The Southern Door High School Student Council and the American Red Cross are partnering to host a community blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 10, at Hope United Church of Christ in Sturgeon Bay.

Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, or be 16 with parental permission, and be in good general health. Parent permission forms are available on the Red Cross website.

Appointments can be scheduled online through the Red Cross website by selecting “Give Blood” and searching for the Sturgeon Bay ZIP code, 54235. Walk-ins will also be accepted, though donors may experience longer wait times.

Those who successfully donate blood will receive a “Looney Tunes” T-shirt as part of the Red Cross donor incentive program.

While this drive is the only confirmed public blood drive currently scheduled in Door and Kewaunee counties for July and August, additional summer collection events are typically added throughout the season as demand fluctuates. Residents are encouraged to check the Red Cross donation schedule for updated listings in the summer months.

Blood supplies often decline during the summer months due to travel and school breaks, organizers said, making community participation especially important.

For 30 years, one constant around the benches at Birch Creek Music Performance Center has been as familiar to students and faculty members as the black and white keys on the piano.

Jodie DeSalvo has toured the country, tickling the ivories in cities such as Chicago, San Francisco and Naples, Florida, as a frequent soloist with their orchestras. She has also performed at renowned venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York City and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Despite those accolades and opportunities, she returns to Door County every summer to spend countless hours with Birch Creek faculty members and students. She says making music with her friends and students in a place like Door County is especially meaningful.

DeSalvo says she still runs into former students who thank her for the impact she had on their lives. She credits Birch Creek's encouraging atmosphere for fostering those lasting relationships.

The final performances of the symphony session begin Thursday, with DeSalvo performing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 as one of the featured works. You can listen to our full conversation with DeSalvo and Birch Creek Music Performance Center Executive Director Jenna Ferdon at this link.

Belgian Days will return July 10–12 to Brussels Town Park, continuing a 65-year tradition of celebrating Belgian heritage through food, music, athletics and community events.

Sponsored by the Brussels Lions Club, the annual festival features Belgian cuisine, live music, a Sunday parade and a full slate of weekend athletic events, including baseball and softball games, a cornhole tournament and a cooyah tournament. Proceeds from the weekend support the Lions Club and a range of local community programs.

Former Brussels Lions Club President Jim Wautier said the event has remained a cornerstone of local identity for generations.

“This is the 65th time we’re putting this on, it’s a big event for the community and we get so much community support. People are surprised how many people we get in the town park every year,” Wautier said.

Festivities also include a Saturday morning run/walk fundraiser benefiting local emergency medical services.

“The BUG EMR walk/run happens Saturday morning and those proceeds help the EMR team,” Wautier said.

Through the years, the Brussels Lions Club has tracked the event’s fundraising impact, reaching a milestone this year.

“Something elite for the Lions Club this year. We just went over a million dollars in donations. We support local schools, Lions International and the town park here in Brussels. We’ve donated all that money back into the community and we are pretty proud of that,” Wautier said.

He said the weekend is designed to strengthen community ties while supporting essential local services.

Events will run throughout the weekend at Brussels Town Park, continuing one of the Town of Brussels’ most enduring summer traditions.

Algoma has a new police chief, but he may already be a familiar face. The City of Algoma announced Tyler Tuttle as its new police chief Monday after he was sworn in during a special ceremony.

Born and raised in Luxemburg, Tuttle began his law enforcement career with the Kewaunee County Sheriff's Department and has also served as a part-time officer with the Algoma Police Department. Tuttle's first patrol assignment was with the City of Algoma, and he said he is excited to serve a community that has given him so much alongside the people who have mentored him throughout his career.

Tuttle replaces David Allen, who retired earlier this year after serving as police chief following the retirement of Randy Remiker in 2023. Tuttle said he hopes to serve as police chief for many years while keeping the department engaged with the community and up to date on the latest technology and policing methods.

The Egg Harbor Village Board will consider several infrastructure, financial and administrative items when it meets at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at the Paul J. Bertschinger Community Center.

