Even after approving plans for two additional housing developments earlier this month, the City of Sturgeon Bay is not slowing its efforts to increase the local housing supply.

The Sturgeon Bay Common Council is set to approve a resolution certifying the housing element of its 2040 Comprehensive Plan, ensuring it meets existing and projected housing demand. The council is also expected to contribute $10,000 to the Door County Economic Development Corporation's next housing study.

Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward said earlier this month that the city's residential vacancy rate is about 3%, a couple of percentage points below the 5% to 8% range generally considered healthy for a community.

Door County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Michelle Lawrie says the city has made tremendous progress in addressing its housing shortage, particularly when it comes to meeting the needs of the local workforce.

The Sturgeon Bay Common Council will also discuss the installation of a baby box and consider a new labor agreement with the city's firefighters when it meets Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Whether it's the sound of a steel drum, a violin or a saxophone you've been waiting for since last summer, the arrival of summer at Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor begins this week.

The first students of the 2026 season arrived on campus Sunday in anticipation of the first Percussion, Steel Pan and World Music performance on June 18. It is the time of year that Executive Director Jenna Ferdon and her team work toward all offseason as they welcome hundreds of students for four two-week sessions.

With the return of steel pan musician Victor Provost highlighting the slate of performances, Ferdon says audiences will have a lot to enjoy during the Percussion, Steel Pan and World Music session.

You can attend performances during the Percussion, Steel Pan and World Music session Thursday through Saturday through June 27.

If you spot a turtle crossing the road or digging a nest in your yard, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking for your help.

As nesting season continues through June, female turtles are leaving lakes, rivers and wetlands to lay eggs, often in roadside ditches, gardens and residential yards. The DNR says four of Wisconsin's 11 native turtle species are endangered, threatened or experiencing population declines.

If a turtle chooses your property as a nesting site, wildlife officials recommend leaving the nest undisturbed and protecting it with an open-bottom nest cage. The cage helps keep raccoons and other predators away while allowing hatchlings to emerge safely.

Drivers can also help by slowing down near wetlands and watching for turtles crossing roadways. Residents are encouraged to report turtle sightings to the Wisconsin Turtle Conservation Program, helping biologists identify nesting areas and protect turtle populations for future generations.

Photos courtesy of Bryan Mazur, who recently discovered a turtle nest in his front yard.

With Big Creek and The Cove Estuary both ecologically and symbolically at the heart of Crossroads at Big Creek, and with a water research lab located in the Collins Learning Center, it should come as little surprise that “Water” was selected as this week’s theme for our Summer at Crossroads Series.

Each Monday we start with a Tale. On Monday, June 22 at 2:00 PM, Door County Librarian Beth Lokken will read the storybook Creekfinding: A True Story by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. This tale is set in the Driftless Region of Iowa, but it seems, somehow, so familiar.

It starts by asking: How does a creek get lost? Especially “a creek that burbled out of the ground.”

Well, according to the storybook, “the creek did not lose itself. A farmer used a bulldozer to stuff the creek with dirt so he would have more space to grow corn. No water—no water bugs, no frogs, no birds…”

And that is why the tale felt so familiar. Back when our first 60 acres were purchased to create a school forest, Big Creek wasn’t big and definitely was not teeming with wildlife. It was essentially a muddy, ruler-straight ditch running through a Norway spruce plantation.

Neighbors tell us that during the Depression era, CCC crews straightened Big Creek as part of an “agricultural improvement” project. Their new channel was essentially a ditch, which they stabilized by planting reed canary grass.

Many folks remember that at one time the land was planted in apple orchards and also was a Christmas tree farm. Then, the former wetland was used as a plantation for non-native evergreens.

At the time of purchase, Crossroads was a weedy orchard with dead or nearly dead trees and a stand of non-native evergreens. Re-meandering Big Creek was the first restoration effort at Crossroads.

In 1995, using grant money from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Sturgeon Bay Education Foundation had the ditch filled. Before the work was done, however, a team of surveyors came in and, using old maps and obvious topography, determined the original creek bed, which they marked with pink flags.

And we waited for snowmelt.

