News

On Monday, August 24, Whitewater Unified School District Staff convened at Whitewater Middle School for their annual kickoff event. Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser.

5 Years of Service:
Evangelina Aguilera, Robert Barnes, Adam Bretl, Rachel DePorter, Danielle Dillon, Yvonne Fanshaw, Adam Frank, David Friend, Taylor Gamboeck, Brandon Gianakos, Rachel McAdams, Jacob Miller, Melissa Nelson Pinzino, Dawn Palmer, Kerry Ramsden, Sidney Rettinger, Perla Rios, Jacqueline Sedmak, Marisa Sovsky, Semavi Vedziovski, Kenneth Weber, Elizabeth Weir Ransavage

10 Years of Service:
Cory Bunger, Sarah Coleman, Alyssa Michelle Orlowski

15 Years of Service:
Danyelle Callahan, Katherine Dunham, Nicholas Meinel, Valerie Troxel, Lynn Weilberger

20 Years of Service:
Kathleen Dunham, Alicia Meneses, John Schimming

25 Years of Service:
Lanora Heim, Vicki Samuels

30 Years of Service:
Carey Fero, Lassity Sullivan

Some observations on the feeding of Green and Blue heron courtesy of Steve Watson.

On Saturday, August 22, 2026, at approximately 1:46am, Whitewater Police Officers responded to the Mad Boar Pub, located at 123 W. Center St., for multiple reports of a male who had brandished what was believed to be a firearm.

Upon arrival, officers located Romairo V. Bartolon Verdugo, 25, of Whitewater, to be actively involved in a physical altercation with bar staff. Bartolon Verdugo was taken into custody and found to be in possession of an all-black BB gun designed to resemble a handgun.

During the investigation, officers learned that Bartolon Verdugo had been accompanied by another male, identified as Juan C. Gonzalez Ramirez, 28, of Whitewater, who had reportedly displayed a knife toward a tavern employee before fleeing the establishment prior to officers’ arrival.

Through witness interviews and further investigation, officers learned that Bartolon Verdugo had been sleeping inside the bar. When the employee attempted to wake him, Gonzalez Ramirez confronted him while wielding a knife. The employee and Gonzalez Ramirez struggled over control of the knife. During the altercation, Bartolon Verdugo retrieved a black handgun-style BB gun from his waistband and pointed it at the employee. The employee was able to restrain Bartolon Verdugo and maintain control of him until Whitewater Police officers arrived.

Officers subsequently identified Gonzalez Ramirez and located him at his residence. Gonzalez Ramirez was taken into custody following the execution of a search warrant. As a result, Gonzalez Ramirez was arrested and confined in the Walworth County Jail on the following charges:

• 1^st Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety 
• Disorderly Conduct While Armed

Additionally, Bartolon Verdugo was arrested and confined in the Walworth County Jail on the following charges:

• 2^nd Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety
• Disorderly Conduct While Armed
• Possession of THC
• Misdemeanor Bail Jumping

The Whitewater Police Department would like to thank the tavern employees and members of the public who provided valuable information during the investigation and helped ensure the individuals involved were safely taken into custody.

It is noted that this case has not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the arrestees/defendants are presumed innocent of all charges. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Whitewater Police Department at (262) 473-0555 or submit anonymous tips through www.P3Tips.com.

As a mark of respect for the memory of Dolly Parton, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, September 1, 2026. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half‑staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. – President Donald J. Trump

Hello, “Swifties!”  

The public is invited to see a spectacle of nature on Saturday, August 29 at 7pm when almost one thousand Chimney Swifts dive at dusk into the Whitewater Middle School chimney to roost before migrating 3,000 miles to the Amazon.   

In addition to the main attraction, Fellow Mortals Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital in Lake Geneva will show birds and other wildlife that have been nursed back to health but cannot be returned to the wild.  Two professors from the UW-Whitewater biology department will give presentations about diversity in nature and insects as the basis of life, and two members of the Whitewater Urban Forestry will explain the importance of planting native trees and facilitate an interesting T/F quiz about Chimney Swifts. Throughout the evening,  a violinist will serenade everyone with tunes about nature between speakers and during the dive.  

