WHITEWATER (Discover Whitewater Series Submission) – The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon and 5K is in need of volunteers for their annual race on Sunday, September 20, 2020.
Volunteering for DWS is a great way to get involved in the Whitewater community. There are all sorts of positions still available, such as water stations, parking, post-race nutrition stations, and much more.
Can’t make it Sunday? The DWS could use volunteers Friday and Saturday, too. Friday and Saturday will consist mostly of packet pickup and set-up for the race.
The DWS team is also looking for people to walk behind the races. This position entails following the last of the runners and volunteers for this position must be able to complete the entirety of whichever race they sign up to walk behind.
All volunteers receive a free t-shirt, a sandwich courtesy of Aladdin Food Services and access to the virtual goodie bags.
“Volunteering for the Discover Whitewater Series is a great way to give back to the community,” said Race Director Dawson Miller. “And that’s what this race has always been about: giving back to the community while still running a purely athletic event.”
This year more than ever, safety is a huge priority for the entire DWS team. We ask that all volunteers social distance from each other as much as possible and to wear masks the entire time they are at the event. Gloves and hand sanitizer will be distributed to all relevant areas as well.
Volunteers will also be asked to not attend if they have any COVID related symptoms or have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID in the last 14 days. For a full look at our safety rules and regulations, check out https://runwhitewater.com/StillRunning.
The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features, while keeping everyone in the community active. All the proceeds from the race are donated to five local non-profit partners: Bethel House (which provides interim housing for homeless families), Whitewater LEADS, Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3), Whitewater Unified School District and the J-Hawk Aquatic Club. The DWS partners with the city, business community, university and the school district to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit www.runwhitewater.com.
At a 2-3/4 hour special meeting on Wednesday evening, a straw poll of Common Council members of 5-1 indicated a lack of interest in adopting a pandemic-related ordinance limiting the size of gatherings that they had requested to be drafted at the September 1 regular meeting. A full report will be posted by Saturday. Meanwhile, subscribers to The Gazette may read a report titled ‘It’s Probably Too Late.’ Head of UW-W gives prognosis for fall term amid virus.” by Jonah Beleckis here.
(Whitewater Public Library Submission) The League of Women Voter’s-Whitewater Area is pleased to provide the general public with practical voting information leading up to November 3rd General Election. Learn how to register to vote, how to request an absentee ballot, and where to submit that ballot. From the League, “Let us help you sort through these options. You don’t want to miss this. Voting is essential to our democracy. Your vote is your voice.”
Visit the Irvin L. Young Library’s Facebook page or YouTube channel to view live programs and past events. If you can’t watch “Voting Basics” on Tues., 9/15 at 4 p.m. live, you can view it any time before the election on either of these sites.
(Whitewater Unites Lives Submission) Steve and Judy Malone are WUL Hometown Heroes, and have been nominated “For volunteering for years at the Whitewater Community Food Pantry by picking up, delivering and unloading donations, driving as far as Milton and Elkhorn.”
The nomination includes: “Steve has also been a faithful board member. Steve and Judy are active members of the Lions Club which donates to the food pantry.”
Steve Malone is pictured here with Pat Chaput and Barb Quast (Judy Malone was unavailable for the photo)
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
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
A primary measure of the spread of COVID-19 in a community is the positivity rate, which is generally calculated as the percentage of people with positive results out of all of the test results that have been reported in the past 7 or 14 days. The Whitewater Unified School District Board has indicated that, based on advice from the Jefferson County epidemiologist, in order for fulltime in-person classes to resume, the blended 14-day positivity rate for Jefferson, Rock and Walworth counties should be less than 8% and continue on a downward trajectory for 14 days. Some school districts have used a target of 5%.
The tables below show both the 14 and 7 day test results for the city and Walworth County. (Only the Walworth County portion of Whitewater can be computed, as the census tract for the Jefferson County portion of the city extends as far as Palmyra.) A dramatic increase in the number of positive test results, as well as the positivity rate, is noted in the city. Although it was inevitable that an increase would occur with the return of the UW-W students, the rate of increase is concerning.
