TAYLOR COUNTY SNOWMOBILE TRAILS- CLOSURE
Trail Closure:
• Tuesday, March 3rd
, 6am- Due to warm weather all Taylor County Snowmobile trails are CLOSED until further notice.

For up-to-date Taylor County trail conditions, please visit the Taylor County Forestry website, Travel Wisconsin Snow Reports, or call the Taylor County Forestry and  Recreation Department at 715-748-1486.

Fire Destroys Local Business, Owner Injured       Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Shortly after 8:30 P. M. Sunday January 4th, the Medford Area Fire Department was paged out to a structure fire at 145 S. 8th ST. Rocky’s Cozy Kitchen. Upon arrival by first engine there was heavy smoke coming out of the doorway on the northwest corner of the building and smoke coming out of roof vents. Recognizing that more man power was needed a mutual aid call to Stetsonville Fire Company was made. With the fire spreading rapidly throughout the whole inside of the structure an excavator was brought in to help with the defensive fire attack. Medford Fire and Stetsonville Fire were on scene for over 8 hours. The owner of the building, Rocky Mantik,  was taken to the hospital by ambulance for injuries sustained by the fire.  The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation by the Medford City Police Department and Medford Area Fire Department.

According to a facebook post on behalf of Rocky’s family….

Rocky was injured in Sunday night's fire, he is currently in Madison receiving care in the burn unit for inhalation injuries. He is surrounded by medical professionals, and ask for prayers for his healing and strength.

Many people have reached out asking how they can help. Rocky has always been a friend to so many, and now he faces immediate financial challenges as he begins the long road to recovery.

A Go Fund Me fund has been set up. Your generosity, prayers, and kindness mean more than words can express and are deeply appreciated by Rocky and his family.

Medford Fire would like to thank Stetsonville Fire Company, Medford Police Department, Medford Utility Department, Taylor County Highway Department and Jess Brunner for their assistance. 

Local Man Drowns, Beware of Thin Ice  Monday, Dec 8, 2025

On Friday, December 5th, 2025, at approximately 4:17 PM, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a missing person near the 7600 block of Perkinstown Avenue in the Township of Hammel, Taylor County. The caller further reported that her husband had been out ice fishing on Washington Flowage (which is located near their property) earlier in the afternoon, had not returned to the residence, and may have fallen through the ice.

Taylor County Deputies, along with Medford Fire personnel, Taylor County Emergency Management, and Taylor County EMS personnel were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival to Washington Flowage, emergency personnel observed a single sled trail leading out to an open area on the ice. A sled was also observed in the open area of water. Wings of Hope and Bruce’s Legacy were both contacted for their specialized equipment and expertise in open water searches, along with the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team.

The missing male subject was located deceased in the water and carefully recovered. The deceased male was identified as: 69-year-old Randall K. Runge of Medford. There is no indication of foul play.

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our condolences to the family of the deceased. We would also like to extend our gratitude towards the non-profit organizations, Wings of Hope and Bruce’s Legacy, along with the other emergency personnel that assisted.

This investigation is still ongoing.

Gilman Area Fire  Wednesday, November 12, 2025

On Friday, November, 7th 2025 at 9:33 pm, the Gilman Rural Fire Department was dispatched for a house with black smoke coming from the attic and soffit at the address of W14450 Scott Ave. in the
Township of Cleveland, with all residents reported out of the building.

Per Gilman policy Jump River Fire was requested for a immediate response. Based on eye witness report from a citizen on scene of
heavy black smoke coming from all eaves and visable flames inside the building, Sheldon Fire was requested for tenders and personel. When the first responding fire officer arrived on scene,
moderate smoke was coming from the attic area through the soffit and eaves and large visable flames in the center of the house could be seen through the front windows. An immediate interior
attack was corrdinated and limited the fire to the area around the origin at the center of the house.

The limited ventilation from closed windows and doors and quick response from fire departments limited the damage.

After extinguishment Sheldon Fire was released. Gilman and Jump River Fire remained on scene for overhual and check for further extension and were clear of the scene at 11:45 pm and back at the hall at 11:55 pm, with an additional hour needed for clean up.

The investigation concluded that the fire started in the basement around the chimney in an electrical junction box and spread up the chimney chase into the first floor and attic. The home sustained
moterated smoke and limited water damage with family members assisting in immediate housing needs.

No injuries were reported at the scene.

The Gilman Rural Fire Department would like to thank Jump River Fire, Sheldon Fire, Taylor County/Aspirus Ambulance Services, Taylor County Sheriff, Taylor County Dispatch, Taylor County
Emergency Management and Jump River Electric.

Woman Dies in Early Morning Crash  

On Monday, October 20th, 2025, at approximately 2:03 AM, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a report of a one-vehicle rollover accident on County Road C near Wood Lake Avenue in the Township of Rib Lake, Taylor County. It was further reported that there was an injured female passenger still inside the vehicle.

Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched to the scene, along with Taylor County First Responders, and Rib Lake Fire and Ambulance personnel. Upon arrival, a sport utility style vehicle was located rolled onto its side in the ditch with extensive damage. A 49-year-old female passenger, identified as Sharon M. Kaplon of Ogema, WI, was extricated from the vehicle by Fire and EMS personnel. Sharon was transported from the scene by Rib Lake Ambulance to Aspirus Medford Hospital and subsequently transported by helicopter to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Hours later it was determined that Sharon had succumbed to her injuries from the crash. The driver, identified as 49-year-old Stephen Kaplon of Ogema, WI, was provided with medical attention and had no serious injuries reported at the time.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle was southbound on County Road C when it veered off the roadway, entered the west ditch, and struck two trees. The driver, Stephen Kaplon, was arrested for Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Motor Vehicle and is in custody at the Taylor County Jail on a $200,000 cash bond.

This incident is still under investigation.

Traffic Fatality Highway 13 North of Medford   

  Tuesday, September 30, 2025

On Tueday, September 30, 2025 at approximately 5:41 A.M., Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a report of a two-vehicle accident in the area of State Highway 13 and Alfalfa Avenue in the Township of Chelsea, Taylor County. It was further reported that the accident involved a passenger vehicle and semi-tractor trailer and both vehicles were on fire.

Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Deputies along with Taylor County First Responders, Medford Fire Department and Taylor County Ambulance personnel were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, a 19-year-old driver, identified as Allen M. Madison of Ashland, Wisconsin, was removed from one of the vehicles involved, a 2010 red Ford Fusion, which had been fully engulfed in flames. Allen Madison was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the other involved vehicle was provided with medical attention and had no serious injuries reported at the time.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Ford Fusion was southbound on State Highway 13 when it crossed the centerline and veered into the northbound lane of traffic causing a head on collision with the semi-tractor trailer unit. The collision then caused both vehicles to catch on fire. There were no other occupants in either vehicle at the time of the crash.

This incident is still under investigation.