Among the meeting's key agenda items is consideration of a proposal from Stantec for grant funding support related to planning and engineering for the Bird View Trail in partnership with Door County Trails. Trustees also will review a proposal from Bay Lake Consulting to provide joint fund accounting services beginning in 2027.

The board is expected to consider a resolution transferring funds from the marina fund to the village's debt service fund as part of a 2026 budget amendment. Trustees also will review a Wisconsin Emergency Management grant agreement for state and local cybersecurity improvements.

Additional business includes declaring surplus village equipment for online auction, recognizing William Freyman for his service to the village, reviewing a proposed overtime policy and receiving an update on AT&T's broadband expansion project. A public meeting on the broadband project is scheduled for July 16 at the Kress Pavilion.

The board also will consider temporary alcohol beverage licenses for events hosted by Open Door Bird Sanctuary, Write On, Door County and Knock Publishing Company at the Kress Pavilion.

The meeting concludes with a closed session to consult with legal counsel regarding a notice of injury and potential litigation, with possible action to follow in open session. Public comments will be accepted at the beginning and end of the meeting.

Despite being weeks away from suiting up for the Carolina Panthers, former Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon is still supporting the place he and his family will always consider home.

Dillon and his wife, Gabrielle, presented a $30,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Door County at Horseshoe Bay Farms in Egg Harbor on Monday morning. The Dillon Family Foundation matched a $15,000 donation from an anonymous donor to support a new teen-led cooking and nutrition program. The program will empower older Boys & Girls Club members to teach younger children healthy cooking skills using fresh, locally sourced ingredients from Horseshoe Bay Farms. Dillon says it combines two of his family's passions: dining and Door County. The running back has continued giving back across northeast Wisconsin this offseason and says he does not expect that to change, no matter where his career takes him.

Last year, the Dillon Family Foundation donated $25,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Door County to create and maintain garden beds at the organization's Sturgeon Bay headquarters. Boys and Girls Club of the Bay and Lakes Region CEO Johanna Wicklund is excited for the opportunities their latest donation will help provide for its members.

You can also support the program by donating at least $30 to the Dillon Family Foundation to receive the Dining with the Dillons cookbook, which features not only the family's favorite recipes but also recipes from restaurants in Green Bay and Door County.

The Dillon Family Foundation has donated more than $100,000 to Door County charities since July 2024, Dillon's final season with the Packers.

The Sturgeon Bay Common Council will consider several housing-related items during its meeting Tuesday, with much of the discussion centered on Division Road.

After addressing the second reading of an ordinance affecting the city's historic preservation code and the purchase of a new vehicle, the council will turn its attention to two proposed developments.

First, the council will consider a Plan Commission recommendation to approve a zoning map amendment that would reclassify a parcel at 1259 Division Road from agricultural to two-family residential. The approval would pave the way for a new 55-lot subdivision featuring a mix of single-family homes and duplexes. Thirty of the 55 lots would be reserved for workforce housing.

The rezoning would also set the stage for a planned unit development proposed by DOCO Iron Gate LLC. The developer is seeking approval to build a condominium development featuring 34 storage units with optional living space on a portion of the property. The units would be similar to those built along South 18th Avenue and Utah Street near State Highway 42/57.

During last month's Plan Commission meeting, developer Jim Conard said he believes this type of housing is needed. While he expects many of the owners to be seasonal residents, he said the condominium association documents would prohibit the units from being used as short-term rentals.

The Sturgeon Bay Common Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers at City Hall.

A 60-year-old Sturgeon Bay woman accused of burning down a barn last month will be back in court in three weeks after pleading not guilty.

Donna Jo Franklin is charged with arson of a building without the owner's consent, with an increased penalty because the alleged victim is elderly, after she allegedly set a barn on fire in the 1400 block of North Eighth Avenue on June 10 just before 9 p.m.

The fire was deemed suspicious by the Sturgeon Bay Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal's Office, prompting an investigation that led to Franklin's arrest on June 15.

After pleading not guilty on June 25, a status conference was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. July 23.

