Sheriff’s Office seeking public’s help identifying culprits
By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
LINCOLN COUNTY – The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is investigating numerous incidents of vandalism and is asking for the public’s help identifying those responsible.
The first incident was reported to the Sheriff’s Office in late June. Since then, road signs, bridges and other property have been defaced with spray paint, depicting swastikas, vulgar language and crude images.
On June 26, vandalism was reported on Otter Lake Road in Irma. The following day, incidents were reported in Council Grounds State Park in Merrill, on Hillside Drive north of Merrill, County Road JJ north of Merrill, and State Highway 107. On June 29, the Sheriff’s Office was informed that a bridge on County Road K north of Merrill had been spray painted.
Multiple occurrences of vandalism have taken place in July.
On July 15, the Sheriff’s Office was informed that a speed limit sign on County Road Z west of Fairview Road and south of Merrill had been defaced, and a stop sign on County Road J near Grundy Road, northwest of Irma, had been spray painted. A report that a swastika had been painted on a road sign located on State Highway 107 near Lokemoen Road, north of Merrill, was received on July 18.
Lieutenant Tim Fischer said the Sheriff’s Office has done neighborhood canvassing of the areas affected and put out news releases seeking information, but as of now, there have been no arrests.
“We have no way of knowing if (the incidents) are connected or if it is the same person,” he stated. “At this point we have not received any leads. No evidence was left at any of the scenes.”
Fischer said those with information regarding vandalism in Lincoln County are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 715-536-6272 or Crime Stoppers at 715-536-3726. Crime Stoppers can also be reached by using their P3 app.