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.
Reports received by the police departments in Price County for the month have been condensed and summarized.
PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
The following November 2023 reports are included as they were received after publication of the reports for that month. The December 2023 reports follow.
11-20-2023: A woman reported that a man pointed a gun at everyone present at a home in Phillips. The man was making suicidal comments and refused to tell them where the children of him and a woman present were located. The man left. No one was injured.
11-22-2023: A man reported a missing trail camera from his property and stated his neighbor also had one missing along with a missing tree stand.
11-22-2023: A nurse reported gashes and bruises all over a man's body and a broken table at his home. She believed the man's girlfriend may have abused him and that the abuse may have been going on for some time.
11-23-2023: A store in Prentice reported a suspicious man who was in the bathroom for a long time who stated he would shoot someone if they stole his bike. The woman did not see any weapons on the man.
11-26-2023: A woman reported her neighbor walked into her apartment and was acting in a strange manner. An ambulance was requested.
11-26-2023: A man received a text message from a woman who demanded to know his name. She accused him of texting her 11-year old daughter. She told him she would call the sheriff's office if he did not give his name. Dispatch told the man to block the number.
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12-4-2023: A man asked for a welfare check on his friend. They usually speak on the phone frequently, and he had not heard from the man since the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Police responded and found the man deceased.
12-4-2023: A man called to report that another man, who he had evicted and was not allowed on the property, and a woman, were at the trailer court in Fifield. The man stated a couple of tenants were complaining the two were trespassing on the residents' properties.
12-4-2023: Police received information regarding a registered sex offender with a Facebook account under a different name.
12-5-2023: A woman reported a man hitchhiking near Hawkins. She said he was carrying a rifle on his back. He was walking east toward Prentice on Hwy. 8.
12-5-2023: A woman stated she had until December 15, 2023 to remove her pigs from a property but a man removed them before the date, and she did not know where the pigs were now located.
12-5-2023: The rural transit bus called in an accident involving one of their buses. The accident occurred southeast of Park Falls. A car crossed the center line and hit the bus. The car had a small child as a passenger. The child had a small bump, but no other injuries were reported.
12-5-2023: A man, incarcerated elsewhere, stated his camper had been stolen from Price County, and he stated he knew who stole it.
12-6-2023: A woman reported she was given some food that had suspicious contents. The transaction occurred at a convenience store in Phillips.
12-7-2023: A man reported he was involved in an accident but there were no injuries. He was driving a semi and the other party was driving a Ford Focus. The Ford was blocking the westbound lane of Hwy. 8 and debris was on the road.
12-7-2023: A Town of Flambeau man reported he needed help with his furnace as he smelled fuel oil and felt dizzy and nauseous.
12-9-2023: A man reported he was involved in an accident in Fifield. He did not know if anyone in the other vehicle was injured, but he thought he had glass in his eye. A responding deputy informed dispatch that one male was under arrest for OWI.
12-10-2023: An Ogema woman reported horses were on her property for a week and one of them appeared to be injured.
12-12-2023: An Ogema man called to report a female was in her car in his driveway. He opened the car door to check on the driver, but he said she was not breathing and did not have a pulse. The man stated she was dead. Dispatch asked if he was okay with doing CPR, but he again said the person was dead.
12-13-2023: A man requested a welfare check because a child stated he and the other children sleep in a detached garage while the adults sleep in the house.
12-14-2023: A man reported another man was burning garbage and other hazardous materials behind his residence in Catawba. The smoke was thick and black, and the area was large.
12-14-2023: A Phillips girl called 911. The call cut out after the girl said "My parents." Dispatch tried to call back with no success. The girl called back and stated her dad was punching her mom in the face and choking her.
12-16-2023: A Phillips man reported his mailbox was broken. He heard a loud truck the night before. He also noticed the truck drove through his yard and the neighbor's yard. The neighbor's mailbox was also destroyed. The truck also broke a street sign. Parts from the truck were across the road. Two other people called to state their mailboxes were destroyed. A rear light assembly was located, which might belong to a GMC truck.
12-17-2023: A Prentice man stated that shingles and a sink had been dumped in his driveway.
12-17-2023: An Ogema woman requested an ambulance for a highly intoxicated man who drove his vehicle into the field, got out of the vehicle, fell, and could not stand up.
