Local News Briefs Friday 12/5/14

Winnebago County Sheriff’s officials are investigating a break-in at M. Schettl Sales on Green Valley Road in Oshkosh. It happened sometime overnight Monday. It’s believed at least two people forced their way into the business. They fled through open fields to a getaway vehicle that picked them up. Investigators are hoping to get tips about any suspicious vehicles driving, parking or picking people up on Green Valley Road between Highway 76 and County Highway GG between 5:30 Monday afternoon and 8:45 Tuesday morning.  Anyone with information should contact Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jack Theyerl at (920) 236-7367 or email at jtheyerl@co.winnebago.wi.us .  Reference Case # 14-103204.  If you have information 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.  You may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Helped Needed To Identify Robbery Suspect

The Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department is asking the public’s help in identifying a man who robbed the Glander Prescription Plus in The Town of Sheboygan three times over the last five months. The latest robbery occurred during the late morning hours last Saturday. Prescription medication was the target and a handgun was displayed during the most recent robbery.  The suspect caught on video was white, 6 feet tall and about 200 pounds. The video can be seen on the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Facebook page. Anyone with information should call the Sheriff’s Department at (920) 459-3114 or the Crime Stoppers program at 1-877-283-8436.

FDL Cost Of Living Four Percent Below National Average

The cost of living in Fond du Lac County during the third quarter of this year was 4 percent below the national average. Jo Ann Giese Kent is the Director of Entrepreneurship and Business Intelligence for the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation. Fond du Lac County is one of seven Wisconsin communities and about 300 across the country participating in the Cost of Living Index survey. The cost of groceries items in the last quarter was about 5 percent higher than average. She says prices are compared for about 26 grocery items. She says the Cost of Living Index can be a helpful tool in attracting new residents and businesses to the area. Giese-Kent says anyone who would like to help in the grocery price survey should give the FCEDC a call at (920) 929-2928.

Christmas Around The World At FDL Childrens Museum Saturday

The Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac will host their annul Christmas Around the World event this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Executive Director Andrea Welsch says that will include a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Museum will also feature Trees from Around the World with a half dozen trees decorated by area school children. Children will also be able to make and decorate a giant gingerbread cookie thanks to Festival Foods.There will also be an interactive Holiday Show, ornament making and more. Admission to the Museum is $6, but it,s free to Museum members. The event is being sponsored by CitizensFirst Credit Union.

Ways You Can Help The United Way This Weekend

There are a couple of ways you can support the Fond du Lac Area United Way this weekend. Sunday Applebee’s will have a flapjack breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. United Way Executive Director Tina Potter says it will be at the Applebee’s on West Johnson Street in Fond du Lac. Tickets are available at the United Way Office, Guaranty Title Service, BMO Harris or Knight Barry Title also at Applebee’s but there will be limited seating. Also today is the deadline to order a Christmas Gift Box from LaClare Farms. Potter says they will receive $3 for each box up to 100 boxes. Order forms are available at the United Way website, but you should probably call LaClare Farms at (920) 670-0051 to confirm the order given the late date. The United Way will also be participating in the KFIZ Christmas Parade of Lights presented by the Commonwealth Companies this Saturday in Fond du Lac, which can be heard at 4:15 p.m. on KFIZ. 

Forest Mall Spreads Love Saturday

Shoppers at the Forest Mall in Fond du Lac may come away with a free gift while they are doing their holiday shopping at the Mall Saturday. As part of their “Spread Love” campaign Mall officials will surprise randomly selected shoppers with free Simon Giftcards®. The event will encourage the giving spirit of the holidays by offering the lucky shoppers two cards, one to keep and one to share with a fellow shopper. Forest Mall will also be offering extended shopping hours and customer amenities designed to make shopping more convenient and enjoyable.

Dickens Of A Christmas In Ripon This Weekend

You never know what Christmas character you might see strolling Watson Street in Ripon this time of year. That’s because this weekend the City will hold its 24th Annual Dickens of a Christmas celebration. Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jason Mansmith says the Living Windows display will feature Christmas characters from literature, the movies and television tonight from 6:30 to 8:30. Santa’s in town for breakfast Saturday morning from 8:30 to 10:30 at Royal Ridges.Also Saturday is the Tour of Homes. Mansmith says Christmas trees will be featured in their “Enchanted Forest.” For a complete list of Dickens of a Christmas activities visit the Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce website.

Koonce Book Signing In FDL Saturday

The Fond du Lac Elks Lodge will host a book-signing with former Green Bay Packers Lineback George Koonce Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon. Koonce played for Green Bay when they won the Super Bowl following the 1996 season. Today he is the Vice President of the Office of Advancement at Marian University. The book he authored is called Is There Life After Football? Surviving the NFL. All proceeds from the $27.95 book will benefit Fond du Lac residents in purchasing college text books. Only 100 copies will be available.

KFIZ Christmas Program Reminders

A couple of notes about programs KFIZ will be participating in this weekend. This morning we will stage the annual Bucket Brigade in our parking lot on Winnebago Drive in Fond du Lac. Salvation Army volunteers and celebrity bell ringers including Santa Claus will take donations for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign. The Michel’s Corporation will be providing a match for donations.

Tomorrow at 4:15 p.m. News-Talk 1450 KFIZ will broadcast the Annual Christmas Parade of Lights presented by the Commonwealth Companies. We invite you to enjoy the parade with thousands of others in Downtown Fond du Lac and listen to broadcast on KFIZ.  Happy Holidays from KFIZ