In the fog-covered heart of Fish Creek, one of Door County’s oldest homes continues to draw visitors seeking both history and mystery. The Alexander Noble House, built in 1875 by town founder Alexander Noble after his original log cabin was destroyed by fire, remains a cherished landmark and a rumored home to lingering spirits.

According to local legend, the ghost of Noble’s first wife, Emily Vaughn Noble, still roams the property. Emily died two years before the new home was built in her honor, and many say her spirit returned to watch over the family’s land. Visitors have described seeing a misty figure near the garden gazebo, the site where Noble’s first cabin once stood. Others claim to have seen fleeting shadows in the upstairs windows or ghostly reflections in mirrors throughout the home.  Inside, sudden chills, flickering lights, and the sound of unexplained footsteps have become familiar experiences for those touring the property. Yet, rather than scaring visitors away, these tales seem to enhance the Noble House’s allure.

The Gibraltar Historical Association, which maintains the home as a museum, embraces its haunted reputation. Laurie Buske, Director of the Gibraltar Historical Society says the history at the house is rich with tragic history and filled with spirits, but maybe not haunted.

Whether you come for the history or the hope of a ghostly encounter, the Alexander Noble House promises a glimpse into both the living and lingering spirits of Door County’s past. The museum is open seasonally, with special tours offered around Halloween, when some say, the veil between past and present is at its thinnest.

Just because the sign says “closed” doesn’t mean you won’t see activity at Door County businesses like Schartner’s Farm Market in Egg Harbor. Owner David Schartner and his family closed the market for the season last weekend after another successful year that brought thousands of visitors to pick their own cherries, grab a peck of apples, or sample some of the other items offered at the market.

What you don’t see is the work that goes into stocking the market throughout the year. That includes tapping trees in late winter for maple syrup and using drones to spray for diseases on their pumpkins. Now, Schartner says he and his family will start tackling the projects that get pushed to the back burner when hundreds of visitors stop by during the summer months.

With things slowing down, the Schartners are looking forward to getting out into the woods to hunt and enjoying some family downtime before ramping back up early next year. You can watch our full Ask a Farmer segment, presented by the Door County Farm Bureau, below.

If you have been paying attention to the news coming out of Washington D.C., Fish Creek resident Rachel Olson has a positive way for you to channel that negative energy. Democrats and Republicans have been sparring for more than 30 days over a continuing resolution to fund the government, preventing federal employees from getting paid and government programs from being funded. One of those is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which assists more than 42 million people across the country including 700,000 Wisconsinites. Bills from both sides have been introduced to keep SNAP funded, but the stalemate over subsidies for health care plans through the Affordable Care Act has prevented it from gaining traction. Olson turned her frustration into action, organizing a food drive with the goal of creating 40 meal kits for families to make either taco soup and white bean chicken chili. She knew she could not sit idly by and she hopes it inspires others to help out.

You have until November 15th to donate items or money to the cause. No matter when SNAP funding is restored, Olson says that the food and donations will go to area food pantries. You can find the full shopping list below so you can bring them to the Northern Door Children’s Center in Sister Bay or Shiny Moon Café in Fish Creek. 

Local director Roger Kuhns calls his newest movie a “Science-docu-Sci-Fi Political Drama” where you may notice that life imitates art along with some familiar settings and faces. Carbon Men Salvation: The Senator’s Dilemma tells the story of a conflict between climatologist Anna Jones and her father, New Jersey Senator Dan Jones over a bill in Congress that could have a dramatic impact on climate change around the world. It is not until a time-traveling scientist named Noah Poem enters the conversation that real change begins to occur.

Although Jacksonport and Ellison Bay make cameos in the film as some of the scene’s backdrop, Door County-area musicians and actors like Mark Moede have helped the movie earn dozens of awards at festivals across the country. With the theme of climate change not just an important part of the film but also the national dialogue, Kuhns says he leaned into his own background as geologist and climate scientist while developing the script.

Kunhs adds that recognition from the movie and music industry has been a great to bonus to combining his passions together. 

“Carbon Men Salvation: The Senator’s Dilemma” will make its official Door County debut on Saturday at the Door Community Auditorium in Fish Creek. 

The Door County Alcohol and Other Drug Coalition, along with Door County Department of Health & Human Services and United Way of Door County, invite you to a community awareness event on Monday, November 10th at the Kress Pavilion in Egg Harbor.

The event will premiere a compelling feature film called Addict’s Wake that hopes to captivate and also inspire those possibly in need of support.  The film tells the story of recovery, relapse, and redemption in a small county in Indiana, comparable to Door County, as they battle the opiate epidemic in their community. 

“Watching this film will help viewers understand that addiction impacts the entire community – it ripples through families, schools, workplaces and communities," says United Way of Door County Executive Director Amy Kohnle. "The film also offers a path forward by offering insight into prevention, treatment, recovery, and community support models.”

Doors open at 5:45 p.m. with the film beginning shortly after.  The film is approximately two hours long and there will be a conversation will be held following the film.

Over the summer, the Algoma School District moved full-steam ahead on a slate of facility upgrades following voter approval of a $10.2 million referendum in April 2024.

At the elementary campus, crews replaced 90-year-old plumbing and installed a new roof.   At the middle/high school, work included parking-lot replacement, track resurfacing, and updates to the performing-arts center’s lighting, sound system and ceiling tiles.

Looking ahead, Algoma is preparing to complete remaining phases of the referendum work including replacement of windows and entryways at the elementary school, additional safety upgrades, and finalizing the track and parking-lot work.  Algoma School District Superintendent Jesse Brinkmann is happy with the work that has been accomplished, but knows there is more to do.

Meanwhile, the Gibraltar Area School District is well into its major multi-phase renovation project, approved by voters in early 2023 under a nearly $29.8 million referendum.

Over the summer’s first phase, the district demolished the old choir room and piano lab at the back of the building to make way for a new kitchen and classroom wing.  Also underway are substantial upgrades to accessibility features, including wider doorways, ramps and a new elevator.  After extensive demolition this summer, Phase two will include the construction of a new gymnasium, expanded front entrance, cafeteria and administrative wing.

As Door County’s tourism-driven economy winds down for the winter, many local workers face reduced hours or seasonal layoffs. But community organizations like We Are HOPE the Employability Hub want residents to know that help is available.

“You don’t have to face unemployment alone. At We Are HOPE the Employability Hub, we can help you navigate seasonal layoff, find new opportunities, and help you build computer skills,” said Executive Director Kim Carley.

We Are HOPE offers free assistance with job searching, resume writing, skill building, and technological literacy — resources aimed at helping individuals transition through the off-season or prepare for year-round employment.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), the unemployment rate in Door County continues to reflect seasonal patterns linked to our unique tourism economy. In 2023, the annual average unemployment rate was 3.0%, slightly down from 3.1% in 2022. However, the DWD’s 2025 Door County Profile notes that within the county, the unemployment rate “peaks in the winter, typically in February. Conversely, the rate usually reaches its annual low in October.”

Computer skills are becoming increasingly essential for finding and maintaining work in today’s job market. At We Are HOPE the Employability Hub, staff help participants build confidence using computers, apply for jobs online, and navigate digital tools that many employers now expect workers to use every day.

For more information or to get support during the seasonal slowdown, contact We Are HOPE The Employability Hub by calling (920) 743-7273, or visit www.wearehopeinc.org to learn about free local programs and training opportunities.

You do not have to get your heart rate up to get a good workout for better health at the Door County YMCA. Among the YMCA’s course offerings are more than a half-dozen varieties of yoga that can be as simple as sitting in a chair or as complex as taking some of the poses into the pool. According to the Centers for Disease Control, adults primarily use yoga to restore their overall health, to treat or manage pain, or to improve their mental state. The Door County YMCA also offers tai-chi classes, which is a Chinese martial art that is described as “meditation in motion.” Specialty Wellness Director Abby Baker says that this low-impact exercise is proven to improve balance, strength, flexibility, and mobility, all things that are crucial to avoiding debilitating falls.

The Fall II session opened earlier this week, but Baker says you can call the YMCA to enroll in any class if space is still available. You can hear more about these classes by listening to our Y Wednesday Podcast.

If you discover your love for manufacturing in Door, Manitowoc and Kewaunee counties, there is a chance you have D&S Machine Service owner Russ Nowak to thank. Nowak and D&S Machine Service in Luxemburg were among the five area manufacturers honored at the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance’s 2025 Excellence in Manufacturing/K-12 Partnerships Awards. Nowak was honored as being a visionary for the region, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment to local high schools including Luxemburg-Casco. A staunch advocate for developing local talent for manufacturing at the high school level, D&S Machine also participates in the youth apprenticeship program.

The event was hosted in conjunction with the Manufacturing First Expo and Conference hosted at the Resch Expo in Green Bay. At that conference, Luxemburg-Casco senior student Ella Marach participated in a roundtable discussion about her experience as a youth apprentice at American Custom Metal Fabricating in Green Bay. Director of Learning Services Mike Snowberry said last month that thanks to the youth apprenticeship program’s success stories and the support of community businesses that the district's participation rate remains high.

Do Good Door County is celebrating the success of its first HomeFit education series, a free community program that helped dozens of local residents learn practical ways to make their homes safer and more comfortable as they age.  Held in partnership with AARP Wisconsin and Options for Independent Living, the fall sessions took place in Southern Door and Sturgeon Bay, drawing strong attendance from homeowners, caregivers, and older adults looking to plan ahead.

The series shared insights from the AARP HomeFit Guide, a resource designed to show how small, affordable modifications can make a big impact on daily living. Attendees learned about simple changes like adding grab bars, improving lighting, and rearranging furniture to reduce fall risks and improve mobility.  Options for Independent Living also led interactive demonstrations of assistive technology, showcasing devices such as extended reachers, voice-activated home tools, and adaptive kitchen equipment that can enhance independence and comfort.

Organizers say the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many participants expressing gratitude for the hands-on advice and easy-to-understand tips.  Cynthia Germain of Do Good Door County says the series was heavily attended, very well received by Door County Residents, and with such strong local interest, Do Good Door County plans to offer additional HomeFit workshops in 2026, expanding into other parts of the peninsula.  Germain also says that there are many other resources other than attending in person to equip your home.

For those who missed the fall sessions, the AARP HomeFit Guide is available for free online, and Do Good Door County encourages residents to reach out for local resources on aging in place.

Visitors to Ephraim’s annual Pumpkin Walk this Friday will get an extra special treat, and it’s not just candy. The world famous Oscar Mayer Wiener mobile will be making a stop in Door County, adding some hot dog shaped fun to the fall festivities.

The 27-foot-long Wiener mobile, one of several traveling across the country, will be parked in downtown Ephraim during the Pumpkin Walk event; from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Families can snap photos with the iconic vehicle, meet the “Hotdoggers”, the drivers and brand ambassadors behind the wheel, and pick up signature Wiener Whistles while supplies last.

The Pumpkin Walk is one of Ephraim’s most beloved fall traditions, featuring hundreds of carved and glowing pumpkins lining the village streets. Visitors can also enjoy live music, free Tram rides, a make your own caramel apple station, and family friendly activities throughout the evening.  And do not forget about the popular Jack-O-Lantern contest, the deadline for entries is tomorrow at 5pm. 

For more information on the Pumpkin Walk, visit the Ephraim Business Council’s website or follow them on social media for updates.  For more fun Door County Halloween activities check here.

You will see firefighters back on the scene of a fire near the Gardner Swamp after more than 70 acres burned in a field Tuesday afternoon. The Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department was first paged to the scene near Gravel Pit Road and Fox Lane just before 3 p.m. after reports of an off-road vehicle catching fire in a nearby field. En route, B-U-G Assistant Fire Chief Jim Wautier says they quickly activated the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) to bring in assistance from other departments when they saw the plume of smoke rising over the affected area. When it was all done, more than 140 firefighters from 19 departments in Brown, Door, Kewaunee, and Manitowoc counties were deployed, using a combination of brush trucks, UTVs, and other fire apparatus to knock down the flames that had jumped a road and climbed over 20 feet into the sky. Wautier says the dry conditions, the dead ash trees in the swamp area, and the small presence of wind helped the fire grow. Once darkness fell, Wautier adds that they had to call crews out of the woods just in case portions of the burned ash trees came crashing down. Wautier is grateful for all the support they had to fight the blaze, which included the use of drones to identify hot spots.

Firefighters are keeping an eye on the area as a precaution due to some of the trees and other debris in the area still potentially burning. As it was, firefighters were on scene for nearly four hours while using approximately 30,000 gallons of water in the process.

With the Christmas season quickly approaching, the Salvation Army’s annual red kettle campaign needs more local support.  The easiest way to help from now through Christmas Eve is to ring a bell at one of the iconic red kettles. Volunteer bell ringers are the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises the funds that sustain the help the Salvation Army gives all year long.

Bell ringers are needed in Door County for the Campaign.  The Salvation Army seeks volunteers for late November through Christmas Eve to work two-hour shifts at various locations, including Sturgeon Bay, Egg Harbor, Baileys Harbor, Sister Bay, and Ellison Bay. Nancy Kexel-Calabrese has for years (over 20) donated her time and effort in the spirit of giving and says that there is more help needed.

The Salvation Army's bell-ringing tradition began in 1900 when a 16-year-old volunteer, Amelia Kunkel, bought a brass bell to get people's attention for her donation kettle. This action, originating from her frustration that people were ignoring her kettle on Wall Street, became the start of the now iconic Red Kettle campaign, which was first introduced in San Francisco in 1891 to fund Christmas dinners. The tradition of ringing a bell at a red kettle continues today as a way to raise funds for those in need, with the bells helping to draw in donations.

The Salvation Army relies on money raised in red kettles to serve more than 25 million people in need each year.  You can sign up by contacting Nancy Kexel-Calabresa at (920.883.7886) or nakc1@icloud.com or by signing up on their website.

Firefighters from Door and Kewaunee counties are working together to extinguish a blaze in the Town of Gardner.

According to the Door County Scanner 2.0 Facebook feed, firefighters were notified of the blaze at approximately 3:30 p.m. in the area of Gravel Pit Road. All fire departments from Door and Kewaunee counties and UTVs from Brown County have responded to the blaze which has reportedly spread nearly 20 acres and could be seen as far away as Sturgeon Bay and Denmark. 

We will update this story as soon as more details are available.

Area students got to experience on Tuesday what you may have already known: Door County is a manufacturing hub with countless job opportunities available. Hundreds of students from Sevastopol, Sturgeon Bay, Southern Door, and Gibraltar visited more than a dozen manufacturers throughout the peninsula, including candles and coffee in Carlsville, cheese in Algoma, and metal component parts in Sturgeon Bay. Sevastopol School District Counselor Melissa Malcore says Tuesday was great for students to see the different ways manufacturing looks in Door County

Like many area manufacturers, NEW Industries Vice President of Manufacturing Operations Dave Moore says there is plenty of need for good, hard-working individuals. Many of those hard-working individuals now come from the youth apprenticeship through the schools in Door and Kewaunee counties. Moore wants to show those students what is possible in their own backyard.

Organized by the Door County Economic Development Corporation, Hatco, Therma-Tron-X, NEW Industries, Renards Cheese, Door County Candle, Cadence, Itasca, Door County Coffee, Hi-Tec Fabrication, Wiretech Fabrication, ExacTech, Marine Travelift, Just in Time, and Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding were the manufacturers that participated in Tuesday’s event. October is Manufacturing Month across the country.

Pressure continues to grow in Washington D.C. on ending the second-longest government shutdown in American history. According to the Associated Press, 1.3 million active-duty service members are at risk of missing paychecks on Friday, though a combination of a private donor and funding shifts within the War Department and Department of Homeland Security may ensure that those payments are made. The United States Department of Agriculture announced on Monday that 42 million Americans will not receive their food assistance program dollars on time for November. Democrats and Republicans continue to point fingers at each other when it comes to who is to blame for the government shutdown, which reached 28 days on Tuesday. Both sides of the aisle are using healthcare as their main talking point in their arguments. Wisconsin U.S. Senator Ron Johnson weathered several questions on affordable healthcare during his semi-regular teletown hall on Monday. Johnson blames the Affordable Care Act for driving up premiums and deductibles across the country and says the enhanced tax subsidies that Democrats are fighting for are to mask the failure of the policy. He believes introducing consumerism into health care could be part of the antidote that cures the ills of the healthcare system.

Wisconsin U.S. Tammy Baldwin renewed her talking points on behalf of the 275,000 Wisconsinites she says will see their premiums increase by thousands of dollars each year for a family of four if the subsidies are not extended.  “ I’ve talked to many of these families and small business owners who are downright scared about what the future holds. At a time when Wisconsin families are desperate for a little bit of breathing room, Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans continue to jack up costs on ordinary Americans while giving handouts to billionaires and big corporations,” said Senator Baldwin.  Another vote to end the shutdown was scheduled for Tuesday morning.

The Southern Door School District will once again honor those who have served our nation with a community-wide Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. In partnership with the American Legion of Forestville, the district invites residents from across Door County to attend this special event recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our military veterans.

