Here is what's playing this week on Eye on Oshkosh...

Be sure to join us starting Monday, October 1 when Cheryl and Dan talk are joined for the full hour by Lee Reiherzer and Ron Akin, local residents and authors of the recently-published book “The Breweries of Oshkosh: Their Rise and Fall.” Hear about the many breweries that once thrived in our community – how they got their start, where in Oshkosh the principles in those companies lived, how they made their mark in beer brewing history, the effects of Prohibition on beer brewing in the community, etc. In the second hal

In the Oshkosh area, "Eye on Oshkosh" can be seen Mondays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 6 p.m. on local cable access channel 2 (Time Warner Cable). Check with your local cable company or its TV listings for replay times in other, more outlying areas. “Eye on Oshkosh” also may air at times other than just those listed. Check the guide on your cable access channel for other days and times, as well. “Eye on Oshkosh” is copyrighted and any unauthorized copying or use of any portion of the program is strictly prohibited by law.

US 41 Project lane closures for October 1 - October 5

US 41 Project lane closures for October 1 – October 5

 

Traffic restrictions in Brown and Winnebago counties

(Green Bay) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region is announcing US 41 Project lane restrictions for October 1 – October 5 in Brown and Winnebago counties. Drivers should to be aware of 11-foot wide lanes and reduced speed limits in both counties. WisDOT urges all motorists to use caution while traveling through any work zone. 

US 41

Winnebago County

WIS 21 – US 45

October 1 - 4:

·         Single lane of northbound US 41, between WIS 21 and US 45, closed overnight Monday, October 1 through Thursday, October 4 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Breezewood Lane

October 2:

·         Complete closure of the northbound US 41 off-ramp to Breezewood Lane, Tuesday, October 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for concrete paving on the ramp.

Brown County

County EE (Grant Street)

        October 3 and 4:

·         Complete closure of Grant Street, between Lawrence Drive and Mid Valley Drive, overnight Wednesday, October 3 and Thursday, October 4 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for bridge demolition.

Lombardi Avenue – I-43

October 1 - 5:

·         Various lanes of north and southbound US 41, between Lombardi Avenue and I-43, closed Monday, October 1 through Thursday, October 4 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. and Friday, October 5 from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. for setting temporary barrier wall and bridge work.

WIS 29

October 1 - 5:

·         Various lanes of east and westbound WIS 29, between County FF and Packerland Drive, closed Monday, October 1 through Thursday, October 4 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday, October 5 from 6 a.m. to noon.

October 4:

·         Single lane of east and westbound WIS 29, between US 41 and Taylor Street, closed Thursday, October 4 from 8 a.m. to noon for landscaping in the median. 

·         Complete overnight closure of the southbound US 41 off-ramp to Dousman Street, Thursday, October 4 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for a traffic switch.

October 5:

·         Complete overnight closure of the northbound US 41 on-ramp from Dousman Street, Friday, October 5 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for a traffic switch.

Lakeview Drive bridge

October 1 - 5:

·         Various lanes of north and southbound US 41, between I-43 and Lineville Road, closed overnight Monday, October 1 through Thursday, October 4 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. and Friday, October 5 from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. for demolition of the Lakeview Drive bridge over US 41.

I-43/Leo Frigo Bridge

Brown County - I-43 at the Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge is reduced to a single lane of traffic with speeds reduced to 55 mph in both directions over a 3.5-mile segment of the highway through November 2012. Expect significant travel delays.

All lane restrictions and work operations are subject to change.

City of Oshkosh Makes Push to Restore Revenue Sharing

(Oshkosh, WI) On Sept. 25, 2012, the Oshkosh Common Council unanimously adopted a new resolution requesting Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and legislative leaders to provide property tax relief through the restoration of funds to the Shared Revenue Program. With the state recently announcing a return to the black financially, the Oshkosh Common Council believes shared revenue restoration is essential to helping create jobs and economic growth.

In the last ten years, the shared revenue program has been cut three times, including a cut of $48 million in 2012. The Shared Revenue and Expenditure Restraint Program of Oshkosh alone was reduced by nearly $1.2 million in 2012.

