Bulletin

WHAT HAPPENED

• The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced in Aug. 15 that six more communities in quarantined counties are now infected by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Communities in previously quarantined counties that have been added since the last update are:  Town of Dekorra, Columbia County; City of Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County; Village of Wyeville, Monroe County; Village of Belgium, Ozaukee County; Town of Norway, Racine County; Village of Jackson, Washington County. EAB was confirmed in Fish Creek on June 10, which immediately placed Door County under quarantine.

• Expect slowgoing traffic as the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) continues work on a 7.4-mile section of Highway 42/57 from Bayview Bridge to the intersection of the two roads south of Sturgeon Bay. WisDOT reports that the contractor began work on Aug. 11, and since has finished the concrete joint repair and concrete replacement work along the inside lane of Hwy. 42/57 northbound and southbound; they completed traffic signal work at the intersections of Ashland Avenue and South Neenah Avenue; and they began installing new signs. This week the contractor installed new signs, and work will begin on the 42 northbound turn lane onto 57 northbound. Traffic on Hwy. 42/57 northbound and southbound will be reduced to one lane in each direction. The lane closures will be limited to a maximum of three miles in length and will occur between the 42/57 intersection and the Bayview Bridge. These restrictions are expected to remain in effect until late September. Total cost of the project is $1.3 million.

• An unvaccinated St. Croix County mare is the first in Wisconsin to contract West Nile Virus (WNV), prompting a reminder to horse owners to vaccinate their animals against the virus and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), two mosquito-borne diseases that together have stricken hundreds of horses in Wisconsin since 2001. The 4½-year-old quarter horse is recovering after being treated by a veterinarian. Horses require two doses of the vaccination initially, and then boosters at least annually. Both WNV and EEE are caused by viruses transmitted by mosquitoes, and both may cause encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. EEE kills about 90 percent of horses that it strikes, and WNV kills in more than a third of all equine cases. Neither of the viruses is contagious between horses. While humans can become infected by both WNV and EEE, it does not pass between people and horses. Mosquitos biting warm-blooded animals is the only method of transmission.

COMING UP

• Sturgeon Bay High School incoming freshmen and their parents/guardians are invited to an orientation session on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 7 pm. The event will be held in the auditorium at 1230 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay. The orientation will begin with a presentation about Sturgeon Bay High School and information from the 2014-15 Student/Parent Handbook. Students will receive their schedules and locker assignments and have an opportunity to meet the freshman class advisors. After the presentation, students and their families will be free to tour the building. For questions, please contact the High School Office at 746.2800 between the hours of 7 am and 4 pm Monday through Thursday. Classes for Sturgeon Bay High School will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 2. All students should report at 8 am.

• As the Centers for Disease Control warns that peak flu season is approaching, Roundy’s stores – Pick ‘n Save, Copps, Metro Market and Mariano’s – are conveniently making flu shots available at all pharmacies, with no appointment needed during all pharmacy operating hours. All Roundy’s pharmacists are certified immunizers and are available to administer the traditional flu vaccine and Fluzone HD for patients ages 65 and older. Roundy’s flu shots are given at a regular price of $26. The CDC recommends that all people aged 6 months and older receive a yearly flu vaccine. The vaccination is not a guarantee that the virus will not be contracted, but those who are vaccinated will experience a shorter duration of the illness and milder symptoms.