Lynn Binnie

Flags to Half-Staff in Respect for the Victims of Violence in Allen, Texas

Editor’s note: The following proclamation was made by the president on May 7.

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on May 6, 2023, in Allen, Texas, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, May 11, 2023. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

Whitewater Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison

Whitewater man sentenced; 8 years prison for July 2020 crime

Per fox6newsnow.com,

WHITEWATER, Wis. – A Walworth County judge sentenced Christopher Czerpak on Wednesday, May 3 to eight years in prison and an additional eight years of extended supervision in connection with a July 2020 incident in Whitewater. 

Czerpak pleaded guilty in December to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, criminal damage to property, and second-degree recklessly endangering safety. Three other charges against Czerpak were dismissed and read into the court record for the purposes of sentencing. 

Case details

Walworth County sheriff’s officials said on July 20, 2020, Whitewater police were attempting to locate Czerpak, who allegedly made statements to his estranged wife about killing her and himself with a gun.

Early Monday, around 4 a.m., the wife called 911 to report a man had broken into her apartment. While she hid in the basement, the man left — unsuccessful in locating her. Police investigated and found fresh damage from a break-in at the apartment, along with a live round of ammunition at the scene, sheriff’s officials said. The search continued for the then-32-year-old.

Around 5:30 a.m., deputies and police spotted a man, identified as Czerpak, matching the description of the apartment burglar, and attempted to speak with him. However, sheriff’s officials said he ran and “at one point, pointed a handgun at law enforcement officers.” Deputies then shot him “in an attempt to stop the imminent deadly threat.” Sheriff’s officials said a loaded handgun was found in his possession.

Czerpak was immediately treated at the scene and taken to a trauma center.

Editor’s note: Article and photo from fox6newsnow.com

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive – Saturday, May 13

Have you marked your calendar?
The #StampOutHunger food drive is just around the corner!
The need for food assistance is still more important than ever! Help your local community food pantries by leaving donations of non perishable food items in a bag by your mailbox on Saturday, May 13th! Your letter carrier will do the rest! It’s that easy!

Flags to Half-Staff on Sunday to Honor Fallen Firefighters

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #197 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 7, 2023, as a mark of respect for the firefighters of Wisconsin who have given their lives in the line of duty.

“Every day in communities throughout our state, Wisconsin firefighters bravely put their lives on the line to protect the health and safety of others,” said Gov. Evers.

“Honoring those firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty is a responsibility we share as a state and nation, and I am proud to recognize these fallen heroes and share our deepest condolences with their families, friends, colleagues, and loved ones on these occasions throughout the year.”

Executive Order #197 orders the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 7, 2023, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Previously, National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend had been held in October, but beginning in 2023, was moved from October to May by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation. 

In Wisconsin, Wis. Stat. 995.225(1) still designates each week annually during which October 9 falls as Fire Prevention Week and designates the Saturday at the end of Fire Prevention Week as Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. To that end, Executive Order #197 also orders the flags be lowered on Sat., Oct. 14, 2023, in honor of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day during Fire Prevention Week.

Lauren Hayes Elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music

Lauren Hayes has been elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) by the Honours Committee. Associateship is awarded to alumni of the Academy who have distinguished themselves in the music profession and made a significant contribution in their particular field. Lauren will receive this honor from Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the Governing Body, at a ceremony in the Duke’s Hall at the Royal Academy of Music in London on
May 9. In addition to being a 2018 Tanglewood Fellow, Lauren has distinguished herself by performances with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony’s Music NOW series, Burnt Sugar: The Arkestra Chamber, performing with a variety of orchestras in the United States and in Europe and has performed in all three venues at Carnegie Hall.

Flags to Half-staff Sat. to Honor Recently Identified WWII Pilot

 
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #196 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., May 6, 2023, in honor of Army Air Forces First Lieutenant Roy Coulson Harms, who lost his life in World War II and whose remains have been identified and returned to Wisconsin for burial. 

“We are glad to be able to welcome First Lieutenant Roy Coulson Harms home and that he can finally be laid to rest in his home state,” said Gov. Evers. “First Lieutenant Harms gave his life fighting for the values and freedoms we hold dear, and the state will forever remember his courageous service and sacrifice.” 

On Aug. 1, 1943, Army Air Forces First Lieutenant Roy Coulson Harms, a native of Grafton, a pilot of a B-24 bomber in World War II, and a member of the 329th Bombardment Squadron, 93rdBombardment Group, 8th Air Force, was killed by enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE near Ploesti, Romania. First Lieutenant Harms’ remains were not identified following the war and were buried in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploesti, Romania, and were later interred at Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium. In 2017, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency began exhuming unknown remains believed to be associated with Operation TIDAL WAVE for analysis and identification. Thanks to the efforts of his family and the work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, First Lieutenant Harms’ remains have been positively identified. First Lieutenant Harms was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Purple Heart.

