By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 4, 2008
The winter thaw is a good time to test the water in your well says Door County Sanitarian John Teichler. With the snow melting and spring rains on the way, Teichler encourages all residents to pick up a test bottle or two to find out if your water is bacteriologically safe. This test is encouraged for those with private wells. Routine testing should be done at least once a year says Teichler.
(Audio Here)
Collecting these water samples is easy. These bottles can be obtained from the sanitarian department.
(Audio Here)
Many assume the water in their well is safe says Teichler, however, they would not know for sure unless they had it tested. Well testing is easy and results should come back within 48 hours. For more information you can contact the Door County Sanitarian Department.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 4, 2008
The Golden Heart Awards ceremony will celebrate volunteerism throughout Door County on April 24. This Door County Volunteer Center event is a time to recognize the people and nonprofit agencies that contribute so much to our community says director Christine
Henkel. All nominees will be recognized at the Golden Heart Awards
event she adds.(Audio Here)
The six categories for the Golden Heart Awards are; Youth, Adult, Group, Leadership, Lifetime of Service and Arts & Culture. Award recipients will receive an award designed by Popelka Trenchard Glass and $1,000 to give to a nonprofit organization of their choice. The keynote speaker will be Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation founder and former first lady Sue Ann Thompson. Henkel says she is looking forward to this event.
(Audio Here)
The Volunteer Center's Golden Heart Award ceremony will be Thursday, April 24 at Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advance. The event will begin at 5:00PM and dinner will be served at 5:30PM. If you would like to attend please contact the Volunteer Center at 920-746-7704. To learn more about volunteer opportunities in Door County, visit www.volunteerdoorcounty.com.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 5, 2008
Mr. Door County 2008
will be crowned tonight at the Sturgeon Bay High School
Auditorium at 7:00. The first ever Mr. Door County fundraiser will
help a poverty-stricken school in Bolivia. A group of Rotary
Interact students is organizing the event. Sturgeon Bay High School
senior Annika Paulsen stumbled across this touching story.
(Audio Here)
Rotary Interact teaches youth in our community that friendships made
with foreign countries today will make the world a better place
tomorrow. The hope is to raise enough money to help the school
district purchase a piece of land.
Mr. Door County will feature young men aged 15-21 displaying their
talents, fashion sense and sense of humor. Paulsen described the
event.
(Audio Here)
The evening is sure to leave the crowd laughing. Paulsen said judges
will be grading participants on a number of variables including
stage presence, crowd participation, ability to adlib and overall
performance.
Paulsen said one young man will try to break a world record. Others
will showcase instrumental, dance and singing abilities for the
talent portion of the competition. Paulsen said a pre-show raffle
will give people an opportunity to win gift certificates from
various businesses in Door County. The first Mr. Door County 2008
event will be at 7:00 PM tonight at the Sturgeon Bay High School
Auditorium.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 4, 2008
The Wisconsin Singers
perform in Door County just one time a year. Sunday, at the Southern
Door High School Auditorium, the University of Wisconsin Alumni Club
of Door County is hosting the traveling group. Wisconsin Singers
presents this year's performance "40 Years of Wisconsin Singers"
starting at 2:00 p.m.
The group is comprised of UW Madison college students with a passion
for singing, dancing and entreating, according to organizer of the
event Dick Weidman. He said this year's show is especially important
to Door County music appreciators because for the entire 40 years of
this group’s existence, they have been performing in Door County.
Wisconsin Singers put on a G rated version of Broadway
entertainment. Weidman said their choreography is unbelievable and
it is different every year.
(Audio Here)
This is the main fundraiser for the University of Wisconsin Alumni
Club of Door County. The money raised goes toward scholarships that
are handed out to Door County High School seniors attending UW
Madison in the fall. On average, $10-12 thousand is awarded in
scholarship money. Weidman talked about where the money raised at
this weekend's show will go.
