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Lake Hallie (Press Release) - On Thursday December 6, 2012 the Lake Hallie Police
Department responded to a report of a US Military Mortar being located at a
private residence.
After examination the Mortar appeared to still be a live
explosive. For that reason the U.S. Military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Air Force
stationed in Madison was contacted. On Friday December 7, 2012 the Mortar was
destroyed in a rural area of the Town of Hallie.
The Mortar was found in a single family home located in the
4500 block of CTH-P in the Village of Lake Hallie. A person located the Mortar
while working at the residence. That same person removed the Mortar from the
home and placed it outside, then contacted police. It is believed that the
previous owner of the home had placed the Mortar in the living space of the
home.
At about 2:35pm the Chippewa County Sheriff James Kowalczyk
and the Chippewa Fire District Fire Chief were notified of the Mortar and
requested to respond. When Sheriff Kowalczyk arrived the situation was
discussed with him. Also consulted was a retired Chippewa County Sheriff's
Detective that was knowledgeable in explosive devices. It was agreed that the
danger to the public was greater by leaving the Mortar at its current location
then it was by moving it. Sheriff Kowalczyk and the retired detective agreed to
transport the device out of the residential area to a rural setting.
On Friday December 7, 2012 at about noon the Mortar was
properly destroyed by members of the US Air Force EOD Unit in a rural area in
the Town of Hallie. The Mortar was stamped to have been manufactured in 1967. The
Mortar was 81mm and about 20 inches long. The explosion was heard over a mile
away. Village President John Neihart assisted with locating a suitable and safe
disposal site.
