As 2024 appears in the rear view and 2025 is on the horizon, our team at Door County Knock is looking back on the stories we’ve produced this year.
In the past 12 months, we’ve extensively covered local government in Door County, including the county’s decision to exclude a Pride proclamation from its agenda in May, a $2.6 million increase in state aid and a $3.9 million grant for public safety communications.
We’ve continued to provide thorough coverage of the county’s meth and opioid addiction issues. That reporting included in-depth stories on solutions and roadblocks regarding addiction issues in the county, as well as the opening of the county’s first sober living facility.
We’ve covered other major stories on the peninsula, such as staffing requirements and the future of local nursing homes, domestic violence aid in the county and local policing. Care industries were a significant area of focus for our 2024 coverage.
We’ve continued to follow the issues affecting the lives of Door County’s residents, such as mental health resources, public safety and municipal spending.
Here’s our best reporting of 2024.
Best of Care Industry Coverage
First phase of new federal staffing requirements rolls out; local nursing homes respond
By Emily Small
Though Door County’s nursing homes have made it through the first phase of requirements under a new ruling on staffing from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), the ruling’s final effects remain to be seen.
On the heels of staff shortages and fines, new owners are optimistic about future of Scandia Village
By Emily Small
After a rocky few years, culminating in the loss of staff members and $58,425 in penalties, Scandia Village in Sister Bay has transferred ownership for the second time since 2019. Representatives of the new owner, Continuum Healthcare, and other stakeholders say they are optimistic about the future of the skilled nursing facility.
By Emily Small
In May 2023, Door County Emergency Services and Door County Medical Center entered into a unique partnership that has improved patient care and the county’s 911 service. The partnership has strengthened the county’s 911 response by having more EMS personnel and another vehicle.
Best of Local Government Reporting
County Board votes against adding Pride proclamation to May agenda at first meeting post-election
By Emily Small
At the first regular meeting of its new term, the County Board voted against putting a Pride month proclamation request from Open Door Pride on the May agenda for discussion and possible action.
What is Door County doing with its $2.6 million increase in state aid this year?
By Emily Small
Door County and its municipalities are set to receive a large increase in shared revenue payments from the state in 2024 and beyond, after bipartisan compromise in the legislature led to Wisconsin Act 12, signed by Gov. Tony Evers in June 2023.
County receives $3.9 million grant for public safety communications upgrade
By Emily Small
The Door County Board of Supervisors approved a $3.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The money will be used to defray the costs of an anticipated $25 million countywide public safety communication upgrade project.
Best of Features
Door County policing: How it works and how much it costs
By Emily Small
The electors on Washington Island approved the 2025 town budget by two thirds majority on Nov. 14, including an additional $136,260.19 for law enforcement. Most of that money is earmarked to hire a third full-time police officer.
By Emily Small
Both the Sexual Assault Center and HELP raise awareness and provide education locally, and offer services directly to survivors and their families. As leaders of the Coordinated Community Response team, they bring together community systems that touch the issues of sexual assault and domestic violence, including the legal system, healthcare, public education and more.
Door County road budgets start to see positive results of state shared revenue increase
By Emily Small, contributed reporting by Alys Brooks
Door County municipalities are finalizing 2025 budgets and determining how to spend their increased shared revenue in the form of supplemental aid from the state. The intent of the policy change behind the increases is to tie local government funding to Wisconsin sales tax and make sure communities, especially small ones, can remain solvent.
Best of Substance Use Disorder Coverage
Door County to receive more opioid settlement funds, invests $100,000 in sober living
By Emily Small
The Door County Board of Supervisors approved a request to enter into another opioid settlement and allocated a portion of the money the county has already received toward operating a local sober living facility. The county began receiving opioid settlement funds in 2022.
By Emily Small
The medical field is expanding to treat substance use disorder, or SUD, with leading addiction medicine specialists and researchers promoting the safety and efficacy of medication assisted treatment. Access to medications that limit withdrawal symptoms and cravings, like methadone, buprenorphine and naloxone, is still limited by regulation and availability, but patients with opioid use disorder in Door County have some local options.
County budget analysis shows promising trends; sober living facility has opened
By Emily Small
A sober living home for women opened in Door County in October and has admitted its first two residents in November. The facility, more than two years in development, has capacity for up to six residents, but the City of Sturgeon Bay would have to approve a zoning variance for more than three women to live there.