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County Races: Both Jefferson Co. Supervisors are Unopposed; One Walworth County District Has Two Candidates

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

All four county supervisory districts in the city, two of which are in Jefferson County and two in Walworth, will be on the April 5 election. Only District 4 in Walworth County has a competitive race.

Jefferson County

District 24 represents wards 11 and 12 in the Jefferson County portion of the city. Roger Lind, 525 N. Fremont, is running unopposed.

District 25 represents wards 10 in the Jefferson County portion of the city, together with the town of Cold Spring; Wards 1 & 2 Town of Hebron; Ward 3 Town of Koshkonong, and Ward 2 Town of Palmyra. Matthew Foelker, W3467 Lower Hebron Road, Fort Atkinson, is running unopposed.

Walworth County

District 3 represents most of the eastern part of the city, together with the townships of Whitewater, LaGrange, and Sugar Creek. This map shows the boundaries after 2021 redistricting. Brian Holt, W6873 Sugar Creek Road, Elkhorn, is running unopposed.

District 4: Jerry Grant, Vice Chair of the County Board, has chosen not to run for re-election. The district represents primarily the western portion of the city that is located in Walworth County. This map shows the boundaries after 2021 redistricting. Running for the seat are Curt Knull, 404 E. Cravath, Whitewater; and Al Stanek, 415 S. Douglas Court, Whitewater.

Comic Book Heroes Teen Art Workshop at Library

Editor’s Note: This invitation was provided by the Whitewater Public Library.

Teens – do you enjoy comic books? Superheroes? Costume design? Fashion? If you answered yes to any of these questions then this workshop is for you! Students grades 6th – 12th are invited on Tuesday, January 25 at 6 p.m. to work with fashion textiles and superhero templates to design a one-of-a-kind superhero! The event will be in-person at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Community Room. This program will be presented by Mad Science Milwaukee. Register by January 17 to save your spot!

When: Tuesday, January 25th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: In-person in the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Community Room.
To Register: Registration is required! Please register to participate at whitewaterlibrary.org by January 17th!

Six Students to Sing in WCDA Honors Choirs

Six students from Whitewater High School have been selected to sing in the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association Honors Choirs next week in Milwaukee. The students singing in the choirs are Marco Wence, Haley Street, Aldo Rodriguez, Skylar Staebler, Lauren Rollette, and Anders Clarksen.

Marco Wence, Haley Street, Aldo Rodriguez, Skylar Staebler, Lauren Rollette, Anders Clarksen

These students will work with a special guest conductor for two days along with other high-achieving students from throughout Wisconsin. The event will culminate with a concert in Bader Hall on the UW-Milwaukee Campus. 

Article and Photo Submitted by Karen Tordera
Whitewater High School Vocal Music Teacher
ktordera@wwusd.org

Gymnasts Take on Elkhorn

The Whippet Gymnastics Team took on their first dual meet of the season Tuesday night, January 4, at Elkhorn High School. This was also the first meet for our awesome JV girls! They pushed aside their nerves and showed the judges and the large crowd what they’ve been working on for the last month.

On the JV side, we had Myialynn Cobbs, Lexi Kuhnke, and Izzy Dieter compete on beam. Myialynn and Lexi both had no fall beam routines, and Izzy scored really well for her first routine of the season!

We had a full roster of five girls take on JV Floor: Estefany Reyes-Saldana, Maritza Vidales, Miyu Tekeda, Jackie Franco, and Brooke Bazeley. Brooke was the lone veteran as all four of the other girls were getting to experience this for the first time. It was fun to see the girls smiling through their routines and hitting all their required moves.

Flipping to the Varsity side, we had some new routines and lots of cheering and encouragement as they fought hard against Elkhorn’s strong gymnasts. Vault proved to be a strong event for these girls as Makayla Bazeley, Nola Coburn, and Izzy Dieter all scored personal season bests as well as a team season best score of 30.025. This was Izzy’s first time competing in vault this season as well as first time competing on varsity this year with a nice 7.325! Nola improved her score by almost a whole point with a 7.15.

As the girls hit the Floor, Makayla and Nola again had personal season best scores. This was the first time this season Nola competed on floor, and she competed like a pro! Makayla scored a 7.1 on floor with some changeups in her routine. Halee Peters got to try out her new routine that she has been putting together and caught everyone’s attention, scoring an 8.05.

