Door County News & Notes: April 3

Municipalities throughout the county are adapting to the new paradigm of physical distancing. The City of Sturgeon Bay announced that council meetings are canceled for the foreseeable future, and City Hall is closed except for the April 7 election. However, many services are available by phone, email or online at SturgeonBayWi.org. Other communities such as Liberty Grove and Egg Harbor have moved to virtual meetings through Zoom to comply with open-meetings laws while moving business forward. 

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has reversed course on short-term rentals. Originally it determined that these rentals were not essential businesses, but on March 31, it announced that they would qualify as essential businesses and may remain open. Door County municipalities, however, have encouraged visitors to stay away through the emergency and lodging establishments not to accept reservations.  

Sturgeon Bay is consolidating its polling places for the April 7 election due to COVID-19. Voters who typically vote at Bayview Lutheran Church will vote at City Hall for this election. That includes aldermanic Districts 4 and 5.  

The Door County Emergency Support Coalition has ramped up services to support food delivery, answer health-care questions and support the community throughout the COVID-19 crisis. The organization has recruited nearly 400 volunteers and generated partnerships with nine area businesses to help community members. The group has provided 30 volunteers to help Piggly Wiggly, 50 to assist the Door County Food Cooperative and a team to enforce physical distancing and sanitation at polling stations during the April 7 election. If you need assistance, call 920.421.9111, or visit DoorCountyPulse.com to find information about resources. 

The Door County Meal Cooperative is providing free meals to residents throughout the county. Organizer Adam Peronto said he expects to deliver 25,000 meals to children and adults next week. To help or donate, email [email protected].

Door County Medical Center has a 24-hour hotline for those who think they’ve been exposed to COVID-19. Call 920.746.3700 between 8 am and 4:30 pm. During other times, call 877.746.0003. 

The Northern Door Children’s Center has closed until April 6 following the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Door County. Based on consultations with the Door County Public Health Department, the center will reopen April 6. “Any further closure will occur only if a close-contact case of the COVID-19 virus directly affects the Children’s Center.”

Check out the Northern Sky At Home series on Northern Sky Theater’s Facebook page. Company members, staff and authors have been sharing a “daily dose of anti-virus” to lift your spirits. In a similar vein, Write On, Door County has recruited community members – including Peninsula Pulse co-founder David Eliot – to recite poems that inspire them. Find those on Write On’s Facebook page. Loaves and Fishes has canceled its April 28 community meal.