Time to find your buckets and head to the orchards in the coming days.

Cherry growers have been checking their trees to make sure their sweet and tart varieties are ready for picking. That means about 1,900 acres need to be harvested before the fruit can be picked from the branches, whether by hand or by machine.

Soren's Valhalla Orchards' Toni Sorenson has been taste-testing some of her varieties over the last few days to see what is ready and what still needs more time. She finds it interesting how different varieties can taste different depending on the growing season and how the fruit develops on the tree.

While some cherry orchards are already inviting people into their fields, Sorenson says her orchard will open to the public in the coming days. When you get the chance to pick cherries, she suggests carefully removing the fruit from the tree and placing it gently into your bucket to prevent bruising. She also encourages visitors to take in the beauty of the orchard.

You will have an opportunity to sample a variety of root beers while exploring Door County history during the 12th Annual Root Beer Festival at Heritage Village on Saturday, July 11.

The event, hosted by the Door County Historical Society, will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Heritage Village in Sturgeon Bay. Admission is $10 for adults, which includes a root beer flight featuring several varieties of the soft drink, while children 17 and younger are admitted free.

You will be able to vote for your favorite root beer after sampling the selections and enjoy root beer floats, cold root beer and freshly baked root beer cookies throughout the day.

All of Heritage Village's historic buildings will be open during the festival and will feature root beer-themed activities and demonstrations. You can learn about the history of root beer in the Vignes School, watch live root beer-making demonstrations and discover how the beverage evolved from a medicinal tonic into a popular summertime drink.

Additional demonstrations will take place at the Madden Tool Museum and Blacksmith Shop, while families can participate in a community quilt project and take photos with a restored Studebaker carriage.

Live entertainment will be provided throughout the day, with polka lessons available for attendees of all experience levels.

Food will be available for purchase from the Sabor de la Door Hispanic Heritage Committee, with a menu that includes hot dogs, pulled pork, loaded baked beans, pasta salad and combination meal options.

Heritage Village features nine historic buildings representing Door County's early settlement, including a church, schoolhouse, log cabin, barns, granary and the Madden Tool Museum. Costumed interpreters and volunteers will be on hand to share the history of each building.

The Root Beer Festival serves as one of the Door County Historical Society's signature summer fundraisers, supporting the preservation of Heritage Village and the organization's mission to collect, preserve and share Door County's history.

For more information, visit the Door County Historical Society's website.

The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) is reducing adoption fees throughout July in an effort to find homes for hundreds of dogs and cats as animal populations continue to climb.

The month-long promotion, which runs through July 31, includes 50% off adoption fees for kittens and dogs 6 months and older, a "Name Your Own Fee" promotion for cats 6 months and older, and the same pay-what-you-can option for select long-term "benchwarmer" dogs.

According to the WHS, more than 1,100 cats are currently in its care across its statewide campuses, along with more than 100 dogs available for adoption.

"We have so many fantastic animals, especially cats, looking for new homes this month," said Corey Viars, media specialist for the Wisconsin Humane Society's Green Bay and Door County Campus. "These adoption promotions help more pets find loving families while also creating space for the next animals that come through our doors."

Viars said summer is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for animal shelters, making community support especially important.

"Every adoption makes a real difference," Viars said. "When someone opens their home to a shelter pet, they're not only changing that animal's life, they're allowing us to help another animal in need. It's a ripple effect that benefits pets and families throughout northeast Wisconsin, including Door County."

For those who are unable to adopt, Viars is also encouraging residents to consider becoming foster volunteers. Foster families provide temporary homes for animals awaiting adoption, helping free kennel space for incoming pets. The organization supplies foster caregivers with food, medical care and other necessary supplies.

More information is available by visiting the Wisconsin Humane Society's website.

“Butterflies” is this week’s Summer at Crossroads theme, and this time of year, our meadows, gardens and open fields are alive with color and motion as butterflies move through one of nature’s most remarkable transformations—from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to winged adult. These insects are important pollinators, and their life cycles are closely tied to specific host plants and seasonal blooms.

