Community testing site
BROWN COUNTY – Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach and Brown County Public Health Officer Anna Nick announced a partnership with Accelerated Clinical Laboratories to expand free, community COVID-19 testing options at the Brown County Fairgrounds.
Testing will be held either indoors or outdoors, weather dependent.
Appointments are not required, but pre-registering is recommended, which can be done at register.covidconnect.wi.gov
Test results will be provided in 1-2 days.
Opening weekend schedule:
• Friday, Feb. 4 – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 5 – 8 a.m. to Noon
• Sunday, Feb. 6 – 8 a.m. to Noon
Standard schedule:
• Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to Noon
Discover Green Bay awarded $2.5 million
GREEN BAY – Gov. Tony Evers was in Green Bay Wednesday, Feb. 2 to announce an additional $21.9 million for the Tourism Capital Investment Grant Program for major tourism-related projects – including Discover Green Bay.
The region’s destination marketing organization was awarded $2.5 million, which will help move forward the much-anticipated visitors center project in Green Bay.
“We’ve been working towards a permanent visitors center here in Green Bay for quite some time now,” Brad Toll, CEO of Discover Green Bay (formally the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau), said. “These funds will make it possible for us to move the project forward. Discover Green Bay would like to thank the state of Wisconsin and Governor Evers for recognizing the impact of tourism on our economy and providing funding to ensure we improve our area’s tourism infrastructure.”
Toll said in the coming weeks, Discover Green Bay will meet with partners and local officials to finalize plans and release more details at that juncture.
N95 mask distribution
DE PERE – The De Pere Health Department will host a N95 mask distribution event from 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb.10 at Fire Station #2, located at 1180 Grant St.
City staff said this location could change with updated information posted on social media.
Masks will be distributed through a drive-thru structure, and organizers ask people to follow the enter and exit signs.
Masks are first-come, first-serve, with a limit of five per car.
More details to follow as they are available.
Teachers Appreciation Night raises thousands
GREEN BAY – A season-high crowd of 4,027 took part in the Teachers Appreciation Night at the Green Bay Gamblers game Jan. 29.
The game raised $12,000, and collected school supplies for area schools.
During the game’s first intermission, the Gamblers recognized 17 teachers, awarding each of them $500 for their school.
Since 2013, the Gamblers have raised $100,000 for area schools.
Free night of tubing
ASHWAUBENON – Guests can enjoy free tube rides down Ariens Hill in Titletown from 4-8 p.m. (with admissions ending at 7 p.m.) Tuesday, Feb. 8, compliments of AriensCo.
A waiver is required for all guests, and should be filled out before visiting at Titletown.com/waivers.
Each adult (18+) must complete their own waiver, with every adult able to add up to 10 minors per waiver.
After waivers are completed, guests will receive a QR code for them to scan upon check-in at the admissions building.
For the safety of all guests, tube riders must be at least 42 inches tall, and are required to ride in their own tube.
Increased vehicle thefts
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Police Department said it is seeing an increase in stolen vehicles in the city – many unlocked and running.
The department said, no matter how quick of an errand it will be, do not leave a vehicle running, even in the cold, winter months.
Officers also encourage residents to look out for each other – and call in anything suspicious.
Navy Surgeon General visits hospital
GREEN BAY – U.S. Navy Surgeon General Rear Admiral Bruce Gillingham visited Bellin Memorial Hospital Jan. 28.
Gillingham toured the facility and met with hospital leaders and members of the naval contingent that began supporting the hospital in late December.
A 23-person team from the Navy arrived Dec. 28 to assist with continued high hospital volumes due to COVID-19 and overall demands on the hospital and health system.
“We were honored to welcome Rear Admiral Gillingham for a firsthand look at the difference the Navy is making for the patients, providers and staff at Bellin Hospital,” Bellin Health President and CEO Chris Woleske said.
Gillingham said the Department of Defense’s most important mission is to defend the homeland, and in this case, the enemy is the coronavirus.
“Navy Medicine is honored to link arms with our colleagues at Bellin Health to assist with patient care and support our fellow healthcare workers,” he said.
Playing it old school
HOWARD – The Green Bay Gamblers hockey team took a road trip last week.
The junior ice hockey team got in a pickup game of outdoor hockey at the Pinewood Park outdoor skating rink in Howard, Jan. 26.
Phase 2 groundbreaking
ASHWAUBENON – SMA Construction Services announced ground was broken on phase two of the Bohemian Park $15-million, four-story luxury apartment complex project on the corner of Holmgren Way and Morris Avenue.
