School is Starting – Drive Carefully

The first day of school is Tuesday, September 4. Be aware of reduced speed limits in School Zones. Stevens Point Police Officers will be monitoring school zones and traffic flow and will address any violations that occur.

Stevens Point Recreation Department Adult Basketball Registration

The Stevens Point Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department has registration packets available at the Recreation Department for winter adult basketball. Packets can be picked up at 2442 Sims Avenue from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., September 1 through September 28, except weekends and holidays. Register during normal business hours or drop off all fees, roster, and cards in the mailbox at the above address any time during the week. Do not send cash.

Water St. Closed Park to Wisconsin, Shaurette Closed Elk to Prairie

The Water Department is doing a repair at the intersection of Water St. and Shaurette St. Water St. is closed from Park St. to Wisconsin St. and Shaurette St. is closed from Elk St. to Prairie St. for most of today, Tuesday August 28.

Stevens Point Public Housing Study and Needs Analysis

American Marketing Services, Inc. has prepared a Public Housing Study and Needs Analysis to determine the affordable housing needs within the city of Stevens Point, and to assist the Community Development Authority in weighing various options regarding the city’s public housing stock and the Edgewater Manor senior apartment building.

AMS examined demographic trends in the city of Stevens Point and in Portage County as a whole, and local employment data. In addition, AMS has evaluated and assessed current and anticipated rental and for-sale market conditions in the Stevens Point area, including competitive product, rents, square footage and occupancy levels. AMS has also examined Stevens Point public housing resident and waiting list demographic data to further assist in the identification of future areas of housing need for the CDA and the city. Finally, AMS has provided recommendations to assist the CDA in planning for the city’s future affordable housing needs.

Meet & Greet Senator Lassa and actress Tyne Daly today

Actress Tyne Daly, a Wisconsin native who starred in the 1980s television series “Cagney & Lacey,” is scheduled to appear in central Wisconsin today in support of President Barack Obama’s re-election effort, according to a campaign news release issued today.

The “Obama for America Heartland Tour 2012: Moving the Middle Class Forward” is scheduled to include the following central Wisconsin stops:

• 9:15 a.m. — Meet and Greet with Tyne Daly at the Daily Grind Coffee & Tea, 236 S. Central Ave., Marshfield

• 11:45 a.m. — Meet and Greet with Sen. Julie Lassa and Tyne Daly at Pfiffner Park, 1100 Crosby Ave., Stevens Point

• 2 p.m. — Meet and Greet with Tyne Daly at Robinson Park at 1150 17th St. N., Wisconsin Rapids

• 4:45 p.m. — Meet and Greet with Tyne Daly at Columbia County Democratic Office, 216 W. Wisconsin St., Portage

• 6:15 p.m. — Meet and Greet with Rep. Fred Clark and Tyne Daly, Coffee Bean Connection, 701 Oak St., Baraboo

Riverfront Jazz Festival Features Big Name Artists with Small Town Sponsors

Stevens Point, WI – The Riverfront Jazz Festival, held Labor Day Weekend at Pfiffner Pioneer Park along the beautiful Wisconsin River in Stevens Point, is eager to share the musical line-up for September 1st and 2nd.  The Festival will run from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm daily featuring live jazz music and food from local vendors.  The event has a family friendly environment and is FREE to the public!

The festival begins at 3:00pm on Saturday September 1^st with Story City from Minnesota, known for their Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, fusion sound influence.   At 5:00pm the Bill Carrothers Trio from Michigan, will perform traditional jazz piano music.  Internationally known jazz vocalist, Sachal Vasandani from New York City will close Saturday’s performances starting at 7:00pm.  On Sunday September 2nd, Randal Harrison from Madison will start the evening out at 3:00pm with his New String Trio.  At 5:00pm We Six from Milwaukee, will be performing in the standard jazz sextet set-up.  The last performance of the festival will begin at 7:00pm on Sunday with local favorite, jazz vocalist, Janet Planet.

The Riverfront Jazz Festival is a non-profit LLC that raises music student scholarship funds for UW-Stevens Point Jazz Music Students, along with promoting the involvement, advancement, and enjoyment of jazz based music in a community setting.  Admission is free, however attendees have the opportunity to pay an additional “Supporter” fee to support the scholarship funds and to help keep the festival free for everyone.  By becoming a Supporter, you also receive a festival t-shirt and a free cover charge pass to see John Greiner’s Trio perform at Kristin’s Riverwalk from 9-midnight on Saturday, September 1^st.  For more information on how to become a Supporter, visit www.riverfrontjazzfestival.com or call 715.544.4504.

