Ashland County Sheriff's Office

09/04/2026

9/4/2026

Release: Immediate

To: All Media Sources

Authority: Sheriff Brian Zupke

RE: Search and Rescue

On September 3, 2026, at approximately 4:15 p.m., the Ashland Bayfield County Communications Center received a report of an 86-year-old male subject who had gone into the woods near a residence located on County Highway N in the Township of Jacobs and had not returned.

Deputies responded to the area and conducted an initial search both on foot and with the assistance of a drone. Deputies were initially unable to locate the subject.

Sawyer County Search and Rescue was requested to assist with the search and responded to the area. At approximately 7:22 p.m., the missing subject was located in the woods west of the residence.

The subject was assisted out of the woods by deputies and Search and Rescue personnel and was later transported to the hospital by Park Falls Ambulance Service.

The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Sawyer County Search And Rescue Team and their K9, Cheeto, for their outstanding response and assistance in locating the subject.

The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the coordinated efforts of all personnel involved in ensuring the safe recovery of the missing individual.

08/08/2026

Ashland County Sheriff's Office National Night out in Mellen was a phenomenal success!

With over 300 visitors, lots of games, prizes, and food, everyone had a wonderful time!

We couldn’t have made this happen without the following businesses. Thank You for your donations!

North Country Lumber
Northern Foods
Cans For Kids
Dusty’s Saloon
Jake Peters Trucking
Arctic Ice
Mellen Rod and Gun Club
New Day Shelter
Ashland Housing Authority
Culver’s of Ashland
Tri – M Sanitary – Recycling
Camp Benesi
Northern State Bank
Pospychalla Towing
Dollar General
Columbia Forest Products – Mellen Caring Committee
Kiera’s Kreations, “Facepainting”
Superior Shores Collective “Foam Pit and Blow-Up Games”
City of Mellen
Mellen School
Mellen Fire and EMS
Glidden Fire
Butternut Fire
WI DNR
North Memorial Air Care
WI State Patrol

And Thank you to our volunteers!

Grillers: Jim Warren, Ryan Ellis

Servers: Tanya Pankratz, Cadence Ellis, Nikki Horak, Toni Vernoski, Nikki Sitzmann, Jewel Yanko

Root Beer Floats (done by Dusty’s): Tanya Haderly

Registration: Brittney Kerfoot, Becky Misko

A special thanks to Becky Misko for all the behind the scenes work with our staff to make this event happen!

08/04/2026

REASON FOR ANNOUNCEMENT:
FILL VACANCY, CORRECTIONAL OFFICER, FLEX 72HR POSITION
RESPONSIBILITIES:
CLICK BELOW FOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
https://ashlandcountywi.gov/sheriffemployment
SALARY:
$19.87 / HR WHILE TRAINING (Approximately 3 Months)
$24.84 / HR UPON COMPLETION OF TRAINING DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE
▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐒 █ ▇ ▆ ▅ ▄ ▂
BENEFITS:
Clothing Allowance
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Paid Holidays
Sick Leave
Vacation
Wisconsin Retirement Fund
QUALIFICATIONS:
Ability to handle several tasks simultaneously
Ability to perform essential functions of this position
Ability to use all standard law enforcement equipment
Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays
Clear and concise speech
Driver's license
Good driving record
Good physical condition
Good verbal and written communication skills
Knowledge and skills in operating computer systems
No felony convictions
U.S. citizen
Minimum Age: 18
APPLY BY:
OPEN UNTIL FILLED
SUBMIT:
SUBMIT APPLICATION AND RESUME
TO OBTAIN APPLICATION, CLICK BELOW.
https://ashlandcountywi.gov/sheriffemployment
CONTACT:
CAPTAIN JENNIFER CLAPERO
ASHLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
220 6TH ST E ASHLAND, WI 54806
PHONE: (715) 685-7640 EXT. 840
FAX: (715) 682-7039
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.ASHLANDCOUNTYWI.GOV/SHERIFF
NOTES:
Background Check
Drug Screening
Medical Examination
Oral Interviews

08/03/2026

REMINDER: Come join us Tomorrow at Memorial Field in Mellen. 5pm to 8pm.

🚁COME EARLY.....North Memorial Health - Air Care will be landing their helicopter at 5 pm. They will leaving around 5:30 pm🚁

📣 Join Us for the 1st National Night Out in Mellen! 🚔🚒🚑

📢 Free Family Event 📢

The Ashland County Sheriff's Office is excited to invite you to our first-ever National Night Out in the City of Mellen!

