Northstar Search and Rescue

09/03/2026

Update: Wendy has been found safe. Thank you to the community for all of the assistance over the past couple of days. The outpouring of help has been more than we expected and it reminds us how great our community and other local resource are.

Update: Wendy was seen on a trail camera on today's date (9/4/26) around 12:30 PM near the address of E7390 1180TH AV. Wheeler, WI. If you live in the area, please check buildings on your property and any trail cameras. An updated photo showing the clothing she is wearing is the in the comments.

⚠️ MISSING PERSON – PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REQUESTED ⚠️

The Dunn County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Wendy Champion.

Wendy was last seen at approximately 6:30 a.m. today in the area of N11198 670th Street, Wheeler, Wisconsin.

If you live in or around this area, we are asking you to please:

• Check security cameras, doorbell cameras, trail cameras, or other video footage for anything that may help determine Wendy’s direction of travel or whereabouts.

• Check your property and outbuildings, including sheds, barns, garages, or other areas where someone could potentially seek shelter.

• Be alert while traveling through the area and report anything that may assist in locating Wendy.

If you have any information regarding Wendy’s whereabouts or believe you may have captured her on camera, please contact the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office at 715-232-1348.

We are not asking for any assistance in searching at this time.

09/01/2026

Today, our team spent the day sharpening our GPS skills! We worked on recording tracks in the field, downloading those tracks onto maps, and learning how to use that information during search operations.

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day!

08/24/2026

08/24/2026

Today our K9s got a fun opportunity to meet some new four-legged friends! 🐾🐄🐴
A huge thank you to Dick Berquam for letting us visit and meet the cows, and to Cynthia Bennett for giving our K9s the opportunity to meet the horses!
Experiences like these are a great way for our K9s to work around new animals, sights, smells, and distractions while building confidence. We appreciate you both for welcoming our team! ❤️🐾

08/18/2026

Charlotte “Charlie” is a German Shepherd × Belgian Malinois cross — a Malinois X bred for intelligence, agility, and unwavering loyalty.
Born with the drive of a Malinois and the balanced confidence of a Shepherd, Charlie is a quick‑learning, people‑focused pup who thrives on challenge. Her natural curiosity, sharp problem‑solving instincts, and athletic build make her exceptionally well‑suited for advanced working‑dog disciplines.

Charlie is currently in foundational training for human remains detection (HRD) and tracking, where she is already demonstrating the hallmark traits of a future operational K9: strong hunt drive, environmental stability, and a focused, methodical search style. She approaches scent work with intensity and enthusiasm, showing early promise in both precision tracking and independent odor recognition.

Despite her working‑dog genetics, Charlie carries a gentle, affectionate streak. She bonds deeply with her humans, adapts quickly to new environments, and balances her training drive with a steady, thoughtful temperament.

Charlie is a dog with purpose — a developing HRD and tracking prospect with the heart, grit, and intelligence to become a reliable partner in the field and a devoted companion at home.

08/12/2026

Happy Birthday K9 Scout.

08/11/2026

Meet Franklin! Franklin is a 16-week-old Belgian Malinois with a big personality and an even bigger heart. He's definitely a mama's boy and loves being by his handler's side. As he grows, Franklin will begin working toward a career in search and rescue. He still has a big decision to make—will he specialize in tracking, Human Remains Detection (HRD), or take on the challenge of learning both? We can't wait to see where his journey takes him!

08/10/2026

Our K9 teams had another great day of training! 🐾
The tracking dogs worked through environmental distractions while maneuvering through crowded areas and staying focused on their trails. Meanwhile, the HRD dogs searched for sources hidden in drains, beneath the dirt, and in water.

08/09/2026

Happy Birthday K9 Rufio!