(Audio Here)
The performance is a guaranteed crowd pleaser with powerful vocals,
Broadway style dance and explosive instrumentals. This group takes
everything that Door County is known for in the entertainment
industry and puts it into one gigantic show. The performers range in
age from 18 to 23. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students
and can be purchased at the door on Sunday.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 3, 2008
Its been a great year for ice fishing says Gary's Guide Service fishing guide Gary Nault. While there was lots of snow at times, ice conditions were pretty good says Nault. He says fishing was good.
(Audio Here)
As
the seasons change and the ice melts, many anglers are anxious to
get out on open water. In the mean time, fishing charter captains
have been out promoting the great fisheries in the Door County area.
Nault says Sturgeon Bay was well represented at the Milwaukee Sports
Show a couple weeks ago.(Audio Here)
That was the first time Sturgeon Bay was represented at the Milwaukee Sports Show and Nault says the booth was a hit. Sturgeon Bay is also being represented at the Minneapolis Sports Show right now. Nault says its not hard to convince people that Sturgeon Bay is the place to be if you want to fish.
(Audio Here)
Nault says many seemed very interested to learn more about our area and what our fisheries have to offer. With the gas prices we've seen recently, Nault expects to see many people making the short trip to Sturgeon Bay instead of spending big bucks to get away.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 3, 2008
A barn was destroyed
and 38 cows died in a Jacksonport fire this morning. Jacksonport
Fire Chief Brad Bley said the fire at 5770 Highway 57 was reported
at about 1:30AM.
(Audio Here)
Bley says firefighters fought the blaze for about an hour before the
flames were under control. The cause of the fire is currently under
investigation. Bley expects to be on scene for the next several
hours.
(Audio Here)
Bley says all firefighters did a great job containing the fire and
preventing the flames from spreading to surrounding structures. He
says the Jacksonport Fire Department received assistance from the
Sturgeon Bay, Egg Harbor, Baileys Harbor, Gibraltar, Ephraim and
Sister Bay/Liberty Grove fire departments.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 3, 2008
Utilizing an
opportunity given by Sturgeon Bay Mayor Tom Voegele, public comment
was heard from those concerned about the Third Avenue construction
project at Tuesday's Common Council meeting. A change order was
presented at the last council meeting. Originally, the project was
to begin at end of March or beginning of April but the unexpected
late winter weather delayed that start date. The new start date is
April 21 and the project should be complete by July 3. Sturgeon Bay
Visitor & Convention Bureau Executive Director Todd Trimberger
addressed the council Tuesday and said business owners on Third
Avenue are scared.
(Audio Here)
Trimberger hopes communications between the Wisconsin Department of
Transportation, the city and the local businesses would improve
before decisions are made. In the original plan, the Third Avenue
reconstruction project would have been complete by Memorial Day.
With the new schedule, that date has been pushed back to July 3.
While only a couple weeks difference, Trimberger says the change
could dramatically effect business.
(Audio Here)
The bottom line is that Trimberger hopes all parties involved will
communicate with each other openly before making final decisions. He
hopes things will be studied thoroughly, from all angles, before
conclusions are made.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 3, 2008
After a long winter break, Door County Habitat for Humanity is back working on this season's home construction projects. Habitat for Humanity helps to provide affordable
housing for those who would not normally be able to own their own home. Two homes are scheduled to be built this season and a group of eight volunteers suited up to get started on a home on Seventh Avenue in Sturgeon Bay Tuesday. Executive director Rick Nelson says the snow, wind and rain were not ideal conditions but crews continued anyways.
(Audio Here)
Nelson says its was a pretty good work day for the Habitat crew. He says it seems everyone had something to do. Nelson talked about what volunteers worked on Tuesday.
(Audio Here)
Nelson says there's work for anyone who would like to help with a Habitat home. Young or old, man or woman, he says there's a job for everyone. Ideally Nelson hopes for at least ten volunteers each day. Volunteer construction crews work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A Saturday work day will also be offered this year. The first Saturday work day will be April 12. Crews usually work from 8:00AM until about 3:00PM.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 3, 2008
Whether you've been ballroom dancing for years or have always wanted to give it a try, the Bailey's Harbor Town Hall is where you should be on Saturday. For the past couple months, a small group of Door County residents have been getting instruction from
competitive ballroom dancers Glenn Mandel & Diane Redelin. The Egg
Harbor couple taught the class rumba, waltz, foxtrot and swing.
