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

Revision. 8/26 @ 1:10 p.m. The organization that was the primary source for this article was previously referred to as The Badger Report. That has been corrected to The Badger Project. The Banner regrets this error.

According to an analysis by The Badger Project, which uses the tagline “Nonpartisan, nonprofit, investigative journalism in Wisconsin,” since 2013, law enforcement officers in Wisconsin have killed at least 149 people. That amounts to about 2.7 annual deaths per one million residents, compared with a national average of approximately 3.3 deaths per one million people during the same timeframe. Marinette and Walworth Counties, and the cities of Green Bay, Eau Claire, and Waukesha have higher rates.

The analysis states that “Among people killed by police in Wisconsin since 2013, about 27% were Black, although Black residents make up just 6.2% of Wisconsin’s population, according to data Mapping Police Violence prepared for The Badger Project. All but four of the 149 killed were men.

Most have been deemed justified by an outside agency or a district attorney and have not resulted in criminal charges against the officer, according to the cases gathered by Mapping Police Violence. Law enforcement said the victims were armed in more than 75% of the deaths. Nearly all were killed after being shot by police; a few died by other means.”

A report on the analysis by The Badger Project was published on August 16. The complete article may be found here.

The section of the report on the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office reads as follows:
“Similarly, deputies from the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department have shot and killed five people in the last decade.

One was incarcerated at the county jail. Deputy Richard Lagle shot 18-year-old Alfredo Emilio Villarreal, saying the man had attacked him and was trying to escape while at the hospital. In another case, Kris Kristl aimed a BB gun at a county deputy and an Elkhorn Police officer.

In an email, Undersheriff Dave Gerber wrote, “Every case of a fatal shooting involving one of our deputies has been reviewed by a District Attorney, and in every case the District Attorney has determined that the enforcement was privileged and a reasonable exercise of self-defense and/or the defense of others pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes.”

Two of the victims were driving vehicles when they were shot and killed. Gerber said in both situations, the deputy was unable to get out of the way. Law enforcement are generally trained to approach vehicles from the rear or side to avoid standing in its path, experts say.

“These situations evolve rapidly and although not specifically stated in our Use of Force Policy, our deputies are allowed to defend themselves (or another person) when the deputy reasonably believes they are in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm,” Gerber wrote in an email. “A vehicle about to strike them is an imminent danger of death or great bodily harm.”

Some law enforcement agencies have restricted the practice of firing at a moving vehicle, because shooting the driver doesn’t always stop the vehicle and could make the situation worse. An officer can shoot passengers, for example, or hit the driver and turn the vehicle into a battering ram, endangering bystanders.

This practice is “increasingly viewed as an unnecessary risk,” Stroshine said.

“Many reformers have called for a complete ban on shooting at moving vehicles, and some departments have moved in this direction,” she said. “Restrictions are necessary; however, a ban may go too far. Officers should be required to retreat or avoid shooting at moving vehicles whenever possible.

But, Stroshine added, “there may be situations when an officer reasonably believes there is no other alternative or the vehicle has taken aim at the officer or others.” She cited the 2021 case of Waukesha Police who shot at Darrell Brooks as he barreled through the city’s Christmas parade, killing six and wounding more than 60 others with his SUV.

“It should be the last resort,” Stroshine said, “but officers should have that option if they deem it necessary.” [The quotes from The Badger Project end here.]

Walworth County’s population in 2020 was reported to be 103,391, so the Banner calculated that the county’s average annual rate of killings by the Sheriff’s Department for the period was approximately 4.8 per million, compared with 2.7 in the state and 3.3 in the nation. Since it started with 2013, the analysis barely missed an additional fatal shooting by the department in 2012 that would have made a total of six. Reported fatalities occurred in the following years: 2012, 2013 (2 fatalities), 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Additionally, however, in 2016 there was a fatal shooting by two town of Geneva police officers. If that incident was included in the analysis, the total police-related deaths that occurred within the county would have averaged approximately 5.8 per million, over double the reported state average.

The complete Badger Project article may be found here. The article includes the sections “New approaches eyed to lower deaths” and “Avoiding use of force.”

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having been given permission from The Badger Project to quote from their article. We also appreciate the use of the image on the homepage by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay.,

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

This photograph is another from the Scholl collection of glass plate negatives taken between 1895-1910. Several of these glass plates are identified as being taken at Lake Koshkonong, and this is probably one of them. Taken around 1900, the photo shows a boating excursion with the participants enjoying wading in the lake. A nice outing during the “dog days” of summer!

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(3715GP, Whitewater Historical Society)

Editor’s note: The following press release was issued by the city of Whitewater Department of Public Works.

