A very warm and heartfelt thank you to all the Whitewater residents and many others who donated food to the two Spring food drives held in Whitewater. A tremendous amount of food was collected for the pantry.
The Whitewater Community Food Pantry appreciates all the many donations received from the churches, businesses, companies, organizations and individuals who bring donations to the pantry. We are always in need of paper and plastic bags, so thank you for bringing them in.
We also get fresh produce weekly through Feeding America, and other staples needed for the patrons.
Our patrons are very grateful for everything they receive. We are currently serving 152 families in Whitewater.
The food pantry is open every Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 12:00 noon.
The Whitewater Community Food Pantry is located in the Old Armory building at 146 North Street, second floor. There is an elevator for your convenience. There is also a ramp and the pantry is accessible.
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The agenda for the Common Council meeting on May 3 indicated that there would be a closed session to discuss accepting a “Release and Employment Disposition Agreement between City of Whitewater and City of Whitewater Police Chief.” It was also stated that there would be an open session regarding the subject after the closed session. However, at the end of the initial open session it was announced that this item had been pulled from the agenda. No reason was given.
The Banner reached out to City Manager Cameron Clapper to request any information he could provide about this matter. No response was received. From the title of the fore-mentioned agenda item, it would appear that the city and Aaron Raap were in some sort of negotiations that would result in an end to Raap’s employment as police chief. However, the Common Council agenda for May 17 does not include any items regarding the chief.
Chief of Police Aaron Raap was taken into custody by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department for alleged battery-domestic abuse on November 24, 2021 from his Town of Ottawa home.
According to a City of Whitewater press release dated December 3, Raap had been placed on paid administrative leave. It was indicated that an internal investigation would be conducted by an outside agency “based on an incident that occurred outside the city of Whitewater,” and that Deputy Chief Dan Meyer would be serving as acting police chief until further notice.
The Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office announced on December 15 that it had declined to issue criminal charges “due to a lack of evidence to establish that Mr. Raap intended to inflict bodily harm on anyone.”
The city has not indicated whether the internal investigation has been completed. Deputy Chief Dan Meyer continues to serve as acting police chief.
Raap was hired as police chief in 2018, succeeding Lisa Otterbacher. He had left the Milwaukee Police Department in 2016 after 26 years of service, ultimately with the title of captain.
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
With apologies that we’re slow in receiving and passing on this official notification of Walworth County Sheriff Kurt Picknell’s impending retirement, please see below. Readers will have to note the ”type” of news release, since the news is only implied in the narrative.
Irvin L. Young Library Board – Monday @ 6:30 p.m. Agenda includes Update from the Library Expansion and Renovation Steering Committee meeting of April 27, 2022 with Jodi Sweeney. This will be a hybird In-person/virtual meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87351215322?pwd=OWJ1c2cvTCtZWGxiRmxhVjFCTnA5Zz09 Meeting ID: 873 5121 5322 Passcode: p15fqCPP Or dial 1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 873 5121 5322 Passcode: 66283205
Whitewater Unified School District Policy Review Committee – Tuesday @ 9:00 a.m.
City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m. Agenda includes purchase of replacement police squad car and action on bids received for Vanderlip lift station. This will be an IN PERSON and a VIRTUAL MEETING. Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us 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/83107623125?pwd=L3VDczB2cGwrUEZWMlBHSmRQVzJKQ T09 Passcode: 155386 Or Telephone: 1 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 831 0762 3125 Passcode: 155386
Parks & Recreation Meeting Agenda includes Whitewater Aquatic And Fitness Center (WAFC) Presentation and dog park issues. Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m. City of Whitewater Municipal Building Cravath Lakefront Room- 2nd Floor And Virtual Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84270689395 Meeting ID: 842 7068 9395 Or dial 1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 842 7068 9395
City of Whitewater Common Council Special Meeting – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m. Agenda: A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of $8,350,000 Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Series 2022B, of the City of Whitewater, Walworth and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, and Providing for the Payment of the Bonds and Other Details With Respect to the Bonds.This will be an IN PERSON and a VIRTUAL MEETING. Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us 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/88625602703?pwd=UmVrU3dnd0JzbUc3ZitpMkM4a2JyZz09 Passcode: 098334 Or Telephone: 1 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 886 2560 2703 Passcode: 098334
The WHS FFA & NHS are hosting a fundraising event for Aiden Wiedenhoeft at Culver’s in Whitewater on Monday, May 16 from 4 – 7 pm. A percentage of the proceeds that evening will be donated to his family to help pay his medical expenses. Please have supper at Culver’s on Monday night and donate while you dine! Thank you so much!
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (full article available here.):
The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks missed a chance to knock out the upstart Celtics with Boston earning a 108-95 victory Friday night at Fiserv Forum to even the best-of-seven series at 3-3.
“It’s the first team to four,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We want to be the team to four. The back-and-forth, I don’t think a team has won two games in a row this series. It’s just been one after the other. And now it’s the finality.”