It is also notable that the COVID-19 related deaths in Walworth County have increased from 26 to 32 in the past two weeks. The Banner received the following reply from the county public health team in response to our inquiry about this rapid increase: “In the past two weeks, the Walworth County Division of Public Health has reported 6 additional deaths, bringing the county’s death total to 32. Five of the 6 deaths occured in healthcare settings of either hospitals or long term care facilities. Walworth County had their youngest death thus far, of an individual in their upper 50s. The other five individuals were over the age of 65. All six individuals had significant underlying health conditions. These deaths highlight how devastating COVID-19 can be for individuals with underlying medical conditions and remain a reminder for our community to protect those who may be at risk for severe complications from this disease.”
COVID-19 TEST RESULTS – CITY OF WHITEWATER (WALWORTH COUNTY PORTION)
End Date
# Tests Reported – 14 days
# Positive
Positivity %
# Tests Reported – 7 days
#Positive
Positivity %
8/22
216
27
12.5%
103
6
5.8%
8/29
240
19
7.9%
128
13
9.2%
9/7
421
77
18.3%
274
60
21.9%
COVID-19 TEST RESULTS – WALWORTH COUNTY
End Date
# Tests Reported – 14 days
#Positive
Positivity %
# Tests Reported – 7 days
# Positive
Positivity %
% of Those with Positive Results Who Reported being Asymptomatic
Total Deaths
8/22
2386
277
11.6%
1071
112
10.5%
11.4%
25
8/29
1972
210
10.6%
901
98
10.9%
11.1%
27
9/7
1953
228
11.7%
986
129
13.1%
10.9%
32
UWW has established the following dashboard which provides useful information. It is found at this link.
COVID-19 Dashboard
The COVID-19 pandemic is an ever-changing situation and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater actively monitors and reviews a series of health, safety, and resource metrics to guide decision-making with regard to university operations. These metrics are considered in combination and consultation with recommendations and orders from the state and county health departments before any changes in operations are made.
Note that the Warhawk Dashboard has not been updated since Friday morning, whereas the statistics above are through Monday.
Last Updated 9/4/2020 at 11:06 AM
COVID-19 cases reported to UW-Whitewater
New reports – Week of Aug. 30-Sept. 5
Previous week
Cumulative reports since March 2020
Students
22
6
35
Employees
1
3
7
Other
0
0
0
Dashboard is updated daily with available data. Numbers include cases reported through university-coordinated testing, as well as those reported through the COVID-19 Hotline, which may include testing that occurred off-campus through other health clinics/providers. Student employees are counted in the student numbers. The “Other” category is defined as any positive cases reported to UW-Whitewater who are neither students nor employees and may include visitors to the university, contractors or vendors, or others who have been to the university in person. These numbers represent individuals who have had direct contact with the campuses. Individuals who are working or attending solely in a remote manner and not living in University Housing are not included.
Regional Metrics
University Health and Counseling Services (8/21-9/3)
Walworth County (8/18-8/31)
Rock County (8/19-9/1)
Jefferson County
Wisconsin (7-day average)
Percent Positive
6% (9 of 142*)
9.81%
6.7%
11.8%
8.7%
Time to complete contact tracing
N/A
96% of contacts are initiated within 48 hours
78% of contacts are initiated within 48 hours
Not Available
N/A
Healthcare system capacity level
No crisis management of care
No crisis management of care
No crisis management of care
Not Available
20% Available (Based on Immediate Bed Availability)
Total cases per 100,000
n/a
190
130
220
170
*UHCS percentage positive is based on PCR testing performed at the University Clinic site of students only.
Additional UW-Whitewater metrics
Capacity for isolating/quarantining individuals on campus
100 of 113 rooms available
The university is also monitoring the current PPE supply and supply chain, staffing levels across both campuses, and compliance of university safety protocols.
(Whitewater Public Library Submission) Families are invited to visit the Irvin L. Young Library’s Facebook page or YouTube channel to view live programs and past events. Craft kits are located outside the library’s south doors Monday – Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. No need to register or call ahead.
By Lisa Dawsey Smith Whitewater Banner staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
At their September 1 meeting, Common Council members discussed the possibility of adopting an ordinance that would limit the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings on private property, perhaps until UW-W is scheduled to end the in-person fall semester on November 24, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of particular concern noted by council members was the large size of some outdoor gatherings that were held by college students this past weekend. Two citizens spoke against the idea, while one student spoke in favor. One of those who spoke in opposition stated that it was unrealistic to expect students not to party, and they should simply follow the consequences. Both citizens were concerned about the impact to permanent residents of the city. Several members of the University administration, including the chancellor, indicated that such an ordinance would be a helpful tool in addition to the Social Contract which students have been asked to follow. While expressing some reservations, council members were generally favorable towards drafting a proposal, to potentially be considered at a special meeting on Wednesday, September 9.
