The City of Whitewater would like to caution residents regarding unwanted water treatment solicitations. If you receive an unwanted solicitation, please use caution and disregard.
Frequently, private water treatment companies that are not associated with the City of Whitewater will go door-to-door offering water quality tests. Even though the test may be free, the solicitors will often then try to sell you an expensive water treatment system or other unnecessary products.
The Public Works Department has recently started to receive calls and emails reporting an unwanted solicitation from C&P Clearwater. C&P Clearwater may try to seek entry to your property to perform water quality tests and mention that neighbors have complained about water quality. The C&P Clearwater representatives are in no way affiliated with the City of Whitewater Public Works and you do not need to allow entry or water testing.
The City of Whitewater provides drinking water quality reports on our website. These reports communicate the source of the City’s water supply and also summarize all of the detected constituents from the sampling results for each year as well as any violations of Safe Drinking Water Standards.
The Water Utility department is dedicated to providing you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. We want you to understand the efforts we make to continually improve the quality of your water. All city officials will have identification.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Water Superintendent, Jim Bergner at 262-473-0560.
Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the City of Whitewater. According to online reports, some residents of other cities including Milwaukee, Sheboygan and Beloit have received deceptive postcards such as the one below in advance of the visit of these solicitors.
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
According to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, Anthony P. Hansen, a former employee of the Whitewater Unified School District who was charged with five felony counts of sex assault of student by school staff on August 15, 2022, has pled guilty to those crimes. As was reported in a previous Banner article, Hansen was arrested on July 22 by the Whitewater Police Department. His employment in the instructional technology department of the Whitewater Unified School District was terminated immediately by action of the school board on August 8.
Hansen, 35, of 137 N. Cherry Street, had been scheduled to face a jury trial beginning on June 5, 2023. Instead he appeared by video, in custody, before Judge Kristine E. Drettwan for a plea hearing on May 26. The mother of the victim, listening by phone, did not wish to make a statement. Hansen pled guilty to the five felony H counts of sex assault. Drettwan found that the defendant had made the plea freely, knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently, and consequently accepted the plea and judged Hansen guilty. As a result the jury trial was canceled. Two counts of child enticement – sexual contact felony D, more serious charges, were dismissed as agreed to by the prosecutor. Hansen declined to make a statement. The judge warned him that he is prohibited from possessing a firearm and is ineligible to vote until his civil rights are restored.
An order was made for Hansen’s appearance at the Department of Corrections for a Pre-Sentence Investigation Report. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for August 15, 2023. The penalty for a single Class H felony is a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 6 years, or both.
Editor’s note: A revision was made on 6/5/23 at 2:15 p.m. to correct the statutory penalties for a Class H felony.
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The city of Whitewater and surrounding townships were served by the independent not-for-profit Whitewater Fire Department, Inc. (WFD) from 1871 until July 30, 2022, at which time the city assumed responsibility for fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). One of the primary reasons for the change was that WFD was experiencing major staffing challenges, resulting in response times that were often suboptimal. Voters in November, 2022 approved an increase of $1.1 million in property taxes to support the move from a primarily paid-on-call model to primarily paid-on-premises staffing. According to statistics recently released by the city Fire/EMS department, those decisions are paying off in the form of significantly reduced response times.
Dramatic reduction in response times
In the months of March through May of this year, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., firefighter and EMS personnel were “out the door” in an average time of 1 minute and 35 seconds. The department reports, “Further, for 90% of our call volume during that period (240 of 267 calls), your Fire/EMS team was out the door in under three minutes.” By comparison, in 2021-2022, the “first turnout” was over five minutes, 40% of the time.
Improved response times a result of addition of full-time firefighter/EMTs
The department now employs 12 full-time firefighter/EMTs of different levels and certifications. Of those 12, seven were retained from WFD and hired as full-time employees. The other five were hired from the outside. Effective beginning in early April, three shifts are fully staffed with full-time employees. These three shifts include four firefighter/EMTs that staff an ambulance as well as either another ambulance or a piece of fire apparatus depending on the call.