For example, monarch caterpillars depend on milkweed species (Wisconsin is home to 13 native types), meadow fritillary caterpillars rely on violets, and black swallowtail caterpillars depend on plants in the carrot family, such as dill, carrots and golden alexander.

As these amazing insects mature into winged adults, their needs change, shifting their diet from their nursery plants to nectar-rich blooms. Examples of these include milkweeds, blazing star, coneflowers and bee balm.

The week starts with a Tale. At 2 p.m. on Monday, July 13, Door County Librarian will read the storybook The Amazing Life Cycle of Butterflies, written by Kay Barnham and illustrated by Maddie Frost. Perfect for curious young readers, this beautifully illustrated picture book explores one of nature’s most fascinating questions: How does a butterfly grow? Children will follow the remarkable transformation from a tiny egg to a crawling caterpillar, then to a resting chrysalis and finally to a graceful butterfly taking flight, all while discovering fascinating science facts along the way. (For those who can’t make story time, the pages of this book will be posted all week on our Trail Tales storybook walk, which starts at our West Trailhead.)

Journeys with Joan, our weekly family program, will explore Butterflies: Masters of Transformation at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. Naturalist Joan Wilkie will guide participants in understanding metamorphosis and encourage them to look for summer butterflies in Crossroads’ gardens, meadows and fields, discovering along the way how even small creatures play a big role in sustaining the mammals we share the landscape with.

Hikers participating in Wandering Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. will be encouraged to look for summer butterflies in Crossroads’ gardens, meadows and fields, where nectar-rich flowers attract a wide variety of species. From monarchs and swallowtails to painted ladies and sulfurs, each butterfly plays a role in pollination as it moves from bloom to bloom in search of energy-rich nectar.

For our 2 p.m. Thursday Talk on July 16, join Karen Newbern, nursery manager at Door Landscape & Nursery, for an inspiring program on creating a garden that truly comes alive. Karen will share practical guidance on designing a butterfly garden that supports both beauty and biodiversity, including how to select plants that attract butterflies throughout their entire life cycle—from egg and caterpillar to chrysalis and adult.

Participants will learn the difference between host plants, which caterpillars rely on for food, and nectar plants, which fuel adult butterflies, as well as how to plan for continuous blooms from spring through fall. Karen will also discuss how thoughtful garden design can provide the essential elements butterflies need—sun, shelter from the wind and access to water.

Drawing on her professional experience, Karen will offer tips tailored to northern Wisconsin gardens, including native plant recommendations, maintenance strategies and design ideas that work in spaces of all sizes, from small backyard plots to school gardens and larger landscapes.

Throughout the week—and the rest of the summer—stop by during open hours for Tinkers, self-led, hands-on activities designed for curious minds inspired by these winged pollinators.

Butterflies are not only beautiful but also biologically complex. Their wings are covered in tiny overlapping scales that produce color through both pigments and light refraction, and their long, coiled proboscis allows them to sip nectar from deep within flowers. Because they are sensitive to environmental changes, butterflies are also important indicators of ecosystem health.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Crossroads trails are open all day, every day, free of charge.

Monday, July 13

2 p.m. Tale: The Amazing Life Cycle of Butterflies

Join Door County Librarian Beth Lokken as she reads the weekly tale, The Amazing Life Cycle of Butterflies, written by Kay Barnham and illustrated by Maddie Frost. Perfect for curious young readers, this beautifully illustrated picture book answers the question: How does a butterfly grow? Children will follow the fascinating transformation from a tiny egg to a crawling caterpillar, then to a resting chrysalis and finally to a graceful butterfly taking flight. Packed with engaging science facts, this book is perfect for homeschool science lessons, life cycle unit studies or simply sharing the wonders of nature with a child. Free and open to the public. Meet in front of the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Tuesday, July 14

1 p.m. Journeys with Joan – Butterflies: Masters of Transformation

Join naturalist Joan Wilkie for free, family-oriented activities exploring nature. Butterflies are masters of transformation. Look for summer butterflies in Crossroads’ gardens, meadows and fields. Suitable for all ages. Registration is not required. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Wednesday, July 15

1:30 p.m. Wandering Wednesday

Join a naturalist-led hike. Easy walking. About an hour. Well-behaved dogs are allowed on a leash. Registration is not required. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Thursday, July 16

2 p.m. Talk: Creating a Butterfly Garden

Create a garden that truly comes alive with color and motion. Join Karen Newbern, nursery manager at Door Landscape & Nursery, for an inspiring program on designing a butterfly garden that supports both beauty and biodiversity.