On Monday, August 29, 2022, work is scheduled to begin around 7:00 a.m. at the intersection of Tratt Street
and Walton Drive. The contractor will be removing the temporary patch and repaving the area with hot mix
asphalt. This work will require Tratt Street to be reduced to one lane with the use of flaggers. Walton Drive at
Tratt Street will be closed. The intersection is anticipated to be completed and fully back open by 12 noon.
This work is weather dependent. If the work is not completed on Monday, August 29 due to weather, it will be
completed on Tuesday, August 30.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) announces that
award-winning watercolor artist Ron Stocke’s workshop from September 23-25, 2022 at
the Cravath Lakefront Center is, unfortunately, canceled. The registration ended on
August 23 and not enough participants were signed up for the workshop to
continue. There are currently conversations between the WAA manager and Ron Stocke
to potentially have the workshop return in 2023 or 2024. If there is interest, the
Whitewater Arts Alliance urges viewers to join our email club to obtain future updates.
Our email club can be found on our website at https://www.whitewaterarts.org/email-
club.

Those who were signed up for the workshop will be receiving their refunds soon. If there
are questions, please reach out to the WAA manager, Ashe McDarison at
wwartsalliance@gmail.com.

Editor’s note: The following press release was provided by the University of Wisconsin System. Information about the Wisconsin Tuition Promise at UW-Whitewater is also available at this website.

Program starting in fall 2023 will help underserved students obtain a degree tuition-free

University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman recently announced the creation of the Wisconsin Tuition Promise, a new initiative starting in fall 2023 to ensure underserved Wisconsin students can attend any UW System university without paying tuition or fees.

The goal of the program is to increase the number of state residents who graduate with a bachelor’s degree – especially first-generation students and those from low-to-moderate income families throughout Wisconsin – thereby improving individual lives and communities and helping meet the state’s workforce needs.

“The benefits of a college education are unassailable,” Rothman said. “A college degree needs to be within reach for every Wisconsin citizen as a path to a better life, and the Wisconsin Tuition Promise will provide these opportunities. It is also how we can close the skills gap that now limits Wisconsin’s potential to thrive in a global economy.”

Rothman said an estimated 8,000 students will be supported through the program once it is fully implemented over four years. Eligible students will be awarded an average of $4,500 over four years. The UW System intends to fund the first year of the program in academic year 2023-24 at $13.8 million and seek state investment for subsequent years.

“The Wisconsin Tuition Promise comes at a pivotal time for our students and families who are faced with increasingly challenging economic circumstances. At UW-Milwaukee, we have the highest numbers of Pell Grant recipients, military and veteran students, and students with unmet financial needs,” said UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone. “Our promise will enable access to the quality of life that so many in our population deserve.”

“We’re excited to be able to offer this opportunity to students in our region that aligns with our mission to provide equitable access to a college education,” said UW-Parkside Chancellor Debbie Ford. “The Wisconsin Tuition Promise will help remove a financial barrier that has kept many students, particularly historically underrepresented and underserved students, from attending UW-Parkside. UW-Parkside students display drive and determination when given the opportunity. There are thousands of ‘if not for Parkside’ success stories. For those stories to take shape, however, students need affordable access to the benefits of education.”

“At UW-Whitewater, the Wisconsin Tuition Promise builds upon our legacy as a university where students from all backgrounds can access a high-quality education at an affordable price,” said interim UW-Whitewater Chancellor John Chenoweth. “By guaranteeing that tuition and fees are covered for even more students, this program is a game changer. At the Whitewater and Rock County campuses, we are passionate about student success. From achievements in the classroom to the playing field, and through coveted internships and research opportunities, Warhawks are thriving — and the Wisconsin Tuition Promise will mean more students can experience a UW-Whitewater education.”

Modeled on Bucky’s Tuition Promise at UW-Madison, the Wisconsin Tuition Promise would provide up to four years of tuition and fee funding for students coming from families earning less than $62,000 annually and enrolling at any of the other 12 public universities within the UW System. The program would be structured to provide “last dollar” financial support after federal and state grant aid is accounted for; as a result, Tuition Promise awards will vary.

Eligible students will be Wisconsin residents, first-time enrollees or transfers, and attending full-time. They will need to make sufficient academic progress each year and attest that they were employed at some point during the previous year.

Rothman said the affordability review he sought shows a UW System education is the most affordable in the Midwest and is very affordable nationally compared to peers. However, fewer low-to-moderate-income and first-generation students are attending UW System universities, suggesting that despite a tuition freeze in place since 2013, a state college education is increasingly out of reach for some, he said.

“Education unlocks success in Wisconsin,” Rothman said. “By ensuring that every Wisconsin student is given the full opportunity to get a higher education, we will improve those lives directly while building the economic engine and community prosperity that benefit all Wisconsinites.”

Students will be automatically considered for the Wisconsin Tuition Promise when they apply for federal financial aid. A full publicity campaign led by the universities will begin later this fall. Current information can be found at: wisconsin.edu/tuition-promise/.

