Road construction on 14th Avenue will begin Monday or Tuesday. Weather permitting, the City of Sturgeon bay Street Department will begin road reconstruction on 14th Avenue from the Georgia Street intersection to just south of the Egg Harbor Road intersection. This project will take place in phases and the city will ensure that properties will always be accessible, according to Sturgeon Bay Public Works Superintendent Jerry DeMarb.
(Audio Here)
DeMarb said there may be some times that residents living along 14th Avenue will need to use an alternate driveway. He described why this road reconstruction is necessary.
(Audio Here)
The street department will be moving the current asphalt in order to prepare the road for paving which will take place later. The road will remain gravel until the paving date, which is undetermined at this point.
DeMarb is confident that the city will be pleased with the results and apologize ahead of time for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, you may speak with Jerry DeMarb at (920) 746-2912.

The curtain is about to rise on Peninsula Players Theatre’s 73rd year and the playbill is a blockbuster of productions. Featuring some of the best and brightest actors and directors to grace the Players stage, the season’s lineup is certain to delight and entertain every theatrical appetite. “The selection of plays is really Greg Vinkler’s baby. As artistic director he is ultimately responsible for the plays we present,” explained Alan Kopischke, development director.
“He keeps a list of the plays he wants to do, working with the titles to see which ones will play well with each other. Ultimately, the selection of plays is made on the basis of variety and theme, rotating the type of productions into the season. And we do observe the ‘20-year rule.’ We don’t bring a play back before its 20th anniversary.”
Opening on June 17th, Peninsula Players Theatre’s 2008 season will present a wise and witty story of family relations, a classic American comedy, a 1400s lyrical play written in verse, Neil Simon at his best, and for the first time ever a Sherlock Holmes mystery. “This is going to be a great season,” said Kopischke. “And with 90% of the cast from last year returning our audiences will recognize their favorite actors.”
Under the direction of Tom Mula “Greetings!” will be the first play of the season. Next up, “Born Yesterday” written by Garson Kanin was a Broadway hit that ran more than 1,600 performances. “’The Lady’s Not for Burning’ is one of Greg’s favorites. It reads like a Shakespearean play,” said Kopischke. “It’s great fun.”
Directed by Karen Sheridan, “Rumors” is a play that puts it all together. One of Simon’s most beloved plays, “Rumors” has been reviewed by the New York Post as “light, frothy and fun.” “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” will conclude the season. Surprisingly, it is the first Arthur Conan Doyle play to be performed at the Players. Vinkler will perform the role of Holmes.
Kopischke, who celebrates his first anniversary with the Players next month, resides in Door County year round, an important asset to the theatrical company. He was the guiding force behind the first Door County Big Read which featured “The Grapes of Wrath,” a John Steinbeck classic. The Big Read featured collaborations with organizations throughout the peninsula. The program will continue next year with the selection of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain.
“Door County is a very special place, and the arts are very relevant to who we are. We feel the Players contributes to the beauty of the peninsula’s arts community,” concluded Kopischke. And with the setting of the sun over the bay, the curtain rises on yet another Peninsula Players season.
Visit www.peninsulaplayers.com for additional information about America’s oldest professional residential summer theatre established in1935.

To help families cut fuel consumption and the amount of money spent at the pump every week, the Sturgeon Bay Police Department and the city is in the process of reviewing and possibly passing an ordinance to allow electric vehicles to be driven on Sturgeon Bay streets. Police Chief Dan Trelka knows that the price of gas is negatively affecting hundreds of families in our community. In an attempt to help these people, Trelka has decided to work diligently on passing an ordinance that could save families from the bi-weekly trip to the gas pump.
So, what is an electric vehicle? I asked Trelka, if the electric vehicles were like golf carts.
(Audio Here)
The state requires that the NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle) be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. This means of transportation has a license plate, brake lights, and directional signals. Trelka makes no qualms about his feelings on this subject.
(Audio Here)
The electric vehicle or NEV has to meet certain federal standards, but the vehicles are being manufactured so they do meet all federal guidelines. Trelka has submitted an executive summary regarding NEV's to the Sturgeon Bay Community Protection and Services Committee. He is awaiting their response and/or approval on the matter.

