Safety protocols
GREEN BAY – Another Green Bay high school announced it will implement enhanced safety protocols.
West High School announced it will start the new rules Monday, Jan. 10. Preble implemented similar ones when students returned from winter break.
The protocols, include:
• IDs for all students will be checked by monitors and administration as they enter the building. Students who do not have an ID enter through Door 1.
• Students must wear IDs at all times during the school day to be visible by all staff.
• Students will not be able to wear winter jackets or blankets during the school day. Outerwear and blankets will need to be placed in the locker for the day.
• The only entry doors for West High will be Door 1 and Door 9. All other doors are locked throughout the day. Students entering any other door – such as, a student(s) lets in someone through a door that is not door 1 or 9 – is subject to search and other disciplinary actions.
School leadership said the changes are for the safety and security of the students and staff of West High.
GRB to Receive $2.8 million
BROWN COUNTY – Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) will receive $2.8 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
The money, which is part of nearly $2.9 billion in funding distributed to nearly 3,100 airports across the country, may be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal improvements, airport transit connections and airport roadway projects.
“While we are still evaluating our options for investing the funds, it is likely the monies will be focused on facility and utility upgrades, such as improving utility access to our business park sites, as well as purchasing additional large equipment for fire and safety purposes,” GRB Airport Director Marty Piette said.
He estimates that definitive plans for the funding will be finalized in the first quarter of 2022, with projects and purchases most likely starting in the second half of the year.
Federal support
GREEN BAY – Bellin Health welcomed 23 medical and administrative personnel from the U.S. Navy to support hospital operations due to continued high volumes from COVID-19 and overall demands on the hospital and health system.
The group includes physicians, registered nurses, respiratory therapists and administrative staff who are working side-by-side Bellin staff in areas of greatest need – emergency department, medical unit and intensive care unit – including, but not necessarily limited to, caring for COVID-19 patients.
Bellin representatives said the assistance is helping ease the burden on already-taxed teams and increases capacity, which is critically important at this time.
Surgery Center
GREEN BAY – Prevea Health announced its Prevea Surgery Center, currently under construction at 1860 Shawano Ave., next to St. Mary’s Health center, will open this May.
The surgery center will offer same-day, outpatient surgical care by Prevea providers in a variety of medical specialties, including ear, nose and throat, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, podiatry and urology.
The approximately 35,000-square-foot facility will feature four operating rooms, 10 procedure rooms, eight post anesthesia care unit rooms and nearly 30 surgical prep and recovery rooms.
Election officials appointed
DE PERE – City Council approved the appointment of 99 people to serve as election inspectors for the 2022-23 election cycle.
The approved list includes 23 Republicans, 13 Democrats and 63 unaffiliated workers.
Tour across Wisconsin
WISCONSIN – That’s a wrap.
Gov. Tony Evers announced he visited each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties in 2021, a tour he also completed in 2019.
Evers said he visited several counties in 2020, but wasn’t able to visit them all because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“One of the most important parts of my job as governor is hearing directly from Wisconsinites about the issues they care about, and that’s why going to communities in every corner of our state is so important,” he said.
Evers visited Brown County on May 25, 2021 where he called for the investment of American Rescue Plan Act funds to be used to move the coal piles.
Later that week, he visited Bay Harbor Elementary School in Suamico to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week.
Evers was back in the county in July to make a stop at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay following the signing of the biennial budget.
UW-Superior Dean’s List
WISCONSIN – Emilise Beylon, of Ashwaubenon, and Alyssa Doelger, of Suamico, have been named to the University of Wisconsin-Superior Dean’s List for academic achievement during the fall 2021 semester.
To be named to the Dean’s List, students must have completed 12 degree-seeking semester credits and achieved at least a 3.50 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
Operation Fan Mail
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute to U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Bridgett Manning during the Jan. 2 victory against the Minnesota Vikings for ‘Operation Fan Mail,’ which has recognized military families and veterans at each Packers home game since 2007.
A total of 146 individuals, families or groups have been recognized through the program thus far.
Joining the Air Force in 1995, Manning spent time serving around the world in Afghanistan, Africa, Germany, Alaska and Georgia.
In addition to being recognized at the game, selected families receive four tickets and a $150 Packers Pro Shop gift card, courtesy of WPS Health Solutions.
Those interested in nominating eligible fans can submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why they should be saluted next season.
Essays can be sent to Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307, or online at packers.com/lambeau-field/operation-fan-mail.
Scenic Valley merger
SEYMOUR – The merger between Scenic Valley Cooperative and Marshfield-based ProVision Partners Cooperative is official.
Stockholders of Scenic Valley Cooperative unanimously voted in favor of the merger back in November, effective Jan. 1, 2022.