The 69-unit building will be similar in color and design to the first four-story building, and include underground tenant parking, a 1,780-square-foot retail space on the north end and an outdoor common area for residents, customers and the public.
Area rugby team named best in state
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Youth Rugby Program, which formed in 2013, was chosen as the Program of Distinction at the Rugby Summit in Oshkosh last month.
Coach JJ Rose was named Coach of the Year for his work with the Green Bay Leprechauns, the Division 1 high school boys team with players from the west side of Green Bay, Ashwaubenon, Howard and Denmark.
And Matt “Skinny” Goetsch, a founding coach and executive director of the program, received the President’s Award for his dedication to the sport in Northeastern Wisconsin.
Frosty Family Fun Night
GREEN BAY – Frosty Family Fun Night is back at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary – 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5.
Attendees are asked to park at Bay Beach Amusement Park, and Lamers Bus Lines will take visitors to the sanctuary. Masks are required to ride on the bus.
Admission is $5 per family and may be paid at the bus or the gate.
The event includes:
• A bonfire and s’mores for the first 1,000 visitors.
• A free horse-drawn wagon ride.
• Information sessions with sanctuary naturalists and volunteers about birds of prey and the wolf pack.
• A scavenger hunt with prizes.
• Hot chocolate and popcorn
There will be no inside activities this year; bathrooms will be available.
The park will be closing at 2 p.m. that day to finalize festivities.
LGBTQ+ equality challenge
BROWN COUNTY – Brown County United Way is presenting a free, online nine-week LGBTQ+ Equity Challenge March 14 through May 9 aimed at encouraging a deepened understanding and knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community.
During the challenge, participants will receive weekly emails with links to articles, videos and podcasts that contain updates from local LGBTQ+ advocates.
Topics covered will include:
• Definitions and terminology
• History
• Intersectionality
• Violence
• Education
• Healthcare
• Current challenges
• How to be an ally
To learn more about the LGBTQ+ challenge and to register, go to lgbtqEquityChallenge.com.
Alzeimer’s awareness campaign
GREEN BAY – It’s a wrap for Green Bay Packers cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles’ GET one, GIVE one blanket campaign to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s and dementia.
For every $35 donation, participants received a green and gold blanket, and Jean-Charles pledged to personally deliver a blanket to a senior care community in their honor.
The campaign raised more than $14,000, and more than 300 blankets will go to senior care communities across Wisconsin.
“I’m so glad I could team up with the Alzheimer’s Association this season,” Jean-Charles said. “It’s important to me to support my community, and I wanted to give back to families dealing with Alzheimer’s or dementia. I look forward to continuing my relationship with the Alzheimer’s Association in the future.”
Titletown winter games
ASHWAUBENON – The Green Bay Packers season may be over, but the fun in Titletown isn’t.
Titletown – located just west of Lambeau Field – will transform into a winter sports wonderland on Feb. 19-20, when it hosts the third annual Titletown Winter Games.
In connection with the Olympic games in Beijing, the free event will offer community members the chance to experience the sports for themselves, including: luge, curling, biathlon and cross-country skiing, figure skating and ski jumping.
Activities begin at noon Saturday, Feb. 19, with an opening ceremony, and continue throughout the day until 7 p.m.
Winter Games events will resume Sunday, Feb. 20, from noon until 5 p.m.
More information about the two-day event is available at titletown.com/events/calendar/titletownwintergames.
Strong shipping season
GREEN BAY – The Port of Green Bay closed a strong shipping season Jan. 22.
Port Director Dean Haen said total cargo shipments into and out of the port reached 1,971,592 tons, a 3% increase from a year ago.
“Reaching nearly two million tons is a good sign for the Port and a nice reflection of the strong local and regional economy,” said Port Director Dean Haen.
Limestone was again the top cargo for the season, Haen said, followed by cement and petroleum products.
Overall, 178 ships visited the Port of Green Bay during the 2021 season, compared to 176 ships in 2020.
The Port of Green Bay is the western-most port of Lake Michigan, offering a direct route for shipping from the Midwest to the rest of the world.
NWTC program looking for vehicles needing repairs
GREEN BAY – The Northeast WisconsinTechnical College’s Green Bay Campus first-year automotive program is looking for vehicles in need of the following repairs:
Battery, starter and alternator testing. (Now through Feb. 17)
Antilock brake system and traction control system warning lights and tire pressure monitoring systems concerns. (Feb. 21-March 8)
Check engine lights, tune ups and fuel system cleanings (March 23–May 5)
Drop-off times are from 7-7:20 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.–noon.
