News

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

According to online court records, the trial for Chad T. Richards, who is charged with first degree intentional homicide in the shooting death of UW-Whitewater [UW-W] gymnast Kara Welsh, has been rescheduled to begin with jury selection on June 8, 2026. Richards was also a UW-W student and was in a relationship with Welsh. Previously the trial was scheduled to begin on December 15, 2025.

Based on the online record of the status conference which was held on August 19, it appears that a contributing factor to the delay may be the wait for processing of evidence by the state crime lab. District Attorney Zeke Wiedenfeld referred to “conversations with victim’s family and their frustrations with the crime lab and processing of evidence. Email received from the crime lab today stated that the lab portion of the analysis will be done today however the drafting of the report & the peer review will take a couple weeks to complete.”

According to the complaint, Richards, who was 23, and Welsh, age 21, got into an argument on the night of August 30, 2024. He claimed that Welsh grabbed a gun first and he took it away from her, then shot her because he feared for his life.

Richards faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. He continues to be in custody in the Walworth County Jail.

Previous articles related to this subject may be found here and here.

The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will offer Walk With Ease starting Monday, September 8, at Walworth Memorial Library. Created by the Arthritis Foundation, Walk With Ease is a structured walking program designed to help individuals with arthritis manage their pain and establish daily walking habits. 

Walk With Ease offers support, information, and tools to help participants develop successful exercise routines. Led by certified instructor Rebecca Way, MSW, APSW, the six-week program teaches participants proper stretching and pain management techniques, helping them build stamina and improve their walking pace. The program can be modified to meet participants’ needs, allowing them to develop exercise routines tailored to their unique goals.

“Research shows that walking is good for joints and helps improve heart, lung, and bone health,” says instructor Rebecca Way. “Walking can also help with weight management, which can reduce the risk for arthritis in the knee, heart disease, and diabetes. If you can be on your feet for 10 minutes without increased pain, you will most likely have success with Walk With Ease.” 

The information and strategies taught in the program are based on research and tested programs in exercise science, behavior change, and arthritis management. Updated and evaluated by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging of the University of North Carolina, Walk With Ease is shown to increase balance, strength, and walking pace, as well as reduce the pain and discomfort of arthritis. The program has also been shown to build participant confidence and improve overall health.

Walk With Ease will be held every Monday, September 8 through October 13, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Walworth Memorial Library, 525 Kenosha Street, Walworth, WI 53184. Pre-registration is required. This workshop has a suggested contribution of $10. For more information, contact Edie Africano at (262) 741-3309. Always check with your physician before starting any exercise program.

About the ADRC of Walworth County: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your situation. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center.

A new blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease has been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration [FDA].  The Lumipulse test is 90% accurate and works by detecting a tau protein which can indicate the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain, considered the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. 

 The test is still being refined and doesn’t diagnose Alzheimer’s disease on its own. The Lumipulse test is meant to be part of an evaluation for Alzheimer’s disease, including physical and medical history and imaging scans of the brain.

Previous tests required a lumbar puncture to look for the tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid which can be expensive and invasive.  

The test is currently recommended only for people who show symptoms of Alzheimer’s and is so new, many healthcare professionals may not know about it.  In that case, the patient should ask for a referral to a neurologist or memory specialist.  Insurance coverage may vary with different plans but is expected to be covered soon as it is less expensive than previous tests.

The advantage of early diagnosis allows patients to begin to consider next steps such as treatment options and clinical trials.  In addition, lifestyle changes can be considered -physical activity, healthy diet, quality sleep, stress management, social connections, and mental stimulation – which are known to slow the development of Alzheimer’s disease.  

*********** 

For more information on the Lumipulse test, click here https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/new-blood-tests-alzheimers/art-20585060

For information on keeping your brain healthy, click here.

This article is submitted by Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, a program of Whitewater Seniors in the Park to help educate the community about dementia and to support patients and their care partners.  New committee members are very welcome!  Contact jfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or call Jennifer at 262 473 0535       https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/273/Seniors-In-the-Park

City of Whitewater Announces Hiring of Mason Becker

The City of Whitewater is pleased to announce the hiring of Mason Becker as the new Economic Development Director, who brings extensive municipal
leadership and development experience to his new role.

Becker’s professional background includes substantial expertise in owner-occupied
housing development projects, subdivision planning, Tax Increment District (TID)
management, and downtown redevelopment. Notably, he led negotiations and finalized a development agreement for the Rock River Ridge subdivision, adding nearly 200 new housing units in the City of Watertown.

