News

For over 60 years, Fairhaven Senior Services has been a cornerstone of compassionate care and community engagement in Whitewater. Established in 1962, Fairhaven has remained dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and vibrant environment for adults aged 55+, with a strong emphasis on social engagement, quality care, and a collaborative relationship with UW-Whitewater—setting it apart from senior living communities throughout the region and state.

A Legacy of Care & Innovation

Throughout its history, Fairhaven has been led by only three CEOs, demonstrating remarkable stability and commitment to its mission. The organization continuously invests in its levels of care, most recently completing a $12 million renovation of its assisted living facilities, ensuring residents receive the highest standard of comfort and support. With a dedicated team of 104 staff members and three external agencies, Fairhaven prioritizes personalized and attentive care.

Fairhaven offers a continuum of living options, including:
Prairie Village- Duplex ranch-style homes
Independent apartments- with care level options
Three floors of assisted living, including advanced assisted living
Hearthstone-Memory care

A Deep Connection to the Whitewater Community

One of Fairhaven’s most defining characteristics is its deep-rooted connection to UW-Whitewater. Residents frequently engage with students, faculty, and alumni, attending campus events, collaborating with university organizations, visits to and from athletic teams and welcoming student volunteers. Many Fairhaven residents are retired UW-Whitewater faculty and staff, maintaining a strong tie to the institution that continues to enrich their lives.

Fairhaven’s intergenerational programs and community engagement efforts include:
– Cycling Without Age Program – Community volunteers, including the City Manager, UW-Whitewater Chancellor Dr. Corey King, and Chief of Police Dan Meyer, provide trishaw rides through downtown and the university campus.
– Monthly Dog Treat Donations – Residents craft treats for local K-9 units, Whitewater veterinary clinics, and humane societies averaging almost 1,600 treats with a record of over 2,800.
– Fairhaven Lecture Series – A tradition spanning 40+ years, offering educational programs for residents and the broader community.
– Food Outings & Special Events – Monthly restaurant trips, Food Truck Days, and other engaging activities.

Navigating Challenges in Senior Care

As a leader in senior living and healthcare services, Fairhaven continuously adapts to an evolving healthcare landscape, facing challenges such as:

• Shifts in skilled nursing demand and prioritization of home health care which was a driving factor in the closure of skilled nursing.
• Federal and state funding limitations impacting long-term care facilities.
• Staffing shortages, particularly in nursing recruitment and retention within a small-town environment.

Despite these challenges, Fairhaven remains dedicated to preserving its mission and enhancing the quality of life for every resident.

How Fellow Chamber Members Can Support Fairhaven

Fairhaven encourages Chamber members and the broader community to help support their mission in simple but meaningful ways:
– Follow and share their story on social media- Facebook and Instagram
– Volunteer or engage with residents—including opportunities for adolescents and families to interact with residents.
– Collaborate on events and sponsorships—reach out for opportunities to partner or brainstorm new engagement ideas.

Schedule a tour to become aware of what Fairhaven has to offer.

Fairhaven is committed to amplifying its connection with UW-Whitewater and the Whitewater Community and continuing its tradition of enriching residents’ lives through education, social engagement, and community involvement.

Fairhaven: where life is added to years!

To learn more about Fairhaven Senior Services, visit www.fairhaven.org or follow them on Facebook. Or reach out to Brian Robinson- Director of Marketing, Community Relations & Leisure Services at robinsonb@fairhaven.org or by phone at 262-473-2140.  Together, we can help share and celebrate their impact on the Whitewater community!

Submitted by Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce
Images sourced and permitted use granted by Brian Robinson, Director of Marketing, Community Relations & Leisure Services

According to a story on 15WMTV, “On Saturday, March 22 residents who live on Lower Hebron road in Jefferson County say they woke up to their street spray-painted with racial slurs and symbols.

Tom Torre, who lives on Lower Hebron, said this isn’t the first time it’s happened in the area and he’s tired of it. ‘We were shocked and it’s not something that is unusual around here as it has been an issue for at least the last two years,’ said Torre. ‘To be honest I think it’s kids that are involved in this…we don’t need to see it… we have families out here that we’re trying to raise and do good in this world.’ ”

WMTV reported that the marks had been covered over by Saturday afternoon. Per the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, no arrests have been made.

Editor’s note: Lower Hebron Road intersects County Highway N just beyond the Bark River. It was not reported as to where on Lower Hebron Road the graffiti appeared.

City of Whitewater Public Test of Election Machines – Monday @ 10:00 a.m.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building, 2nd floor Cravath Lakefront Conference Room, 312 W. Whitewater St.

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action on retaining the stump and replacing all signage at the
Territorial Oak until a time when rot or hazard dictates removal of the stump; Discussion regarding annual tree sale
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86740339960?pwd=Vq2Y4CsbTA4vMOaVIiqno7Tz0JxQWx.1
Meeting ID: 867 4033 9960 Passcode: 110869
One tap mobile +13126266799,,86740339960#,,,,110869#

City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes CLOSED SESSION, FOLLOWED BY OPEN SESSION: Interview of Police Detective Candidate
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/905031261
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 905-031-261
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion with Greg Johnson from Ehler’s regarding TIF and Developer’s Agreements, Contract with new city attorney, Stipend for city manager for covering economic development during possible vacancy in director position
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88542815829
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 885 4281 5829

Please join the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in congratulating our 569 Fall 2024 graduates from the Eau Claire and Barron County campuses.

