Local News Briefs Monday 12/2/13

Unemployment rates in the City and County of Fond du Lac declined in both September and October. According to Department of Workforce Development figures the City of Fond du Lac had a jobless rate of 6.7 percent in September and 6.6 percent in October down from 7.2 in August. Meanwhile the County’s unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in September and 5.2 percent in October compared to a rate of 6 percent in August. For more click here.

Clean Sweep Grants Announced

Efforts to keep old prescription drugs out of the wrong hands and landfills in Fond du Lac County will get a boost through a state grant. The state’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection recently announced clean sweep grants for next year. Among them Fond du Lac, Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties are getting $6,400 for prescription drug collections. A total of more than $750,000 is being awarded through the grants program to collect and safely dispose of household hazardous wastes, unused prescription drugs and leftover agricultural chemicals.

Winter Hours Begin For FDL Bulky Waste Drop Off Site

Fond du Lac’s Department of Public Works has announced the winter hours for the City’s bulky waste drop off site at 530 Doty Street. The site will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and closed Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The new hours take effect today and will be in effect through March 31st.               

Hike In Historic Preservation Tax Credit Is Economic Development Opportunity

State Senator Rick Gudex of Fond du Lac says the state has been missing an opportunity for economic development by not having a higher tax credit for Historic Preservation efforts. Gudex originally authored a bill that would increase the credit from 5 to 20 percent, but it was included in the state budget and only increased to 10 percent. Another bill was introduced to hike the credit to 20 percent and it passed and is awaiting the Governor’s signature into law. Gudex says in addition to creating jobs the bill will capture economic development opportunities that have escaped the state.

Financing College

Getting financial help for college can sometimes be a scary thing.  Fond du Lac High School along with Marian, UW-Fond du Lac and MPTC are co-sponsoring a forum on Wednesday night to help potential students and their parents understand what’s out there.   Jill Goebel of the Fond du Lac School District says they will help try and sort everything out for those prospective students.  She says they will talk about a variety of things including; loans, work studies, and grants.  The event will be Wednesday night from 5:30pm to 7pm at the Fond du Lac High School PAC.  The event is free and open to anyone who may have interest in continuing their education in the future.

Cyber Monday

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-It’s Cyber Monday, the day when many people turn to the internet to find those gifts they either couldn’t find in stores or didn’t want to fight crowds to buy. Sandy Chalmers with the state Division of Consumer Protection says there are a lot of options out there for shoppers, but make sure the website you’re buying from is legit before sending payment. Also make sure the site is secure before entering payment information. Just look for an ‘s’ at the end of the h-t-t-p in the address bar. Chalmers says it’s also much safer to pay with a credit card, instead of using a bank card directly linked to an account. Keep a paper trail as well, by either printing out confirmation emails or saving records of an online transaction on your computer.

Nominations Sought For MPTC Distinguished Alumnus Award

Moraine Park Technical College President Sheila Ruhland says they are taking applications for their Distinguished Alumnus Award. She says there are several ways to nominate. She says you can nominate someone or even yourself if you graduated from Moraine Park. She says those who are interested in nominating someone can call the Moraine Park Foundation office at (920) 924-3263. Nominations will be taken through January 23rd. The winner will be recognized during an annual student awards recognition banquet.

Plenty Goes Into Snow Day Decisions

Fond du Lac Schools Superintendent Jim Sebert says a lot of thought and consultation goes into determining whether to close schools or delay their start for a snow day. He says he consults with Facilities Services Director John Williams and others before making a decision. He says the school district has its own weather service, he does a lot of research on his own and talks with other school district’s superintendents. He also consults with the bus companies. Sebert says the decision could be made late at night or early in the morning depending on conditions. He says in addition to the media they get the word out through their Alert Now program, which sends out calls and emails to notify parents. Of course you can catch the latest cancellations on News-Talk 1450 KFIZ and KFIZ.com.

Ho-Ho Hotline

Beginning today kids across the air can call the North Pole and talk with Santa or Mrs. Claus via the Fond du Lac Senior Center’s “Ho-Ho Hotline.”  The North Pole’s phone lines will be open every weekday between 3:30pm and 4:30pm until Monday, December 23^rd.   The number to call this year is 322-3634.