The ceremony will take place in the Southern Door Gymnasium.  The doors will open at 9:00 a.m. for guests and community members.   Parking is available in front of the school and attendees are asked to enter through Door #2, located near the gym entrance.

Veterans representing every branch of the United States Armed Forces will be recognized throughout the morning. Students will play a central role in the program, including members of the Southern Door High School Student Council, Concert Band, and Concert Choir. Through music, readings, and hosting duties, they will help pay tribute to those who served. All middle and high school students will also be present in the audience, showing their respect and appreciation.

To further express gratitude, veterans and their spouses are invited to stay after the ceremony for a complimentary lunch provided as a thank you for their service and sacrifice.  Southern Door School District encourages the entire community to join in this meaningful observance as we honor the brave men and women who answered the call to serve our country.

Dan Westbrook from the Washington Island Food Pantry says they have been keeping close tabs on individuals on the island that they know need help and making sure they are being taken care of during this time of uncertainty.

While your focus might be what is going on above ground, local farmers are just as concerned with what is going on below it. Practices like cover crops and no-till planting are part of the reason why Peninsula Pride Farms members were able to reduce sediment loss by more than 37,500 tons and develop healthier soil for future plantings. TO help put an emphasis on the practices, soil health has been consistent theme at the Conservation Conversation Peninsula Pride Farms hosts at area farms each month. 

At the organization’s Conservation Conversation earlier this month, Paul Cornette of Cornette Dairy in Luxemburg showcased how planting 10 different species of plants could provide significant benefits to the soil.

Soil health will be on the agenda again on Tuesday when Peninsula Pride Farms hosts its next Conservation Conversation at Heim’s Hillcrest Dairy in Algoma. The discussion will concentrate on alfalfa terminated after the third crop, followed by the application of 10,000 gallons of sludge, and the planting of oats and triticale forage to be harvested in late fall.

Days before Halloween, Door County Toys for Kids is planning ahead for another busy Christmas season. The organization’s sign-up for eligible families is now open with the application available at this link. Last year, over 600 children in need received gifts through the program that is supported by toy drop-off boxes at area businesses and monetary donations. Door County Toys for Kids Vice President Jaci Baermann says they start getting into the Christmas giving in late September to prepare for several weeks of processing applications and picking up toys for good girls and boys. Despite being on the board for many years, Baermann says she never knows what to expect but she is always overwhelmed by the generosity the community shows.

The application for eligible families is open until 5 p.m. on December 7th. For those who want to help Santa with his Christmas shopping on behalf of the families, Baermann says boxes will start making their way out to dozens of Door County businesses sometime next week. 

More details are being shared about a fatal accident that killed a person at Harbour Village Resort and Campground on Saturday. 

Emergency personnel reported to Harbour Village Resort before 7:45 a.m. after an explosion was heard. When the responding deputy arrived, he found the deceased person near the damaged building. He has since been identified as 27-yar-old Sean Marquardt of Algoma. According to the Egg Harbor Fire Department, park employees were using the approximately 3,000 gallon water tank to tank to flush the water lines as the resort winterizes their facilities for the end of the season when it exploded. 

The Brown County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Wisconsin State Fire Marshal was called in to assist in the investigation. No further information will be shared until proper identification and an autopsy are completed. Emergency personnel from the Egg Harbor Fire Department, Egg Harbor Emergency Medical Responders, Door County Emergency Services, and the Door County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, some of which were present until they were released at 8:40 p.m.

The United Way of Door County has taken a multi-pronged approach to childcare in the community, including one way that could help you find a new career. For the second consecutive year, the United Way of Door County is offering grants to cover your tuition and supplies for early childhood education coursework through Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. The eight-week courses include health safety and nutrition, infant/toddler development, child development, and social science, art, and music. Your successful completion of the courses nets you certificates in Early Childhood Licensing Basic Ages 0-2 and Ages 3-5. Last year’s cohort of students are all employed in early childhood education in Door County, something that United Way Child Care Community Coordinator Molly Gary is happy to see.

Access, affordability, and workforce issues are all reasons why Wisconsin is in a childcare crisis according to the state’s Department of Children and Families. The United Way of Door County has worked with partners in the community to provide training for childcare employees, resources for at-home caregivers, and more to address the issue. You can find more information about how you can apply below.

Thanks to the Sturgeon Bay Police Department, you can explore some of the city’s biggest events with more peace of mind.

After making their debut at the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market in early September, the department has deployed its ARX Perimeters barrier at other events including the city’s Harvest Fest and Thrills and Chills events. It even lent the system to the Door County Sheriff’s Department to use during last weekend’s Sister Bay Fall Fest.

The system includes 108 barriers that are stored in two trailers that it uses to transport around town. Its intricacies make it a slow set-up for police officers, especially if it is their first time deploying it during the dark, early hours of a morning before the event. Sturgeon Bay Assistant Police Chief Dan Brinkman believes in time that it will be a very worthwhile $190,000-plus investment that the city made.

Similar barrier systems have been employed across the country as a result to tragedies such as the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade where six people were killed and another 62 were injured when a vehicle drove through a police barricade during the event.

Picture courtesy of Destination Sturgeon Bay

If you found a bag of tools near Egg Harbor recently, a man from Martin County, Kentucky wants to say thank you. Three years ago, Robert Pruitt was working on a job site for a telecommunications company in Egg Harbor when his work bag went missing after his work truck was not properly closed. In that bag was his work badge and over $1,000 worth of tools that he has replaced over time. He had written it off as a loss before the Door County Sheriff’s Department contacted his boss recently to say that a Good Samaritan had found the bag and brought it in. He does not know who it was that brought it in, but Pruitt says it is proof that there are kind people in the world.

The tool bag will reunite with Pruitt in the coming days as his company and the Door County Sheriff’s Department set up a shipping arrangement. If you are the Good Samaritan, Pruitt says you can give him a call.

Even though you might think of the Door County YMCA as a place to give your heart a workout, for others it is where they share a piece of it through art. From the Imagination Creation Station where kids are introduced to different artists and authors each week to process art where they are encouraged to experiment with different colors, textures, and tools, the Door County YMCA has programming available that does not require them to break a sweat or bring a ball and tennis shoes. Ms. Becky from the Door County YMCA says that the program’s offerings show that every kid is special in their own way, no matter if it is a basketball or a paintbrush in their hand.

According to PBS Kids, art helps kids with their motor skills, language development, decision making, inventiveness, and cultural awareness. As with all of the Door County YMCA’s programs, you can find more information about available classes and how to sign up on their website. You can listen to the complete Y Wednesday interview by clicking on this link.

In the month-long run-up to Halloween, Crossroads at Big Creek has celebrated traditional “spooky” creatures—bats, owls, and vultures. Though these animals have long been associated with evil in folklore, they are actually beneficial predators that do enormous good for the environment.

But this week, our focus shifts to a truly menacing creature—one that really is destructive and anything but beneficial: the Sea Lamprey!

As part of our Fish Tales Series, Crossroads will offer two free showings of the award-winning documentary Fish Thief: A Great Lakes Mystery on Thursday, November 6, at 6:30 PM and again at 1:00 PM on Friday, November 7.

According to the film’s promotional material, Fish Thief “uncovers the mystery behind the near disappearance of the most prized fish in the Great Lakes—the largest freshwater eco-system on Earth. This ecological collapse devastated jobs, businesses, towns, tribal communities, and First Nations across Canada and the United States.

While overfishing, dam construction, and industrial pollution had already taken a toll, fish began vanishing even in remote areas. Scientists eventually discovered the culprit: the most destructive aquatic invader ever to enter the Great Lakes—the Sea Lamprey. Their relentless efforts to control this invasive species continue to shape the region’s economic future and serve as a global warning about the sustainability of natural resources.”

Each screening will be followed by a live Q&A featuring: Lindsey Haskin, Film Director,
Andrea Miehls, Communications Associate, Great Lakes Commission, Lee Haasch, Algoma Charter Captain and Dennis Hickey, Baileys Harbor Commercial Fisherman.  Admission is free, but space is limited. To reserve your ticket, visit the Crossroads at Big Creek website: www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org.

As an added attraction, visitors can view a live Sea Lamprey on display! This primitive, eel-like fish lacks jaws, scales, and even bones—but it has a circular mouth lined with razor-sharp teeth. Using its suction-cup mouth, a lamprey latches onto fish to feed on their blood and body fluids. A lamprey literally sucks the life out of other fishes. So the 1950s, Sea Lamprey populations had decimated Lake Trout, Whitefish, and Chub, causing a massive collapse of Great Lakes ecosystems.

Other programs this week include Saturday Science: “Hexagons”, the Monday afternoon Master Gardeners’ “Growing Together” Series, featuring a webinar on establishing Bee Lawns, and Environmental Exploration afterschool on Tuesday will include games and activities about Food Webs.

Crossroads at Big Creek offers these programs and open our trails to all, every day, free of charge thanks to the generosity of donors and supporting foundations.

Saturday, November 1

2:00 Science Saturday: Hexagons                   
This multi-media, hands-on activity, participants will learn why the hexagon is so special.  Geared for elementary and middle school students but learners of all ages are welcome. Meet in the Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Monday, November 3
1:30 PM – Master Gardeners Learning Together
The community is invited to join the Master Gardeners for a viewing of a pre-recorded webinar on “Bee Lawns.” Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.

Tuesday, November 4
2:00 PM – Environmental Exploration: Food Webs
This after-school program will demonstrate how the Sun’s energy—captured by plants—moves through the food web. Geared for students, but learners of all ages are welcome. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.

Wednesday, November 5
1:30 PM – Wandering Wednesday
This naturalist-led hike visits interesting areas in each season. Easy walking, about an hour. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.

Thursday, November 7
6:00 PM – Movie Premiere: The Fish Thief
This Fish Tales special reveals the mystery behind how and why one of the most prized fish species nearly disappeared. Free, but reservations are required. A Q&A will follow the presentation. Visit www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org for more information and to reserve your ticket.

Friday, November 8
1:00 PM – Movie Premiere: The Fish Thief
This Fish Tales special reveals the mystery behind how and why one of the most prized fish species nearly disappeared. Free, but reservations are required. A Q&A will follow the presentation. Visit www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org for more information and to reserve your ticket.

Downtown Sturgeon Bay was filled with color, creativity, and plenty of Halloween costumes this morning as hundreds of children and families took part in the annual Kids Costume Parade. The event, organized by Destination Sturgeon Bay, invited young ghosts, superheroes, princesses, and teeny pumpkins to stroll down Third Avenue, showing off their best spooky and silly Halloween looks while grabbing some candy along the way.

Local businesses got in on the fun as well, greeting participants with candy, stickers, and big smiles. Parents lined the sidewalks, taking photos while the children strutted past in everything from homemade hotdog suits to classic Elmos and Caspers. Many storefronts were decorated for the occasion, adding to the festive atmosphere and encouraging families to explore downtown before and after the parade.

The Sturgeon Bay Police Department helped ensure participants could safely enjoy the celebration, briefly closing streets along the parade route. For many families, the parade has become a favorite tradition leading into the Halloween weekend.

Event organizers say the parade is not only a chance to celebrate the holiday, but also an opportunity to come out to the many other Halloween events planned today.  The Boys and Girls Club has their annual free haunted house open to all.  Kitty’s is putting on their spooky kid’s dance party this afternoon as well.  There is also live music scheduled downtown throughout the day at local shops and restaurants, where there are plenty of Halloween themed food and drink specials.

 Based on today’s turnout, Sturgeon Bay’s Halloween spirit is alive and well.

A person was found dead and a storage building was partially destroyed early Saturday morning after an air tank exploded at a campground in Carlsville. Emergency personnel reported to Harbour Village Resort before 7:45 a.m. after an explosion was heard. When the responding deputy arrived, he found the deceased person near the damaged building. The incident remains under investigation at this time and we will have more details as they arrive. Emergency personnel from the Egg Harbor Fire Department, Egg Harbor Emergency Medical Responders, Door County Emergency Services, and the Door County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

Ben's Original (formerly Uncle Ben’s) has issued a voluntary recall for a limited number of rice products due to the potential presence of small stones. Naturally occurring, originating from the rice farm, the stones may pose a risk of oral or digestive tract injury, although no injuries have been reported.

The recall affects specific batch codes for Long Grain White, Whole Grain Brown, and Long Grain & Wild Rice products, all with a "best by" date of August 2026. Consumers should check their packages and return affected products to the store for a refund.

The company website says, “This is an isolated issue limited to these batches, no other Ben's Original products are affected. In line with our commitment to transparency and trust, we are taking action to remove the impacted products from the stores where they were sent and to notify consumers.”

If you believe you have purchased this product, please do not consume it.  Contact Ben’s Original Consumer Care or your local retailer for returns.  For more information and specific products impacted, retailers, and batch codes, please visit the FDA website.

This year Halloween falls on a Friday. Some communities may have Trick or Treat set for that day while some may allow for this activity to occur on the previous or following Sunday. Either way I hope the weather holds so the kids can enjoy showing off their costumes rather than being cloaked in Cold Weather Gear.

I would first like to briefly go over some basic safety tips for both the young and old alike. While the goal of any good costume is to obscure your true identity, make sure it doesn’t obscure your vision. This is especially important when walking door to door, and crossing streets. Some masks have the unfortunate side affect of severely limiting your peripheral vision. Try to wear costumes that lend themselves to good visibility. I am not saying that all the kids should go as either safety cones or Deer Hunters in Blaze orange but try to keep them as bright as possible.

While it is the goal of the kids to disguise themselves, and make the people giving out candy wonder what or who they are, the opposite is true for those giving out candy. We are fortunate to have such a close-knit community, but please keep a watchful eye on any suspicious behavior by those on the giving end of the Trick or Treat.

It is always recommended that parents escort their children on their route, but if that is not possible, the Buddy system is the next best thing. Encourage your kids to go as a group, and when possible, attend organized functions for Halloween sponsored by local non-profits, or businesses.

If you do see anything out of the ordinary, or suspicious, please feel free to contact Law Enforcement, and we can investigate. 

Thousands of runners and spectators will take over Door County this weekend as the Fall 50, the popular long-distance relay and ultra-running event, returns to the peninsula Saturday. While the race showcases some of the area’s most scenic shoreline and fall colors, it also brings unique challenges for parking, spectating, and navigating local roads.

The race begins in Gills Rock at the northern tip of the county and winds south through communities including Sister Bay, Ephraim, and Egg Harbor before finishing at Sunset Park in Sturgeon Bay. Police and race officials say drivers should be ready for heavier traffic than usual on Highway 42 and nearby town roads used by support vehicles.

Parking is limited at the start line in Gills Rock and will not be available for non-participants. Teams are encouraged to carpool and only park in designated relay exchange lots along the route. Public parking at exchange points will be clearly marked but is expected to fill quickly. Officials stress that cars must not park along the roadside, especially within Peninsula State Park, where safety and emergency access are top priorities.

For fans hoping to cheer runners on, some of the best viewing locations include Waterfront Park in Sister Bay, downtown Ephraim, and Egg Harbor’s marina area, where teams often gather and the atmosphere runs high. Spectators should arrive early and be prepared to walk to ideal viewing spots. Organizers advise checking the official route map in advance to avoid blocked roads or restricted areas.  Those heading to the lively finish-line celebration at Sunset Park will find limited neighborhood parking. Event volunteers recommend using nearby municipal lots and walking in, especially during the late afternoon rush as runners complete their final miles.  Residents and drivers simply moving through the county are asked to plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Temporary lane closures are possible, and support vehicles will be frequent throughout race day.

Whether you’re running, cheering, or just trying to get around, expect an exciting, and busy, Saturday as the Fall 50 once again turns Door County into one of the most colorful race courses in the Midwest.

Green Bay-based Nicolet National Bank got a little bit bigger this week after it announced on Thursday that it was merging with Iowa City-based MidWestOne Financial Group. As a result of the merger, Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. will acquire MidWestOne and and its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, MidWestOne Bank. It creates one of the largest community-owned banks in the country, holding pro forma total assets of $15.3 billion, deposits of $13.1 billion, and loans of $11.3 billion. When the merger is finalized, Nicolet National Bank will have have 110 branches across the country, though primarily in the upper Midwest. There are five locations in Door County and three more in Kewaunee County.

 “We are excited to announce the acquisition of MidWestOne and welcome their employees, customers, and shareholders to Nicolet,” said Mike Daniels, Chairman, President, and CEO of Nicolet said following the merger. “We view the people at MidWestOne as true kindred spirits in our approach to serving customers, communities, and employees. They have been stalwarts of the community for over 90 years, and we intend to be great stewards of that legacy.” Daniels added that they hope the acquisition will make them a bigger and better bank after their founding nearly 25 yars ago.

The move comes after other acquisitions in recent years including Community Investors Bank in 2021 and Charter Bankshares in 2022.

An opportunity for you to possibly recoup funds lost during storms that hit the area in August has been denied according to the Evers administration on Friday. 

Governor Tony Evers said he will appeal a decision made by the Trump Administration to deny Wisconsin’s application for public assistance for six counties including Door County to address more than $26.5 million in damage caused by August’s storms. In a letter sent to Evers, FEMA said that while the impact to individuals and households was significant, based on the Preliminary Damage Assessments, “it has been determined that the public assistance program is not warranted.” 