Their session will end with an open ballroom dance on Saturday
evening and everyone is invited to attend. Mandel talks about the
event. (Audio Here)
Mandel knows there are many people in Door County who are interested in ballroom dancing. He says people of all skill levels will be at Saturday's event.
(Audio Here)
Whether you have years of experience with ballroom dancing or have always wanted to give it a try, Mandel says you're sure to have a good time.
(Audio Here)
Saturday's open ballroom dance will be at the Bailey's Harbor Town Hall from 7:00PM until 11:00PM. The cost to attend is $5.00 per person. Future plans for a Door County Ballroom Dance Club are in the works. Please click here to express an interest in joining a Door County Ballroom Dance Club!
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 3, 2008
Governor Jim Doyle took a few minutes to address his future in politics at the Pioneer Store after signing the Propane Safety Act Tuesday. Lieutenant Governor Barbra Lawton commented in an interview with the AP this week that if Doyle decided not to run for a third term as governor in 2010, she would run for Governor. Doyle responded after being asked when, he would make his decision on running in the next election.
(Audio Here)
Doyle said Lawton's comments would not rush him into any sort of
quick decision.
(Audio Here)
The current Governor said there is no rush, because the campaign season is quite a ways off yet. Jim Doyle made it sound that he would make an official announcement some time after the presidential election.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 3, 2008
Many will be surprised about what they'll see once all the snow has melted. This long snowy winter has left the ground covered and slowly we're beginning to see how much work will go into making full green lawns this year. Owner of Briggsville Gardens Richard Briggs says there will be a lot of time spent on repair and maintenance on lawns this season. Areas near sidewalks and driveways will need the most work.
(Audio Here)
Briggs says the large amounts of salt used over the winter won't help the grass either.
(Audio Here)
Briggs says your normal weed and feed fertilizer can be applied to lawns once the temperatures warm up. He says the ground must be a little warmer before the fertilizers can start working. Briggs guessed it'll be another few weeks before fertilizers will go down.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 3, 2008
Although the snow on the ground might provide evidence to the contrary, spring is just around the corner. And nothing says spring quite like…composting? Going Garbage & Recycling Inc of Sister Bay delves into composting for its April environmental speaker series lecture. Entitled “Composting 101+,” the lecture will take place on Wednesday, April 9 at 7:00 pm at the Sister Bay Fire Station, located at 220 Mill Road, Sister Bay. The lecture will feature Marcy McGrath, a Waste Management Specialist with the Department of Natural Resources.
Composting is the aerobic decomposition of biodegradable organic matter. This decomposition recycles organic household, yard waste and other materials into a very useful soil-end product called compost. Ultimately, this process allows the return of needed organic matter and nutrients back into the food chain. Composting is actually practiced under government mandate in many western countries, because it can significantly reduce the amount of green waste going into landfills.
McGrath has worked for the DNR since 2000, and her primary responsibilities include working with municipal recycling and composting programs. Not only does she provide technical assistance to communities about how to manage large municipal compost sites, McGrath also helps communities educate citizens about how to begin composting at home on their own.
McGrath will cover a variety of topics at the lecture, from how individuals and families can get started with home composting, as well as how communities and businesses can build larger-scale composting systems to reduce their landfill and trash impact.
The final Going Garbage Environmental Speaker for the 2008 season will be Wess Damro, who is the Recycling Manager for the Brown County Port & Solid Waste Department. Damro’s concentration is on household hazardous waste, and topics in the lecture will range from what is classified as hazardous waste to how to properly dispose of it, specifically e-waste. Attendees of this lecture are encouraged to come at 6:30 pm before Damro speaks to see a film screening of “The Digital Dump,” a 22-minute documentary about exporting digital waste to Africa.
For more information about the Going Garbage Environmental Speaker Series, or about Going Garbage and Recycling Inc, please call Christi Decker at (920) 854-2114 or visit www.goinggarbage.com.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 3, 2008
Jefferson Street in Sturgeon Bay will be closed today from 6:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. between 3rd Avenue and 1st Avenue. A portion of 1st Avenue will also be closed to traffic just north and south of the intersection. This closure was originally scheduled for Monday, but the work was postponed. Sturgeon Bay Public Works Superintendent Jerry DeMarb explained that no road construction will take place on Jefferson Street.
