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Walworth County Public Health Releases New COVID-19 Phased Guidance

Per a press release from Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services, the following update to a phased reopening was issued:

The Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health has released new phased guidance on July 2 to help incrementally guide our community towards a new normal. 

The Walworth County COVID-19 Phased Guidance document provides phased recommendations for a variety of businesses, organizations, and sectors in our community. “Every setting is unique and calls for different strategies to protect customers, clients, and staff. We anticipate that our business and community leaders will follow these guidelines and implement strategies to best protect our community”, stated Elizabeth Aldred, Health and Human Services Director. 

The Walworth County Division of Public Health will be monitoring a variety of Key Indicators to determine when it is advised for businesses and organizations to move into the next phase of the guidance. These Key Indicators evaluate Walworth County’s trends in cases, the capacity of our healthcare systems, and the ability of Public Health to quickly follow-up on confirmed COVID-19 cases. These Key Indicators will be updated on the Walworth County Division of Public Health website weekly, in addition to being updated on the Walworth County COVID-19 Response Hub & Dashboards, which contains additional data and graphics about COVID-19 in our community. 

The Walworth County COVID-19 Phased Guidance and additional resources for safely operating during this pandemic can be found at our website, https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/856/COVID- 19. 

For more information please contact Walworth County Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health at (262) 741-3140, email walcoph@co.walworth.wi.us, follow-us on Facebook or visit us online at co.walworth.wi.us. 

Banner staff thinks it is worth mentioning that in addition to the information within this press release the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has a regional activity level found here that shows county by county activity level for virus transmission rates. Walworth County is noted as high for the previous two week period, as is Jefferson County. To prevent getting and spreading COVID-19, make sure you practice good personal health habits and avoid being exposed to the virus. 

Whitewater Resident Graduates from Western Technical College

LA CROSSE, WI (07/08/2020)– Jordan Simons, of Whitewater, graduated from Western Technical College in the Automotive Technician program. Simons is one of 599 graduates to receive an associate’s degree or technical diploma in the 2020 Spring Term.

Western Technical College is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). Each year, more than 400,000 Wisconsin residents receive education and training from the state’s 16 technical colleges.

To learn more about Western Technical College programs and servces, call 608.785.9200 or visit www.westerntc.edu. For more information on WTCS, visit www.wistechcolleges.org.

Ben Heller, WHS ’09, ready for another season of relief pitching for the Yankees

Ben Heller (2016 photo)

From the Daily Jefferson County Union: “Like most major league baseball players, Ben Heller cannot wait until the start of the 2020 season, abbreviated as it is due to the coronavirus pandemic.

When the season does officially start, the former Whitewater High School standout will be in his fourth year with one of the most storied franchises in all of professional sports—the New York Yankees.

The hard-throwing right-handed relief pitcher was among 58 players—33 of them pitchers—invited to participate in the New York team’s summer camp. He explained how the Yankees are doing their best to limit the amount of players at one time at the camp, which is being held inside Yankee Stadium.”

For the complete story in the Daily Union, assuming you’re able to get past the paywall, click here.

For a Youtube with Ben discussing his first major leagues win, in 2016, click here.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance Announces Fran Achen Photography Competition Award Recipients

Whitewater Arts Alliance
11th Annual Fran Achen Photography Competition
July 2020

Following are the award recipients for the 2020 Fran Achen Photography
Competition:

Awards Program at: https://www.whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2020-award-winners (There you will see all of the photographs that won awards. Click on some of the pictures and hover for full information. )
Virtual Show: https://www.whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2020-virtual-show (Click and hover over the pictures for full information including whether the photograph is for sale.)

2020 Fran Achen Photography Competition Awards:

Best of Show : Ellen Mecca : “time”

Best of Show : Ellen Mecca : “time”

Youth/Teen 1st Place : Leo Strand : “Grazing at Dawn”
Youth/Teen 2nd Place : Crystal Chan : “The Perching Dragonfly”
Youth/Teen 3rd Place : Leo Strand : “Pumpkins for Lunch”
Youth/Teen Honorable Mention : Crystal Chan : “The Forlorn Nymph”

Youth/Teen 1st Place : Leo Strand : “Grazing at Dawn”

Amateur 1st Place : Phyliss Stokes : “Blue Shoes”
Amateur 2nd Place : Christine C. Hayes : “Moroccan Artist”
Amateur 3rd Place : David Yochum : “Depot #2”
Amateur Honorable Mention : Phyliss Stokes : “Tea Time”
Amateur Honorable Mention : Sandy Ott : “Sunflowers”
Amateur Honorable Mention : Patricia Knox : “Cycling Sister”
Amateur Honorable Mention : Phyliss Stokes : “Three Hands”

Amateur 1st Place : Phyliss Stokes : “Blue Shoes”

Accomplished 1st Place : Chappy Achen : “Rattlesnake Bluff”
Accomplished 2nd Place : David Bueschel : “White Pigeon”
Accomplished 3rd Place : William Eklund : “Otter Creek”
Accomplished Honorable Mention : Robert Buell : “Remote Church Iceland”
Accomplished Honorable Mention : Everett Long : “Purple-Eared Green
Hummingbird”
Accomplished Honorable Mention : Gary Galger : “Linear Reflection”
Accomplished Honorable Mention : William Eklund : “Faithless”

