Local Man Dies in ATV Accident   Monday, Aug 14, 2023

On Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 12:50 p.m. the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting an ATV accident with injuries near 530 Lake Shore Dr in the Village Of Rib Lake , Taylor County. The 911 caller was among a group of individuals driving UTVs and found the injured subject laying on the road unresponsive. Taylor County deputies along with fire and EMS were dispatched.

Upon the deputies arrival the unresponsive ATV rider was identified as 48-year-old James C. Wacholtz Jr. of Rib Lake Wi.

Preliminary investigation into the cause of the ATV accident indicates Wacholtz lost control of the ATV he was operating while attempting to negotiate a right turn in the roadway causing the ATV to overturn. Wacholtz was ejected off the ATV as it overturned.  

Wacholtz sustained severe injuries as a result of the accident and was air lifted to Aspirus Wausau where he ultimately succumb to his injuries and passed away. Speed is considered a contributing factor in the cause of the accident, Wisconsin DNR is further investigating.

Part One   HERE

Part Two HERE

Up on the Rooftop   August 2, 2023

On Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at about 11:38 PM the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a call from a resident in the 800 block of E. Broadway reporting hearing the sounds of footsteps on the roof of the residence.

An Officer from the Medford Police Department arrived at the location at about 11:45 PM and saw a male subject on the roof of the residence. Deputies from the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene to assist. The male subject made his way to a garage connected to the residence and fell through the roof, into the attic space of the garage.

Officers and Deputies attempted contact with the male subject and ordered for him to come down from the attic area. The male subject then barricaded himself in the attic space and refused to comply with commands to come out. After negotiating with the male subject, Officers and Deputies were able to successfully arrest the subject at 1:28 AM without further incident.

The male subject was identified as 38-year-old Luke J. Hudak.
Request for Charges is being filed on Hudak for Criminal Trespassing, Criminal Damage to Property, and Resisting Arrest.

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the incident by sending a K9 Unit to the scene to assist if needed.  The Medford Police Department wishes to thank the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor County Ambulance Service, and the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office for assisting with the incident.