On Saturday, November 25th, students from WHS Choirs and their friends sang Christmas carols at the first-ever Whitewater Holiday Market. The event was held at Cravath Lakefront Park. WHS students who sang were Meridyth Cashion, Lucinda DiFiore, Molly Donner, Ian Ngabo, Cruz Aranda, Alex Sullivan, and Georgia Esch. Thank you to our fantastic students who helped make the event a success!
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Serving on the Common Council or the School Board is a great way to learn about the community, to express one’s views, and to make a significant contribution to the greater Whitewater community. While the financial compensation is moderate, the intrinsic benefits can be many.
The following seats on the Common Council will be up for election on April 2, 2024:
Aldermanic District 2 (Wards 9 & 10) – Currently held by Lukas Schreiber
Aldermanic District 4 (Wards 6, 7 & 8) – Currently held by Jill Gerber
Council Member at Large – Currently held by James D. Allen
This map shows the voting wards.
Persons who may be interested in being a candidate may wish to review the publication, How to Run for Local Elected Office in Wisconsin, published by UW Extension and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. Councilmembers are expected to prepare for and regularly attend council meetings, which are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. In addition they serve on a variety of committees, many of which meet on a monthly basis. Members have a two-year term. There is a salary of $300 per month.
Nomination papers may be obtained beginning on December 1 from the City Clerk, Karri Anderberg, whose office is on the second floor of the Municipal Building at 312 W. Whitewater Street. Her phone number is 262-473-0102; email is cityclerk@whitewater-wi.gov. Her office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Candidates for a district position must obtain at least 20 signatures; for the at large position, at least 50 signatures are submitted. Papers must be submitted no later than January 2, 2024 at 5 p.m. If more than two candidates file for a seat, there will be a primary on February 20.
Two seats on the Whitewater Unified School District School Board will be up for election on April 2, 2024. If there are more than four candidates, a primary will be held on February 20. The seats are currently held by the following:
Larry Kachel
Maryann Zimmerman
Persons who may be interested in being a candidate may wish to review the publication, How to Run for Local Elected Office in Wisconsin, published by UW Extension and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. Board members are expected to prepare for and regularly attend monthly board meetings, which are normally scheduled on the fourth Monday of each month with the following exceptions: December and March (third Monday) and August (second and fourth Monday). In the event that Memorial Day falls on the fourth Monday of May, the regular meeting in May will be held on the Tuesday following Memorial Day.” In addition members serve on a variety of committees. The meetings convene at 7:00 p.m., although sometimes earlier for a closed session. Members are paid $15 per meeting unless they file an annual refusal of salary. Members serve a three year term.
Nomination papers are not required for the board, but some forms must be completed by the candidate.. Interested persons should contact the School Board Secretary, Jaclyn Tueting, who works in the District Office, 419 S. Elizabeth Street. Her phone number is 262-472-8702, and her email, jtueting@wwusd.org. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays. Candidates must file by January 2, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Per the district, for up-to-date information, please check out the School Board Election website: https://whitewaterusdwi.sites.thrillshare.com/page/school-board-election
The following press release was issued by the district:
WHITEWATER, WI – Residents of the Whitewater Unified School District are encouraged to consider seeking a position on the School Board. The final day for filing is Tuesday, January 2, 2024, by 5:00 p.m.
Two seats will be on the spring ballot. The incumbents are Larry Kachel and Maryann Zimmerman. Incumbents have until Friday, December 22, by 5:00 p.m. to file their Notification of Noncandidacy. Under section 120.06(6)(b)3m of state statutes, the District Clerk will give the public prompt notice if any incumbent files their Notification of Noncandidacy on the School Board Election page of the District website.
Any person who is a United States citizen and a qualified elector of the Whitewater Unified School District is legally qualified to become a member of the School Board. In addition, Board candidates should have a genuine interest in and devotion to public education, a willingness to give time and effort to the position, a capacity to understand people, and the ability to work cooperatively with others. The School Board is the District policy-making authority and is responsible to the public for the success of all education services offered by the District. This success is dependent on many individuals, but also upon each Board member’s understanding of the workings of the District-wide operations and each member’s ability to participate meaningfully in the decision-making process that governs the District.
The candidate filing documents may be obtained and filed at the office of the School Board Secretary at the Whitewater Unified School District Central Office, 419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater. School Board candidates do not circulate nomination papers, but the School Board Secretary, Jaclyn Tueting, will assist to complete necessary filing documents.
