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Whippet Girls Fall to Brodhead

Article by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org

The Whitewater High School Girls’ Basketball Team competed in a conference game against Brodhead Monday night, January 4. We dug ourselves a big hole in the first half with 18 turnovers and scoring only 10 points. 

We tripled our points in the second half, only being outscored by 3 points, and reduced our turnovers, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap, and we lost 69-40.

Senior Kacie Carollo led the Whippets with 19 points, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds. Freshman Danielle DePorter scored 14 points (career high), all in the second half.

Ballot Finalized for Common Council & School Board; With Five Candidates for WUSD, There Will Be a Primary in February

The deadline for filing for candidacy for Common Council and the School Board was January 5.

Per City Clerk Michele Smith, the following persons will be on the ballot for Common Council on April 6, 2021.

Aldermanic District 1:
Carol McCormick (Incumbent), 555 E. Clay Street

Aldermanic District 3:
Brienne Brown (Incumbent), 156 N. Fremont Street

Aldermanic District 5:
Neil Hicks, 1254 Tower Hill Pass
Greg Majkrzak III, 1294 Tower Hill Pass (Incumbent)

Councilmember at Large:
Daniel Machalik, 416 W. North Street
Lisa Dawsey Smith, 273 N. Fremont Street
(Incumbent Patrick Singer is not running for reelection.)

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Per School Board Secretary Jaclyn Tueting, the following persons will be on the ballot for one of the two open positions on the Whitewater Unified School Board for the election on April 6, 2021.

Jakub Fadrowski, W7857 Blue Heron Dr., Whitewater
Tom Ganser, 140 N. Esterly Ave., Whitewater (Incumbent)
Larry Kachel, 457 S. Buckingham Blvd., Whitewater
Andrea M. Svec, W7679 Shereda Rd., Whitewater
Maryann Zimmerman, W7582 R&W Townline Rd., Whitewater

Kelly Davis is not running for reelection.

There will be a Spring Primary on February 16, 2021, at which time voters may cast a ballot for up to two candidates. The four candidates with the highest votes will advance to the April election.

There will be no city positions on the February ballot; however, it is anticipated that there may be a contest for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Roberto “Bob” Rodriguez, 87, of Whitewater passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at the Wm. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison

Roberto “Bob” Rodriguez Jr., 87, of Whitewater passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison.

Bob was born on October 2, 1933 in Laredo, Texas to Roberto Sr. and Sofia Rodriguez. His parents divorced when Bob was young and his mother raised him and his four siblings. At a young age, Bob would find odd jobs to help his mom in any way he could. He was an excellent student but felt that he needed to stop his education to go into the workforce. Later on, Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 17. While stationed in Hawaii, Bob earned his GED. He served two four-year hitches and was honorably discharged twice. He also served during the Korean Conflict in Japan. He truly enjoyed his time in Hawaii.

While visiting his sister, Bob met the love of his life, Maria. They were married for 30 years. They enjoyed traveling together and took many spontaneous trips. He worked at Generac over the years, until Maria suggested he retire. Maria passed in 2015.

Bob enjoyed reading, especially mysteries, watching western movies and anything cowboy related, watching Wisconsin sports, completing crossword puzzles, watching TV game shows, buying and trading books, and enjoyed spending time with family, especially his sister-in-law in Arizona.

He was a member of the Whitewater VFW and previously served as the Commander.

Bob is survived by his children, John (Rosemary) Villarreal, Calixtro (Sherri) Villarreal, Isabelle Villarreal, Phillip Rodriguez; grandchildren, Alex, Jon, Tony, Stevie, Efram; two great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Roberto and Sofia Rodriguez Sr.; wife, Maria; and siblings.

At this time, there are no services.

Donations in Bob’s name can be made at the Whitewater VFW and the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at the Veterans Hospital in Madison and Mercy Hospital in Janesville, for their exceptional care for Bob. Another special thanks to Giselle Robbins, Bob’s friend and caregiver with Bright Star.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Dylan Edmund Dale Griep, 21, Whitewater, passed into eternal life on December 31, 2020

Dylan Edmund Dale Griep, 21, Whitewater, passed into eternal life on December 31, 2020.

Dylan was born on October 15, 1999 to Jonathan and Sherry (Grosskreutz) Griep in Beloit, WI.  He spent many of his early years in Beloit before moving to Whitewater in 2011.  He graduated with honors from Whitewater High School in 2018.  He then attended UW-Whitewater for Game Development, one of his biggest passions.  He also enjoyed building computers and was a skilled self-taught coder.  His spirit and drive will always be remembered.  Dylan had a super sense of humor and touched so many lives.  He is dancing in the sky!

He is survived by his grandparents, Ed and Sandy Grosskreutz; mother, Sherry Griep; sisters, Andrea Griep, and Kaylee (Michael) Kirichkow; nieces and nephews, Dakota, Damien, Kylie, Jaxson, Eli and Wesley (arriving in April); and his dog, Bandit.  He was preceded in death by Donna and Dale Griep and Aunt Angie Griep.  Private services will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank Whitewater EMS, Police and Nitardy Funeral Home for their assistance.  Online condolences may be made by visiting nitardyfuneralhome.com.  Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family.

James Kiesler age 57 of Whitewater passed away on Friday, January 1, 2021 at the University Hospital in Madison

JAMES KIESLER age 57 of Whitewater passed away on Friday January 1, 2021 at the University Hospital in Madison. He was born on April 25, 1963 in Fort Atkinson to Patricia and James Kiesler. James enjoyed watching the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers in the company of his cat Spaten. He made many friends at the Lohff’s Assisted Living.

