Units responding for damaged utility pole in Paddock Lake

/Photo by Faith Heg

At about 2:58 p.m., Town of Salem Fire/Rescue units are responding for broken up utility pole at Highways 50 and 83 south (Brass Ball Corners) in Paddock Lake. Per dispatch: A vehicle reportedly hit the pole and left the scene.

UPDATE 3:04 p.m. — Deputy on scene reports top of pole is sheared off and hanging by wires. Deputies on scene looking to block off all traffic to the intersection. I am getting reports of power being out in Brighton. The traffic signal is reportedly out at Highways 50 and B. Cable internet service was out at westofthei.com headquarters for a while but came back at about 3:05 p.m. We Energies also responding to the scene.

UPDATE 3:14 p.m. — We Energies showing two outages along Highway 50 affecting over 5,000 customers total. (We have power here at westofthei.com HQ in Paddock Lake.) We Energies has arrived on the scene.

UPDATE 3:18 p.m. — A car in the ditch just west of the intersection is not believed to have been involved, according to radio traffic. Reader in Brighton reports that power is back on there.

UPDATE 3:25 p.m. — Traffic signal at Highways 83 and AH also reportedly out. 3:51 p.m. — Salem School lost power a little before 3 p.m. today.

UPDATE 4:03 p.m. — Cable back up here. Lights at Highways 50 and B functioning again, deputy reports.

UPDATE 4:15 p.m. — We Energies reporting all power in area restored.

UPDATE 6:45 p.m. — We Energies still on the scene. Westbound traffic on Highway 50 being diverted either at Brass Ball Corners north on Highway 75 or south on Highway 83

/westofthei.com photo by Darren Hillock

/Photo by Faith Heg

/Photo by Kelly Mickelsen