Karen will share practical guidance on selecting the right plants to attract butterflies throughout their entire life cycle—from egg and caterpillar to chrysalis and adult. Learn the difference between host plants and nectar plants, how to plan for continuous blooms from spring through fall, and how thoughtful garden design can provide shelter, sun and water for these important pollinators.

With her professional background in nursery management and plant selection, Karen will also offer tips tailored to northern Wisconsin gardens, including native plant choices, maintenance strategies and design ideas that work in a variety of spaces, whether you’re planting a small yard, a school garden or a larger landscape.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this program will leave you inspired to create butterfly-friendly spaces that support pollinators and bring beauty right to your doorstep. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

I’ve written about this before, but being visible in your kayak is an important consideration!  This year I’ve primarily been fishing out of my sit-on-top Jackson Coosa FD kayak.  I know first-hand how busy our beautiful Door County waters are with watercraft of all types, including plenty of kayakers, especially this July 4th weekend.

With the kayaks having such a low profile, they are hard to see sometimes.  Many times those pleasure boaters have several people in the boat talking, laughing and probably not always looking for or able to see small watercraft like kayaks.  I’m on the water often and see both recreational kayakers and anglers out in those bigger fishing kayaks.  From a safety standpoint, I’ve always liked having fishing and recreational kayaks that are brightly colored.  I like bright orange, lime green or chartreuse, white, red, etc.  Those darker greens, grays and browns tend to blend into the water and are much less visible.  An easy way to greatly increase your visibility is using a brightly colored PFD.  My Astral Sturgeon PFD is Blaze Orange and as you can see in the article picture offers great visibility!

Nicely, many of the recreational kayak paddles come with yellow, orange or white blades that can be seen for quite a distance.  Another accessory I’ve used is the YakAttack VISIpole that comes with a bright orange flag on a flexible shaft that flies a few feet above the kayak and is easy to install.  If you are out early or late with low-light, I might suggest their VisiCarbonPro with a light on top.

As always, when on the big waters of Green Bay or Lake Michigan be as safe as possible.  For you smallmouth bass anglers, fishing this season has been somewhat slow with the cold spring, but, with the recent warmer weather and rising water temps it has improved up and down the peninsula.  I’ve been having very good luck with a presentation called the Ned Rig.  I use a light chartreuse colored jig with a Z-Man Finesse TRD in the best color, Green Pumpkin Goby!  Also, Keitech USA 2.8 FAT Swing Impact and the Z-Man 3-inch SlimSwimz.  Both are small swimbaits and after a long cast should retrieved slow and steady on a light Z-Man or Gopher Tackle 1/16 or 3/32 ounce chartruese jig.  The soft plastic lures mentioned can be found at the local Sturgeon Bay Tackle Shop!

If you have any questions about kayak fishing or kayaking in general, please email me at kayakfishingwisconsin@gmail.com.  Also, my primary talk at Sports Shows and Fishing Clubs for 2026 is Chasing Smallies: Sharing My Secrets.  If you love catching and releasing smallies, you can email me for a PDF of this talk!

Residents of the Village of Sister Bay may notice appraisers working throughout the community beginning Monday as field work gets underway for the village's 2027 property re-evaluation.

Action Appraisers, the village's contracted assessment firm, will conduct field work from July 6 through Oct. 2 as part of the re-evaluation process. Village officials said postcard notifications have already been mailed to property owners notifying them of the upcoming inspections.