Palmer Johnson is moving some of their work form the paint building to the fabrication building so no real road construction will take place. Normally this type of transport happens at 1 AM, but this time it needs to be done during the day.
DeMarb said, the season for road closures will begin in May. He asks that all motorists take their time when traveling through the detour route. The safety of the road workers can be protected by slow and courteous driving.
Traffic should be back to normal on Jefferson Street by 4:00 p.m. DeMarb said it is possible the road could be opened even earlier than the estimated finish time.
By Patti Podgers DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 3, 2008
As the scent of spring wafts through the air, visions of ruby red tomatoes and crisp green beans dance through our heads as thoughts turn to Door County’s produce bounty. And with rising energy and fuel costs, buying locally is becoming a popular alternative. But for local producer Mark Savard, the issue of buying locally is much more urgent.
“It’s time we revisit the old ways and learn some new ways of how we eat and where we purchase our food products. Our environment will not be able to sustain us if we don’t start buying locally and supporting our local producers. I believe in personal choice and this is a win-win situation for all of us.”
Savard took the proverbial bull by the horns and laid the idea of building a local producers’ guide on the desk of Dean Volenberg, Door County UW Extension Ag Agent. “Last summer I wondered what to do with my surplus produce, where to go with it. Dean considered the problem and came up with the idea of compiling a local growers’ directory that would be available to consumers. We hope to have a list of more than 70 Door County producers ready to go by late spring.”
Savard has three suggestions for consumers who would like to become more sustainable. At the top of the list is purchasing one organic product with each visit to the grocery store. “Consumers don’t have to make huge lifestyle changes all at once. But if we all buy organic it will help bring the prices down,” Savard explained.
Secondly, visit Door County’s seasonal farm markets in Sturgeon Bay, Fish Creek, and Sister Bay. “The markets don’t usually open until late June because our growing season is so short. But the produce is wonderful and so fresh,” he added.
Finally, Savard suggested forming a personal relationship with producers. “Find out what is coming in, let they know what you like. Get on a first name basis with your favorites and it will pay off with ripe rewards.
“We all make decisions that suit our lifestyle, but we could make better decisions based on what is happening in our economy, markets, and environment. Our goals are all the same; it’s how we get there,” concluded Savard.
The public is invited to attend a Sustainability Fair to be held at the Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay on Sunday, April 20 from noon - 5 p.m. More than 20 local businesses and non-profit organizations will display information related to creating conditions for social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
For more information on supporting our local growers contact Mark Savard at wildwood@dcwis.com or Dean Volenberg, 746.2260, and via email at Dean.Volenberg@ces.uwex.edu
Suggested reading for becoming more sustainable includes:
“Animal, Vegetable, Miracle,” author: Barbara Kingslover
“The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” author: Michael Pollan
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 2, 2008
Seven new Door County Board Supervisors won last night in the 2008 spring election. The race for Door County Board featured four contested races. Just one of the challenged incumbents retained his seat on the board and that occurred in District 19. Hugh Mulliken defeated challenger Donald Sitte. The incumbent received 58.03% of the vote and Sitte received 41.73% of the vote. This was the fourth time these two men ran against each other for the District 19 supervisor race. Mulliken talked about his campaign platform.
(Audio Here)
Mulliken has been reelected for his fourth term on county board. He said he enjoys the work and has seen many different faces on the board over the past six years. That trend will continue, as four other new faces will be seated on the board at this months meeting.
Running unopposed in District 21, Joel Gunnlaugsson, District 2 representative John Neinas, District 16 representative Gary Bogenschutz and District 6 representative Neal DeBaker are all new to the Door County Board of Supervisors.
Other new faces came in contested races. In District 3, incumbent Bob Ryan fell to challenger Patrick Olson. The challenger received 58.44% of the vote and Ryan received 40.94%.
