Doyle touts beach restoration grants

• Governor Jim Doyle touted progress on a grant for beach restoration in Door County in an appearance at the Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor Aug. 2. A $250,000 Great Lakes Restoration grant awaits final approval in Washington D.C.

The grant would help the Door County Soil and Water Conservation Department continue to work on storm water runoff problems at peninsula beaches. Doyle praised the work of the Soil and Water department and area municipalities for cooperating on the effort.

“This is an example of a real project that will make a real difference,” Doyle said.

If approved, a portion of the grant funds would help restoration at the Ridges Beach, which is run by the Door County Parks Department.

• Republican Marc Savard dropped his bid to be his party’s nominee to run against Steve Kagen (D-Appleton) for the 8th Congressional District seat this November. The Ellison Bay farmer and former Door County Board Supervisor had tried to mount a grass-roots campaign as a Tea Party candidate.

• All 240 team relay registrations for this year’s Fall 50 have filled, but 32 solo slots remain for the race. The Fall 50 is a 50-mile run from the northern tip of Door County to Sturgeon Bay scheduled for Oct. 23. Sixty-eight people have committed to the solo challenge so far. Visit http://www.fall50.com for more information.