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Steven McPeak submited this story to the Banner: “Four other friends and I are marine biology graduates for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Now that Cravath Lake is drained, we noticed trash along the bank and where the lake used to be.  We decided to clean up some of the trash and in no time we filled the six bags that we brought with us. We all studied abroad in Australia last year, and while there we did many beach clean ups while enjoying the ocean. During these weird times, people need to see that you can still make positive impacts on your community. It’s so easy to walk by an area and not even notice pieces of trash on the ground or to just walk by it. If everyone just took a bag with them when they go on a walk and picked up whatever they saw on the ground, it could really make a difference. We are planning on going back to Cravath Lake another day with more bags to continue to clean it up.”

In response to the Banner’s request for more information, Steven responded, “Yes, us five have all graduated in marine biology within the past year. We all live within the area. Two of us live right over the border in Illinois, and the rest live in Wisconsin, the farthest living three hours away. There names are Alyssa Veness, Elizabeth Rockow, Isaac McCready and Nicole Price.”

— Our thanks to Mr. McPeak for sharing this story and its encouragement for all to find ways to make a difference even in these difficult times. How kind of these five students to spend part of their day together helping to make our environment cleaner and more attractive!

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com or click on “submit a story” near the top right of our homepage.  Thanks for thinking about this!

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

As has been announced in the Banner, during the past two months residents have had the ability to receive free COVID-19 drive-through testing in Whitewater, Elkhorn, and Walworth, not to mention recent sites in Beloit, Janesville, and Madison. Generally the reported wait times have been thirty minutes or less, and there has been no requirement for a person to have experienced symptoms or to have had a possible exposure. Yet another opportunity will be offered in Lake Geneva on July 28-29. How can this be when there are reports in a number of southern states of testing being offered on a restricted basis, and of people waiting for many hours for a test? Not to mention, results from our testing have generally come back within 2-3 days, whereas it’s taking up to ten days in some areas. The Banner reached out to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for answers. Elizabeth Goodsitt, Communications Specialist, provided the following responses.

Banner question: It seems that community, drive-through testing is so generously available in WI compared with many other states.  Elsewhere, there are reports of people waiting for hours to be tested.  Sometimes it seems they even have to make appointments to use a community site.  In WI, at least in Walworth & Rock counties, including two upcoming drive-throughs, we’ve had multiple opportunities to get tested with very minimal waiting.  We recognize that the National Guard’s assistance has been critical, but it would also appear that we’ve had much more availability of testing supplies than other states.  Is this largely a factor of WI not having as much demand for testing due to the spread not having been as extreme as in AZ, TX, FL, etc.?  

Response: Wisconsin has, so far, used less testing capacity than many other states. This allows us to make testing more immediately and broadly available to the individuals who need it than some other states might be able to do, but we also are encouraging testing for any individuals who need it. Testing is an essential tool for containing the spread of COVID-19. So any individual with a symptom should see their provider for a test. Any individual who is a close contact of someone with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 should see their provider for a test. And any individual who has difficulty accessing testing from a health care provider should seek testing from the community test site. The State of Wisconsin is committed to providing access to testing for individuals who might have difficulty accessing that test in a traditional healthcare setting.

Banner note: It appears that Walworth County may have been more proactive in requesting testing than some counties. Carlo Nevicosi, Deputy Director of the Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services, indicated, “I have actually been a bit surprised, too” (by the level of testing we have been offered.)  “Having the National Guard deployed to do this might be the defining factor.  They’ve accommodated all of our requests.”

Banner question: Do we have an approximate number of WI residents who have been tested in all settings? 

Response: You can always see that number on our Summary Data page. As of 7/10, Wisconsin has tested 670,164 people.

Banner note: As of July 15, the reported number is 725,026, which would indicate that approximately 12.5% of the state’s population has been tested. (There are undoubtedly some people who have been tested more than once, however.) According to the CDC, nearly 42,000,000 people have been tested in the U.S. That would represent approximately 12.8% of the population.

Banner question: Have the testing supplies and lab fees for the drive-throughs been paid for through a federal grant?  If so, did the federal money have a stipulation that it be used for testing, or could it be that other states have received similar money but are spending it in other ways?

Response: Federal funding that has been available to support States’ COVID-19 can be used to meet testing needs. The testing provided at community testing sites run by the State of Wisconsin is available through this federal funding. Other community test sites may use other funding. Testing is also available for free for all individuals with a symptom or close contact through their health insurance. There is also federal funding for COVID-19 testing available through Medicare and HRSA for individuals who do not have insurance.

(WHITEWATER – Whitewater Arts Alliance Press Release) – The first of three Savory Sounds Concerts to take place at the Cultural Arts Center on 402 West Main Street on Thursday, July 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. will feature A Rose Among Thorns. All concerts will be outside at the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s Cultural Arts Center. In case of rain, the concerts will be live-streamed.

Las Chicas, 1170 W. Main Street, will provide lunches with pre-orders.  Attendees are invited to call 262-458-2303 to pre-order lunches for pick up prior to the concert.

July 16, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

A Rose Among Thorns

Called A Rose Among Thorns, this quartet of local musicians offers pleasing melodies, tight musicianship, and stirring renditions of songs from folk, pop, blues, country, and Celtic traditions. The foursome includes Jeff Mason on acoustic guitar, bass, and vocals; Perry Baird on vocals and acoustic guitar; Tom Cook on bass, mandolin, banjo, and a host of other stringed instruments; and Angela Martin Licari on violin and vocals. Fort Atkinson natives Jeff and Perry played as solo acts and as a duo in the mid-1980s, renewing their musical partnership about five years ago. Tom, retired band teacher at Fort High School, came on board in 2015, and a violin was added in 2016, with Angela capably taking over that duty last year. All are familiar to local audiences as members of other musical ensembles, some of which include Jeff with the Merry Horde, Expanded Waist Band, and Blue Stew; Perry with The Buzzards; Tom with Madison Brass and Guitarcheology; and Angela with Madpolecats. The Rose Among Thorns collaboration gives each a chance to contribute favorite—often eclectic—songs for interpretation by the group. Songs featuring moving stories and themes, energetic instrumentals, soothing vocals, and singable choruses are all part of typical Rose Among Thorns musical sets.

(Submission by the Whitewater Public Library)

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Street Construction Projects

Construction work is anticipated to begin Thursday, July 16, 2020, on streets and parking lots in the City. Specifically, the streets include Wisconsin Street between Milwaukee Street and Coburn Lane, and Starin Road between Park Street and Fremont Street. Work includes pulverizing the existing asphalt pavement, grading and paving of new asphalt.

Parking lots being paved include the parking lot at the Dog Park and along Innovation Drive adjacent to Moraine View Park. During construction on the streets, the streets will be open to traffic, though they may be reduced to one lane at times. Work is scheduled to be completed by the end of July.

Questions should be directed to Brad Marquardt, Director of Public Works, at (262) 473-0139.

Thank you!