EMS is seeking to upgrade to the paramedic level
EMS Chief Jason Dean indicates obtaining licensure upgrade to the paramedic level for the department is his main priority. The EMS personnel currently function as either EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) or AEMT’s (Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians.) Five of the responders are actually licensed as paramedics, but they can only function at that level if they are employed by a service that is licensed at that level, which Whitewater’s is not. Paramedics receive extensive training and are able to provide Advanced Life Support to patients. Per Dean, “The process [of obtaining department paramedic licensure] is inherently time consuming as research and data has to be collected. That data collection is nearly complete which will be followed by the drafting of a packet that outlines how we as a department will operate and provide Paramedic level Advanced Life Support service to our community. That packet will be submitted to city leadership and the Common Council. Once the draft upgrade packet is approved, it will be submitted to the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services where it will be evaluated and hopefully approved. Once approved, Whitewater Fire & EMS Department will procure all needed for paramedic level service and a date will be set for transition to that level of service.”
First full-timefirechief in department history and other staff changes
Kelly Freeman is the first full-time fire chief in the department’s history, having assumed the role effective April 1. WFD’s part-time chief was elected by the members. Freeman was appointed to a part-time chief position when the city assumed responsibility for the department on July 30, 2022. Kelly’s employment in the city Streets, Parks & Forestry Department began in 2008 and he was promoted to superintendent in 2018. He joined the Fire Department in 2006, rising from lieutenant to captain and assistant chief.
Jason B. Dean, AEMT, was promoted in March to the part-time position of EMS chief. Dean joined the department in 2017 and has served as EMS lieutenant, captain and, most recently, interim chief. He retired as a Master Sergeant from the U.S. Marine Corps after twenty years of service, including multiple tours of duty in Iraq. His final duty station included serving as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon. Jason has been involved in EMS as an EMT since 2000 and has served on multiple departments nationwide throughout his military career. He volunteered at local fire departments at each duty station he was assigned to by the Marine Corps.
Ryan Dion was recently hired as part-time assistant fire chief. Dion joined the department in 2007 after completing active duty time in the U.S. Army with a deployment to Iraq. He graduated in 2009 from Blackhawk Technical College with an Associate degree in fire science. Ryan served as an EMT, fire inspector, lieutenant and captain with WFD before being promoted to assistant chief after the merger with the city. His main tasks as it relates to this position is assisting the chief with records management, overseeing the fire prevention program, and administering the fire training program. Dion works for the City of Waukesha Fire Department full-time, and has served there for over twelve years.
Joe Uselding is continuing in the role of 2nd assistant fire chief in a paid-on-call capacity.
Pictured left to right: Sherrie Siglinsky, James Nelson, Brooke Hildebrand
Fort HealthCare has earned the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplaces Award for the ninth year in a row. Top Workplaces recognition is awarded solely on the anonymous feedback of employees provided in a research-backed survey that measures organizational health and employee engagement. The survey measures 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks and is designed based on data captured from over 27 million employees at more than 70,000 organizations across the past 16 years.
Fort HealthCare celebrates its 13th award since the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel began recognizing Top Workplaces in 2010, based entirely on employee feedback captured by the Energage Workplace Survey.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of.”
Top Workplaces Awards identify organizations dedicated to people-first culture excellence. Fort HealthCare employees are committed to our strong culture and RESPECT Values: Responsiveness, Excellence, Sensitivity, Professionalism, Empowerment, Cultural Diversity, and Teamwork.
“Fort HealthCare is grateful to our employees for sharing their voices and for their dedication to providing people-first care to the communities we serve,” said Michael Anderson, MD, President and CEO of Fort HealthCare. “We are honored to be recognized as a workplace committed to employee engagement and to making a difference in the lives of our patients, providers, and staff.”
On Friday, May 19th, Fort HealthCare Senior Vice President, Finance & Strategic Development, James Nelson, accepted the award at the Brookfield Conference Center. This year, Fort HealthCare has also received the Top Workplaces USA 2023 Award and the 2023 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence award for Purpose & Values.
About Energage
Making the world a better place to work together.TM
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 16 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.
This weekend, the Whitewater Boys’ and Girls’ Track and Field team concluded their season at the WIAA State Track and Field Championships in La Crosse. The two-day meet included events consisting of 16 competitors in each event who qualified from their respective Sectionals.