Local students who received degrees and their fields of study are:

Whitewater, WI

 Emma Jordan, College of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Science, Psychology

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from UW-Eau Claire.

Join the Whitewater Common Sense Citizens and citizens of Whitewater, WI on March 27, 2025 at 6 pm at 841 Brewhouse (located 841 E Milwaukee St, Whitewater, WI 53190).

We will be discussing multifamily apartment subsidies (TIF – Tax Increment Financing projects) and their impact on the taxpayers and community of the City of Whitewater.

For more information, contact us:
Whitewater Common Sense Citizens
Ben Holden
414-659-0938
atucraze@gmail.com
FB page: Whitewater Common Sense Citizens
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571944004505

The Whitewater Unified School District is proposing a $30 million capital referendum on the April 1st ballot to address our schools’ most pressing needs. To assist community members in learning more about these needs, a set of short videos is linked at www.whitewaterreferendum.org. Additionally, these videos will be shared out on the school district’s social media platforms. For community members who have remaining questions or feedback, please complete the brief form at the bottom of the www.whitewaterreferendum.org site.

Readers may view all fourteen of the videos from the link above, but for a few days the Banner has featured several videos per day with introductions to the direct links that will be provided. The earlier post regarding tech ed may be viewed here, and the one showing the ag area is available here.

Laura Masbruch: Robotics Team – 2:09 (two minutes, nine seconds)
Laura Masbruch, Robotics Team Advisor and veteran Math/Computer Science Teacher, showcases the current robotics team space. Limited by space constraints, the program would greatly benefit from the expansion and improvements funded by the April 1 referendum. This video may be viewed here.

WHS Cafeteria Crowding Timelapse – :53
This timelapse video shows the inability of the Whitewater High School cafeteria to accommodate the school’s student population and the crowding that occurs daily.

Dave Friend: Doors in Need of Repair/Safe Doors – :44
Dave Friend, Director of Buildings and Grounds, highlights one of the many problematic doors at Whitewater High School. Many district doors are in poor condition, compromising safety. Safe and secure doors and entryways are a key focus of the April 1 referendum. Passing the referendum will provide funding to replace these doors, ensuring a safer environment for students, staff, and the community. Friend demonstrates what a high-quality, secure door should look like. This video may be viewed with this link.

Dave Friend: New Bus Loop and Parent Drop-off/Pickup Area at WMS – 1:18
A new bus loop serving both Lincoln Elementary and Whitewater Middle School would open up the former middle school bus loop for parent drop-off/pickup of students. This safety enhancement is among the improvements that would be funded by the referendum. Please click here to view this video.

Dave Friend: Washington Elementary School Windows – :56
WUSD Buildings and Grounds Director, Dave Friend, explains the urgent need for new windows at Washington Elementary School. Click here to view this video.

Dave Friend: WHS Tennis Courts – :34
Dave Friend provides a look at Whitewater High School’s aging tennis courts, built in the 1990’s. If the April 1 referendum is approved, they will be replaced with modern, safer courts for student-athletes and the community. This is just one of the many capital improvements included in the referendum. This video may be viewed here.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

For the past twelve years, the Discover Whitewater Series (DWS) has collaborated with the university, the city, the Whitewater Unified School District, and the Greater Whitewater Committee.  DWS is proud to announce we will be hosting the thirteenth annual Half Marathon, Half Marathon Team Event, 5k, and Kids Korral. The DWS team is excited to announce that the thirteenth annual DWS will be held on September 21st, 2025.

The DWS was delayed in organizing the 13th annual DWS race due to Walworth Avenue soon being under construction. Despite these challenges, our team has put in lots of time and effort to create the best possible 5k and Half-Marathon map for the runners to enjoy.

This year, DWS will feature a retro racecourse created in the 1980s and 90s, parts of which were run by Olympic Qualifiers! Once the changes were complete, we were required to get approval from various governing bodies, including the township, university, and city, before proceeding. We are pleased to announce that we have received all final approvals, and the 13th annual DWS is moving forward with organizing the race.

With the new retro race maps, the Executive Committee decided to have the start line on Schwager Dr. and the finish line at UW-Whitewater’s Perkins Stadium. Due to the closure of Walworth Avenue, packet pick up will no longer be at the Whitewater High School, instead it will be located at UW-Whitewater’s Kachel Gymnasium. As the DWS team moves forward with finalizing race details, registration on the DWS website will be opening very soon. Make sure to check our website daily, as many updates will come soon. 

About the DWS

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 four local non-profit partners: Bethel House (which provides interim housing for homeless families), Whitewater LEADS, Whitewater Foundation-Athletics, 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.

Editor’s note: This press release was received from DWS.

Steve Watson writes, “Every walk is an adventure. 

A pair of swans on a migration layover this morning. 2-27-25.”

Our thanks to Steve Watson for another beautiful wildlife photo.

— 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. Thanks for thinking about this!

Share This