Becker also served as Executive Director of the Watertown Redevelopment Authority and chaired the Main Street Task Force, helping to guide planning efforts in preparation for the 2028 Main Street reconstruction project.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Becker has a strong record of public
service. He served five terms on the Fort Atkinson City Council, including multiple years as Council President. During his tenure, he played a key role in forming the city’s Economic Development Commission and guided land acquisition and annexation efforts to support new housing opportunities.

Becker is a proud graduate of UW-Whitewater and holds a Master of Public
Administration from UW-Oshkosh.

Editor’s note: In his new role Becker is following former Watertown Mayor Emily McFarland, who served for the past several months as Whitewater’s interim economic development director. An article in the Daily Jefferson County Union on August 14 provides further background on him. Becker indicated that McFarland was his direct supervisor in Watertown for over two years. He also mentioned that his commute from Fort Atkinson will be cut in half, and since his wife happens to work at UW-Whitewater, they might be able to catch lunch together occasionally.

Becker reflected that “Rock River ridge was a major milestone for the community. We were able to pull together three different developers all offering different housing-product types. We were able to move that forward by working with the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation. I think that is going to be an incredibly transformative housing project for the entire city.”

“You have to have a clear vision for what your city is going to be,” he said. “It’s bringing together key stakeholders to bring forward that vision for what you want your community to be in the future. I’m proud of how we’ve been able to engage with different stakeholders during my time serving the community….”

Becker will be introduced to the Community Development Authority Board of Directors at their regular meeting this Thursday.

Sheriff Travis Maze and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce its efforts to obtain an Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K-9, made possible through the generous support of local donor Mabel Schumacher. This new addition to our team signifies a major step forward in enhancing our investigative capabilities.

Once acquired, the ESD K-9 will be trained to detect electronic storage devices such as USB drives, SD cards, cell phones, and other forms of digital media. These items are often pivotal in investigations related to Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), cybercrime, stalking, fraud, narcotics, and various other crimes with a digital crime nexus. In addition to its role in evidence detection, the ESD K-9 will also be utilized for community educational programs and serve as emotional support for child victims of sexual and physical abuse, offering comfort during some of their most vulnerable moments.

With technology’s growing role in modern crimes, this K-9 will become an invaluable tool in uncovering evidence that might otherwise remain hidden. Our office has previously collaborated with other agencies utilizing their ESD K-9s and has recognized the immense value of having one dedicated to Jefferson County. We are incredibly grateful to Mabel Schumacher for recognizing this need and generously supporting the launch of our ESD program.

We anticipate integrating the ESD K-9 into the Jefferson County Detective Division by the spring of 2026, following the handler’s completion of a specialized two-week training course. By then, the K-9 will have undergone extensive training and will be fully certified in electronic storage detection.

This advancement places Jefferson County at the forefront of law enforcement innovation within the state. Currently, there are only seven certified ESD K-9s in the State of Wisconsin, with one soon approaching retirement. This canine will be the first of its kind in Jefferson County, setting a precedent in our investigative efforts.

Beyond being an asset to our agency, this K-9 represents a significant resource for our entire community. Thanks to this remarkable donation, our personnel will be better equipped to pursue justice in the digital age and to educate and protect our children from predators. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office looks forward to introducing this ESD K-9 to the citizens of Jefferson County in the near future.

Editor’s note: Whitewater Police Chief Dan Meyer, responding to this news release, told The Banner “That’s great to hear we’ll have that resource close by. “

Mark Dorn writes, “Here are two pics from 6:58 p.m.  [August 18] The two scenes are just north of the Village at Trippe Lake condos (just south of Eastward Apartments, Clay Street). 

I checked my rain gauge at 7:59 pm. 2.5” thus far.”

Our thanks to Mark Dorn for sharing this newsworthy photo and report. According to several city residents who have rain gauges, our total precipitation over the past nine days is about 10″. The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office reports that from August 10 through Sunday, August 17 the Wastewater Treatment Plant recorded 8.11″.

Who’s ready for the LAST Concert of the season in The Cravath Lakefront Park? Piper Road Spring Band [PRSB] is always one of the most popular concerts; the group is in its 52nd year! There are always some folks on the “dance floor” when this bluegrass group is playing. PRSB consists of Randal Harrison Hoecherl (fiddle), Bob Mason (mandolin), Barry “Blacky” Riese (guitar),  Mark Hembree (bass), and Billy “Kangaroo” (washboard).

FREE Concerts will start at 6 pm! City Market 4-7 pm. ALL at Cravath Lakefront Park.

There is a limited amount of seating on benches next to the parking lot. Bring a chair or blanket, and, if you wish, bring supper or pick it up from the City Market vendors.