Door County was included in the initial disaster declaration by Evers because of a confirmed tornado that touched down at Peninsula State Park during the storms on August 9th. According to the National Weather Service, the tornado carried peak speeds of 73 miles per hour, causing significant damage to powerlines and trees before traveling across Eagle Harbor as a waterspout.  

“The federal government should not expect our communities go through this alone, and we are going to fight tooth and nail to ensure they get every possible resource to rebuild and recover,” Evers said in his statement “We are hopeful that the Trump Administration will reconsider this decision, so we can make sure folks have the resources and support they need.”  

According to ABC News, the Trump Administration also denied disaster relief in Illinois, Vermont and Maryland while approving it in Alaska, Nebraska, Northern Dakota, and the Leech Lake Band of the Ojibwe.  Earlier this year, President Donald Trump suggested phasing out FEMA in efforts to have states take on more responsibility with their disaster response and recovery.

You can help end polio worldwide while enjoying a cold beer at several establishments across Door County this weekend. The noon and breakfast Rotary Clubs of Sturgeon Bay are once again joining forces to host Pints for Polio to commemorate World Polio Day.

According to the World Health Organization, wild poliovirus cases have decreased by over 99 percent since 1988, dropping from an estimated 350,000 across more than 125 countries to just six in 2021. A big reason for that is a reliable vaccine that has been available in some form since 1953 after an outbreak in 1952 killed more than 3,000. Rotary President Michelle Lawrie says last year their clubs raised more than $2,500 to support the cause, adding that she is thrilled about the support given by area businesses.

Other Rotary Clubs across the country are hosting similar events commemorating World Polio Day, with matching funds being provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. A link to donate and a list of participating bars and restaurants can be found below.

Like other municipalities across the country, you will find Door County officials stewing over the numbers ahead of budget meetings in November. The Door County Finance Committee passed its version of the budget earlier this week after a special meeting was called earlier this year when it was learned that federal funding for some areas could be cut. Despite these fears, Door County Administrator Ken Pabich says taxpayers will see the county portion of the equalized tax rate drop 8.41 percent, even as it sees its expenditures rise just over three percent. Pabich admits that there may be things that come up at the federal level that they will have to adjust, but he believes the work of county staff and the Door County Board’s Finance Committee will allow them to be more proactive than reactive in those situations.

Pabich adds that the uncertainty around federal funds has forced them to reprioritize their capital projects.

The Door County Board will host its budget hearing ahead of its regularly scheduled meeting on November 12th where they will also vote to approve the budget. The Kewaunee County Board hosted their budget hearing session on Tuesday and will vote to approve their budget on November 10th. 

With the impending arrival of Door County’s winter in our sights, some locals look to the season ahead with wonder and glee.  Others are wondering and worrying about how to shovel themselves through the upcoming weather.

While many of us enjoy the snow without giving much thought to the work behind it, some of our neighbors struggle with the physical demands of winter.  Friends, relatives, and community members may need a helping hand clearing sidewalks and driveways.  That’s where Do Good Wisconsin’s Snow Angel Program comes in. 

This winter, Do Good Wisconsin is launching a new initiative to help find, identify and support neighbors who may need a little extra help clearing snow, whether due to health issues, age, or other circumstances.  The Organization is offering lawn signs, free of charge, available here.  When received, you can place the sign in your front yard, visible to those passing by, to identify the need for assistance.  The Snow Angel program is designed to raise awareness and inspire acts of kindness right in our neighborhoods.

Do Good Wisconsin and their Snow Angel Program, remind us to take care of always each other and if you see a Snow Angel Sign, let’s chip in and help.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) completed their Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMR) in June of this year, an annual review of Sister Bay’s wastewater plant operations and gave them an ‘A’.

The DNR conducted their annual audit of Sister Bay’s water systems including drinking water, wastewater and collection systems.  The report grades the city on a multitude of categories including Bio-solid management, collection levels, ammonia and phosphorus levels, Effluent quality, financial management and certification of operators and supervisors.  Sister Bay graded ‘A’ in all categories.  

While some residents are concerned about the wastewater and collection ratings, the quality of our drinking water remains the top priority.  Robert Salmi, former Director of the Drinking Water Lab in Ephraim, says Sister Bay has achieved an “A” rating, impressive given the challenges of the source water. That success is a testament to Utilities Director Megan Barnes and her team, who continue to deliver excellent work across our drinking water, wastewater, and collection systems.

The CMR notes that Sister Bay has a “great overall grade,” with clear explanations of current and future plans, maintenance, and projects, all strong indicators that the facility is operating well.  It’s a report card worth hanging on the refrigerator.

A 33-year-old Oak Park, Ill. man suffered minor injuries on Tuesday after riding his bike into a semi truck in the Town of Egg Harbor. The accident occurred on Bayshore Drive near Lady Slipper Road at shortly after 11:30 a.m. According to the accident report, deputies discovered the man sitting up in a nearby ditch with bruises and scrapes on his hand. He was riding with a 35-year-old Kenosha man when they encountered the semi-truck, which had also been traveling northbound on Bayshore Drive, begin to slow down and back into a driveway. The Illinois man slowed down and attempted to go around the front of the semi truck off the road, but ended up hitting the truck’s passenger side door. The semi truck driver, a 30-year-old Baileys Harbor man, said he put on his flashing lights prior to backing into the driveway where he was working. The cyclist was checked out by EMS and released after refusing further medical treatment and was warned about unsafe passing on the right. The accident was cleared by 12:15 p.m.

Due to the potential for Salmonella contamination, a massive multistate recall involving over 6 million eggs has been issued. 

The Arkansas based Black Sheep Egg Company issued a recall of  their 12 and 18 count cartons of company branded Free Range Large Grade A Brown Eggs, with best by dates of 8/22/2025 through 10/31/2025.  The FDA said it initiated an inspection of the company's processing facility and collected samples, 40 of which were positive for salmonella.

A second brand has been added to the recall.  Kenz Henz of Texas issued a similar recall of its 12 count packages of Grade AA Large Pasture Raised eggs because they have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella as well.

Consumers, retailers and distributors are warned by the FDA to not eat, sell or serve the eggs.  Those who purchcased suspected products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.  The eggs were distributed to companies that may have repackaged them, the FDA warns.  Additional products may be added to the recall advisory as more information becomes available.

Salmonella symptoms usually start within six hours after eating contaminated food.  Most people recover in four to seven days.  The CDC warns that children under 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems may have more severe illnesses that require treatment.

According to officials, no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the recall.

Your kids are counting down the minutes at the end of the school day, and it is not just because they get to go home. The Door County YMCA is ramping up its afterschool programming for the fall and winter months as the temperatures start to trend down. Dodgeball and pickleball are just some of the activities the kids get to participate in while the YMCA’s after school snack program continues on. Youth and Sports Executive Paul Briney says their after school programming helps give area children something to do and extra time to socialize outside of the classroom,.

You can contact the YMCA about getting your kids signed up for its afterschool programming and you can click on this link to hear this week’s Y Wednesday interview.  

Wisconsin gas prices are climbing after an outage at the Midwest's largest oil refinery in northwest Indiana.  A BP owned refinery in Whiting, Indiana caught on fire the evening of October 16, with no injuries reported.  The fire burned until Wednesday morning and the refinery has not been in operation since. 

Amid the outage, the average price of a regular gallon of gas in Wisconsin rose to $2.71 on Tuesday, up more than eight cents from the day before. Prices for mid-grade and premium fuel also jumped by eight cents or more on Tuesday.  Following the outage, the wholesale price of gas shot up by about 25 to 30 cents a gallon, forcing stations to pay about $2,000 more per truckload of gas, sending the cost directly to the consumer.

Located about 17 miles from downtown Chicago, the Whiting refinery is BP's largest in the world. It processes about 440,000 barrels of crude oil daily.   BP and other companies have an incredible financial incentive to re-open the facility as when they are not producing, they are not making money. 

The question now is when will prices normalize?  You can expect stations to keep raising prices over the next 48 hours, and those high prices may linger for a few days, before they start to stabilize by the weekend.

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) is one institution selected for Year 7 of the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI), earning a $25,000 grant from All Within My Hands (AWMH), Metallica’s philanthropic foundation. The funding will provide scholarships of up to $1,000 each for 20 NWTC students attempting to ride the lightning to high-wage careers in fields such as manufacturing, health care, human services, construction, IT, and transportation.

Dr. Meredith Jaeger, executive director of the NWTC Foundation, expressed gratitude for the continued partnership, emphasizing that the initiative fuels communities through education and workforce training.  NWTC can now turn the page on a third consecutive year participating in MSI.

The memory remains that after its establishment in 2019 by AWMH and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Metallica Scholars Initiative began with 10 colleges and now 75 institutions across all 50 U.S. states and abroad. In Year 7, AWMH is distributing its largest grant to date, approximately $3 million, supporting an estimated 10,000 students nationwide.

AWMH’s ongoing success relies on collaboration with a battery of partners such as Carhartt, Wolverine, CNH, and Metallica’s global fan community. Since its founding, AWMH has granted over $25 million to workforce education, attempting to end hunger relief, and sad but true, disaster recovery efforts.

While calling 911 in an emergency is always the best option, Door County residents can now text 911 instead.  

The Door County Communications Center (DCCC) along with police, fire and EMS partners announce the Text-to-911 service will go into effect immediately.  Cell phone users are now able to send a text up to 140 characters to 911 when needed.  Officials say that the Text-to-911 service should only be used when placing a call is not possible.

The intention for the service is mainly implemented for those individuals who are hard  of hearing, incapable of speech, have poor coverage or service, or if the person is in imminent danger where a call is not possible.  Chief Deputy Kyle Vesser of Sturgeon Bay says “It does not take the place of 911.”  And “we are not changing anything with the 911 voice call system; we just now have the option to text 911.”

While adding Text-to-911 as an extra layer of protection is a wonderful addition for Door County residents, you should always call 911 when you can in any emergency.  However, knowing that you can text in those situations and receive the same immediate attention that a call does is both reassuring and potentially lifesaving.

Saputo Cheese USA has confirmed it will close its Suamico manufacturing plant by December 2025, a move that will result in the layoff of approximately 240 employees, many just ahead of the holiday season.

The company outlined its closure timeline in a letter to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) dated September 3. According to the notice, phased layoffs are expected to begin in November and continue into December, impacting the entire workforce at the facility.  All affected employees have already been informed of the plant closure and the timing of layoffs, the company said.

The Suamico plant's impending closure will have an indirect impact on Door County's dairy and agriculture sectors. Though located in Brown County, its shutdown is part of a larger trend of dairy consolidation that also affects Door County farmers, who rely on a strong regional dairy processing infrastructure.

Saputo Cheese USA, first announced its decision to close the Suamico facility in February, as part of a broader plan to modernize and consolidate operations. As part of this restructuring, the company is relocating its packaging operations to a new packaging and distribution facility in Franklin, which is expected to create over 650 jobs in southeastern Wisconsin.  The company has also recently opened a new cold storage distribution center in Caledonia, further expanding its presence in the southeastern part of the state.

While the closure reflects a strategic shift in operations, the loss of nearly 250 jobs comes as a heavy blow to the local community, particularly given the timing of the layoffs just before the holiday season.

Wisconsin is home to a lot of water-related sports, swimming, fishing, boating, etc.….and underwater hockey.  Underwater hockey is, believe it or not, one of Door County’s most unusual and fast-growing sports.

The rules of ice and underwater hockey are somewhat similar.  There are line changes, sticks, pucks, referees and penalties.  However, there is no icing, no offside, no goaltender, and there is no checking, though players can be penalized for getting too rough.  The penalty box is anywhere on the pool deck where the player sits in shame for 2 minutes until they can jump back into the water. 

While a good pair of skates gives you the advantage on ice, for this sport, a great set of lungs is needed.  The ability to hold ones breath is paramount for the sport, short bursts under the water of 6-10 seconds is most common with treading water noted as the most difficult among players. 

The Door County team happened to take home 3rd place 2025 USA UWH National Championships.  The Sturgeons practice and play at the Sturgeon Bay YMCA and the team practice and competition schedule can be found here.  Some will also travel to Florida this week for the Great Gator Swamp Scrap Tournament in Gainesville the 25th and 26th.  Sturgeon player Trisha Filar says that the team is open to newcomers of all ages, the team is coed, and all of the equipment needed is provided.

As winter settles over Door County, the players will keep diving beneath the surface, proving that in Sturgeon Bay, hockey isn’t just played on the ice anymore.

Gov. Tony Evers today announced that Wisconsin’s FoodShare program, which helps provide groceries for children, families, and seniors in need, could run out of funding within 10 days due to the ongoing federal government shutdown in Washington, D.C.

The government recently informed Wisconsin officials that there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the nation and instructed states to hold their November issuance files and delay transmission to State EBT vendors until further notice.  Because FoodShare is entirely federally funded, these directives put the program at serious risk.   If the shutdown continues, nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites could lose access to essential food assistance next month.  The Evers Administration is also monitoring funding levels for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which remains available to qualifying residents at this time.

Today’s announcement comes as the federal government shutdown, now in its 21st day, continues amid congressional gridlock over renewing Affordable Care Act tax credits. Those credits help millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites, afford healthcare coverage.  

You can expect to see farm equipment on the road over the next several weeks as the soybean and corn harvests continue in northeast Wisconsin. Due to the government shutdown, the United States Department of Agriculture is not releasing its weekly crop progress and condition report, which gives a snapshot on the pace and the quality of the harvest. Rio Creek Feed Mill agronomist Adam Barta estimates that about 99 percent of the corn silage harvest and 90 percent of the soybean harvest is complete, with many farmers posting average to above average yields on their crops. Many farms are turning their attention to the corn for grain harvest, which Barta estimates is about 20 percent complete. With farmers watching their dollars and cents due to high costs for fuel and fertilizer and low commodity prices, he hopes Mother Nature helps dry out the corn crop naturally.

Thanks to a few weeks of great weather, Barta adds that farmers in the area are also nearly done with planting cover crops and late cuttings of hay and forages.

If you have not felt the impact of the ongoing government shutdown, you may soon. The government shutdown reached its third week after dueling proposals in the U.S. Senate failed to generate enough votes  to pass the clean resolution put forward by the House of Representatives. The failed vote turned the current shutdown into the second-longest in the nation’s history. The vote came days after United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told reporters that approximately 42 million Americans could lose access to food assistance programs if the shutdown continues into November. According to CBS News, Senate Majority Leader John Thune plans on introducing a bill that will make sure federal employees and military service members will get paid. Last week, the Trump Administration found enough funding in the War Department and Department of Homeland Security’s budget to ensure that service members including those in the U.S. Coast Guard get paid. 

The sticking point remains healthcare, with Democrats pushing for enhanced premium tax credits within the Affordable Care Act to be extended. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin hosted virtual press conferences with constituents from La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Milwaukee that represent the 270,000 Wisconsinites she says would save an average of $585 per month if the credits are saved. “This week, I met with folks across Wisconsin who are bracing for their premiums to skyrocket come January, and for some – that price tag will be so high it’ll force them off their health care entirely,” said Senator Baldwin. “Republicans passed tax giveaways for billionaires and corporations, but are refusing to come to the table to lower costs for families across Wisconsin. It’s high time they join me and get this done, before it’s too late.” U.S. Senator Ron Johnson answered several questions on the topic during his regular teletown hall on Monday. He says that the government cannot afford the hundreds of billions of dollars worth of fraud that the ACA, also known as “ObamaCare” has caused.

He added that he would love to talk to Democrats about how to fix the damage caused by the ACA, but he does not want to hold government employees hostage while those discussions take place. Johnson also championed his Eliminate Shutdowns Act, which would establish a two-week rolling continuing appropriations process, keeping spending at last year’s levels until a new bill is passed. He blames the “uniparty” for not supporting the legislation, charging them with using the threat of a shutdown to spend more money.

On Saturday, November 8th, the quiet streets of downtown Sturgeon Bay will stir with a special kind of energy. Students from middle schools and high schools across the region will gather at MUSE Sturgeon Bay not for a test, not for a competition, but for a day dedicated to one thing: writing.

WriteCon25 is a one-day creative experience designed just for young writers with big imaginations and bold ideas. From 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, the halls of MUSE will be filled with the sound of stories being told, ideas being scribbled, and minds being inspired.

Participants had the chance to dive into new forms of storytelling, some they’d never even considered before. In one room, writers craft futuristic worlds in Science Fiction, imagining life on distant planets or in high-tech futures. In another, students can experiment with Collage and Erasure Poetry, turning old texts into stunning, poetic expressions.  Students will learn the art of Writing for Podcasts, discovering how to write words that don’t just sit on a page, but speak. Others may look into the power of Emphasis in writing, finding out how a single word, phrase, or pause can change everything.

The natural world becomes inspiration in the Writing Nature workshop, where students walk, observe, and write in harmony with the environment around them. And for those dreaming of their next big step, there is even a session on writing college application essays, a real-world challenge turned creative opportunity.

WriteCon25 isn’t just about learning, it’s about discovering.  Discovering voices.  Discovering genres. Discovering the kind of writer each student could become.

