The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has released its spring semester Dean’s list, honoring 1,497 students.
To be named to the Dean’s List, a full-time undergraduate must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0, or midway between an “A” and “B” average. Area students are listed below by name and major.
Haley Keltesch, Sophomore, Art Education Emma Olson, Senior, Horticulture Gwen Truesdale, Senior, Engineering
In addition, the following local residents were among the nearly 679 students receiving degrees from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls during spring commencement in May 2026. 589 students received bachelor’s degrees, 80 received master’s degrees, six received doctorate degrees and four received associate’s degrees.
Gwen Truesdale, BS, Engineering, Summa Cum Laude
Summa Cum Laude – Graduating seniors with a minimum cumulative 3.900 grade point average for their entire college career at all institutions.
Whitewater High School welcomes 10 new members to the teaching staff for the 2026-2027 school year, replacing staff who have retired or left to pursue other opportunities. Each of them took the time to do a short video introduction at a recent back-to-school meeting. You might even recognize a few familiar Whippet faces in the mix!
First Citizens State Bank, 207 W Main Street in Whitewater, will be offering a free tax managed investing seminar on Tuesday, September 1, from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm.
Navigate your wealth journey in a tax-efficient way. Join us as we discuss: – The potential impact of taxes on your investments – Steps you can take to be a tax-smart investor – Why active tax-managed investing is worth considering
Understanding taxes can be challenging, particularly regarding taxes on your investments. The valuable insights we’ll share at this seminar could assist you in reducing tax burden on your investments and positioning your portfolios for potential tax changes.
Whether you invest now or are looking to start, this seminar is for you.
Light refreshments will be provided starting at 5:15 with the seminar beginning at 5:30.
RSPVs are appreciated. Please respond on this event, email Susan Foley at sfoley@firstcitizensww.com, or call 262-473-1408.
Wisconsin storytellers and nature enthusiasts Coral Conant Gilles and Paul Akert will share botanical stories at the next Wright House Concert on August 29 at 7pm.
Coral Conant Gilles combines her passions for storytelling and nature in her work. She tells folklore, original tales, and personal stories. Her stories build connections with the natural world and between communities. Her hands-on nature activities facilitate exploration and foster curiosity.
Paul Akert has been a cast member at the Bristol Renaissance Faire since 2014 and has taught storytelling workshops for the Bristol Academy for the Performing Arts (BAPA). His experience includes performing for the Gathering of Rogues & Ruffians and providing an eight-session workshop for third-grade students. As an alumnus of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School, he has performed at the Betty Brinn Children’s Center, Discovery World, and the Mitchell Park Domes.
PUBLIC NOTICE: The meeting will be live streamed via Zoom for those Board members and individuals unable to attend in-person. If you require special accommodations to fully participate, please notify the School Board Secretary by phone (262) 472-8713 or in writing at least 24 hours prior to the meeting time.
The Board will allow a period of public comment in accordance with Board Policy 187. Anyone wishing to be contacted regarding their comments must complete a Citizen Comment Request Form before speaking. Participants are allotted three minutes, and specific agenda items may not be discussed during this time, though citizens may address those items when the Board considers them. The Board President or presiding officer may interrupt, warn, or end comments that are obscene or disruptive. Complaints regarding District personnel must be submitted in writing to the Superintendent. Speakers should remember that students may be present and conduct themselves in a manner that models the behavior expected of our students.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
SPECIAL REPORT AND/OR ACTION A. Continuation of a potential 26-27 Operating Referendum
To say this year’s mission trip was a success does not even begin to describe the impact of 16 of our high school students and 6 adult leaders driving over 1,000 miles to serve with YouthWorks in Denver, Colorado.
Prior to embarking on our journey, our group was blessed with family, fellow parishioners and Pastor Clarrisa who led us all in prayer for safe travels, the building of community amongst our group and the passion to serve in whatever capacity was needed on our mission trip.