The water knew where it needed to go. It was as if the creek was using those pink flags as trail markers. Now, the main channel and surrounding wetlands really do teem with wildlife.

The storybook has a happy ending, and so did Crossroads.

This week, folks will enjoy the Trail Tales Storybook Walk starting at the West Trailhead. But we also encourage folks to take time to visit our North Bridge and experience the ongoing recovery of the Big Creek Wetlands.

On Tuesday at 1:00 PM, during Journeys with Joan, join naturalist Joan Wilkie for free family-oriented activities exploring nature. Wisconsin has an amazing gift—our freshwater Great Lakes. This journey will explore how glacial ice transformed our landscapes.

Our weekly Wandering Wednesday, a gentle naturalist-led hike, will certainly visit various water features.

We are really excited about the Talk on Thursday at 2:00 PM. Amanda Surfus of Door County Soil & Water will present “Water in a Karst System.” In this talk, Amanda will explore how karst landscapes—formed from fractured dolostone—shape the way water moves through Door County. The presentation will combine science, stories from the field, and examples specific to Door County’s landscape.

The week’s activities end early this Friday—at 5:00 AM! Volunteers are invited to join Crossroads’ bioinventory efforts to document bird species at our Ida Bay Preserve as part of our restoration work. Participants should dress for the weather and have the Merlin Bird ID app downloaded on their phones. We will meet in the parking lot at 1195 Canal Road. Participants will then be staged throughout the preserve, recording birds they see and birds they “hear” using their phones. Reservations are not required.

We care about water, and this week we would love to share these water-themed programs with the community. If you can’t attend, know that all trails (and bridges) at Crossroads and the Ida Bay Preserve are open all day, every day, free of charge.

Saturday, June 20
10:00 AM – FLAG DAY HIKE (DELAYED)
With all that is going on at Crossroads and across the country on Flag Day Weekend, we have delayed our long-time traditional Flag Day Wildflower Hike until Saturday. Blue Flag iris should still be blooming for this gentle guided hike. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Monday, June 22
2:00 PM – TALE: Creekfinding: A True Story by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Join Door County Librarian Beth Lokken as she reads the weekly tale, Creekfinding: A True Story, written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and illustrated by Claudia McGehee. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Tuesday, June 23
1:00 PM – Journeys with Joan: Great Lakes Glaciers
Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI

Join our naturalist, Joan Wilkie, for free family-oriented activities exploring nature. Wisconsin has an amazing gift—our Great Lakes! We’ll explore how glacial ice transformed our landscapes. Suitable for all ages. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Wednesday, June 24
1:30 PM – Wandering Wednesday: Naturalist-Led Hike
Join a naturalist-led hike. Easy walking. About an hour. Well-behaved dogs allowed on leash. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Registration is not required. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Thursday, June 25
2:00 PM – Talk: Water in a Karst System
Join Amanda Surfus of Door County Soil & Water to explore the fascinating geology of the Door Peninsula. In this informative program, Amanda will explain how karst landscapes—formed from fractured dolostone—shape the way water moves through the landscape.

Karst systems are known for their thin soils, sinkholes, disappearing streams, and rapid underground water flow. These unique features make our region beautiful, but they also create special challenges and responsibilities when it comes to water quality, groundwater protection, and land stewardship. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Friday, June 26
5:00 AM – Bird Survey Hike
Join Crossroads’ bioinventory efforts to document bird species at our Ida Bay Preserve as part of our restoration work. We will be performing three-point counts throughout the summer following Breeding Bird Atlas protocols. Participants should dress for the weather and have the Merlin Bird ID app downloaded on their phones. We will meet in the parking lot at 1195 Canal Road. Participants will then be staged throughout the preserve, recording birds they see and birds they “hear.”

Driving an ATV or UTV around town is going to feel a lot more like driving a car. Effective June 1, operators and passengers are required to wear seat belts and are prohibited from towing objects carrying a person. Operators also will see new window tint restrictions and higher fines for intentionally causing damage with an ATV or UTV.

Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden Chris Kratcha said the new rules come as more people are using ATVs and UTVs as part of their daily routine, and many are getting hurt.

Kratcha said there have already been 16 fatalities linked to ATV and UTV use in 2026, compared with 42 total fatalities in 2025.