After years of trying, you will finally see a new station built for the Algoma Fire Department.

The department will officially break ground on the estimated $3.9 million Sunset Avenue facility on Thursday after the voters rejected two referendum questions in past years. According to city council minutes, the facility will be paid for with a portion of the proceeds from the October 2024 general obligation debt issuance, the interest earned on those proceeds, a $200,000 donation from Terrance Fulwiler, and capital projects funds reserves. Council member Wayne Schmidt is encouraging city staff to find other sources of revenue such as grants and donations to lower the cost even further.

The new building will replace the department’s current cramped headquarters on 3rd Street. Fire Chief Tom Ackerman says the extra elbow room is desperately needed.

The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on October 23rd at 4:30 p.m.

As the popularity of electric bikes and scooters continue to grow across the country, the Sturgeon Bay Police Department is asking you to be safer on area roads and sidewalks with them. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, e-bikes have been the number one growth driver for the bicycle industry, accounting for 30 to 50 percent of all sales at shops in Milwaukee and Chicago. While some models provide a small assist for cyclists pedaling, others can help riders hit speeds more than 28 miles per hour. Sturgeon Bay Police Department Assistant Chief Dan Brinkman says their popularity rises, people need to become more educated about them, adding they have heard more about potential issues rather than seeing them. His advice? Riders need to understand that even if they are not cars, they still have to follow the rules of the road.

Brinkman says there are currently no laws on the book specific to e-bikes and e-scooters because the department currently classifies them in the same catergory as a standard bike and scooter. 

Last year, a Sturgeon Bay boy had to be taken to Door County Medical Center to be treated for severe injuries Tuesday afternoon after he was struck by an oncoming vehicle on his electric scooter.

You can find other tips and rules of the road for e-bikes and e-scooters below.

While your rake might be getting a workout now, it will not be long until you will have to dust off your shovel and snowblower. According to Travel Wisconsin, Door County is at peak fall colors with Kewaunee and Brown counties a few days behind. With the end of fall fast approaching, the attention begins to turn to winter, specifically how much snow we are expected to get. According to the National Weather Service, the area is well inside the window of receiving the first snow with the earliest occurring on October 9th and the latest being on December 30th. The average date for a first snowfall is about November 13th. Even if you know the “when,” the other questions you might be pondering is how much snow is expected to get. While the almanacs  cannot agree on the type of winter the area will see, meteorologists like Weatherology’s Paul Trambley say La Niña will certainly have its role albeit a small one.

According to the UW Climatology Office, the Green Bay area usually averages 55.6 inches of snow every year, with more than a foot falling December, January, and February. Mother Nature has not packed that kind of punch the last two seasons with 43.30 inches in 2024-2025 and 47.10 in 2023-2024. The last time we received above average snowfall was 2022-2023 when the area saw more than 77 inches of snow, which was the ninth-snowiest on record.

As they have had for a few years now, your equalized tax rate in Kewaunee County is sliding down. Residents will be able to learn more about the upcoming budget at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting at the Kewaunee County Administration Center in Kewaunee. Other than money earmarked to help support building replacement efforts at Bruemmer Park, Kewaunee County Board Chairperson Dan Olson says the 2026 budget is not very exciting, which is good news for taxpayers. The equalized tax rate is expected to drop more than six percent from last year, even as the tax levy creeps up 1.8 percent. He adds that most of the five-plus percent increase in expenditures is related to cost-of-living increases for the county’s employees. He credits the county’s conservative approach to the budget for its ability to wait out uncertainty at the federal level, weather the ongoing chargebacks from the closure of the Kewaunee Power Station, and to pay down on its debt.

Olson admits there are some things not included in the budget that they may have to act on in the near future. That includes cost estimates for its upgrades to the main highway shop, which he expects will be given in the coming weeks. The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. with the regular board meeting to follow. If you cannot attend in person, you can find the link to watch virtually here. 

It may not grab the same headlines as breast cancer or lung cancer, but doctors want you to listen closely if you are at risk of developing gynecologic cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, almost 116,000 women were diagnosed with gynecological cancers in 2024, which impact the female reproductive system. Specifically, 14,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2024 with most coming from the 35-44 age group.  Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne State University calls them “silent diseases” because many of the early symptoms are easily missed and some like cervical cancer are extremely preventable due to the HPV vaccine. Dr. Kali Olson says that like many cancers early detection is key, especially since the five-year survival rate is 90 to 98 percent for early-stage cervical cancer patients and getting vaccinated for HPV can protect you.

Olson points out that cervical cancer screenings nationwide have been sliding since 2010, likely due to lack of access at rural hospitals. You can hear more about HPV and cervical cancer awareness from Dr. Kalli Olson from Door County Medical Center by clicking on this link.

The shadows are growing longer in Door and Kewaunee counties, and as October’s final days creep closer, local towns are preparing to come alive with ghosts, ghouls, and glowing jack-o’-lanterns. Communities across the area will host a variety of Halloween events, giving families plenty of chances to get into the spirit. From haunted trails and costume parades to classic door-to-door trick-or-treating, the 2025 Halloween season promises something for every kind of monster, witch, or tiny superhero.

ALGOMA

Trick-or-Treating – Friday, October 31, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

BAILEYS HARBOR
Spooktacular Halloween Celebration – Friday, October 31,

• Trick-or-Treating: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
• Halloween Spooktacular Party and Pumpkin Putt-Putt: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
• Halloween Movie: 8:30 p.m.

CASCO
Trick-or-Treating – Sunday, October 26, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.

FISH CREEK
Jack O’Lantern Days – October 23–25, 10 a.m.

• Parade
• Costume Contest
• Trick-or-Treating - October 25 – 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

YMCA Trunk-or-Treat: Friday, October 24, 4:30 p.m.

Haunted Trail at Fish Creek Park: Saturday, October 25 – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Kid-friendly version: 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.

FORESTVILLE
Trick-or-Treating – Friday, October 31, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

JACKSONPORT
Trick-or-Treating – Friday, October 31, 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.

KEWAUNEE
Trick-or-Treating – Friday, October 31, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

LUXEMBURG
Trick-or-Treating – Sunday, October 26, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

SISTER BAY
Trick-or-Treating – Friday, October 31, 3:30 – 7:30 p.m.

STURGEON BAY
Ghost Ship with the United States Coast Guard - Friday, October 24

Thrills & Chills – Saturday, October 25

• Costume parade, 10:00 a.m.
• Inflatables, kids activities, and music at Martin Park - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Trick-or-treating among businesses - begins after the parade - 12:00 p.m.
• Kids Haunted House at Boys and Girls Club of Door County - 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Spooktacular Halloween Kids Costume Dance Party at Kitty O'Reilly's - 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Trick-or-Treating – Friday, October 31, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

DC Farm for Vets is a rehabilitation focused farm dedicated to supporting veterans as they transition into agriculture. They offer a variety of educational programs and services designed to empower veterans with hands-on experience. Offerings include a community gardening program and seasonally tailored training sessions that align with each stage of the growing cycle.

The program covers regenerative agriculture, sustainable and chemical-free crop production, livestock care, and the management of cherry and apple orchards.

The core purpose of DC Farm for Vets is to contribute to the prevention of veteran suicide. It strives to achieve this by teaching practical skills in sustainable living and promoting the health benefits of consuming nutrient dense food grown and raised by Veterans.  Learning to grow your own food not only fosters independence but also offers a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Local contributions and volunteers are paramount to the success of the farm.  Every dollar donated to DC Farm for Vets goes directly back into their Veteran programs, allowing Veterans to once again serve a mission greater than themselves.

Crossroads at Big Creek is celebrating! This week is filled with programs celebrating the Wisconsin Science Festival, International Bat Week, and Halloween. Because Crossroads focuses on ecology, we see connections between all three.

This year’s Wisconsin Science Festival theme is “Rock & Roll.” On Thursday and Friday—when many local students have vacation days—Crossroads will offer special School’s Out Activities.

On Thursday, October 23, at 10:00 a.m. and again at 2:00 p.m., we’ll host “Let’s Rock!”—a rock-hunting adventure perfect for elementary and middle school students and curious learners of all ages. Weather permitting, we’ll explore outdoors, but even if it rains, rock hunting is possible inside the Collins Learning Center.

On Friday, October 24, our Halloween celebration continues (as it has all month) when representatives from Open Door Bird Sanctuary present “Weird by Nature: Vultures & More.” Participants will meet a live vulture—once thought to be ominous, but actually one of our most beneficial bird species and also a falcon and kestrel. Following the presentation in the lecture hall, kids and their adult companions can head to the lab for hands-on activities inspired by the “freaky” side of bird behavior.

Saturday, October 25, marks the final day of the 2025 Wisconsin Science Festival. The Door County Master Gardeners and Wild Ones – Door Peninsula Chapter, in association with Crossroads and nine other partners in conservation, will host their “Gardening with Natives for Birds, Bees, and Butterflies Fall Seminar,” focusing on plants, pollinators—and yes, rocks—as one guest speaker will present “Why Monarchs Need Volcanoes.”

That same afternoon, our Science Saturday program will feature “Sedimentary Rocks,” a fitting topic as we head into International Bat Week. Most bat caves are solution caves—formed in karst landscapes where limestone and dolomite have dissolved over eons in slightly acidic rainwater, creating ideal roosting and hibernation sites for many (but not all)  bat species.

Like vultures, bats have long been associated with Halloween, despite the myths. In truth, bats are among the most beneficial animals on the planet, predators consuming enormous numbers of agricultural and forest insect pests, including mosquitoes and moths.

On Monday, October 27, at 6:30 our Monday Matinee will feature another predator,  often-misunderstood Halloween icon: “Owls, the Ultimate Night Predator.”

At Crossroads, we celebrate geology, ecology, and the iconic creatures of Halloween—none of them truly spooky (except perhaps feral black cats, and indeed, any feral cats, which cause devastating harm to our songbird populations).

We invite you to explore, learn, and celebrate with us at Crossroads as we honor science, nature, and the wonders of the season!

Thursday, October 23
10:00, repeated at 2:00 School’s Out Excursion: “Let’s Rock”
Join us for a geology adventure and rock hunt—perfect for elementary and middle school students, and curious adult learners. If the weather is inclement, we have plenty of rocks indoors!
Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Friday, October 24
10:00 School’s Out Excursion: “Weird by Nature—Vultures and More”
Representatives from the Open Door Bird Sanctuary will bring a vulture, kestrel, and falcon for a family-friendly program. Afterward, families can explore weird bird behavior  in the lab.
Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Saturday, October 25
8:30–1:00 Master Gardeners Fall Seminar: Gardening with Natives for Birds, Bees, and Butterflies
Lectures include “Native Shrubs and Trees for Birds and Bees” featuring David Garison Stevens from the UW–Madison Arboretum, and “Why Monarchs Need Volcanoes” featuring Emily Stone of the Cable Natural History Museum.
Registration $10, includes lunch. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

2:00 Saturday Science: Sedimentary Rocks
Why do sedimentary rocks have layers—unlike other rocks? This hands-on program is designed for children, but learners of all ages are welcome.
Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Monday, October 27
1:30 Monday Movie Matinee: Owls—The Ultimate Night Predator
The owl’s incredible sight and hearing are second to none in the animal world, and its ability to fly in utter silence is nothing short of remarkable. This film explores how owls reign as the lords of darkness.
Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Tuesday, October 28
3:30 Environmental Exploration: Seeds
Hike the meadows to discover how native plants develop and disperse their seeds.
Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

6:30 Wild Ones Meeting/Webinar: “Little Things that Run the World”
Dr. Douglas Tallamy will remind us of the essential roles insects play and describe simple changes we can make in our landscapes—and in our attitudes—to help keep insects thriving on the ground, in the air, and on our plants.
Meet in the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Wednesday, October 31
1:30 Wandering Wednesday: Halloween Special
Join the naturalist for a fun, easy walk in search of “spooky Halloween icons.” About one hour.
Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

From rocks and raptors to remarkable bats, Crossroads at Big Creek is offering a week filled with programs celebrating the Wisconsin Science Festival, International Bat Week, and Halloween. Because Crossroads focuses on ecology, we see connections between all three!

This year’s Wisconsin Science Festival theme is “Rock & Roll.” On Thursday and Friday—when many local students have vacation days—Crossroads will offer special School’s Out Activities.

On Thursday, October 23, at 10:00 a.m. and again at 2:00 p.m., we’ll host “Let’s Rock!”—a rock-hunting adventure perfect for elementary and middle school students and curious learners of all ages. Weather permitting, we’ll explore outdoors, but even if it rains, rock hunting is possible inside the Collins Learning Center.

On Friday, October 24, our Halloween celebration continues (as it has all month) when representatives from Open Door Bird Sanctuary present “Weird by Nature: Vultures & More.” Participants will meet a live vulture—once thought to be ominous, but actually one of our most beneficial bird species and also a falcon and kestrel. Following the presentation in the lecture hall, kids and their adult companions can head to the lab for hands-on activities inspired by the “freaky” side of bird behavior.

Saturday, October 25, marks the final day of the 2025 Wisconsin Science Festival. It brings even more opportunities for discovery. The Door County Master Gardeners and Wild Ones – Door Peninsula Chapter, in association with Crossroads and nine other partners in conservation, will host their “Gardening with Natives for Birds, Bees, and Butterflies Fall Seminar,” focusing on plants, pollinators—and yes, rocks—as one guest speaker will present “Why Monarchs Need Volcanoes.”

That same afternoon, our Science Saturday program will feature “Sedimentary Rocks,” a fitting topic as we head into International Bat Week. Most bat caves are solution caves—formed in karst landscapes where limestone and dolomite have dissolved over eons in slightly acidic rainwater, creating ideal roosting and hibernation sites for many bat species.

Like vultures, bats have long been associated with Halloween, despite the myths. In truth, bats are among the most beneficial animals on the planet, consuming enormous numbers of agricultural and forest insect pests, including mosquitoes and moths.

On Monday, October 27, at 1:30 our Monday Matinee will feature another often-misunderstood Halloween icon: “Owls, the Ultimate Night Predator.”

At Crossroads, we celebrate geology, ecology, and the iconic creatures of Halloween—none of them truly spooky (except perhaps feral black cats, and indeed, any feral cats, which cause devastating harm to our songbird populations).

We invite you to explore, learn, and celebrate with us at Crossroads as we honor science, nature, and the wonders of the season!

Thursday, October 23
10:00, repeated at 2:00 School’s Out Excursion: “Let’s Rock”
Join us for a geology adventure and rock hunt—perfect for elementary and middle school students, and curious adult learners. If the weather is inclement, we have plenty of rocks indoors!
Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Friday, October 24
10:00 School’s Out Excursion: “Weird by Nature—Vultures and More”
Representatives from the Open Door Bird Sanctuary will bring a vulture, kestrel, and falcon for a family-friendly program. Afterward, families can explore weird bird behavior  in the lab.
Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Saturday, October 25
8:30–1:00 Master Gardeners Fall Seminar: Gardening with Natives for Birds, Bees, and Butterflies

Lectures include “Native Shrubs and Trees for Birds and Bees” featuring David Garison Stevens from the UW–Madison Arboretum, and “Why Monarchs Need Volcanoes” featuring Emily Stone of the Cable Natural History Museum.
Registration $10, includes lunch. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

2:00 Saturday Science: Sedimentary Rocks
Why do sedimentary rocks have layers—unlike other rocks? This hands-on program is designed for children, but learners of all ages are welcome.
Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Monday, October 27
1:30 Monday Movie Matinee: Owls—The Ultimate Night Predator
The owl’s incredible sight and hearing are second to none in the animal world, and its ability to fly in utter silence is nothing short of remarkable. This film explores how owls reign as the lords of darkness.
Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Tuesday, October 28
3:30 Environmental Exploration: Seeds
Hike the meadows to discover how native plants develop and disperse their seeds.
Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

6:30 Wild Ones Meeting/Webinar: “Little Things that Run the World”
Dr. Douglas Tallamy will remind us of the essential roles insects play and describe simple changes we can make in our landscapes—and in our attitudes—to help keep insects thriving on the ground, in the air, and on our plants.
Meet in the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Wednesday, October 31
1:30 Wandering Wednesday: Halloween Special
Join the naturalist for a fun, easy walk in search of “spooky Halloween icons.” About one hour. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

The Green Bay Police Department is requesting the public's assistance locating a 4-year-old boy.  An Amber Alert has been issued for Dariel Jose Sanchez Angel of Green Bay.  Last seen this morning October 18th around 7am at his home in the 500 block of Clement Street in Green Bay. 

The young boy was reported to have last been seen wearing grey pajamas and white shoes.  If you, or anyone you know have seen Dariel or have any information of his whereabouts, please contact the Green Bay Police Department at (920)-448-3200.  Case reference #25-251769 or contact Crime Stoppers (920) 432-STOP. 

There's still time to see the 50th Juried Annual at the Miller Art Museum, now through Saturday November 8th. The Miller Art Museum has hosted the Juried Annual since 1975, with this year's exhibition marking its milestone 50th anniversary. The exhibit highlights a strong presence of Door County-based artists, alongside contributions from across Wisconsin.

