News

Community members are invited to a free seminar, The Success Mindset: How to Get Out of Your Own Way and Make It Happen. The event is sponsored by the Whitewater Public Library and will take place at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center at 341 S. Fremont St. on Thursday, September 4 at 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Learn how mindset is just as important as strategy and completing tasks. This transformative experience equips you with the mindset and tools necessary to overcome challenges, set and achieve meaningful goals, and unlock your full potential. Whether you’re looking to excel in your career, personal life, or any other area, this seminar provides the guidance and inspiration needed to make success a reality.

After completing this workshop, you will be able to:

• Understand why mindset is important.
• Know the tools to overcome imposter syndrome.
• Discover how to transform setbacks into opportunities for growth.
• Develop a plan to work towards your goals with purpose and focus.

You can learn more about the facilitator, Denise Maple, at livelifespiritual.com.

This seminar is for adults and registration is requested. Visit whitewaterlibrary.org and register in advance on the library’s event calendar (link: https://whitewaterpl.librarycalendar.com/event/success-mindset-seminar-denise-maple-351). You may also email sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-458-2782 to register, or with any questions. 

Steve Watson writes: Friday morning I had vision.

In long morning shadows cast by the sun.

A young fisherman casting for the big one.

Down at the park, Cravath Lake. 

You never know what you’ll take.

Maybe a bluegill,  carp, or pike.

Wistfully waiting for a strike. 

Our thanks to Steve Watson for this beautiful photo and poem.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!

Gov. Evers, WisDOT Encourage Eligible Students to Apply for Financial Assistance for Drivers Education

Successful program received $12 million in continued funding as part of 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed by the governor

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), today announced that applications are now being accepted for Wisconsin’s Driver Education Grant Program. The program, funded by the 2025-27 biennial budget signed into law by Gov. Evers, provides funding for income-eligible students to take driver education courses with the goal of becoming safe, licensed drivers. The financial assistance available will cover driver education tuition costs for coursework and behind-the-wheel training for eligible students. “Combatting reckless driving across our state has been a bipartisan priority over the last few years, and teaching our kids the skills they need to be safe drivers is another important step toward cracking down on unsafe driving. Doing what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state and ensuring the next generation of drivers can make good and safe decisions behind the wheel is critically important to building safer roads and communities for everyone,” said Gov. Evers. “Expanding opportunities for kids to take driver education and learn to drive safely is a no-brainer, and I’m proud the bipartisan, pro-kid state budget I signed into law last month invested $12 million to help do just that. I look forward to seeing this successful program continue to lower costs for working families, promote driver education, and expand pathways for safe driving on our roads.” The Driver Education Grant Program provides grants to cover driver education tuition costs for 30 hours of classroom coursework, six hours of observation, and six hours of behind-the-wheel training for eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch through the National School Lunch Program, have not previously held a driver’s license, and who are between 14.5 and 19 years old may apply for the Driver Education Grant Program here. “This program has already helped thousands of students learn to become safe, licensed drivers,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “We’re proud to continue delivering these critical grants under the leadership of Gov. Evers to reduce driver training barriers for families and work toward our goal of making Wisconsin’s roads safer.” Originally created by Gov. Evers in the 2023-25 Biennial Budget, the Driver Education Grant Program has provided $6 million in grants to more than 10,000 students since the program was launched in September 2024. After the program’s launch, it quickly reached capacity in just over a month. The 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed by Gov. Evers earlier this summer continued this important program with an investment of $12 million over the next two years that will be dispersed quarterly. “We are excited to announce that we were successful in making the annual $6 million allocation permanent,” said Brenda McMurtry, board member of Common Ground of Milwaukee, a diverse coalition of partner organizations working to create positive change, and who championed the creation of this program back in 2023. “Now, each year $6 million in grants will be available to help low-income students across Wisconsin learn safe driving practices and get their licenses.” Enrolled students will receive confirmation of eligibility, which they can take to a driver training school of their choice. WisDOT developed an interactive map to help students locate a program conveniently near them. These students may take the classroom portion and/or the behind-the-wheel training with an authorized driver training school. WisDOT will reimburse the school for the students’ training. WisDOT will deliver an initial phase of $1.5 million in grants to the first wave of applicants who apply beginning Aug. 25, 2025. Students unable to enroll this quarter and who did not receive funding may sign up to be notified when applications are accepted in the following quarter. Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the Office of the Governor. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Alexander Fox | PlaNet Fox from Pixabay.

Editor’s note: This article originally had conflicting indications of the day of the week on which the sessions will be held. The ADRC personnel has confirmed that they will be held on Wednesdays. Our thanks to Barb Taylor for pointing out the typo.

Boost Your Brain & Memory Education Series
For all those 55+ who are experiencing normal aging brain changes
Wednesdays September 10 – October 15, 2025

From 1 – 2:30 pm
At Edgerton Library
Register Now

In partnership with the Edgerton Library, the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Rock County, is pleased to be offering a 6-week class to those experiencing normal aging brain changes. The Boost Your Brain & Memory provides information and skills to improve memory and brain health. This evidence-based class focuses on 6 areas – nutrition, physical activity, emotional health, spiritual activity, intellectual activity and social engagement and the concept of cognitive reserve to provide techniques for improving brain health and memory abilities.

This class is not for people with brain change of more than normal aging or a dementia diagnosis.

Reservations are required. Space is limited. To make reservations please contact Karen Tennyson, dementia care specialist of Rock County at (608) 921-7165.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Rock County. The agency has previously advised The Banner that residents outside of Rock County are generally welcome to join their programming on a space available basis.

