The community is invited to join the members and friends of Zion United Methodist Church as they celebrate the 145-year history of Zion Church Cemetery on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The celebration will feature historical and genealogical displays, along with guided tours of the cemetery highlighting the stories of the families who helped settle the area.

The cemetery was established in 1881 on land owned by George Reinhard. Following the tragic death of his 6-year-old daughter, Ella, who fell down the stairs in the family farmhouse and suffered a fatal broken neck, the Reinhard family buried her on a hill just east of their home. The historic Reinhard farmhouse still stands today.

Among the area's earliest settlers were the Sohns, Franke, Reinhard and Gauger families, who came together to form the Zion Church congregation. Many descendants of these founding families remain connected to the church and cemetery today.

Over the years, the cemetery has been known by several names, including the Reinhard Family Cemetery, the Evangelical United Brethren Cemetery, the Gibraltar Cemetery, the Maple Grove Cemetery and, today, Zion Church Cemetery. While the name has changed over time, the gravestones continue to reflect the legacy of the area's founding families.

Zion Church Cemetery is adjacent to Zion United Methodist Church at 8781 County Road F, between Fish Creek and Baileys Harbor. Community members of all ages are welcome to attend and learn more about the rich history of this landmark and the families who shaped the local community.

The aroma of sourdough bread fills the air at the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market thanks in part to Freckles Bakehouse. Kelly Page returned to Sturgeon Bay after stints in Oregon and California with plans to open a bakery with a neighborhood feel. The business takes its name not from the freckles on her face, but from the bubbles created during the sourdough fermentation process.

Page says people often have a particular taste in mind when they think of sourdough, especially after many home bakers took up the hobby during the pandemic. With offerings such as her scones and rolls, she believes sourdough doesn't have to fit that expectation.

In addition to selling her baked goods at farmers markets across Door County, including the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market, Page hopes to open a brick-and-mortar location for Freckles Bakehouse in the future.

You can listen to the full interview with Page on the latest episode of the Faces of the Farmers Market podcast.

At the request of a community member, I am going to spend some time discussing issues surrounding motorcycle operation and safety considerations. I will start by sharing my admiration for the feeling of cruising down the road with the wind through my hair—or, in my case, the feeling of the wind on my head. Since the invention of the motorcycle, it has been eternally linked to the desire for freedom and the exercise of individuality and independence. That being said, there is an old saying in the world of accident dynamics: "He with the most lug nuts wins." In the case of a motorcycle, it is imperative to understand the volatility of simply traveling down the road.

So, let's start with some basic rules for those interested in operating a motorcycle. First, you must hold a valid Class M license or motorcycle instruction permit to operate on a public road. In addition, if you are under the age of 18, you must also have completed an approved motorcycle rider education course. Once you have all of that, you can begin thinking about heading out onto the open road.

The first personal safety consideration is wearing a helmet. While it is not mandatory for riders over the age of 18 in Wisconsin, it is highly recommended. For those under the age of 18, it is mandatory. Even if you are not required to wear a helmet, eye protection is required unless your motorcycle has a windshield or windscreen that provides adequate coverage.

Just as with any motor vehicle, proper mirrors and turn signals are required. A recent addition to Wisconsin law is that a motorcycle's headlamp must be turned on at all times, including during daylight hours. This is a great safety measure because any attention you can draw to yourself and your motorcycle while operating on a public roadway increases your visibility and safety.

Another consideration when operating a motorcycle is where on the road you should position yourself. Think of your lane of travel in terms of "three thirds," meaning you divide the lane into three sections and position yourself consistently within one of them unless conditions change.

Position 1 is the left third of the lane. It provides the best line of sight for oncoming traffic and allows vehicles behind you to better see you in their rearview mirrors. It is also the best position when traveling in cities because it helps you avoid doors opening from parked vehicles. When operating on interstates, it also provides additional room for merging traffic.

Position 2 is the center of the lane. While it provides additional distance from oncoming traffic, it also has the greatest likelihood of containing debris, oil, or other roadway hazards.

Position 3 is the right third of the lane. It is ideal for rural roads or multilane highways because it provides greater distance from oncoming traffic and reduces the effects of wind turbulence created by large oncoming vehicles.