During the field work period, appraisers will review properties to verify assessment records and collect information used to prepare the 2027 assessment roll. Officials said all Action Appraisers field staff will wear official company identification badges, and their vehicles will be clearly marked with the company logo.

The re-evaluation is intended to ensure properties are assessed fairly and equitably based on current market values. State law requires municipalities to maintain assessments that closely reflect market value, and periodic revaluations help ensure assessment records remain accurate.

Property re-evaluation does not automatically result in higher property taxes. While a property's assessed value may change, the amount a property owner ultimately pays also depends on local tax levies established by municipalities, school districts and other taxing jurisdictions.

For more information about the field work or the re-evaluation process, please visit the Action Appraisers website.

Zion United Methodist Church will host its annual old-fashioned hymn sing Sunday, July 5, at 5 p.m. as part of local observances marking the United States Semiquincentennial, America 250.

The event will take place at the church, 8781 County F, and is free and open to the public.

What began in 1993 as a small community gathering has grown into a Door County tradition, now drawing participants from more than a dozen area congregations as well as visitors from across the country. Over the years, the hymn sings have raised more than $40,000 for local nonprofits.

The program will be led by Pastors Don Heeringa and Frank Maxwell, with keyboard accompaniment by Caroline Polster. Participants select favorite hymns by calling out numbers, creating an informal, audience-driven evening of music.

“When a room is filled with people who love to sing, the result is inspiring,” said organizer Judie Gauger in a statement. “This evening has always been about bringing the community together. During this America 250 celebration, we’re especially grateful for the opportunity to honor those who have served our country and now are serving their neighbors.”

Proceeds from donations will benefit Billy Weiss American Legion Post 527 and VFW Post 8337. Organizers said all funds collected will remain in Door County.

Refreshments will be served following the hymn sing.

As we celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary, I wanted to share some thoughts regarding something we all cherish, yet too often take for granted: freedom.

Until you have it taken away, you really can't understand the true value of freedom. For those of us who served in the military, the loss of freedom was the first hard reality we faced in those early days of boot camp or basic training. One of the first steps in that training was the elimination of any and all pre-existing habits, comforts, and even your very identity. You no longer existed as an individual. (To be called an individual in the military is one of the greatest degradations.) You were now part of something larger than yourself. You came to identify more with your squad, platoon, company or, to an even greater extent, as a Marine, soldier, airman or sailor. Your every action was filtered through what was best not for you, but for the greater good.

Over time, you began to earn freedom, and that freedom became something to be savored. We learned something there that I think could serve as a lesson for our greater society. Freedom is not only something we should never take for granted, but also something we sustain through self-discipline.

Many times, when I am teaching young people about freedom—or, in their case, the desire for independence from their parents—I use the analogy of walking the family dog. If you're walking along and the dog is maintaining the proper distance and pace, without trying to run after squirrels, you allow some slack in the leash. If that dog repeatedly attempts to stray, however, the leash gets tighter. Our own family had an amazing dog that, over time, became so well trained that we never even bothered with a leash when we went for walks.

In 30 years of law enforcement, this is the best analogy I can come up with for the relationship between freedom and discipline in our society. I have witnessed people take actions in the name of personal freedom without taking into account the well-being or safety of others, and in doing so, they found themselves in very restricted circumstances. It is somewhat of an oxymoron that through discipline and the tempering of freedom, we expand that freedom, while through the reckless and thoughtless pursuit of freedom, we restrict it.

If we ever hope to celebrate our nation's 300th or 350th anniversary, we would be wise to return to our founding documents and truly appreciate the principles upon which this nation was built. Some say those founding documents need to be rewritten, but I subscribe to the belief that they simply need to be reread. Just as in military service, each of us needs to value our individuality insofar as it contributes value and strength to the greater good.

We are a nation built on self-determination, but that self-determination must always be measured and pursued with purpose and discipline. Our freedoms are ours either to sustain or to lose.

