11/18/2024

ASHLAND - A casual walk on a Fall Day turned into a rescue mission for folks in Ashland.

Don “Ocky” Jaskowiak and his wife heard something coming from a nearby storm grate. It turned out to be a cat, although the couple couldn’t see it. They called 911 and dispatched the fire department. The grate was covered over on its edges with asphalt, so a firefighter instead found another opening and dropped into the drainage pit. The cat wouldn’t come after being called, so at a certain point the firefighters returned to their station. Jaskowiak continued to hear the cat over the next few days, and finally with the help of the Chequamegon Humane Association, a decoy cat was deployed and Ocky was able to drop into the pit and snatch up the cat. CHA Director Kari Olinger and her son Quinn ended up adopting the cat, as it reminded them of one, they’d lost. Ocky Jaskowiak says he’s glad everything turned out to have a happy ending.