Overall, the consensus is that Position 1 is the safest in most riding situations.

Another consideration for motorcycle operators that is less prevalent for other motor vehicles is roadway debris. As the operator of a motorcycle, you must always be keenly aware of the road surface and any hazards that could reduce your tires' contact with the pavement.

Finally, slow down. Operating on two wheels already carries inherent risks. Don't increase those risks by exceeding not only the posted speed limit but also a safe speed for the current road and weather conditions. Along those same lines, leave yourself plenty of space to stop suddenly if necessary.

For those of us sharing the road with motorcycles, we can also take steps to make their journey a safe one. First and foremost, just as I would tell motorcyclists, slow down and allow greater following distance between your vehicle and the motorcycle ahead of you. Increase your vigilance at intersections by taking an extra look to the left and right before proceeding, as the smaller profile of a motorcycle can easily be overlooked at first glance.

As we continue to share the roads with motorcycles, tractors, recreational vehicles and, of course, pedestrians during the summer months, let's all do our part to keep one another safe.

For many of the exhibitors at this year's Kewaunee County Fair, Sunday means saying goodbye to more than just a week of memories. They're also hoping to earn a spot in Saturday's animal sale.

Businesses from around the region descend on the Andy Barta Legacy Show Pavilion to support the youth who have spent months raising and preparing their projects. Before the fair, participants have to complete Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) training in addition to other meetings related to their species' project. For some species, the exhibitor's animals has to be among the best of the best to be included.

One of those hopefuls is Kewaunee County Poultry Project member Lainey Barta, who has pigs and meat chickens in the running for a spot in the sale. She says it takes a lot of hard work to make sure the animals are properly fed, reach the right weight and have the proper body structure so they can perform well in both the show ring and the sale.

Kewaunee County businesses spend thousands of dollars on ducks, chickens, pigs, sheep, steers and other animals each year during the sale. This year's animal sale begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 11.

Former Rep. Reid Ribble believes the nation's two major political parties could face a shake-up if things don't start changing.

Ribble was part of a wave of Republicans elected in 2010, as voters pushed back against many of the policies advanced by the Obama administration during President Barack Obama's first term, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Tea Party candidates challenged — and, in some cases, defeated — establishment Republicans in primaries because of growing voter dissatisfaction. Ribble sees a similar trend in today's political landscape, with MAGA candidates on the right and democratic socialists on the left unseating more traditional Republicans and Democrats. Ribble says the country has a similar feel to the 1850s, when deeply held differences fractured political parties. It would be a break up Ribble would encourage, saying it could help return power to the people.

Ribble says he is troubled by the rush toward each ideology's respective corner, blaming it for much of the toxicity in today's political landscape, due in part to social media. He says independent voters can have a stronger voice in the country's direction if they vote in primary elections.

Ribble predicts Democrats will regain control of the House after the midterm elections, while he believes control of the Senate is a toss-up. Ribble represented Door and Kewaunee counties in the U.S. House of Representatives for three terms.

Health officials in Wisconsin are encouraging people to be more proactive when it comes to washing their hands and fresh produce as an intestinal illness spreads across the Midwest. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is reporting nearly 40 cases of an intestinal illness linked to Cyclospora cayetanensis, a parasite often spread through contaminated food and water. Seventeen states have reported cases of Cyclospora cayetanensis, including Illinois and Michigan. Wisconsin officials have reported 35 cases, already more than half of the 62 cases recorded during all of 2025.

While "explosive diarrhea" has drawn most of the headlines, other symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea and fatigue. Medical professionals reccommend washing your handsand cleaning off your fruits and vegetables while discarding parts that look compromised.

The silver lining is that most of the cases have involved people who recently returned from international travel. Of the nearly 40 cases reported in Wisconsin, only 10 have not been linked to travel.

Warm temperatures and wet conditions kept crops growing and progressing across the state last week, according to the USDA Crop Progress and Condition report.

Wisconsin farmers had 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork last week, about the same as the previous week, thanks to timely rains. Temperatures well above normal spurred crop growth while conditions remained steady for corn (82% good to excellent, no change), soybeans (78% good to excellent, no change), oats (81%, down 1 percentage point) and winter wheat (80%, up 1 percentage point).

