You will see a new fire department officially starting up in Door County as of 10:00 p.m. today (Wednesday) when the Nasewaupee Fire Rescue begins operations in southern Door County.  The Town of New Nasewaupee will split from the Southern Door Fire Department which will continue to service the town and village of Forestville and Clay Banks.  Fire Rescue Chief Jacob Schartner says Nasewaupee received licensed approval from the State of Wisconsin for responding to fire calls and Emergency Medical Response by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services earlier this month.  Schartner shares the process of starting up the new department to be fully ready to go.

Schartner says the public will not notice any difference in services other than a new logo on the fire station, equipment, and clothing. Nasewaupee Fire Rescue currently has a staff of 25 firefighters and EMRs with hopes to hire five more people from recently received applications. 

You can be part of the community to celebrate the Door County YMCA Sturgeon Bay Program Center expansion project next month.  Although the Door County YMCA has already opened its newly expanded facility in Sturgeon Bay, the Heart of the Community Capital Campaign Grand Opening will be held on October 8th.  Mission Advancement Executive Brett Cleveland says the celebration will be special for the staff and the community.

The renovation and expansion of the Sturgeon Bay Program Center was a $10.2 million project that added over 16,300 square feet of space including a wellness center, new youth activity center, outdoor classroom, and a new kitchen area for the year-round meals program.  The Heart of the Community Capital Campaign Grand Opening will be from 11:15 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 8th.  

What started as a camper trailer fire on New Settlement Road southwest of Sturgeon Bay could have been a lot worse if not the the quick response by the Southern Door Fire Department on Tuesday afternoon.  Southern Door Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Cihlar says crews were dispatched around 2:30 p.m. to 2490 New Settlement Road.  Upon arrival, Cihlar was concerned about a 500-gallon propane tank that was only a few feet away from the fire-engaged camper trailer.  The fire was extinguished quickly, but substantial damage was already done to the smaller trailer and slight damage to two other storage trailers located by a shed. Cihlar says the fire was probably caused by a generator that was feeding an electrical panel in the camper from the shed that had a solar panel on it.

Cihlar notes that over 4,000 gallons of water were used to douse the blaze and that the scene was cleared shortly after 3:30 p.m.  An initial MABAS call to the Sturgeon Bay Fire Department was canceled when the fire was quickly put out.  No injuries were reported.

The calendar may have just turned to fall, but airlines and their partners at airports across the country are encouraging you to start thinking about winter. Air traffic continues to nudge closer to pre-pandemic levels. Austin Straubel Airport in Green Bay has seen its air traffic increase by 15 percent each month over the last three months and it is on pace to be about 10 percent higher than in 2022. Airport Director Marty Piette thanks “revenge travel” for the uptick in air traffic as people continue to try to make up for trips canceled because of the pandemic. Piette says he expects more of the same to close out the year, urging potential fliers that if they want to lock in the right trip for the right price, the time is now.

As always, Piette encourages people to arrive early, review the different rules and regulations when it comes to your packing list, and bring a little patience as well. Local airports have been especially busy this week with the Green Bay Packers hosting their first two home games of the year within five days of each other.

Although you may not use them for their intended purpose, lighthouses continue to fascinate people from near and far and of all ages. The Door County Maritime Museum’s Fall Lighthouse Festival is just the latest example of residents and visitors alike wanting to get up close to Door County’s 11 lighthouses plus others in Kewaunee, Algoma, and Green Bay. For many, this is the only time people can visit and tour the structures, many of which have either gone automated or dark as the times have changed. Door County Maritime Museum Deputy Director & Development Manager Sam Perlman says people remain fascinated by lighthouses and the stories that make them even more unique.

While some tours are sold out, Perlman says there is still some availability depending on if you want to travel by air, water, or land. Making the Fall Lighthouse Festival even more attractive is the arrival of the fall colors to the peninsula. According to the Travel Wisconsin Fall Color Report, Door County is at 15 percent peak while Algoma is at 25 percent.

