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LOCAL
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Many Trucks And
Work Vans Detoured To Bay View Bridge
By Nick Freimuth
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 23,
2008
Crossing the Michigan Street Bridge in Sturgeon Bay will be a
monitored activity for the foreseeable future. The bridge is open,
but not for everyone. A number of motorists that crossed the bridge
in the past are not being allowed to cross the Michigan Street
Bridge now. Work trucks weighing 3/4 of a ton filled with equipment,
double axle vehicles, any vehicle pulling a trailer and 1/2 ton
trucks with a full cab are a few examples of vehicles that are being
turned around by law enforcement.
Door County Sheriffs Deputy Kyle Engebose is monitoring traffic on
the West side of the historic downtown bridge. He explained the
traffic implications.
(Audio Here)
The Sturgeon Bay Police Department is enforcing the restrictions on
the east side of the bridge and the Door County Sheriffs Department
is monitoring traffic on the West side. Engebose described the
detour route for a vehicle redirected on the west side of town.
(Audio Here)
Motor vehicles to large too cross the bridge have not been happy
about the new weight restrictions. Engebose said some people have
been vocally frustrated about the detour, especially the drivers
that were able to cross the Michigan Street Bridge just a few days
ago with the same vehicle.
(Audio Here)
Engebose stressed the importance of abiding by the new strict weigh
limit enforcement. He said that the guidelines must be followed or
the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will permanently close
the old deteriorating bridge. Law enforcement will be present until
the new bridge opens and the old bridge is deemed safe by the DOT. |
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AFT Delighting
Audiences This Summer
By Karyn Klement
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 23,
2008
Back for another season, A Cabin With A View is on the American
Folklore Theatre stage. A Cabin With A View is an original
production written by Dave Hudson and Paul Libmann and was new to
AFT last year. Managing director Kaye Christman talks about A Cabin
With A View.
(Audio Here)
Christman says this is a great show complete with wonderful music
and humor.
(Audio Here)
A Cabin With A View hits the American Folklore Theatre stage every
Thursday at 8:00PM and on Saturdays at 8:30PM. General admission
tickets are $16 for adults, $7.50 for teens and $4.50 for kids 12
and under. Children under three are free. A Cabin With A View will
run through August. |
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County Board
Education On Budget Process
By Nick Freimuth
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 23,
2008
The Door County Board of Supervisors held a two hour and twenty
minute “special meeting” designed to inform new board members and
longer tenured county supervisors on the 2008 budget process and
look forward to the challenges that lie ahead for the 2009 budget.
Northern Door supervisor Joel Gunnlaugsson was the only board member
not at the meeting. He was excused.
County Administrator Mike Serpe said there was discussion about how
all the various component of the budget will fit together. He said
the special session was a good idea.
(Audio Here)
With seven first time supervisors on the board, the educational
meeting was beneficial for all, said Serpe. He said the 2% levy
limit imposed on the county by the state puts them in a difficult
situation. However, there are a number of options that will allow
the county to move forward in a positive manner, according to Serpe.
In December of 2007, all department heads were directed to begin
putting their budgets together in light of the 2% levy limit. Serpe
said on the operating side of the budget, the county is in good
shape. Utilities and fuel costs are problem areas. Serpe said there
are other areas that will require a lot of attention.
(Audio Here)
The Capital Improvement plan is in front of the county board at next
week’s monthly meeting. The budget goes to the finance committee in
September. Next, the standing committees review the numbers before
it is returned to the finance committee for their final review. The
budget ends at the county board in November.
A number of the topics discussed today included the operational
limitations of a 2% levy limit, the option of borrowing or use of
undesignated funds in the future, potential reduction of staff and
services and the cost savings involved in cutting the Government
Center down to a Monday through Thursday operation center.
County Administrator Mike Serpe said the "special meeting" could
best be described as a consciousness raising effort. |
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Controversial Play Comes To Door County
By Matt
Mleziva
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 22,
2008
This weekend Door County will be one of the few areas in the United
States to host the controversial play, "My Name Is Rachel Corrie".
The play is a one woman show based on the diary and emails of
American activist Rachel Corrie. Corrie was a member of the
International Solidarity Movement who traveled as an activist to the
Gaza Strip during the Second Intifada. She was killed while
attempting to prevent an Israel Defense Force's bulldozer from
engaging in the demolition of a home in a Palestinian residential
area. Corrie was killed by the bulldozer. The play was well received
in London but many theaters in the United States have banned it for
its controversial topic. Play coordinator Karl Vitale talks about
the limited exposure of the play in the United States.