In the end, as great a country as we are, we are not immune to the self-inflicted decay that has led to the decline of so many civilizations throughout history. We must be students of those lessons and apply them in real time. Celebrating our history is to celebrate the sacrifices from which it was born, reflect on the challenges through which it has grown—and continues to grow—and pass along our rich and storied heritage of freedom, a freedom for which so many have paid dearly and which we must relentlessly guard, both from external threats and from our own individual desires.

Happy Birthday, America!

Door County residents who rely on private wells will have an opportunity next week to learn more about the quality of their drinking water as officials present findings from the Spring 2026 Door County Private Well Monitoring Program.

The Spring 2026 Door County Well Program Results Forum is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, at Crossroads at Big Creek, in Sturgeon Bay. The event is free and open to the public, and no registration is required. Residents who are unable to attend in person may also participate virtually through a live-streamed presentation, which will be recorded for later viewing.

The forum will highlight results from the county's ongoing groundwater monitoring program, which has tracked private well water quality since 2019 through a partnership between Door County and the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh Environmental Research and Innovation Center. The long-term study is designed to educate well owners about groundwater quality while building a database to identify trends across the county.

Testing conducted through the program screens private wells for contaminants including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate and arsenic, along with water quality characteristics such as pH, hardness, iron and alkalinity. The information helps researchers and public health officials better understand groundwater conditions and identify areas where additional monitoring or education may be needed.

Door County has one of the highest percentages of residents in Wisconsin who rely on private wells for drinking water. Unlike municipal water systems, private wells are the responsibility of the property owner, and state health officials recommend testing well water at least annually for bacteria and nitrates, or whenever changes in taste, odor or appearance occur.

The county's private well monitoring program is offered each spring and fall, allowing participating homeowners to submit water samples at a reduced cost while contributing to ongoing groundwater research. Past presentations and monitoring results are available through the county's groundwater program website.

As Independence Day celebrations light up the skies across Door County this weekend, the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) is reminding pet owners to take extra precautions to keep their animals safe and calm during fireworks displays.

While communities throughout the county prepare for holiday celebrations, animal welfare experts say the loud explosions, flashing lights and vibrations associated with fireworks can be frightening for many pets, even those that are normally comfortable around large crowds.

"Fireworks can be an overwhelming experience for pets," said Corey Viars, media specialist for the WHS Green Bay and Door County campuses. "The safest place for them is at home in a secure, familiar environment." Viars advises against bringing dogs or other pets to fireworks shows, noting that unexpected noises can cause even well-behaved animals to panic and run away.

Instead, pet owners are encouraged to create a designated "safe room" inside their home. “The room should include food, water, favorite toys and comfortable bedding while remaining securely closed to prevent escapes. Running a fan, television, radio or white noise machine can also help mask the sounds of fireworks outside.” Added Viars.

Viars also stresses the importance of ensuring pets can be identified if they become lost. Properly fitted ID tags and microchips significantly improve the chances of a pet being reunited with its family if it escapes during fireworks.

Microchipping services are available through veterinarians and at WHS low-cost vaccination clinics.

According to the Viars, Independence Day is consistently one of the busiest times of the year for lost pets, making preparation before fireworks begin especially important for families across Door County.

With fireworks displays scheduled for Friday in Egg Harbor and Fish Creek, Saturday on Washington Island and in Baileys Harbor, next weekend in Algoma, and with additional backyard celebrations expected throughout the peninsula, preparation is key to ensuring the safety and well-being of pets.

Southern Door Fire Chief Rich Olson hopes the department's annual event later this month is one of the only times you'll see its newest piece of equipment in action.

Firefighters will demonstrate their new Jaws of Life extrication equipment at the Southern Door Firefighters' Parade and Picnic on July 25. The new battery-powered equipment has twice the strength of the department's previous apparatus, which had been in service for more than two decades.

While tax dollars fund the department's operating expenses, volunteer fire departments like Southern Door rely on fundraisers and grants to pay for equipment upgrades. Olson said he is thankful for the community's support, which helps ensure firefighters have the tools they need when responding to emergencies.