The first day we drove 8 ½ hours and stayed overnight at First United Methodist Church in York, Nebraska. We settled in after a long day of driving and then went into town to bowl. Aaron led us in some engaging team building activities that allowed many of our first-time mission trip participants to feel welcomed and to learn some new things about one another.
We arrived at our Youth Works site in the Denver area Sunday afternoon. Our Whitewater FUMC group would be joined with a youth group from Minnesota and another smaller youth group from Oregon. The Youth Works staff introduced our theme for the week which was, “Made for This,” based on Colossians 3:9-17. We were to look at this week as an opportunity to discover who we are and who we were made to be while studying the Bible and seeing the examples Jesus set for us. Application of what we learned through our devotions and fellowship occurred as we served the community of Denver.
Our leaders and students were divided amongst 5 different work crews that remained the same throughout the week and were a mix of all three youth groups present. Each work crew was then assigned to different sites throughout the city each day. Several sites focused on improving home sites and neighborhoods for the elderly and those in need. There were also several sites that worked directly with the unhoused within shelters and or those living on the streets of downtown. One site, Project Cure, is the largest distributor of donated medical supplies to developing countries. Crews at this site helped collect medical supplies and equipment, sort, package and prepare donations.
Each day began with breakfast, followed by devotions and then we were off to serve at our sites. We met for a community activity following our time of serving each day. Then we returned to our site for dinner, showers, and large-group meeting time with individual church group time. It was amazing to witness the three individual youth groups meld into one large community as the days progressed. The youth took on more of the facilitating of large group time by leading Yeah God moments, examples of where we saw God each day, praying for the group and reading our daily scripture passages of focus. By the last night, all youth were linked arm in arm as they sang worship songs and they were truly inclusive and connected.
Another impactful example of our time this week occurred during our individual church sharing time. Our students shared what they did with their crews each day and how they saw God. It was apparent that their eyes and hearts were 100% in as they served. Testimonies of humility, joy in meeting people in need who were joyful, broken hearts for the amount of need they witnessed and the awe of the dedication of many of the leaders who worked tirelessly at each organization we served.
Our students served, grew in their faith, openly expressed their love for the Lord in front of their peers, prayed for others and proved that the future is bright when we step back and witness how our young adults mirror Philippians 2:3-5 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.
In your relationships with one another have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.
The youth group will be doing a sharing at this Sunday’s 8/23/26 10am service at First Methodist Church. Please come to hear the good news from the Youth of Whitewater.
Article Submitted by mminton3@gmail.com Photos Courtesy of the Whitewater Prime Time Facebook Page
Whitewater Public Library will be offering free one-on-one technology support to adults age 50 and older and adults age 18 and older with disabilities.
Intergenerational Technology Services (IGeTS)-Mobile will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from noon to 1:30 pm. at Whitewater Public Library, 431 W. Center St. Whitewater, beginning September 8, 2026. Individuals are encouraged to bring their laptop, iPad, smartphone, or other digital device to receive personalized assistance, learn about device features, and explore accessibility options. IGeTS-Mobile is staffed by trained UW-Whitewater students who are available to answer technology-related questions and provide individualized support, helping participants use their devices with confidence.
“Thanks to a grant from The Trillium Foundation, we are thrilled to bring IGeTS-Mobile to the Whitewater Public Library, making our technology support services more accessible to older adults and adults with disabilities who reside in small towns and rural communities,” said Dr. Jeannine Rowe, professor of social work and gerontology at UW-Whitewater and IGeTS-Mobile program director.
“We are grateful to host this program at the Whitewater Public Library. It will be very beneficial for our community members and will be a wonderful addition to the services offered at the library,” said Sarah French, the library’s assistant director.
Questions related to the IGeTS-Mobile program at Whitewater Public Library should be directed to Sarah French.
About Whitewater Public Library: The Whitewater Public Library promotes lifelong learning, creativity, civic engagement, and entertainment in a space that is welcoming to all. We spark curiosity and encourage discovery through our collections, services, and programs.Learn more at whitewaterlibrary.org.