The state Senate and state Assembly ratified an interstate treaty Wednesday that is designed to protect one of the world's most precious natural resources. The Great Lakes Compact passed in the state Senate 32 to 1 and the state Assembly 96 to 1. Governor Doyle is expected to sign this bill in the next week. That will make Wisconsin the fifth Great Lakes state to approve the treaty.
The Great Lakes Compact blocks other states from getting access to Great Lakes water. Executive director of the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership Jim Kettler called the compact historic, saying it would preserve the Great Lakes and protect Wisconsin's environmental and economic future.
(Audio Here)
Governor Doyle was pleased with the Legislature for bringing the state a step closer towards enacting this compact that will help ensure a strong Wisconsin future. Jim Kettler said even more pressure falls on Ohio to pass the compact.
(Audio Here)
The eight Great Lakes governors fear southwestern states will soon look to transport large amounts of fresh water from the Great Lakes. Kettler said the compact bans the diversion of water from the lakes’ basin.
All eight Great Lakes states must approve the compact and Congress must ratify it before it can take effect.

 Eighth Congressional District representative Steve Kagen is a strong proponent for the Farm Bill that promotes good nutrition. Known as “The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008”, the Farm Bill is good for Wisconsin farm families and increases the availability and accessibility of healthy food choices, said Kagen.
“The new Farm Bill is great for Wisconsin agriculture, our health and our economy,” said Kagen. As a physician, he is pleased that it begins to move our diets away from carbohydrates and towards healthier choices such as fruits and vegetables.
The bill will also ease the strain of rising food and energy prices by creating a new tax credit to promote the production of cellulosic biofuels.
(Audio Here)
Congress member Kagen is the only member of the Wisconsin congressional delegation on the House Agriculture Committee. He believes the Farm Bill will protect Wisconsin’s farms and dairy industry. This Farm Bill is the most important piece of action we will take to guarantee the ongoing vitality of our family farms, said Kagen.
(Audio Here)
Congressman Kagen fought for the following provisions that are included in the Farm Bill:
- Changes to existing law to allow schools to include locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables for lunches (Included in Sec. 4302)
- A grant program targeted at developing and testing solutions to the rising rates of obesity in the nation (Included in Sec. 4141)
- Increasing the Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC) to a 45% payment rate (Included in Sec. 1506)
- The New Markets for Interstate Meat program which allows small meat producers to be able to ship their product across the state lines, provided they have met state levels of inspection. (Included in Sec. 10106)
- A certification process for organic food (Included in Sec. 10301)
- A pilot program to distribute grants for making farms energy independent using existing technologies (Included in Sec. 7207)
- A measure that supports local agribusiness and agritourism by making farmers markets more accessible (Included in Sec. 10106)
Kagen encourages his constituents in the eighth congressional district to contact him with their thoughts on the Farm Bill. He would like to hear from the farmers in Door and Kewaunee Counties on what is most needed in this piece of legislation.

 Kewaunee County has a new Republican Party Chair. Dave Hutchison retired from politics at the end of 2000 as State Assembly Representative for District 1. He has assumed the duties as party chair in Kewaunee County after Todd Lohenry stepped down. The former Assemblyperson said this was a great way for him to return to his active political position in the area. 
(Audio Here)
Hutchison knows there are some challenges that he must face. He said bringing the young and old Republicans in Kewaunee County together to work for positive change together is his number one goal. He feels that he has positioned himself in the county to accomplish great things for the party. Hutchison talked about what he brings to the table.
(Audio Here)
Dave Hutchison will be phoning in reports from the Republican State Convention in Stevens Point this weekend. Hutch believes there will be a strong John McCain presence at the convention and he looks forward to becoming more involved in the presidential hopeful’s campaign. In 2000, Hutchison was one of two legislators that endorsed McCain's campaign. He is excited about the campaign and looks forward to informing the general public in Kewaunee County on their Republican Party choices in this busy election year.