You will be able to hear from most of the Republican Presidential candidates on Wednesday as the political party hosts its second debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum will all take the stage for their second debate while former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson failed to meet the minimum standards for fundraising and polling to join the group behind his podium. The debate serves as an encore to last month’s event that took place at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, which will also host next year’s Republican National Convention. Door County Republican Party Stephanie Soucek was among those who attended the debate and gave her thoughts on the candidates who participated the next day.

Former President Donald Trump, who leads the polls with 55.2 percent of likely voters supporting him according to FiveThirtyEight, is opting to not participate. DeSantis leads the debate field with 13.8 percent, followed by Ramaswamy (6.1 percent) and Haley (5.6 percent). According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll, Trump is also leading the poll against his likely opponent President Joe Biden, leading him 51 percent to 42 percent. No one is likely to challenge Biden in a presidential primary, though the same poll shows only 33 percent of Democrats prefer Biden as the nominee while 63 percent would rather choose someone else. The debate is scheduled to air at 8 p.m. on the Fox Business Channel. 

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Soucek

A Sister Bay man was injured and transported to Door County Medical Center as the result of a one-vehicle crash into a concrete barrier Friday afternoon.

The Door County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene on State Highway 42 near Holand Road just after 4 p.m. with the car resting against a concrete wall with its passenger-side door up in the air. According to the crash report released on Tuesday by the Door County Sheriff’s Department, the driver, Jerry Lee Zaug of Sister Bay, was still seated on the driver’s side and was being treated for a possible diabetic issue when deputies arrived. Zaug was transported to the hospital to be treated for his injuries. The car had to be towed away while the owner of the property was alerted about the damage sustained to the wall as a result of the crash.

The incident closed down the roadway for approximately one hour and crews reopened it shortly before 5:15 p.m.

The City of Algoma is looking to fill the treasurer position currently held by Amber Shallow, who will be leaving her post on October 13.  City Administrator Matt Murphy says Shallow did a great job over her ten years of working for the city, especially the application process for community development block grants earned by Algoma over the years.  Murphy describes the work Shallow performed over the years and expectations for the new treasurer.

Murphy adds that Shallow has agreed to help out after October 13th with onboarding the new person who is hired and working some evenings if needed.   

You will have another opportunity to get a little financial assistance installing a new EV charger with help from Destination Door County. The organization is opening its third round of mini-grants on Sunday at 8 a.m. for area businesses that want to install the electric vehicle infrastructure needed to charge cars when needed. The $ 1,000 grants are open to any Door County business, non-profit organization, or government entity wishing to upgrade their current equipment or to install new products. The grants have disappeared quickly in the past because of interest in the program, which is part of Destination Door County’s sustainability initiatives. You can find more information about the program by clicking this link. The mini-grants program for EV chargers is expected to expire at the end of the year, but there is a possibility that it will get extended. There is a network of over 50 charging stations in Door County, located primarily in Sturgeon Bay, Sister Bay, Fish Creek, Ephraim, Ellison Bay, Egg Harbor, and Baileys Harbor.

No one was hurt but an accident in Sturgeon Bay early Sunday afternoon gave you a lesson in the importance of keeping your eyes on the road. The Sturgeon Bay Police Department was called to State Highway 42/57 near Utah Street just after noon on Sunday after a two-vehicle crash led to both of them getting towed. According to the police report, Max Boursaw of Sturgeon Bay was driving behind Zhifeng Liu of Algoma when his eyes went off the road. When his pickup truck hit the rumble strips on the shoulder of the road, Boursaw overcorrected and tried swerving around Liu’s vehicle before striking it. His truck went off the roadway and both vehicles suffered significant front-end damage. The accident caused major back-ups on State Highway 42/57 as many people were traveling home after their weekend stays. The road was closed for about 25 minutes and the scene was cleared before 12:45 p.m. Boursaw was cited for inattentive driving and operating a vehicle without insurance. 

Whether you eat, drink, or inhale it, kratom could be legalized if approved by state officials later this year.