I have had a request to share some information regarding the laws surrounding controlled intersections. In every accident report, there is a category that the officer completes titled "Contributing Factors." Within this category, there are many choices ranging from road factors and vehicle equipment factors to human factors. Every accident has a contributing factor, and for the most part, each of these contributing factors can either be minimized or eliminated altogether through intervention. If road conditions are degraded, slow down. If vehicle equipment contributed to the accident, a little preventive maintenance is in order. The most common category involves the driver and what they did—or did not do—that contributed to the accident.

The behavior I would like to cover in this article is "Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way" and "Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign." This includes those who stop at stop signs but then proceed when it is not safe to do so, as well as those drivers who do not stop at all. Of the numerous accidents we have responded to over the years, most have been caused by either failure to yield the right-of-way or failure to stop at a stop sign.

There is probably no greater risk when driving than entering a roadway from an intersection or driveway. Drivers pulling out onto a roadway need to consider not only their ability to cross the roadway, but also the safe distance required to merge with vehicles already traveling at the posted speed. That distance is much different when crossing or merging with traffic in a 25 mph zone versus a 55 mph zone. Many times, we see failure-to-stop violations and subsequent accidents at highly visible intersections more often than at intersections where hills or vegetation limit the view of vehicles entering the intersection. This goes back to attentive driving. As drivers, we tend to increase or decrease our attentiveness based on what we perceive as risk. It is usually when our vigilance is lowered that we run into problems.

As drivers, we must maintain focus on what we are doing, especially at critical points in our travels, such as intersections and other points of access. Even if you are the one who has the right-of-way, be vigilant. Do not assume that the vehicle at the stop sign sees you and will wait before pulling out. Do not assume that the vehicle leaving a private driveway sees you. Be ready to react to the unexpected. Just because you are in the right does not mean you cannot help prevent an accident.

I think what our driver's education teachers called this was "defensive driving," and it is just as important for experienced drivers as it is for new drivers.

The battle over the mass cutting of trees in Potawatomi State Park is headed to court.

The recently formed conservation group Potawatomi Advocates for Trees, Conservation and Heritage filed a lawsuit Friday against the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and DNR Secretary Karen Hyun in an effort to stop future work inside the state park.

Hundreds of trees were cut during the winter as part of a road construction project that widened roads by up to 10 feet to accommodate new bike lanes.

PATCH alleges the DNR caused environmental harm to the park by destroying portions of the forest canopy and damaging wildlife habitat. PATCH Executive Director Dave Allen said the DNR did not hold a public hearing on the project, nor did it receive approval from the Natural Resources Board, as other projects have in the past.

Allen said the project violates the park's 2018 Master Plan, which states that any road project should be completed at its current development level. He argues that the work completed this spring exceeded those guidelines. While the organization cannot reverse what has already been done, Allen hopes the lawsuit can protect other parts of the park from a similar fate.

The project also drew criticism from State Rep. Joel Kitchens and State Sen. Andre Jacque earlier this month, with both lawmakers calling for a public hearing on the project.

"After re-reading the plan online, it is extremely vague on specific plans for the road widening," Kitchens said. "While they may have technically met the legal requirement regarding notice and gathering public input, they did not come close to meeting the public's expectations for transparency."

Allen added that PATCH will host a gathering in the coming weeks to build additional support.

Photos courtesy of PATCH

The latest report from United for ALICE shows many households are struggling to make ends meet.

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and 29% of U.S. households meet that definition. When combined with households living in poverty, more than 40% of U.S. households experienced hardship  according to 2024 data.

Basic needs, including food, shelter, child care and transportation, continue to contribute to families struggling to get by as costs often outpace wage increases. United for ALICE Director Stephanie Hoopes says ALICE families are facing headwinds across the country.

Wisconsin is in better shape than many other states, with approximately 35% of households below the ALICE threshold. The state ranks seventh among states with the lowest rates of hardship.

United Way of Brown County President and CEO Robyn Davis says the picture is not as rosy in every community.

Hoopes and Davis say communities are stepping up to support local ALICE populations. That includes employers assisting with child care and scheduling challenges, state and local governments finding ways to offer health care and transportation, and community colleges offering flexible schedules and lower-cost courses.