Scenic Valley Cooperative was formed in 1997 when three predecessor cooperatives – Center Valley, Nichols and Seymour merged.
The company consists of a feed mill, grain facility and the Infinity Feeds General Store.
The deal also includes Scenic Valley’s Cenex C-store in Black Creek, and country stores in Luxemburg and Manitowoc.
All employees are expected to remain intact.
Safest city in the U.S.
GREEN BAY – The City of Green Bay has cracked the top 25 of U.S. News & World Report’s “Safest City in the U.S.” list – which is based on a metro areas’ violent and property crime rates per 100,000 people, determined by the FBI crime reports.
Green Bay came in at #22, and is the only Wisconsin city in the top 25.
Titletown is also ranked on a handful of other U.S. News & World Report lists including:
#21 in Best Places to Live.
#41 in Best Places to Retire.
#6 in Cheapest Places to Live.
#19 in Best Place to Live for Quality of Life.
Payment options
A change to Kwik Trip’s fuel payment options went into effect Monday, Jan. 3.
The gas station now requires customers to either pre-pay for their fuel or pay at the pump.
In a statement from Kwik Trip, it said the change is in an effort to improve customer service with less time spent watching for drive-offs
Adamson joins BayCare Clinic
GREEN BAY – Plastic Surgery & Skin Specialists by BayCare Clinic in Green Bay has added to its team.
Dr. Karri Adamson has joined the clinic, offering a full range of plastic surgery services, with a special interest in advanced breast reduction.
Before joining BayCare Clinic, Adamson was an assistant professor and associate program director in the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Top baby names for 2021
GREEN BAY – HSHS St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay announced the top names chosen for babies born at the hospital in 2021.
Top Boy Name: Jackson (Runner-ups: Liam and Hudson tied).
Top Girl Name: Harper (Runner-ups: Charlotte and Scarlett tied).
Winterfest on Broadway
GREEN BAY – Winterfest on Broadway, presented by Packers Give Back, is returning with winter-themed activities for all ages.
The family-friendly event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, in the Broadway District.
There will be ice sculptures, winter games, animals, music, food and more.
The event will also feature a Candy Land scavenger hunt at participating businesses.
Sustainability plan
DE PERE – The City of De Pere is taking steps toward a renewable energy work plan, which outlines preliminary stages of exploring carbon neutrality for city operations.
The plan calls for research and information gathering, including:
• A baseline assessment of De Pere’s greenhouse gas emissions, tracking those emissions.
• Outlining renewable options available.
• Comparing economic effects and upfront costs of transitioning with the cost of doing nothing.
• Researching the long-term effects of renewable energy on the community.
• Producing and presenting findings to the Common Council before proceeding further.
The plan uses resources from Wisconsin Public Service, city staff and students and experts from St. Norbert College.
World’s smallest heart pump
GREEN BAY – Four Prevea Health interventional cardiologists are now providing a procedure called “protected stenting” at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.
The Impella Heart Pump is the only FDA-approved, non-surgical heart pump proven safe and effective to assist the pumping function of the heart during stent placement and ensure blood flow is maintained to critical organs.
The pump, referred to as “the world’s smallest heart pump,” reduces the workload of the patient’s heart muscle as the interventional cardiologist places the stent.
For more information about the Impella Heart Pump, used by Prevea Health interventional cardiologists at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital, visit prevea.com/impella.
WPS named best in Midwest, midsize
GREEN BAY – Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) was named the best midsize natural gas utility in the Midwest for residential customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power 2021 Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study.
The study is based on responses from residential customers of the country’s 85 largest natural gas utilities.
Together, these utilities serve more than 62 million households across the U.S.
WPS serves approximately 453,000 electric and 336,000 natural gas customers in northeastern and north central Wisconsin.
Short-term loan
DE PERE – City Council gave the thumbs up to the borrowing of $350,000 to cover a number of items not included in the 2022 budget.
Some of the items include:
• Two wood chipper safety shields ($17,000).
• Basketball court resurfacing at Patriot Park ($12,000).
• Terrain drainage at Kelly Danen Park ($15,000).
• Fire station alerting software ($22,545).
• Police taser replacements ($10,661).
• Office furniture replacement ($11,000).
Board of directors
GREEN BAY – Nicole Polarek, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Nature’s Way, has been elected to the Bellin Health System Board of Directors.
Polarek previously served on the board’s finance committee, a role she will continue.
“Bellin is such an important and vital health leader in our community,” she said. “I am thrilled to join the board. I believe in their mission and look forward to supporting the deep commitment to helping people in our region be the healthiest they can be during every stage of their lives.”