12-18-2023: A man from a lake association called to state one of the members was not happy with the association using aerators at the end of Cardinal Road. That member broke into the pedestal with the controls and pulled the breakers out while the power was on. He took the breakers from the location. The caller said he told the man to repair the pedestal by the next day.
12-19-2023: An Ogema woman reported her vehicle was damaged when she drove past an open field and it was hit by debris. Then her passenger's side mirror broke. She believed the damage came from a gunshot.
12-19-2023: A Phillips woman reported her boyfriend was intoxicated and being verbally abusive. He would not let her get her medication and belongings from where they live downstairs.
12-21-2023: A man reported that three men were removing "no trespassing" signs from a property. Sheriff Schmidt informed dispatch that the reporting man does not own the property.
12-22-2023: A Phillips man reported four Amazon packages stolen, which were shown as delivered on December 1, 2023.
12-22-2023: A Phillips woman paid $250 via Apple Pay for a dog advertised on Facebook but never heard back from the seller, so she believed she was scammed.
12-22-2023: A Phillips woman reported receiving mail that asked for her personal information in order to receive credit protection. Dispatch advised her to throw the letter away.
12-22-2023: A woman at Health and Human Services requested a welfare check on a man who stated he was having trouble with his furnace. However, a repair person stated nothing was needing to be fixed and there were no fumes.
12-23-2023: A vehicle was fully engulfed in flames in Kennan.
12-23-2023: Two women reported a house fire in the City of Phillips. The Prentice Fire Department was requested for manpower. The Fifield Fire Department was requested for manpower, an engine, and airpacks. After firefighters left, the property owner advised the house was on fire again. See related story.
12-27-2023: A Kennan man reported his wife was intoxicated and was beating on him.
12-28-2023: 12-28-2023: A Phillips man stated he was at a Park Falls gas station and a person shot at his vehicle with a softgun.
12-28-2023: A Park Falls man reported that he shouted out to the driver of a minivan asking what they were doing at the end of his driveway. They shouted they had a flat tire and then moved their vehicle. The caller did not believe they had a flat tire. The man called a second time stating they moved to a parking lot. The man called a third time and acknowledged they probably had a flat tire, and the vehicle had left the area.
12-29-2023: A Phillips woman reported a woman came into her home and assaulted her. An ambulance was requested for a person who had a cut and was bleeding from their elbow.
12-31-2023: A man called to report a vehicle rollover. He stated the vehicle slid through a corner, went sideways, and then went down a steep ravine. No injuries were reported.
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PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT
12-4-2023: Observed a person acting suspiciously at a local business in the City of Phillips. Police spoke with the person and learned their Wisconsin Driver's License was revoked. After further investigation, the person was referred to the Price County District Attorney for operating a motor vehicle while revoked and two counts of felony bail jumping.
12-6-2023: The police were brought marijuana edibles from an employee of a local
business. The employee was given the edibles by a customer. An investigation is pending.
12-7-2023: Assisted the Phillips Water Department with trying to make contact with the owner of a residence on Flambeau Avenue as it was believed that a water pipe had broken and was filling the basement with water.
12-11-2023: An officer spoke with three sections of 8th grade at a local school district about the circuit court process.
12-12-2023: Received a report from a parent about a student being slapped the previous day. The parent was concerned the school was not investigating the incident. The parent indicated they would be going to the school to discuss the incident with school officials. An officer looked into the report but could not corroborate the information provided by the parent.
12-13-2023: Responded to a two-vehicle accident on North Avon Avenue at Elm Street. There were no injuries and no road blockage. One driver was given a citation for failure to yield right of way from a stop sign. An accident report was filled out as the damage was over $1,000.
12-14-2023: Notified by a local school district of an altercation that occurred involving two juvenile female students. An officer responded to obtain initial information. A further investigation will be conducted.
12-20-2023: Participated in a local school's eighth grade field trip to the Price County Courthouse and the Price County Sheriff's Office.
12-20-2023: Advised of a physical altercation that occurred at a local school. An officer responded and investigated the incident with school officials. The investigation resulted in one juvenile male being referred to the Price County Human Services Department for battery and one juvenile male being referred for disorderly conduct.
12-20-2023: Advised by a female individual that her child did not get off the bus at her residence in Fifield, and she believed the father had taken the child and violated the court ordered agreement. An officer spoke with the father who advised there was an emergency court hearing at 8:00 a.m. that day where he had been granted temporary custody of the child. Officer observed the child was okay.