Soybeans blooming and oats heading are both about 2 percentage points behind the five-year average, while the second cutting of alfalfa hay is 48% complete, 1 percentage point behind the average pace.

Farmers will be able to avoid raindrops for the next week while temperatures are expected to climb above 90 degrees Monday and Tuesday.

"Thank you" was a common phrase heard around the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds in Luxemburg on Thursday during the Kewaunee County Fair's opening day.

After the exhibition hall was filled with art projects on Monday, exhibitors brought their animals to the fairgrounds on Wednesday to prepare for a busy week in the barns and show rings. Landon Barta bounces between the hog barn and the poultry and rabbit barn to check on his animals throughout the fair. He is thankful to have the support of his parents, siblings and cousins to make sure everything gets done.

Things at this year's Kewaunee County Fair look different for Fairest of the Fair Savannah Bailey. After years of collecting her fair share of ribbons as an exhibitor, Bailey will be the one passing them out this year after she aged out of the junior fair shows. She is thankful for the opportunity to share her love for the fair in a new way this year.

Thursday's festivities included a veterans' flag ceremony as part of the fair's weekend-long tribute to those who defended the community's freedom. They were greeted by a Pierce-built fire truck with an aerial apparatus ladder fabricated a few miles away in Kewaunee. A veteran himself, Kewaunee Fabrications HR Business Partner Associate Adam Heiman said it was important to ensure those who defend the country so people can attend events like the Kewaunee County Fair are celebrated.

The Kewaunee County Fair runs through July 12.

A March monsoon and an April washout could just be a preamble to more wild weather ahead, thanks to El Niño. According to USA Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center recently increased the likelihood of a very strong El Niño event this fall from 63% in June to 81% in July. Water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean are a major driver of an El Niño weather pattern, which often means warmer temperatures and less snow for the northern United States. Weatherology meteorologist Michael Karow says the transition from La Niña to El Niño is one reason you've seen so much severe weather in recent months.

Karow says the effects of El Niño are typically more active across the southern United States, meaning areas stretching from Southern California to the Gulf Coast could experience more storms. He is also expecting less hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin, though he notes it only takes one major storm to become deadly.

Final preparations are underway this week as Third Avenue PlayWorks prepares to open its third play of the 2026 season on July 15. Starring Ellie Duffey, Seth K. Hale, Carolyn Hoerdemann, Alicia Rice, Ethan Serpan and Noah Simon, Red Herring takes audiences back to 1950s Boston, where three couples navigate their relationships amid a mysterious murder and Cold War politics. Similar to its previous productions of Heroes and Moonlight and Magnolia, Artistic Director Jacob Janssen says Red Herring offers a humorous take on a period of American history audiences may already know.

Red Herring opens July 15 with a Pay-What-You-Will preview benefiting the Friends of Door County Libraries. Third Avenue PlayWorks will also host a post-show conversation July 24 following its 2 p.m. matinee before the production closes Aug. 9.

No matter where you travel in Door County this weekend, the Door County Sheriff’s Department wants you to keep a closer eye on the road. Three major events are taking place across the county this weekend and are expected to cause increased traffic and temporary delays.

Running Friday through Sunday in Brussels is Belgian Days, hosted by the Brussels Lions Club. In addition to increased foot traffic near the festival grounds, Saturday’s two- and four-mile races and Sunday’s parade will result in temporary road closures.

In Egg Harbor, the Door County Triathlon will take center stage, with the sprint-distance race on Saturday and the Olympic-distance race on Sunday. Course maps for affected roadways are available below.

If you missed the Independence Day festivities, Sister Bay will host its Freedom Fest on Saturday. Food, children's activities and fireworks will take place at Sister Bay Waterfront Park.

The Door County Sheriff’s Department urges motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and drive patiently.

Your travels through Kewaunee County may include construction cones, road closures and detours this summer. The Kewaunee County Highway Department highlighted two bridge closures Tuesday that will take several weeks before they reopen.

County Highway N is closed at the bridge between Gasche Road and County Highway V through the end of the summer for a bridge replacement.

County Highway J will be completely closed at the bridges between St. Peters Road and County Highway AB later this month through early fall for two bridge replacement projects.