Juror Fred Stonehouse, who is an artist and Associate Professor of Art at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, praised the exhibition as “a real testament to the excellent work that is being made across the state of Wisconsin.” Stonehouse was joined by fellow jurors Dan Anderson and Stephanie Trenchard in selecting the featured works.

Among the selections, you will find a diverse variety of artwork, ranging from watercolor paintings, to mixed media creations, and more. Together, these works form a vibrant tapestry that reflects the depth and creativity of Wisconsin’s contemporary art scene.

The Miller Art Museum is open to the public every day except for Sundays, from 10 am - 5 pm, with extended hours on Mondays until 7 pm. Admission is free. Visit www.millerartmuseum.org for more information. 

Special Merit Awards of $250 each were presented to:
• Michael Darby (Milwaukee) for Lime Kiln, drawing, 11” x 8”
• Randall Dettmann (Algoma) for Ode to a Pole, acrylic, 24” x 20”
• Christian Rieben (Kewaunee) for Hairy Twinkle, oil, 36” x 48”

Juror’s Choice Awards of $200 each were presented to:
• Arlene Stanger (Baileys Harbor) for Protected, digital photograph, 20” x 20”
• Nika McKagen (Madison) for The Castle of the Cormorants, silver gelatin print, 3.5” x 6”
• Karen Lindholm-Rynkiewicz (Wauwatosa) for Grandparents Table, oil, 36” x 48”

Picture: Jean Roberts-Guequierre, Seeing Bears Dance, oil, 40 x 40”

The Door County Master Gardeners Association announces its 2025 Fall Seminar. The seminar is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 8:30am – 1pm at Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay. The cost of the event is $10 and includes lunch.  Tickets must be purchased in advance on the DCMGA website. Tickets are limited and will be on sale until sold out.

The seminar will focus on “Gardening with Natives for Birds, Bees, and Butterflies,” and will offer presentations by two Midwest horticulture experts on how our environment in Door County can support the life cycles of both pollinators and plants. Speakers include Ed Hasselkus, Curator of Longenecker Horticultural Gardens at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum and Emily Stone, Naturalist/Education Director at the Cable Natural History Museum in Cable, Wisconsin.

The Door County Master Gardeners Association, founded in 1995, provides horticulture-related services to the community. Master Gardener Volunteers maintain The Garden Door, sponsor free educational programs, answer residents’ gardening questions, and offer outreach to youth and nonprofit organizations throughout Door County.

October is National Bullying Prevention month. We have all heard the phrase bullying, but what does it actually mean? Bullying is defined as unwanted aggressive behavior; observed or perceived power imbalance; repetition of behaviors or high likelihood of repetition.

Bullying is unfortunately a reality for far too many in our communities both young and old. Much like any other form of violence, bullying is not isolated to any particular age group, gender or demography. Just about everyone of us can look back in our lives and recall a time where either we were personally bullied or witnessed one of our friends or schoolmates being bullied. It’s hard to believe that with all of the advancements and awareness, this type of behavior still exists, but it does and with the advent of social media, it had actually gotten much worse. This is because unlike in the past, the bully not only impacts your life on the playground or classroom; they now are able to follow you into your personal life due to the constant presence of social media.

There is good news in that we have learned a great deal about what creates these bullies and how to neutralize their ability to isolate and intimidate. The key is for those in authority to respond to reports of bullying immediately to show without question that bullying will not be acceptable. That message needs to follow to our homes with the messages we send our children not only by what we say but by our own actions in how we treat fellow adults. Bullying is without question a learned behavior. It is learned on the playground, in the classroom and follows through to the workplace and social interactions as adults. We need to send a strong message to our own children, a message of empathy and compassion not of ridicule and rumor.

Who are at risk of bullying the most? Typically those who are bullied have one or more of the following risks: 

• Are perceived as different from their peers, such as being overweight or underweight, wearing glasses or different clothing, being new to a school, or being unable to afford what kids consider “cool”
• Are perceived as weak or unable to defend themselves
• Are depressed, anxious, or have low self esteem
• Are less popular than others and have few friends
• Do not get along well with others, seen as annoying or provoking, or antagonize others for attention

However, even if a child has these risk factors, it doesn’t mean that they will be bullied. The important lesson is that we as adults set the tone for how the next generation will interact with each other. Chances are if we show acceptance of others, our children will show acceptance of others. If we engage in demeaning others or spreading rumors, our children will follow suit. So often we as adults underestimate the influence, we have not only on our own children but even those who don’t know us but witness our behavior.

While school or workplace policies are an important component, the only way to truly decrease bullying is by denying the bully their victim. We do this by raising strong, confident, resilient children, and speaking out and supporting those who find themselves on the receiving end of this type of behavior. We are all teachers in life lessons and we teach by our actions. Let’s all be aware of what we teach.

A bite of cheese, a swig of beer, and a simple wave have all been ways you have been able to help support the United Way of Door County. Last week, United Way of Door County Board President Michelle Lawrie raised more than $10,000 during her six-hour stint on top of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay as people placed pledges with her over the phone and with volunteers on the ground. Lawrie enjoyed the scenery, but enjoyed talking to people about the United Way’s mission more.

It was a part of a busy month for the organization as they work toward their annual campaign goal of $1.2 million. Coming up this weekend, the United Way of Door County will participate in its final Celebrity Cheese Monger Day at Wisconsin Cheese Masters on Saturday before hosting its United on Tap event at Egg Harbor’s One Barrel Brewing Company from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Executive Director Amy Kohnle says she is thankful for the businesses willing to host the United Way for events like this, adding that it helps them raise money and awareness.

The United Way of Door County has many other opportunities to attach some fun to the cause including the Door County Jeep Run on November 1st and the Pay to Play for the United Way Day on U-102.1 in December. 

Your kids will have less time to access their phones during the school day if Rep. Joel Kitchens can get signed into law by Governor Tony Evers. Under his bill, school districts across the state would be required to develop a policy effectively banning the use of cell phones, laptops, and other smart devices inside K-12 classrooms unless they are being used for instructional purposes. 

After it was introduced earlier this year, it was passed by the Assembly in February and by the Senate earlier this week. Data from the Pew Research Center shows that 70 percent of American teachers consider cell phone distractions an issue in the classroom. Kitchens says while national talking points are nice, he says local districts have also thrown their support behind the effort.

If approved, Wisconsin would join nearly 30 other states that have at least some kind of ban in place with New York and Louisiana having among the strictest. In addition to limiting the distractions in the classroom, a Rand Corporation study also showed that 86 percent of surveyed principals linked cellphone use restriction policies to a positive impact for the school’s climate and a reduction in cyberbullying.

An 18-year-old Sturgeon Bay woman was taken to Door County Medical Center for possible injuries following a two-vehicle accident in the Town of Gardner on Monday.

At approximately 10:50 a.m., The Door County Sheriff’s Department, Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department, Door County Emergency Medical Services, and other First Responders reported to the corner of Stevenson Pier Road and County Highway C where an agricultural semi-truck struck the woman’s car. According to the accident report, the woman was driving south on Stevenson Pier Road when she paused at the stop sign and did not notice the truck barreling at her. The truck’s driver, a 22-year-old Kewaunee man, told the deputy that he hit the brakes hard to avoid the collision, but still ended up striking the car’s rear bumper, sending the woman spinning approximately 270 degrees before it came to a rest. While the woman was taken to the hospital, her dog was taken to the Wisconsin Humane Society- Door County campus for safe keeping. She was cited for failing to yield from a stop sign. 

As Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment Period gets underway, officials are urging you to be on high alert, not just about changes to their coverage, but about a surge in scams aimed at stealing personal and financial information.

The enrollment period, which runs now through December 7, allows Medicare beneficiaries to make important changes to their health and drug coverage plans. But it's also prime time for scammers who exploit the confusion and urgency that often surrounds this critical window.

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, scammers are contacting people by phone, text, email, and even social media, pretending to be from Medicare or a related service. Their goal is to trick people into handing over their Medicare, bank account, or credit card numbers.  In one common scam, fraudsters claim a person needs to “confirm” their information to receive a new Medicare card. In another, they allege the beneficiary has a pending medical equipment claim, one that was never requested.

To protect yourself and others, experts recommend not sharing any personal information with un-vetted persons that call you, never pay for a Medicare card, and do not trust caller ID’s as scammers can “spoof” phone numbers and Medicare titles.

While the open enrollment period is a key opportunity for millions of Americans to review and improve their health care options, it’s also a critical time to stay vigilant.  Officials advise reporting suspicious calls or messages to Medicare and contacting your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), which helps older adults to prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud and abuse.

For more information about Medicare Open Enrollment or to report a scam, call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit the SMP website.

One person suffered a minor injury in a Saturday afternoon crashed that yielded six citations between the two drivers.

The accident occurred at the intersection of County Highway ZZ and Old Stage Road shortly after 4:45 p.m. According to the accident report, a 28-year-old Coralville, Iowa woman was driving south on Old Stage Road after pausing at the stop sign when she was struck by an oncoming vehicle driven by a 36-year-old Sister Bay man. He was heading eastbound with the right-of-way when the accident occurred. Due to the speed, the two vehicles careened over to the northbound lane of Old Stage Road with the Sister Bay man’s van resting on top of the Iowa woman’s hatchback.

When the deputy arrived on the scene, the Iowa woman admitted that she stopped at the stop sign, but did not see the other vehicle when she tried crossing and was struck. Her passenger, a 71-year-old Harlan, Iowa woman, complained of neck pain but did not need to be taken to the hospital for further treatment. She was cited for failing to yield at a stop sign.

The other driver and his passenger, a 47-year-old Sister Bay man, were uninjured. He ended up receiving five citations due to the incident, two of which carried mandatory court dates. He was cited with operating a vehicle on a revoked license, failing to install an interlock ignition device, operating a vehicle without insurance, driving an unregistered vehicle, and displaying unauthorized plates. Both vehicles had to be towed due to disabling damage. 

Do not be surprised if you encounter a protest or two on Saturday as area Democrats participate in events throughout the peninsula. 

Of the approximately 2,500 events planned across the country for the No Kings day of protests, more than 60 are planned for Wisconsin including ones in Juddville and Algoma. The two rallies are spaced out during the day with Algoma holding theirs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Juddville’s taking place from 2 to 3 p.m. According to the USA Today, the No Kings protests are to celebrate the First Amendment and provide a platform to speak out against the current administration. The Democratic Party of Door County has held pop-up protest events throughout the county since the first No Kings Protest took place on June 14th. 

Meanwhile, area Republicans gathered in De Pere for the National Day of Remembrance for noted conservative Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in Utah during a college speaking event in September. In addition to leaders from county Republican parties and faith-based institutions, speakers included U.S. Reps. Tony Wied and Tom Tiffany, former Governor Tommy Thompson, and former Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. 

Governor Tony Evers, in a plan to modernize the state’s correctional system, announced plans to close the Green Bay Correctional Institute (GBCI). 

Evers’ administration is looking to shut down GBCI due to its age and poor condition, and use funds that were allocated for updates to the facility ($15 million) to revamp other institutions such as Waupun Correctional.  The closure was previously scheduled for 2029 in the budget, but Evers used a line-item veto to remove the specific date.  The State Building Commission will vote on the release of these funds later this month. 

The state’s plan calls for transferring GBCI’s inmate population to an expanded Stanley Correctional Institution (near Eau Claire).  The closure would also shift some of GBCI’s workforce to an expanded Sanger B. Powers Correctional Center (near Green Bay).  State Building Commission member and First District State Senator Andre Jacque says they were briefed on Evers' request on Thursday. He says there are some details that still need to be ironed out, especially since the governor will no longer be office.

According to WLUK-TV, State Reps. Dave Steffen (R-Howard) and Ben Franklin (R-De Pere) are supportive of Evers' request, with Frankling going as far as putting a 2029 deadline for the facility's closure.

A brand-new trail connection has opened in Sturgeon Bay, enhancing access and safety for walkers, runners, and cyclists. The newly constructed boardwalk beneath the Bayview Bridge and Highway 42/57 now links the Ahnapee State Trail to Sturgeon Bay’s west side, creating a more scenic and secure route for trail users.

This project allows pedestrians and bicyclists in Sturgeon Bay to access the Ahnapee State Trail near the bridge without crossing active traffic on Highway 42/57. On the north side of the highway, a 12-foot-wide trail has been constructed parallel to the road, leading toward the Bayview Bridge. This segment connects to an 8-foot-wide boardwalk built under the bridge and over sensitive wetland areas. From there, the trail joins another 12-foot-wide section that links directly to the existing Bayview Bridge Trail and the Ahnapee State Trail. 

Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward says that the work isn't finished as more plans are in the works to connect more of Sturgeon Bay to the Downtown Corridor.

According to project estimates by Cedar Corporation, the new connection—including crushed limestone trail segments and a 365-foot-long elevated boardwalk—was completed at an estimated cost of over $440,000.

This trail enhancement was made possible through generous contributions from The Raibrook Foundation and Destination Door County’s Community Investment Fund, each donating $100,000. The City of Sturgeon Bay provided additional funding.

Move over, Dry January.  Sober October is the new trend that is taking over.  The month-long challenge began in 2014 to raise money for cancer research.  But Sober October has taken the nation by storm, and the sober-curios movement is more popular than ever, with one in four Americans planning to participate. 

While some can put the autumn libations away until they break out the eggnog, many struggle with abstinence during this time and search for assistance and support locally.

Along a nondescript stretch of Fifth Avenue, across from Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, is the 115 Club.  The club, for years, has hosted in-person recovery meetings (also available on Zoom), one-on-one meetings, Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous support, and planned activities for family members and guests. 

“The 115 Club’s primary purpose is to provide a meeting place for 12-step and other group recovery programs," says the organization's website. "The Club is a safe, social environment to attend meetings or other recovery-related activities." The 115 Club also provides general information about local 12-step and other recovery programs, including meeting places and times. 

Sister Bay’s annual Fall Fest is ready for huge crowds this weekend.  The yearly three day autumn extravaganza begins this Friday with the 10am Art fair and runs through Sunday evening with a live music performance beginning at 9pm. 

Festgoers can enjoy live music, delicious food and drinks from local restaurants and non-profits, over 100 vendors at the Arts & Crafts Fair, the annual Fall Fest Parade, a kids’ carnival with bouncy houses, the exciting Ping Pong Ball Drop, and the Derby Race on Sunday morning.   The full schedule of events and guide can be found here.

With highway closures and limited parking, shuttle buses and ride share options are available to attendees throughout the weekend.  Visit the Sister Bay Fall Fest website for detailed parking and other information.

The Baileys Harbor Community Association (BCHA) continues to support and engage the community by bringing information and discussion sessions to Baileys Harbor through the Talk of the Town series. 

The next session of the BCHA Talk of the Town series will take place on Wednesday, October 22.  The presentation and discussion will be led by Door County Land Trust staff and will provide an overview on how residents can affect land usage and conservation efforts. Door County Land Trust Executive Director Emily Wood says there will be a Q&A and the opportunity for further discussion following the presentation. 

The event is to be held at The Ridges Sanctuary 8166 Hwy 57. The program begins with food and drinks at 5:30 pm with the presentation to follow at 6:15 pm. Residents are urged to “plug into the community" by attending monthly talks intended to support and engage residents and neighbors alike by bringing information and discussion sessions to Baileys Harbor.

In the evening hours of Monday, October 13th, a person allegedly broke into the Luxemburg Milling Company on Cedar Street.

The unlawful perpetrator entered by way of the West loading dock doors.  After dismantling the lock mechanism, they traipsed through the feed mill and made their way through the East warehouse where they tampered with and discharged a fire extinguisher.  While nothing else was taken or damaged, the event was alarming to employees, patrons, and local residents alike.

If you have any information regarding who may be responsible, please contact the Luxemburg Police.

The Door County Historical Society invites the community to enjoy two engaging Dine & Discover evenings this fall, combining a delicious meal with fascinating presentations that highlight the landscapes and traditions that define our county.

This month’s event will take place on Monday, October 27th.  Guests will discover how the Door County Land Trust works to safeguard the cherished natural spaces of our region.  The evening will offer a chance to enjoy great food, engaging conversation, and meaningful connections, all in support of the Historical Society’s mission to preserve and celebrate Door County’s rich heritage.  Amy Frank, Executive director, shares how the organization has conserved more than 10,000 acres of habitat throughout the county and its islands. The event will be held at the Door County Fire Company.

Next month the DCHS teams up with the Jarosh family for an evening highlighting the story of the Jacksonport polar bear club.  The annual “polar plunge”, where up to 800 participants brave the frigid Door County waters, will take place in late November.

**Update** Power restored just after 1 p.m. this afternoon. 

Several areas across Door and Kewaunee Counties are experiencing power outages this afternoon, with more than 650 residents affected.  The heaviest concentration of outages are Ahnapee, Forestville, and Clay Banks.

Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) is working diligently to restore power as safely and efficiently as possible. However, residents should be prepared for extended outages in some locations. Restoration efforts typically prioritize emergency and essential services, followed by distribution lines, and finally individual homes.

Power outages can be caused by a variety of factors, including equipment failure, severe weather, fallen trees, animal interference, human error, and construction-related damage.