Army Air Forces First Lieutenant Roy Coulson Harms will be buried with full military honors in Grafton, on Sat., May 6, 2023.

Common Council Approves Development Proposals; Landfill May Become a Solar Farm

Editor’s note: The following news release was received from the City of Whitewater.

At the Common Council Meeting on May 2, 2023, the City of Whitewater Common Council approved multiple proposals that will bring jobs, add tax base, and generate revenue for the City of Whitewater.

The Common Council approved an Option Agreement to enter into a lease agreement with Clear Path Energy, LLC for redevelopment of the former landfill at the north end of Jefferson Street. The redevelopment and construction of a solar array will produce energy to be fed into the existing grid or channeled privately to large users including the City of Whitewater, the Whitewater Unified School District, and the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. The City of Whitewater will generate a lease payment and a payment in lieu of taxes from the solar array. As an additional social benefit, the City allows for the sustainable reuse of a blighted property.

Kristen Fish-Peterson of Redevelopment Resources, who has been assisting the City and the Community Development Authority (CDA), shares, “When there is an opportunity to reenergize an unproductive property, taking it from a parcel that is simply existing and not generating any public benefit (other than the fact that it formerly served the public), it is an opportunity worth pursuing.”

The Common Council also approved a lease agreement with Cellco Partnership for tower and ground space to erect, operate, and maintain communication facilities at the Southwest Water Tower located at 797 Indian Mound Parkway, generating a revenue stream for the City of Whitewater.

An Offer to Purchase and Development Agreement submitted by Becker & Bolton, LLC was approved by the Common Council for development of a vacant parcel of land located at 501 North Prospect Drive in the Whitewater Business Park. The proposed project consists of phased construction of multiple buildings to provide leasable spaces for local business tenants for purposes of commercial/light industrial use.

John Weidl, Whitewater city manager, shares, “In addition to pursuing options to turn a non-revenue generating landfill into something that supports clean energy and reduced energy costs, our elected and appointed officials are working with staff to ensure a viable pathway for the creation of jobs within our community. The approved industrial project will add tens of thousands of available square footage for lease in addition to providing an opportunity for job creation in our community.”

Fun, Food and Culture from Around the World! / ¡Diversión, comida y cultura de todo el mundo!

Fun, Food and Culture from Around the World!

Whitewater is home to a culturally rich and diverse population. To highlight this cultural diversity, the Whitewater Unified School District will be hosting the first annual Multicultural Heritage Showcase on Saturday, May 6 from 4-6:30 p.m. at the high school auditorium. Join us as students, staff and community members share their cultural heritage, traditions and customs from around the world with our neighbors and friends.

The evening begins at 4 p.m. with food, art and socializing followed by live entertainment starting at 4:30.  This event is multilingual, multicultural, and FREE admission to the public! We are accepting donations to the Dream Big Scholarship, a $1,000 scholarship awarded annually to a multilingual scholar to help them to pursue their dream of higher education. 

The list of talented entertainers that will be performing includes: Mila Holcombe; Stuart Nagy; Zach Oster; Faith Schuldt; Nathan Powell; Margaret Wheeler, Alan Perez Samuel Huber, Charles Miller, Charles Sanderson-Haque. Alejandro Aguilar, Max Hach, Victor Valenzuela, Jose Gonzalez, Jose Ivan Garcia, Danieska Mendoza Zelaya, Meybeling Garcia Guzman, Emily Sevilla Blandon, Aslhy Perez Gonzalez, Keyre Castañeda, Wilson (Onan) Orellana, Edward Cruz Martinez, Sander Fajardo, Abdel Salgado, Sarahí Carrillo, Victoria Vernal, Jennifer Montenegro, Leticia Palacio, Freidel Garcia Palma, Ilver Herrera, Joseth Palacio Moreno, Eddy Contreras, Anayah (Coco) Hayes, Arianna Mejia, Sofia Cerillo, Monserrat Rojas-Reyes, Itsayana Lopez, Mason Villasana, Alexa Palacio Gomez, Britany Garcia, Elder Montenegro, Jokssan Rivera Acevedo, Jhonny Escobar Sevilla, Marvin Duarte Garcia, Eduard Jiron Betanco, Elmer Garcia Gonzalez, Odeling Gonzalez Zamora, America Castro Chacon, Keylin Torres Caceres, Meybeling Aguilar Zamora, Marien Colindres Montenegro, Alex Clarksen, Brooke Mason, Skylar Staebler, Karen Tordera, Liliana Rienzi de Gimenez, Deydania Sanchez, Liliams Maradiaga, Aaron de Jesus Alvarez, Abigail Jones, Fadil Mujota, Ajan Ajrulai, Everlin Ponce Siles, Mariana Cervantes, Belinda Gaytan, Hillary Garcia, Paolo Rodriguez Flores, Yerald Perez Centeno, Keylin Alvarado Zeledon, Melvin Mendoza, Vanesa Torres Caceres, Wilber Bustillo, Arlen Navarro, Nestor Gonzales, Iker Medina Centeno, Ingrid Lira Cerna, Maria Alejandra Rodriguez Ruiz, Jhon Salgado, Alex Fajardo, ,Deanna Dragan