A settlement worth approximately $21 million from a civil lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Green Bay was settled in favor of the family of a Michigan couple killed in the Ellison Bay propane explosion nearly two years ago. The tragedy that took the lives of Patrick and Margaret Higdon on July 10, 2006 moved another step closer to finality with the Federal Court ruling.
According to Stuart Sklar of Fabian, Sklar & King in Farmington Hills, Michigan the plaintiffs in this case were the estates of Patrick and Margaret Higdon, their children James, Patrick and Meghan, Margret's parents Margery and James Brooks, Margret's brother Daniel and Cathy Brooks and Margret's sister Kathy Brooks and Obie Burch. The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, family was vacationing at the Cedar Grove Resort at the time. Sklar said putting this part of the ordeal behind them was a relief.
(Audio Here)
Sklar and Ralph Tease of Habush, Habush, and Rottier in Green Bay represented the family. Sklar said the co-council invested a great deal of time and effort in this case.
(Audio Here)
The family of Patrick and Margaret Higdon has been shown a great deal of respect from the Bloomfield Hills community, according to Sklar.
(Audio Here)
According to the Associated Press, propane lines for the expansion of the Cedar Grove Resort were installed in 1999. In March 2006, Cedar Grove Resort owners contacted PortSide Construction to upgrade electrical services to the resort docks. When PortSide visited the site in April, propane lines were not identified, nor did a subcontractor for Digger’s Hotline identify them. Two phone lines were identified, but not the buried gas lines.
Arby’s Construction, a subcontractor for Wisconsin Public Service Corp., dug trenches to install the electric lines July 7 and damaged the buried propane lines, which began leaking into the ground. The Door County district attorney found no evidence for criminal charges.
The Higdons’ suit named those businesses and eight insurance companies as defendants. U.S. District Judge William Griesbach issued his decision Monday.

State Senator Alan Lasee voted against the budget adjustment bill Monday because he felt it did nothing to fix the state's long term problem of running deficits. He stated that there was no way in good conscious that he could vote for a bill that relies on delayed payments to schools, increased bonding, raiding segregated accounts and other assorted accounting tricks. If this budget becomes law, it still leaves the state with a $1.7 billion structural deficit, according to Senator Lasee.
(Audio Here)
The Governor has stated publicly that he will use his creative veto powers to rework this bill. There is no question that he is unhappy with this compromise and will go after the transportation fund, said Lasee. He believes that at a time when gas is $4 a gallon and the roads are falling apart, the transportation fund needs to be protected and not used to bail out the fiscal mismanagement of Governor Doyle. Lasee talked about his vision for the state budget adjustment bill.
(Audio Here)
Lasee explained that the budget adjustment bill also gambles on the assumption that the state will collect casino payments from the Ho-Chunk and win two pending lawsuits, which could net the state over a half a billion dollars. Lasee does not believe his constituents have the luxury of hoping their gambles pay off or crossing their fingers and hoping the economy gets better. He was shocked to hear Democratic Representative Mark Miller of Dane County make this comment during the Senate Democratic Caucus.
(Audio Here)
Lasee is against the budget adjustment bill that does not control spending, keeps re-mortgaging and maxing out the credit card and sticks it to the taxpayers. "My constituents deserve better than this, and I will continue to stand up for them and fight this irresponsible way of budgeting,” according to Senator Alan Lasee.

The Senate is a 50/50 split on the budget adjustment bill. The Senator said the Assembly would be bipartisan if it passes. In Lasee's opinion, the vote will be very close.

May is the month where volunteers get a little extra attention throughout the country. National Volunteer Week just wrapped up and the Volunteer Center of Door County wants to say thank you to all of the wonderful philanthropic souls that call Door County their home. Executive director Chris Henkel acknowledged National Volunteer Week and celebrated the significant contributions volunteers make in Door County and in communities throughout America. Henkel said this is a busy time of year for volunteers.
(Audio Here)
Local volunteer opportunities are endless and the impact of community service is everlasting. If you like to see positive changes in your community, Henkel said volunteering offers a standing invitation to make your life a verb; move beyond complaining and start engaging.
This month, the Volunteer Center of Door County is looking for volunteers for the Lighthouse Walk. Staff is needed for the Cana Island lighthouse tower on Saturday and Sunday.
(Audio Here)
The Volunteer Center also needs assistance in helping at the Scottie Rally this Saturday in Baileys Harbor. Volunteers are needed to help with event registration, concessions and other general duties. Blocks of 4 or 8 hour time segments are available.
Animal lovers can also help with cleaning cat and dog kennels, feeding, and dog walking with the humane society. Volunteers of any age can assist with festivals, brat fries, or shopping days. Contact the center or attend the next orientation on Tuesday from 10am-11am, in Sister Bay.
If you are interested in learning about more volunteer opportunities or have a need for volunteers, contact Chris Henkel at (920)746-7704 or visit the website http://www.volunteerdoorcounty.com to view or post volunteer opportunities.
Springtime offers volunteer opportunities morning, noon and night. Henkel said whatever your area of interest is, the Volunteer Center of Door County can find and connect you to an opportunity that can fit in your schedule and fill whatever needs you may have.