Editor’s note: The following announcement was made by Chancellor Corey A. King on the UW-Whitewater announcements page on August 13.

We are thrilled to announce that Michael (Mike) Stefiuk will be joining UW-Whitewater as the new Director of The Young Performing Arts Center. With over 20 years of transformative leadership in arts administration, Mike has held prominent roles in top symphony orchestras, music festivals, and higher education institutions. Most recently, he served as Director of Concert Operations at the Eastman School of Music [Rochester, NY], overseeing three prestigious venues and nearly 1,000 events annually.

Mike’s recent accomplishments include:

• Leading teams of 20+ staff and managing multimillion-dollar budgets
• Increasing ticket revenue by 48% while cutting expenses by 50%
• Launching award-winning community initiatives and partnerships
• Programming major festivals and commissioning new works
• Producing events for audiences of up to 72,000

Mike’s vision aligns perfectly with The Young’s mission to enrich the cultural life of Whitewater and the surrounding region, and we look forward to his collaborative spirit and passion for creating spaces where the arts can thrive.

A special thank you to Dean Michael Dugan for his exceptional leadership in serving as Interim Director in addition to his responsibilities as Dean. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the search committee, chaired by Dr. Katy Casey, and to our HR partners for their dedication and hard work throughout the summer. Their collective efforts were instrumental in making this appointment a reality.

We also want to extend heartfelt gratitude to the current staff of The Young for their unwavering dedication and hard work throughout this time of transition. Their commitment has been vital in keeping the center vibrant and moving forward.

Mike will officially begin on Monday, September 15, and will represent The Young at the Midwest Arts Expo in Milwaukee. Please join us in welcoming him to the Warhawk family!

Editor’s note: According to the Eastman School of Music website, Stefiuk received a bachelor’s degree in music from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Music from New England Conservatory, 

The following Walworth County court felony charges and convictions are from the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access site.

Tracy Smiter, 39, of 340 N Newcomb St., A6, Whitewater, has been charged with strangulation and suffocation, domestic abuse assessments; false imprisonment, domestic abuse assessments; felony bail jumping, domestic abuse assessments.

Nathan S McAllister, 40, of 135 W Main St, 2, Whitewater, has been found guilty of strangulation and suffocation, domestic abuse assessments; Intimidate Victim/Domestic Abuse Crime, Domestic Abuse Assessments.

Hartland Shores is proud to announce the groundbreaking of their new residential development located on the city’s southeast side. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 10:30 AM, marking the start of Phase I of the project.

The multi-family development will ultimately encompass eight buildings with a total of 128 units, and will begin the first phase which includes construction of two buildings comprising 32 apartments.

As part of Central and Southeastern Wisconsin, particularly Jefferson and Walworth counties, faces a significant housing crunch, new multi-family developments like this one are increasingly critical. According to data provided by Thrive Economic Development and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), in Jefferson County, vacancy rates are alarmingly low—sitting around 3% for rental housing and just 0.4% owner-occupied housing, both of which are well below a healthy 6% benchmark. Further, projections estimate that 3,500 to 5,250 new market-rate units would be entirely absorbed within three years.

Meanwhile, according to Walworth County Economic Development Alliance’s (WCEDA) housing study, Walworth County continues to suffer from a shortage of housing affordable to working families and essential community members. Construction costs are rising rapidly—single-family costs increased 37% and multi-family by 38% between 2020 and 2023. From 2006 to 2022, the county underproduced housing by approximately 4,179 units.

City Manager John Weidl emphasized the importance of projects like this one, “In an area that is increasingly drawing attention, continuing to expand housing options is critical. Where people live is powerful—new homes mean new opportunities, stronger neighborhoods, and meaningful community growth.”

Chris Slater, Developer with Hartland Shores, shared his enthusiasm, “I’m thrilled to break ground on this development right here in Whitewater. Our goal is simple: to contribute positively to the community by providing quality housing. This project will offer real solutions for the area’s workforce, families, and those looking to make Whitewater their home.”

The groundbreaking will bring together local officials, community members, and the Hartland Shores team at the project site on the southeast side of Whitewater on August 26 at 10:30 AM.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Manfred Richter from Pixabay. The above press release was provided by the City of Whitewater. Becky Magestro, chief of staff, confirmed that the groundbreaking is for the project that was previously described as for Slate Development and that the event will take place in the proximity of Moraine View Parkway & Jakes Way. The sources referenced were provided as shown below.

Sources for Housing Data in Jefferson & Walworth Counties:

1. Jefferson County Housing Report

• Source: Thrive Economic Development & Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
  (WHEDA)
• Details:
  o Jefferson County’s rental vacancy rate: ~3.2%
  o Owner-occupied vacancy rate: ~0.4%
  o Needed housing units: 3,500 to 5,250
  o Household growth (2012–2022): 9.5%
• Link: ruralwi.com – Solving Jefferson County’s Housing Gap

1. Jefferson County Strategic Housing Plan

• Source: Jefferson County Housing Task Force / ThriveED
• Details:
  o Vacancy rates far below the healthy threshold (6%)
  o Emphasizes underproduction of housing
• Link: Canva site summary of housing report

1. Walworth County Housing Study

• Source: Walworth County Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA)
• Details:
  o Undersupply of 4,179 units (2006–2022)
  o Construction cost increases (2020–2023):
   Single-family homes: +37%
   Multi-family units: +38%
• Link: WCEDA Housing Resource Page