Bulletin

WHAT HAPPENED

• The Door County Public Health Department reports that 10 states have reported an increase in severe respiratory infections and hospitalizations among children and adolescents. Testing at the CDC has identified clusters of an enterovirus infection called D68 (EV-D68) among children hospitalized. From mid-August to Sept. 15, a total of 104 people in 10 states were confirmed to have respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. Wisconsin has also seen an increase in respiratory illness among children. Whether this is a normal seasonal increase or an increase associated with EV-D68 is unknown at this time. No cases of EV-D68 infection have been confirmed in Wisconsin. Among the EV-D68 cases in Missouri and Illinois, children with asthma seemed to have a higher risk for severe respiratory illness. The virus likely spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches surfaces. EV-D68 can also be spread through the fecal-oral route. Prevention: Avoid close contact with sick people. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Clean and disinfect surfaces. Stay home when you’re sick. Alcohol hand-sanitizer gel is not effective against EV-D68. The Door County Public Health Department will continue to monitor the situation. For more information, check out the CDC website at cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/EV-D68.html.

• The resurfacing of Hwy 42 from The Mill intersection north to the top of the Egg Harbor hill started this week. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has contracted with Northeast Asphalt to perform a “mill and fill” along that stretch of highway. About 2” of the surface will be ground off and refilled with new asphalt. Northeast’s Project Manager Tom Ash expects to accomplish about two miles per day, commencing at the south end and working north. The highway will remain open as work is performed on one lane and then switching over to the other lane, detours will not be necessary, completing that entire two-mile section before moving on to the next. Flag men will be in place for traffic monitoring and safety. Workers will plan to start at 7 am, working until dusk, Monday through Thursday. Hoping that the weather cooperates, the first week’s work will take the crew from the 42/57 split north to Town Line Road. The week of Sept. 22, work will be done in the Carlsville area. The third week, Sept. 29, should take work all the way to the top of the Egg Harbor hill. Once the paving is complete, Northeast will add the rumble strips and striping.

• Dean DeBroux, Democratic candidate for Wisconsin’s 1st State Senate District, received the endorsement of the Clean Wisconsin Action Fund. This endorsement recognizes DeBroux’s strong commitment to working toward policies protecting Wisconsin’s health and natural resources while promoting job creation. DeBroux said, “The endorsement of the Clean Wisconsin Action fund recognizes that I will work tirelessly at the state level for balanced policies that will ensure we have a clean and safe environment in which to live, work, and raise our children in Northeast Wisconsin. In Madison, I will give a voice to the people living in Senate District 1 and address the needs and concerns of those negatively impacted by contaminated water and poor air quality in their communities.”

• Assembly Candidate Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) announced that the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters has endorsed his candidacy for State Assembly. Kitchens is the only candidate in the 1st Assembly District to receive the coveted endorsement. “We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful areas of our state as well as our country. Protecting this natural beauty is vital to our tourism industry as well as our quality of life. The environment of our area is extremely fragile and it is absolutely vital that we protect our Great Lakes as well as our groundwater. I have been honored to receive the endorsements of numerous farm and business organizations but the endorsement by the League of Conservation Voters is special to me. It exemplifies my commitment to finding a balance between creating jobs and being pro-business and being environmentally responsible.” Kitchens, a farm animal veterinarian and small business owner, has resided in Sturgeon Bay for 30 years. He has been president of the Sturgeon Bay School Board for the past 13 years. The Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters endorses candidates from both parties that will be most effective in safeguarding Wisconsin’s environment. In their announcement, they said that because of Kitchens’ “strong support of Wisconsin’s air, water, land and sporting opportunities, he has been endorsed by the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters” and that they were grateful for his “commitment to Wisconsin’s natural resources.”

COMING UP

• The Sister Bay Community Garden needs your help. A workday is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 am to 2 pm to lay cardboard and straw to smother weeds on unused plots. The Community Garden is next to the long-term marina parking at the end of Autumn Court. Our mission is to provide low cost access to the community and to teach people how to grow and preserve vegetables. For more information, contact Adrienne at 469.939.6675.