Data for 2025 will be shared later this month.

The Kewaunee County Board will hear reports from several officials during its meeting Tuesday.

In his final annual report presentation, Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski will share changes the department has experienced over the past year, along with statistics related to calls for service.

"While the challenges remain regarding the complexity of calls and the limited resources for mental health crisis services, we as a community have come together to meet those challenges," Joski wrote.

Included in the meeting agenda packet, Joski's report highlights a new roof for the old jail, the creation of the Kewaunee County Deflection Program for residents battling substance abuse, and the purchase of LifeVac choking rescue devices and less-lethal weapons.

The Kewaunee County Board will also hear from the director of the Kewaunee County Promotions and Recreation Department. Among the department's highlights are record revenue from Winter Park ticket sales and concessions, as well as increased fairgrounds rental fees. The success at Winter Park was driven by a record number of private group rentals.

The board will also hear from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College President Dr. Kristen Raney and Kewaunee County Administrator Jeremy Kral before reviewing committee reports and entering closed session.

Tuesday's meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Kewaunee County Administration Building in Kewaunee.

Sixty days before voters head to the polls for the fall primary election for Door County sheriff, the Door County Sheriff's Deputies Association has issued a vote of no confidence in incumbent Tammy Sternard.

The organization signed its resolution on June 1 of its vote, saying the resolution "reflects the collective judgment of the membership regarding a pattern of concerns impacting leadership, communication, engagement and trust within the agency."

The resolution was sent to Sternard, Door County Administrator Ken Pabich and Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Chairman Collin Jeanquart.

While the resolution acknowledges that Sternard has made positive changes to the department, it states those accomplishments have been "deeply overshadowed." It cites the handling of a case involving the shooting of a feral pig, low morale in the jail division and poor attendance at monthly meetings among the concerns members have with Sternard and why "they have lost faith in the sheriff's ability to effectively lead this agency in a manner consistent with the best interests of its personnel and the citizens of Door County."

Sternard responded to the resolution in writing, addressing some of the concerns directly.

"It is unfortunate that some within the association chose not to come and talk to me about most of what's alleged in the document, but rather to air their grievances in this manner," Sternard wrote. She said she released the resolution after it was requested through an open records request.

She added that, having previously served in association leadership herself, she understands the importance of maintaining open dialogue and said the concerns had not been brought to her attention before.

"These are public attacks on my character and an attempt to portray me in a way that is inconsistent with my actions and record as sheriff," Sternard wrote. "This has been personally hurtful, but one of my strengths is to stand tall, ride out the storm and remain focused on my responsibilities as sheriff. My commitment remains the same today as it was yesterday: to serve the people of Door County and support the professionals who put on this uniform every day."

Both Sternard and the Door County Sheriff's Deputies Association said in their written statements that there would be no further comment.

You can click the links below to read the documents provided by the Door County Sheriff's Department.

Resolution from Door County Sheriff's Deputies Association

Written Statement from Door County Sheriff Tammy Sternard

The latest turn in the battle over the future of the Alpine Resort Lodge came to an end earlier this month with the stroke of a pen in Door County Circuit Court.

Judge Jennifer Moeller signed the order for dismissal June 5 ahead of a previously scheduled hearing June 8.

The case dates back to last November, when 10 Egg Harbor residents filed for a restraining order against the Village of Egg Harbor, its Zoning Board of Appeals and Sagorac Enterprises LLC over the possible demolition of the Alpine Resort Lodge.

According to court records, the request for a temporary restraining order was filed about a month after the Egg Harbor Zoning Board of Appeals voted in favor of granting owner Matt Sagorac the certificate of appropriateness needed to demolish the Alpine Resort Lodge.

The decision came nearly two months after Sagorac Enterprises issued a news release formally evicting Alpine Resort operator Randy Abrahams and his affiliated entities over alleged lease violations and unpaid rent.

The Alpine Resort said it had terminated its ongoing negotiations with Sagorac Enterprises and had no knowledge of the issue until its access was blocked. The resort added that it had been negotiating the lease and repurchase of the waterfront parcels and blamed recent delays on sudden changes to the agreement.

