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Lakes Drawdown Update

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the City of Whitewater.

Week of January 31, 2022
Work Schedule for week of January 31-February 5

No work scheduled for Monday or Tuesday due to warm temperatures and snow.
Wednesday – Saturday – 24 hours
Saturday work to finish by 7 pm
*All work is dependent on weather and the worksite conditions.

Cravath Lake

Construction crews will continue to lay down matting on the lake bed to prep for dredging. Due to a few wet areas, mats have been put in a variety of places along the dredging area on Cravath. Dredging will start as soon as enough frost builds up in the ground along the dredging area to allow for work to commence. Once dredging starts, the hope is to work around the clock including some potential weekends in the near future. Dredged material will be removed through Cravath Lakefront Park boat launch area.

Trippe Lake

Mats have been put into place and dredging should start on Wednesday, February 2. Construction crews plan to work around the clock to start dredging. Dredged material will be hauled through the Southeast directly to HWY 12 over by the new Kwik Trip. The images below were taken of Trippe Lake on January 28, 2022 to show the dredging area.

Obituary: Christine M. Marshall, 74, of Fort Atkinson

Christine M. Marshall, age 74, of Fort Atkinson, died on Friday, January 21, 2022 at her home in Fort Atkinson.

Christine was born on March 16, 1947, in Libertyville, IL, the daughter of Wilson and Virginia (Poulson)
King.  She was married to Richard Marshall, who preceded her in death on December 1, 2021. Christine
was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.  She was a passionate Packer and Brewer fan, loved to
read, and spent much of her working life working with children.

She is survived by her son, James (Eileen) Marshall, Portage;  two grandchildren, Christopher (Courtney
Erickson) and Kayleigh Marshall;  her brother, James King, Denver; her special friends, Judith Wade and
Kelly Lindl; other relatives and many friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband,
and her sister, Sylvia Valentine.  
 
No services will be held.  Inurnment will be private at a later date.  The family wishes to thank Agrace
Hospice Care for their support and assistance. The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage
(www.pmmfh.com) is assisting the family.

Omicron May Have Peaked in Walworth County, Though Transmission is Still High

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The Walworth County Health & Human Services Department stated in its January 27 weekly report that the county remains in the CDC’s high COVID-19 transmission level, along with all other WI counties. The county’s transmission level this week declined to 1104 cases per 100,000 vs. last week’s 2226. Three weeks ago, however, the level was “only” 686.”

Walworth County statistics as of January 27 may be viewed here. Although it has been indicated that, on average, the Omicron variant of the virus which is now dominating the state is less serious than Delta was, only an average of 3.5% of ICU beds in the county are available.

The county states, “Current models predict that we may have passed our most recent surge peak. However, case levels will remain high for the next few weeks as we move back down the curve. In addition flu activity continues in the area. Please remember to stay home if you are sick, wash your hands regularly, and cover your cough/sneeze.”

Information on testing sites, including at UW-Whitewater, may be found here. As was previously announced on the Banner, the federal government is now mailing four at-home COVID-19 test kits to any residence upon request. At-home tests may also be available at local retailers. Private insurance companies are now required to pay for or reimburse, subject to a limit, for the purchase of at-home tests; however, Medicare is not providing this coverage.

The first wave of 400 million free high-filtration “N95” masks provided by the federal government have shipped to participating pharmacies and community health centers. Although many people find these masks to be uncomfortable, they have been found to offer the best protection against COVID-19, far better than cloth masks without filters. Some masks are now available, with a limit of four per family. More will be arriving in coming days, and the program will be fully running by early February, according to White House officials. It was recently reported that a supply of masks was available at the Walmart courtesy desk, but the Banner has not confirmed whether there is current availability there or at Walgreens. If readers have current information, we would be happy to receive a report.

Attention: Those Who Submit Events to Our Community Calendar – Re: Technical Issues

Recently we have experienced some technical issues with our Community Calendar. We’re working to resolve these, but in the meantime if you have events you’d like to submit to our calendar please send them via email to us at whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. We’d ask that you’d help us sort through article submissions versus calendar submissions by kindly including “Calendar Submission” in the subject line of your email. We’d then ask that you provide us some basic information for your event on the timing and venue as well as provide an image we can include. Thank you on behalf of our Whitewater Banner volunteers for your help and patience!