Accomplished 1st Place : Chappy Achen : “Rattlesnake Bluff”

The Whitewater Arts Alliance is hosting the annual Fran Achen Photography Competition and Exhibition both virtually at whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2020 and at the Cultural Arts Center on 402 West Main Street.  The Cultural Arts Center is open through July 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.:  Fridays (for at risk individuals only – age 65 and over or with immunocompromised health conditions), and Saturdays and Sundays for all others.  Visitors will be asked to participate in health and safety measures in light of COVID-19, to include wearing a mask at all times (masks will be provided), entering via the elevator and exiting via the front door (unless they require the elevator), and keeping six feet apart.  There will be a ten-person maximum in the building at all times.

Voting for the Viewer’s Choice Award can be done online at whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2020-vote throughout the run of the show until Saturday evening, July 25. The winner will be announced on the last day of the show, July 26.  

Thank you to Board Member Jeff McDonald for chairing the show.

UW-Whitewater Announces Spring 2020 Graduates

UW-Whitewater announces 2020 spring graduates

WHITEWATER, WI (07/09/2020)– The following students earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on May 16, 2020.

Whitewater, WI, — Patrice Achu graduated with a Master of Business Administration in business administration.

Whitewater, WI, — Nicholas Andersen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in occupational safety.

Whitewater, WI, — Kara Bennett graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in economics.

Whitewater, WI, — Gracie Blechl graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in criminology.

Whitewater, WI, — Anya Bower graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance.

Whitewater, WI, — Tristan Browning graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in political science.

Whitewater, WI, — Grace Buendia graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.

Whitewater, WI, — Ashley Bueschel graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in human resource management.

Whitewater, WI, — Alexis Butry graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in media arts and game development.

Whitewater, WI, — Katy Carlson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders.

Whitewater, WI, — Sandra Cohen graduated with a Master of Science in Education in special education.

Whitewater, WI, — Anthony DeRose graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in political science.

Whitewater, WI, — Courtney Decker graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in special education.

Whitewater, WI, — Harrison Dilts graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in art.

Whitewater, WI, — Maxwell Dodd graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in physical education.

Whitewater, WI, — Travis Dring graduated with a Bachelor of Science in political science.

Whitewater, WI, — Jamison DuClos graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in information technology.

Whitewater, WI, — Brandy Eason graduated with a Bachelor of Science in social work.

Whitewater, WI, — Adrienne Elvord graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology.

Whitewater, WI, — Nancy Espana graduated with an Associate of Arts and Sciences in liberal arts.

Whitewater, WI, — Nathan Feeney graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in English.

Whitewater, WI, — Beatrice Fongang Maimouna graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in social work.

Whitewater, WI, — Breanna Fossum graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in criminology.

Whitewater, WI, — Andrea Fox graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in physical education.

Whitewater, WI, — MacKenzie Freeman graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in social work.

Whitewater, WI, — Carlie Gard graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Jessica Gardner-Rodriguez graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in history.

Whitewater, WI, — Bayly Grosskopf graduated with a Master of Science in Education in school psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Margaret Harms graduated with a Bachelor of Music in music.

Whitewater, WI, — Zachary Hasselberger graduated with a Bachelor of Science in occupational safety.

Whitewater, WI, — Ryan Hassett graduated with a Master of Science in Education in school psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Tyler Hill graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in general management.

Whitewater, WI, — Jacob Hollenbeck graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting.

Whitewater, WI, — Mariah Hummer graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Kayla Johnson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Matthew Lahti graduated with a Bachelor of Science in computer science.

Whitewater, WI, — Tou Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.

Whitewater, WI, — Elizabeth Liska graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in history.

Whitewater, WI, — Peter Lowney graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance.

Whitewater, WI, — Hannah Maes graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.

Whitewater, WI, — Christina Malone graduated with a Master of Science in counseling.

Whitewater, WI, — Kelly Mandry graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in supply chain and operations management.

Whitewater, WI, — Sarell Martin graduated with a Master of Science in Education in professional studies.

Whitewater, WI, — Ethan Maurice graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism.

Whitewater, WI, — Stephanie Mepham graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Ashlin Meyer graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology.

Whitewater, WI, — Jonathon Mickel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in communication.

Whitewater, WI, — Sean Murphy graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in general management.

Whitewater, WI, — Brion Nash graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism.

Whitewater, WI, — Ricky Newell graduated with a Master of Business Administration in business administration.

Whitewater, WI, — Christian O’donnell graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in physical education.

Whitewater, WI, — Cody Olson graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in integrated science – business.

Whitewater, WI, — Lindsey Persinger graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in elementary education.

Whitewater, WI, — Dominic Pickart graduated with an Associate of Arts and Sciences in liberal arts.

Whitewater, WI, — Brianna Pope graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in social work.