Proceeds from this year's Southern Door Firefighters' Parade and Picnic will help offset the cost of the new extrication equipment. In previous years, the department has upgraded its brush trucks, turnout gear and other equipment thanks to the generosity of the community through the annual event.

If you plan to vote in the Aug. 11 primary, local Democrats and Republicans are making sure you have the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates.

On July 11, the Republican Party of Door County will host its Celebration of America event featuring Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany; 1st Senate District candidates Barb Bittner, Jacob VandenPlas, Katie Baney and Nic Cravillion; Door County sheriff candidates Carl Waterstreet and Curt Vandertie; and state Rep. Joel Kitchens.

Those interested can contact the Republican Party of Door County to RSVP for the event, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at The Lodge at Leathem Smith.

On July 26, the Democratic Party of Door and Kewaunee Counties, Indivisible Door County and Northern Door Activism will host a similar event at the Brussels Community Center beginning at 1 p.m. Candidates invited to attend include all Democratic contenders for governor, 1st Senate District candidate Mark Becker, U.S. House candidates Rick Crosson, Mark Scheffler and Katrina deVille, state Assembly candidate Renee Paplham, Door County Sheriff Tammy Sternard and Door County clerk of courts candidates Pamela Parks and Shannon Lauder. Registration information for the event can be found below.

The Aug. 11 primary will set the stage for the Nov. 3 general election.

A 48-year-old Ohio man died Wednesday after being pulled unresponsive from Nicolet Bay at Peninsula State Park, according to a joint release from the Gibraltar Police Department and the Door County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said the Door County Sheriff’s Office was notified at approximately 3:35 p.m. July 1 of an unresponsive male in the water in the Town of Gibraltar. Gibraltar police and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources were also notified.

Emergency responders from the Gibraltar Fire Department, Gibraltar Emergency Medical Responders, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Door County Emergency Services, Gibraltar Police Department and the Door County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

Officials said that Bryan V. Stork, 48, of Columbus, Ohio, was recovered from the water and brought ashore, where life-saving measures were attempted. Stork was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Authorities thanked bystanders who assisted with recovery efforts.

Less percussion and more strings will take the stage inside the Dutton Concert Barn beginning this weekend in Egg Harbor.

Thursday marks the opening night of the symphony session at Birch Creek Music Performance Center. Works by Dvorak, Tchaikovsky and Ravel will be featured throughout the session, with the highlight being Saturday's traditional, nearly sold-out Independence Day Concert celebrating America's 250th birthday.

Executive Director Jenna Ferdon said it is a great way to kick off another season at Birch Creek.

The symphony session features concerts Thursday through Saturday through July 11.

The city of Algoma is reminding residents to stay away from Peterson Park until at least Monday following storms that ripped through the area earlier this week.

Wind speeds of approximately 90 mph swept through the area as part of a series of storms that also knocked out power for hundreds of customers in Door and Kewaunee counties. City Administrator Matt Murphy said the storm was responsible for the loss of 60 to 80 trees at Peterson Park, which is also used by the Algoma School District for softball games and cross-country meets.

He said crews began cleaning up the area Wednesday afternoon and urged people to stay away until at least Monday so they can complete the work.

Murphy said the wood chips produced during the cleanup process will likely be blown back into the woods. The city will also begin collecting brush from other property owners who suffered storm damage on Monday.

You'll want to keep a close eye on where you unfold your beach towel and dip your toes in the water this holiday weekend.

As of Wednesday evening, four Door County beaches were closed and another 22 were under advisories because of elevated bacteria levels, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Beach Monitoring website.

Swimming in water with elevated bacteria levels can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain and other illnesses. Bacteria levels can fluctuate over several hours, and because conventional lab analyses take 18 to 24 hours, test results may not reflect current conditions.

Because of this, Door County Public Health's Shauna Blackledge encourages beachgoers to monitor the website and the digital signs at 10 county beaches for real-time updates on whether conditions are safe for swimming.

Last year, Door County beaches recorded 80 advisories and 40 closures.