By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
September 1, 2007
It appears speed and alcohol were factors in this morning's motorcycle accident says Sturgeon Bay Police Chief Dan Trelka. The department responded to the accident at 3:00AM this morning. Trelka says the driver of the motorcycle, 22-year-old Jeremy Schultz, was seriously injured and transported to St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay. Trelka also reports that Schultz did not have a drivers license.
(Audio Here)
Trelka says the officers always enforce the Operating While Intoxicated and speeding laws and he attributes that to the low number of serious accidents in Sturgeon Bay. He says there has not been a fatality in the city for the last six years.
One thing that made this accident unique was that Schultz called 911 himself, but did not know where he was.
(Audio Here)
It took law enforcement authorities about 20 minutes to locate Schultz. Trelka says he was seriously injured in the accident, however, his condition is unknown at this time.
Trelka urges all motorcyclists to watch your speed, hear a helmet, don't drink and drive and watch out for other motorists. He says Schultz was very lucky there were no cars traveling southbound at the time of the accident.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
September 1, 2007
Senator
Alan Lasee is against the proposed increase in the cigarette tax.
Governor Jim Doyle has suggested the cigarette tax be increased
another $1.25 per pack. (Audio Here)
As far as health issues, Lasee says the warnings are printed right on the package. However, Lasee questioned if it is up to the government to tell people what to do with a legal substance.
(Audio Here)
As far as implementing a state-wide smoking ban, Lasee says it makes sense because many municipalities are doing it on their own.
He says the last thing we need is a combination of regulations of
which communities allow smoking or not.(Audio Here)
Lasee expects the state-wide smoking ban to go into affect sometime in the future but still opposes the cigarette tax increase.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 31, 2007
The southbound lane of Highway 42 was closed today from Egg Harbor Road to Utah Street due to a spill. The Sturgeon Bay Police Department asked motorists to avoid the area. Motorists were instructed to take Egg Harbor Road through town to avoid the closure. Sturgeon Bay Police Captain Arleigh Porter said law enforcement authorities were concerned about the safety of all motorists.
(Audio Here)
Today's road closure and clean up was no small task. Porter says the Sturgeon Bay Police Department, city firefighters, park & recreation department, city shop crew, county highway department and Sheriff's Department all assisted in the clean up and road closure. It took crews nearly two hours to clean up the spill.
(Audio Here)
Porter says the source of the spill is unknown and added that it is possible that they will never know how it happened.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 31, 2007
Without the Open Door Dental Clinic, some children in the area would never receive adequate dental care. Dental coordinator Mary Ann Zjala says the Open Door Dental Clinic takes care of the dental needs of children age 3-18 who are uninsured, under insured or have no dentist.
(Audio Here)
The Open Door Dental Clinic is run by volunteers who give top notch care to their patients. Some are retired or semi-retired doctors, dental hygienists and assistants often donate a shift or two in their spare time. Office assistants also play a key role in the volunteer staff.
(Audio Here)
The clinic has been around since 1999 and Zjala says the number of patients continues to climb every year. Without the Open Door Dental Clinic, those who volunteer there and the gracious donations, youngsters in the area would have nowhere to go to get dental care.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 31, 2007
Main-Traveled Roads opened in the Ephraim Town Hall this week and shows continue through October 28. The summer season is held at the Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek, but the fall show allows a much more intimate sense for everyone in the audience, according to Managing Director Kaye Christman.
Dave Hudson and Paul Libman are premiering their most recent production Main-Traveled Roads at American Folklore Theatre this fall. The musical received the 2007 Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre. Christman previewed the storyline for Main-Traveled Roads.
(Audio Here)
The creative forces behind Main-Traveled Roads, Hudson wrote the book and lyrics, and Libman the music, have collaborated for the past five years. The team has produced a new musical for each of those years. The duo’s first creative effort, Muskie Love, was produced at American Folklore Theatre and premiered in 2004. Christman said what sets AFT apart from the rest is the fact that they work with original productions.
(Audio Here)
Performances Monday through Saturday will begin at 7:30 pm. Saturday and Sunday matinees will be featured at 4 pm, with the exception of October 7 when a 7:30 pm show will be performed.