Rep. John Macco of Ledgeview and four other legislators introduced the bill known as AB 393 last week calling for the legalization of the herbal supplement some use to self-treat conditions like pain, anxiety, and opioid use disorder. Under the bill, kratom would be regulated to help prevent other issues from occurring. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, kratom can produce opioid and stimulant-like effects depending on the dosage. Its usage has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for medical use. Rep. Macco told WBAY last week that it would be a “great alternative to add some of the drug problems we have.”

Door County Sheriff’s Department drug investigator Elizabeth Williams says they have not seen too many issues yet with kratom but knows that despite it being a misdemeanor to possess, people can order the supplement through the mail. She sees kratom as an accessory to other drug use, not necessarily a replacement.

Assembly Republicans introduced a bill legalizing kratom last year, but the effort was dropped due to criticism from law enforcement. Kratom is legal in over 40 states with some stipulations and approximately 1.7 million Americans 12 and older used the substance in 2021.

You can get lost in a corn maze and in the state’s agricultural history thanks to a fall attraction in Forestville.

The 175th anniversary of Wisconsin inspired the Guilette family to design its Red Barn Corn Maze in the state of Wisconsin, adding other features of America’s Dairyland into the final product. Visitors can follow the outline of the state and other elements of the Wisconsin flag.

Jan Guilette designed the course on graph paper before they planted the corn and subsequently began carving the path with a lawnmower. With the entrance stationed just outside a tent featuring old farm equipment, Guilette hopes visitors learn and have fun at the same time.

For those wanting less history and more hysterics, the Red Barn Corn Maze will feature a haunted maze on Fridays in October. Guilette credits members of the former Southern Door Haunted Mansion for helping them outfit the maze and help continue a Southern Door-area Halloween tradition.

You can bring your vocal talents and sing with the Community Choir of Door County for the fall season.  The Community Choir is for all ages and levels of talent and skills.  The group will meet on Tuesday, September 26, and rehearse from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. weekly during the season at the Sturgeon Bay High School choir room.  The first planned performance will be for a Veteran’s Day performance, and they sing the Messiah during the holidays.  There are no auditions or mandatory attendance, and a $25 dues fee covers expenses.  The choir director is Avery Burns and Cheryl Pfister is the choir’s founder.  If you want more information on the Community Choir of Door County, contact them on their Facebook page.  

An accident near the Bayview Bridge may affect your commute through Sturgeon Bay on Sunday.

A multi-vehicle accident between the Bayview Bridge and Utah Street closed both lanes of traffic as emergency crews clear the scene.

Crews were still on the scene as of 12:20 p.m., forcing people to use Sturgeon Bay's downtown bridges to travel across town. 

We will have more details on this incident when they become available.

You can find out the interesting facts behind what is considered the largest single sea disaster in the history of Green Bay waters and how the loss impacted Fish Creek.  The last Gibraltar Talks for the 2023 season next month will feature the “Sinking of the Erie L. Hackley”.  The presentation will tell the story and numerous accounts of the survivors and victims of the tragedy that occurred on October 3rd, 1903.   Eleven people perished with only eight survivors who clung to the wreckage.  Gibraltar Historical Association Director Laurie Buske says the evening will have a narrator who will tell the story with community members representing the characters who were involved in the disaster 120 years ago.

The steamship transported freight and passengers across Green Bay waters long before roads and highways were around and sank near Marinette in 110 feet of water. The “Sinking of the Erie L. Hackley, the Day Fish Creek Stood Still” presentation will be at 7 p.m. at Gibraltar’s Old Town in Fish Creek on Tuesday, October 3rd.  The program is free to the public and you are encouraged to bring any articles or stories related to the sinking of the steamboat that evening. 

(Photo contributed)

What may not seem like a big deal to you is now the talk at Luxemburg-Casco Middle School when it comes to personal devices.

The school launched its “Away for the Day” initiative at the beginning of the school year, barring its students from accessing their smart devices during the school year. Middle School Principal Todd Chandler says they implemented the program because they wanted the attention of their students back in the classroom. “We believe – and research supports – that by eliminating personal smart devices, schools are seeing increases in academic performance, increases in face-to-face communication, a reduction in social issues, and decreases in unkind acts and bullying.”

