Lynn Binnie

National Weather Service: First Feb. Tornado in WI History was an EF2

The February 8 tornado that caused the sirens to sound in Whitewater terminated just three miles west of Fort Atkinson.

NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan completed the tornado damage survey. Results are posted below.

Following further evaluation of damage on the northeast side of Evansville, we have determined that the Evansville-Lake Koshkonong tornado had peak winds of 130 MPH. This confirms the preliminary rating of EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Please refer to our weather story for additional information on Thursday’s tornado, including photos of damage from the event https://www.weather.gov/mkx/FebruarySevereWeather

 

Prior to 2024, the state of Wisconsin had never seen a tornado in the month of February. On the evening of February 8th, 2024, a rare, impressive setup for severe weather came together across southern Wisconsin. As a dynamic low tracked northeast across the Upper Mississippi Valley, the warm sector spread across the state of Wisconsin. Within the warm sector, afternoon sunshine allowed surface- based instability to develop, ~500 J/Kg. Along with the increasing instability, the dynamic system brought a plethora of deep-layer and low-level shear. The impressive shear profiles led to concerns for the development of rotating storms that would be capable of producing all hazards – but especially large hail and a few tornadoes. 

Here are a few stats about this severe weather event, dating back to 1986. Prior to the evening of February 8th, 2024: 

  • Zero Tornado Warnings had been issued in the state of Wisconsin during the month of February. NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan issued 5 Tornado Warnings during this event.
  • 17 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings had been issued in the state of Wisconsin during the month of February (9 in 1999, 4 in 2008, 3 in 2017). NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan issued 8 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings during this event.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay.

Old World Wisconsin to Visit the Library

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library.

Old World Wisconsin is going on the road to bring their hands-on history experience to you! Community members of all ages are invited to a presentation by Old World Wisconsin at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library on Tuesday, February 13 at 5:30 p.m. Step into the past and engage with real immigrant collections and objects in this facilitator-led program.

For all ages. There is no cost or registration to attend. The library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact the library at 262-473-0530 with questions.

This Week’s City Meetings

City of Whitewater Equal Opportunities Commission – Monday @ 5:00 p.m. – Virtual only
Agenda includes Update on Walworth County Transitional Housing, iscussion and Possible actions regarding activities to promote a welcoming and educational environment for new immigrants, and Discussion and Possible regarding Proactive approaches to address potential NeoNazi activities in the city or on campus.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smartphone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
EOC Meeting
Feb 12, 2024, 5:00 – 6:30 PM (America/Chicago)
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/275909109
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States:
+1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code:
275-909-109
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

City of Whitewater Alcohol Licensing Committee – Monday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda is hearing of appeal of denial of beverage operators licenses.
Whitewater Municipal Building, Cravath Lakefront
Room 2nd Floor, 312 West Whitewater St.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87640525572?pwd=naG3hZcM5hdIOBd1ZNbavs18Z_70jQ.jYlf3r370xSFkR-l
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 876 4052 5572
Passcode: 151151

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a proposed arcade and
lounge and sale of alcohol by the drink located at 141 W Whitewater Avenue #B, Parcel #
/TR00008 for DLK Enterprise, Inc d/b/a Hawk’s Arcade & Lounge.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/622071581
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 622-071-581
United States: +1 (872) 240-3412
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action regarding awarding Contract 1-2024, Ann Street and Fremont Street Reconstruction, Discussion and Possible Action regarding awarding Contract 2-2024, Forest Avenue Reconstruction, Discussion and Possible Action regarding awarding Contract 3-2024, North Fremont Street Reconstruction.
Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater Street
*In Person

Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes several closed session items, followed by return to open session.
In-person & virtual Community Development Authority Board of Directors Meeting (In-Person & Virtual) Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87688580790?pwd=uSsREcRQQG1Hcv8PCZkzdspb94Rf1w.HStrGsutcrrv8Szp

Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799

Webinar ID: 876 8858 0790

Passcode: 082260

Local Students Recognized on UW-Milwaukee Dean’s List

The following individuals from your area have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Fall 2023 semester. UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with more than 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Whitewater

 Skylar Staebler, School of the Arts-Undergrad
 Emma Van Daele, Rehab Sci & Tech Undergraduate

Seniors in the Park Presents The Holdovers

It’s movie awards season and Seniors in the Park will be presenting many nominated and winning films over the coming months!

