4-03-11
***For Immediate Release***
National Pharmaceutical Take-Back Initiative Comes To Minocqua
This program will provide a venue for people who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.
On Saturday April 30th, 2011 the Minocqua Police Department, in cooperation with the Marshfield Clinic of Minocqua, will be hosting this event from 8AM- 1PM. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.
Anyone wishing to safely dispose of accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs can come through the main entrance of the Marshfield Clinic and stop by the booth set up by the Minocqua Police Department and Marshfield Clinic staff. Controlled, non-controlled and over-the-counter substances may be brought in for disposal. This program is anonymous and there will be no questions or requests for identification made. No liquids, intra-venous, injectibles, or syringes will be accepted.
Contact Person: Mark T. Ferencevich, Police Officer
(715) 356-3234
mferencevich@minocquapd.com
For Immediate Release
The Minocqua Police Department is conducting an investigation in which the following subject is a person of interest. If you are able to identify the subject please contact Lt. Jaeger, or Officer Paul Metzger of the Minocqua Police Department at 715-356-3234. Those wishing to remain anonymous can use the WeTip line at 7-800-782-7463.
Project ChildSafe Comes To Minocqua:
Firearm Safety Kits To Be Distributed Locally
The Minocqua Police Department will provide free firearm safety kits to local residents through a partnership with Project ChildSafe, the nationwide firearms safety education program. The safety kits, which include a gun lock, will be distributed at the Minocqua Police Department on a first come first serve basis, with a limit of (2) kits per family.
Project ChildSafe, a program developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), has distributed more than 35 million firearm safety kits throughout the country since 2003. The program is funded by a U.S. Department of Justice grant, with additional funding provided by the firearms industry.
“We encourage residents to pick up a Project ChildSafe safety kit so that they can securely store their firearm,” said Officer Ferencevich. “Each kit contains a safety curriculum and a cable-style gun lock. The lock fits on most types of handguns, rifles and shotguns. The goal is to prevent a child or any other unauthorized person from accessing a firearm in your home.”
By partnering with Project ChildSafe, the Minocqua Police Department is participating in a national effort to promote firearms safety education to all gun owners. Project ChildSafe distributes gun lock safety kits in all 50 states and the five U.S. territories.
“We are pleased to have the Minocqua Police Department as a Project ChildSafe partner,” said Bill Brassard, Jr., director of Project ChildSafe. “Project ChildSafe is an important step forward in helping ensure that all firearm owners fully understand their responsibilities with respect to the safe handling and storage of firearms.”
Contact Person: Mark T. Ferencevich, Police Officer
(715) 356-3234
mferencevich@minocquapd.com
For Immediate Release – Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 11:30 a.m.
Town of Minocqua - The Oneida County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Minocqua Police Department, Woodruff Police Department, Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, and the Northcentral Drug Enforcement Group concluded an ongoing investigation into a large outdoor marijuana grow in the Town of Minocqua.
On Wednesday, September 8th an individual was arrested as he was tending to a plot of marijuana plants. The marijuana grow was located on land owned by the State of Wisconsin. Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation that lead to the arrest of Randall S. Handeland, age 48, of Minocqua. (photo of suspect is available at www.oneidasheriff.org )
As a result of this investigation officers seized approximately 150 marijuana plants from the State Forest. Law Enforcement is continuing with a criminal investigation and charges are pending.
Citizens with information about this crime or any other crime are urged to continue to call the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office at 715-361-5100 to report any suspicious activity. Citizens may also report criminal activity and suspicious activity anonymously by calling the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME, or you may submit a tip at www.wetip.com. No one will ever know who you are and cash rewards of up to $1000 are given upon verified reports from law enforcement that WeTip information was received prior to arrest and that the information was helpful in the arrest and conviction.
**END**
***Media Release***
Update Minocqua Death Investigation
William R. Schmidt Has Been Located and is in custody on a Probation Hold.
Minocqua - William R. Schmidt has been located and is in custody on a probation hold. The Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Minocqua Police Department had sough Mr. Schmidt as a person of interest in the case of an ongoing death investigation in Minocqua.