12-21-2023: Advised by the Price County Sheriff's Department of an apartment in the City of Phillips where they observed the strong odor of marijuana. An officer drafted a search warrant for the residence and obtained marijuana and drug paraphernalia. One male will be referred to the Price County District Attorneys Office for Possession of THC Second Subsequent and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
12-21-2023: Received a phone call from a female who stated a family member was harassing her during a children's concert at the Phillips School District. An officer obtained the information from the female and contacted the other party and advised them they would be receiving a stalking/harassment warning letter and not to contact the complainant.
12-23-2023: Responded to a residence in the City of Phillips for a fire on Avon Avenue. An officer arrived on scene and observed the top of the residence was on fire and there was smoke coming out of the residence. The officer made sure nobody was in the residence and made sure the area was clear. The Phillips Fire Department arrived on scene and worked on putting the fire out. An officer stood by until Phillips Fire cleared the scene. See related story.
12-24-2023: Responded to a residence on Elk Avenue for a report of a fire. An officer arrived on scene and observed a small fire near a utility box. An officer spoke with a neighbor who said the residence was vacant. The Phillips Fire Department arrived on scene and waited until the power company disconnected the power. Phillips Fire was able to contain the fire. The officer took photographs of the scene. See related story.
12-27-2023: Contacted by a citizen requesting assistance with talking with a person staying at a residence in the City of Phillips without the owner’s permission. Phillips Police would contact the person and advise them they are not welcome at the residence.
12-29-2023: Advised of incident that occurred in the City of Phillips where a female individual broke into another female individuals residence and assaulted her. An officer, along with the Price County Sheriff’s Department, arrived on scene and investigated the incident. One female was arrested for Disorderly Conduct, Battery, Physical Abuse of an Elder, False Imprisonment, and Criminal Trespass to a Dwelling. One female was brought to the Price County Jail
where she was booked in for the charges.
12-29-2023: Advised of an argument that occurred in the City of Phillips between a male and a female. An officer, along with the Price County Sheriff's Department, arrived on scene and investigated the matter. One male was arrested for Disorderly Conduct and brought to the Price County Jail for booking and release.
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PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT
12-4-2023: An employee reported property damage to coin box inside a car wash.
12-5-2023: Assisted the DNR with collecting written statements for a case they are working on regarding a dog that was caught in a foot trap on city property.
12-5-2023: Assisted with a two vehicle crash involving injury. Two individuals were transported to the hospital.
12-6-2023: Responded about an alleged sexual assault of a child that it is believed to have occurred in the City of Park Falls.
12-7-2023: Responded to the attached address for a theft of two bicycle rims and tires. The tires were taken off of the bike sometime the last night or two.
12-8-2023: A man somehow got the pager number for a maintenance employee at the medical center and left a strange voicemail.
12-9-2023: There was a domestic abuse incident between two adults. The predominate aggressor struck the victim in the chest with a baseball bat. The predominant aggressor was in possession of drug paraphernalia. The person was arrested and transported to Price County Jail.
12-11-2023: Police were dispatched to a convenience store for a theft. Regarding the incident, Officer Yusten stated, "In the footage, you can see a female in blue jeans and dark black hoodie walk up to the front counter. As soon as the female approaches the register, she reaches up and grabs a miniature bottle of alcohol off of the display rack sitting by the register with her right hand. The subject then looks around and checks for witnesses before slipping the bottle of alcohol up her left hoodie sleeve. You can then see the subject grab a second bigger bottle of alcohol and place it on the register. The subject pays for that bottle and walks out of the business without ever paying for the miniature bottle of alcohol. The camera footage then shows the female enter a black four door vehicle and go northbound on State Highway 13." The person was located at work and admitted to stealing. She issued a citation later in the day.
12-12-2023: There was a report of a student possessing a restricted controlled substance. The test came back positive for THC.
12-16-2023: Methamphetamine was located in the bathroom at a gas station. The product was taken by the police to be destroyed.
My Price County did not receive any reports from the Park Falls Police Department for the end of December at the time of publication.
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The City of Park Falls will host a Q&A session regarding citizens' questions about the increase in utility rates and fees.
Mayor Tara Tervort, City Administrator Brentt Michalek, and Department of Public Works Director Bill Hoffman will be in attendance to answer questions.
You can join the meeting on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 5 p.m. on the third floor of the Park Falls Public Library.
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On January 5, 2024 Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) announced it will no longer merge with Essentia Health.