The research does back up Chandler and his administration’s claims. When schools in England banned mobile phones, the test scores of 16-year-old students increased by 6.4%. Moreover, research has shown that students who are regularly interrupted by text messages average 10.6% lower test scores. Approximately 89 percent of Luxemburg-Casco’s middle school students carry a personal cell phone, but 78 percent of the students’ parents agreed that there should be limitations to how much and when those devices can be used. Chandler says the learning curve has been steeper for eighth graders who were able to have their personal devices at the same school last year.

Students get five strikes before the tougher decisions need to be made. Previous transgressions are usually greeted with the devices taken away and a mandatory check-in of the device when they come to school after the fourth offense. Students can still have their phones for use before and after school, but Chandler admits that it has declined significantly since the first week of school.  

If you want to surf the web quicker when living or working in the Town of Nasewaupee, Monday’s vote could be a step in the right direction. The town will host a special meeting of the electors on Monday to approve $5,000,000 in borrowing to fund the build-out of town-wide fiber-optic infrastructure. Nasewaupee officials have been working on providing better internet for its customers for well over a year since its Fibernet/Broadband Committee started meeting in April 2022. Bertram Communications has partnered with the town to help get its fiber project off the ground. A Wisconsin Public Service Commission grant, which has helped jumpstart other communities like Baileys Harbor, Washington Island, and Jacksonport with their efforts to get fiber internet installed is available, but matching funds are usually required to obtain them. The special meeting of the electors will take place at the Naswaupee Town Hall at 7 p.m. 

As hundreds of farmers in Door and Kewaunee counties hit their fields over the next several weeks, you are being encouraged to do what you can so everyone gets to go home to their families. The agricultural sector remains one of the most dangerous in the country according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics with 573 fatalities, or an equivalent of 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. During the third week of September, federal, state, and local agencies compile resources for farmers and other stakeholders to recognize National Farm Safety and Health Week. Not only does the week focus on tractor and rural roadway safety, it also focuses on operating within confined spaces and mental health. Adam Barta from Rio Creek Feed Mill and Peninsula Pride Farms says there are lots of ways farmers and motorists can keep each other safe.

According to UW-Extension, there were found 41 agricultural deaths in 2017 and 34 in 2018.  Tractors were the source of the majority of non-highway fatalities, and machinery is often the agent involved in entanglement, amputation injury, crushing, and other forms of non-fatal injury.

The Fall Archaeological Dig at the Crossroads Cove Estuary Preserve is underway, and the general public—adults, families, groups –are invited to observe, or even better, to participate in the Dig on weekdays from now until Thursday, October 5.

Anytime you see activity at The Cove Estuary Preserve, you are welcome to park at the lot at 817 S. 20th Place and join in the experience. If school groups are present, visitors are invited to watch, but need to understand that our team of professional archaeologists may be too involved in educational outreach to answer questions. At other times, though, they will be more than willing to discuss their work and help visitors understand that archaeology is far more than a treasure hunt.

The stereotype of archaeologists involved in exotic travel, adventure and the acquisition of fabulous treasures is now far from accurate. Archaeology also is no longer an adult hobby like, say, stamp collecting, in which many families had a cigar box full of arrowheads tucked away, or perhaps an array of artifacts displayed in a shadow box on the mantlepiece. 

Archaeologists of today care less about acquiring treasures and more about learning about the lives of people. At Crossroads this year, we are focused on “foodways” – the ways people gathered, stored, cooked and disposed of food on Crossroads’ property. That will provide a window on our cultural heritage spanning several thousand years. We are particularly interested in the challenging times when people learned to adapt to a changing climate or conditions which presumably also led to changes in their societies, diet, trade and even their spirituality.

So, how, you may ask, can small, chipped stones, pottery sherds and chunks of partially burned wood reveal the stories of past cultures. 

Well, once the artifacts have been underearth at our dig, our archaeology team cleans, sorts, and examines them under a powerful microscope. Selected specimens will be sent off to be analyzed using the following, specialized and high-tech scientific methods.