Sturgeon Bay city council member Ben Meyer won the District 7 race. The challenger accumulated 56.04% of the vote. He knocked off challenger Phillip Whipple with 42.31% of the vote. Meyer becomes the first Sturgeon Bay council representative to also serve on the Door County Board of Supervisors since former mayor Coleen Crocker-MacMillan. He talked about why this is not seen more often.
(Audio Here)
The race for Door County board supervisor in District 17 had two politically experienced women running. Incumbent Kari Anderson lost to former county clerk Nancy Bemmann by the count of seven votes. The closest race of the night was won by 1.48% of the vote.
County Board Supervisor Hugh Mulliken said even though a lot of experience was lost on the board, the balance of new and old supervisors could make for positive change.
(Audio Here)
The reorganizational meeting of the Door County Board of Supervisors will be held at the County Justice Center in Sturgeon Bay on April 15. The meeting will begin at 8:30 AM and will include the election of the next county board chair.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 2, 2008
One of the most hyped votes for the spring 2008 election in Door County took place in the Sevastopol School District. A referendum question was on the ballot that read as follows: Do you support a resolution allowing the district to exceed the revenue limit by $600,000 a year in the 2008-2009, 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years for capital improvements, maintenance projects, safety upgrades and instructional needs. An alarming 77.71% of the voters in the Sevastopol School District supported the referendum.
Also in Sevastopol, four candidates were running for three seats on the school board. The leading vote getter was incumbent Jane Luebker with 26.62% of the vote. Incumbent John Moravec joins Luebker on the board with a three-year term. Receiving the third most votes was incumbent Mike Kaye. Challenger George Evenson lost by 87 votes for the final spot on the board.
In the race for Southern Door School Board, Brenda Olsen, Charles Bretl and Perry DeGrave won the election. Incumbent Kelly Tassouol was defeated in the race.
The Washington Island School District was also supportive of both referendum questions posed to the voters. The district voted yes to question one asking, "Shall the School Board be authorized to exceed the revenue limit for the 2008-09 school year on a nonrecurring basis by $255,000 to pay the cost of district operating expenses?"
Yes 219
No 201
Question two was, "Shall the School Board be authorized to exceed the revenue limit for the 2008-09 school year through the 2012-13 school year on a nonrecurring basis by $15,000 for roof replacement?"
Yes 286
No 129
Here is a look at the rest of the contested races in Door County:
Sturgeon Bay City Council:
District 2
Ron Vandertie (incumbent) 179
Write-in Mark Schuster 97
Jody Kaye 6
District 4
Write-in Jams Abeyta 119
Chris Olson 74
Baileys Harbor Town Board (Three candidates running for two seats)
Barbara Anschutz (incumbent) 214
Robert Schultz (incumbent) 178
Bryn Skrivanie-LeClair 164
Gardner Town Board (Two candidates for one seat)
Mark Stevenson (incumbent) 108
Bob Steinberger 74
Washington Island Town Board (Three candidates for two seats)
Doug Huffman 214
Elizabeth Holmes (incumbent) 178
Terri Moore 136
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 2, 2008
Kewaunee County had a lighter load of contested races than Door County for last night's spring election. A referendum question in the Luxemburg-Casco School District received a lot of hype prior to the vote. The question read: Would you support a resolution authorizing general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding $18.5 million, be it resolved by the school board of the Luxemburg-Casco School District, The general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $18.5 million for the purpose of paying the cost of acquiring land, and making school improvements including expanding and remodeling the high school and primary school; demolishing the oldest portion of the middle school and expanding and remodeling it; remodeling the intermediate school; and acquiring furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
The referendum failed by a wide margin. 1,965 Kewaunee County residents voted no and 1,238 constituents voted yes. In Brown County, 428 people voted no and 267 voted yes.
In the race for the Kewaunee County Board of Supervisors: Two votes separated the District 12 race. Melissa Jo Huizenga topped Jeffrey Stangel 106-104. In District 13, incumbent Donald Walter received 176 votes and defeated Patrick Benes handily. Incumbent Kaye Shillin in District 20 blew out Joseph Mills 132-41.
