The Bulletin: What Happened

• The Door County Public Health Department (DCPHD) confirmed a case of Tuberculosis in Door County. The individual is being treated according to protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control and the Wisconsin Division of Public Health, the department said in a press release.

Seventy cases of tuberculosis were reported in Wisconsin in 2007. The disease is transferred from person to person through the air. Symptoms include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats, and could include coughing, chest pain, and coughing up blood.

Rhonda Kolberg, Director/Health Officer for the DCPHD said only those who have been in prolonged contact with the case are potentially at risk and have been contacted. Tuberculosis is difficult to catch and is entirely treatable.

• Unemployment rose to 7.8 percent in Door County in December. The state unemployment rate is 5.8 percent, according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

• Gibraltar students released the second edition of their student newspaper, the Viking Voice, in January. Those interested in advertising or learning more can email the [email protected] or call 920.868.3284 x238.

• The Door County Board of Supervisors continues to investigate options for a fiber-optic infrastructure on the peninsula. The much-hyped Brilliant Cities proposal has been scrapped, but the county is looking at options with Norlight Communications to provide fiber-to-the-premises.

• Friends and Family gave $1,015 to support the Senior Resource Center in Sturgeon Bay. The Senior Resource Center provides nutritious meals, conversation, organized social activities, exercise equipment, health screening, and countless other support services for our elderly citizens throughout Door County.

• The Fairfield Art Center announced it will close in March. The non-profit gallery on 3rd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay was felled by financial struggles deepened by the economic downturn. The center will continue its current exhibits and activities related to The Big Read through February 26.

• Gibraltar entrepreneurship students will host a countywide dance for all Door County high school students Feb. 28 to raise money for DOOR CANcer, Inc.

Entrepreneurship students from Gibraltar created the dance so high school students throughout Door County could socialize together. The dance will feature a DJ, VIP dinner, and prizes donated by area business including gift certificates, iTunes cards, and flashing necklaces. The dance will be held at the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club from 7 – 11 pm. Proceeds go to DOOR CANcer, which provides emergency funds to victims and families of those suffering from cancer. Admission is $10. A $32 VIP ticket includes admission, dinner at the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club and a gift bag. Visit http://www.myspace.com/information_dance or call 920.868.3284 ext. 259.

• Door Tran, a group working to bring transportation options to Door County, has published a Transportation Resource Guide. For a copy or other information, visit http://www.door-tran.com or call 920.743.9999.

• Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay) joined other Wisconsin Assembly Republicans to propose a Joint Committee on Economic Stimulus Accountability. The committee would have oversight of federal stimulus money distributed to Wisconsin as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) which is currently before Congress.

“I think this committee is an important watch guard on the taxpayer dollars being used in this stimulus plan,” Bies said in a release from his office. “There is anticipation of a lot of stimulus money coming to Wisconsin and the legislature should have some input as to how that money is spent.”

The committee would include members from both parties in the State Senate and State Assembly. The committee would hold public hearings and issue reports on legislation that would spend funds from the ARRA.