“The Holdovers”

Tuesday, February 13, 1 p.m. 

(Drama/Comedy) Rated R (language)

2 hours, 13 minutes (2023).

A cranky history teacher (Paul Giammati) at an obscure Eastern prep school is forced to stay on campus over the Holidays with the few students and staff  (DaVine Joy Randolph) that have no place to go. Golden Globes were awarded for Best Actor; Supporting Actress. 

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

Alvin (Al) George Grosskreutz, 91, of Marietta, GA

Alvin (Al) George Grosskreutz of Marietta, Georgia passed away on Monday, February 5, 2024 at the age of 91. Al was born on February 17, 1932 in Watertown, Wisconsin where he grew up on the family dairy farm with his parents Gustav and Hilda and 14 siblings until he began his military service in 1949 with the U.S. Air Force. After tour of duty ended, Al began working for Lockheed Aeronautical in Marietta, Georgia in 1955 where he continued his support to the Air Force by leading the field service responsibilities for the C-130 and C-141 aircrafts. He enjoyed traveling the world in support of these aircrafts, including living in Libya for 4 years where he developed relationships that lasted his lifetime. Al retired from Lockheed in 1989 after 34 years with the company.

In his retirement, Al was active in the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and enjoyed collecting and repairing antique clocks. He also restored antique cars and loved “digging in the dirt” taking care of his yard and growing tomatoes. Al was also an emeritus with the Freemasons.

Al is preceded in death by his wife Doris, who passed in 2007, his parents, 8 brothers and 3 sisters. He is survived by his brother Dick Grosskreutz, and his sisters Shirley Matthews and Carol Fero, his daughters, Debbie Hunt and Gail Farnan, their husbands, Mark Hunt and Rob Farnan, and grandchildren, Heather Kampmann, Bill Hunt, Matt Farnan, Adam Farnan, and 3 great- grandchildren. Lots of nieces and nephew and 3 grand-puppies.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation service Saturday, February 10th at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home & Memorial Park at 2950 Cobb Parkway N, Kennesaw, Georgia from 1-3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his honor to The Michael J. Fox Foundation to support research activities related to Parkinson’s Disease.

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Gone but Not Forgotten – Old Stone Mill (updated)


Updated Feb. 10 @ 10 p.m.: Per historian Carol Cartwright:”The mill was located next to the old Baker’s garage.” (Jefferson & Main)

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

The second in our series “Gone but not Forgotten,” is the old stone mill. This image, taken in January of 1970, shows the demolition of the frame portion of the mill, also the oldest portion, built in 1839 and the first industry in Whitewater. In 1860, the large stone addition was completed and the mill operated well into the 20th century.

It was two more years (November of 1972) before the rest of the building was demolished, after the owner could not find a way to renovate and reuse the building.

Join us next week for more “Gone but not Forgotten” images.

(2595P, Whitewater Historical Society)

Local Student Graduates from UW-Stout

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from UW-Stout.

The following student from the area graduated on Dec. 16, 2023, from University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wis. The university graduated 526 students, with 440 undergraduate and 86 Graduate School students this fall.

UW-Stout has more than 45 undergraduate programs and more than 20 graduate programs, including one doctoral degree. UW-Stout, established in 1891, prides itself on the success of its students in the workplace, with an employment rate of 99.4% for recent graduates. The university was awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2001. 

UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.

Whitewater, WI

 Cassandra Hoxie, BS Computer and Electrical Engineering

Obituary: David (Dave) J. Schelb, 72, of Fort Atkinson

David (Dave) J. Schelb, age 72, of Fort Atkinson, WI passed away on January 27, 2024, at home with his wife by his side after a 10-year battle against Stage Four Prostate Cancer with Bone Metastases.

Dave was born on February 12, 1951, in Fort Atkinson to Marian (Obermeier) and Elmer Schelb. He married his soulmate Betty Wagie on August 25, 1984.

Dave (also known as Whale by his co-workers), worked at Jones Dairy Farm for 39 years, retiring in 2013. He served in the Army National Guard for eight years and was a member of Paul Frank Florine American Legion Post #116.

