Local News Briefs Friday 11/20/15

Runaway Who Stole Pickup Truck Caught In FDL County

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department helped the State Patrol capture a 14-year-old runaway who had stolen a pick up truck in Oshkosh early Thursday morning. Winnebago County Sheriff’s officials broadcast an attempt to locate bulletin on behalf of Oshkosh Police after the pickup truck was stolen from a Kwik Trip in Oshkosh. A state patrol inspector spotted the pickup north of Fond du Lac about 5 a.m. and followed it until Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputies were in position to help with a traffic stop. The pickup was stopped south of Highway 151 and the girl driving it was taken into custody.

Search Of NFDL Schools Turns Up No Drugs Or Alcohol

On Friday, November 6th a canine search was conducted at Horace Mann High School and Bessie Allen Middle School in North Fond du Lac. It was a scheduled search and cooperative effort between the School District of North Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, the Fond du Lac and Ripon Police Departments. During the search, the building was in a “Modified Lock Down” with doors closed and locked. Lockers and the parking lots were searched. During the search no drugs or alcohol were found.

Ribbon Cutting For Swenson Tool And Die

The Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) Thursday held a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony to celebrate the opening of Swenson Tool & Die at its new Campbellsport location. Owners Wayne and Teri Swenson welcomed attendees. Additional remarks were made by Bob Poch of Keller, Inc. as well as FCEDC President, Steve Jenkins, and Village of Campbellsport President, David Krebs. “Swenson’s Tool is a welcome addition to the community of Campbellsport and Fond du Lac County and why the County’s Special Allocation Fund created as a result of the sales tax is so important,” stated Fond du Lac County Executive Allen Buechel. Swenson Tool was established in July 2012 in Kewaskum and recently relocated their operations to the Campbellsport Business Park.  The company employs 24 employees.

Winter Driving Reminders

Fond du Lac County’s High Safety Coordinator has some driving safety reminders as the area gets ready for its first taste of accumulating snow this season. Sheriff’s Captain Rick Olig says the main thing is driving slower on snowy and icy surfaces. He says to give yourself more time to get to where you’re going and planning for that additional time. He says to give snow plows room on the highway to operate. He says it may be safer to be behind that plow if the area hasn’t been plowed yet. Olig also reminds drivers to buckle up because if your car runs off the road or begins to spin out of control you don’t know where you might end up.

FDL City Offices Closed Thanksgiving And Black Friday

City offices in the Fond du Lac City-County Government Center will be closed on Thursday and Friday November 26th and 27th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The Senior Center will also be closed both days and City Transit Buses will not operate. The Public Library will be closed on Thanksgiving, but open that Friday. There will be no refuse or recycling collection on Thanksgiving or the day after Thanksgiving. The Municipal Service Center will be closed on November 26th and 27th for all services, including refuse and recycling collection and bulky waste drop off. Refuse and recycling normally collected on Thursday will be collected on Wednesday, November 25th, one day early, along with the normal Wednesday collection. Refuse and recycling normally collected on Friday will be collected on Monday, November 30th, along with the regular Monday collection. Please have your materials set out by 5:00am to accommodate the additional collections on these dates.

United Way Campaign Over Half Way Mark

Fond du Lac Area United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says they have now reached 57 percent of their fundraising goal of $756,000 this fall. She says donations from company campaigns continue to roll in. She says J.F. Ahern recently finished their campaign, and Petak Law Office, Smith Builders, Kurki Mach Funeral Chapel and Crematory, and Herrick Law Office also recently gave donations.

Sigma Holiday House Saturday

The Sigma Holiday House is coming up at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds Expo Center Saturday. Kristin Zitlow and Meredith Medina of Sigma say they have a lot of vendors lined up for the pre-holiday event. In fact this year they have about 70 vendors, 16 of which are new to the event. Money raised through the event goes to local charities. Tickets are available in advance if you want to save a dollar. Tickets are $4 in advance and $5 at the door. They can be purchased at Horicon Ban, The Knitting Room, National Exchange Bank & Trust, Partners by Design, Saavy Boutique, and Wegner Office Supply. In addition to the vendors there will be a raffle, silent auction, and while they last Sigma’s Homemade Cookies. Hours for the event are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more click here.

Salvation Army Hosting Craft Fair Saturday

In addition to the annual Red Kettle campaign there are a couple of other ways you can support the Fond du Lac Salvation Army’s efforts this holiday season. Captain Steve Wilson says they will be holding a craft fair at their offices in Fond du Lac Saturday. He says they are at 237 North Macy Street and they will have about 30 crafters and food at the event. Hours for the craft fair are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with breakfast available before the fair and lunch during it. In addition the Scamp Band will be performing. Captain Wilson says the Forest Mall is also supporting their food pantry this season with a fill-the-sleigh effort. He says donations of food and toys will both be accepted. He says they serve about 800 to 1,000 families a month through their food pantry.