News and Notes: April 24 – May 1

Lienau Re-elected as County Board Chair

Dave Lienau was named chair of the Door County Board of Supervisors during its April 21 organizational meeting, with 18 of the 21 supervisors supporting him. Susan Kohout was named vice chair. 

Wisconsin Roads Remain Open to Travelers

To help dispel rumors, officials with the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) have clarified that state roadways and borders remain open to both in-state and out-of-state travelers.

All motorists are asked to avoid nonessential travel, however, throughout the public emergency period. The State Patrol and county sheriff’s departments continue to enforce traffic laws as usual, but they are not pulling over vehicles with out-of-state plates or other motorists merely to ask about the purpose of their trip. 

“For the Wisconsin State Patrol and county sheriff’s departments, public safety remains the top priority,” WisDOT Secretary-designee Craig Thompson said. “State troopers and sheriff’s deputies are working every day enforcing traffic laws to help ensure safe travel. As always, the emphasis is on public education and voluntary compliance.” 

Counties do not have the legal authority to ban out-of-state travelers or second-home/seasonal homeowners from visiting a county during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Hospital Announces Free Virtual Screening for COVID-19

Door County Medical Center is now offering free virtual screening for COVID-19 through its Patient Portal. Patients can log in to the portal at mydoorcountyhealth.org to schedule a virtual visit with a nurse practitioner through a computer or mobile device. 

The virtual visits are recommended for people with minor to moderate symptoms. Clinicians will evaluate symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath; discuss risk factors; answer questions; and recommend next steps. 

People may also call the COVID-19 hotline at 920.746.3700, 8 am – 4:30 pm. 

Liberty Grove Postpones Annual Meeting, Camp Zion Review

The Town of Liberty Grove has postponed its annual meeting – which was originally scheduled for April 21 – until at least 60 days after the expiration of the Wisconsin state of emergency. The town also postponed a Plan Commission meeting during which the commission was set to review a proposal for a conference center and retreat at Camp Zion in Ellison Bay. A new date for that meeting had not been set at press time. 

Fish Creek Highway Work Continues

Work continues on Highway 42 in Fish Creek as crews place new sidewalks, driveways, and curb and gutter from Spruce Street to County F. They’ve also placed topsoil along the completed concrete areas from Spruce Street to Shore Road and completed grading along County F and Spring Street.

Highway 42 is open to bidirectional traffic from Bluff Lane to Shore Road, including access to Peninsula State Park, but it may be reduced to a single lane with flaggers during work hours. It is also open to local properties and businesses only between Shore Road and County F.

Highway 42 is closed to all traffic from County F to north of Gibraltar Road. Drivers may access the Gibraltar school system along Gibraltar Road from County A.

County Treasurer Jay Zahn Won’t Seek Re-election

Jay Zahn – Door County’s longest-serving treasurer – announced he will not seek re-election this fall. Zahn, 62, will have served in the position for 30 years at the end of his term in December. 

He is a past president of the Wisconsin County Treasurer’s Association and is currently president of the Door County Historical Society. He also recently completed nine years on the Sevastopol Board of Education.

Zahn thanks the voters of Door County for their longtime support and says it has been a pleasure to serve in the treasurer position.