Keep Fire Hydrants Clear of Snow for Community Safety
Clearing Snow from Fire Hydrants can Save Lives… A clearly visible and accessible fire hydrant can save your home—or even your life. When hydrants are buried in snow, firefighters may lose valuable time locating and accessing them during an emergency.
Residents are encouraged to assist in keeping hydrants clear throughout the winter season. Your efforts help protect your household, your neighbors, and the entire community.
Please follow these guidelines:
Know the location of the nearest fire hydrants.
Ensure hydrants are shoveled out after every snowfall.
Clear at least 3 feet of snow around each hydrant to provide firefighters with enough room to work safely and efficiently. Taking a few minutes to remove snow from around a hydrant near your home can save precious minutes during a fire emergency. The City of Whitewater thanks all community members who help keep fire hydrants accessible.
Rainbow Community Care, a trusted independent healthcare provider serving Jefferson, Dodge, and surrounding counties, is excited to announce that its commemorative 35th Anniversary Cookbook, Nourishing Body & Soul is officially available for purchase.
This long-awaited, community-sourced cookbook, which features over 300 recipes, is a beautiful, heartfelt keepsake filled with the best-kept family secrets and cherished stories from the very people who built Rainbow: volunteers, local families, dedicated healthcare workers, and community supporters. All have been part of Rainbow’s 35- year journey of providing compassionate care to rural South Central Wisconsin. Every page is a testament to the power of neighbors caring for neighbors.
“This is more than just a cookbook,” said Dana Traynere, Rainbow Community Care Clinical Liaison. “Every recipe tells a story of connection and community, celebrating the true spirit of local, independent healthcare. Proceeds directly support our ability to provide compassionate care to patients and families across Jefferson, Dodge, and surrounding counties.”
Support a Great Cause and Secure Your Copy Today: The cookbook is the ideal holiday gift and a wonderful way to support the Rainbow Hospice Foundation. Physical Cookbook – $25 Early Bird Special – $20 (Limited Time Offer!) Digital E-book (Amazon) – $9.99 Important Delivery Note: To ensure you have it in time for holiday gifting, order now! Physical books are scheduled to be printed and shipped for Mid-December delivery. How to Secure Your Copy: Copies are now available for immediate order through multiple convenient options:
Online: Visit https://rainbowcommunitycare.org/Foundation to secure your copy today. By Phone: Call (920) 674-6255 to order a hard copy. In-Person: Visit us at our Jefferson or Inpatient Center offices or the Rainbow Thrift Shoppe in Fort Atkinson.
ABOUT RAINBOW COMMUNITY CARE Founded by volunteers in 1990, Rainbow Community Care is a local, independent, and non-profit provider of services that supports patients and families throughout the entire journey with aging and serious illness. Highly regarded for excellence in hospice care, palliative care, advance care planning, grief support, parish nursing, and volunteer programs, we care for people living in their homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes in rural South-Central Wisconsin as well as the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek.
February 2025 Portrait of the UW System Board of Regents. Standing (L-R): Timothy Nixon, Jill Underly, Joan Prince, Jim Kreuser, Cris Peterson, Edmund Manydeeds III, Mark Tyler, Desmond Adongo. Seated (L-R): Angela Adams, Héctor Colόn, Jack Salzwedel, UW President Jay Rothman, Regent President Amy B. Bogost, Regent Vice President Kyle Weatherly, Karen Walsh, Haben Goitom. Not pictured: Audrey Jenkins, Ashok Rai, Amy Traynor.
On Dec. 4-5, UW-Whitewater will host the December Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents Meeting. Some of the committee meetings and full board meetings are open to the public.
Parking permits are required and may be purchased on the app or at the Visitor’s Center on Starin Road.
If you plan to visit the University Center on these days, please note that some sections of the building will require a security screening before entering.
The Whitewater Public Library has completed their 13-month Building Expansion and Renovation Project and will fully reopen the library building to the public on Monday, December 8.
Whitewater City Manager John Weidl states: “The Whitewater Public Library expansion is one of the best examples of what this community can do together. Residents and donors stepped up with $3 million in private support, and the city was proud to match that commitment with a $3 million investment. The result is a $6 million project that modernizes a key public facility and expands learning, gathering, and opportunity for every age group in Whitewater. Our support does not stop at the building. The city recently funded new public use laptops and will invest in additional makerspace equipment in 2026, including upgraded 3D printing and scanning, audio and podcasting tools, and other hands-on learning technology. Thank you to everyone in the community who made this possible, and on behalf of the elected officials and staff, we wish the Whitewater Public Library continued success for years to come.”
