Local News Briefs Tuesday 12/3/13

Though there was only a trace of snow in the Fond du Lac area overnight drivers are still being asked to use some precaution. Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Sergeant Eric Halbach says roads are a little slick in some spots. According to the state’s Department of Transportation’s 511 website Highway 41 from Fond du Lac to Oshkosh has some snow covered spots. There are also slippery stretches on Highway 41, Highway 45, Highway 23 and Highway 151.

Petri Bill Would Restore Tax Credit For Smaller Federal Campaign Contributions

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-A Wisconsin Congressman is working on a proposal that could bring in more small donations to federal political campaigns. U-S Representative Tom Petri of Fond du Lac hopes to restore a tax credit for donations of up to $200, and a deduction for donations of up to $600.  He says it would encourage smaller campaign contributions and hopefully reduce the need for larger contributions. The veteran congressman says winning House candidates in the last election spent an average of $1.5 million on their campaign. The tax credit was available from 1972 through 1986, when it was eliminated in a tax reform bill.

Nomination Papers For Public Office Being Circulated

As of this past Sunday candidates running for office like City Council or School Board could begin circulating their nomination papers for next April’s election. Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg says the number of signatures needed varies by office, for instance less signatures are needed to run for County Board than say Fond du Lac City Council. She says there won’t be a statewide election next spring. Barring a primary race the only election issue that will touch multiple voting units in the County in February will be the Lomira Schools Referendum. The deadline for candidates to submit their nomination papers for office is on Tuesday, January 7th at 5 p.m.

Red Kettle Donations Down, Donations And Volunteers Needed

The Fond du Lac Salvation Army needs help with its Red Kettle campaign in the form of both donations and volunteers to ring bells at collection sites. Lieutenant Steve Wilson says it’s a busy time of year for the local Salvation Army chapter. He says the money they raise during the six-week campaign pays for programs they supply to those in need throughout the year. Their goal for the campaign is $156,000, but they are about $9,000 behind last year’s campaign at this point. Wilson says they need volunteers to ring bells because people are less likely to give at un-manned kettles. Those who would like to ring bells for the Salvation Army can pick times and from 16 different sites in the Fond du Lac area at ringbells.org. KFIZ will also be doing its part this Friday from 6:30 to 11 a.m. in the station parking lot on Winnebago Drive with the annual “Bucket Brigade.” Michels Corporation will be matching all donations up to $8,000.  

Learning More About Project Lead The Way

This month middle and some high school students are learning more about the Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences and Engineering programs that will be offered at the Fond du Lac High School next fall. District Superintendent Jim Sebert says engineering is one track at their STEM Academy and STEM Institute for elementary and middle school students, but the biomedical sciences track is new. He says he was impressed with the presentation some teachers put on for the school board last month. Parents who would like to hear more about the Project Lead the Way programs being offered at the high school, are invited to attend a parent orientation session at the High School Performing Arts Center. One session is Tuesday, December 17th and the other on Thursday, January 2nd. Both sessions will be from 7 to 8 p.m.

Empty Bowls Wednesday

Food pantry shelves in Fond du Lac will get a much needed resupply through the efforts of the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser Wednesday at the Retlaw Plaza Hotel. It’s from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and for $15 you can get a meal of soup, bread and dessert and a ceramic bowl created by area art students. It’s put on by the Leadership Fond du Lac Alumni Group. Lesley Manowske of Leadership Fond du Lac says soups from six area restaurants will be featured. She says things are also busy for the current Leadership Fond du Lac class. Tickets for Empty Bowls are available in advance at the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce office or at the door if they aren’t sold out. Pantries that will benefit include Broken Bread, the Fondy Food Pantry, Loaves & Fishes, the Salvation Army, St, Vincent DePaul and the Solutions Center. Preregistration is required for groups of six or more attending. Call 921-9500 to accomplish that. 

MPTC Students Get Free Help With Student Debt Planning

Moraine Park Technical College alumni and students are getting some free help in managing their student debt and finances. MPTC is now offering a financial aid planning service called SALT. Financial Aid Manager Julie Waldvogel-Leitner says it’s been called the most fun and engaging financial education tool available. She says more information about SALT is available at MPTC’s website and SALT’s. She says the new SALT program became available to MPTC students and alumni beginning in October.   

Giving Trees At FDL Public Library

The Fond du Lac Public Library has set up Giving Trees at the downtown library and at the Express branch to collect donations of hats, scarves, mittens and gloves. Donated items will be given to the Fond du Lac Salvation Army before Christmas for distribution to local children. The downtown library also is a donation site for The Reporter’s Stock the Shelves food drive. Nonperishable food items will be donated to Fond du Lac County food pantries.