WPS encourages residents impacted by the outage to take the following precautions:

Charge mobile devices and portable power stations in advance

Prepare a backup power supply if available

Plan ahead for any medications or refrigerated items that require electricity

Assemble an emergency kit with essentials such as:

Flashlights and batteries

Candles and matches

Bottled water

First aid supplies

Power banks

Items needed for infants, elderly, or individuals with disabilities

For the latest updates and estimated restoration times, residents can visit the WPS Outage Map.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local health departments, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections linked to prepared pasta meals.

As of September 25, 2025, 20 cases have been reported across 15 states. Of those infected, 54% said they had eaten prepared pasta meals. Nineteen individuals have been hospitalized, and four deaths have been reported.  In response, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued public alerts for several products tied to the outbreak. These include Trader Joe’s Cajun Blackened Chicken Alfredo and Marketside Linguini with Beef Meatballs, sold in retail stores.  One supplier, Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc., has expanded its recall to include various pre-cooked pasta products such as fettuccine, linguini, and farfalle, after a product sample tested positive for Listeria.

The FDA continues to work with affected companies to determine whether additional recalls are necessary. Impacted products have been sold at major retailers including Wal-Mart, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and others.  Wal-Mart and Kroger both have locations in Sturgeon Bay.

Consumers are urged to discard or return any ready-to-eat pasta purchased recently. Clean and disinfect any surfaces the products may have touched. Stay vigilant, check your labels, and prioritize food safety.

Door County Sheriff Department Professional Standards Captain Carl Waterstreet’s work to keep you and your children safe helped him earn recognition in the Wisconsin State Capitol on Tuesday. Waterstreet was named the 2025 First Responder of the Year for the First Assembly District during a special ceremony held in Madison where he received the award from State Rep. Joel Kitchens. It was Waterstreet and his son Connor who worked with Kitchens on the Kelsey Smith Act, which requires wireless providers to turn over the device location information to law enforcement without a warrant. Pointing to his leadership on the issue, Kitchens said that “Wisconsin is a safer place because of Carl Waterstreet.” He was also honored for his dedication to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and recognized for his revival of the The Protect Kids Online (PKO) Podcast, which focuses on tips for combating online child exploitation, cyberbullying, and healthy online habits. 

Waterstreet, who previously served with the Sturgeon Bay Police Department before beginning his stint with the Door County Sheriff’s Department, was honored alongside other first responders from around the state during the ceremony where they celebrated October 14, 2025, as “First Responders Appreciation Day.”

Before the fall turns into winter, the Door County YMCA is offering you an opportunity to get some very important health-related questions answered. Sponsored in part by Door County Medical Center, the Community Healthy Living Fair on October 21st  features screenings for vision, hearing, diabetes, blood pressure, and skin, flu shots, and lectures by local doctors. The event comes at a time when the weather starts to turn and people start staying inside more. With over 30 vendors participating, Sturgeon Bay Healthy Living Director Sarah Gavin says there are a lot of services residents can connect with at the fair.

The Community Healthy Living Fair runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon. If you would like to attend but do not have a ride to the Door County YMCA in Sturgeon Bay, contact the Door County Transportation Department. You can listen to our entire Y Wednesday interview by clicking on this link.

You will have another opportunity to see the WWII-era submarine USS COBIA on the waters of Lake Michigan this week. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum announced last week that the USS COBIA plans on departing for its home port in Manitowoc on Wednesday at 7 a.m.

The journey is expected to take about eight hours, with the submarine expected to greet museum visitors at 3 p.m. According to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, approximately 1,945 gallons of paint were used to help restore the outside of the 82-year-old vessel after more than three tons of zebra mussel shells were scraped and power-washed off its hull over the course of a few days.

One issue discovered during its dry dock stay at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding was a drainage issue with the COBIA’s second main ballast tank. Crews found water and mud in the tank along with a welded seal that had opened.

The submarine’s sea chests, which were used to let water in to cool the engines, were sealed shut since the engines only run a few minutes at a time.

Shortly after the USS COBIA docked in Sturgeon Bay last month, Wisconsin Maritime Museum Executive Director Kevin Cullen explained why preserving the USS COBIA is so important.

If you miss the submarine heading back to Manitowoc, you may have to wait a while until its next time on open water. It had been since 1996 that the USS COBIA was in dry dock. 

You will have the opportunity to express your opinion on a third Door County farm becoming a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation next month.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has set November 5th as the date when Gilbert Farms’ application for a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit will be heard. According to the permit’s fact sheet, Gilbert Farms would like to expand its herd from 688 milking and dry cows, 500 heifers, and 275 calves (1,443 animal units) to 1,150 milking & dry cows, 900 heifers, and 400 calves (2,430 animal units) by 2026. By becoming a CAFO, Gilbert Farms is already working on addressing its manure storage needs to allow it to go from the current 94 days of storage to the required minimum of 180 days of storage. The permit includes a proposed emergency response plan, monitoring and inspection protocols, and nutrient management plan submission guidelines.

Gilbert Farms owner Marge Gilbert told WBAY earlier this month that when they applied for a CAFO permit when they realized they were over the animal unit limit, adding that they feel that “every waterway in Wisconsin is important” and “everybody should be held to a higher standard.”  Opponents to the farm’s expansion are applauding the public forum that will be able to take place, something they say has not occurred since 2020. “This is what community power looks like,” said Rod Miller. “Hundreds of residents stood up and said that decisions about our water, our farms, and our future must include those who live here—and the DNR listened.”

If approved, Gilbert Farms would join S&S Jerseyland Dairy and Brey Cycle Farm as permitted CAFOs in the county.

The hearing, which will include an informational session followed by public testimony, will take place at Door County Gala in Sturgeon Bay on November 5th at 10 a.m. If you cannot attend in person, you can click this link to register.

A chance encounter between the Swain family and a rogue kitten ended up being the start of their “fur-ever” story. Last month, Stephanie Swain was driving her son and daughter across the Michigan Street Bridge toward the east side when she noticed an animal trying to dodge the traffic. When she realized it was a two-month-old kitten, the tiny ball of fur fell toward the water below. The Swain family, along with some boaters, was able to pull the kitten from the water and onto shore. Once on dry land, the Swain family wrapped the kitten up in a sweatshirt and brought it home, where they treated it like it was one of their own pets before they eventually brought it to the Wisconsin Humane Society-Door County campus for further treatment. After the incident, Swan hoped her daughter would use the experience to further her interest in animal care.

Turns out that the daughter, Angelynn, will get plenty of practice. The Wisconsin Humane Society- Door County Campus shared late last week that the kitten, now known as Angel, became the newest member of the Swain family. The announcement comes as the Wisconsin Humane Society announced that it is currently caring for more than 1,000 cats throughout its system and is in need of people interested in adoption or fostering to step forward.

UPDATE: Paychecks have been secured for the October 15th  pay date

Although a Presidential order may give them a crucial lifeline as the government shutdown continues, Coast Guard families in your neighborhood need your help. On Saturday, President Donald Trump ordered the Department of Defense to use any available funds to pay the 1.3 million members of the military their next paycheck. According to Reuters, the department will draw on its $8 billion research and development fund to cover payroll. While the Air Force, Space Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps fall under the guidance of the War Department, the Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Punchbowl News reports that U.S. Coast Guard members could get paid during the shutdown through funds approved through the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” but nothing has been confirmed as of Monday morning. 

Kevin Osgood from the Sturgeon Bay Coast Guard City Committee applauds the work of the county’s food pantries, the United Way of Door County, and local businesses for helping Coast Guard families with many of their needs. He encourages others in the community to find other ways to support their neighbors that are a part of three Coast Guard units in Sturgeon Bay.

Osgood hopes that residents will also rally behind efforts to ensure that Coast Guard members get paid during government shutdowns in the future, like other military branches. 

You can find more information on how you can help local Coast Guard families here. 

Other links and information

You can donate gift cards to the United Way of Door County to be distributed to Coast Guard families.

https://mycgma.org/

https://uscgcpoa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1

https://secure.uso.org/OM_BRD/?sc=WB24SRCH09&utm_source=paidsearch&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=evergreen&utm_content=acqrfr&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23078217118&gbraid=0AAAAAD20_EJgEFP1yIrRcY66UHRLMdpMM

You are being encouraged to contact the Kewaunee Police Department if you have any information concerning a recently vandalized camper near the city’s marina. The department took the call concerning the incident last Friday evening of a camper that appeared to be ransacked and vandalized at the Kewaunee Marina Campground by the public boat launch. According to its Facebook post, the Kewaunee Police Department believes it took place within the past week and that it does not appear that anything was stolen. You can find more information about the incident and how you can provide information to the incident below.

Picture courtesy of Kewaunee Police Department

Animal shelters across Wisconsin are currently overwhelmed with cats, and the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) alone is caring for over 1,000 cats at this time. With so many shelters facing limited resources and space, Wisconsin Humane Society's Corey Viars says your support can make a real difference.

There are many ways the community can step up and help with the growing stray feline population.  One can adopt through the Humane Society, provide temporary care by fostering, make a donation to the society, volunteer your time, and spread the word through family, friends, and social media. 

Every small action can make a big difference for animals in need. Whether you adopt, foster, donate, or share a post, you're helping create space and hope for cats waiting for homes.

You will not have to go far to experience everything Halloween in Sturgeon Bay on October 24th and 25th. Destination Sturgeon Bay kicks off its annual Thrills and Chills weekend with a pumpkin carving event on October 24th before its yearly costume parade and business district trick-or-treating on October 25th. Unlike past years, the event on Saturday will run primarily from 10 a.m. until noon and focus on the downtown district along 3rd Avenue. Destination Sturgeon Bay’s Alexa Soto says that with the new barriers they use for downtown events, she is hoping for a Halloween block party atmosphere for attendees.

Thrills and Chills weekend also includes a Boys and Girls Club of Door County member-generated haunted house for kids to explore from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their clubhouse, a costume contest at Kitty O’Reilly’s, and a citywide scavenger hunt. You can find more details about this year’s Thrills and Chills weekend by clicking this link. 

It may not be even Halloween yet, but you could have gotten a taste of Christmas in Door County on Saturday. “A Wisconsin Christmas Pie” made its nationally-televised debut on Great American Family on Saturday, only six months after movie crews wrapped up shooting in downtown Sturgeon Bay. Also known as “A Cherry Pie Christmas,” the movie is about a Chicago pastry chef who returns home and meets an old flame while trying to decide between her dream job and her family’s orchard. The movie takes viewers to familiar sights around Door County, including a cherry pie contest at the Christkindlmarkt in Sister Bay. Leading up to Saturday’s debut, Destination Door County’s Jon Jarosh says the movie’s cast and crews took to the airwaves across the country to not just chat about the movie, but also about how special a place Door County was to film a movie. Jarosh says that kind of talk can generate a lot of buzz for the community, especially since it is debuting before the real Christmas season settles in Door County.

Door County will get its own holiday-themed red carpet treatment at the Door County Community Auditorium in December. A third viewing party has been added for December 14th at 7:30 p.m., with a freewill offering going to support the DCA’s Annex project.

Crossroads will be rockin’ this week, celebrating science, the arts, geology, and Halloween fun.  On Friday, October 17, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM, designated trails will glow with the lights of Jack-o'-Lanterns and luminaries for our annual Trails & Treats event.

Families—costumes and bags encouraged—will follow the trail between twinkle-lighted treat stations where they will receive toys and puzzles, bookmarks, bandages, stickers, coupons, healthy snacks, lots of candy—and then, appropriately, a toothbrush.

This event is free thanks to our Crossroads volunteers and our sponsors: Target, Tadych’s Marketplace, Plum Loco Animal Farm, Door County Medical Center, Culver’s, Cherry Lanes, the Y, The Farm, and Smile Designs.

The very next day, Crossroads will join with educational institutions, museums, nature centers, and libraries for the Wisconsin Science Festival, a statewide celebration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math.

This year’s theme is Rock & Roll! And for the next two weeks, Crossroads will offer a variety of special programs featuring the geology that shapes Wisconsin and the Door Peninsula.

On October 18, for our weekly family program, Science Saturday, we will use Queen’s rock classic “We Will Rock You” to teach the differences between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. But why all three rock types? Weren’t the rocks of Door County formed under a warm, shallow sea?

As far as scientists can determine, there was never an active volcano in the region we now refer to as the Door Peninsula. But way back—way, way back—more than a billion years ago, there was volcanic activity in this region that created igneous and metamorphic rock. Those “basement formations” of Wisconsin are now deep within the bedrock.

The rocks that make up our Niagara Cuesta were formed more than 400 million years ago, so most of the rocks we find are sedimentary. However, we do find granite and basalt, which are igneous, as well as schist and quartzite, which are metamorphic.

It’s because of the glaciers! When massive Ice Age glaciers—an unimaginable two miles thick—engulfed and crushed mountains, they plucked up igneous and metamorphic rocks, dragging them south. When the ice melted, some of those durable ancient rocks remained here.

So, on Saturday, we will learn how to identify different rocks. On Monday, we will screen excerpts from WPT’s Hometown Stories, Ridges & Swales, and others—each featuring stunning videography that showcases the unique post-glacial geology of the Door Peninsula.

Our weekly Environmental Exploration activity on Tuesday, October 21, at 3:30 PM will feature “Rocks and the Arts,” and learners of all ages will discover how rocks have been used by artists, followed by a make-and-take project. And the Wandering Wednesday group will stroll through the Big Creek Preserve, observing ancient shorelines of post-glacial lakes.

You’ll want to Rock and Roll with us this week and next, and don’t forget to join us for Trails and Treats.

Thursday, October 16

6:00 Door County Science on Tap-Spiders and Spider Research

Mike Draney will talk about spiders at the Bridge Up Brewing Company, 129 North Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay. Free and open to the public

Friday, October 17
4:00–7:00 PM Trails & Treats
Trick or treat on our luminary- and Jack-o-lantern-lit trails. Costumes and bags advised for a variety of wonderful treats.  Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, located at Crossroads, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.

Saturday, October 18
2:00 PM Science Saturday: “We Will Rock You” (Wisconsin Science Festival)
Learn the differences between the types of rocks by singing new lyrics to a classic rock song, Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” Families and learners of all ages are welcome. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, located at Crossroads, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.

Monday, October 20
1:30 PM Geology Videos (Wisconsin Science Festival)
Excerpts from WPT’s Hometown Stories and Ridges & Swales will show stunning images of Door County’s geologic features. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, October 21
3:30 PM Environmental Exploration: Rocks & the Arts (Wisconsin Science Festival)
Learners of all ages are welcome to learn about the ways artists have used rocks, followed by a make-and-take project. Free and open to all ages.

Wednesday, October 22
1:30 PM Wandering Wednesday: Ancient Shorelines (Wisconsin Science Festival)
Take a stroll with our naturalists as we explore ancient shorelines. Easy walking. About an hour. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, located at Crossroads, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.

The Sturgeon Bay Common Council is hoping to find a balance to more opportunities to ride your mountain bike in the city while respecting the wishes of the neighborhood. The council took its turn addressing the concerns surrounding the mountain bike trails at Big Hill Park on the city’s east side. Proponents, such as Friends of Big Hill Park’s Matt Young, say that he has heard kids in Sturgeon Bay have had nothing to do for years and hopes the further development of the trails will spark interest in the park and the sport, much like the city’s skate park did. Opponents, like resident Will Gregory, say they are not anti-trail, but believe the project is harming the forest irreparably without the traffic to show for it. Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward says they sent it back to the committee at last Tuesday’s council meeting to see if something is tenable for both sides.

With a parks committee meeting in the interim, Ward hopes some options will be presented to the Sturgeon Bay Common Council by their first meeting in November. 

In my quest to submerge myself in a new book as frequently as possible, my most recent find and current read is “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a #@%!” by Mark Manson.

The title of the book piqued my curiosity, and I must admit that I had to struggle through the first few chapters, which contained more vulgarity than I usually like to subject myself to. However, once past that initial obstacle, it began to gain momentum.

Although I am not yet finished with this book, it's safe to say that its message is not that we shouldn’t care about things or people. The premise is that we tend to give away our attention and focus on things that really don’t matter, while doing so, we neglect those things in our lives that truly matter. It’s not that we mean to divert our attention to the less important; it's more that those secondary issues are always present, resulting in a slow, creeping preoccupation with the petty things of life.

There is also a prominent trend of giving way too much of a #@%! On things that are outside our control. This too is an unfortunate expenditure of our valuable attention and effort, which many times leaves us both frustrated and exhausted. Again, there is nothing wrong with being passionate about an issue or topic; we just need to bring it back to a reality of what we can actually control and then focus our efforts in that realm.

The other takeaway that honestly struck me was a chapter titled “Happiness is a Problem”. As most of you know, I am generally a very happy person, and have always felt that happiness was something to strive for. Again, I was challenged to read further. In the end, it wasn’t stating that happiness was bad; it was merely stating that most aren’t willing to succumb to the struggle and pain that brings about the existence of, and appreciation for, happiness. People tend to want the end results without the journey. We often see this in our culture, where people compare their lives to those of others, unaware of the pain or suffering that person endured to achieve their current state. The theme ultimately is not to focus on an end state of happiness, but to enjoy the struggles and challenges along the way that are the foundation of true and sustained happiness.