The golf course and on-site restaurant have since opened to the public.

You can be part of the fastest-growing sport in the country right here in Door County, thanks in part to the efforts of the Door County Pickleball Club.

With courts from Brussels to Washington Island, the club offers plenty of opportunities to get outside, spend time with friends and enjoy a good workout.

Pickleball was created in 1965 and experienced significant growth in 2019 and 2020 as people looked for ways to stay active and socialize while maintaining social distance. Don Helm, vice president of the Door County Pickleball Club, recommends taking a lesson or class before stepping onto the court for the first time.

Helm said lessons help new players learn the rules and fundamentals of the game. Pickleball has unique scoring and serving rules, and understanding those basics can make the game more enjoyable for beginners.

In addition to offering classes for new players, the Door County Pickleball Club has several events scheduled throughout the summer. A clinic featuring professional pickleball player Gina Cilento is scheduled for June 27. The Pickleball for Kids' Sake Tournament, benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Door County, will be held Aug. 7, and the club's annual social is scheduled for Aug. 30 at Sunset Park.

To learn more about classes, open-court times and upcoming events, visit doorcountypickleball.com.

Friday marks the first opportunity this summer to experience some of the best chamber music in Door County.

Midsummer’s Music opens its 36th season Friday with a special gala event at Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor. The performance kicks off a summer schedule featuring more than 40 concerts at unique venues across the peninsula. Audiences will hear works by familiar composers such as Mozart and Brahms, as well as some of their lesser-known contemporaries.

With ensembles featuring artists from the Pro Arte Quartet and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Midsummer’s Music Executive Director Allyson Fleck said it is a unique opportunity to experience world-class musicians close to home.

The season concludes Sept. 7 with a special gala event at Björklunden.

Midsummer’s Music’s Beauty and Brilliance program, featuring works by Mozart, Schubert and Raff, will be performed at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Sister Bay on June 13, Hope United Church of Christ in Sturgeon Bay on June 16, and Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay on June 17, in addition to Friday’s gala at Birch Creek Music Performance Center.

Depending on where you're headed in Kewaunee County on Saturday, you could encounter a rainbow of antique tractors along your route.

For more than 20 years, Agricultural Heritage and Resources Inc. has organized the Great Lakeshore Tractor Rally, giving farmers and agriculture enthusiasts a chance to see 35 miles of Kewaunee County countryside from the comfort of a tractor seat or wagon.

Agricultural Heritage and Resources Inc. board member Bill Roethle said many farmers and tractor enthusiasts work hard to restore and maintain their antique and vintage machinery, only to have it sit unused in a barn. The Great Lakeshore Tractor Rally changes that for at least a few hours each year.

The route begins and ends at Homestead Kitchen and Tap in Algoma and follows roads south of Highway 54 and east of County Road E. Stops at the Muskrat Sportsman's Club and Heim's Hillcrest Dairy are scheduled along the way.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with the ride starting at 8:30 a.m. Proceeds from the $40 event will support the work of Agricultural Heritage and Resources Inc.0

Roethle said the organization is working to put more of its collection of agricultural implements manufactured in Kewaunee County on display.

One of the most photographed spots in Door County will be officially celebrated Saturday when the Village of Sister Bay hosts its annual Roofing of the Goats Parade and Festival.

The tradition of goats on the roof at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik in downtown Sister Bay began in 1973 as a practical joke between friends shortly after the eatery installed its now-famous grass roof. In the years since, goats have taken up residence on the roof during the tourist season.

While the goats make their way to the roof each May, Saturday’s event marks the 12th year the roofing has been officially celebrated. Other goats are invited to participate in the parade, which begins at 11 a.m., before food, music, games and other activities take over for the rest of the afternoon.

You can learn more about the event at this link.

While many recent high school graduates are waiting for their first day of college this fall, others are already weeks into their careers. From Kewaunee to Gibraltar and everywhere in between, high schools hosted a different kind of signing day that still marks a tremendous achievement in a young person's life.

Rather than committing to a school to play a particular sport, students committed to businesses to perform specific jobs. Many of these opportunities grew out of experiences gained through the Northeast Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship (NEWYA) program. Participation continues to grow across schools in Door and Kewaunee counties.