Appropriate to our foodways theme, our team includes a specialist in ethnobotany who studies the organic materials – seeds, nutshells, fish scales, corn cakes, bones, shells, teeth – to determine what made up the diet of people during any given time. 

Using an electron microscope, trained researchers can look at the edges of stone tools and hunting weapons to examine use-wear marks to determine how and on what materials the tools were used answering questions such as: Was it a scraper? Was it used to scrape fresh hides? Process meat? Make clothing?

Using technologies from medical science, archaeologists use blood protein analysis to determine, with precision to genus and sometimes even to species, the prey animals of various cultures.

Ceramic analysis will determine the source of clay (local or traded) and, because ceramics were not glazed, pots and storage vessels sometimes absorbed oils and liquids which also helps us learn even more about “foodways.”

Organic material samples can be used for carbon dating so we can determine when people lived beside the estuary.

As part of the Archaeological Experience, Crossroads will be offering interpretive tours of the Hans and Bertha Hanson Home. Tours are free and open to the public, though donations are welcome.

So why do we care about environmental history and archaeology? First, we acknowledge and honor all people who lived or worked on the land we now steward, and we endeavor to learn how humans have interacted with nature in both positive and detrimental ways through the centuries. With this knowledge, we can make informed decisions on how best to manage and restore the land for future generations.

And speaking of future generations, Crossroads Junior Nature Club, a six-session program for pre-school children, will begin meeting on October 27. For information and to register, please visit the Crossroads at Big Creek website.

Folks who want to help in our restoration efforts are encouraged to participate in our Pollinator Pals and Habitat Healers programs which will run through the end of October.

Crossroads at Big Creek Learning Center and Nature Preserve is located at 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay. Crossroads is a 501(c)3 organization committed to offering education, conducting research and land restoration, and providing outdoor experiences to inspire environmental stewardship in learners of all ages and from all backgrounds. We welcome your support. 

Thursday, September 28

8:30 a.m. Pollinator Pals

If you like to garden and are interested in giving our native pollinators a helping hand, Crossroads at Big Creek could use your help! Volunteers are “editing” unwanted plants which will be replaced by native species. We provide the equipment. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Archaeological Dig Public Outreach at The Cove Estuary

Learners of all ages are invited to observe or take part in our Fall Archaeological Dig. We provide gloves, instructions and supervision. Please park in the lot at 817 South 20th Place. Free and open to the public.  

Friday, September 30

10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Archaeological Dig Public Outreach at The Cove Estuary

Learners of all ages are invited to observe or take part in our Fall Archaeological Dig under the supervision of a team of professional archaeologists. Learn about the foodways of the Woodland Era people who are thought to have lived, at least seasonally, beside the estuary. We provide gloves, instructions and supervision. Please park in the lot at 817 South 20th Place. Free and open to the public.   

2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Tours of the Hanson House

Enjoy a free tour of the Hans and Bertha Hanson House to learn about life in the 1880s. No reservations needed. The Hanson House is located at 2200 Utah Street, Sturgeon Bay. Please park across Utah Street in The Cove Preserve parking area, 817 South 20th Place, so as not to detract from the historical character of the area. 

Saturday, September 30

9:00 a.m. Habitat Healers

Help heal the earth! Volunteers of all ages are invited to help with our land restoration efforts. Wear clothing and footgear that can get dirty and wet and bring a water bottle. Instruction, equipment, and gloves provided along with cookies and lemonade at the end. No need to register in advance and all ages are welcome. Meet at the Workshop at 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay. 

Sunday, October 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. Tours of the Hanson House

Enjoy a free tour of the Hans and Bertha Hanson House to learn about life in the 1880s. Hands-on activities for kids. No reservations needed. The Hanson House is located at 2200 Utah Street, Sturgeon Bay. Please park across Utah Street in The Cove Preserve parking area so as not to damage construction materials, impede progress or detract from the historical character of the area.