(Audio Here)
The play was edited by renowned actor Alan Rickman. Rickman
convinced Corrie's parents to let him use her diary and emails to
create the dialogue of the play. Vitale went on to add that the
purpose of bringing the play to Door County is not to make money but
create awareness.
(Audio Here)
The play will be performed at the Ephraim Town Hall at 8pm Friday
and Saturday. The matinee will take place at 2pm on Sunday. In the
next part of the story we will learn about the Door County native
who plays Rachel Corrie. |
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Michigan
Street Bridge Reopened This Morning
By Nick Freimuth
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 23,
2008
The Michigan Street Bridge in Sturgeon Bay reopened to motor
vehicle traffic this morning at 6:00 AM by the Wisconsin Department
of Transportation. The decision came after the city of Sturgeon Bay
and Door County officials committed to strictly enforce the bridge's
5-ton weight limit.
Wisconsin DOT closed the Michigan Street Bridge to all motorists on
Monday as a safety precaution. The traffic implications were major.
Yesterday and Monday afternoon between 3:45 and 5:30 vehicles trying
to maneuver around the city were stuck in traffic for as long as 45
minutes to cross the Bay View Bridge. As motor vehicle operators
only option, traffic was bottlenecking and causing major delays.
Unfortunately, despite warnings from the Department of
Transportation for stricter enforcement of the 5-ton weight limit,
heavily loaded vehicles continued to use the bridge. That left the
department with few options but to close the structure to all motor
vehicle traffic.
Since the closure, Wisconsin DOT has been working closely with
Sturgeon bay and Door County officials to reach an agreement to
reopen the bridge, while guaranteeing the 5-ton weight limit is
followed. The new guidelines include:
On-site enforcement of the weight limit by uniformed law
enforcement.
The bridge will open to traffic only between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM
Monday through Sunday.
Law enforcement checkpoints will be set up at intersections to
detour overweight vehicles.
The maximum vehicle type allowed to cross is a 3/4 ton truck (empty)
and automobiles.
County and city law enforcement personnel will install and remove
all barricades.
A bridge tender will be on-duty around the clock.
Signs and message boards will stay on the highways advising
motorists on the 5-ton weight limit.
All of the conditions outlined MUST be observed, without exception.
Any Single weight violation WILL result in the
PERMANENT CLOSURE of the bridge. |
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Special Budget
Meeting Tomorrow For Door County Board
By Nick Freimuth
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 22,
2008
A “special meeting” of the Door County Board of Supervisors
will include a question and answer session for the seven new board
supervisors tomorrow at 10:00 AM in the Justice Center. A “Work
Session” will be held to share information on the 2008 Budget,
according to Door County Board Supervisor Leo Zipperer. This process
is being offered by the Finance Committee and will allow members to
provide their expertise along with an opportunity to obtain answers
to the questions supervisors may have but were afraid to ask.
(Audio Here)
Zipperer has asked the board to bring their concerns and those of
their constituents. The board chair will monitor the overall
process. He said the session would end when all questions have been
asked. The meeting will not be video taped or recorded and no
official action of the Board will be taken.
(Audio Here)
Zipperer listed ten topics that he feels need to be discussed at the
"special meeting."
1. What is it that the County should do on an annual basis?
2. Operational limitations and a 2% levy limit - future restrictions
3. Capital improvement program & qualifications
4. Cash / credit options - borrow or use of undesignated funds
5. With the ever increasing price increases, what are the
alternatives?
6. What is the debt now, what will it be in the future?
7. Sustainable borrow vs. cut in service
8. employment levels, reduction in staff
9. Affect of 24/7 providers
10. work hours, days - cost savings? |
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City & County
Departments To Partner In Bridge Watching
By Karyn
Klement
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 22,
2008
Door County and Sturgeon Bay city officials were trying to figure out
how to get the Michigan Street Bridge back open to vehicular
traffic. The Michigan Street Bridge was closed Mondday at 3:00PM
by the Department of Transportation. Bridge Maintenance
Engineer Dale Weber said that some vehicles were not
following the 5 ton weight limit and the DOT was concerned about
further deterioration because of that. Sturgeon Bay Police Chief Dan
Trelka says it was a busy beginning of the week at city hall, as all departments
were working together on the issue.