This is a current and ongoing joint investigatin of the Minocqua Police Department, the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Further media inquiries are being referred to Bill Cosh at the Wisconsin Department of Justice at (608)266-1221. Addition information will be released as it becomes available.
***Media Release***
Minocqua Death Investigation
Town of Minocqua - On Thursday June 17, 2010 at approximately 10:41 p.m. a deceased person was found at at residence on Country Club Road in the Town of Minocqua in response to a request for a Health and Welfare check made to the Minocqua Police Department.
The names and details of the investigation are not being released at this time in an effort to allow for notification of family members and proper investigation of the death.
The circumstances of this death are currently being investigated by the Minocqua Police Department. The Minocqua Police Department is being assisted by the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, the Oneida County Medical Examiner, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Lab and Division of Criminal INvestigation, and the Woodruff Police Department.
This is a current and ongoing investigation. Citizens should take normal safety precautions and contact local law enforcement if they observe any suspicious behavior. Please expect no further information on this matter until the investigation has progressed to the point where additional information can be given without jeopardizing the ongoing investigation.
Contact Person: William Cosh, Department of Justice
(608) 266-1221
***Media Release***
Minocqua Appliance & Electronics Burglary
On November 28, 2009 at approximately 8:40 A.M. the Minocqua Police Department was dispatched to the Minocqua Appliance & Electronics Store at 8621 Hwy 51, Minocqua.
Upon arrival, responding units found forced entry into a service door located on the front of the business. Items that were taken were numerous Sony Bravia televisions, Sony DVD home theatre systems, Sony DVD/VCR combo systems, Sony Blue Ray players, Sony DVD recorders, Sony video walkmans, Bose Accoustimass speaker systems, Sony bookshelf amplified speaker systems, Sony Cybershot digital cameras and Sony stereo receivers. The estimated value of the items stolen is $15,000 to $20,000. Through investigation it was discovered that the vehicle used to transport the stolen items was parked in the back of the business between Island Cove Condominiums and ther Minocqua Appliance and Electronics Store.
This matter is still under investigation. Anyone with information on this or other crimes are encouraged to report it to the Minocqua Police Department at (715) 356-3234. Anyone choosing to remain anonymous may provide information to WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME (800-782-7463). Rewards of up to $1000 are available for information leading to a conviction through WeTip.
Contact Person: Andrew R. Gee, Chief of Police
(715) 356-3234
agee@minocquapd.com
***Media Release***
Bow Hunter Death in Minocqua
On November 14, 2009 at approximately 8:42 p.m., the Minocqua Police Department responded to a report of a bow hunter that had been found deceased.
Ronald G. Hamrick, 66 years of age from Minocqua, had been out hunting on private property in the area of Cator Ln and Mercer Lake Rd. in the Town of Minocqua. Mr. Hamrick was familiar with the property.
When he did not come in for the night, as expected, a small search party of family and friends went out to find him. Mr. Hamrick was located on the ground next to his tree stand. There is evidence that Mr. Hamrick killed and ad yet to recover a buck prior to his death. The cause of Mr. Hamrick’s death is still under investigation and is pending the results of an autopsy.
Contact Person: Andrew R. Gee, Chief of Police
(715)356-3234
agee@minocquapd.com
***Media Release***
Equipment Fire at New Minocqua Park Development
On October 5, 2009 at approximately 5:46 a.m. the Minocqua Police Department and Minocqua Fire Department were dispatched to the Minocqua Park development on the old Circle M property, 10295 Hwy 70 W, Minocqua.
Upon arrival, responding units found a 2002 John Deere 700H crawler dozer fully engulfed. This fire is suspicious in nature. Evidence has been discovered that suggests that vehicles on the property had been tampered with. The value of damage is estimated at $1500,000.
The Old Circle M propery is being developed into athletic fields and a festival park by Rynder's Development.
This matter is still under investigation. Anyone with information on this or other crimes are encouraged to report it to the Minocqua Police Department at (715)356-3234. Anyone choosing to remain anonymouse may provide information to WeTip at (800)78-CRIME (800-782-7463). Rewwards of up to $1000 are available for information leading to a conviction through WeTip.
Contact Person: Andrew R. Gee, Chief of Police
(715)356-3234
agee@minocquapd.com