In the City of Algoma District 1 council member Lynn Lawrenz squeaked by Denise Baumann 76-64.
Finally, on the Kewaunee School Board, challengers John Pagel and Paul Kultgen upended incumbent Pat Pichotta. Pagel earned a three-year term by receiving the most votes. Kultgen will serve a two-year term.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 2, 2008
Both recommendations from the Sturgeon Bay Plan Commission failed to get through the common council last night. The council tabled a motion that would have amended a section of the Big Box Ordinance that to allow the city to consider recent fiscal and economic impact analysis done by other entities. Council member Steve Mann believed the
amendment was another roadblock for WalMart.
(Audio Here)
The council tabled that issue and will discuss it again at the next meeting. Also yesterday, the council voted against a motion that would have created a Large Retail Establishment Review Committee. That group would have been made up of the Sturgeon Bay Common Council and the City Plan Commission.
Rezoning property on Duluth Avenue was back on the agenda for a first reading. The mayor vetoed a vote at the last meeting to rezone the parcels from Agricultural (A) to General Commercial (C-1). Council member James Michaud said this.
(Audio Here)
While council member Ben Meyer moved to rezone the parcel C-5 instead, the council voted in favor of the C-1 zoning.
Before going into closed session, the council talked about the Wiretech relocation and redevelopment project. Community development director Marty Olejniczak gave a short presentation to update the council on the plans so far. Door County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Bill Chaudoir was also at yesterday's meeting to talk about the issue. Wiretech is currently looking at developing on four acres but may need up to six. While job creation might be a possibility in the future, Chaudoir said the object of this relocation project was job retention.
(Audio Here)
In the end, the council voted to approve the memorandum of understanding and direct city staff to proceed with the creation of TID #3.
Following that, the council convened in closed session to talk more about the Wiretech property purchase, an issue regarding Shipyard Partners and a personnel recommendation for maintenance technician candidates. The next Sturgeon Bay Common Council meeting will be Tuesday, April 15.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 1, 2008
Governor Jim Doyle signed the Propane Registry Act into law today at
the Pioneer Store in Ellison Bay. The legislation was signed on the
store counter in front of fifty or so people crammed into the
general store. The legislation adds much needed safeguards to
storing propane. Owner of the Pioneer Store Carol Newman and Doyle
agreed that if this legislation were in place before the tragic
explosions on July 10, 2006, two lives would have been saved. Doyle
explained why this bill is so important to him.(Audio Here)
Previously, notification or excavation requirements under the statewide system did not apply to private fuel systems. Senate Bill 273 was authored after an explosion killed two visitors
in the
summer of 2006, and injured their three children. The bill also requires the licensing of suppliers who fill containers with liquid petroleum gas and authorizes a licensed supplier to sue for monetary relief if he or she suffers damage from the filling of a container by an unlicensed supplier.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Alan Lasee and Jeff Plale and Representatives Garey Bies and Frank Boyle for their work on the bill. He added that the Propane Gas Association gave up a little of what might have been in their own best interest, but understood what the broader public interest was and helped craft a good piece of legislation. The bill will eliminate the guessing game when digging near propane lines.
Carol Newman said that this is not the last chapter in the book on the Ellison Bay explosions.
(Audio Here)
Door County Board Chair Charlie Most said this was a special way to end his tenure as a public servant. Most thanked the Governor for his concern over the explosions and the attention he afforded to this issue over the last 21 months. The board chair said the Pioneer Store became the symbol for the Ellison Bay community after the explosion and throughout the rebuilding process and it was great that the bill was signed there.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 1, 2008
The Kewaunee County Prevention Task Force is calling on area residents to step up and help fight the battle against underage drinking. A town meeting will be held tomorrow and Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski says those interested in the success of our youth are encouraged to attend. A panel will be present at that meeting to talk about the issues of underage alcohol consumption from different perspectives.
(Audio Here)
The purpose of this meeting will be to inform the community about recent data and information associated with underage drinking, provide tips and resource information to parents and those working with youth and allow those in attendance an opportunity to ask questions. The Kewaunee County Prevention Task Force has been working hard on address this issue.