According to a press release from MCHS, "Essentia Health and MCHS have engaged in meaningful discussion over the last two years about how our organizations could combine our unique strengths. We have decided that a combination at this time is not the right path forward for our respective organizations, colleagues, and patients."
Essentia Health CEO Dr. David Herman shared, “As we've explored this opportunity, I appreciate the relationships we've built with the skilled Marshfield Clinic providers, staff, and leaders who share our dedication to excellent care."
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Dr. Brian Hoerneman, MCHS's interim CEO, stated, “Essentia Health and the Marshfield Clinic Health System are high-performing, well-respected, community-focused organizations. Those similarities served as the basis for efforts toward a combination. As we now move our separate ways, Marshfield Clinic looks forward to advancing our 100-year legacy of providing compassionate and accessible care to the communities we serve. Our commitment to continually enhance the level of care we provide remains firmly in place as we look to the future."
In March 2023, under 3% of MCHS's employees learned they would lose their jobs and 500 positions that were not yet filled were eliminated. The largest job cuts were outside of the My Northern Wisconsin coverage area in places like Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, Rice Lake, and Ladysmith.
In November 2023, MCHS told employees that the CEO, chiefs, presidents, vice presidents, and directors would be receiving a decrease in pay to help with their "financial turnaround strategy."
MCHS stated that the merger with Essentia Health was not part of their "financial turnaround strategy."
At a recent Board of Supervisors meeting, County Administrator Nick Trimner discussed a FEMA grant of about $3.9 million for a community emergency shelter. He stated the cost of the entire project would be about $5.2 million. There would be a 10% local match plus the cost of any non-project approved costs. It was stated that up to $40,000 would be allocated from the county's ARPA funds.
This FEMA grant has also been discussed at board meetings for the School District of Phillips. On December 18, 2023, the board made a resolution authorizing borrowing up to $1.7 million and providing the issuance and sale of general obligation promissory notes for the emergency shelter to be added on at the elementary school.
Some residents became concerned about if this funding was for the prior elementary school or the current one, if the borrowing of more money would affect their taxes, and what type of structure was proposed to be built.
My Price County spoke with Superintendent Rachel Hoffman to get answers for the community. She said the school district applied for a FEMA grant in January 2023. The school is currently in the review process for the grant, but it does look promising that they will receive the grant. The school district should know if the grant has been awarded by Spring 2024.
The building that will be added onto, if the grant is awarded, is the current elementary school and not the old one (which is now the Early Learning Center). Superintendent Hoffman stated, "What was applied for is to build a new multi-purpose facility, like a gym space, at the current elementary school so what people think of as the old middle school. We're not looking to do anything at what we now refer to as the Early Learning Center (old district office). That is not a part of this at all."
The superintendent stated this will not affect anyone's taxes. She explained there are two ways the school can get money, which is going to referendum or using Fund 38 debt that the district can take on. To incur the debt, the school has to make sure it is in their budget so they can pay back the loan. "Fund 38 does not affect the taxes at all....We cannot raise people's taxes to pay that fund back," she said.
The school district previously used Fund 38 to get LED lighting throughout the district. Those payments will be done in about 12 to 18 months, so the superintendent felt this was perfect timing.
"The design process for an architect is about five months, and we only have two years once we get the grant to finish the whole project, so we wanted to have the money available right away just in case we are awarded the grant, and then we can start right away," Superintendent Hoffman said. According to her, from last year's estimate, the architect fee will be about $300,000.
Residents also asked about a getting a petition together if they opposed the resolution. The notice does state that "Section 67.12(12)(e)2, Wisconsin Statutes provides in part that a referendum is required on the question of this borrowing only if a petition is filed within 30 days after this publication signed by at least 7,500 district electors or 20% of the district electors voting for governor at the last general election, whichever is the lesser. If no such petition is filed, then the resolution shall be effective without a referendum."
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If a valid petition is presented, it would go to a referendum. "That would impact their taxes. So the way it is right now, there isn't going to be an impact on their taxes," Superintendent Hoffman explained. She said the tax levy has already been set and cannot be changed.
If the district does not get approved for the FEMA grant, then the district would return the money and not use it. "There is no pre-payment penalty," Superintendent Hoffman said.
Copies of the resolution can be obtained from the district office. The superintendent stated she is also willing to answer anyone's additional questions.
There is a school board meeting on January 15, 2024 at 6 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at the school.
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