Tickets are $16 and $20, and can be purchased at the AFT box office. Tickets are also available on the WBDK and WSBW Shopping Show.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 31, 2007
Door County audiences have until Monday to see one of the most compelling shows of the summer. John Patrick Shanley’s “Doubt,” winner of the 2005 Tony and Pulitzer Prize for Best Play, has amazed crowds through its first week and a half on stage.
“Doubt” has a cast and crew that settles into their respective roles flawlessly and demands the attention of audiences. Carmen Roman is cast in the leading role of Sister Aloysius, a woman with a reputation for firmness and unbending resolve. Roman is in her eighth season with the Players and patrons will recall her stunning performance as Maria Callas in last seasons’ “Master Class” as well as her performances in “Broadway Bound,” “A Man for All Seasons,” “The Cherry Orchard,” “The Lion in Winter” and “The Uneasy Chair.” Roman took some time after a recent performance of "Doubt" to talk about her current character. Her stern and serious look at life has audiences reminiscing of days gone by. She expressed the importance of playing the no fun traditionalist.
(Audio Here)
Playing his fourth role with the Players this season is Sean Fortunato as Father Flynn a popular, charismatic priest who also coaches the boy’s basketball team. Fortunato’s Players credits include “Angel Street,” “Cabaret,” “Broadway Bound,” “Rain” and numerous others. Fortunato lays on the perfect Brooklyn accident for the production, but in an interview, you can barely believe your ears when he settles into his natural voice. Father Flynn is a role that Fortunato believes is the perfect contrast to Sister Aloysius.
(Audio Here)
The Peninsula Players production of "Doubt" will be on the stage through Monday. The Players perform Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7:30 p.m. with a special matinee performance Sunday, Sept. 2. Saturday's performance features a special talk back session with the players after the performance.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 30, 2007
A number of beach closings and an advisory have been posted today. Egg Harbor, Ephraim and Fish Creek Beaches are all closed as a result of high counts of E.coli. Starting with the highest, Ephraim Beach results came in at 2419.2 cfu/100ml of water. Beach closures are issued if results are above 1000 cfu/100ml. Also closed today is Fish Creek Beach with a count of 1986.3cfu/100ml and Egg Harbor Beach at 1046.2 cfu/100ml. Under advisory today is Sister Bay Beach. Results came in at 980.4cfu/100ml. An advisory is issued when results come in above 235 cfu/100 ml. Again, closures are issued at 1000cfu. Sister Bay Beach results were quite close to that number. While E.coli is not always to blame for illness, its presence normally means that other harmful bacterium are probably present in the water.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 30, 2007
Your last chance to hear the musical perfection of Midsummer’s Music is this weekend. The summer schedule winds down with four performances that run through Monday afternoon. Tonight at 7:30 p.m., the Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay will be the host of chamber music at its finest. Jim Berkenstock, Artistic Director with Midsummer's Music Festival, joined me this week on the 96.7 FM WBDK "Arts and Entertainment Page." He talked about the style of music that will be performed this weekend.
(Audio Here)
Tickets for the performances are $26.50 plus $3.50 tax/handling. The other performance times and dates include a performance Saturday night at 7:30 from the St. Joseph Retreat Center in Baileys Harbor, a 3:00 p.m. matinee Sunday at the Ephraim Moravian Church and a season ending benefit in conjunction with the Peninsula Art School at 2:00 p.m. from the Musikantow Residence on Marshalls Point. Berkenstock talked about the final performance of the year.
(Audio Here)
Midsummer’s Music was co-founded in 1990 by Jim and Jean Berkenstock, long-time Door County summer residents and principal orchestral players with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. From the beginning, Midsummer’s Music Festival has drawn on the extraordinary talent of professional musicians from the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago’s Symphony II, and the artist/faculty of quality universities throughout the Midwest. The series offers chamber music for winds, strings, piano, and voice in varying combinations from solo to nine instruments or more.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 30, 2007
Kewaunee High School Football, the number one team in the state in the Medium Division according to of the Wisconsin Associated Press high school poll, has forfeited last weeks game against Algoma. Kewaunee District Administrator Barb Lundgren said the forfeit comes after the discovery by Athletic Director Corey Baumgartner that two players on the football team were academically ineligible but still played in the game against Algoma. Kewaunee won the non-conference game 42-7 and the players played an insignificant role in the win. When the students entered the game, one junior and one senior, the score was 42-0 in Kewaunee's favor. Their playing time came in the second half and did not affect the outcome of the game, according to Football Coach Kurt Flaten. He said the staff was not aware of their insufficient grades.