Door County Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Michelle Lawrie says these signing-day ceremonies highlight what is possible for students and businesses alike.

Youth Apprenticeship (YA) is a state-certified, work-based learning program overseen by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and supported in the region by CESA 7 and NEWYA.

All those extra people driving around Door County during the summer months contributed to a record year for the county's tourism economy.

According to newly released data from global research firm Tourism Economics, Door County saw a $34.6 million increase in total economic activity from the previous year, a 5.3% increase. The county's total economic impact reached a record $685.8 million as tourism continued to benefit communities across Wisconsin.

Direct visitor spending totaled $551.6 million in 2025, with an additional $134.2 million generated through indirect and induced impacts. That ranks seventh among Wisconsin counties, which Destination Door County Interim President and CEO Jon Jarosh said is impressive given the area's seasonal nature.

Because of tourism's impact on the local economy, Jarosh said the $55.7 million generated in state and local tax revenue offsets what more than 3,700 households would otherwise have to pay to maintain current levels of government services.

Door County's success was part of a statewide trend of tourism growth.

According to state officials, Wisconsin's tourism industry generated a record $27 billion in total economic impact in 2025 — about $74 million per day. It marked the fourth consecutive year the state set a new tourism economic impact record.

"These numbers are a big deal for our state, our economy and the countless hardworking folks in the industry who make it all happen — the folks who work each day to promote our state as the premier place to visit and explore, as well as the tour guides, waiters, restaurateurs, hoteliers and the friendly faces in communities across Wisconsin that keep folks coming back for one more adventure year after year," Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement announcing the figures.

State officials credited several factors for the growth, including increased holiday-season tourism in Door County following the television debut of A Cherry Pie Christmas. They also cited the NFL Draft in Green Bay, record attendance at EAA AirVenture, Beloit Sky Carp games and the Northern Wisconsin State Fair.

This week on Y-Wednesday, find out how to enroll your children in the upcoming Camp in the Park at Sturgeon Bay's Otumba Park and Summer Baseball programs for students in 4K through sixth grade.

We spoke with Sturgeon Bay YMCA Youth and Sports Program Executive Paul Briney about both programs and how registrations are currently being accepted. The baseball program includes both tee-ball and coach-pitch divisions, making it a great way for children to get started in America's pastime.

Listen to the full Y-Wednesday interview here.

It's not goodbye, but rather "see you later" to a popular Algoma landmark along the shores of Lake Michigan.

As part of the reconstruction of the north breakwater wall at the Algoma Marina, Roen Salvage Co. removed the iconic red pierhead lighthouse so further demolition work can take place. The removal comes just a couple of weeks after the catwalk was removed from the wall.

While the future of the catwalk remains uncertain, the red lighthouse made the trip from Algoma to Sturgeon Bay on Tuesday evening, where it will remain for several weeks and receive a fresh coat of red paint before returning home.

City Administrator Matt Murphy said it was great to see how much the city-owned lighthouse means to residents.

Murphy said the multimillion-dollar project, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, remains on schedule and is expected to be completed on time, meaning it won't be long before the lighthouse returns to its rightful spot.

The city will celebrate its temporarily departed landmarks Saturday at the Algoma Boat Club from noon to 6 p.m. as part of a fundraiser to help save the catwalk.

Two of the newest additions to the National Register of Historic Places can be found in Kewaunee County.

Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Historical Society announced the addition of the Town of Carlton's Sandy Bay Pier and Algoma's Tug John Evenson shipwreck to the National Register of Historic Places.

Located offshore from the Kewaunee Power Station, the pier served as an important part of the economy in the mid-1800s, supporting area residents as well as the nearby Sandy Bay sawmill and commercial complex. It played a key role in the years immediately before and the decades after the 1854 Treaty of Wolf River, when forests along the northwestern Lake Michigan coast were opened to exploitation and Euro-American settlement.

The Wisconsin Historical Society also points to archaeological deposits found around the site that help tell the story of the people and businesses that relied on Sandy Bay Pier.

In 1895, the 54-foot tugboat John Evenson was assisting the I. Watson Stephenson a few miles northeast of Algoma when it crossed in front of the larger steamer's bow and was crushed.