Whitewater, WI, — Daniela Porras Serna graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in art education.

Whitewater, WI, — Kylie Puttkamer graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in communication.

Whitewater, WI, — Olivia Rasmussen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in special education.

Whitewater, WI, — Brittany Redden graduated with a Master of Science in Education in school psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Michael Rogers graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in computer science.

Whitewater, WI, — Brett Saley graduated with a Bachelor of Science in computer science.

Whitewater, WI, — Darius Sanders graduated with a Bachelor of Music in music.

Whitewater, WI, — Bo Sheffield graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in general management.

Whitewater, WI, — Zack Shortess graduated with a Master of Business Administration in business administration.

Whitewater, WI, — LeRacha Simon graduated with a Master of Science in Education in professional studies.

Whitewater, WI, — Olimpia Soto graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting.

Whitewater, WI, — Nathaniel Spahn graduated with a Bachelor of Science in environmental science.

Whitewater, WI, — Kaitlin Spindler graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.

Whitewater, WI, — David Stearns graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art.

Whitewater, WI, — Jacob Stricker graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Emily Stroh graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Autumn Tracy graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in English.

Whitewater, WI, — Chase Trickey graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Hannah Tuinstra graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders.

Whitewater, WI, — Zurishaddai Vazquez graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism.

Whitewater, WI, — Hogan Veserat graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.

Whitewater, WI, — Mkami Wambura graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology.

Whitewater, WI, — Megan Wicke graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.

Whitewater, WI, — Rebecca Wilber graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in elementary education.

Whitewater, WI, — Casey Wilson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Gwenna Yakes graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in art.

Whitewater, WI, — Nicole Zajakowski graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.

More than 1,700 students received degrees this May, including 1,685 from the Whitewater campus and 95 from the Rock County campus.

The graduating class included 15 international students, 85 military veterans and 244 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 137 self-identified students with disabilities received degrees.

Former UW-LaCrosse Record-setting Quarterback Evan Lewandowski Transferring to UW-W

Per the LaCrosse Tribune, “Former record-setting UW-La Crosse quarterback Evan Lewandowski has found a new home. Only this time it’s with a conference rival.

The Lake Zurich, Ill. native announced Monday via Twitter he was transferring to WIAC foe UW-Whitewater:

“Change of plans … I’m headed to Whitewater.”

Lewandowski had originally committed to the University of Maryland on May 1 where transfer rules would have required him to sit out for one academic year. He stayed enrolled at UW-L through last year’s Spring semester. But Maryland recently added prized Alabama quarterback transfer Taulia Tagovailoa, who is the brother of Miami Dolphins and former Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa. With senior Josh Jackson and prized sophomore Lance LeGendre already in the mix, it suddenly became a crowded quarterback room.

The Eagles nearly pulled off the upset against Whitewater, but fell 21-17 on the road to the then No. 3 Warhawks.

Last season after the Eagles nearly pulled off an upset against UW-W, Whitewater coach Kevin Bullis said, “That young man can sling a football. There were times when the ball was going 30 yards down the field, but wouldn’t get six feet off the ground.”

For the complete article in the Tribune, click here.

Message from Chancellor Watson on Housing and Extended Drop-off Only Plan

Per a University announcement found here, Chancellor Watson issued the following message:

Dear Warhawks,

A message will be going out later this month to our students regarding their return to the residence halls for the start of the academic year. In that message, University Housing staff will share a number of points including that our residence halls will continue to host two students per room, unless single accommodations have been requested and are available.

Safety is and remains our main concern and we have worked with the local health departments on this matter. Both the Jefferson and Walworth county health departments were consulted prior to this decision being made. Additional steps will be taken to help keep our students as safe as possible in the residence halls including additional cleaning of the common bathrooms, among other actions.

We have said many times, and will continue to stress the fact that fall will look different this year. Among those differences will be that in order to help keep students, families and staff safe, move-in will become extended drop-off only and will occur over the course of nine days ­— Aug. 21 through Aug. 29. Details on how students will sign up for the extended drop-off will be provided in late July. Students will be able to move all their personal items in during their designated period. Students who sign-up for dates prior to Thursday, Aug. 27, are expected to return home until Aug. 30, unless they are approved for early arrival. To help control the overall density of the building, a maximum of two other people will be able to enter the building to help a student move in. Everyone will be required to bring and wear a face covering.

Our traditional faculty, staff and student assistants will not be a part of the extended drop-off this year to help keep our students and their families safe. This is disappointing news to many of you who so enjoy welcoming our students and their families. We will work to provide other ways to make our Warhawks welcome.

Sincerely,


Dr. Dwight C. Watson
Chancellor

July 4th Fireworks Light Up the Whitewater Sky

Thanks to Tom Ganser for the following beautiful July 4th Fireworks photos:

Photo by Tom Ganser
Photo by Tom Ganser

Tom’s comment: “Just thinking … this was the only ‘official’ thing for 4th July.  No parade.  No stuff at Cravath Lakefront for 4 days.  No Miss Whitewater Pageant.  A 4th of July to (non) remember …”