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News Bulletin

WHAT HAPPENED

• After a year of careful rearing at the Department of Natural Resources Wild Rose Fish Hatchery, some 6,000 Great Lakes spotted muskies are set to begin the next phase of their journey, getting ready to test Wisconsin anglers and serve as brood stock in select state lakes. The muskies arrived in 2014 from Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery in Michigan as part of a cooperative effort to improve musky genetics in both states. While Michigan recently has focused on the Great Lakes spotted strain, Wisconsin’s successful inland musky breeding program is contributing fish to help expand Michigan’s stocking program in the Upper Peninsula. Wisconsin DNR fisheries biologists are working to increase the genetic diversity of the musky population in the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan to restore a strong and naturally reproducing population of fish there. The waters of Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay and area tributaries including the Lower Fox and Menominee rivers have become known as great destinations for musky fishing. DNR’s plan for the fish is twofold. To provide a reliable source of future genetics, some 2,600 of the fingerlings will be placed in three brood stock lakes where they will contribute to future generations of purebred spotted muskies. Lakes chosen for this special role are Elkhart Lake in Sheboygan County and Anderson and Archibald lakes in Oconto County. The remaining fish will be planted directly into Green Bay, the Menominee River and the Fox River, Simonson said. There, they will contribute directly to the trophy fishery and perhaps also increase the likelihood for sustained natural reproduction.

• Camping fees for Wisconsin state parks, state forests, state trails, and state recreation areas increased on July 28. The fee increases were enacted as part of the 2015-2017 biennial state budget. The legislation calls for the fee increases to go into effect as soon as changes can be made to the camping reservation system. The increase in camping fees is based on a three-level rate structure that will place the parks at a camping rate depending on demand, uniqueness, location and other factors. Camping rates will increase between $3 and $6 per night for residents and between $6 and $9 per night for non-residents. There is an increase in the per night charge for electrical service from $5 to $10. Any reservations for 2015 and 2016 dates that were made prior to the rate change on July 28, will be honored at the price that was in effect at the time. Any extensions or changes to an existing reservation will result in the additional days being charged at the new rate.

• The Wisconsin housing market continued to grow at a very strong pace in June, which pushed year-to-date sales to their highest level since 2006, according to the most recent analysis of residential housing activity conducted by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA). Existing home sales rose 17.6 percent in June compared to June 2014, and this pushed median prices up 6.3 percent to $169,000 in June. Comparing the first half of 2015 with that same period last year, home sales were up 12.3 percent, and median prices increased 6.9 percent over that time frame.
 “This is the best June sales volume we’ve seen in 11 years, well before the recession began,” said Dan Kruse, WRA board chairman. “Moreover, June has historically been a very busy month for housing sales,” Kruse added. “In a typical year, June accounts for about 11.5 percent of annual sales, which is the highest share of any month during the year,” said Kruse.


• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wisconsin Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Brad Pfaff recently announced that an additional 9,500 acres of agricultural land in Wisconsin is eligible for funding for wildlife habitat restoration. The initiative, known as State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE), is part of the USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a federally-funded voluntary program that for 30 years has assisted agricultural producers with the cost of restoring, enhancing and protecting certain grasses, shrubs and trees to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and reduce loss of wildlife habitat.

COMING UP

• Care Wisconsin will begin serving members in Door County who have transitioned from the previous county-administered long-term care programs August 1. This is the first time the Family Care program has been offered in Door County. Family Care is a government-funded program that helps frail seniors and adults with disabilities manage their home and community-based long-term care services. Members are central to a care team that includes the member, a care manager and Registered Nurse. Together they create a plan that meets the member’s long-term care needs based on their goals, needs and abilities. Care Wisconsin contracts with local agencies and providers to serve Family Care members and offer them flexibility and access to high-quality services for their long-term care needs. Care Wisconsin has an office in Sturgeon Bay at 14 S. 3rd Ave. For more information visit carewisc.org.

• The Door County Recycling Program will offer a large-item pick-up day on August 9. Residents must contact the department at least 48 hours prior to the collection date to schedule a pick-up. This service has a $15 fee (subject to change) per scheduled collection, except for items that are not allowed in the landfill and require special disposal which includes, but is not limited to: microwaves, computers, televisions and items that contain Freon. For these items, there is a $32 fee to cover the cost of proper disposal (there may be other options for proper disposal of these items that we can offer). (Call 743.2912 for current dates and rates.)

• Sevastopol School District is holding registration for the 2015-2016 school year on Aug. 3, 12 – 6 pm, and Aug. 6, 12 – 6 pm, for grades 4K – 12 in the Multi-Purpose Room. All students planning on attending Sevastopol School for the 2015-2016 must be registered by a parent/guardian. Students in grades 3rd – 12th are especially encouraged to attend with their parent/guardian, as signatures are needed from both student and parent/guardian. For more information, call 920.743.6282, ext. 1105 or ext. 1107.