Lundgren and Baumgartner immediately reported the violation to the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association and to Algoma coaches and administration. Lundgren added that the players knew they were academically ineligible. She said the coaches are ultimately responsible for making sure that everyone is eligible. In the Kewaunee School District, usually the guidance office publishes a list of ineligible students after report cards come out, and that did not happen in June. Lundgren was asked how the coaches had no prior knowledge of the player’s ineligibility.
(Audio Here)
The District is appealing the ruling that the contest will be recorded as a loss for Kewaunee. Lundgren said they are appealing because the WIAA recommended such action. Algoma's coaching staff and administration agreed that it was an unintentional error and wrote a letter to WIAA on Kewaunee's behalf, according to Lundgren. She anticipates hearing from the WIAA on a date for the appeal to be heard within a week. She said regardless of their decision this is a life lesson for everyone.
(Audio Here)
Coach Flaten was obviously disappointed, but said his team is focused on their game against Denmark on Friday night and nothing else.
(Audio Here)
The game against Algoma was broadcast on 102.1 FM WRKU. Paul Nimmer is the play-by-play announcer for the Kewaunee High School football team and believes the loss in the overall record could affect the teams seeding for the playoffs.
(Audio Here)
The Kewaunee School District has set an example for their students, parents and staff by admitting a mistake and taking the proper steps to rectify the problem.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 30, 2007
Law enforcement authorities have apprehended the individual involved in yesterday morning's high speed car chase. Door County Sheriff's Department Road Deputy Carl Waterstreet clocked a 2006 GMC silver Sierra going 96mph at about 6:45 yesterday morning , according to Sheriff Terry Vogel.
(Audio Here)
It took law enforcement authorities nearly an hour to capture the 46-year-old Sun Prairie man. It is believed that the man had possibly been staying at Peninsula State Park. Vogel said the chase began in Door County, at Highway 42/57, sped through Brown County and
ended just south of Oconto. Vogel said it appears the driver was
under the influence of alcohol. If the man was over the legal limit,
he could be charged in each county he sped through, says Vogel. He
says the department will file a report and submit it to District
Attorney Ray Pelrine for his review. Vogel says its usually younger
individuals who are involved in chases like this, not someone in
their mid-40's. The incident could have turned into a dangerous
event.(Audio Here)
Vogel said Deputy Waterstreet followed the driver for about 25 miles before ending the chase and radioing ahead to Brown County.
(Audio Here)
The name of the Sun Prairie man has not yet been released. No one was injured in the chase.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 30, 2007
The Dominion Power Station in Kewaunee
has achieved the highest safety ranking under the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Protection Program. The
Kewaunee Power Station receives its VPP Star flag in ceremonies
today. The accreditation will mark the companies' fourth station
to meet all of OSHA's regulations.
Local Affairs Manager with Dominon Energy in Kewaunee Mark Kanz
talked about the testing.
(Audio Here)
Dominion Kewaunee will need to reapply and renew their safety
accreditation in three years. The VPP Star program recognizes
companies for maintaining an outstanding industrial safety culture.
Engagement of the workforce is cited as one of the primary factors
for granting the award. Kewaunee Power Station demonstrated safety
as the station’s top priority to a team of industrial safety experts
that conducted a detailed inspection of the station and extensively
interviewed the workers. Employees coordinated the onsite inspection
by the OSHA safety review team last year.
Kanz said the tritium situation that littered the headlines over a
year ago have become a non-issues on the grounds at Dominion
Kewaunee. The safety ranking sheds more light on the proactive
approach the company is taking towards safety.
(Audio Here)
Six strengths and six 90-day items were presented to station
management. The 90-day items were completed in January 2007 and
Kewaunee’s VPP Star application received final approval from the
Secretary of Labor on June 25, 2007.
Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy, with a
portfolio of more than 26,500 megawatts of generation. Dominion
serves retail energy customers in 11 states. For more information
about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at http://www.dom.com.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 29, 2007
Door County Learning in Retirement is more than just education, it's also networking. It's no secret that many settle in Door County after retirement and LIR is a great way to get to know the people in your community. The fall course catalog was recently released and 59 classes are available this time around. LIR course presenter Jo Gruendemann didn't start off as a class leader. Gruendemann says she followed her husband to LIR and found that she really enjoyed all it had to offer.
(Audio Here)
Courses this season includes topics like; Dietary Supplements, Bird watching, Cribbage, Writer' Workshop and Investment Strategies. Gruendemann says Door County Learning in Retirement is not only a way to learn about those topics, but it is also a place to meet those with the same interests as you.
(Audio Here)
You must be a member to take advantage of the Door County Learning In Retirement courses. 59 are available this season and the $50 membership fee will give you access to all of them. Courses are held at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. For more about Door County Learning in Retirement visit www.nwtc.edu/lir, phone (920) 746-8007 or email dclir@nwtc.edu
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 30, 2007
Learn about what's happening at the Ridges Sanctuary, the Nature Conservancy, Door County Land Trust and other natural areas in the community at a lecture series in Bailey's Harbor today. Ridges executive director Steve Leonard said these non-profit organizations have been working together for many years to protect land through acquisition, easements and education. He talks about the program.
(Audio Here)
Both natural beauty and land preservation are quite important to many Door County residents.
(Audio Here)
Door County's State Natural Areas program will be at the Baileys Harbor Town Hall today at 7:30PM. There is no cost to attend and you do not have to be a member of any of those non-profits to attend.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 29, 2007
The Sturgeon Bay Common Council's Strategic Planning Session was successful say Mayor Tom Voegele and council member Ben Meyer. The council met yesterday at Crossroads at Big Creek for a strategic thinking session with UW-Extension Community
Development Educator Rob Burke. Mayor Voegele joined City
Administrator Kevin O'Donnell and six of the seven council members
for the session. Council member Steve Mann was unable to attend.
Voegele says things went well.(Audio Here)
Voegele says Burke was able to get the council through the entire detailed agenda.
(Audio Here)
Council member Ben Meyer said it was a wonderful strategic planning meeting that allowed the council to talk about many different topics. He said moderator Rob Burke came up with several issues to talk about like; sustainability, protecting water supplies and finding ways to attract young people to Sturgeon Bay. Meyer felt the session was good for the council.
(Audio Here)
According to Mayor Voegele, facilitator Rob Burke will compile information from the strategic planning session into a presentation that should be given at a future Common Council meeting. Voegele hopes some of these topics can be discussed further at a possible town hall meeting.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 28, 2007
The first day of school is fast approaching. According to Sturgeon Bay Police Chief Dan Trelka, there is a 15 mile per hour speed limit when driving in school zones where children are present. Trelka said officers will be keeping a watchful eye on traffic flow around all Sturgeon Bay Schools. The Police Chief wants people to drive cautiously anywhere in the city because of the amount of foot traffic. He said when you get near a school cover the break regardless of what time it is. Sturgeon Bay High School has open campus, which allows students to leave school for a short period of time. Trelka said any time between school bus arrival and the day's end, there is the potential of children crossing the street.
(Audio Here)
Trelka said people need to take more caution when passing a school bus. With such a small school district busses are stopping frequently. If you see flashing lights you need to come to a stop. If law enforcement catches a vehicle that goes through a school bus stop sign the ticket is not cheap.
(Audio Here)
There is only one school guard crossing in Sturgeon Bay. It is located at 15th Avenue and Michigan Street. When the crossing guard steps out into the street with a stop sign, vehicles must stop. Trelka said if someone ignores the guard they will write down your license plate number and phone it in. The Police Chief said the vehicle will then be ticketed. By driving slow in school zones and staying back from school busses potential tragedies can be avoided.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 29, 2007
Door County's shipbuilding industry received nearly $60,000 for job training yesterday.
Department of Workforce Development Secretary
Roberta Gassman was in Sturgeon Bay to present to a $31,008
grant to Bay Shipbuilding and $26,581 to Palmer Johnson Yachts. (Audio Here)
For Bay Shipbuilding, the money will enable Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to provide training for 187 employees in various fields.