📅 Tuesday, August 4, 2026
🕔 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Memorial Field – Mellen,
717 Fayette St, Mellen, WI 54546

To get there, turn onto Fayette Avenue next to the Mellen School. The entrance to the field is across from the school.

National Night Out is an opportunity for neighbors, families, and first responders to come together to build stronger relationships and safer communities. Come meet the men and women who serve your community while enjoying an evening of fun for all ages!

🎉 Activities Include:
🍔 FREE BBQ
🎯 Games for all ages
🎨 Face painting
🍦 Ice cream treats
🫧 Foam party
🚧 Obstacle course – See if you can beat a deputy or firefighter!

This free community event is a great chance to meet deputies, firefighters, EMS personnel, and your neighbors in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

Together, we can continue Building Community. Building Trust.

Bring your family, invite your friends, and help us make this inaugural National Night Out in Mellen a night to remember!

We can't wait to see you there!

07/30/2026

Reason for Announcement
Fill Vacancy – Open Records & Evidence / Property Custodian
Job Type: Full-Time

Salary:
· Starting: $20.22 Hourly while training
· Increases to $25.27 Hourly after training
· Annual Salary Increases at the discretion of the county board and implemented wage scales
· Hours - 40hrs / week, 2080hrs / year

Benefits:
· 10 days vacation
· 30 Hours personal time
· 40 Hours sick time
· WI Retirement Pension
· State of Wisconsin Health Insurance
· Dental Insurance

Qualifications:
· High School Diploma or equivalent required.
· Associate’s degree with emphasis on Business Management, Finance, or Accounting preferred.
· High School Diploma or equivalent along with experience in administrative secretarial work or other related work experience will be considered.
· Preference may be given for law enforcement support experience and Individuals with payroll experience are encouraged to apply.
· Eligible for TIME and Crime Information Bureau (CIB) system access
· Ability to become a notary public.
CLICK BELOW FOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
https://ashlandcountywi.gov/sheriffemployment
Interview Process:
· Oral interview
· Background Investigation
· Drug test

Description:
The Sheriff’s Office is seeking a detail-oriented and trustworthy individual to fill the position of Open Records & Evidence / Property Custodian, responsible for providing general secretarial and administrative support to the Sheriff’s Office while serving as the primary administrative custodian for police evidence and property. This position plays a critical role in maintaining confidentiality, organizational efficiency, and legal compliance related to evidence handling, records management, and daily office operations.
This position also offers potential advancement opportunities, including training and assignment as a Crime Scene Evidence Technician, for the right candidate who demonstrates aptitude, reliability, and interest.

Website:
https://ashlandcountywi.gov/sheriffemployment

Apply By:
Will remove from site upon position being filled.

Submit:
Resume and Agency application that can be found on website, and submit via email or mail to Chief Deputy Dave Dawson.
Contact Information:
Chief Deputy Dave Dawson
220 6th St. East
Ashland, WI 54806
PHONE: (715) 685-7640 EXT. 801
Email: [email protected]

07/18/2026

We need your storm damage reports! Please report storm damage in Ashland County by email to Ashland County Emergency Management. [email protected]

07/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bopx2mB4S/

Extreme heat and humidity is expected over the Northland through early next week. The peak of this heat wave is expected on Sunday and Monday. It will NOT be a dry heat, with dew point values in the high 60s to low 70s expected. Heat Advisories are in effect through this evening, with Extreme Heat Warnings for most of the Northland for tonight through Monday evening.

07/09/2026

📣 Join Us for the 1st National Night Out in Mellen! 🚔🚒🚑

📢 Free Family Event 📢

The Ashland County Sheriff's Office is excited to invite you to our first-ever National Night Out in the City of Mellen!

📅 Tuesday, August 4, 2026
🕔 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Memorial Field – Mellen,
717 Fayette St, Mellen, WI 54546

To get there, turn onto Fayette Avenue next to the Mellen School. The entrance to the field is across from the school.

National Night Out is an opportunity for neighbors, families, and first responders to come together to build stronger relationships and safer communities. Come meet the men and women who serve your community while enjoying an evening of fun for all ages!

🎉 Activities Include:
🍔 FREE BBQ
🎯 Games for all ages
🎨 Face painting
🍦 Ice cream treats
🫧 Foam party
🚧 Obstacle course – See if you can beat a deputy or firefighter!

This free community event is a great chance to meet deputies, firefighters, EMS personnel, and your neighbors in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

Together, we can continue Building Community. Building Trust.

Bring your family, invite your friends, and help us make this inaugural National Night Out in Mellen a night to remember!

We can't wait to see you there!