Citizens wishing to provide feedback to council members may find contact information for the Common Council here. Public input can also be provided during Common Council meetings. Those wishing to join virtual meetings will find information to do so at the top of each Common Council agenda found here.
City Manager Cameron Clapper indicated that staff is hard at work developing the 2021 budget proposal, to be introduced at the October 6 meeting. He also announced that a second electronics recycling event for the year will be held on September 12. Applications are currently being received for the new Equal Opportunities Commission. The application is available in electronic form here. The city has created this commission in hopes to holistically consider equity, diversity and inclusion within city employment, boards and commissions and community. It was indicated that applicants should have some personal or professional experience in matters related to eliminating racism or other forms of discrimination.
City Clerk Michele Smith gave an overview of the preparations for the November election. While she anticipates that there will be the largest election turnout ever, she believes it is likely that a large majority of the votes will be absentees. In the 2016 Presidential election there were a total of 7042 votes, 19.5% of which were absentees. In the Presidential primary this past April, early in the pandemic, 77% of the votes were absentees. The state Elections Commission on September 1 mailed an application for an absentee ballot to every registered voter if they had not already requested a ballot. This is not a ballot; it is only the application. Fortunately the Elections Commission has hired temporary staff to assist with the processing of the applications, though the city staff will also have a heavy workload. A ballot dropbox has been installed in the Whitewater street vestibule, which is open 24/7. Ballots are due to arrive at the Clerk’s office on September 16, although Michele felt this date might be questionable. Ballots that have already been requested by that date are supposed to be mailed out the very next day. In-person absentee voting may not take place, per a recent law, until October 20.
After a brief discussion, it was agreed upon to continue with virtual city meetings. This decision is anticipated to be discussed again monthly.
McKinley Palmer, who was attending his last meeting representing Aldermanic District 5 due to moving out of the district, was thanked for his dedicated service.
To view the recording of the Common Council meeting from September 1, 2020 please find that available on Vimeo here.
City of WhitewaterPublic Works Committee – Tues. @ 6:00 p.m. Includes capital improvements budget for 2021 and construction project updates More information Join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/971149533 You can also dial in using your phone. 1 (646) 749-3122 Access Code: 971-149-533#
City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission Regular Meeting – Wed. @ 6 p.m. via gotomeeting Includes interview of detective lieutenant candidate in closed session, followed by announcement in open session Further information https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/752887501 You can also dial in using your phone. 1 (872) 240-3311 Access Code: 752-887-501#
City of Whitewater Common Council Special Meeting – Wed. @ 6:30 p.m. Consideration of ordinance prohibiting certain mass gatherings during COVID-19 pandemic Additional information including the proposed ordinance 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://zoom.us/j/92478478559?pwd=eExVaE8rczRuUGllVWw0YVljT0hPUT09 Passcode: 602521 Or iPhone one-tap : +13126266799,602521# Or Telephone: Dial +1 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 924 7847 8559# Passcode: 602521#
City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Thurs. @ 3:30 p.m. Includes Everett and Ellen Long house as Local Landmark More information https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/630924741 You can also dial in using your phone: +1 (872) 240-3212 Access Code: 630-924-741
(Fort Atkinson Public Library Submission) On Tuesday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m. the Dwight Foster Public Library will present “Frozen in Time: Finding and Identifying the WC Kimball” live on Facebook and Zoom.
In 2019 a team of divers, historians and shipwreck enthusiasts found and identified a new shipwreck in northern Lake Michigan. Though the W.C. Kimball was not unlike many other schooners that sailed the inland seas during the late 1800’s, it’s the incredible condition she is in now that makes her one of the most significant finds ever.
Diver and artist Cal Kothrade tells the story of how shipwreck hunter Ross Richardson found the Wisconsin built vessel, and of the diverse team that would eventually solve the mystery of what this sail away’s name is. Through video, photographs and artwork, Cal discusses the condition of the wreck today and the forensic clues which led to its identification, as well as what the ill-fated ship and crew’s final hours might have been like.
Registration to participate in the Zoom discussion is required. Register at fortlibrary.org. No registration is required to watch the presentation on Facebook.