Monday, October 2

10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Archaeological Dig Public Outreach at The Cove Estuary

Learners of all ages are invited to observe or take part in our Fall Archaeological Dig under the supervision of a team of professional archaeologists. Learn about the foodways of the Woodland Era people who, we believe, lived, at least seasonally, beside the estuary. We provide gloves, instructions and supervision. Please part in the lot at 817 South 20thPlace. Free and open to the public. 

Tuesday, October 3 

10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Archaeological Dig Public Outreach at The Cove Estuary

Learners of all ages are invited to observe or take part in our Fall Archaeological Dig under the supervision of a team of professional archaeologists. Learn about the foodways of the Woodland Era people who, we believe, lived, at least seasonally, beside the estuary. We provide gloves, instructions and supervision. Please part in the lot at 817 South 20thPlace. Free and open to the public. 

6:30 p.m. Crossroads Bird Club

Birders, novice to experienced, are invited to Bird Club the first Tuesday of each month. We meet at the Collins Learning Center, but if weather cooperates, bring your binoculars and come dressed for an outing. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Wednesday, October 4

10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Archaeological Dig Public Outreach at The Cove Estuary

Learners of all ages are invited to observe or take part in our Fall Archaeological Dig under the supervision of a team of professional archaeologists. Learn about the foodways of the Woodland Era people who, we believe, lived, at least seasonally, beside the estuary. We provide gloves, instructions and supervision. Please part in the lot at 817 South 20thPlace. Free and open to the public. 

Trips to attend school or grab a bag of cheese curds could become safer in the future thanks to a new traffic pattern and a lower speed limit. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the Door County Highway Department, and Renard’s Cheese have been working to make the intersection of Wisconsin 42/57 and Cloverleaf Road a safer one to navigate. The DOT will be changing the intersection to a right-in/right-out/left-in configuration, providing protected right-turn lanes onto Highway 42/57 and protected left-hand turn lanes on Cloverleaf Road. You will not be able to cross the intersection to turn left on Highway 42/57 under the configuration. One stop sign will be removed and two more will be added as a part of the project. Mark Kantola from the Wisconsin DOT says there have been a number of accidents at the intersection over the years and he is hopeful that the new pattern will help.

As a part of the change, Door County Highway Commissioner Thad Ash is looking to lower the speed limit on County DK, which runs alongside Highway 42/57 near Renards, to 45 miles per hour from Stone Road to Stevenson Pier Road. The Door County Board of Supervisors will vote to approve the change at its meeting on Tuesday.

You may remember the 2022 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden from his time serving the Sturgeon Bay area. The DNR announced on Friday that it has recognized Lt. Bryan Lockman as its 2022 DNR Conservation Warden of the Year Award, also known as the Haskell Noyes Efficiency Award. It is the highest award that a conservation warden can receive in the state, recognizing their ability to balance enforcement, education, and community involvement. Lockman, who has served the DNR for the last 22 years, has served in Sturgeon Bay, New London, Wisconsin Rapids, and Stevens Point during his tenure. His current role involves him leading a group of wardens. Capt. Ben Treml and Lt. Warden Jon Scharbarth honored Lockman in the DNR’s announcement, which you can find below.

STATEMENTS FROM DNR RELEASE

• Capt. Ben Treml, Lockman’s supervisor, says community policing is Lockman’s foundation. “Bryan is thorough on investigations related to environmental complaints and violations, and his humble and caring demeanor helps him connect with hunters, anglers, trappers and landowners,” said Treml. “That combination allows him to enforce the law while building trust with the public.”
• Lockman is also held in high regard by his colleagues. “Bryan’s integrity cannot be compromised. He is a genuine, great person who is not just an incredible teammate and work partner, but an amazing asset and resource,” said Lt. Warden Jon Scharbarth. “His empathetic communication style and commonsense approach puts people at ease. There is no one I would rather have by my side in a tough situation.”

If you are worried about COVID wrecking your fall and winter plans, the federal government has restarted a program to give you peace of mind.

The Biden Administration announced Thursday that it was dedicating $600 million to get free COVID-19 tests into the hands of Americans. The government halted the free test program and insurance providers stopped covering the costs of over-the-counter tests when the federal emergency designation expired earlier this year. The announcement comes as COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations have started to slowly increase in recent weeks. According to National Public Radio, COVID-related hospitalizations have peaked in January each of the last three years after many holiday celebrations have concluded. Americans will be able to request up to four free COVID-19 rapid tests per household beginning on September 25th. 