Jayson Tatum scored 46 points on 17-for-32 shooting to outduel the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 44 and 20 rebounds. Tatum’s hot hand with 16 points in the fourth quarter buried Milwaukee.
“He was unbelievable,” Antetokounmpo said. “He was knocking down shots, tough shots. Getting to his spots. You got to give him credit. He played unbelievable. He led his team to a win
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives. Tom Ganser took and provided the photos.
The Starin Park Community building was full of families and fun on Saturday, April 30, International Children’s Day. Whitewater hosted its first, free International Children’s Day event on Saturday, April 30 from noon to 4 p.m., and all children were welcome at the Starin Park Community Building and grounds. Events included face-painting, arts and crafts, healthy snack activities, balloon art, chalk art and more. St. Patrick Church offered food for purchase, and music featured Lincoln School’s 5th Grade World Drumming Ensemble, 12-year-old Alondra Valadez, and Marco Wence.
Photo by Tom Ganser
Sponsors and/or partners of the Children’s International Day included the City of Whitewater, The Health Promoters, Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club, The Tree House Child and Family Center, UW-Whitewater Spanish Club, Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services, Whitewater Unified School District, Whitewater Unites Lives, Mexican Consulate of Milwaukee, Urban Forestry Commission, and Working for Whitewater’s Wellness – W3.
Miguel Aranda, Chair of the Children’s International Day, said, “Everywhere I looked children were smiling and enjoying the activities. The weather outside did not hamper the great fun inside. With an estimate of 200 attendees, many thanks to our community for celebrating all children on this wonderful day.”
Photo of Lincoln World Drumming by Tom Ganser
Plans are already underway for International Children’s Day in 2023.
In 1925, International Children’s Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare. The represented countries recognized that “mankind owes to the Child the best that it has to give.” Specific goals focused on increasing childhood access to quality education, decreasing unethical child labor practices, and lifting children out of poverty. International Children’s Day is celebrated on different days depending on the country – some dates include June 1st or November 20th. In many Latin American countries, the special day is celebrated on April 30th.
Photo by Tom Ganser
Children’s Day is celebrated similar to Mother’s or Father’s Day. In some countries, teachers suspend lessons and it becomes a day for children to have fun with activities during school and afterwards with their parents. A day the community, from businesses to governments, comes together to advocate for and champion the rights of children and to celebrate the joy they bring to the world.
According to a May 12 UW-Whitewater campus announcement, four finalists have been selected for the Vice Chancellor of Administrative Affairs position currently being staffed on an interim basis by Jeff Arnold. The candidates are Jason Demerath, Director of Business Services for the School District of Fort Atkinson; Mark Freitag, City Manager of the City of Janesville; Brant Wright, SVP for Administration and Finance and Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management at Piedmont University; and Brenda Jones, Vice President of Financial Affairs, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
Public forums with the candidates will take place between May 17 and 24. Further information on the candidates and the selection process may be found at https://www.uww.edu/administrative-affairs-search
“Licorice Pizza” Please note: This is the first in SIP’s summertime mid-month Wednesday movie series! Due to a scheduling conflict the date has been changed Wednesday, May 25, 1 p.m. (Comedy/Drama/Romance) Rated R (Language, sexual references, drugs); 2 hours, 13 minutes (2021) Growing up, running around, and falling in love for the first time in the San Fernando Valley, California, in 1973, this film was nominated for 3 Oscars: Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay. Stars Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman and Sean Penn.
Senora Margarita (Carrillo) Zamora, 95, of Whitewater passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 surrounded by her loving family at her home.
Margarita was born on October 17, 1926 in Amarillo, Texas to Porfirio and Herlinda Carrillo. She was married to her husband, Jose Zamora Sr. and they spent over 70 years raising their family of seven children.
Margarita loved to sew, cooking, shopping, helping with her grandchildren and going to breakfast with family. She truly enjoyed caring for her grandchildren and her family was most important to her.
Margarita was survived by her children, Othon (Guadalupe) Zamora of Whitewater, Evelio (Maria) Zamora of Texas, Ana M. (Alfredo) Lira of Whitewater, Jose (Kathy) Zamora of Whitewater, Herlinda Zamora of Texas; grandchildren, Jennifer Zamora, Adam Zamora, Gerardo Zamora, Juan Manuel Zamora, Fred (Jennifer) Lira, Melissa (Mike) Jouni, Vanessa (Josh) Kubitz, Daniel (Marie) Zamora, Zachary Zamora, Jose (Angie Fryer) Zamora, Lance (Anndrea) Brown; 18 great-grandchildren; special dog, CC Marie; many other friends and family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jose Zamora Sr.; infant child; and son, Juan Manuel.
The family would like to give special thanks to Rainbow Hospice staff Gretchen and Kendra for their exceptional care for Margarita.
A mass of Christian burial will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2022 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater. A visitation will take place from 11 a.m. until the time of mass. A burial will follow mass at Calvary Cemetery.
Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com
