News

Starting Monday, August 18, library patrons must use the new, main entrance on the south side of the library’s building (off Church St.) to pick up materials.

The process remains the same — once your hold is showing as available in your account, contact the library to make a pickup appointment.

Please note that the parking lot will remain closed — there is street parking only. The outdoor book drop is located near the library’s front doors.

Please contact us with any questions or to make a pickup appointment!

262-473-0530

library@whitewater-wi.gov

Editor’s note: This Banner article provides detailed information on how to set up a hold and pickup. The pickup location in that article is accurate only through Saturday, August 16.

The City of Whitewater, in partnership with the Whitewater Fire Department and Whitewater Police Department, is proud to announce a special presentation by Travis Howze — a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, former Police Officer, retired Firefighter, and renowned motivational speaker — on Saturday, September 20th, at 9:30 AM.

Travis Howze will share his riveting personal journey through trauma, resilience, and healing in a talk titled “Post Traumatic Purpose”, empowering attendees with tools to prioritize mental wellness, leadership, and personal growth. His raw, heartfelt message draws from real-world experience as a first responder and military veteran, offering a rare opportunity for individuals, families, and professionals alike to explore what it truly means to thrive after adversity.

🎟Reserve Your Spot
Tickets are available for first responders and veterans thanks to the generous support of the City of Whitewater, Whitewater Fire Department, and Whitewater Police Department.

To attend: Email: bmagestro@whitewater-wi.gov or Call: 262-473-0101
For more about Travis Howze, visit: www.travishowze.com
Follow him on Instagram: @TravisHowze

Let’s come together to break the stigma around mental health — and build a stronger, more compassionate Whitewater.

ADRC of Walworth County Offers Program to Reduce Falls in Older Adults

One in four older adults falls each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Wisconsin leads the nation in fall-related deaths for people aged 60 and older. But the good news is that falls are not a normal part of aging and can be prevented. The Stepping On program, offered by the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center, has been researched and proven to reduce falls by 31%.

In just seven weekly, two-hour sessions, Stepping On guest experts, including a physical therapist and pharmacist, will provide participants with strategies for avoiding falls, including balance and strength exercises, home safety check suggestions, medication reviews, and more. The workshop is designed specifically for individuals aged 60 or older who have had a fall or have a fear of falling. Participants can expect to leave with more strength, improved balance, and a feeling of confidence and independence.

Stepping On will be held at Seniors in the Park at the Starin Park Community Building, 504 W. Starin Rd, Whitewater, WI 53190. Classes will be held on Thursdays, August 21 through October 2, from 10 a.m. to noon. The workshop has a suggested donation of $10.

For questions or to register for the program, contact Edie Africano at (262) 741-3309.

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.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the photo on the homepage by Eddie K from Pixabay.

SAVE THE DATE! Watch 1,000 Chimney Swifts dive into the Whitewater Middle School Chimney!!

ATTENTION SWIFTIES. What are Chimney Swifts and why do we care about them? Chimney Swifts are unique birds that migrate north in the spring and south in the fall. While here, they eat thousands of insects each, EVERY day as they swoop and glide through the skies. As the summer days get shorter, Chimney Swifts from a wide area will gather in large chimneys to stay warm overnight. In Whitewater, that roosting chimney is located at Whitewater Middle School. Last fall an estimated 1,000 Swifts dove nightly into the Whitewater Middle School chimney to roost prior to flying to the Amazon for the winter! The roosting lasts for a short number of days. The ‘ganging up’ of the Swifts picks up speed during the last couple of weeks of August. Urban Forestry, with cooperation from the Whitewater Unified School District, is inviting the public to enjoy this spectacle of nature which occurs at sunset. Bring your blankets or chairs and settle in behind the middle school to watch this “Swift-nado” during the last couple of weekends of August.

Then please join us to help us count how many Swifts do the ‘dive at dusk’ on August 30th at 7 pm. Plan on arriving at 6:30 for a short program with speakers talking about birds and bugs and trees during our official Swift Night Out! This is an amazing spectacle that you won’t want to miss. See you there!

To pique your interest, take the quiz:
Chimney Swift Quiz
1 How long do Swifts fly without landing?
2 Can Swifts perch in a tree?
3 What life functions do Swifts perform on the wing?
4 How many rest stops do Swifts take on their migration to South America?
5 What is the average life span of a Swift?
6 How many Swifts occupy a single chimney during chick raising season?
7 Swift nests are comprised of what?
8 When Swifts hang in chimneys, what prevents their butts from rubbing against the chimney wall?

Scroll down for the answers.

Answers
1 Swifts fly continuously for 10 months!
2 Swifts cannot land as they do not have an opposable thumb.
3 Swifts eat, sleep, and mate on the wing.
4 Swifts fly non-stop to South America!
5 The average life span of Swifts is 21 years! Other small wild birds 4-5 years
6 During the chick raising season, each chimney will host only one pair.
7 Swifts use saliva to build their nests gluing small sticks together in a corner.
8 Swifts have porcupine type quills in their tail feathers to support them when they hang in chimneys.

Versiti is the primary blood supplier for Southeastern Wisconsin hospitals, including Aurora Lakeland Medical Center and Fort Memorial Hospital. They are also the primary provider for all of the veterans’ hospitals in the state. Donations are especially appreciated during the summer, when the blood supply is often low.

Appointments are greatly appreciated, though walk-ins are welcome as time permits. Reserve your spot at this link or by calling Lynn at 262-473-2997 or 1-800-BE-A-HERO.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater YES for Education.

