Washburn Police Department

04/14/2025

April 13-19 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The Washburn Police Department would like to recognize our own Ashland/Bayfield County Dispatchers for the long shifts they work providing countless services for all the public safety departments out on the road as well as the general public. We appreciate everything you do!

03/04/2025

For Immediate Release:
A Snow Emergency has been declared for the City of Washburn starting tonight at 12:00 AM Wednesday, March 5, 2025 and ending at 12:00 PM Wednesday, March 5, 2025. A snow emergency means that all vehicles must be removed from all city streets, alleys, and parking lots. This will allow city streets to be cleared completely and without obstruction. Failure to comply may result in a citation.
Plow drivers have been instructed to clear streets and alleyways full width starting tonight. The priority tonight will be key facilities and emergency routes, but the entire City may be plowed.
Please move your refuse containers away from the streets and alleys as soon as possible!
And please know that the Police Department will continue enforcing alternate side parking after the snow emergency expires.

11/13/2024

This keychain was found on 5th Avenue West yesterday. If it's yours or you know who it belongs to, please call 715-373-6164, ext 106.

09/10/2024

Attention Washburn and surrounding area residents: The construction area along Bayfield Street from 2nd Avenue West to Thompson Road is closed to ALL traffic except for the construction workers. This includes all vehicles, bicycles and pedestrian traffic, and does include all sidewalks. We have had people walking through fresh concrete and vehicles in the way of construction workers. We realize that everyone is interested to see the progress but please stay completely out of the construction zone so that the construction crews can do their jobs. Also, please do not cross at any avenue that is closed. You may only cross at 2nd Avenue West, 6th Avenue West and 8th Avenue West. Please use the alleys to access local businesses. Thank you!

05/16/2024

Washburn residents: There is a bear that has been hanging out between 12th Street and Woodland. He doesn't seem very scared of people so please be aware of your surroundings if you walk or live in that area. If you live in that area, you should remove everything that could attract them like garbage cans and bird feeders for at least two weeks and he will move on. If you have problems with the bear, you can call the Department of Agriculture at 1-800-228-1368 and they will decide if the bear needs to be relocated.

01/12/2024

Please share with your friends, family and neighbors. Snow Emergency violations are $50.00. We would rather not have to issue any citations. Removing all vehicles from the streets will allow our public works crew to more efficiently remove any snow we may receive. Please make sure to remove obstructions in the alley such as garbage and recycling cans also.

A Snow Emergency has been declared for the City of Washburn starting at 6:00 PM on Friday, January 12, 2024 and ending at 12:00 PM Saturday, January 13, 2024. A snow emergency means that all vehicles must be removed from all city streets, alleys, and parking lots. This will allow city streets to be cleared completely and without obstruction. Failure to comply may result in a citation.

Plow drivers have been instructed to clear streets and alleyways full width starting tonight and will need to do a second round when the storm subsides. The priority tonight will be key facilities and emergency routes, but the entire City may be plowed.

Please move your refuse containers away from the streets and alleys as soon as possible!

And please know that the Police Department will continue enforcing alternate side parking after the snow emergency expires.
http://www.cityofwashburn.org/alerts.html

12/18/2023

Officer Joshua Fleig was recently recognized for 20 years of service with the Washburn Police Department. We appreciate Officer Fleig's hard work and dedication to the Washburn community and hope he will be around for years to come! Presenting him with his certificate of appreciation is Washburn Mayor, Mary Motiff.

11/01/2023

Odd-Even Winter Parking begins tonight in the City of Washburn and continues through April 1st. However, due to the lack of snow, we will not be enforcing it until the first measurable snowfall, although it's a good idea to get into the habit of parking on the correct side each night. Please remember, odd/even parking is for 24 hours, not just at night. It will be enforced during the day. We do allow a grace period in the evening to allow you to get on the right side before bed. The purpose of this parking ordinance is to allow our public works staff to effectively clear the streets of snow without having to weave between parked vehicles. If you have any questions about the winter parking ordinance, please feel free to call Chief Ken Johnson at 715-373-6164, ext 106, or email at [email protected]

08/29/2023

The Washburn Police Department recently received a box of meat sticks, jerky, cheese and crackers and fruit snacks. Whoever you are Wayne, you made our month! It's especially nice for the night shift guys that get hungry, but there are no stores open. Thanks so much for thinking of us!

06/22/2023

THIS CUSTOM MADE MOTORIZED BICYCLE WAS STOLEN NEAR THE 800 BLOCK OF VAUGHN AVE IN THE CITY OF ASHLAND.
IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION PLEASE CALL NON EMERGENT DISPATCH AT 1(715)682-7023.

04/04/2023

If anyone has info related to illegal dumping, please contact the police department.

* UPDATE - This issue has been resolved. We appreciate the honesty of one of our citizens and have reviewed the details of this incident. It was an unfortunate accident, and clean-up efforts have been underway. There is no need for further public concern.

The wastewater treatment plant has recently been experiencing a high fuel/diesel smell. Staff will begin to backtrace to find the source of the fuel.

Not only is dumping fuel into the sewer illegal, it is very dangerous as it can lead to an explosion at the plant. In addition, it can kill the organisms that make the biologic process of our treatment plant work. If that happens, it can lead to untreated sewage going into the Lake.

This is a very serious matter, and anyone with information on this illegal dumping should report it to law enforcement immediately.

02/23/2023

Snow emergency has been extended, please see below.

SNOW EMERGENCY EXTENDED:
A Snow Emergency has been extended for the City of Washburn until 6:00 AM Friday, February 24, 2023. A snow emergency means that all vehicles must be removed from all city streets, alleys, and parking lots. This will allow city streets to be cleared completely and without obstruction. Failure to comply may result in a citation.

Here is a photo of N Washington Ave. this morning.
Plowing crews will continue until noon today (12:00 PM, Thursday). Then will return at 10:00 PM tonight to clear streets and alleyways throughout the entire city. Priority is being given to key facilities and emergency routes.

Please know that the Police Department will continue enforcing alternate side parking after the snow emergency expires.

And please move your refuse containers away from the streets and alleys as soon as possible!

http://www.cityofwashburn.org/alerts.html