With the pounding of a nail, with the swish of a paint brush, Door County Habitat for Humanity is building one house at a time. Providing homes for individuals who do not have the resources to afford their own homes, Habitat for Humanity is making a profound difference for families throughout the peninsula. “’Community’ is our watch word,” said Rick Nelson, Habitat’s executive director. “We are a broad-based community organization that depends on our citizens for everything from supplies, to land and financial donations. And it all goes to providing a better quality of life for our own residents.”
A worldwide non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller and his wife Linda. To date, more than 250,000 homes in 3,000 communities around the world have been built by its volunteers. In the 15 years since Habitat for Humanity was established in Door County, the local organization has completed 25 homes. With helping hands—the average house requires 40 – 50 volunteers—Habitat homes have grown from the ground up.
“It is all about partnerships. Habitat’s success is based on community partnerships and homeowner partnerships; everyone involved is a partner. And most importantly, the new homeowner is a partner. Our homes are not free. Prospective homeowners have to meet very specific requirements to qualify for a home. They earn credits for the hours they work, contributing sweat equity,” explained Nelson.
Habitat for Humanity's applicants are within Door County’s 60% median income, currently live in inadequate housing, and have been rejected by conventional lending companies. “We do not give away homes,” emphasized Nelson. “The new owners sign a lease, but it is much lower because of the donations. But as exciting as it is to turn over the keys to the new homeowners, it is even more exciting to see their faces when we let them know they have qualified for a house.”
Although all of the Door County’s Habitat for Humanity homes have been built in the southern portion of the peninsula, Nelson is planning to move north. “We are building two homes in 2008, one of which is scheduled for a groundbreaking on May 21st in Institute. Sister Bay is interested in partnering with us in building a 24-unit affordable housing project and we are very excited at the potential that provides. We see the project as opening some very significant doors,” Nelson said.
Support for Door County Habitat for Humanity comes in very small ways, homemade fruitcakes during the Christmas season, as well as very large ways including donations and grants. But whether the contribution is made of muscle or dollars and cents, the sum total adds up to a smile on the face of families who take pride in being new homeowners.
For information on becoming a Door County Habitat for Humanity partner or volunteer, call their Sturgeon Bay office at 920.743.2869. A special fundraising project is a raffle for a handmade shed. The gardening shed will be on view throughout the county this summer. Raffle tickets are available at the habitat for Humanity office located at 57 North 12th Ave. The raffle will be held on September 20th.

A NOAA Weather Radio is the best way to get real-time information on emergency events going on in your area. Governor Jim Doyle has proclaimed today NOAA Weather Radio
All Hazards Awareness day. These relatively inexpensive radios will let you know if bad
 weather is headed your way, among other things. Kewaunee County Emergency Management Director Lori Hucek.
(Audio Here)
NOAA weather radios are programmed to provide alerts for certain areas. In other words, those purchasing a NOAA in Door County will probably have it programmed for Door County alerts. Hucek says this information is received in real-time, meaning as soon as the National Weather Service
makes the announcement. She says the NOAA radios are better than outdoor sirens.
(Audio Here)
NOAA Weather Radios cost about $30 and can be purchased from either the Door or Kewaunee County Emergency Management departments. Hucek says these NOAA radios are the fastest way to get emergency information. These alerts could give you those vital extra minutes you'll need to keep your family safe. Click Here for more information!

Fifteen special volunteers have joined the Door County Habitat for Humanity work crew. Students from Door County high schools worked hard to build a house this year and they
are ahead of schedule. The project was an effort of the Door Kewaunee Business Education Partnership. Since the students are done with the home but not with the school year, they'll finish out there time with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is a non-profit organization that helps to provide affordable housing to those who would not normally be able to own their own home. These students will help with a home on 7th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay. Habitat director Rick Nelson is pleased to have the students onboard.
(Audio Here)
Nelson talks about what the students will be doing.
(Audio Here)
The Door Kewaunee Business Education Partnership students are under the direction of NWTC instructor Miles Zastrow. This is actually the only way the students can be on the
work site throughout the week. Child labor laws require volunteers to be at least 18 years old and while most of the students are old enough, a qualified project supervisor must be present at all times. Although young, Nelson says he is not at all concerned about the quality of their work on this project.
(Audio Here)
Nelson is pleased to have assistance from the Door Kewaunee Business Education Partnership students. They will be on the worksite throughout the week instead of only on the normal Tuesday and Thursday work days. Fifteen students working five day weeks mean lots of progress on this Habitat project.

