Local News Briefs Thursday 1/2/14

Fond du Lac County’s Executive says it takes an effort to get backing for major highway projects in the County. Al Buechel says the completion of the Pioneer Road project this past fall was a big improvement with two roundabouts and a railroad underpass. He says it also was a struggle to get the state to consider an interchange at Highway 151 and County Highway V and an overpass at Highway 151 and County Highway T. Both will begin in 2015. He says the expansion of Highway 23 to four lanes between Fond du Lac and Plymouth is also important to the County’s growth, but a decision has to be reached yet on whether the project begins in Fond du Lac or Sheboygan County. He says a lawsuit brought by the group 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin objects to some of the improvement being made to the highway in Sheboygan County so it might make better sense to begin it in Fond du Lac County. 

Senator Gudex Marking First Year In Office

State Senator Rick Gudex feels he had a pretty eventful first year in office. He’s coming up on the one year anniversary of being sworn in as the Senator for the 18th State Senate District in a few days. The state lawmaker from Fond du Lac feels he is accomplishing what he set out to do. He says he wanted to focus on jobs, the economy and getting things moving in the right direction. He says he has a tendency to voice his opinion and he says although one colleague criticized him for it he was sent down to Madison to talk not to listen. Gudex says things are starting to go in the right direction and he’d like to see the legislature continue along that course.

Petri Town Hall Meetings Announced

Congressman Tom Petri will hold town meetings at 12 locations across the 6th Congressional District to kick off the New Year. The first begin in Sheboygan and Mequon on Saturday, January 18th. Meetings will also be held in Ripon, Two Rivers, Saukville, Redgranite, Oshkosh, Mayville, Columbus, Wisconsin Dells, Montello and Green Lake. The federal lawmaker from Fond du Lac says, “There are many items Congress will be considering in the New Year that directly affect individuals, families, and businesses in our state.  I encourage all residents to come share their thoughts.” For a complete list of times and locations visit the Congressman’s website. 

Keep Pets In Mind During Extreme Cold

With some of the coldest temperatures of the season starting out next week a local veterinarian reminds pet owners to see to their pets comfort. Dr. Marty Greer of Veterinary Village says if you keep your dog or pets outside make sure they have access to water and that the water doesn’t freeze up. She says a windproof or warm shelter is preferable to leaving them completely exposed to the elements. She says they need a small shelter to take advantage of their own body heat. She says some people will put coats or booties on their dogs when they take them for a walk. She says slush is tough on dogs, but so are salted surfaces. She recommends wiping off their exposed paws if they travel over a salted surface. For more tips call Veterinary Village at (920) 269-4000.

Grants Available For Those Who Buy And Sell Local Foods

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) offers technical assistance to buy and sell local foods. Up to $3,000 is available to those who would benefit from one-on-one technical assistance. The department encourages local food producers, schools, distributors, aggregators, and food hubs purchasing local foods to make use of this technical assistance. DATCP Program Manager Teresa Engel explains, this one-on-one technical assistance is part of the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Program. It’s a win-win for the grant recipients and Wisconsin agriculture. Engel says approximately 203-$1,000 grants are available to lucky applicants. Those with experience in farm to school procurement activities will receive higher consideration. More information is on the “buy local buy wisconsin” page at the DATCP website.

First Screening Of The Frozen Chosen In FDL

Fond du Lac will play host to the world premiere of a documentary film about sturgeon spearing on Lake Winnebago. “The Frozen Chosen” will be shown on Thursday, February 6th a couple days before the opening weekend of the 2014 sturgeon spearing season. The Fond du Lac Visitors Bureau and Boettcher Media Group will be hosing the first-ever screening of the film. The evening will feature a cash bar & Hors d’oeuvres. CVB officials say special room rates have been established at the historic Retlaw Plaza Hotel in Downtown Fond du Lac.  Contact Erin or Carrie at the Fond du Lac Visitors Bureau to book your room at 920-923-3010.

Women In Management Feature “State of the City and County”

The next meeting of the Women in Management in Fond du Lac will feature the “State of the City and County.” The speaker panel will include Fond du Lac City Manager Joe Moore, Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel, and Craig Molitor, President of the FDL Convention and Visitor Bureau. The meeting is next Wednesday from 11:30-1p.m. at Trinity restaurant. In addition to members, the public and businesswomen interested in joining WIM are invited to attend.  Reservations must be made by tomorrow by contacting Chris Rockweit at 921-1123 or by emailing: chrisr@fdlcu.com.  Cost to attend the luncheon meeting is $14 for members and $16 for non-members, payable at the door. The fee is non-refundable after making reservations. Women in Management is a networking organization for businesswomen who are in management positions or who are business owners. Those interested in joining the chapter can contact membership chair Kim Schmitz at 904-6200. For more information go to the WIM website.