(Audio Here)
Joski says the issue of underage drinking is a tough topic to approach. He says its not easy to tell people how much of a problem this is and that action needs to be taken to get a hold of the issue. Joski hopes this Kewaunee County Town Hall meeting will get people talking and taking action on this very important topic. The town hall meeting will be at the Luxemburg-Casco High School Auditorium tomorrow at 6:30PM.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 1, 2008
Door County resident, Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton has not made an announcement, but in a profile interview with the AP yesterday, she said she will run for governor in 2010 if current Governor Jim Doyle does not seek a third term. An undecided Doyle has not made his decision public yet. Lawton said he is undecided at this point and he has the right to take his time to consider something that important. She recalled the question that started all of the media buzz.
(Audio Here)
Lawton said she absolutely would run for governor if Doyle does not. The Door County resident said she is in the very early stages of preparing for a possible campaign in case Doyle does not run. Lawton has put a lot of thought into serving her state as Governor.
(Audio Here)
Lawton was the first woman elected lieutenant governor in Wisconsin. No woman has ever served as governor in the state. She wanted to make it clear that she did not make an announcement yesterday. She said she is not pushing this conversation; it just came up in an interview.
You will hear Governor Doyle's response to the statement made by Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton today in our 5:00 p.m. news report.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 1, 2008
The Kewaunee Power Station nuclear reactor was shut down Friday for refueling. While in shut down mode, maintenance projects, the replacement of the transformer and numerous safety checks will take place, according to Dominion Kewaunee's Communication Director Mark Kanz. Refueling occurs after a year and a half of operating.
(Audio Here)
The refueling process allows Dominion professionals to reset the nuclear reactor for another 18-month run. Mark Kanz further explained what is happening during this shut down.
(Audio Here)
Kanz did not say when the Kewaunee Power Station will return to operation.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
April 1, 2008
The Sturgeon Bay city council will tackle a number of key issues including the big box code, the Wiretech relocation plan and the spraying of chemicals in the bay to kill weed growth. City Engineer Tony Depies was involved in the weed spray project for years. He said this is a cost savings program for the city and all of the private marinas in Sturgeon Bay.
(Audio Here)
Spraying the bay helps control an over abundance of weeds that clog up boat propellers, make swimming and fishing difficult, and make the appearance of the bay and channel less than desirable. The weed growth has been attributed to a number of causes. Lately the onus has fallen on homeowners that over fertilize their lawns. The Door County Environmental Council and other environmental watchdog groups throughout the state are urging phosphate free fertilizer use.
Also, on the agenda at tonight’s Sturgeon Bay common council meeting is the proposed changes to the big box code. Changes could be coming in the near future for large retail establishments and the restrictions on the buildings. The council will consider creating a large retail establishment review committee. Its purpose would be to decide whether Big Box stores built in Sturgeon Bay, where they should be built and what size restrictions should be placed on the "big box" buildings.
Conversation on the Wiretech move, out of the business district and into the industrial park will also be discussed. For this to happen, the council would need to initiate another Tax Increment District (TID).
Tony Depies also gave a quick update on road construction on First Avenue.
(Audio Here)
The Sturgeon Bay City Council will begin their meeting at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. Public comment is welcomed at the beginning of every meeting.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
March 31, 2008
The City of Sturgeon Bay needs your help finding an official name for a park currently known as the Eastside Dock. The park parcel is located at the foot of Pennsylvania Street in Sturgeon Bay. Park and Recreation Superintendent Bob Bordeau says this is a relatively new park.
(Audio Here)
Bordeau says everyone is welcome to submit a park name. Young or old, Sturgeon Bay resident or not, all suggestions will be considered.
(Audio Here)
While not officially submitted yet, Bordeau has heard a few suggested park names.