A buy local forum intended to spark new ideas on how to stimulate the local economy will take place this week at the Algoma Farm Market Kitchen. Tomorrow, Kewaunee area business leaders will learn and discuss ideas about how to jumpstart the local economy by increasing local business-to-business and direct consumer commerce.
As local businesses seek a competitive edge to regional shopping centers, they are finding that by banding together they can strengthen their niche with local consumers and build loyalty among neighboring businesses. The Kewaunee Buy Local Forum has been organized to help start the dialogue and spur this effort.
UW Extension Community Development Educator Claire Thompson is coordinating this event with the Kewaunee County Economic Development Corporation and the UW-Extension among others. She cited some alarming statistical information regarding retail sales leakage.
(Audio Here)
A keynote speaker will present some practical steps as to how to build the community economy by supporting local businesses. Thompson will also lead a session entitled "bottom line" on retail sales from a historical perspective and prospects for the future.
(Audio Here)
The Buy Local Forum will begin at 10:30 a.m. and finish at 3:30 p.m. at the Algoma Farm Market Kitchen. Everyone is welcome to attend this free forum, however seating is limited and registration is required. For more information, call (920) 487-5233.

Jefferson Street at 3rd Avenue will be closed to all traffic today  for the installation of Storm Sewer. The Detour Route will be signed to go North on 4th Ave to Iowa Street, ease to 1st Avenue and then south to Michigan Street. The reverse route works for traffic moving in the opposite direction.
Jefferson Street is expected to be reopened to a single lane of traffic by the end of the day.

The Olde Stone Quarry Boat Launch will be closed all day today for maintenance work. Boaters will be unable to use the launch for safety reasons. The launch will reopen tomorrow. The Olde Stone Quarry is located at 4879 Bay Shore Drive (County "B") in the Town of Sevastopol.

Workers at Kewaunee Fabrications are on strike. Kewaunee Fab is a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation. Local 47 Boil makers bargaining committee recording secretary Mark Waulet says Kewaunee Fabrication workers "just want a little piece of the pie."
(Audio Here)
Wautlet says there have been efforts to settle this issue prior to the strike that were unsuccessful. Five meetings were held within the last few weeks in an attempt to resolve this issue. Those negotiations were unsuccessful according to Wautlet.
(Audio Here)
Wautlet says workers will stay on strike for as long as it takes. A call has been made to Oshkosh Truck representatives for comment. We'll bring you more information on this story as it develops.

The price of a first class stamp has increased one cent. If it's not a Forever Stamp, you'll have to add a penny stamp on to a regular first class envelope. Sturgeon Bay Post Office
Officer In Charge John Zuroske talks about the increase.
(Audio Here)
Zuroske says the Forever Stamp has been very popular, especially since the announcement of the price increase. For those with regular forty one cent stamps, Zuroske says you'll have to purchase one cent stamps to make up the difference. It is a good idea to first count how many forty one cent stamps you have and only purchase to amount you need. One dollars worth of one cent stamps would be one hundred. It is not likely that someone will need that many. Taping a penny to your envelope instead of adding a one cent stamp is not recommended.
(Audio Here)
Zuroske predicts that the postage increase will be a smooth transition. He says the Forever Stamp has been a very popular purchase especially since the announcement of the postage increase. There are many penny stamps available at the post office and at other locations throughout town. Zuroske reminds everyone to first consider how many penny stamps you'll need before heading to the post office. Those using Forever Stamps do not have to add a penny stamp. The Forever Stamp can be used to mail a one-ounce letter regardless of when the stamps are purchased or used and no matter how prices may change in the future.

The Door County Silent Sports Alliance and the League of American Bicyclists are encouraging all motorists to hang up their car keys and bike to work this week. Its National Bike to Work Week and thousands of people across the country are choosing to bike instead of drive to work this week. Member of the Door County Silent Sports Alliance Paul Anschutz is stressing the importance of reducing our carbon footprint. With gas prices exceeding $3.80 per gallon in Sturgeon Bay, biking to work is a great way to save some money at the pumps. Bike to Work week promotes healthy, fun and safe commuting. And Bike to Work Week includes other destinations as well. This program encourages biking to school, worship, shopping and anywhere else you need to be. As always, safe biking is stressed. Bikers are encouraged to wear a helmut and follow the rules of the road. Bike to Work Week is going on now and will conclude on Friday. Click Here for 50 ways to celebrate Bike Month!