(Audio Here)
Chief Trelka said the police department played a major role in getting the bridge
opened.
(Audio Here)
All law enforcement were responsible for monitoring the weight limit
says Trelka. The bridge tender would often report those over the 5
ton limit and Trelka says officers would do their best to find those
individuals.
Trelka says stationing an officer at one end of the bridge will mean
over time hours, which will cost the city money. Trelka says he'll
have to add one extra officer for each shift. |
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DOT Says Strict
Enforcement Must Be In Place
By Karyn
Klement
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 22,
2008
The Michigan Street Bridge closed at 3:00PM Monday and Department of
Transportation NE Region Operations Director Will Dorsey said it
would stay that way until the county and city figured out how the 5
ton weight limit will be enforced. A routine inspection took place
on July 8th says Dorsey. He talks about what was discovered at that
time.
(Audio Here)
When asked what it will take to get the Michigan Street Bridge back
open, Dorsey says the DOT, county and City of Sturgeon Bay would have
to work together.
(Audio Here)
Dorsey says letters had been sent to local law enforcement
concerning mandating the weight limit. He says the DOT continued to
monitor that and found heavy vehicles were still using the Michigan
Street Bridge.
(Audio Here)
The closure was a big surprise to most people traveling through the
area. According to the highway department, they received
the news at about 1:00PM Monday. The bridge was closed at 3:00PM and
DoorCountyDailyNews.com received a press release from the DOT at
3:30PM. Dorsey says when there is a potential risk to public safety,
the DOT is obligated to act on that.
(Audio Here)
Dorsey realizes there was not much notice regarding the closure but
indicated that the DOT did not have much of a choice in the matter.
He says the DOT was waiting to hear from the county and city on their
plan for enforcement. Dorsey says if they felt there was any way to
avoid the closure without compromising public safety, they would
have done that. However, Dorsey says safety is their priority. |
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Cherry Trees
Should Be Ok Next Season
By Karyn
Klement
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 21,
2008
Door County's cherry crop will be quite small this year but that
should not affect next year's harvest. A drought at the end of last
season and a long hard winter are reasons for the small harvest.
Aside from the trees that must be removed, Seaquist Orchards Owner
Dale Seaquist says next year's crop is looking good so far.
(Audio Here)
Along with the cherry crop, a number of trees were lost this year as
well. The tough conditions and lack of soil were not favorable for
Door County cherry trees.
(Audio Here)
One of the largest cherry orchards in the state, Sequist expects to
remove over one thousand trees from their fields. Although there is
not much to harvest this year, Seaquist says their staff still has
plenty to do.
(Audio Here)
Seaquist says a tree usually does not start to produce fruit until
they are about six years old. While there isn't much to harvest this
year, Seaquist says there's still plenty of work to do. Seaquist
says to keep your eyes open for cherries sold at local farm markets
or at places like Seaquist Orchards just north of Sister Bay. He
says we won't see very many cherries leaving the county this year,
but there will be some for local residents. |
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Michigan Street
Bridge Closed; DOT Concerned About Safety
By Karyn Klement
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 22,
2008
The Michigan Street Bridge in downtown Sturgeon Bay is closed until
further notice. The closure was effective as of 3:00PM yesterday.
Department of Transportation Bridge Maintenance Engineer Dale Weber
says while weight limits have been posted, not everyone is paying
attention to those signs.
(Audio Here)
The Michigan Street Bridge is closed to vehicular traffic but still
open to pedestrians. Weber said he did not know when the bridge
would be open.
(Audio Here)
The Michigan Street Bridge was closed at 3:00PM yesterday. A press
release sent from the DOT at 3:30PM yesterday stated that "The
decision made by WisDOT boils down to one issue: safety. Portions of
the bridge have deteriorated to the point where the bridge had to
have weight limits posted. Unfortunately, heavy loads continued to
use the bridge leaving WisDOT with few options but to close the
bridge......
.....The Michigan Street Bridge is scheduled to undergo a $13
million renovation starting March of 2009.