(Audio Here)
Those with a suggested name for the Eastside Dock park can write a letter and submit it to the Park and Recreation Department. Bordeau says letters should include the proposed park name and why that suggestion should be considered. Those letters should be mailed or emailed to Bob Bordeau at the Park and Recreation Department. Submissions will be accepted until April 21.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
March 29, 2008
The annual assessment of the Kewaunee Nuclear Station conducted by Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials has been released with mixed reviews. Inspection results for the period from January 1 through December 31, 2007 included a few safety concerns that involved the issuance of colored warnings. The NRC uses a color-coded system to grade the performance of a nuclear plant. Green is the first color or safe color. White, yellow and red are issued when safety becomes increasingly worse. Media Relations Director with Dominion's Kewaunee Nuclear Plant Mark Kanz said the results of the NRC's assessment will be discussed at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Fox Hills Resort and Conference Center in Mishicot. The meeting is open to the public.
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A letter was sent to Dominion in Kewaunee addressing the plant’s 2007 performance. Inadequate problem evaluation and resolution and human performance was cited numerous times in the letter. You can view the letter by clicking on this link!
NRC addresses one "yellow" finding in the letter involving the failure of plant staff to evaluate and repair an oil leak on an emergency diesel generator. Kanz explained the problem.
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The NRC staff also classified one scenario as "white." The grade was handed out because of an increased number of unplanned plant shutdowns during the first three quarters of 2007. The letter said that the performance indicator was "green" as the number of unplanned shutdowns decreased in the final quarter of the year.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
March 29, 2008
While there have been many efforts by the Sevastopol School Board to stay within a budget, the district needs $1.8 million for building and programming upkeep. The
referendum question will ask voters for $600,000 over the next three
years. Superintendent Steve Cromell says the school board has
discussed consolidating with the Sturgeon Bay School District and
have made a number of budget cuts over the past years. Cromell
understands that taxation has become a sore spot for many people.(Audio Here)
Cromell says there is nothing left to cut. An additional level of cuts would really affect the programs and services for the students at Sevastopol.
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Cromell says those are the things that were put off because there was no money. Time has run out, however, and Cromell says these things need to be handled. Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday.
By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com
March 29, 2008
Door and Kewaunee County property owners were being warned earlier in the month that flooding could lead to major problems when the snowmelt began. Luckily, it has been a slow melting process and it appears flooding will not occur in our area. Door County Sheriff Terry Vogel said his department was preparing for the worst.
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Vogel said that with the record snowfall experienced throughout the county, he is happy to see the gradual thaw. The Sheriff's Department has not received a single report of flooding or excessive water on the roads.
The sheriff said we are not completely in the clear yet. He said heavy spring rainstorms could lead to backed up culverts. He advises residents to clean their ditches of any large debris and other items in a potential flood area that could block water flow under roads or highways.
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Door and Kewaunee Counties have not had to worry about flooding issues yet this spring. However, Vogel said they are prepared for any type of situation.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
March 29, 2008
The Kewaunee County Prevention Task Force is calling on area residents to step up and help fight the battle against underage drinking. A town meeting will be held on April 2 and Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski says those interested in the success of our youth are encouraged to attend. A panel will be present at that meeting to talk about the issues of underage alcohol consumption from different perspectives.
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The purpose of this meeting will be to inform the community about recent data and information associated with underage drinking, provide tips and resource information to parents and those working with youth and allow those in attendance an opportunity to ask questions. The Kewaunee County Prevention Task Force has been working hard on address this issue.
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Joski says the issue of underage drinking is a tough topic to approach. He says its not easy to tell people how much of a problem this is and that action needs to be taken to get a hold of the issue. Joski hopes this Kewaunee County Town Hall meeting will get people talking and taking action on this very important topic. The town hall meeting will be at the Luxemburg-Casco High School Auditorium on April 2 at 6:30PM.
By Karen Klement DoorCountyDailyNews.com
March 29, 2008
Its been a couple weeks since the Little Lake citizens group was formed and the members are busy getting organized. Park and Recreation Department Superintendent Bob Bordeau says the group was formed a couple weeks ago and while he had hoped for more participants, he was pleased to see about 25 step forward.
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Bordeau says there are plans for another Little Lake citizens group meeting at the end of April.
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Right now the group is currently working on an educational brochure that would be passed on to the community. They are also considering possible signage that could be installed at Little Lake as well. Bordeau says he has applied for grants that would provide funding for those signs. Those concerned about Sturgeon Bay's Little Lake can still join this citizens group.