Customers pay for parts, and labor is free.
To schedule an appointment, or get added to the waiting list, email the vehicle’s make, model, along with the work needed to [email protected].
Be Active Wisconsin
GREEN BAY – The City of Green Bay is looking to its residents to help win the title of the “Fittest Community” in 2022.
The city will compete against 40+ other Wisconsin cities, villages and towns in the “Be Active Wisconsin” Community Challenge.
Community teams participate in a virtual challenge to promote active lifestyles, connect people to the outdoors by encouraging use of parks/trail systems and engage Wisconsin communities in a friendly competition.
All active minutes count, not just running/walking.
The winning community will receive a trophy and bragging rights. All participants receive a T-shirt.
Registration is $10 per person, is open to ages 20-99 and can be done online through the city’s online calendar.
Salvation Army falls short of 2021 goal
GREEN BAY – The final total from The Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay’s 2021 Christmas Campaign is in, and the organization said it has fallen short of its $1.396 million goal.
On the last collection day, the campaign had reached 96% of the goal, leaving a deficit of $59,000.
Major Matt O’Neil, area coordinator, said money collected during the Christmas Campaign accounts for 60% of the annual fundraising budget.
“A $59,000 deficit isn’t ideal, but fortunately there are still opportunities to try and make up for the shortfall through individual donations and upcoming fundraising events,” O’Neil said.
Those who would like to make a donation can do so online at sagreenbay.org or by mailing a check to The Salvation Army, 626 Union Court, Green Bay, WI 54303.
SNC Black History Month celebrations
DE PERE – St. Norbert College (SNC) is celebrating Black History Month with a series of events to raise awareness of African American culture.
The theme for this year’s celebration is Black health and wellness, designated by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
Due to COVID-19, the annual Soul Food Dinner has been canceled.
However, SNC will host a slate of other events and opportunities, including a Black History 101 Mobile Museum, made-from-scratch soul food dishes every Thursday throughout the month at Ruth’s Marketplace and Black history displays throughout campus.
For more and event specifics, visit snc.edu/multicultural/blackhistory.html.
Greenwood announced Assembly candidacy
KAUKAUNA – Tim Greenwood, an attorney, announced his candidacy to represent Wisconsin’s 5th Assembly District.
Located in northeast Wisconsin, the district comprises most of the eastern half of Outagamie County, including the City of Kaukauna, but also parts of western Brown County.
Greenwood joins the race to fill the seat Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke announced last month he will not seek reelection for.
“Growing up in Kaukauna, I learned the importance of family, strength of the community and hard work,” Greenwood said. “Those values have served me well in my work as an attorney. I am running for Assembly to get results and create solutions to better our state.”
The District 5 general election is Nov. 8.
State of the Economy event
DE PERE – St. Norbert College (SNC) will hold a State of the Economy event from 7:45-9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, in Michels Ballroom, 405 Third St. on the college campus.
The free event will consist of a 45-minute presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Masks are required for all indoor events, according to SNC’s current COVID-19 Guidelines.
To register, go to snc.edu/go/stateoftheeconomy.
Denmark Library branch getting new home
BROWN COUNTY – The Brown County Library’s Denmark branch is looking to share a space with the village in the vacant BMO Harris Bank building, 100 Wisconsin Ave., in the heart of downtown Denmark.
The approximately 4,800-square-foot building was purchased by the village and will need some renovation work prior to full occupancy.
To ensure the success of this shared space, the village and Brown County Library will also complete a memorandum of understanding.
The Denmark branch relocation and renovation is part of Phase 2 of Brown County Library’s capital improvement plans.
New North board of directors
WISCONSIN – Two area business leaders – Jodi Schoerner and Vanessa Wellens – have joined the board of directors of New North Inc.
Schoerner is the chief financial officer at Masters Gallery Foods, a position she has held for the past five years.
Wellens is the vice president of human resources and communications at Amcor, a global packaging company.
New North is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, regional economic-development corporation fostering collaboration among private and public sector leaders throughout the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin, known as the New North region.
DNR begin winter burns
WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced fire management crews will conduct prescribed burns on DNR properties throughout the state to support healthy ecosystems for an abundance of plants and animals in Wisconsin.
DNR staff said burning in winter takes advantage of wet conditions and frozen ground, which reduces the heat and intensity of cattail marsh burns.
The daily status of where prescribed burns are occurring across the state, can be found on the DNR’s WisBURN webpage.