The vessel was discovered by Brendon Baillod and Bob Jaeck in 2024 before being added to the State Register of Historic Places last year.

Picture of the John Evenson courtesy of Brendon Baillod

They lost a day in the fields compared with the previous week, but that was quite all right for area farmers.

According to the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report, farmers had 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork, down from 6.7 days the previous week. Despite the lost time, corn and soybeans were both more than 95% planted. Corn emergence is right in line with the five-year average at 81%, while soybeans are seven percentage points ahead of the usual pace at 79%.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay is also well ahead of the five-year average, at 70% compared with 63%. Other crops, including oats and winter wheat, are also progressing nicely.

Deer Run Dairy owner Duane Ducat said the rain is coming at the right time.

More rain is in the forecast, with precipitation expected Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Ducat is hosting this month’s Peninsula Pride Conservation Conversation on how agricultural waterways can help direct water at 6 p.m. Thursday, weather permitting.

When you find kids enjoying their summer break, there is a good chance you will find them curling up with a good book.

More than 770 books will be mailed to Door County children next month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Through the generous support of United Way of Door County and other partners, approximately 95% of children from birth to age 5 participate in the program, which mails books to them each month.

That is far higher than the approximately 30% participation rate Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library officials told United Way of Door County Executive Director Amy Kohnle to expect when the organization first joined the program. Kohnle is happy the community has found ways to get books into the hands of children.

While some communities have placed participation caps on the program, Kohnle said generous donors have allowed any family who wants to sign up to do so.

Door County residents can sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at this link.

No matter where you live in Door County, you will likely see Sunshine Resources' impact.

The Sturgeon Bay-based organization is launching its "Five Initiatives, Five Years, $5 Million" plan, which will touch people of all ages and abilities throughout the county.

The plan includes creating an alternative school program; developing a Northern Door facility and program; building a new Sunflower Cottage; renovating the PATH building; modernizing its Yew Street facility; and establishing an endowment fund. All are on the calendar within the next five years.

It is an exciting time at Sunshine Resources for President and CEO Barry Metzentine, who started the job 20 months ago. While some of the initiatives have been years in the making, others have reared its head over the last few months. He said the partnerships and conversations he has had throughout the community have led to this moment.

Metzentine said that while Sunshine Resources is working on all five initiatives, increasing capacity at Sunflower Cottage from 17 clients to 60 clients will be its primary focus for the immediate future.

More information about the campaign is available on the organization's website.

This is the time of year when you should take Charlie Berens' advice to "watch for deer" a little more seriously.

Deer activity on area roads increases during May and June because of spring fawning and yearling dispersal. According to the Door County Sheriff's Department's 2025 annual report, June had the third-highest number of vehicle-deer crashes, with 58, trailing only November, with 80, and October, with 62.

While you should keep an eye on the road for deer crossings, you also might have to watch for fawns in your yard. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden Chris Kratcha said deer can have their young in some interesting locations and then disappear for hours at a time.

Kratcha reminds residents that wildlife cares for its young differently than humans do, and intervening too soon can cause more harm than good when it comes to a young fawn's survival.

If you encounter a fawn in your yard, do not move it and give it time to leave on its own. Kratcha said residents should not contact the DNR or a wildlife sanctuary unless they know for certain the fawn's mother has been killed or the animal is injured.

The next time you take in the views at Sugar Creek County Park in Brussels, you'll have a little more to do.

Door County Parks Director Wayne Spritka and other officials from the Door County Facilities and Parks Department cut the ribbon on a new playground made possible through support from the Friends of Door County Parks and the Destination Door County Community Investment Fund.

In addition to the new playground, improvements at Sugar Creek County Park include a new pavilion and an ADA-accessible grill for visitors to use.

Spritka said residents have long asked for new amenities at county parks, especially those in southern Door County. After about two years of planning and construction, Spritka said he is happy everything is ready for people to enjoy.

Sugar Creek County Park is not the only county park receiving extra attention this summer. Chaudoir's Dock will undergo major improvements in the coming weeks, including additional dredging to make it easier for boaters to access the water.