So, bring your lawn chair, binoculars, snack, and beverage of choice to watch the Swifts perform an acrobatic show and listen to beautiful music.

Submitted by Bill Chandler, Whitewater Urban Forestry

The Discover Whitewater Series team will be attending upcoming UW-Whitewater events in the fall to connect with students and promote the 2026 race.

The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon, 5k Team Event, Fit Kid Shuffle, and 5k will be attending upcoming UW-Whitewater events throughout the fall to connect with students and promote the 2026 DWS race. The team will be attending the Involvement Fair, Hawkfest, Glow Night, and other UWW events, giving students the opportunity to learn more about the race and get involved. With the 14th Annual DWS taking place on September 20, 2026, students are encouraged to stop by the DWS booth at these upcoming events and see what the race has to offer.

At each event, the DWS booth will offer students a chance to learn more about the race and win prizes with a spinning prize wheel. Students can spin for discounts, swag bags, stickers, T-shirts, candy, and other giveaways. The booth will also have race flyers and posters available with additional information about registration, the 5K Teams event, and other race opportunities.

The DWS is also offering UW-Whitewater students a unique way to get involved through the 5K Teams event. Students can form a team of four and compete together for the fastest team time and traveling trophy, while also having the chance to earn recognition for team spirit and the best hype-up video. Students will be given a code to receive a discount off their registration, making it affordable and easy to get active while representing their organization or campus community.

“We want to see students grab three friends, create a team, and come out to compete, have some fun, and show their school spirit,” said Jeffrey Knight, Executive Director of the DWS. “It’s a great opportunity to get active while being part of one of Whitewater’s biggest community events.”

“As a UWW student, I think this will be a great way to connect to other Warhawks and get to know other organizations on campus,” said Makenna Arickx, a senior at the university. “I am very excited to see all of the other teams show off their spirit!”

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 five local non-profit partners: Bethel House, J-Hawk Aquatic Club, Whitewater LEADS, The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Foundation-Athletics, and the Whitewater Highschool’s Future Business Leaders of America 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.

For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight, Executive Director at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.

Trippe Lake at twilight on August 22, 2026. Photo by Joel Houkom.

Photo submitted by Cheryl Stormes

The Whitewater Unified School District has adopted an updated policy establishing expectations for student use of cell phones and other personal communication devices.

The School Board adopted Policy 5136, Personal Communication Devices, on June 22 as part of the district’s adoption of NEOLA policies. The updated policy largely formalizes practices already in place across the district while outlining expectations for student use of cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and other personal communication devices.

Under the policy, students may bring personal communication devices to school, but devices must be completely powered off and stored out of sight during school hours.

“Our goal is to keep our schools focused on learning and allow students to connect with their teachers and classmates without unnecessary distractions,” said Superintendent Samuel Karns. “This policy is not a significant change from what we have already been doing in our schools. However, it puts those expectations in writing so students and families know what to expect.”

The policy includes exceptions that allow students to use personal communication devices in an emergency or perceived threat, to manage specific healthcare needs, as authorized through an Individualized Education Program or Section 504 plan, or when a teacher allows a device to be used for an educational purpose.

The policy also prohibits students from using personal devices to record others without authorization, access online content that is otherwise blocked by the district, engage in bullying or harassment, or share information in a way that constitutes cheating or academic dishonesty. Violations may result in disciplinary action or confiscation of a device, depending on the circumstances and previous violations.

Families who need to contact their child during the school day are encouraged to call their child’s school office.

The district encourages students and families to review the policy together before the start of the school year so they understand the expectations for personal devices in WUSD schools. The full policy is available at https://go.neola.com/whitewater-wi/policy/policy-manual/po5136.

Thank you to Tom Ganser for these additional photos from the grand opening of the new fire training facility located at 1220 Innovation Drive in the industrial park.

This project was funded in its entirety by the Chief CG Hickey Fund managed by the Whitewater Community Foundation.