Dave and Betty enjoyed traveling throughout the USA as well as some destination vacations, visits to casinos, watching the Badgers, Packers, Brewers, and Milwaukee Bucks, going to the Whitewater Wm. Graham American Legion Post #173 Cabin in Lake Tomahawk, playing cards and spending time with family.

Dave is survived by his loving wife Betty of 39 years, daughter Heather (David) Neustadt, son Ryan (Jessica) Schelb, grandchildren Conner & Jamison Neustadt, brother Donald Schelb, Mounds View, Minnesota, brother-in-law Bill (Jane) Wagie, sisters-in-law Mary (Russ) Rogers, Eileen (Fred) Laatsch, Dorothy (Stan) Waga, several nieces and nephews, and bonus sister and brother Sandy and Ron Troemel.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents Elmer Schelb and Marian Lueder, sister Joan Laird, father and mother-in-law Walter and Jean Wagie, sister in-law Joan Wagie, and nieces Stacie Rogers, and Nicole Wagie.

Per Dave’s wishes a formal visitation will not be held, instead a Celebration of Life will be held on February 10, 2024 at the American Legion Dugout in Fort Atkinson from 11 to 2. A final farewell prayer and Military honors will take place at noon, followed by a luncheon.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Rainbow Community Care (formerly known as Rainbow Hospice), St Jude’s, Camp American Legion Lake Tomahawk, Wi, or a charity of your choice in Dave’s memory.

Dave’s family would like to thank family and friends for all the support through his cancer battle. Special thanks go out to Dr. Shannon O’Mahar and the staff at SSM Dean Oncology in Janesville, Rainbow Community Care, and Dr. Stephen Riggs and the staff at SSM Fort for the amazing and compassionate care Dave received throughout his ten-year cancer battle.

No. 10 UW-W Women’s Basketball Picks Up Road Win

Archived photo of Aleah Grundahl from the UW-La Crosse game earlier this season (Jim Lund)

By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information

Stevens Point, Wis. – The No. 10 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team outscored the Pointers 17-9 in the third quarter leading to a 64-51 win at UW-Stevens Point Wednesday night. Senior forward Aleah Grundahl had a monster night with 33 points on 12-16 from the floor and 8-11 from the charity stripe. She added eight boards, two blocks, an assist and a steal in 29 minutes of action.

Box Score

The Warhawks dominated in the paint in the second half scoring 24 points in the lane while holding the Pointers to just four. For the game, UWW enjoyed a 32-24 sway in points in the paint. 

Katie Hildebrandt opened the game with a three-pointer off of a Maggie Trautsch pass eleven seconds into the game and UW-Whitewater maintained the lead through the first quarter. Trautsch got the second quarter off to a similar start knocking down a triple from a Grundahl dish to push the lead to eight, 21-13. 

UW-Stevens Point whittled down the lead eventually taking the advantage on a layup, 25-23, with 6:14 on the clock. UWW regained the advantage in the next two possessions but a late and-one for UWSP sent the teams into the locker room with the Warhawks leading by just two, 30-28. 

On the other side of the break, the Pointers tallied the first basket, a three-pointer to claim the lead. A few plays later, Trautsch found Lunden Alexander who powered through a foul on a layup. She dropped in the free throw to spark a 12-6 run through the rest of the quarter. The Warhawks ran through the Pointers in the 10-minute span, outscoring the host school 17-9 to open up a double-digit advantage, 47-37. 

UWSP was able to cut the margin to five twice in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter but Grundahl and UWW would not be stopped. The senior forward dropped in 14 of the team’s 17 points in the final quarter. Grundahl played the entire period hitting 6-7 from the floor and 2-2 from the free throw line while adding four rebounds and a blocked shot. 

Trautsch paced the Warhawks on the glass with 10 rebounds, all on the defensive end, adding a team-high five assists and three steals. 

With just three games remaining in the regular season, UW-Whitewater holds second in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings with an 8-3 record. The Warhawks are one game back from UWO (9-2). UW-Platteville (6-5) is third followed by UW-Stout (5-6), UW-River Falls (5-6), UW-La Crosse (4-7), UW-Eau Claire (4-7) and UW-Stevens Point (3-8).