Bringing this back to our personal lives, I would submit that our own lives and the challenges we face give us each a unique perspective as we interact with those caught in their own struggle of giving way too much of a #@%! In things that are either insignificant or outside of their control. We are given the gift of perspective through struggle, and we should strive to apply the lessons of resiliency, optimism, and courage in our own lives, lest we fall victim to the same effects of anxiety, frustration, and fear.

You could have seen camaraderie and art go hand in hand at the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Welding Rodeo in Sturgeon Bay on Thursday. Welding teams from Green Bay Preble High School, TTX, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, and El-Na Farms participated in the contest, which concluded when their pieces of art were auctioned off to support scholarships. The day provided an opportunity for TTX Vice President of Special Projects, Bradley Andreae, to return to his roots. He said that not many of the employees realized that he started his career at TTX in the shop, which included some welding. It was exciting for him to spend the day with people who have been there for as short as three months and others who have been there for close to 40 years.

A short walk away from TTX’s two teams were a pair of squads from Green Bay Preble High School. Seniors Michael Held and Carlos Escobedo were introduced to welding early in their high school careers, and both have high ambitions to continue with it for years to come.

Funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Navy, the NWTC Welding Rodeo was established to connect residents with career opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Welding is especially an in-demand career due to an expected shortage of 360,000 welders by 2027 because of retirements and industry growth.

This is not the career day you attended as middle and high school students as the Door County Economic Development Corporation organizes two days of job showcases to celebrate Manufacturing Month in October. More than 200 eighth graders from Gibraltar, Sevastopol, Sturgeon Bay, Southern Door, and Algoma will descend on NWTC Sturgeon Bay on Tuesday as a part of its Eighth Grade Career Day. Students researched eight different career clusters that are found in Door County in preparation for the event, which will feature dozens of local businesses. On October 28th, students will also have the opportunity to tour facilities across the county as a part of the DCEDC’s Manufacturing Day. In both instances, DCEDC Executive Director Michelle Lawrie says it allows students to have an interactive experience with local employers and explore the careers that may interest them in the future.

Lawrie adds that career exploration events, such as Manufacturing Day and the job fair, are all part of the overall picture of addressing workforce development in Door County, which includes efforts to keep Door County residents working locally and addressing challenges like housing.

A month after hosting its largest fundraiser of the year, the Door County chapter of the Alzheimer's Association would like to extend its gratitude. On a beautiful Saturday in September, the Alzheimer’s Association held its yearly Walk to End Alzheimer’s with great success. This year saw not only a record turnout of participants but also a 159% increase in donations, surpassing their original goal of $60,000. 

The association now invites you to join them for a special event to celebrate all the supporters and their contributions to the fight against Alzheimer’s and the success of the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. 

 “This is a fantastic opportunity for the community to hear about recent advancements and ask questions, and we appreciate your help in spreading the word about the event.” States Cari Josephson of the Alzheimer’s Association. 

The guest speaker for the event will be Dr. Christopher Weber, Senior Director of Global Science Initiatives, who oversees the Association’s efforts to advance the organization's scientific agenda and will be giving updates on all the research they are working on and some of the most recent advancements.

The program will be held on Thursday, October 16, at Kitty’s Hideaway (59 E Oak Street) in Sturgeon Bay from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with Dr. Weber presenting at 6:00 p.m.

To learn more about this program or to register (registration is recommended), please contact Cari Josephson at (920) 609-1342 or cajosephson@alz.org.

The former Ahnapee and Western Railway station will be sticking around town for the foreseeable future, but you will have to be patient to see where it will end up. The Sturgeon Bay Common Council approved the city’s intent to save the structure from the wrecking ball, regardless of whether or not a private entity comes forward to use the former train depot for a business venture. Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward says much of the discussion focused on the amount of money the city may have to invest in the building if it ends up owning it. Ward believes that Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is doing its best to be a good neighbor regarding the building, adding that it depends on the timing of its federal contracts with the U.S. Navy.

The Sturgeon Bay Common Council also addressed the issue of Big Hill Park and its mountain bike trails, asking the Parks and Recreation Committee to seek compromises before its first meeting in November.

With the peak of the fall color changing upon us, the question is not when, but where to see the beautiful autumn foliage.  While the season generally runs from late September through the end of October, the exact timing varies depending on one’s location within Door County. Currently, three of the state's 72 counties are at peak colors, while over 20 counties, including Door, are at 30 to 50 percent peak.

Through over 90 volunteers, Destination Door County's Jon Jarosh states they post an Interactive Fall Report on their website, allowing residents and visitors alike to pinpoint their optimal viewing site. 

Often, the fall colors dazzle and fade quickly.  Fortunately, Door County has one of the longest color change seasons in the state, thanks to its unique location.  Door County experiences a “rolling peak” every year, meaning different areas will have varying colors at other times.  Fall color begins in the Northern portion of the county and makes its way south. 

To reach its annual campaign goal of $1.2 million, the United Way of Door County is taking its efforts straight to the top. United Way of Door County Board President Michelle Lawrie will be atop the famous grass-covered rooftop of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, in hopes of raising at least $5,000 for the annual campaign. By raising the $1.2 million, the United Way of Door County hopes to address the needs of the 30 percent of Door County residents who struggle from paycheck to paycheck. United Way of Door County Executive Director Amy Kohnle hopes that by having Lawrie play the part of a goat for a few hours, the organization can raise essential funds and showcase how those donations can benefit residents in the Sister Bay area.

Lawrie will be on the roof of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. You can find information on how you can donate. The Raise the Roof event is just one of the many ways you can donate to the United Way with a fun twist added to it. This Saturday is the second of three weekends where celebrity cheese mongers will staff Wisconsin Cheese Masters to support the organization.

While your memories of visiting Alpine Resort remain, one of its longest-standing structures may not for much longer.

Earlier this week, the Village of Egg Harbor’s Zoning Board of Appeals voted in favor of granting owner Matt Sagorac the certificate of appropriateness needed to demolish the Alpine Lodge. The topic has been a heated one at village meetings for the last several months as Sagorac plans out the future of the waterfront property he purchased last year. The vote comes just over a month later than initially planned, following the denial of the demolition permit application by the village’s Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board in June. Sagorac had initially applied to demolish the 1920s-era building back in March. The Egg Harbor Fire Department declared the building unsafe for occupancy at the beginning of the summer. Still, it allowed a portion of it to reopen for restaurant operations after addressing some of the concerns. Those opposed to the building’s demolition argue that the Alpine Lodge offered some local historic significance, going so far as to bring in Architectural historian Traci Schnell to evaluate the property.

Whatever the future has in store for the Alpine Lodge and the resort’s waterfront, you have at least one more year to enjoy it. According to a post on the Alpine Resort’s Facebook page, its lease has been extended one more year, and they are accepting reservations for events in 2026.

Churchgoers, be advised.  The Door County Sheriff's Department issued a warning on Tuesday that some members of local church congregations have recently received fraudulent emails and text messages appearing to be from their church leaders or pastors.  The messages requested that gift cards be purchased under the guise of donations.  The benefits of such contributions would only go directly to the scammers.   This is a recurring scam that has resurfaced in the area.

The Door County Sheriff’s Department urges residents to use caution and vehemently verify any requests for monetary donations of any kind.  If you receive such a message, contact your church leader or organization directly before making any financial contributions.  

You do not have to spend a fortune to experience the works of Schubert, Mendelssohn, Haydn, and other chamber music composers in a live setting. The Griffon String Quartet launches its “Gather with the Griffon” concert series on October 17th when they play First Presbyterian Church in Green Bay at noon. The free midday concert series features Roy Meyer and Alex Norris on violins, Oryann Tsaig on viola, and Jesse Nummelin on cello. The musicians pick the selections based on what they are currently playing for other performances and of personal interest. Midsummer’s Music Executive Director Allyson Fleck says the series also allows guests to ask questions about the music and the performers so they can learn more about chamber music.

Funded in part by grants from the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, the Wisconsin Arts Board, and Little Eddie Big Cup (Door County Community Foundation), the “Gather with the Griffon” series will make its 2025/2026 Door County Debut on October 22nd at MUSE in Sturgeon Bay at 1 p.m.

While a newly married couple celebrated their love and talked about childhood memories of the Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower, Dr. Daniel Tingley of Wood Research and Development inspected the structure intently and reflected on the seven years it took to ensure that moment could occur. The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society celebrated its efforts to save the observation tower from demolition after it was closed in 2017. To save it, Christie Weber and others implored Tingley to come to Sturgeon Bay to see if the tower could be saved, along with the memories that stand alongside it. With Tingley holding court about the finer details of the tower’s wooden structure on one side of the top platform and the newlyweds taking pictures on the other side, Weber expressed her happiness that all of the pieces came together to make the tower climb possible.

As a part of the day’s events, the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society hosted a special reception at the Door County Granary, where engineer Wm. Jason Flatt and Tingley talked about the tower’s history. 

Egg Harbor preps for the beloved annual Pumpkin Fest this weekend.  

This year's events span the entire village, taking place at the Marina, Harbor View Park, and the Kress Pavilion.  The festival will kick off on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and continue through 5:00 p.m., and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  The autumn celebration will include carving contests, live music, games, carnival rides, face painting, and food & drink from local vendors.  There will be fun activities for all ages.  Organizers are also holding a 50/50 raffle, with proceeds benefiting the Egg Harbor Business Association.

What the yearly event gains in popularity and attendance every year, it loses in parking space.  This year, parking shuttles are available at two locations, operating daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The first is the lot near Frank Murphy Park at 7120 Horseshoe Bay Road, and the other is the Seaquist Processing Plant parking lot.  

The Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch Festival is free to all attendees.  For more information and a complete list of times and events, please visit the Door County Egg Harbor website.

The safety of you and your children when you enter the pool depends on having a lifeguard on duty. The Door County YMCA is no exception to the nationwide shortage of lifeguards, especially during the summer months when more opportunities to swim are available. Swimming Director Heidi Honold says it is hard to fill all the slots needed to safely man the pool with lifeguards, especially on nights and weekends. The Door County YMCA is trying to ease their shortage by hosting a certification class from November 17th through November 22nd and a recertification class on November 15th at the Sturgeon Bay program center. Honold says there are skills you need to have both in and out of the pool to be a successful lifeguard.

The course is free to attend if you plan on being a lifeguard at the YMCA. You can find more details about the course and register by calling the Door County YMCA in Sturgeon Bay or Fish Creek.

Certification Class: November 17th-21st 5 p.m.-9 p.m., November 22nd 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Recertification Class (for current lifeguards with expiring certifications): November 15th 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Through what I can only describe as an exhaustive search, Door County Daily News has finally found its new reporter.  Me.

My name is Adam Collins.  Originally from Chicago, I have recently relocated to Door County.  I am very familiar with the Door as my Mother, Linda, has lived in Gills Rock, Sister Bay, and Sturgeon Bay throughout my adult life.  While enjoying holidays and long summer weekends, I fell in love with the area.  From long walks on trails, rooting for local teams, enjoying both sunrises and sunsets, and taking in the wonderful culture and hospitality the area has to offer.  

I am thrilled to be here and join such a passionate group of individuals.  I look forward to connecting with local listeners and sharing stories that will inform, inspire, and shine light on important local issues.  

So stay tuned as I will be bringing you the news, sports, and weather daily at The Door County Daily News.

Your next career could be under the spotlight on Thursday at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Sturgeon Bay. After hosting the event on its Marinette campus last week, Sturgeon Bay’s Northeast Wisconsin Technical College campus is hosting its second annual welding rodeo on Thursday. The event offers high school students the opportunity to experience the excitement, featuring a job fair that connects employers with potential employees from the community. K-12 Pathways and Community Impact Coordinator Tammy Brunette says the sculpture contest is a way to show what is possible with welding.

The event, which will also feature food, music, and other forms of entertainment, will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For Adam and Esther Kuehl of Kewaunee County, last Saturday was more than just an average furnace installation. The family of six was this year’s recipients of the Lennox Feel the Love program, a nationwide initiative that provides new heating and cooling units to the homes of area residents who have demonstrated exceptional generosity. Esther is an Emergency Medical Technician, and when she is not working, she is teaching the next generation of EMTs to give back to the community. Ultimate Air owner Jeff Blemke visited with the Kuehl family and says there was something about them that made him realize that they deserved a little more.

Over the years, Feel the Love and its predecessor, Heat UP Wisconsin, have been a daylong celebration. In addition to having the entire Ultimate Air team on-site to help, businesses like Stodola’s IGA and The Rendezvous of Luxemburg also threw in their support to make sure the family and the crew were fed. Installation Technician Jack Tebon says that, in his short time with the company, "Feel the Love" is one of his favorite days of the year.

The freighter Edmund Fitzgerald may have gone down nearly 50 years ago, but you will still find interest in the “Titanic of the Great Lakes” staying afloat. Last week, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Board Member Chris Winters filled the Door County Maritime Museum for his presentation on the 50th Anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, which kicked off the museum’s Maritime Speaker Series.

The event coincided with the opening of a new temporary exhibit called “Holding Our Own,” a nod to the final words heard from the Edmund Fitzgerald before it sank on November 10th, 1975. In addition to the shipwreck itself, the exhibit shines a light on two Sturgeon Bay residents, Russell Haskell and Oliver “Buck” Champeau, who were crew members on the Edmund Fitzgerald and died when it sank. Door County Maritime Museum Deputy Director Sam Perlman says the ties the Edmund Fitzgerald had with the community continue to create interest.

Perlman adds that Champeau’s daughter, Deborah, worked with the museum on the exhibit, contributing some of the artifacts that will be on display. The exhibit will be on display through at least the end of the year. You can watch the Maritime Speaker Series event on the Edmund Fitzgerald below.

Entering its second week, you are still getting caught in a crossfire of words from both sides of the aisle regarding the ongoing federal shutdown. Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Senate introduced their own proposals to reopen the government, but neither was able to garner the 60 votes needed to pass. According to ABC News, the Republican proposal was only slightly more agreeable (52-42) than the Democratic package (55-45). Healthcare remains a flashpoint for disagreement for the two sides despite a Kaiser Family Foundation Poll showing that 78 percent of the public supports extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits. 

Wisconsin’s Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin used that as fuel last Friday for her push to get the tax credits extended, saying that without them, 270,000 Wisconsinites could see their health care premiums double in 2026. “This proves exactly what I have been telling anyone who will listen: Americans don’t want their health care costs doubled or their insurance stripped away,” Baldwin said in a statement. “Wisconsinites want the lower costs that Donald Trump promised, but time and time again, he’s come up short on that promise. I’m at the table, ready to work with anyone who will help me deliver the breathing room Wisconsin families need in their budgets.”

Republican U.S. Senator Ron Johnson addressed the government shutdown, among other topics, during his tele-town hall meeting on Monday, emphasizing that this would not happen if his End Shutdowns Act were approved. When asked about healthcare, Johnson pointed out the issues with the Affordable Care Act, saying that “faulty design” surrounding how to insure those with pre-existing conditions led to some policies “double, tripling, quadrupling” in price in the program’s early days. He added that many of the talking points, especially those surrounding the enhanced subsidies that were enacted during the pandemic, are widely distorted.

President Donald Trump posted on his TruthSocial platform Monday night that he would be willing to negotiate with Democrats about their healthcare concerns, but only if they open the government first.

Thousands of federal employees are furloughed until further notice due to the shutdown, while immigration court proceedings, federal inspections, and some loans for small businesses and homebuyers will be delayed. If you need to acquire a passport, catch a flight, or receive a payment from Social Security or Medicare, you are unaffected for now. This is the 11th time the federal government has shut down, with some shutdowns lasting just hours and others lasting several days. Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump have all presided over shutdowns that lasted two weeks or more. 

You can help ensure that the future of the medical field in Door County stays in Door County. For the last seventy years, the Door County Medical Center Auxiliary has raised funds to support scholarships for students and healthcare workers to continue their education. Well over $1 million has been raised, helping more than 1,000 students in that time who have gone on to pursue areas of study such as pharmacology, occupational therapy, biomedical engineering, nursing, and more. Like many fields, the healthcare industry is expected to face a workforce shortage in the coming years. According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, a shortage of between 12,000 and 19,000 nurses is projected by 2040. Getting into the healthcare field is not cheap either, with the Education Data Initiative reporting that the cost of medical school has increased by more than $1,500 every year since 2004. Angel Scholarship Campaign Co-Chairpersons Deb Hogan and Dave Resch say they are pleased that many of the students who benefit from the campaign not only stay in the field but also remain in Door County.

Hogan and Resch announced earlier this month that DCMCA supporters Tom Pollock and Chris Gritzmacher are once again matching all donations up to $50,000. Last year, the DCMCA, Pollock, and Gritzmacher were able to raise over $122,000 for the Angel Scholarship Campaign, supporting a record 31 scholarships. You can learn more about how to support the campaign by clicking on this link.  