Why not come down to the river for Labor Day Weekend for some entertainment!  Don’t forget, the festival is family friendly and FREE!

Tickets to Fun Available – Mt. Olympus Tickets on Sale!

We can offer you great savings on tickets to Noah’s Ark, Mount Olympus, Great America, and the Milwaukee Zoo. We accept cash or checks AND credit or debit cards. Tickets are Non-Refundable and Non-Exchangeable.

Tickets to	Gate Price	We Sell for	Savings
Noah’s Ark	$39.39	$30	24%
Mount Olympus	$39.99	$20*	50%
Great America Adult	$61.79	$38	39%
Milwaukee Zoo Adult	$14.25	$10.25	28%
Milwaukee Zoo Child	$11.25	$8.25	27%

*Sale price for Mount Olympus tickets is good through August 31, 2012.Purchase Tickets at
Parks & Recreation Dept.
2442 Sims Ave.
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Map & Driving Directions

Office Hours
Monday – Friday
7:30 am – 4:00 pm

More Information
Ph: (715) 346-1531

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

The Portage County Sheriff’s Office will be out in force along with other law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin and the rest of the nation for the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown on drunken drivers from August 17 to September 3, which includes the Labor Day weekend.

Drunken driving continues to be prevalent, persistent, and deadly on city streets and rural roads throughout Wisconsin. Last year, 225 people were killed and nearly 3,000 injured in alcohol related traffic crashes in Wisconsin. There were more than 35,000 convictions for drunken driving in Wisconsin last year.

To save lives and prevent injuries, law enforcement officers from all over Wisconsin and throughout the nation will be patrolling in greater numbers and for longer hours to arrest impaired drivers and get them off the road. The goal of this program is not to just arrest more drunken drivers. The goal is to deter drunken driving, so that we can reach the ultimate goal of zero preventable traffic deaths.

The devastating consequences of a drunken driving arrest include major embarrassment, expensive penalties, mandatory installation of ignition interlock devices on all your vehicles, and possible jail time. Don’t risk an arrest. Drunken driving is entirely preventable. Choose a sober designated driver before you start drinking. Allow someone to arrange for a safe ride home and take advantage of that service at bars and restaurants that use the Safe Ride program. If you witness a suspected impaired driver, report them to law enforcement.

Remember to Vote Tuesday, August 14

Remember to Vote Tuesday, August 14. Polls are open in the City of Stevens Point from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm. Voters in Districts 2 and 3 must follow detours to get their polling places.

Walk for Hope and Run for Awareness September 8

Healthy People Portage County – Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness Committee is hosting their seventh annual Walk for Hope on Saturday, September 8, 2012 in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Week. New this year is a 5k fun run, Run for Awareness. The walk and run are intended to promote efforts in Portage County in preventing suicides and enhancing mental health awareness.

The Walk for Hope and Run for Awareness begins at the Ministry Health Care Building located at 2501 Main Street in Stevens Point. Participants can choose either a 2 or 5 mile walking route. Registration will be from 9:00 –9:30 a.m. and the walk will start at 9:45 a.m. For individuals with a competitive spirit, a 5K fun run is being offered at 8: 00 a.m. Registration for the run will be available on Friday, September 7, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on the day of the race from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. The 5k fun run begins at 8:00 a.m. Chip timing for the fun run will be provided by The Franklin Finish. Registration fees are required for both events. Local mental health service providers and business sponsors will be on site for the day with information available on services provided in the area.

Preregistration can be done online at http://www.healthypeopleportagecounty.org. For more information, please contact Gary Garske at (715) 345-5985. Registrations are being accepted in advance or on the day of the event. Participants who confirm their registrations by August 24, 2012 will be guaranteed to receive a T-shirt.

Members of Healthy People Portage County, encourage the community to discuss mental health issues openly in order to lessen stigma and discrimination that typically surrounds issues related to mental health. It is also important to create awareness around mental health issues, especially suicide, so that people are aware that help and hope are available in seemingly hopeless situations. As a community, we can provide hope to support those who have been touched by suicide and increase awareness of suicide prevention and other mental health issues right here in Portage County!