Article posted Thursday, December 4, 2014 9:59am

WHAT HAPPENED

• The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region in Green Bay has selected the preferred alternatives for the reconstruction of Hwys 42/57 from Michigan Street to Egg Harbor Road in Sturgeon Bay beginning in the fall of 2015. Plans include:

• Full reconstruction of the existing two-lane roadway.

• Right in/right out only access to Hwys 42/57 at the Alabama Street intersection.

• Multi-lane roundabouts at both the Egg Harbor Road and Michigan Street intersections.

While the department determined both traffic lights and roundabouts would handle future traffic volumes, roundabouts will move the traffic more safely and efficiently. In addition, roundabouts are projected to cost $1.6 million less than a traditional lighted intersection. Another public involvement meeting is planned in spring 2015 to review and receive comments on the final design. Construction is set to begin later in the year.

• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp announced on Nov. 25 that the agency has declined the Kinnard Farms’ request that she overturn an administrative law judge’s ruling that the farm install groundwater monitoring wells and cap the herd at its Kewaunee County concentrated animal feeding operation. The farm had planned to expand by 55 percent to about 6,200 cattle, but neighbors challenged the permit. After a four-day hearing, Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey Boldt ordered the animal cap and groundwater monitoring in his Oct. 29 ruling. Boldt blamed widespread well pollution in the area on “massive regulatory failure.” A lawyer for Kinnard at the time praised the decision for upholding the farm’s expansion. But on Nov. 20, Kinnard, represented by the Madison law firm Michael Best & Friedrich, asked Stepp to “correct” the judge’s ruling, saying the agency lacked the legal authority to impose such permit conditions. Before the DNR’s decision on the Kinnard request, Stepp criticized Boldt for “editorializing” in his ruling.

• Door County Secret Santa’s annual Trivia Night raised $1,537 toward the goal of giving piece of mind to Door County families who need help with home heating costs. Jennifer and Jane Lee, organizers of Door County’s Secret Santa, have raised enough this year to help 35 families, but their goal is to help 40 families. It’s not too late to help them reach their goal. You can deposit money directly into the Door County Secret Santa account at any Baylake Bank or you can mail a check to P.O. Box 161, Ellison Bay, Wis. 54210, or can put money in the cup at Brew Coffeehouse in Ellison Bay (the Lees own Brew). If anyone knows of a family (or couple or individual) that can use the help, call Jane at 920.421.1559 or Jennifer at 920.421.1544. Trivia Night was held Dec. 1 at JJ’s La Puerta in Sister Bay. The first place winners were the team of Jeff Schultz, Grant Vytlacil, Brian Green, Brett Taylor and Rachel Sawyer.

COMING UP

• Care Wisconsin has been awarded the opportunity to offer Family Care in seven northeast Wisconsin counties in 2015, including Door County. The award was made by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services in response to a request for proposal process. This is the first time Family Care has been offered in these seven counties. The Joint Finance Committee approved their inclusion at a meeting on Nov. 12. Family Care is a government-funded program that helps frail seniors and adults with disabilities manage their home and community-based long-term care services. Care Wisconsin contracts with local agencies and providers to serve Family Care members and offer them flexibility and access to high-quality services for their long-term care needs. In addition to securing partnerships with local providers, Care Wisconsin is focusing on developing relationships and working collaboratively with other key stakeholders in the region. They will meet with County, Aging and Disability Resource, provider and other local organizations and individuals throughout the coming months.

• The final Deer Advisory Council meeting of 2014 will be held in each county in December, giving the public an important opportunity to provide input regarding each county’s deer population objectives before recommendations are advanced to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. These objectives will guide deer management decisions for the next three years. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in a local council meeting. December meetings will be open to the public for any additional comments as the councils finalize their recommendations. The Door County meeting will be held from 7 to 9 pm on Monday, Dec. 15, at the Door County Government Center, 421 Nebraska St., Sturgeon Bay. An online survey is also available through Dec. 5 for those who are unable to attend their county’s meeting and would like to provide feedback. Beginning in February, County Deer Advisory Councils will reconvene to develop antlerless quota recommendations that will move the deer herd toward their population objectives. For more information regarding CDAC population objective recommendations, agendas and membership, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “CDAC” or email [email protected] with any additional questions.

• The Southern Door School District is holding its 28th annual holiday party sponsored by the students and faculty of the high school. This year’s party will be on Wednesday, Dec. 10. A music program will begin at 1 pm in the high school cafeteria, with lunch and door prizes to follow. Reservations for this event must be made by calling the high school office, 825.7333, by Friday, Dec. 5. This holiday party is free to all senior citizens who are residents of the Southern Door School District and are 62 years of age or older. Seating is limited, so please make your reservations early.