In an announcement dated December 6, Kim McDarison, the editor and sole employee of WhitewaterWise indicated that the online publication, together with Fort Atkinson Online, will be placed on “indefinite pause with the close of 2024.” McDarison stated that, “The pause is a result of life-related changes which require a reallocation of time…” by herself. She thanked the many individuals who have contributed to the site, including freelancers as well as the readers and advertisers. It was indicated that archived articles will remain available for an undetermined period, although advertisements will be removed at the end of the year.

Raised in New England and a 1986 graduate of Western Connecticut State University, Kim McDarison indicated in an earlier release that she wanted to be a journalist from the time she was nine. While in college, she earned a bachelor of business administration (BBS) degree, with a concentration in MIS (management information systems), and a minor in journalism. In the early 2000’s she served as the editor of the Whitewater Register, and since that time her work has been published in many area newspapers, including the Daily Jefferson County Union.

McDarison founded Fort Atkinson Online four years ago, and having also had a longtime interest in Whitewater, that publication increasingly provided news from our city. She launched WhitewaterWise in the summer of 2023 and has devoted a great deal of time providing extensive coverage of Common Council and School Board meetings, together with other news and events.

We are certain that we join many in the community in thanking Kim for her contributions to keeping Whitewater informed. Her publications will be missed, and we wish her well on her future endeavors.

Written by Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com