(Audio Here)
Nearly $27,000 to Palmer Johnson's will provide training on welding procedures, metal fabrication, and aluminum welding
techniques to 58
employees. Gassman saluted Door County's shipbuilding industry and
added that "we must continue to strengthen out investment in worker
training in the state of Wisconsin."(Audio Here)
Gassman said both Bay Shipbuilding and Palmer Johnson Yachts were very important to the state of Wisconsin. She also commented on plans for continued workforce training in the state. Gassman would like to see the legislature increase the state funding for Workforce Advancement Training so that this program will continue to help improve job security, increase career opportunities, and support regional workforce and economic development efforts.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 28, 2007
The Door County Board of Supervisors approved all routine action scheduled on the agenda today in 41 minutes. The approval of gift, grant and/or donation to the Door County Parks Department and a transfer of non-budgeted funds for the Door County Finance Department were just a few of the agenda items addressed today.
Door County Board Chair Charlie Most said one item of interest to many was the Personnel Policies & Procedures Manual. The county board unanimously voted in favor of changes that will focus on employee progressive discipline. Most talked about an example of a change that was made.
(Audio Here)
Most said the changes were self-explanatory but needed to be in writing so employees do not take advantage of the system. Gambling at work is another example of intolerable action. He talked about why the changes were made.
(Audio Here)
Charlie Most also took some time during correspondence to discuss the success of the Transportation Consortium trip to Washington D.C. The next county board meeting will be held on September 25.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 28, 2007
The countywide burn ban has been lifted as a result of overcast skies and dew in the morning that took place over the weekend. Door County Emergency Management Director Ann DeMeuse said the ban was lifted at 12:30 p.m. yesterday. While sufficient rain was not received, fire chiefs throughout the county felt plant life was greening up enough to lift the countywide ban. DeMeuse explained the decision to allow burning in various locations in Door County.
(Audio Here)
The burn ban was put into affect on August 6. The 21-day countywide effort is the longest such order in at least twenty years.
While the countywide ban has been lifted, that does not mean burning is being allowed everywhere. DeMeuse said north of Sturgeon Bay is still extremely dry. Most Fire chiefs in Northern Door County are keeping village, town or citywide bans in place. DeMeuse said the best way to find out if you are still under a burn ban is to make a call to your local fire station.
(Audio Here)
Regardless of your location in the county, it is a good idea to check with your fire station to see if burning is allowed, according to the director of Door County Emergency Management. The B.U.G. Department in Southern Door will keep the burning permits limited in their area. DeMeuse said there is no black and white with the areas that can burn and the areas that cannot. It is dry enough throughout Door County that residents should still be very cautious when handling fire.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
August 28, 2007
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman will announce two grants to help Northeast Wisconsin Technical College upgrade job skills for two major Sturgeon Bay employers, Bay Shipbuilding Company and Palmer Johnson Yachts, today during a visit to Door County.
Secretary Gassman will announce the first grant at Bay Shipbuilding Company at 9:30 a.m. She will then visit Palmer Johnson Yachts at 10:45 a.m. to announce the second grant. The public will be allowed to attend the announcements, according to Agency Liaison with the Department of Workforce Development Dick Jones. She will be joined at both events by Mary Cuene, a representative of the Wisconsin Technical College System.
(Audio Here)
A division of Manitowoc Marine Group, Bay Shipbuilding specializes in large ship construction projects and has 100 years of shipbuilding and ship repair expertise. Palmer Johnson Yachts began as a wooden fishing boat builder more than 80 years ago and today is one of the world’s leading builders of luxury high performance yachts. Jones said the grants will help in the training of potential shipbuilding employees.
(Audio Here)
The public is welcome to attend the ceremonies. Secretary Gassman will further describe the grants. Details that will be discussed include the amount, intended use and potential for local business.
Secretary Gassman’s Events in Sturgeon Bay for Tuesday, August 28, 2007
9:30 a.m. Bay Shipbuilding Company
Conference Room
605 N. 3rd Avenue
10:45 a.m. Palmer Johnson Yachts
128 Kentucky Street
NOTE: Enter main door on Kentucky Street