The Highway 13 Question: Rest Stops, Rumors, and Rural Reali

When stories circulate in small towns, separating fact from fiction becomes its own investigation

The Rumor

In Price County, you might hear it at the gas station, the diner, or the post office: “They don’t talk about the suicides at the Highway 13 rest stop.” The implication is clear. Something dark happens there, and officials look the other way.

It’s the kind of story that spreads in rural communities where everyone knows everyone, but nobody knows everything. Read more Price County stories from across the web.

Ripsaw Saloon in Prentice.

The Reality Check

Let’s start with the facts:

There is no official Wisconsin Department of Transportation rest area on Highway 13 in Price County.

The WisDOT maintains Safety Rest Areas on interstates and major US highways:

I-90/94
I-39
I-94
I-43
US 2/53
US 53

Highway 13, while a vital north-south corridor, doesn’t have an official state-maintained rest area in Price County.

So what are people talking about?

The Informal “Rest Stops”

While there’s no official facility, Highway 13 has plenty of informal stopping points:

Roadside turnouts . Wide spots on the shoulder where drivers pull over to rest, check maps, or take a break.

Scenic overlooks . Places with particularly good views of the Northwoods field.

Waysides . Small pull-offs that might have a picnic table or trash can, but no facilities.

Business parking lots . Gas stations, restaurants, or stores where travelers stop.

Any of these could be what locals call “the rest stop” , but they’re not official state facilities with maintenance, lighting, or regular patrols.

The Missing Person Case

During research, another Highway 13 story emerged , one that’s documented and real.

Jesse Yanske, a 32-year-old Price County man, disappeared along Highway 13 in Taylor County on April 17, 2025. He was last seen with Rochelle Worden on Highway 13 outside Westboro.

His case has nothing to do with suicide , it’s a missing person investigation that’s remained active for over a year. But it shows how Highway 13 can become associated with tragedy in the public mind.

Why the Rumors Persist

Rural rumor mills operate on a few key principles:

The geography of isolation . Remote roads feel inherently more dangerous. When something bad happens away from town, it feels more sinister.

The information vacuum . In the absence of official information, speculation fills the gap. If authorities aren’t talking, people assume they’re hiding something.

The stigma of suicide . Mental health issues carry tremendous stigma in small communities. Families may prefer privacy, which can be misinterpreted as cover-up.

The human need for patterns . We look for patterns even where none exist. One tragedy at a location can become “that place where bad things happen.”

The Actual Suicide Data

While specific rest stop suicide data isn’t available for Price County, Wisconsin’s rural counties do face mental health challenges:

Rural areas have higher suicide rates than urban areas nationwide
Access to mental health services is limited in remote counties
The farming and logging industries have particularly high suicide rates
Substance abuse often co-occurs with mental health issues

These are real problems. But they’re not necessarily concentrated at specific highway locations.

The Bigger Picture

The Highway 13 rumors point to something real, even if the specific claims aren’t factual:

Rural mental health crisis . Wisconsin’s Northwoods faces serious mental health challenges with limited resources.

Transportation isolation . People in remote areas can feel trapped, with few options for help.

Trust deficits . When communities don’t trust their institutions, conspiracy theories flourish.

The need for conversation . We need to talk openly about mental health, suicide prevention, and how to support each other.

What Can Be Done

Instead of focusing on rumors, here are concrete actions:

Improve mental health access . Telehealth, mobile crisis teams, and better funding for rural providers.

Suicide prevention training . Programs like QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) for community members.

Better lighting and safety . If certain areas feel unsafe, improve lighting and visibility.

Community education . Open conversations about mental health to reduce stigma.

Crisis hotlines . Promote 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline availability.

The Truth Matters

Rumors about covered-up suicides do more harm than good. They:

Distract from real mental health needs
Erode trust in local institutions
Stigmatize those struggling with mental health
Create unnecessary fear in the community

The real story isn’t about a specific rest stop. It’s about the need for better mental health support across rural Wisconsin , and the courage to talk about it openly.

Sources: Wisconsin Department of Transportation; Price County Sheriff’s Office; National Rural Health Association; Wisconsin Office of Rural Health; community reports

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 anytime for free, confidential support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main highways through Price County?

U.S. Highway 8 runs east-west through Price County, connecting Rhinelander to Tomahawk and beyond. State Highway 13 runs north-south through Phillips, and several county highways provide connections to communities and recreation areas throughout the county.

How far is Price County from major Wisconsin cities?

Price County is approximately 250 miles north of Madison, 230 miles northwest of Milwaukee, 190 miles east of the Twin Cities, and 90 miles north of Wausau. Most visitors arrive via U.S. Highway 8 or State Highway 13.

Are there gas stations and services along Price County highways?

Gas stations and services are available in Phillips, Prentice, Park Falls, and other communities along Highway 8 and Highway 13. Rural stretches between communities can be 20-30 miles without services, so planning fuel stops is advisable.

What road conditions should travelers expect in Price County?

Highway 8 and Highway 13 are well-maintained paved roads. County highways range from paved to gravel. Winter driving conditions can be challenging from November through April, with snow and ice requiring caution on all routes.

Related: Jesse Yanske