In both cases, parallel roads will allow motorists to get around the closures until the bridges reopen. More information about the bridge closures is available below.

The Sister Bay Historical Society will launch a new community event later this month, inviting residents and visitors to enjoy live Americana music while supporting local history preservation efforts.

Music at the Barn will take place from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Corner of the Past museum campus, next to the Little Sister Barn on the northeast side of the property. Admission is free.

The featured performers are The Riddle Brothers of Minneapolis, whose acoustic performances blend Americana, folk and original music influenced by their Southern heritage and life along the Mississippi River.

You are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, although guests may also bring their own refreshments.

The event will also highlight the Historical Society's ongoing renovation of the Little Sister Barn into a Center for History, Education and Community. During an intermission, you will have the opportunity to tour the Little Sister Barn and the Corner of the Past museum grounds.

"We are excited about this new opportunity to celebrate the heritage of Sister Bay while bringing the local community and visitors together to enjoy music and fun at this special barn," said Laurie Zelnio, co-chair of Music at the Barn for the Sister Bay Historical Society.

Zelnio said organizers hope the inaugural event becomes a lasting community tradition.

"We look forward to continuing this tradition well into the future," she said.

The event will be held rain or shine.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Sister Bay Historical Society and support its mission of preserving and promoting the community's history through education and historic preservation.

More information and events schedules are available on the Sister Bay Historical Society’s website.

The use of public transportation continues to grow in Door County despite its rural setting. Last year, the Door County Transportation Department provided more than 44,000 rides through its Door County Connect and Door 2 Door Rides programs.

Transportation Director Pam Busch says the department is on track to at least match that number, if not exceed it, by the end of the year. Busch says a big reason for the increase is a changing clientele. While the department still serves many older adults and people with disabilities, a growing number of younger riders are using the service to get to work. She says rising transportation costs are a major factor.

Door County Connect is available Monday through Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. and Fridays from 7:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The service operates primarily in the city of Sturgeon Bay and within a 10-mile radius of the Aging & Disability Resource Center. On July 16, the Door County Transportation Department will celebrate Rural Transit Day by offering free rides as a thank-you to the community.

The Door County YMCA's Jackie & Steve Kane Center in Fish Creek wants you to enjoy the outdoors this summer through its programming. On this week's Y-Wednesday Podcast, Jackie & Steve Kane Center Healthy Living Director Laura Cassidy shared two ways you can enjoy the Door County YMCA while soaking up the summer sun.

On Monday mornings through Aug. 17, you can roll out a mat and take part in Yoga Flow at Ephraim's Anderson Dock. Cassidy says it's a great way to start the week in one of Door County's most unique locations.

She also highlighted the center's Campfire Across America event on July 22. The nationwide event will include appearances by the Open Door Bird Sanctuary and Smokey Bear, along with food and other activities before ending the day with a campfire, weather permitting.

You can learn more about these activities by clicking the link to listen to this week's episode.

The Door County Historical Society will take you beneath the surface of the peninsula during its next Dine & Discover program, featuring a presentation on Door County's caves by local author and naturalist Gary Soule.

The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, July 20, at the Institute Saloon. You will enjoy a family-style dinner followed by Soule's presentation, "Exploring Door County Caves."

Soule will discuss the natural history, geology and folklore surrounding Door County's cave systems, from sea caves carved into the Niagara Escarpment to lesser-known inland formations. The presentation will feature stories, photographs and firsthand accounts from his decades exploring Wisconsin's landscapes.

"Many people have seen Door County's cliffs and beauty from the water or the shoreline, but few realize the incredible stories hidden within the caves themselves, and what is hidden beneath this rock we live on." said Amy Frank, executive director of the Door County Historical Society. "Gary is a Door County lifelong resident and his passion for the outdoors and his extensive knowledge makes this a program you won't want to miss."

The Dine & Discover series pairs dinner with presentations highlighting Door County's history, culture and natural heritage while providing opportunities for community members to learn from local experts.

The cost is $35 for Door County Historical Society members and $40 for nonmembers. The registration fee includes dinner and the presentation. Advance reservations are required.

To register or learn more, please visit the Door County Historical Society's website.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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