He is survived by his Sisters Kathleen (Robert) Roser of Milton, Mary (Rick) Olson of Fort Atkinson, and Uncle Don (Inez) LaDien of Jefferson. Nieces, Laurie (Mark) Buckley, Lisa Crofoot, Richelle (Dan) Rottmann, nephew Ryan Olson. Great nieces and nephews, Sophia Glick, Alexia Rottmann, Lilyan Rottmann, Jamison Rottmann, Jayden Olson. His close friend Dan (Hege) Quale and the many friends at Lohff’s Assisted living in Whitewater.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and Brother Kevin Kiesler. Visitation will be at the church from 2:00 p.m. until the time of services.

Prayer services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday January 8, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Rev. Thomas Coyle officiating.

Please visit www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence and share a memory.

Sarah Linn is a Hometown Hero

(Whitewater Unites Lives submission) Sarah Linn is a WUL Hometown Hero, and has been nominated for “Helping Gabriela Marquez Gomez by teaching her English and giving her support.” 

Sarah Linn

Gabriela lived in Whitewater for about 10 years until she returned to live in Mexico in 2008.

She says, “While I lived in Whitewater my teacher Jorge Islas and a special friend Sarah Linn helped me to learn the language and support me in my learning process. I am so proud of them – Jorge Islas Martinez and Sarah Linn are my heroes who I (will) admire forever.”

Jorge Islas Martinez was recently awarded the Hometown Hero recognition for his dedicated work helping the Latino community.

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

 Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com 

Statement from UW System President Tommy Thompson on CDC Antigen Test Study

(UW System press release, Dec. 31) MADISON, Wis.— University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson today issued this statement on a new CDC antigen test study:
“We are pleased to have partnered with the CDC on the study the agency released today, which identifies
the Sofia rapid-results antigen test as an appropriate use for congregate settings such as for our residence
hall population. This study affirms the efficacy of our testing efforts to stop the spread of the virus, by
enabling us to quickly identify students who may have the virus and quarantine them away from other
students while administering a confirmatory PCR test. We established protocols last fall for symptomatic
students to get a PCR test, which is consistent with results of this study. In addition, the accuracy of a
negative result on the Sofia test allowed our students to live and study on campus successfully. We will
embark on an even more aggressive testing program using the Sofia rapid-results test during the spring
semester. We also continue to encourage members of the public to take advantage of our surge testing
sites using the free Abbott BinaxNOW rapid-results test when they become operational again January 4.”

Whitewater Community Fundraising Partners Joined with The Black Sheep to Sponsor 140 Meals for Community Youth and Families (UPDATED with photos)

The Whitewater Community Fundraising Partners joined up with Tyler Sailsbery of The Black Sheep, along with his staff, to sponsor 140 meals to feed our community youth and their families. The Black Sheep staff and WCFP volunteers packaged the meals one night and delivered them the following morning. The recipients appreciated the thoughtful and delicious holiday meals! The Whitewater Community Fundraising Partners is a nonprofit organization of classmates from the WHS class of 1982, plus friends. See www.whitewatercfp.com for more details.

Tim Nelson, Cheri Zimdars, and Janet Simkus bag up holiday meals, while Mary Kay, Steph, and Kiara Nelson work at the back table
Mary Kay Nelson, John Pio, and Ron Walenton box up salad fixings and desserts
Ron Walenton, Mary Kay Nelson, Kiefer Sullivan, Tyler Sailsbery, and John Pio
Eric Zimdars, Janet Simkus, Cheri Zimdars, Mary Kay and Tim Nelson, Joan Domitrz fill vehicles prior to delivery
Kiara and Steph Nelson are about to deliver meals





Please Help Keep Fire Hydrants Clear of Snow & Ice

Image may contain: text that says 'KEEP'EM CLEAR If there's a fire hydrant near your house, help keep it accessible this winter: DO YOUR PART so THEY CAN DO THEIRS /3ft. 3ft. 3ft. To the street CLEAR -AWAY ZONE Remove any snow and ice Clear a wide enough perimeter around the hydrant for firefighters to work (about 3 feet) Clear a path from hydrant to street'

Image may contain: 4 people, snow, tree, child and outdoor

Whitewater Fire Department

(Whitewater Fire Dept. Facebook post)  · When you are clearing your driveways and sidewalks today, don’t forget to give your local hydrant some love! It makes our jobs much easier and allows us to better protect lives and property. We found one this morning that had already been cleared, thanks to all those who help us and their fellow citizens out.

Recent Home (and Other Property) Sales

Source: Wisconsin Department of Revenue – Arms length sales recorded in December, 2020

218 E. Lakeview Dr.$292,000
805 & 807 W. Highland St.239,900
519 W. Starin Rd.215,000
228 S. Church St.380,000
338 E. Main St.140,000
1277 E. Bluff Rd., #112165,000
141 N. George St.150,000
281 N. Park St.161,500
640 N. Prospect Dr.4,850,000
351 S. Wisconsin St., #11241,900
950 W. Charles St.65,700
N7459 E. Lakeshore Dr.250,000
112 S. First St.83,000
304 S. Janesville St.141,000
516 W. Whitewater St.118,500
277 S. Janesville St.108,750
1264 W. Blooming Field Dr.234,000
412 S. Summit St.350,000
206 S. Woodland Dr.184,600