Local News Briefs Wednesday 12/4/13

Oshkosh Police are investigating a series of burglaries that have occurred at various businesses located along the Highway 41 frontage roads in the City of Oshkosh. The burglaries have all occurred during the overnight hours on or near Koeller Street and Washburn Street between Highway 21 and W. 20th Avenue. There have been a total of six burglaries reported in the last two weeks in which cash and electronics have been targeted. It is believed several of the burglaries may be connected. Police are asking local businesses to keep their doors and windows locked after hours and to activate alarm and camera systems. The public is also asked to report any suspicious vehicles, people, or activities occurring around businesses that are closed. Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at (920) 236-5700. If you have information about these burglaries and would like to remain anonymous, please contact Winnebago County Wide Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477 or text IGOTYA and your crime tip to 274637, or go to www.winnebagocrimestoppers.org and submit your text via the web.

Smell In FDL Area May Be Rotting Cover Crops

There’s something rotten in the Fond du Lac area. At least that’s one possible explanation for the smell that has residents offering up theories over the past week. Fond du Lac County Crops and Soils Agent Mike Rankin says it may be rotting radishes that farmers use as a cover crop during the winter. He says the smell is temporary and dissipates as temperatures drop below freezing. That smell is sometimes mistaken for natural gas or something similar. Others speculate it may be rotting turnips or beets that are also used as cover crops, but landfills and sewer plants have also been blamed for the smell.

NFDL Power Outage

There was a small power outage in the Village of North Fond du Lac Tuesday morning. Alliant Energy officials say a tree came down on a power line near the Minnesota Avenue and Cleveland Street intersection. The outage was from 4:14 to 5:50 a.m. and affected 9 Wisconsin Power and Light customers.

Maysteel Sold

(WBEV-Beaver Dam)-A private equity firm in Los Angeles has bought a southeast Wisconsin business that produces enclosures made from sheet metal.  Maysteel of Allenton was sold to the Revolution Capital Group.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  Maysteel began 77 years ago.  Its previous owner was the Everett Smith Group, an investment firm from Milwaukee which also has a couple other large industries.  Maysteel has about 300 union employees in Allenton, along with a smaller plant in Monterrey Mexico. 

NFDL Village Board Approves EMTS And Chief Election Officials

The North Fond du Lac Village Board this week approved the hiring of two fulltime EMTs and appointed three chief election officials. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says Tim Rietz and Jeremy Groeschl will be the fulltime EMTs. He says they will help fill a shift that has been difficult to man with part-time EMTs and a spot that opened up when a fulltime EMT went back to part-time status.The board also approved the appointment of Joann Karls, Libby Kraft and Laurie King as chief election officials. Hornung says they will replace three who people who wanted smaller roles in elections.

Non Candidacy Forms Due By December 27^th

Current public office holders who do not plan to run for reelection in the spring are reminded that they have to submit a non-candidacy form to the appropriate clerk. Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg says it’s something they request. The deadline to file non-candidacy papers is Friday, December 27th. Meanwhile candidates for office have until January 7th to file their nomination papers. Not everyone who chooses not to run for reelection files non-candidacy forms. That then extends the deadline for candidates running for the seat until January 12th to get in their nomination papers. Fond du Lac County Supervisor John Muentner has chosen not to run for a 7th term in office.

FDL Salvation Army “Angel Tree” and “Adopt-A-Family” Efforts Also Going On

The Fond du Lac Salvation Army makes its presence known not only through the red kettle campaign it conducts during the holiday season, but also through some of its charitable efforts. Lieutenant Steve Wilson says they also are involved in the “Angel Tree” effort, which provides food and gifts for children and families for Christmas. He says it’s a major effort because out of the 670 families they provide for those families probably have over 2,500 kids they come up with gifts for in addition to a Christmas meal. Wilson and his wife Telinda, who is also a lieutenant with the local corps, say they do need volunteers for the distribution which will take place at the Fond du Lac County Recreation Center on Wednesday, December 18th. To volunteer for the distribution or to find out about adopting a family for the holiday call 923-8220. 

FDL CVB Participating In Big Bundle Up Program

The Fond du Lac Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is inviting residents to drop off used coats, sweaters, hats, mittens and other warm clothing items as part of the state Tourism Department’s “The Big Bundle Up” campaign. It’s a statewide collection program running through January 4th. Items can be dropped off at the Bureau’s office at 171 S. Pioneer Avenue Monday through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All items dropped off will be given to the Solutions Center. This is the third year of the program across the state.

Santa And Mrs. Claus Visit FDL Public Library Tonight

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting with children at the Fond du Lac Public Library tonight. Children’s Librarian Sarah Newton says he will be there for three hours from 4 to 7 p.m. She says there’s no registration and each child will be getting a new book. The book is “The Littlest Elf.” There are more fun activities that children can also participate in. Newton says children will receive a candy cane from Mrs. Claus, they can have their pictures taken with Santa at no cost and they can enjoy holiday stories and make a craft.

Dale Carnegie Speaker Featured At Women In Management Meeting

Michelle Kennedy of the Dale Carnegie Institute will be the featured speaker at the Women in Management meeting next Wednesday. The meeting will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fond du Lac Holiday Inn.  Her presentation on Listening Skills and Conversation will focus on learning to strengthen interpersonal relationships, how to be better equipped to perform as a persuasive communicator, problem-solver and focused leader.  And how to develop a take-charge attitude initiated with confidence and enthusiasm.   In addition to members, the public and businesswomen interested in joining WIM are invited to attend.  Reservations must be made by this Friday, 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.