The city is expected to see another dip of almost $34,000 in 2013.

Tax revenues for the state of Wisconsin were projected to be $126 million higher than budgeted. The Oshkosh Common Council believes that increase can be attributed to economic growth and new jobs in Wisconsin. Without municipalities investing significant funds in infrastructure, and services that the public and businesses demand, this growth would not be possible.

Mark Rohloff, Oshkosh City Manager, stands firmly behind the council’s decision, saying, “Even in the face of reduced revenue, the city of Oshkosh has continued to provide much needed services, such as police protection, fire suppression, and road maintenance that enhance our community and make it an attractive location for economic development. Our hope is that Shared Revenue funds can be restored to cities like Oshkosh, so that taxpayers can receive relief on their next property tax bill.”

Removal planned for old Butte des Morts bridge piers on US 41 in Oshkosh

Work will involve blasting and full freeway closures on US 41

(Green Bay) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Regional office is announcing work to remove the old bridge piers associated with the main span of the Butte des Morts bridge project on northbound US 41 in the city of Oshkosh will include blasting.  Demolition is scheduled for Tuesday, September 25, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. 

Before each blast, law enforcement will clear all traffic on northbound and southbound US 41, between WIS 76 and WIS 44, using rolling roadblocks that will delay travelers for up to 15 minutes. Between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m., the main channel will close to boats and all boats on Lake Butte des Morts will be required to remain at least 500 feet away from either side of the causeway during this time. The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department will be assisting with boat traffic during the closure. Officers from the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are also assisting WisDOT.

During the blasting process, each of the eight bridge piers are predrilled and fitted with dynamite. The piers are approximately 12 feet in height, with roughly 3 feet visible above the surface of the water. A warning will sound before each detonation. Once each blast takes place, law enforcement will re-open US 41 to motorists. 

Here is what's playing this week on Eye on Oshkosh...

Be sure to join us starting Monday, September 24 when Cheryl and Dan talk are joined in the first half hour by local attorney-at-law George Curtis who helps decipher what the recent judge's ruling against governor Scott Walker and his Act 10 and Act 32 rulings mean. Naturally this decision will be appealed to death, but it's important for people to understand the appeal process, what happens in the meantime, and how far up the judicial ladder this matter can go. In the second half, Rick Gudex, Republican candidate for the 18th State Senate District joins us to discuss his candidacy against State Sen. Jessica King, why he's running and why he believes he should be elected in November.

In the Oshkosh area, "Eye on Oshkosh" can be seen Mondays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 6 p.m. on local cable access channel 2 (Time Warner Cable). Check with your local cable company or its TV listings for replay times in other, more outlying areas. “Eye on Oshkosh” also may air at times other than just those listed. Check the guide on your cable access channel for other days and times, as well. “Eye on Oshkosh” is copyrighted and any unauthorized copying or use of any portion of the program is strictly prohibited by law.

Community invited to celebrate 100th birthday of Oshkosh Public Library lions

Sept. 19, 2012– The Oshkosh Public Library invites the community to join in a special month-long celebration – the 100th birthday of Sawyer and Harris, the bronze lions that flank the building’s historic Washington Avenue entrance.

It was Oct. 9, 1912 when the majestic bronze lions were publicly unveiled and dedicated. They were a gift to the library from Col. John Hicks, publisher of the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern and long-time member of the library board. Hicks commissioned the bronze lions from Italian sculptor Gaetano Trentanove.

“The lions are more than impressive pieces of statuary,” according to Jeff Gilderson-Duwe, Director of the Oshkosh Public Library. “They have become recognized symbols of the Oshkosh Public Library and the long-standing tradition of a strong library at the heart of the community.”

Sawyer and Harris, named in honor of the founding donors of the Oshkosh Public Library building, inspire warm memories among many who grew up in the Oshkosh community.