We hope you can join us for an evening of fun, food, and entertainment from around the world!

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¡Diversión, comida y cultura de todo el mundo!

Whitewater es el hogar de una población culturalmente rica y diversa. Para resaltar esta diversidad cultural, elDistrito Escolar Unificado de Whitewater organizará la primera Exhibición Anual de Patrimonio Multicultural el sábado 6 de mayo de 4-6:30 p.m. en el auditorio de la escuela secundaria. Únase a nosotros mientras los estudiantes, el personal y los miembros de la comunidad comparten su patrimonio cultural, tradiciones y costumbres de todo el mundo con nuestros vecinos y amigos.

La noche comienza a las 4 pm con comida, artey socialización seguida de un entretenimiento en vivo. ¡Este evento es multilingüe, multicultural y de entrada GRATUITA al público! Estamos aceptando donaciones a la Dream Big Scholarship, una beca de $ 1,000 otorgada anualmente a un académico multilingüe para ayudarlos a perseguir su sueño de educación superior. 

La lista detalentosas que actuarán incluye: Mila Holcombe; Stuart Nagy; Zach Oster; Faith Schuldt; Nathan Powell; Margaret Wheeler, Alan Pérez Samuel Huber, Charles Miller, Charles Sanderson-Haque. Alejandro Aguilar, Max Hach, Victor Valenzuela, Jose Gonzalez, Jose Ivan Garcia, Danieska Mendoza Zelaya, Meybeling Garcia Guzman, Emily Sevilla Blandon, Aslhy Perez Gonzalez, Keyre Castañeda, Wilson (Onan) Orellana, Edward Cruz Martinez, Sander Fajardo, Abdel Salgado, Sarahí Carrillo, Victoria Vernal, Jennifer Montenegro , Leticia Palacio, Freidel Garcia Palma, Ilver Herrera, Joseth Palacio Moreno, Eddy Contreras, Anayah (Coco) Hayes, Arianna Mejia, Sofia Cerillo, Monserrat Rojas-Reyes, Itsayana Lopez, Mason Villasana, Alexa Palacio Gomez , Britany Garcia, Elder Montenegro, Jokssan Rivera Acevedo, Jhonny Escobar Sevilla, Marvin Duarte Garcia, Eduard Jiron Betanco, Elmer Garcia Gonzalez, Odeling Gonzalez Zamora, America Castro Chacon, Keylin Torres Caceres, Meybeling Aguilar Zamora , Marien Colindres Montenegro, Alex Clarksen, Brooke Mason, Skylar Staebler, Karen Tordera, Liliana Rienzi de Gimenez, Deydania Sanchez, Liliams Maradiaga, Aaron de Jesus Alvarez, Abigail Jones, Fadil Mujota, Ajan Ajrulai, Everlin Ponce Siles, Mariana Cervantes, Belinda Gaytan, Hillary Garcia, Paolo Rodriguez Flores, Yerald Perez Centeno, Keylin Alvarado Zeledon, Melvin Mendoza, Vanesa Torres Caceres, Wilber Bustillo, Arlen Navarro, Nestor Gonzales, Iker Medina Centeno, Ingrid Lira Cerna, Maria Alejandra Rodriguez Ruiz, Jhon Salgado, Alex Fajardo, ,Deanna Dragan

¡Esperamos que pueda unirse a nosotros para una noche de diversión, comida y entretenimiento de todo el mundo!

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Remnants of March Snow in May, 1881

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

As this view shows, on May 7, 1881, remnants of the March mega snowstorm in that year were still around. This is a stereoscope image showing piles of snow still blocking roads in rural areas.

The stereoscope images of the unusually snowy late winter and spring of 1881 are some of the most important in the historical society’s collection and not because they show lots of snow. Many of the images were taken in the downtown and provide important information about this area when photos from this era are not widely available. They help us understand how Whitewater’s downtown looked during this period of its history.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(1667ST, Whitewater Historical Society)