Construction continues on the new Maple-Oregon Bridge in downtown
Sturgeon Bay. The $30 million structure is scheduled to open to
traffic in September 2008." |
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Drowning Can
Be Avoided By Wearing A Life Jacket
By Nick Freimuth
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 21,
2008
In 2007, 18 people died on the water in Wisconsin. That is five
higher than the 13 fatalities on the water in 2006. Conservation
Warden Mike Neal said approximately 70% of the deaths on the water
are drownings. Most of the deaths could have been prevented if
people wore their lifejackets, said Neal.
(Audio Here)
Neal said alcohol is also a factor in at least 70% of the drownings
in the state annually. The marine warden said if people would
practice safe life jacket use and eliminate drunk boating,
Wisconsin's waterways would be safer for everyone.
Storing life jackets in readily available locations is encouraged.
Keeping them in a locked chest or inaccessible area will not do a
drowning victim any good. Neal said boating accidents are unforeseen
occurrences, but when something bad happens on the water it is best
to be prepared.
Conservation Warden Joel Polzin said operating a boat has the same
responsibilities as driving a car. If you are caught with a blood
alcohol content .08 or above, you will be under arrest.
(Audio Here)
DNR wardens were busy dealing with boat operators under the
influence of alcohol. In Door County, two drunken boaters were cited
for the double $438 citation during the 4th of July weekend.
If you are found operating under the influence, a $438 fine is the
penalty. Then, another ticket is usually written for a prohibited
BAC over.08. That is another $438 fine. Finally, if a drunk boater
refuses the field sobriety or breathalyzer test another $438 fine is
warranted. If cited for any of these offenses you are also
responsible for taking a boater safety class. Neal and Polzin said
the bottom line is that a sober boater is a safer boater. |
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Door County
Triathlon A Big Success
By Karyn
Klement
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 21,
2008
Over one thousand adults and kids competed in the Door County
Triathlon over the weekend. The kids started the tri on Saturday.
Coordinator Ben Rikkola says over one hundred kids age 4 through 14
competed.
 (Audio Here)
Rikkola says everybody is a winner in the Kids Triathlon. He says
about half of this year's young participants had done the tri in the
past while the others experienced it for their first time on
Saturday.
(Audio Here)
YMCA CEO Dan Powell says there were over a thousand adults who
competed in the half and full triathlon. He says the Y is a partner
and while they don't spearhead the event, a number of employees and
volunteers played a key role. Powell says people came from all
corners of the nation to compete. From Boston, MA to Bismarck, ND to
Boco Raton, FL, Utah and Minnesota, there were many Door County
visitors in the area over the weekend.
(Audio Here)
The full iron course began at 8:00AM Sunday morning and the half
course started at 9:00AM. Finishing first in the full iron course
for the men was Clayton Chase of Fox Point, followed by Steve Chapin
from Wauwatosa and Brian McWilliams of DePere. For the women, it was
Alicia Jones from DePere, Karen Steward-Nolan of Oak Park, IL and
Stephanie Bina from Plymouth, MN.
Talks of opening this competition up to more participants and making
it a two-day event are in the works. |
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One Man Died,
Another Injured In Vehicle Crash: Update
By Karyn
Klement
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 22,
2008One man died and
another was injured in a vehicle accident in Sturgeon Bay early
yesterday morning. The fatal accident took place at 2:30 yesterday
morning on Highway 42/57 and Columbia Street when the driver of a
Ford Mustang rear-ended a semi-trailer. 43-year-old Ole
Fernandez-Espinosa was the passenger who died in the accident.
Sturgeon Bay Police Chief Dan Trelka.
(Audio Here)
When asked if speed was a factor in the accident, Trelka said this.
(Audio Here)
Trelka says it is highly likely the injuries would have been minimal
if seat belts were used.
Due to this accident, Highway 42/57 has been closed to northbound
traffic. A detour has been set up at CR PD, directing traffic to CR
C, then to Duluth Avenue and back on to the highway. Trelka says
this detour may be set up for another few hours, as the State Patrol
and other law enforcement authorities continue to investigate the
incident. |
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Another Cell
Phone Tower In Sturgeon Bay???
By Karyn Klement
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 21,
2008
We could see another cell phone tower go up in Sturgeon Bay. The
issue was discussed at a plan commission meeting last week.
Commission Co-Chair Ben Meyer said there were a number of people at
that meeting who spoke both in favor of and in opposition to the
installation of these towers that are proposed to be installed on
Egg Harbor Road, near Hardees. The plan commission tabled the issue
at Wednesday's meeting.