“Any time we open the historic Washington Avenue entrance for a special event, people relate their memories of entering the library ‘between the lions’ – a time when most of our collection and services were under the dome in the historic Waters Building,” says Janice Dibble, Head of Reference and Adult Services. “There is a great affection for the lions and the library they symbolize.”

To celebrate the lions’ 100th birthday, OPL has a lineup of public activities, all leading up to the Roaring 100th Celebration on Sat., Oct. 13, from

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. under the Dome. The event will include a rededication ceremony at 11:30 a.m.

Activities are already underway to get the public involved in the celebration:

Lion’s Pride Contest: Purchase a plaster lion to decorate and enter the contest. Prizes will be awarded and proceeds from the sales used for local history collections and projects.

100 Cubs Challenge: Be one of 100 children to wish Harris & Sawyer happy birthday on the library’s front steps! Decorate a paper lion mask (available at the library) and bring it to the Roaring 100th Celebration on Oct. 13.

Collectible postcards: Pick up a different lion postcard each week at the library. Postcard #1 is available this week.

Birthday greetings: Make a birthday card, send a postcard or tape a video birthday greeting.

Children’s activities: Check out storytimes and craft programs with a lion theme.

For specific dates and details of all lions’ birthday activities, come to the library or visit www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

Here is what's playing this week on Eye on Oshkosh...

Be sure to join us starting Monday, September 17 when Cheryl and Dan talk are joined in the first half hour by local real estate broker Jack Doemel and mortgage specialist Scott Waterworth. Contrary to what some may believe, the real estate and lending markets are making a slow, but steady comeback and they're here to talk specifics. Meanwhile, during the second half, Steve Dedow from the Oshkosh Area School District's Board of Education joins Cheryl and Dan to talk about the recently-approved 2012-13 budget, Oaklawn Elementary rebuild, the new superintendent, and other issues facing the district.

In the Oshkosh area, "Eye on Oshkosh" can be seen Mondays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 6 p.m. on local cable access channel 2 (Time Warner Cable). Check with your local cable company or its TV listings for replay times in other, more outlying areas. “Eye on Oshkosh” also may air at times other than just those listed. Check the guide on your cable access channel for other days and times, as well. “Eye on Oshkosh” is copyrighted and any unauthorized copying or use of any portion of the program is strictly prohibited by law.

Which government body is the most dysfunctional

We recently received a request from a viewer to ask the question of readers and viewers "Which government body is the most dysfunctional?" According to this viewer, they all seem to be in the running. That may be, but some certainly stick out more than others as being unable to get past their own self-imposed pettiness and politics; and seem incapable of moving forward with truly meaningful legislation that makes a difference in the lives of their constituents. We encourage you to vote in the poll to the right  and expound on your answers by commenting at the end of this story. Feel free to elaborate. Many elected officials do visit this site and your answers just might help make a difference. Thank you!

Here is what's playing this week on Eye on Oshkosh...

Be sure to join us starting Monday, September 3 when Cheryl and Dan talk are joined in the first half hour by Norm Leatherwood from World Relief-Fox Valley. His organization is responsible for helping bring many new families to the Fox Valley region after being forced to leave their homelands for various reasons. Hear what’s involved in the settlement process and how you can help make a difference in these families’ lives. In the second half of the show, we’re joined by Steve Vickman, executive director of the Oshkosh Area Community Food Pantry. As he prepares to resign from his position and relocate, Steve looks back with Cheryl and Dan on his four years with the pantry – taking it from a start-up organization to the entity it is today – which serves thousands of less fortunate in our community and helps them to become more self-sufficient in whatever ways they can.

In the Oshkosh area, "Eye on Oshkosh" can be seen Mondays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 6 p.m. on local cable access channel 2 (Time Warner Cable). Check with your local cable company or its TV listings for replay times in other, more outlying areas. “Eye on Oshkosh” also may air at times other than just those listed. Check the guide on your cable access channel for other days and times, as well. “Eye on Oshkosh” is copyrighted and any unauthorized copying or use of any portion of the program is strictly prohibited by law.

* Programming note: This show will air two weeks.