Local News Briefs Monday 9/28/15

Facilities Planning Continues For NFDL School District

North Fond du Lac Schools Superintendent Aaron Sadoff says they will be incorporating the public in their long-range facilities planning. He says that will include a community survey next February or March. He says they’ve been working with Bill Foster of School Perceptions and a local committee has been meeting for about a year and a half. He says they recognize some of their facilities will need upgrading. He says that will include their Early Learning Center and the Friendship Learning Center, which both are accommodating more students. He says most importantly they have to gauge how the public feels about the facilities. You can learn more about the facilities planning at the District’s website.

Facility Advisory Committee Meeting In Waupun Tuesday

The first meeting of the Waupun Area School District’s Facility Advisory Committee will be held Tuesday night at 6:30 at the Waupun Junior/Senior High School. The district is in the midst of a comprehensive long range planning process. Community members are being encouraged to join the committee, which will evaluate the condition of the district’s existing facilities and prioritize current and future facility needs.

Thiesfeldt On Flu Shots Bill

State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt says a bill he authored that would grant people working in the health care field a personal exemption if they choose not to get a flu shot is progressing. He says people shouldn’t be threatened with job termination if they don’t want to be vaccinated. He says even those who claim a religious exemption because of their beliefs often go through scrutiny because they don’t want the vaccine. Thiesfeldt says people who say he’s against flu shots in general are wrong. In fact he’s gotten them himself. He says he may get one this year. He says the bill is about having a choice.

Economic Development Listening Sessions Could Lead To Legislation

State Senator Rick Gudex believes a five-stop economic development listening tour in the state is a good way to engage stakeholders. The state lawmaker from Fond du Lac serves on the Senate Economic Development and Commerce Committee. He says there is a lot of economic development going on in the state and that varies by region. He says they want to know what is working and what needs fixing that the state can help out with. He says ultimately they hope suggestions they gather during the listening session will lead to legislation that will help out economic development efforts. The first listening session was held in Oak Creek last Thursday. Other sessions are scheduled in Rhinelander October 5th, Appleton October 8th, Menominee on October 12th, and Platteville on October 26th.

FDL Area United Way Helps Fund Camp To Belong

One of the new efforts the Fond du Lac Area United Way is funding reunites children who have ended up in the foster family system. United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says last month children from Fond du Lac County who have foster families had a chance to get back together with their siblings at a camp in Plymouth. The program is known as Camp to Belong. She says she was there for some of the activities and the reunions are heart-tugging. She says some of the children hadn’t seen each other for a year. She says a big birthday party is also put on during the camp because the kids can’t celebrate their birthdays together during the year. She says local people donate items for gifts and Festival Foods donates the birthday cakes. Camp to Belong is a non-profit organization.

Watch Out For Slowing Moving Farm Vehicles

With another harvest season underway in Wisconsin, farmers and motorists are being asked to be patient and alert. Wisconsin State Patrol Sergeant David Harvey says when drivers come upon farm vehicles, it’s important to slow down, scan the road ahead carefully before passing and anticipate the possibility of the farm vehicle turning left across your path. He says the difference in speed between the farm machinery and motor vehicles is a common factor in many crashes. Sergeant Harvey says farm vehicle operators can do their part by displaying a slow-moving-vehicle sign, using appropriate lighting and by being extra careful when entering traffic or turning.

Drop Off Old Pills

Fond du Lac County residents are being urged to go through their medicine cabinets and look for old prescription pills, put them in a zip-lock bag and take them down to a local drug drop box by Wednesday. Drug Free Communities officials say the County has six drug drop boxes. That includes drug drop boxes at the Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac and Oakfield Police Departments.  Since opening the first drug drop box in the State of Wisconsin at the City of Fond du Lac Police Department, more than 10 million pills have been collected.  For more information on what you can do to reduce underage drinking or prescription drug misuse, visit the Drug Free Communities website at www.drugfreefdl.com  call 920-906-6700 ext 4704, or find them on Facebook.

Explore The Prairie At The UW FDL

The community is invited to explore the Gottfried Prairie & Arboretum at the UW-Fond du Lac during a special event from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The event will begin at the outdoor shelter in the East Parking Lot.  Outdoor stations will be set up along a walk through the prairie featuring information about honey bees, contemplative photography, invasive plant species and worm composting and more. Prairie tours will be available and the Falcon photo contest will also kick-off at this event.