The expansion adds an additional 4,400 square feet to the library. The new spaces include three additional study rooms, two of which are equipped with HDMI TVs, an expanded Makerspace, a new Teen Area, an expanded Children’s Area, Meeting Rooms equipped with upgraded AV, a full kitchen, and a hearing loop, and new furniture throughout the building. Meeting and study rooms are reservable online, by phone or email, or in person.
Library Board president Jennifer Motszko states: “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our incredible library staff, Studio GC, and Miron for their dedication and partnership throughout this project. We are deeply grateful to the many community members who contributed their time, energy, and money to bring this vision to life. The beautifully reimagined Whitewater Public Library now offers a welcoming community gathering space that truly reflects the spirit of Whitewater.”
A grand opening event is planned for Friday, February 6 at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Library Director Diane Jaroch states, “We are very excited to welcome the community back to the library, and we can’t wait to showcase our beautiful building at the Grand Opening. We are so grateful to everyone who made this vision a reality.”
To best utilize the new library spaces, library staff has planned a full calendar of events, details of which can be found on the library’s website at whitewaterlibrary.org/events. Children’s programs, technology classes, chess club, family game night, teen events, an Itty Bitty Art Show, and a Winter Reading Challenge for all ages are just a few of the offerings coming up this winter. All library programs are always free and open to the public.
The Whitewater Public Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. For more information, visit whitewaterlibrary.org, email library@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0530.
Snow Placement Prohibited on Public Streets and Alleys
In accordance with City Ordinance 12.08.015 – Snow Residents are not permitted to deposit snow or ice on any public street, alley, gutter, sidewalk, or other public ground within the city limits. Section 12.08.015 includes the following provisions: (a) No person shall plow, shovel, blow, push, or otherwise place snow or ice in any street, alley, gutter, sidewalk, or public ground within the City. (b) Any person who violates this ordinance is subject to:
A fine of not less than $75 and not more than $150, plus the costs of prosecution.
Additional charges if the city must remove the snow or ice. Removal costs will be billed to the property owner at the Street Department’s going rate for time, materials, and equipment.
If the City contracts removal services, the exact contracted cost will be billed back to the property owner.
Unpaid charges may be applied as a special tax and lien against the property and added to the next tax roll or collected through legal action.
Important Reminders:
Do NOT place snow in the roadway. It is dangerous, illegal, and obstructs snowplow operations.
Snow from driveways and sidewalks should be placed on your own lawn or private property—not in any public right-of-way.
City crews do not clear snow from the ends of private driveways, even if it was deposited there by plows.
Please consider assisting neighbors who are unable to clear their sidewalks, walkways, or driveways.
Remind children playing outside to remain alert for snowplows and emergency vehicles. Your cooperation helps keep our community safe and ensures efficient winter maintenance operations.
WOW! Coming off their Carnegie Hall performance of this cantata on Nov. 17, the First United Methodist Church/Whitewater Area Regional Ministries Choir (and Friends) is thrilled to be presenting “SOLAS” by Heather Sorenson during our 10 am service and again for all at a 1 pm concert. The choir is accompanied by a 19-piece orchestra and James Athas on piano.
SOLAS (Latin for “alone “or “only”) is a musical composition formed around the five pillars of the Christian faith, offering a reflection on the Gospel of Christ. Moving from exploring Scripture alone, Grace alone, Faith alone, to Christ alone, the Cantata culminates in the joyous Glory of God finale, declaring this blessed season of faith. Along with the uplifting sounds of brass, woodwinds, strings and percussion (yes, there are timpani), soloists and narration will enhance the choir performance.
Perhaps one of the most spiritual and uplifting cantatas we have performed, it is generously funded by the Marge and Don Triebold Endowment Fund. Please share this musical experience with your friends and neighbors! You will truly live the “Reason for the Season!”
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by First United Methodist Church.
The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) will again host its Photos with Santa and Friends event on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 8 am-11 am at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main Street, Whitewater.
All are invited to take individual or group photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty, and the Elves. This is an event children of all ages can enjoy, offering a chance to capture holiday memories while participating in seasonal activities.
Families and friends can look forward to holiday treats, live music, and hands-on projects such as coloring and ornament-making led by Studio 84.
The Cultural Arts Center will be decorated inside and out for the season, with festive outdoor lighting designed by Ben Smith Lighting. This is a free event, and everyone is welcome to join in the celebration. Overflow parking will be available at First English Lutheran Church.
The Whitewater Arts Alliance extends its appreciation to the event sponsors: Associated Bank, Ben Smith Lighting, Dale’s Bootery, Dunkin’ Donuts, First Citizens State Bank, Kwik Trip, PremierBank, Starbucks, Walmart, and Wood Street Bakery.
“Celebrate the holidays with the WAA,” says Gallery Director, Kim Adams. “We look forward to welcoming families, friends, and neighbors for a morning filled with community spirit and holiday cheer.”