Whippet Boys Split with East Troy, Delavan-Darien

The Whitewater Boys Basketball earned a split of their last two games by defeating Delavan-Darien, 49-41, on Saturday, January 29th, after losing to East Troy, Thursday, January 27th, 57-40.

Wyatt Nickels and David Rubio driving for scores

Wyatt Nickels led Whitewater with 14 points and 9 rebounds against Delavan, while sophomore David Rubio chipped in 12 points, hitting four three-pointers. Playing a more deliberate style of offense and deploying an aggressive zone defense, Whitewater gradually pulled away from a 27-all tie with nine minutes left in the game. The Whippets hit nine free throws in the last three and a half minutes to ice the game. Sam Brown added 9 points, Jon Aron scored 8, and Ramon Wence had 6 points to round out the scoring.

The East Troy game was much closer than the final score indicates. Wyatt Nickels scored 16 points to lead Whitewater to a 25-23 halftime lead. Unfortunately, the Whippets had a hard time scoring to begin the second half, as East Troy went on a 10 -0 run in the first three minutes. They maintained that lead throughout the second half, before making free throws at the end to get to the final score. Nickels’ 16 points and Jon Aron’s 10 points led Whitewater in scoring.

Whitewater’s next game is Tuesday, February 1st, at Walworth Big Foot. The next home game is Friday, February 4th, against Brodhead.

Article Submitted by Dwayne Lange
Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Beds for ‘Lil Buds Supports 45 Families

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by Whitewater Grocery Co.

Ron Binning presented the check to Juan of Leon Furniture in downtown Whitewater.

Whitewater Grocery Co. recently raised over $8000 in our Beds for ‘Lil Buds fundraiser over the holidays and into the new year. This far exceeded our original goal of $6000. We partnered with Leon Furniture in downtown Whitewater. Whitewater Grocery Co. purchased the beds, and Juan, owner of Leon Furniture, generously donated all of the metal frames for them. He and his team delivered most of the beds before Christmas and the balance before the New Year. We were able to donate over 30 beds.

With the additional monetary funds, we purchased pillows, sheets, and blankets to make the beds complete for the children and families that arrived in Whitewater over the summer. A special shout out to Kay Robers of the Community Space for putting us in touch with Sandra Ramirez, ELL teacher at Washington Elementary School. Sandra was instrumental in connecting Whitewater Grocery Co. with the ‘Lil Buds in our community. She worked with Juan and the Leon Furniture crew to get the beds to the families. Sandra also delivered all of the pillows, sheets, and blankets. This amazing community effort supported approximately 45 families.

Several community members donated gently used sheets and blankets. We also received a baby crib that went to a family with a 7-month-old newborn.

Special thanks to the students and teachers from Lincoln Elementary School and Lakeview Elementary School for their contributions to the fundraiser.

Whitewater Grocery Co. was thrilled to work with community members and local businesses and looks forward to future collaborations and fundraisers in the future.

Whippet Wrestler is Part of State History

Saturday, January 29, 2022, is a day that will go down in sports history for the WIAA and Whitewater’s Ashly Xochipa had the opportunity to be a part of this historic day! For the first time ever, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, the Governing Body of Wisconsin High School Sports, sponsored the Women’s State Wrestling Championships in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Twelve weight classes, with over 220 girls, participated in this first ever sanctioned state tournament, with our first 12 ladies being able to say they were the first Woman State Champion in Wisconsin.

Ashly after her second pin at State

Ashly Xochipa participated in the 132-pound weight class that had 27 ladies looking to be named the first 132-pound state champion. Ashly represented her family, school, and community very well throughout the day. She started off the tournament with a quick first period pin of a young lady from Holmen. This pitted her against a very good freshman from Bonduel. She came up on the short side of this match. This girl did advance to the state championship match only to come in runner-up against a young girl who travels worldwide to compete.             

Ashly did not let the loss get her down as she came back and secured two more pins in the consolation bracket. Both of these matches were extremely well wrestled and she used excellent technique to come out on top in each of these matches. Ashly saw her first state tournament come to an end with a tough loss to a very strong girl from West Salem. Once in the consolation bracket each match is a must win scenario to reach the podium, and Ashly did well for herself, placing in the top 12 in her weight class.