Girls’ 4×200 Meter Relay State Champions – Maddie Buehler, Sydney Schilt, Kindyl Kilar, and Emma WeigelBoys’ 1600 Meter State Champion – Jack Hefty
FRIDAY RECAP:
On Friday, a pair of athletes competed in field events, while on the track sprinters competed for a chance to run in the Final on Saturday. In the field events, Jaylyn Ewing was a first-time State qualifier in the High Jump, after being named an extra qualifier based on his Sectional performance. In the competition, Jaylyn jumped 6’-0”, tying his personal best. He had no misses until he attempted 6’-2”. Jaylyn’s height placed him in a tie for 10th place. Also, in the field events, and also an extra qualifier from the tough McFarland Sectional, senior Evie Troxel competed in the Pole Vault. Evie cleared her first three heights, 9’, 9’-6”, & 10’, without any misses. After two misses at the next height, 10’-6”, Evie gave it everything she had and cleared the height to earn three more attempts at the next height. After calculating the results, five girls cleared the same height of 10’-6”. However, because she cleanly cleared her three initial heights, Evie’s jump placed her in 6th place, earning a spot on the podium! Evie concludes her career as a two-time state qualifier, and her height of 10’-6” is a Top-5 vault in WHS history.
On the track, three Whippets competed in the preliminaries of the individual sprint events.
First up, senior Maddie Buehler raced in the first heat of the 100-meter dash, just as she did in 2022. After a false start from one of her competitors, the race was restarted. Maddie placed 4th in her heat with a time of 12.72, and after the second heat was concluded, her time was good for 9th place, qualifying her for the Finals Saturday. Junior Ethan Dugan competed in the Boys 400-meter dash, running in the first of two heats as well. This was Dugan’s second time qualifying for this event in as many years. Going up against tough competition, Ethan placed 5th in his heat in a time of 50.90. Dugan waited with bated breath during the second preliminary heat, but his time placed him in 10th, qualifying him for Saturday’s Final as well. Finally, senior Kindyl Kilar competed in the 200-meter dash for the second year in a row. Racing in the first heat, Kindyl held her own, placing 6th in a time of 26.06. When all was said and done after the second heat was completed, which included a runner from Shorewood breaking the existing State Record in the event, Kindyl’s time placed her in 12th, which although did not qualify for the Final, bettered her finish from the 2022 State Meet in the event.
Additionally, two girls’ relays ran and both qualified for the Saturday Final. First, the 4×200 meter relay team of Buehler, Sydney Schilt, Emma Weigel, and Kilar blazed ahead with the third fastest time of the day in 1:44.49, as they were edged slightly by Conference Rival East Troy. Returning to the track for the 4×100 meter relay less than an hour later, the team of Calli Grosinske, Buehler, Weigel, and Kilar responded with an astonishing time of 48.96, which again broke their school record. Their time was the fastest of all preliminary heats, earning them a spot in the fast lane for Finals. When all was said and done, the time was the fastest in Division 2 during the 2023 season.
SATURDAY RECAP:
Saturday was a magical day for the Whippets Track & Field team. Each athlete who competed on Saturday earned points for the team by placing within the Top 8 of their events.
Kicking off the day, Maddie Buehler raced in the Final of the 100-meter dash. After qualifying for the final in 9th, she was in Lane 1, but ready to improve upon her preliminary seed. The 2023 Final of the Girls 100 was incredibly fast, as the winner broke the existing State record. However, Maddie competed hard, crossing the finish line in 8th place in a time of 12.50, just .13 off her personal best. Maddie concluded her individual event career as a two-time State finalist in the 100-meter dash, the #2 100-meter runner all-time in WHS history, and earned a point for the team with her performance.
In the 400-meter dash, Ethan Dugan took some time during Friday evening to plan his race strategy, which in the Final he executed brilliantly. His combination of a strong block start, aggressive first 200 meters, and racing against incredible competition, Dugan used a late-race surge to propel himself to an 8th place finish, earning a point for the boys’ team. Dugan’s time of 49.98 was good for a personal best, and an improvement upon his already #5 all-time mark in the WHS history books.
In the Discus, senior Connor Raupp came into the competition firing, leading off with a strong first throw of 159’-1”. Connor continued to throw close to that mark, throughout the prelims and the Final. However, his first toss was enough to place him fourth, earning a spot on the podium. Raupp concludes his exceptional prep career as a State finalist and two-time RVC champion.