CENTRAL OFFICE HOURS
Through Wednesday, December 20
M-Th, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m./ F, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 21 through Monday, January 1 – The Central Office is Closed
Tuesday, January 2
7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. is the deadline for filing candidacy paperwork)
Editor’s note: The following announcement was posted on Downtown Whitewater’s Facebook page on Friday morning:
Join us downtown for holiday festivities on this first day of December. It’s parade day, and while mother nature has kept us on the edge of our seats for days, the risk of rain diminishes after 4 pm so we’re ready to have some fun! Dress warmly and join us downtown today. Recapping the various things happening:
– 4 – 5:30 PM visit with Santa at First Citizens State Bank
– 5:15 PM until they run out, take and make crafts and goody bag pickups at the corner of Main and 1st Street
– 5:30 PM while you await the parade, join us by our offices at 150 W Main St to warm your hands and s’more by the fire
– 6 PM Parade time! Best viewing areas will be the 100 and 200 block of West Main Street downtown
– Immediately after the parade join us by the mill pond dam at the interesection of Main and Whitewater for carolers, check out the Park and Whitewater Parks & Recreation pallet tree installation and enjoy the lighting of the tree.
Don’t forget to pop into one of our downtown business for holiday shopping before or after the parade, and warm up with a tasty dinner at one of our incredible restaurants. #dinedowntown #downtownwhitewater #smalltownholiday #lovewhereyoulive
Thank you again to our continued generous sponsor Generac Power Systems Inc. for their investment in this event and the broader community of Whitewater.
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Join us for a magical evening at the Downtown Whitewater’s Annual Parade of Lights- Powered by Generac on Friday, December 1st at 6 p.m.! 
If you can’t make the parade, don’t worry; the Media Services Office will be live-streaming it on Vimeo from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. Be ready to be amazed by the dazzling lights and festive floats that will light up the streets. After the parade will be the Tree Lighting Ceremony in the grass area just west of the Main Street bridge.
Update: Taylor Zeinert, City of Whitewater Chief of Staff, indicates that the parade will not be livestreamed to Channel 990 due to a signal issue with the equipment.
See above the parade route in green, the detour route in black and the red is the staging area for participants.
Bring your loved ones and get into the holiday spirit! Don’t miss out on this enchanting celebration. See you there!
#HolidayLightsParade #FestiveFun #GetIntoTheSpirit #Whitewater #WhitewaterWI
Not to worry, we’re watching the weather forecast closely. We don’t mind a few flurries on parade day; it just adds to the ambiance of the season. Rain potential is what we keep a very close eye on, so that some of our youngest parade viewers and participants aren’t out in weather not suitable for their safety. We’ll update you if the forecast becomes unfavorable for the parade and tree lighting. That announcement would be made by 9 a.m. on parade day. Thanks for hanging out on the edge of your seat with us as Wisconsin weather is ….well Wisconsin weather. #lovewhereyoulive
Guess who’s coming to the bank! It’s Santa! 
Come take your picture and share some refreshments with the jolly ol’ man himself. He’ll be in the lobby at the First Citizens State Bank main office on Friday, December 1st from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (before the 6 p.m. parade). Plus – bring Santa a letter (print from here or pick up at the bank) and they’ll have a random drawing for Culver’s Gift Cards. They’ll also be accepting non-perishable food items for the Whitewater Food Pantry. Happy Holidays!
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Three members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team have earned All-America honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association this season. Middle hitter Kirsten Anderson and outside hitter Jenna Weinfurt were Second Team honorees while libero Morgan Jensen added Honorable Mention recognition.
Anderson, now a two-time All-American (2022 Honorable Mention), led the nation in blocking nearly the entire season. The senior broke the UW-Whitewater single season record in total blocks with 163. She finished the 2023 campaign with the most blocks per set (1.42) of any player in Division III as the Warhawks led the nation in the statistic as a team averaging 2.75 blocks per set. In addition, Anderson was one of the most efficient hitters in the country ranking among the top 30 with an attack percentage of 35.9. Anderson was selected First Team All-Region and First Team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this season. She held top ten marks in the conference in kills per set, aces per set, blocks per set and points per set. Anderson holds 361 career blocks in three seasons of play – a mark ranked 12th in the program record book.
Weinfurt claims her first All-America honor after securing First Team All-Region recognition and WIAC Offensive Player of the Year honors. The powerful outside is ranked 26th in Division III in kills per set (4.03) and 10th in total kills (463) this season. Weinfurt reached the 1,000 career kill milestone during the 2023 campaign and currently holds 1,150 kills in three seasons – 14th in the program record book. She also set the program record for attack attempts in a match (73) and is second in both kills (463) and attacks in a season (1,293) in UWW history.