Whitewater is proud of the performance on the day going 3-2 in our first Women’s State Wrestling Tournament. This is just the first of what we are hoping will be many trips to this tournament for our ladies in Whitewater. The atmosphere was outstanding all day, and the excitement was excellent throughout the day watching some very good young ladies display their hard work in the sport of wrestling. We should all be thankful that the WIAA has joined others in providing these opportunities to the young women in our state.

Ashly and the rest of the Whippet Wrestling team will be in action on Tuesday night, February 1, when they host Janesville Craig in their final dual meet of the season. Wrestling with JV begins at 6 and Varsity begins at 7:00.

Article and Photo Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org

Seven WHS Students Selected to Attend Badger Girls State in 2022

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by Whitewater High School.

Steve Smith from the Whitewater American Legion, Emma Weigel, Caelyn Caputo, Kate Coburn, Sophia Walton, Josephine Treder, Ron Binning from the Whitewater Rotary Club
Patrick Taylor from the Breakfast Kiwanis Club, Savannah Hill, Skylar Staebler

Seven Whitewater High School students have been selected to attend Badger Girls State this year!  Badger Girls State is a program designed to develop leadership skills in high school students and train future stateswomen in the science of government.  It will be held on the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus from June 19-24, 2022.  Students selected to attend are juniors and seniors who have an interest in government and citizenship, outstanding qualities of leadership, good moral character, cooperativeness, dependability, and participation in extracurricular activities.  One student will be sponsored by the Whitewater Rotary Club, two students will be sponsored by the Breakfast Kiwanis Club and four students will be sponsored by the Whitewater American Legion.

Congratulations Caelyn Caputo, Kate Coburn, Savannah Hill, Skylar Staebler, Josephine Treder, Sophia Walton, and Emma Weigel.  We are so proud of you!  Thank you to our wonderful service organizations for sponsoring this amazing program each year!

UW-Whitewater Announces 2021 Winter Graduates

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

The following students from the Whitewater area earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at winter commencement, held Dec. 18, 2021.

  • Nicky Anditon graduated with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE
  • Grant Behrens graduated with the following degree: Information Technology – BBA
  • Caitlin Bowen graduated with the following degree: Psychology – BS
  • Nelson Calvillo graduated with the following degree: Integrated Science – Business – BS
  • Gerardo Cervantes graduated with the following degree: Criminology – BS
  • Kiley Dempsey graduated with the following degree: General Business – BBA
  • Jessica Dittner graduated with the following degree: Art – BA
  • Belen Esquivel graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE
  • Brandon Forbes graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Finance – BBA
  • Hana Jacobs graduated with the following degree: General Management – BBA
  • Tessa Jaskolski graduated with the following degree: Liberal Arts – AA
  • Elliot Jezo-Sywulka graduated with the following degree: Social Work – BS
  • Krystal Leon graduated with the following degree: Psychology – BA
  • Devin Lewis graduated with the following degree: Human Resource Management – BBA
  • Betsy McKelvey graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Computer Science – BS
  • Joyce Mendoza graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA
  • Hope Montey graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Early Childhood Education – BSE
  • Reese Nasser graduated with the following degree: Journalism – BA
  • Raevin Peek graduated with the following degree: Psychology – BS
  • Kayla Pintar graduated with the following degree: Social Studies – BSE
  • Brianna Pope graduated with the following degree: Social Work – MSW
  • Vahid Rakhangi graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA
  • Mark Rastenis graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Music – BM
  • Abdoul-Aziz Savadogo graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA
  • Allyson Schmude graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: General Management – BBA
  • Lindsi Starrett graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Music – BM
  • Sonia Tomei Castro graduated with the following degree: Communication Sciences and Disorders – BS
  • Andrew Yang graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS
  • Ian Zaeske graduated with the following degree: Criminology – BS

More than 762 students crossed the stage to receive their degrees at the ceremony, held at Kachel Fieldhouse in the Williams Center. The graduating class included 4 international students, 71 military veterans and 168 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 79 self-identified students with disabilities received degrees.

Dozens of students participated in the university’s Hired Before Graduation campaign, which celebrates students who landed a job, earned acceptance to graduate school or started their own business before commencement.

UW-Milwaukee Names Whitewater Residents on Dean’s List

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

The following individuals from the Whitewater area have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Fall 2021 semester:

 Catherine Strait, Education Undergraduate
 Nicole Tomomitsu, AOC-Undergraduate
 Eleanore Treder, Business Undergraduate
 Viet Vo, Social Welfare Undergraduate