(Audio Here)
Joseph Lavine is the property owner and Hudson Towers is the company
that would install the towers. While the commission listened to a
presentation on the project Wednesday and those in the audience
voiced their opinion, it was the study that was missing. If the
study has not yet been completed, Meyer expects that to be done very
soon.
(Audio Here)
The plan commission tabled the issue on Wednesday. Meyer expects the
study to be complete soon and anticipates discussing that at the
next Plan Commission meeting. The next regularly scheduled Sturgeon
Bay Plan Commission meeting is Wednesday, August 20 at 7:00PM. |
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Kewaunee
County's Fairest Of The Fair
By Matt Mleziva
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 19,
2008
On Tuesday, Stacie Fameree earned the honor of the Kewaunee County
Fair's "Fairest of the Fair". The Algoma native was one of many who
submitted their application to be the 2008 "Fairest of the Fair".
Stacie explains the application process.
(Audio Here)
Before the fair starts, the job of the "Fairest" is a public
relations position. Fameree traveled all over Northeast Wisconsin
being the spokesperson of the fair. During the fair Fameree
introduced the musical acts, handed out trophies and ribbons, and
rode in the parade. Fameree's work doesn't stop when the fair is
over.
(Audio Here)
Requirements for "Fairest of the Fair" include being a women between
ages 18 to 21 and Kewaunee must be your home county. Next year's
Fairest of The Fair will be the 92nd. |
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Teens Can Pay
Less For Auto Insurance
By Nick Freimuth
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 19,
2008
This summer, hundreds of sixteen year old will pass their driver's
test. There are many reasons teenagers have to pay more for
automobile insurance. Owner of Schmitz Insurance Phil Schmitz said
there are a number of things that teens can do to lower those rates.
The first thing he said teenagers need to do is avoid any collision
or accident. Once an insurance agency sees a driver has been
involved in an accident it is more likely that will happen again.
Along with avoiding accidents, Schmitz said speeding tickets could
raise rates through the roof.
The second thing Schmitz said that will drop young driver auto
insurance rates is selection of vehicle. He talked about things that
could save your child some money.
(Audio Here)
Schmitz said a Dodge minivan has the lowest insurance rates. He
realizes that most college kids don't want to be seen driving a
minivan, but if you are looking for the lowest rates that is the way
to go. Insurance agents can be helpful when buying your first car.
(Audio Here)
High school and college students are often times eligible for a good
student discount. Students with a grade point average of 3.0 and
higher can save a fair share on monthly car insurance bills.
(Audio Here)
Keeping a clean driving record, selecting a conservative vehicle,
and keeping good grades are all ways that students can save money on
auto insurance. With gas prices at $4.10 per gallon, it is nice to
know there are other ways for teenagers to save money. |
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Door County
Employees Could Be Taking Fridays Off
By Nick Freimuth
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
July 19,
2008
Door County employees may be taking Friday's off if a new proposal
to work four ten hour days is accepted. County Administrator Mike
Serpe has proposed that Door County employees working at the
Government Center and a number of employees at the Justice Center
work Monday through Thursday ten hours a day. The effort would save
a lot of energy by closing the doors on Fridays, it would provide an
opportunity for customers to use the county's services earlier in
the morning and later in the afternoon four days a week, this would
eliminate one commute for employees that live in a county that is 75
miles long from tip to toe and employees would have the opportunity
to spend three full days with their families every week.
(Audio Here)
This is an internal conversation and nothing has been brought to the
county board for a vote. Serpe hopes this could start at the
beginning of 2009 or before. Feasibility studies began last week and
county staff is discussing the possibilities. Serpe believes the
energy savings will be substantial by closing the Government Center
one day a week.
(Audio Here)
The state of Utah has gone statewide with all of their state offices
to the four-day workweek. There are also a number of municipalities
in the U.S. that are doing this for their offices.
Internal conversations need to be finalized with union
representatives and county board approval needs to occur before the
four-day workweek would be enacted. This would affect employees in
the Government Center and possibly some people in the Justice
Center. It would exclude the employees who are 24/7 like law
enforcement and emergency medical services. Serpe said the senior
center would likely not fall into this conversation either.
The County Administrator said 99% of the feedback from county
employees has been positive. A small majority is opposed to change
as part of their nature but this seems to be well received by the
majority. Further feasibility studies will be conducted in the
upcoming weeks and months. |
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