Jensen, a two-time WIAC Defensive Player of the Year (2023, 2021), was selected as Honorable Mention All-America this season. The conference’s top libero ranked 26th in Division III in total digs (589). Jensen averaged over five digs per set this season, the most for a libero in the WIAC. She reached the 2,000 career dig milestone this season and ended her career with 2,287 – fifth-most for a Warhawk in program history. Jensen was the second-best server in the league this season with 56 aces. Her 197 service aces in four seasons is seventh-most in program history.
The 2023 Warhawk volleyball team posted the most wins in a season, 28, since 2016. UWW made the program’s 34th appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament where they advanced to the regional final.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Christmas Decorations are up around the town and this week we celebrate with a photo from 2003 of only part of the large “Dickens’ Village” that was on display that year at Fairhaven. This photo is from long time historical society member Dan Sable, who is now a resident at Fairhaven.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(Photo from the Dan Sable Collection, Whitewater Historical Society)
Zachary M. Lemmer, age 34, of 158 W. Whitewater St., B, Whitewater, was charged in Walworth County Circuit Court on November 19 with Child Abuse-Intentionally Cause Harm, a Class H Felony. Bond was set at $5,000. Lemmer remains in custody. Class H felonies carry with them a maximum penalty of 6 years in prison, $10,000.00 in fines, or both.
Travis Arlyn Brown, age 35, of W7209 Kettle Moraine Dr., Whitewater, was charged in Walworth County Circuit Court on November 1 with Hit and Run – Involve Death, a Class D felony. According to Fox6 News, prosecutors say that Brown hit and killed Noe Rendon Jr., age 59, near his Delavan home at about 9:40 p.m. on November 14, 2020. Per Fox6 News, “According to the complaint, Brown reported a crash to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation on Nov. 20, 2020 – six days after Rendon’s death. He said he ‘hit a deer’ in Burnett County – more than 300 miles northwest of Delavan. Insurance records showed where Brown had his truck serviced, and investigators obtained pictures from that business. The pictures showed the damage to Brown’s truck before it was repaired. Investigators showed those pictures to a Wisconsin State Patrol crash reconstruction expert, per the complaint, who determined the damage was “not consistent” with a truck hitting a deer but ‘was consistent’ with the truck hitting a pedestrian.”
“The Delavan police chief told FOX6 News the department referred charges to the district attorney’s office in June 2021. FOX6 reached out to the district attorney’s office about the delay in those charges being filed, but did not hear back by Wednesday’s deadline.”
Brown was released on $100,000 cash bond on November 9. The penalty for a Class D felony is up to 25 years in state prison, a maximum fine of $100,000, or both imprisonment and a fine.
Editor’s note: A charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage from Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The city’s curbside leaf pickup ended on Friday, November 17. If there are still bags at curbside, it is likely because they were put out later, or that they are not in the biobags or clear bags that are required for pickup.
Leaf bags that are left outside for the winter will not be picked up by the city crew in the spring. Residents who have leaves which they still wish to be composted have the option of bringing their leaves to the city garage, 150 E. Starin Rd., where two dumpsters are provided, from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. through Friday, December 1. Although the sign there says that bags must be emptied into the dumpster, biobags do not need to be emptied.
The dumpsters are for leaves and other yard waste only. Yard waste is defined as leaves, weeds, grass clippings, and yard and garden debris. The only bags that may be placed in the dumpster are the biobags or transparent bags. Black bags must be emptied into the dumpster. Brush is not to be placed in the dumpster.
Residents requesting brush collection should call 473-0560 by 5 a.m. on Tuesday to make an appointment for pick up on Tuesdays.
On Sunday, December 17th, the Whitewater High School Music Masters Ensemble will present their Music Masters Showcase. The event will take place in the Whitewater High School MPR and will include solos and small ensemble performances, as well as songs sung by the entire Music Masters Ensemble. The event will begin at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include reserved seating for the performance and refreshments. Advanced ticket purchase is necessary for this event and should be purchased by December 8th. Tickets will not be sold at the door. See any Music Masters Ensemble member, their director Karen Tordera, or the Whitewater High School Office for tickets. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Tordera at ktordera@wwusd.org .
Who doesn’t enjoy seeing the lit-up candles in all of the front windows of the Victoria on Main B&B during Christmas time? This month, Landmark Trek gets inside the beautiful home of Nancy and Jerry Wendt, to explore the nooks and crannies, as well as the many stories this Whitewater Landmark holds. You can access this new episode at:
Landmark Trek will be taking a few months off over the holiday season, but will be back in the early part of next year. The Whitewater Landmark Commission would like to thank all of our viewers for your support, and for all to have a wonderful holiday season!