Back on the track, the girls’ 4×100 meter relay team competed in the Final of the event. After a long day already, the girls competed their absolute hardest, and executed their handoffs excellently. However, they faced their toughest competition of the year in a team from Notre Dame Academy. In an incredible finish, the Whippet girls crossed the finish line in second place as State Runners-up in a time of 49.34. The race was their fourth sub-50 second relay time of the season. Before this season, no WHS 4×100 had run better than 50.30. The team of Calli Grosinske, Maddie Buehler, Emma Weigel, and Kindyl Kilar held their heads high as State Runners-up, school record holders, and with their Friday preliminary time of 48.96 as the fastest Division 2 time in the state in 2023, only .27 off the State record of 48.69.
On the boys’ side, sophomore Jack Hefty highlighted the meet for the Whippets with his performance in the 1600-meter run. During the first lap, Jack appeared to be boxed in the inside lane around 7th-10th place. Without panicking, Jack ran the pace of the other competitors for the first lap. About halfway through the second lap, the field began to spread out. Jack moved up six places over the course of the second lap, moving up to fourth place. The slower paced 2:12 first half mile gave Hefty confidence heading into the second half of the race. Jack moved up to second place over the third lap, and sat behind Eli Boppart of Mauston as the bell rang, indicating one lap remaining. With about 250 meters to go, Jack turned on the jets, passing Boppart, and moving into the lead. With his foot speed from several 400-meter races, Jack pressed ahead, creating a wider and wider gap between himself and second place. Hefty crossed the finish line, threw up his arms in celebration, and earned the title of State Champion. Jack finished the final lap in an astounding 59.50, the only competitor to split sub-60 seconds for the final 400m. Jack’s time of 4:16.47 established a new school record, besting Brett Harms’ time of 4:19.30 from 2014. Jack joins Ben Maas (1996), John Crummey (1963), and Leonard Converse (1927) as Whippets who can call themselves State Champions in the 1600-meter run. Congratulations Jack Hefty, your 2023 State Champion in the 1600m!!!
About 15 minutes after Jack’s race, the girls’ 4×200 meter relay took to the track. After qualifying for the final with the third fastest time, the girls were looking to improve upon their seed. Maddie Buehler started out of the blocks, quickly reducing some of the stagger between the Whippets and their competitors. Freshman Sydney Schilt held their position, running a strong second leg, and executing a stellar handoff to senior Emma Weigel, battling a slight headwind on the final 100, Weigel handed off to senior Kindyl Kilar, the Whippets’ trusty relay anchor. Seeing that she was slightly behind, Kilar received the baton and got to work. She passed two schools to quickly catch up with East Troy who had the fast lane. For the final 100 meters on the home stretch, Kilar battled back and forth with East Troy’s anchor leg, and passed her to finish the race in first place, earning Whitewater’s second State Championship in a 15-minute span. The relay’s time of 1:42.95 established a new school record, was the fastest time in Division 2 in 2023, and was the second-fastest time in Division 2 history and only the second relay team to go sub-1:43. The team broke the previous school record of 1:43.93, which stood since 1986. The 1986 team’s record was the State record for 24 years until it was broken in 2010. The 2023 girls add themselves to the list of State Champion relays in the event, joining teams from 1998, 1997, 1989, 1988, and 1986 as State Champions. Congratulations to the girls’ 4×200 meter relay team, your 2023 State Champions!!!
Article and Photos Submitted by Matt Green Whitewater High School Head Track and Field Coach mgreen@wwusd.org
Proud of our Warhawks!! Our club baseball team finished second overall in the Division I National Club Baseball Association World Series.
To earn their spot in the national championship, UW-Whitewater (ranked 8th) defeated No. 1 Utah State, No. 5 and defending champion Florida State, and No. 7 Virginia Tech. They fell to No. 2 Penn State in the final by a score of 6-3.
What a season! Our club teams are truly championship caliber and we love cheering on our Warhawks!
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our loving mother on Monday, May 21, 2023 at the age of 87. Mary and Buck resided at Fountain of the Sun, Mesa, AZ for 20+ years. Buck preceded her in death in 2019.