Multifamily Garage Sale
1241 W. Satinwood Lane
Whitewater

Thursday, Aug 25 to Saturday, Aug 27
8:30 – 5:00

$5 bag of kid clothes
$2 jeans of every size
baby, teen and adult clothes and shoes
books, toys, puzzles
fish tank, computer desk
and many more things

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MULTI  FAMILY GARAGE SALE-   AUGUST 26 AND 27.  8 TO 4

801 E Clay St.   EASTWARD Apt. C2, WHITEWATER

Schwinn Airdyne Stationary  bike.  Corner hutch. Bookcases. Blue Ox brake buddy towing system.  Old records.  Old comic books.  Kids STEM educational toys.  Kids craft items.  Brand name clothes. Household items.  Packer prints.  Books.  Much much more.  

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A Banner Service – Garage Sale Ads

As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, the Banner staff agreed to begin a “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published by Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property. There is no charge for these ads.

Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 6 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address.

We have another concert in the park coming up this week with a performance from the award winning cowboy yodelers KG and The Ranger! We hope to see you there, at Cravath Lakefront Park!

Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by Whitewater Unites Lives.

The second annual Whitewater Pride Rally will be held Saturday, Oct. 1 at Cravath Lakefront Park.  This free event, which will include music, entertainers, speakers and family-friendly activities, will take place from noon until 2 p.m. rain or shine.

The Cravath Lakefront Park provides space for additional activities and vendor booths. The organizing committee, composed of representatives from the community, Whitewater Unites Lives, UW-Whitewater’s PB Poorman Pride Center, and Whitewater High School’s Gay Straight Alliance, encourages those who wish to show their support of all members of our community and especially our LGBTQ+ neighbors, to participate. Organizations will be able to share information about their groups, and businesses, restaurants and others will have an opportunity to sell their products.

 A vendor agreement (see below) is available to those who wish to support Pride in the Whitewater community. The submissions are due by Friday, Sept. 9.

Proceeds from the Pride Rally will be used to help keep this event free for all attendees. And 100 percent of additional profit will support LGBTQ+ youth in our community through the Whitewater High School Gay Straight Alliance and UW-Whitewater’s PB Poorman Pride Center. For more information, contact Megan Kaiser at kaiserme13@uww.edu

Whitewater Pride Rally 2022 Vendor Participation Application

Pride Rally Details: Sat, Oct 1^st 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Cravath Lakefront Park

Vendor application deadline:  Friday, September 9^th 2022

We invite you to participate in Whitewater’s 2^nd Pride Rally organized by volunteer members of the community, Whitewater Unites Lives, UW-Whitewater’s PB Poorman Pride Center, and Whitewater High School’s Gay Straight Alliance!

Interested in sponsoring this event?

Any person or organization interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Megan Kaiser via email at KaiserME13@uww.edu. Proceeds will help keep this event free for all attendees. 100% of additional profit will support LGBTQ+ youth in our community through the Whitewater High School Gay Straight Alliance and UW-Whitewater’s PB Poorman Pride Center.

To participate as a vendor please submit the below application to Megan Kaiser at kaiserME13@uww.edu:

Application Information

Deadline: Applications are due by Friday, September 9^th 2022

Confirmation of Entry: We hope to accommodate as many organizations who want to participate as vendors as possible. However, applications submitted do not necessarily guarantee entry. Event organizers will confirm your participation, at the latest, by Wednesday, September 14^th.

Vendor/Informational Tabling Information: If you are a food or merchant vendor you must comply with the Whitewater city regulations. For more information, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/1.

Suggested Donations In order to offer this event free of charge, we encourage vendor donations and sponsorships. Our priority is to showcase the LGBTQ+ affirming organizations our community has to offer. As such, no organization will be denied entry due to inability to pay. The suggested donation ranges are comparable to similar Pride events across the state.

□ Merchant or Food Sales Vendor (must comply with city regulations)         $125 □ Business Vendor (information only, no sales)                                              $100 □ Non-Profit or Student Organization                                                             $25-50

Community Expectations for Whitewater’s 2^nd Annual Pride Rally

1) This is a family-friendly celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride. All signs, banners and materials must be created with that in mind. Any materials not suited for an inclusive, family-friendly audience may be removed by event planners.

2) All state and local ordinances will be enforced.

3) Safety is everyone’s first priority. We, of course, ask that vendors make every effort to ensure the safety of themselves, other vendors, and/or event attendees.

4) It is the sole responsibility of the vendor for set-up, take down, and cleaning of their entry throughout the event. The event will start promptly at 12 p.m. Vendors will set-up between 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Typical vendor tables are 6ft long x 2ft wide.

Application

Organization/Business Name: ________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________ State: _______________ Zip: _______________

Primary Contact Person: ____________________________________________________________

Phone: _____________________ E-mail: ______________________________________________

Briefly describe any item(s) you are selling or information you are distributing: ________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Donation amount:   _________________________________________________________________

□ By checking this box, I (we) certify that I (we) have read the community expectations for Whitewater’s 2^nd Annual Pride Rally and will comply with each statement.

Signature: _________________________________________ Date: _________________________

Print Name: ______________________________________________________________________