The announcement is also on the heels of the announcement that an updated COVID-19 vaccine is available to those interested. While some people may be able to get it for free through Medicaid, Medicare, or their private insurance providers, others may have to pay. According to Door County Public Health, the newest formulation from Pfizer could cost you $120. According to Reuters, U.S. officials are encouraging everyone ages six months and up to get the newest vaccine, which contradicts the World Health Organization’s recommendation that only the elderly and certain at-risk groups need the booster if they have already received more than three doses.

State Sen. André Jacque (R-De Pere) was proud to announce earlier this week that the Wisconsin State Senate will again offer the Senate Scholar Program next year, and urged 1st District students to apply by the November 17, 2023 deadline.

“The Senate Scholar Program is a leading initiative designed to challenge Wisconsin’s best students,” Sen. Jacque said.  “It is a truly unique, hands-on educational experience for high school juniors and seniors interested in the state legislative process.” 

The Senate Scholar Program consists of an advanced government curriculum that includes classroom instruction, roundtable discussion sections, and a lab component.  Experts teach Scholars about constituent relations, research and development of legislation, and bill drafting.  Scholars also engage in roundtable discussions with legislative support agency directors and staff, media, and lobbyists throughout the week, resulting in further insight into all facets of the legislative process. 

Sen. Jacque said the program culminates in a mock committee hearing that includes testimony from experts and members of the public. 

“Scholars have the opportunity to put all they have learned into action after staffing the Senate Floor during session and watching debate on legislation,” Sen Jacque said.  “Scholars draft their own bills and amendments, form their own committee, and elect committee leadership.”

Sen. Jacque said one student from each of the 33 Senate Districts may participate in the week-long program in Madison.

“Although the program is rigorous, fun evening activities are planned for participants,” Sen. Jacque said.  “Senate Scholars stay near the state Capitol at the Concourse Hotel in downtown Madison.”

Applications need to be received no later than November 17, 2023.  A digital copy of the application and more information can be found at: www.senatescholar.com. 

“Any interested students who have questions about the Senate Scholar program should feel free to contact my office,” Sen. Jacque said. 

You may want to be prepared to take a little more time to get around the streets of Sturgeon Bay starting next week. On Monday, an asphalt sealer contracted by the City of Sturgeon Bay will begin work on Project 2303 – Street Crack Sealing Program. City Engineer Chad Shefchik says this project involves crack sealing on most roadways and parking lots throughout the city. He expects that affected roadways will remain open to traffic while work is being done, but parking may be restricted as the contractor can complete the work.

Traffic may be down to one lane for a short period on the various streets as the roadways are being sealed. Shefchik asks that you try to avoid the roadway being impacted for the safety of the public and the installation crews. You can find the labeled maps that show the affected roadways and the approximate order in which they will be resealed here.

Better late than never, but you should see some football fans squeezing in a side trip this weekend as the Green Bay Packers host their first home game of the season on Sunday. Destination Door County’s Jon Jarosh points to the uniqueness of this season’s schedule as to why the peninsula could see more people at typically untraditional times. It is only the eighth time in franchise history that the Packers have started a season in Green Bay in Week 3 or later according to the organization’s Dope Sheet, with the last occurrence coming in 2016. It was a year later that the Packers added more activities surrounding the game to help get people to the area earlier if they were coming in from out of town. Jarosh says the combination of the Packers’ Kickoff Weekend festivities and two games in a seven-day stretch could help people decide to extend their stays or find time to visit Door County.

After next Thursday’s game against the Detroit Lions, the Packers will not host another game until October 28th, catching the potential tail end of the leaves changing colors but missing Door County’s two busiest weekends of Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch and Sister Bay Fall Fest. Jarosh says that could set the stage for a bigger shoulder season for Door County businesses with five home games occurring at Lambeau Field after November 1st.