Local News Briefs Thursday 12/3/15

Flu Season Nearly Here

So far the flu isn’t affecting many state residents. Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says according to the CDC that’s the case in the state and the nation. She says only about 1 percent of 10,000 specimens tested came back positive for influenza. She says most of those who are feeling ill in the state and county don’t have the flu yet. She says reports of the flu are sporadic and if you are sick it probably isn’t the flu. She recommends getting vaccinated if you want to be protected from the flu. Mueller says the vaccine matches up well against the type of flu that has been reported. She says the flu season is nearly upon us. She says it begins to peak from mid-December through February. She also recommends staying away from people who are ill this holiday season and if you’re sick staying home from work.

State Senate Democrats Promoting Badger Blueprint

State Senate Democrats will be touring the state over the next two days to promote their platform for 2016. Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling stopped by the KFIZ studios Wednesday to talk about what they are calling the “Badger Blueprint.” She says it’s all about improving the state and it’s a working document. She says all 14 Democratic senators had a say on the document, which tackles various issues including health care, transportation and infrastructure, economic development, retirement security, school funding, leveraging more federal dollars and more. She would also like to give people the ability to refinance their student loans the way people can on their homes. Shilling says the past year was one of missed opportunities for the state. She lives in La Crosse and says nearby Minnesota is putting Wisconsin to shame when it comes to job growth and investment. You can hear the entire interview with her on the Morning Show with Bob Hoffmaster at 11:35 this morning.

FDL Police Sending Out Holiday Cards

The Fond du Lac Police Department is sending out holiday cards, but they are not the kind you might think. Police Officer Steve Olson says in this case CARD stands for Crime Awareness in a Retail District. He says officers will be looking for vehicles thieves might target. He says the owner’s of vehicles who unsuspecting tempt thieves will receive the cards with safety tips on them. He says that would include people who leave their vehicles unlocked and leave packages, money, purses, and electronics in plain view. He says they will use license plates to get the owner’s address and send them a letter. He says it’s a proactive way of making sure someone’s Christmas isn’t spoiled by thieves.

Chamber Gift Certificates Help Spur Local Economy

The President and CEO of the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce says Chamber gift certificates aren’t just a thoughtful gift for the holidays. Joe Reitemeier says it also impacts the area economy. He says dollars spent on the local economy can turn over as many as eight different times. He says the added up to quite a bit of money last year. He says it has an economic impact in the local community of somewhere north of $4 million a year, which keeps a lot of businesses afloat. Reitemeier says last year they sold 25,000 Chamber gift certificates. He says it’s easy to purchase them. Just visit the Chamber office at 207 North Main Street in Fond du Lac and ask for the gift certificates. You can also purchase them on line or get an order form at the Association’s website. Just click on the About AC tab for a scroll down menu.

Beaver Dam Woman Featured In National TV Ad For Packers Lions Game

For the past few weeks a Beaver Dam dairy farmer has been featured in a national television ad for the NFL Network urging people to tune in to see her Green Bay Packers take on the Detroit Lions. Dori Lichty is seen in a split screen. On the other side was a young kid jumping on a bed promoting his Detroit Lions. Lichty says she found out about the opportunity on Facebook and auditioned via Skype. She made the final cut, but was still surprised when she got the call saying she was chosen for the ad. She grew up on her family’s farm east of Fond du Lac and found herself in the ad working on her side of the screen with a cow, which can be unpredictable. It took 90 minutes to tape her segment. When the ad first aired she got calls from acquaintances across the country. The production crew told her she was picked because of her “big personality.”

Johnny Cash Tribute Will Benefit FDL Police Benevolent Association

The Fond du Lac Police Benevolent Association will be conducting its 1st annual fund drive and benefit gala on Friday, March 11th. It will feature a tribute to Johnny Cash by Terry Lee Goffee. The Cash family endorsed Goffee who was chosen to do the voice and moves of Cash in the Guitar Hero video game. The benefit will be at the Fond du Lac High School Auditorium with doors opening at 6 p.m. that evening and the concert starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are complimentary with a donation to the Fond du Lac Police Benevolent Association. The show will run about 90 minutes.

United Way Fundraiser Today

The Fond du Lac Area United Way will be benefitting from sales at the Casa Del Tequila Restaurant today. Ten percent of all daily proceeds whether you dine in or carry out will go toward the United Way. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant is at 525 North Peters in Fond du Lac.