Local News Briefs Tuesday 9/23/14

Fond du Lac County supervisors tonight will get an update on the effort to provide wireless internet access in rural parts of the County. Mike Long of Bug Tussel Wireless will give that update on the project to the County Board. Also during the meeting the board will be asked to approve the local share for an energy improvement project at the UW-Fond du Lac campus. The total project costs are just under $1.1 million and the local share comes to $346,277. The Natural Beauty Council will also give out their Beautification Awards during the meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at the City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac.

Lakeside Park Exploratory Committee

The Lakeside Park Exploratory Committee will hold their second meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at the Lakeside Park Pavilion. Among the discussion items is dealing with the media and selecting a facilitator for their meetings. The 17-member panel will also discuss including a public comment section on their future agendas.

Governor Campaigns Gets Boosts By Obama And Christie Visits

Mary Burke’s campaign for Governor will get a boost by First Lady Michelle Obama who will be in Wisconsin next week. Burke’s campaign says Obama will be in Milwaukee on Monday for a Burke campaign event. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will be visiting Wisconsin the same day to campaign for Governor Scott Walker.

WTCS Spotlights Hospitality And Tourism Industry At Event In Sheboygan

The Wisconsin Technical College System will focus on the importance of the hospitality and tourism industries during an event at Lakeshore Culinary Institute in Sheboygan Wednesday evening. The positive impact of the state’s technical colleges’ role in driving the hospitality and tourism sector will be showcased. Wisconsin’s tourism sector had a $17 billion impact on the state’s economy last year. Moraine Park, Lakeshore and Fox Valley Technical Colleges will be showcasing some of their offerings. Moraine Park President Sheila Ruhland says food from each of the three college’s culinary arts’ programs can be sampled at the event. Ruhland says there will be a couple of keynote speakers as well. Jason Mengel, Director of the Championship with the PGA of America, will present how the 2015 PGA will impact tourism in the region. Also nationally acclaimed chef, Stefano Viglietti, will share his experiences as owner of four fine dining establishments. The event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

FCEDC Participating In National Cost Of Living Survey

The Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) is a new participant in the national cost of living survey. The FCEDC, along with several volunteers, has begun collecting quarterly data for the Cost of Living Index produced by the Council for Community and Economic Research.  The Cost of Living Index measures regional differences in the cost of consumer expenditures for professional households in the top income bracket.  The data is then separated into six different categories: grocery items, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services.  A lower cost of living attracts people and businesses.  From the looks of Fond du Lac County’s composite score, we are in an attractive position based on cost of living.  The cost of living in the Fond du Lac area is below the national average.  The national average equals 100.00; Fond du Lac County has a composite score of 94.5.  This means that the cost of living in Fond du Lac County is 5.5% below the national average. If you’re interested in learning more or want to help gather prices please contact the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation at (920) 929-2928 or info@fcedc.com    

Dredged Materials From Lakeside Park Channels Still Drying Out

The dredging of the channels in Lakeside Park took longer than expected, but a City official says it didn’t interrupt any of the summertime activities that usually take place in the park. Public Works Director Jordan Skiff says the dredging ended over a month ago. He says the material they dredged and put out in their disposal area in Lakeside Park West still needs to drain. He says about 73,000 cubic yards of material was dredged out of the channels. Skiff says ATV and snowmobile riders should take note they put the material in a large pit in the Supple Marsh area of Lakeside Park West. He says they will put signage and fencing up around the area this winter because it could still be a sloppy and dangerous area. Skiff says the dredging improved fish and wildlife habitat and navigation in the channels.

Catalytic Converter Thefts In Washington County

Washington County Sheriff’s officials are asking for the public’s help if they know anything about the recent thefts of catalytic converters from local auto repair businesses. Fifteen thefts occurred at business in the Towns of Addison, Wayne and Kewaskum and Village of Richfield between July 1st and yesterday. The converters are being removed from the exhaust system of cars parked in the lots of the auto repair businesses while the businesses are closed. They are then turned in for cash at recycling centers or scrap metal businesses. Anyone with information on a possible suspect is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 262-335-4378 or the Washington County Tip Line at 1-800-232-0594.

Packer Trading Cards Available Through FDL Police Officers And Cops For Kids Program

Once again this fall the Fond du Lac Police Department will have Packer trading cards available for kids. Police Officer Steve Olson says children can approach an officer and ask for them. The program is sponsored by the Cops for Kids program. Olson says children shouldn’t approach an officer if they are tied up with a traffic call or look busy. He says wait until the officers done then flag them down. He says kids should make sure there’s no traffic coming if they have to cross a street to speak with the officer.

Over 800 Do The Twist In Ripon

Everyone had a good time at Ripon’s Septemberfest last weekend, but an effort to set a new world record for the most people doing “The Twist” came up a bit shy of the mark. About 825 people signed up to participate in the attempt.The world record is 3,040 people doing “The Twist.” Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Director Jason Mansmith says the Britins provided the Beatlesque music for the record attempt, but they had other bands performing as well during the day. He says they will have other events this fall including in a little over 70 days the Dickens of a Christmas weekend. It will be December 5th through the 7th and will be the 24th annual Dickens of a Christmas.In other fun during Septemberfest the Good “Neigh” Bear won the mascot race.

Vendor Fair Today Benefits FDL Area United Way

The Fond du Lac Area United Way will benefit from a Vendor Fair & Cookout at the City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac today. Hour for the event are from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Rooms D & E and F & G on the 1st Floor. United Way Executive Director Tina Potter says it’s a great way to shop for Christmas. Lunch will also be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hamburgers and Brats are $2 with homemade cookies and chips available. A &W Root Beer floats donated by the Fond du Lac A &W will be available for $2. Participating vendors include Celebrating Home, Homemade Greeting Cards, It Works, Kreative Kraftwerks, Norwex Cleaning Products, Pampered Chef, Paparazzi Jewelry, Scentsy, Tastefully Simple, Thirty-One and Tupperware.