
With all those cords in place, it's not hard to imagine that power has been an issue a time or two for the family. In fact, about twenty years ago, Neighbor Tommy plugged in his vacuum cleaner at his house, and it blew the transformer outside on the electric pole. "We might have been using a little too much power," Mary admitted. The power company fixed it, replacing the transformer with a larger one, giving them more power.
Another time the power company made a visit was about five years ago. Mary shared, "We turned the lights on like we always do. About two hours into the evening, I smelled plastic burning from upstairs. My mom and I followed the smell to the basement where we located the smell. It was coming from the breaker box, which was quite warm." They immediately shut off the lights, and the power company had to replace the entire line coming in from the transformer outside and the circuit breaker box in the basement.
Along with the power supply being a challenge during the display time, the frozen ground can also pose a problem for getting everything put away. The last day of the display being lit is January 1st, but the pieces are usually stuck in the ground until sometime in March when the ground starts to thaw. Mary said this year, with the mild winter conditions, they are able to get a lot of the items put away more quickly, which is the first time that has been possible.
The daily weather conditions and mice also give the display a challenge. "We try to get the Christmas inflatables out first because they get ruined easily. The mice like to make a nice home in them, too."
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Finally, Christmas lights can try anyone's patience, and when they are in such a large quantity, they take a long amount of time to get working every year. "We store all the cords on four long poles that sit on large hooks that are attached to the back of the shelves where all the sets of lights are stored. At the beginning of every season, we have to go through and see which lights work and which do not. This part is pretty time-consuming, because if the string doesn't work, we try to fix it. This is usually where my dad comes in. My mom usually has to buy at least 20 sets of lights to replace the ones that we couldn't fix."
Mary shared, "My mom does this because she wants to put smiles on everyone's faces, to make the kids excited, and have something to look forward to. Without these lights in this town, it just wouldn't feel like Christmas."
The display won first place in My Price County's Christmas House Decorating Contest.
To view the display next Christmas, you can go to the property owned by Shirley Ratzlaff, Marlene Ellner, Larry Olson, and Gary Olson, who are all siblings. The property was the home of their parents, Clayton and Eleanore, which is located at W8311 Lakeshore Drive in Butternut, the very north edge of Price County. The lights go on at 4 p.m. and are off by 10 p.m. for the month of December. However, on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day, the lights are on all night.
To see the decorations from Christmas 2023, watch the video (submitted by Mary Ratzlaff) and view the photos, all shown below.
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My Price County is an independent news source that has been promoting Price County since 2012 and reporting news since 2015. This mostly volunteer organization promotes benefits, fundraisers, and community events plus writes and reports news as a free service to the community. To aid in our mission, you may share our articles from our Facebook page (or X or Instagram), join our Facebook group, purchase an announcement (birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary, obituary, etc.) or classified ad, advertise your business with us, or contribute with news tips or a cash donation. If you are an organization, send us your press releases. If you know someone in need who has a benefit or fundraiser, send us the information. We appreciate your support of delivering free, fact-based news to the area.
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