On the beam, the Bazeley sisters both had season best scores and both had no fall routines! Brooke stepped up and competed in Varsity for the first time ever and nailed her double back roll flawlessly, while Makayla hit her back-to-back back walkovers solidly. Brooklyn Griswold tied her personal best with a strong performance and remains a very consistent competitor.

This was Nola Coburn’s first time competing in All-Around, which was a nice addition to our All-Around team. Makayla Bazeley scored a season best score in her All-Around with a 27.15, while Halee Peters rounded out the trio with a 31.55.

The gymnastics team will be back in action next Tuesday for the first home dual meet against Jefferson/Cambridge.

Article and Photos Submitted by Shawnda Peters
Whitewater High School Head Gymnastics Coach
speters@wwusd.org

Girls Lose Close Contest with Milton

The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball Team played a non-conference game against the Milton RedHawks on Tuesday, January 4th. It was an exciting, close game with a point difference never greater than 8. The Whippets went into halftime with the lead, 30-27.

Danielle DePorter

The second half was an even tighter scoring battle, back and forth with the point difference staying within four most of the half. With 2:11 left on the clock it was a tie game, 52-52. Unfortunately, the Whippets didn’t connect on some key field goal attempts and needed to foul, which created a scoring deficit, ending the game with a loss, 61-55. 

Danielle DePorter led the Whippets with a career high of 17 points and added 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 rebound. Gwen Truesdale had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, along with 6 blocks, 2 steals, and 2 assists. Mayte Navejas added 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal, and scored 11 points, shooting 4-4 in field goals plus an additional 3 free throws. Kindyl Kilar had 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Cali Kopecky ripped down 9 rebounds, scored 5 points, and had 1 assist. Josie Treder added 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 assist. 

Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Obituary: David Donald Murphy, 77

David Donald Murphy, 77, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, formerly of Dubuque, Iowa, has gone home to be with the Lord on December 17th, 2021.

He was resting peacefully surrounded by his wife, their children and immediate family when he passed away.

Dave, born December 26, 1943, was the oldest of seven children to Donald and Lucille (Knockel) Murphy of Dubuque, and the oldest of 44 grandchildren of William and Kate Knockel of St. Catherine’s, Iowa. David “Dave” and Karen “Kay” Pfohl were married in 1966, and they spent their life showing their children how to work hard and to love each other.

Dave was a graduate of Wahlert High School and DeVry University, Chicago. He enjoyed camping with his children, gardening and teaching his grandchildren about history, math and the solar system.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, of Whitewater, WI; his children Bill (Nicole) Murphy of Dubuque, Rob Murphy of Rockford, Illinois, Doug (Kara) Murphy of Dubuque, Scott Murphy of Island Lake, Illinois, Dana (Cory) Newmann of Whitewater, Wisconsin and Brian Murphy of Janesville, Wisconsin, 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters, two brothers and two aunts.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, Don and Lucille Murphy, his brother Tom Murphy, his brother-in-law Mike Schmitt, his brother in-law Patrick Lansing, his in-laws Clarence and Gertrude (Ramaker) Pfohl, and Marty and Tootsie Kelly, his children’s adopted grandparents.

A private service will be held for immediate family due to COVID-19, and a celebration of life will be held at a later date for extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established and gifts will be made in Dave’s memory. 

Swimmers Continue to Improve Times

The Boys’ Swim Team was back in action Tuesday night, January 4, going against Jefferson/Cambridge and PSC after having a couple weeks off.

Tyler Arnett continues to put on strong performances in the 200 Freestyle, going a 2:08.88, and 500 Freestyle, going a 5:36.85, just seconds off of his season best time. Tyler won both of his individual events!

Jack Hefty won the 200 Individual Medley and had a 6 second time drop. He continues to swim fast in the 100 Freestyle, going a 1:00.02, so close to getting under a minute. Later, during the meet, he led off in the 400 Freestyle Relay, where he broke that minute mark and went a time of 59.55!

Miles Nickelsburg had a 4 second drop in the 50 Freestyle, going a 32.40 and had a nice swim in the 100 Backstroke going a 1:41.23.