She was born on September 3, 1935, spending much of her life in Whitewater, WI where she was employed at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for many years as the chancellor’s secretary.
There was not a sporting event that she did not enjoy.
Preceding her in death by her daughter-in-law Kelly (Dan) Westrick. She is survived by her sons Jeff (Doreen), Waterford, WI and Dan Westrick, Partyville, WI and daughter Tami (Mike) Mikkelsen, Mesa, AZ. Five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, sisters Ruth (Herb) Polzin, Janesville, WI and Mesa, AZ, and JoAnn Rowland, Delavan, WI and brother Doug Ridge, Whitewater, WI.
If so desired, donations may be made to Fountain of the Sun Friendship Church or a charity of your choice.
Andy Warhol, Reigning Queens (Royal Edition) Queen Margrethe
Andy Warhol, Sitting Bull, 1986
ROBERTA’S ART GALLERY PRESENTS “WORLD OF WARHOL” FEATURING ORIGINAL ANDY WARHOL SCREEN-PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE 1960S TO 1980S
Roberta’s Art Gallery is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated “World of Warhol” exhibit, an immersive journey into the captivating world of one of the 20th century’s most influential figures, Andy Warhol (1928-1987). This exhibit features an exclusive collection of original artworks that were gifted from the Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts to UW-Whitewater Crossman Gallery’s permanent art collection. “World of Warhol” promises to transport visitors into the mesmerizing universe of the iconic pop artist, and showcases a diverse range of Warhol’s works, including his screen-prints, photographs, and Polaroids from the 1960s to 1980s.
“World of Warhol” opens its doors on May 31 and will be on display until June 27. Viewers will have the unique opportunity to appreciate the intricacies of Warhol’s screen-printing technique, his masterful use of color, and his ability to infuse personalities with a sense of intrigue.
Deborah Wilk, Ph.D., an associate professor of art history from UW-Whitewater says, “Amidst the aftermath of World War II, Warhol rejected the painterly and emotional art style of abstract expressionism, which emphasized painting and emotions, and instead used commercial screen-printing techniques to make art about celebrities, popular culture, American history, and mythology. Warhol also used his photographs as preliminary sketches for prints and paintings.” She says, “Instagram-like, Warhol carried the camera with him everywhere to document himself, friends, lovers, the famous, and the less well known.”
“World of Warhol” features an extensive photograph collection of over 100 Polaroids and photographs taken by Andy Warhol from the 1970’s and 1980’s. Ashley Dimmig, the UW-Whitewater Crossman Gallery director says, “As the new director, I hope to offer more generations of students some opportunities to work closely with the Andy Warhol art collection, which ultimately belongs to them.”
Roberta’s Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center at UW-Whitewater. The gallery collaborates with campus departments, student organizations, and community artists in coordinating and sponsoring exhibits. During the summer, the gallery is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed on Saturday and Sunday.
At Roberta’s Art Gallery, we pride ourselves in providing free and open exhibits to the public, and attending certain events can earn students class credit. If you are interested in being featured in the gallery, please contact us for a proposal request. Reach us at ucart@uww.edu or (262) 472-3193 or visit our website for any questions or inquiries.
Editor’s note: The above press release was received from Roberta’s Art Gallery. Visitors who need parking on campus may wish to review this information.
The public is invited to a free class about learning how to make your own laundry soap, held at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library’s Community Room at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater on Thursday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Participants will leave with a large sample of the laundry soap to try out, directions, and resources. Save money! Free and open to the public. No registration required. Contact Sarah French with questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-458-2782.
The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will offer Welcome to Medicare workshops on Thursdays, June 8, August 17, October 19, and December 7, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. This popular educational session will provide information about Medicare for individuals turning 65 years of age, those over 65 and planning to retire, or individuals with disabilities that have received Social Security Disability benefits for 24 months or have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).
“It is vitally important that individuals eligible to receive Medicare are aware of the different parts of Medicare, including Part A and Part B, as well as the prescription drug coverage,” says Elder Benefit Specialist Julie Juranek. “Being knowledgeable about premiums and penalties for not having creditable prescription drug coverage will help people make sound choices when exploring available plans.”
The Welcome to Medicare workshops will be held at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. RSVPs are highly recommended by calling (262) 741-3366.
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About the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center: 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 personal situation.
