Local News Briefs Saturday 11/28/15

Open
Enrollment Closes Next Week

 

The
deadline for the open enrollment into Medicare is December 7^th so if
you haven’t completed the paperwork you need to work fast.   Fond
du Lac County
Senior Benefit Specialist Julie Hilbert tells KFIZ that if you need to make
changes Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or your Medicare plan you need
to do so now.  Any changes that you make
will go into effect on January 1^st. 
If you miss the deadline you’ll have to wait until next year.  If you have any questions before the deadline
you are asked to give her a call at 929-3521.

 

Fond du Lac County Cost of Living

 

Recent
numbers show that the cost of living in Fond
du Lac remains below the national average.  The Fond du Lac Economic Development
Corporation says the numbers for the 3^rd quarter show living in Fond du Lac County is 3.3% below the national
average. Cost of living is based on six different categories including; grocery
items, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods
and services.  The Wisconsin
Rapids area had the lowest cost of living in Wisconsin at 7.1% below the national
average.  Madison had the highest cost of living at
5.2% above the national average. 
Officials say low cost of living, paired with other quality of life
benefits make it easier in attracting workforce talent and new business to an
area.

 

Small
Business Saturday

 

After
hitting up the “big box” stores on Black Friday, today is the day to support
those local business that are the backbone of the community during “Shop Small
Saturday.”  Amy Hansen of the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership says there are over 50 small
businesses in downtown Fond du Lac that 
would love to have your business.  She
says you can also support local business by purchasing a gift certificate to
through the Downtown Fond du Lac
Partnership at 30 South Portland
Street, you help keep our downtown local and
support the local business.   Nationally shoppers
spent an estimated $14.3 billion dollars at small businesses during last year’s
event.

 

Keep It
Green

 

The North
Fond du Lac Fire/EMS is participating in the
“Keep The Wreath Green” program this holiday season.  During the holiday season a wreath which has
been donated by Hounsell’s Greenhouse will be displayed outside the fire
station.  One green bulb will be replaced
by a red bulb for every structure fire throughout the holiday.  It’s hoped that everyone practices fire safety
through the holiday season to keep the wreath green. 

 

Busy Travel

 

More than
977,000 Wisconsinites are traveling over 50 miles via car this Thanksgiving
Weekend.  Wisconsin
Triple-A says that the peak travel times for people returning home from holiday
gatherings are between 1pm and 6pm on Sunday afternoon.  Thanksgiving travel is up 1.4% from last
year.  Officials say gas prices hovering
around $2.00 per gallon is a big reason for the increased travel this year.