Andrew O’Toole had a nice swim in the 100 Freestyle, going a 1:15.39! He also tried out the 100 Breaststroke for the first time, going a 1:59.88. Andrew also had an impressive relay split in the 200 Freestyle Relay going a 33.81.

Casey Schilling continues to improve his 50 Freestyle time, going a 36.78! He also had an impressive drop in the 100 Backstroke, going a 1:53.15.

Zach Tomomitsu swam a 100 Butterfly, going an impressive time of 2:13.98. Zach also continues to improve his 100 Breaststroke time, with a 14 second drop, going a 2:07.85!

The boys are up against Burlington and Edgerton/Evansville on Tuesday, January 11th, at Burlington Wellness Center starting at 5:30 pm.

Article and Photo Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Co-Head Boys’ Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org

Boys’ Basketball Claims Victory Over Clinton

The Whitewater Boys’ Basketball Team made a successful trip to Clinton, Tuesday, January 4th, defeating the Cougars 64-49.

Jon Aron

The Whippets outscored Clinton 10 to 2 in the last four minutes to take a 33-23 halftime lead. A 12-point Whitewater advantage at the free throw line in the second half helped the Whippets hold off Clinton’s comeback attempts and win a hard fought, physical game.

Whitewater was led by Jon Aron’s 21 points, making 9 out of 15 shots. Sam Brown continued his steady all around play with 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Jake Hintz and Ramon Wence chipped in with 13 and 10 points. The Whitewater boys next play at McFarland on Friday, January 7th.

Article Submitted by Dwayne Lange
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Fort Atkinson Online Article: “[WHS] Teacher’s retirement fuels controversy; supporters look for reinstatement”

One of two large signs erected on properties owned by Whitewater resident Geoff Hale show support for Whitewater High School tech-ed teacher Mike Wintz. After an accident that occurred in his classroom late last year, Wintz was offered an option to retire. He submitted his retirement letter on Dec. 13. Supporters have asked school board members to reinstate him. (Photo and caption copied from Fort Atkinson Online, which states, “Contributed photo.”)

Per an article dated January 3, 2022 in Fort Atkinson Online, “While few details have been released by the Whitewater Unified School District regarding an accident occurring within the Whitewater High School’s tech-ed department late last year, the retirement of shop teacher Mike Wintz — which is related to the incident — has garnered disapproval from many of his supporters.”

“Efforts to reinstate him continue according to Geoff Hale, a Whitewater resident and one of Wintz’s supporters. Hale is the owner of Home Lumber, 499 W. Whitewater St., and a distribution facility, 960 E. Milwaukee St., both in Whitewater. He has erected plywood signs on both of his properties which state: “Save Wintz and tech ed please call school board.”  The signs went up just before Christmas, Hale said.”

The article later continues, “During a school board meeting held Dec. 20, some 20 members of the public addressed the school board, asking for its consideration in reinstating Wintz.”

To read the entire Fort Atkinson Online article, click here.

Holiday Basketball Camp Held at Whitewater Middle School

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by Matt Amundson.

A Holiday Basketball Camp was held for boys and girls grades 3rd-8th on December 27th-29th at Whitewater Middle School. 

Special thanks to the following for serving as instructors and coaches – Whitewater Boys Basketball: Justin Marinkovic, Jake Hintz, Arno Crowley, Jon Aron, Juan Vidales, Sam Brown, Ivan Gonzalez, Wyatt Nickels, David Rubio, Alex Rubio, Cody Larson, Dan Gnatzig.  Whitewater Girls Basketball: Gwen Truesdale, Kindyl Kilar, Cali Kopecky, Jenna Pope, Danielle DePorter, Mayte Navejas, Aidyn Amundson, Calli Grosinske, Zoe Kohl, Kristen Lippens, Morgan Huntley, Ariel Feiertag. Whitewater Youth Coaches Sonia Kachel, Cory Brummeyer, and Matt Amundson. 

The event culminated in a 3-on-3 tournament on Thursday, December 30th held at Whitewater High School.  The participants were divided into 5 teams at each age level and played a double elimination style tournament.  The 6th-8th grade 3-on-3 tournament winners were Matthew Carollo, Mya Koran, & Connor Brummeyer.  The 3rd-5th grade tournament was won by Camden Kachel, Tyrelle Griswold, & Keaton Kachel.