A Monday morning fire in Brussels served as a reminder to dispose of rechargeable batteries properly, as well as the equipment that uses them. Firefighters from the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department responded to the blaze on Belgian Road near County Highway DK at approximately 6:30 a.m. According to BUG Assistant Chief Jim Wautier, the garbage truck driver noticed smoke emanating from the rear of the vehicle while it was on its route. The driver quickly turned around and dumped the truck’s load out of the car, though there were still some ashes on fire inside it. Firefighters used approximately 250 gallons of water to extinguish the fire inside and outside the truck. Among the burned garbage was a discarded sawzall with its rechargeable battery. In speaking with the owner of the garbage truck company, Wautier says that improperly disposing of rechargeable batteries and the problems they can cause are one of their biggest concerns.

Wautier adds that instead of throwing batteries into the garbage, you should take them directly to the garbage collection company, where they will accept them free of charge. Firefighters were able to put out the blaze in about 15 minutes, but stayed for about an hour to clean up the road after the burned garbage was removed.

An 86-year-old Egg Harbor woman found herself at the hospital on Friday night after driving off the road and into a ditch. The accident occurred at approximately 5:15 p.m. in the Town of Jacksonport near the intersection of County Highway T and Hillside Road. According to the accident report, the woman stated that she was driving north on the highway when she attempted to write down a phone number. She eventually crossed the centerline and into the southbound lane before moving into the ditch. The vehicle stopped shortly after striking a culvert used for field access. The woman was taken to Door County Medical Center to be treated for a suspected minor injury, and the vehicle was towed due to disabling damage.  

You may see the former Ahnapee and Western Railway station in a new location, courtesy of the City of Sturgeon Bay. At Tuesday’s meeting, the Sturgeon Bay Common Council will weigh in on a resolution that could save the train depot that has served multiple uses in the city since it was built in 1914 as a passenger train depot. It last saw passenger service in 1937 and freight service in 1969. It has been used as a brewery, a restaurant, a theater, and a storage space in the years since. Now, it stands in the way of progress at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding as they seek to expand to meet the demands of their defense contracts with the U.S. Navy. Mayor David Ward says that while the shipyard certainly needs the space for its expanding operation, he commends Fincantieri officials for understanding that the former train depot can serve a greater purpose than just a pile of rubble. Ward believes that a move to Sunset Park could give the old structure new life while paying homage to the city’s railroading past.

Ward says the city is still open to a private developer purchasing and moving the building, which would cost between $70,000 and $120,000. The Sturgeon Bay Common Council will also weigh in on possible restrictions to new mountain bike trails at Big Hill Park on the city’s east side that we covered last week with petitioner Will Gregory and Friends of Big Hill Park’s Matt Young. The Sturgeon Bay Common Council meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at Sturgeon Bay City Hall.

While some farmers are heading out to the fields under the bright sunshine this weekend to harvest their crop, you will find Michael Marit wandering out in the woods behind his Sturgeon Bay home to harvest his. Marit started Door County Mushroom Company out of curiosity to grow his own food. His mushroom operation sits about 100 feet away, where he has produce growing and ducks, chickens, and geese waddling. The process of growing mushrooms begins in the spring when he drills holes into hundreds of logs that lean up against larger limbs. With an inoculation of mushroom spawn into the holes, Marit can usually harvest each log twice a year for five years before he needs to cycle in new logs. He tries to impart his wisdom to others who want to learn about the origins of their mushrooms and how to cultivate them.

You can find Marit’s mushrooms from Door County Mushroom Company at select eateries in the county and at the Sturgeon Bay Farmers’ Market. You can watch our entire Ask a Farmer video presented by the Door County Farm Bureau below.

Pumpkins—lots of pumpkins—are piling up at Crossroads in preparation for two of our most popular family events. On Friday, October 10, at 4:00 PM, families will gather to carve pumpkins. The glowing Jack-o’-Lanterns they create will later illuminate the trails during our “Trail & Treats” event on Friday, October 17.

But why do we carve Jack-o’-Lanterns in the first place?

The tradition originates from the Celtic regions of Europe. Ancient Celts believed that on the night of October 31, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits, goblins, and other mischief-makers to roam the land. With the arrival of All Saints’ Day on November 1, order was restored.

One legend tells of Stingy Jack, a trickster who cheated everyone—including the Devil. Barred from both Heaven and Hell, Jack was doomed to wander the earth. According to the tale, the Devil gave him a single burning coal to light his way, which Jack placed inside a hollowed turnip. People began carving turnips with frightening faces—“Jack-o’-Lanterns”—to ward off Jack and other wandering spirits.

When Irish and Scottish immigrants came to America, they brought this tradition with them. Here, they discovered a native plant—the pumpkin, a type of winter squash—was larger, softer, and far easier to carve than turnips.

Archaeologists have found evidence that pumpkin-like squash were cultivated in Mexico more than 10,000 years ago. Over time, Indigenous peoples carried these useful plants north. The squash not only provided food but was also used as containers, utensils, medicine, and even musical instruments.

Beyond their many uses, squash became central to one of the most important agricultural systems in North America. Around 5,000 years ago, Indigenous farmers developed the “Three Sisters” planting system, growing corn, beans, and squash together. The broad squash leaves shaded the soil, helping it retain moisture, while the prickly vines discouraged pests and weeds. This sustainable method spread throughout the Great Lakes region and beyond.

Today’s pumpkins—ancestors of the native squash-- have been selectively bred to be larger, rounder, and brighter orange—perfect for carving.

This tradition continues today. At Crossroads, we’ll supply both the pumpkins and the tools, making it easy and fun for families to participate. The Jack-o’-Lanterns may not ward off evil spirits anymore, but they will create a magical glow along the route during our Trails & Treats event on October 17. Families are welcome to take their creations home after the event. Reservations are requested for the carving program.

Join us to celebrate traditions and the joy of autumn—by hiking our trails and enjoying other seasonal activities. All programs are free and open to the public, thanks to the generosity of our donors.

Friday, October 10
4:00–5:30 PM — Pumpkin Carving Night
Make reservations at www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org for your family and friends to participate in our annual Pumpkin Carving Night. Tools and pumpkins are provided free of charge. Special thanks to our generous supporters, the Wisconsin Public Service Fund, the Peninsular Agricultural Research Station for helping us grow our pumpkins, Big Brothers Big Sisters for planting seeds with care, and The Farm and Schartner’s Farm Market for donating additional pumpkins. Meet in the Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Saturday, October 11
2:00 PM — Science Saturday: Autumn Leaves
Indoor and outdoor activities will introduce families (and lifelong learners) to the science behind autumn leaves. Free and open to all ages. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. 

Monday, October 13
1:30 PM — Door County Master Gardeners: Growing Together Series
The public is invited to join Master Gardeners in viewing a pre-recorded webinar about fall gardening tips. Free and open to the public. Collins Learning Center. 

Tuesday, October 14
3:30 PM — Environmental Exploration: Migration
This after-school program will discuss fall migration of birds and other creatures. Outdoors if the weather permits. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.

Wednesday, October 15
10:00 AM — Junior Nature Club
For children aged 3–5 accompanied by their adult companions. This week’s topic: “Evergreen Cones.” Dress for outdoor activities. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. 

1:30 PM — Wandering Wednesday
Join the naturalist on a guided hike through the autumnal beauty of the Big Creek Preserve. Easy walking, about an hour. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.

The month of October has been designated as National Pedestrian Safety Month. What better time to discuss some basic safety tips, along with some of the great resources we have right here in Northeast Wisconsin? The first rule of safety for those walking is situational awareness. Whether you are walking on a sidewalk, roadside, or trail system, be mindful of your surroundings. I am not a big fan of headphones being worn while on walks, runs, or even riding bikes, as it creates what is known as a “Micro-environment”. This is to say that you have closed yourself off from what is going on around you and limited yourself from one of your most excellent physical senses, which is your hearing. The ability to hear vehicles approaching, while adjacent to a roadway, is critical in awareness. The ability to listen to the footsteps of others as they are approaching you on a trail is just as important. Aside from the apparent health benefits of exercising outdoors, enjoying the sights, smells, and sounds is just as valuable.

The next key safety component is being seen. While I cannot guarantee that every motor vehicle driver is attentive at any given time, I can assure you that drawing attention to yourself as a pedestrian will increase their awareness and thus improve your chances. When it comes to walking attire, the brighter, the better. I have even seen the use of blinking lights on vests to improve visibility. In fact, as we draw near to the various hunting seasons, Blaze Orange may be a great choice of colors for you to consider. If you are walking adjacent to a road or need to cross one, take extra caution. If you are about to cross, even in a marked crosswalk, ensure that any vehicles in proximity can see you and are willing to yield. Don’t assume anything.

While for many, the only option to getting out and walking is along roadsides, we are very fortunate to have the Ahnappee trail system right here in our backyard. This trail system provides a truly scenic and peaceful option for what we call the “Silent Sports”. This trail has starting points at numerous sites throughout our county, with each section of the trail having its own unique characteristics and surroundings. Portions of the Ahnapee Trail are also designated as sections of the Ice Age Trail, which runs throughout our state and draws a large number of enthusiasts from around the country. Recently, the City of Algoma was even designated as an Ice Age Trail Community.

In an era where our society is grappling with sedentary lifestyles and their associated health consequences, the importance of getting out and walking, running, biking, or hiking could not be more vital to our overall quality of life. To have a trail that is free from motorized vehicles is truly a local treasure that can and should be appreciated. As we continue into the beautiful fall season, this treasure and the tranquility it provides should be at the top of our list of activities to enjoy.

Regardless of your pedestrian journey, always prioritize safety.

After it quietly reopened this spring, you can be a little more boisterous on Tuesday when the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society hosts a community climb and celebration for the Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower. After it was closed in 2017 due to deteriorating conditions, the state settled on repairing the structure in 2024 at the behest of the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society, State Senator Andre Jacque, State Representative Joel Kitchens, and other advocates, including international timber expert Dr. Dan Tingley and Wm. Jason Flatt. Its resurrection came with controversy, with some state officials arguing that it needed to be ADA-accessible like the new Eagle Tower. The state eventually opted to set aside some space for a scenic outlook for those who want to gaze upon the state park but cannot climb the tower. When it reopened, resident Dave Allen said that the view proved that some things are worth fighting for in the end.

As a part of the day’s events, the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society will host a community climb from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. before inviting people back to the Door County Granary, where Flatt and Tingley will talk about the tower’s history. For more information about the event, please see below.

You are running out of time to grab some of your favorite items from the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Markets as a kickoff to your Saturdays. Running from 8 a.m. until noon, October 4th and 11th represent the final Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market days of the season, capping off 20 weeks of locally-produced food and items lining the streets of Sturgeon Bay. This was the first year Destination Sturgeon Bay partnered with Bank First to present the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market. This relationship not only helped shoppers carry all of their goodies, according to Executive Director Cameryn Ehlers-Kwaterski, but made the event what it was this year.

Bank First’s Aaron Falkner says the event was a great way to introduce itself to the community after opening its branch in the Town of Sevastopol earlier this summer. You can listen to the entire Faces of the Farmer’s Market podcast by clicking on this link.

If you participate in the state’s Women, Infants, and Children program, be prepared to see some new options included in your food packages. Monday marked the first day WIC participants could purchase the new food packages, which are often revised once a decade in response to the latest research and requirements from the United States Department of Agriculture and other relevant agencies. Increased fruit and vegetable benefit allowance, reduced amounts of fluid milk and juice, the addition of canned fish for infants, and new levels of whole grain foods for kids and pregnant/postpartum women highlight some of the changes WIC program participants will see. Door County WIC Director Teresa Mertens says participants will see a little more flexibility in their food packages, especially when it comes to dairy products.

According to the USDA, WIC is available to income-eligible pregnant and postpartum women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five (up to their fifth birthday). Men can also apply if they have children under their care. Mertens says many of the 200 families enrolled in Door County also rely on BadgerCare and FoodShare.

Ten days before the Medicare open enrollment window opens, you may have to choose between your doctor and your insurance. Door County Medical Center announced on Friday that it will no longer be considered in-network for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, following an attempt by the two sides to reach a deal ahead of the enrollment period launch. Door County Medical Center will remain in-network for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans through December 31st. Emergency services provided at Door County Medical will remain covered under these plans, regardless of network status. However, it is recommended that you contact UnitedHealthcare to determine how your situation is classified. Before the Medicare open enrollment period opens on October 15th, you are encouraged to reach out to Door County Medical Center to find a Medicare Advantage plan that would keep you in-network. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, as of July 2025, more than 34.1 million Americans were enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, representing 54 percent of the total Medicare-eligible population.

At a time when rural hospitals are proving to be vulnerable in other parts of the state, you can find Door County Medical Center sinking its roots deeper. In the past 18 months, hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls have closed, and facilities in Manitowoc, Oakridge, and Stanley are considered at risk due to financial stress, Medicaid dependence, and other factors.

Despite some of these trends being observed locally, Door County Medical Center is taking steps to stay ahead of the heartbreak being seen in those communities. Earlier this year, Door County Medical Center became the only hospital in northeast Wisconsin and one of less than 300 across the country to earn a five-star rating for patient experience and overall hospital quality, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The ratings considered key quality measures, including mortality, safety of care, readmission rates, patient experience, and timely and effective treatment. In August, DCMC Chief Quality Officer Nancy Daoust says they consistently work hard within the hospital to improve continually.

After a run of candidates entering other races across the state, like governor and state Senate, you now have another option for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court. District 2 Appellate Judge Maria Lazar announced her candidacy for the state’s high court in her chase to replace outgoing Justice Rebecca Bradley, who declined to run for another 10-year term. According to The Hill, Lazar previously served as a circuit court judge in Waukesha County and as an assistant attorney general under former state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. Although the Wisconsin State Supreme Court is a non-partisan position, Lazar represents an option for conservatives to back after former Democratic state lawmaker and current appellate Judge Chris Taylor entered the race earlier this year. In her video introduction to voters, Lazar says she is an independent-minded judge who follows the law and the Constitution, adding that “this is a campaign to restore justice to our Supreme Court, not to place a partisan politician into a robe and on a court that stands atop our judicial system.” There is still time for other candidates to enter the race before the spring primary trims the field on February 17th, ahead of the general election on April 7th.

A couple from Madison was injured pulling into highway traffic on Tuesday morning, stalling traffic in the Town of Nasewaupee. The accident occurred at about 10:45 a.m. on State Highway 42/57 when an 80-year-old man and his 71-year-old wife were pulling out of the PJ’s of Door County gas station in their black sports-utility vehicle. They were struck by a yellow box truck driven by a 31-year-old Evanston, Ill. man, who said he saw the Madison couple drive into traffic in front of him and could not stop in time. The Madison man, who was cited for failing to yield to traffic from a non-highway access point, told the responding deputy that he looked but did not see the truck coming and did not know what had happened after he was struck. While the driver of the car was unharmed, the couple had to be transported to Door County Medical Center via ambulance for additional treatment. A partial shutdown of northbound STH 42/57 was required so crews could clean up the accident, and the sports-utility vehicle could be towed from the scene.

Thanks to a season-long initiative at the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market, your neighbors in need were able to receive fresh fruits and vegetables that might have otherwise gone unused.

Destination Sturgeon Bay’s Andrea Buboltz Hanson, United Way of Door County’s Stephanie Short, and UW-Green Bay dietetic intern Kendra Dantoin collaborated with the UW-Extension’s FoodWIse program to develop the gleaning project, which diverted unsold produce from the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market to Lakeshore CAP Food Pantry to be distributed to community members with limited income. Each week, one to six vendors donated to the cause, which on average brought in approximately 46 pounds per week. Destination Sturgeon Bay Executive Director Cameryn Ehlers-Kwaterski says the initiative helped everyone involved.

Even more produce could be collected over the market’s final two weeks. You can hear more about the program as a part of this week’s Faces of the Farmers Market Podcast with Destination Sturgeon Bay.

You can sample cheese varieties from across the state and support the United Way of Door County’s annual campaign the next three Saturdays in Egg Harbor. The organization is partnering with Wisconsin Cheese Masters for its Celebrity Cheese Monger events. Each Saturday, a new line-up of celebrities will step behind the counter, don the apron, and help customers find the perfect cheese while making the community a “cheddar” place. Wisconsin Cheese Masters owner and United Way of Door County Board Member Katie Harding says it is a great experience to see the celebrities step outside their comfort zone to ensure that every slice counts for the United Way’s annual campaign.

You can ”brie” a part of the fun yourself on October 4th, 11th, and 18th from noon until 6 p.m. The United Way of Door County is seeking to raise more than $1.2 million for its annual campaign to address local programming needs. 

While your charitable dollars do not sweat, there are ways you make them stretch and work harder at the Door County YMCA. Like many local organizations, there are many ways you can support the Door County YMCA without writing a check or taking out your wallet. Donating appreciated stock or mutual funds, making qualified charitable distributions from an IRA, or funding a donor-advised fund are ways you can support your favorite causes in a more tax-efficient manner. Mission Advancement Executive Brett Cleveland says it all starts with a conversation.

Door County YMCA CEO Tonya Felhofer says its Membership-For-All program is just one reason why she encourages people to donate to the organization.

Last year, the Door County YMCA raised over $583,000 to support its operations and outreach efforts. You can listen to the entire interview with Felhofer and Cleveland here.