It was an eventful year for Central Wisconsin! As another year comes to a close, OnFocus is recapping the top stories in Community, Education, Public Safety, Business, and Government, not in any order.

Thanks for following our news coverage, always #FreeToRead.

Click title for story link.

FIRE CHIEF INSPECTS NEW AMBULANCE IN OHIO

The department had seen an increase in the number of times 3-4 ambulances are out at the same time.

NEW FIRE TRUCK ARRIVES

The new Rosenbauer Commander has a 400-gallon water tank and 20-gallon foam tank, and can pump 1500 gallons per minute.

RECOGNIZING POLICE CHAPLAINS

Whether it’s the aftermath of a tragedy or the calm of a quiet shift, police chaplains are there to offer a supportive presence to officers, and in doing so, the public.

COMMUNITY EFFORT MAKES POLICE DRONE POSSIBLE

After learning about the department’s goal to raise $10,000 toward a drone, a grassroots effort was undertaken to raise the remaining funds in less than 48 hours.

MARSHFIELD POLICE RIDE-ALONG

OnFocus rode along in a squad car to glimpse a day in the life of a police officer.

SNOWMOBILE PATROL ENFORCES RULES OF TRAILS

While the patrol enforces all snowmobile laws, emphasis is placed on detecting operation while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speed, reckless operation, and trespassing off trail.

FOURTH LIVE-SAVING LUCAS DEVICE DONATED TO MARSHFIELD FIRE & RESCUE

The LUCAS device is a lightweight tool that provides automatic chest compressions.

POLICE PULL OVER DRIVER WITH SNOW-COVERED WINDSHIELD

Snow covered much of the windshield, preventing the driver from being able to adequately see the road.

CENTRAL WISCONSIN FIRE AGENCIES COMPLETE LIVE FIRE TRAINING WITH DONATED HOUSE

Eight fire agencies in Central Wisconsin took part in a live fire evolution training.

K9 ELLA JOINS SPENCER POLICE DEPARTMENT

Spencer Police Department’s first-ever K9 is now reporting for duty.

MARSHFIELD POLICE HELP MAN SURPRISE FAMILY FOR THANKSGIVING

This Thanksgiving, the Seitz family had an extra reason to give thanks.

FESTIVAL FOODS PARADE VEHICLE PULLED OVER, BOND POSTED WITH DOUGHNUTS

The Marshfield Police Department pulled over Festival Food’s new parade vehicle at the Mayor’s Breakfast for being “overweight with a cheese curd delivery.”

LIEUTENANT DARREN LARSON TO RETIRE

After a 33-year career in law enforcement, Lieutenant Darren Larson will be retiring from his position with the Marshfield Police Department on January 3.

DEPUTY CHIEF JODY CLEMENTS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS AT MARSHFIELD FIRE & RESCUE

Clements remembers exactly when he wanted to be a firefighter.

POLICE VS SPECIAL OLYMPICS GAME RAISES $7,000

The Marshfield Area Special Olympics athletes outperformed the Marshfield Police officers, ending the fundraising basketball game 55-46.

CITY RESPONDS TO FREEZING JANUARY TEMPERATURES

An arctic blast swept over Marshfield in January 2019 with a fluctuating wind chill reaching -55 degrees.

CITY WORKS TO CLEAR ROADS, RESPOND TO ACCIDENTS AFTER WINTER STORM

Pollice received three calls for accidents within fifteen minutes.

MARSHFIELD POLICE IMPLEMENT FITNESS STANDARD

The policy that all officers remain fit for duty and able to perform the minimum job functions, the policy outlines the responsibilities of both employees and supervisors on maintaining good physical condition sufficient to safely and properly carry out their roles.

STORM DAMAGE IN CLARK COUNTY

A tornado caused extensive damage in western Wisconsin.

WIDE RESPONSE TO MILL CREEK DRIVE HOUSE FIRE

A total of 13 area fire departments responded to the blaze, about three times the typical number for a residential fire.

CENTRAL FIRE & EMS CHIEF JOE MUELLER RECEIVES FIRST RESPONDER OF THE YEAR AWARD IN MADISON

The honor is part of the Hometown Heroes program where individuals who make a difference in their community can be nominated to a state representative for consideration.

CENRAL FIRE & EMS HOSTS MOCK-CRASH SCENARIO FOR GRADUATING SENIORS

In the scenario, a drunk driver has collided with another vehicle, causing severe injury to the other driver and killing a passenger. Units respond similarly to how they would in a real accident.

MARSHFIELD SCHOOL BUS PASSINGS INCREASE

In the 2018-19 school year, the bus company reported 57 instances to law enforcement.

CLARK COUNTY, LIFE LINK III TRAIN FOR ‘MISSING HUNTER’

The Clark County Mounted Search and Rescue, Thorp Fire & EMS, and Life Link III worked collaboratively to respond to a planned scenario of an injured hunter lost in the woods.

LOST HUNTER FOUND AFTER SPENDING NIGHT IN WOODS

The missing man had been hunting on public property since Sunday morning and did not come home that night.

PARENTS CHARGED IN DEATH OF NEWBORN CHILD

A 22-year old mother being charged with the homicide of her newborn baby was seeking medical treatment on April 6 in Marshfield when staff became concerned about the child’s whereabouts.

SHOOTING IN ARPIN AFTER WELFARE CHECK

Wood County Sheriff Deputies responded to a welfare check at a residence on State Highway 186 in Arpin. The subject ran back into the residence and obtained a knife.

STANDOFF IN LOYAL

The police standoff continued into Friday morning and resulted in one civilian death and an injured officer. Read the family’s open letter here.

MARSHFIELD SCHOOL FOREST FIREPLACE DAMAGED BY EXPLOSIVE DEVICE

The Wood County Sheriff’s Department investigated criminal damage to a wood-burning fireplace and chimney at Marshfield School Forest.

THREATS AT MARSHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL, UW

Four separate threat incidents occurred over a week.