Whitewater YES for Education formed in 2004 to help support the passage of school district referendums. The group is intentionally and necessarily nonpartisan and not political. Whitewater YES works to keep folks aware of all the positive things happening in our school district. For example, the group maintains a Whitewater YES Facebook Page.

As part of this effort to continue a drumbeat of positivity, Whitewater YES is putting up bilingual “We Love Whitewater Public Schools” yard signs around the community the weekend of August 16 to celebrate back to school time and show support for our teachers, staff, and students. The signs will stay up until the weekend of Saturday, September 6. The response to this effort during Spring graduation was really positive! 

If you would like to sign up for a sign please complete this form. If you’ve previously requested a sign, there is no need to request another one! 

We are hoping this effort brings people together and shows hardworking district staff and proud students that the community cares and supports them. 

A press release on August 10, 2025 from Palmyra Public Safety reported the following:

“At approximately 4:14 p.m. on [Saturday] August 9, Palmyra Fire Rescue was notified by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch of a reported male subject struck by lightning and not breathing. Dispatch pinged their phone at the nearest address of W566 Carlin Road, which is the Emma Carlin Ice Age Trail Head leading into the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Dispatch further advised that CPR was in progress.

At 4:15 p.m., Palmyra EMS responded and requested mutual aid, including a paramedic intercept from Western Lakes and Sullivan Fire Department with a UTV due to the terrain….

Upon arrival, crews deployed with assistance from a DNR Warden to locate the patient, as cell service in the area was limited and location tracking via phone proved difficult. Multiple trails were searched before two hikers were located approximately one mile off the roadway.

The male subject was found semi-conscious with a pulse, and signs of a lightning strike were visible on a nearby tree. It was determined that both patients were in close proximity to the tree at the time of the strike. The ligtning caused a ground current, which rendered both individuals unconscious. The female hiker regained consciousness first and was able to render aid to the male.

Following a rapid assessment, both patients were safely extracted from the scene through a coordinated effort, involving multiple fire response units and the UTV. The female hiker declined further care, while the male hiker was transported to Aurora Summit in Oconomowoc for additional treatment…”

Editor’s note: As of Sunday evening, no update was found on the condition of the male hiker.

“Wright House Concert: The Meatman Chronicles (The Hockey Years)”

The next Wright House Concert features Meatman! September 6, 2025 at 7 pm.

Greenbay storyteller and host of The Meatman Chronicles, Marty “Meatman” Sosnowski, has lived an interesting life. From high school dropout to rock and roll photographer (and meat-thrower) he has no end of personal story material. This September he’ll share tales of “The Hockey Years,” his quest to become an NHL goalie.

Please register through Eventbrite to get the full venue address: https://meatmanhockey.eventbrite.com

Safepro Technologies, a Whitewater-based safety technology company, has secured a second loan from the Whitewater Community Development Authority (CDA), positioning the startup to bring its flagship safety product to market.

The funding marks a significant milestone for Safepro Technologies, which has been developing a groundbreaking solution designed to enhance safety across a range of industries. The additional support from the Whitewater CDA will enable the company to expand manufacturing and bring their product to more markets.”

“We are grateful for the continued support from the Whitewater CDA,” said Paul Eckert, CEO of Safepro Technologies. “This second loan is a vote of confidence in both our technology and our mission. With these funds, we’re ready to move from development to commercialization, and we couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.”

The Whitewater CDA has been instrumental in supporting local innovation and entrepreneurship. The decision to approve a second loan for Safepro Technologies underscores the CDA’s commitment to nurturing high-potential startups.

“Safepro Technologies represents exactly the kind of forward-thinking, high-impact business we aim to support,” said Thayer Coburn, Vice-Chairman of the Whitewater CDA. “Their technology has the potential to improve safety standards nationwide, and we’re proud to help them take this next step.”

For more information about Safepro Technologies visit, https://safeprotechnologies.com/.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the City of Whitewater.

A copper tooling workshop will take place Monday, Aug. 18, at Wisconsin Makers, 200 E. Clay St., Whitewater.

Leani Schoor will teach the class from 5 to 8 p.m. Attendees will make a 6×10-inch copper-tooled picture to take home. Bring an idea, photo or drawing for inspiration. Materials and tools will be provided.

The fee is $20. Payment may be made at the workshop, which is geared toward ages 10 and up.

Register by calling Schoor at (608) 421-4078 or emailing her at leanischoor@gmail.com.

Schorr earned her Bachelor of Science degree in art education and master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She taught art at Jefferson High School for 38 years.

The owner of Studio 2154 in Madison, Schorr teaches wet and needle felting, beadwork, glass fusing, cement yard art, ceramics, copper enameling, metal work and quilting.

Schorr welcomes suggestions for “Mondays@Makers” classes. “If there is a skill in the arts you are interested in learning, please let us now and we will see what we can do to help you on your journey,” Schoor said.

Located at the corner of East Clay and Wisconsin streets in Whitewater, Wisconsin Makers is a makerspace that creates an affordable, collaborative and educational environment that inspires people of all ages to becoming innovators by unlocking their skills through continual training. It has members from Jefferson, Walworth, Rock, Dane and Waukesha counties and beyond, and all have access to the workshops around the clock.

The facility houses machine, welding/fabrication, electronics, automotive, 3-D printing, laser engraving and woodworking shops. It also offers pottery, ceramics, metal art, quilting, fabric arts, matting/framing and more.

The building is accessible and has off-street parking, Wi-Fi, and many other amenities.

For more information about the makerspace or workshops, contact Chris Spangler at (920) 728-2960.