News

Update 12/5/23 @ 9:45 p.m. – In the Common Council meeting on this date, John Weidl, city manager, indicated that the presentation will be streamed as well as recorded.

The City of Whitewater will be hosting a presentation entitled “Pathway to Participation” on December 12th at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

The City of Whitewater is pleased to announce an upcoming educational presentation aimed at informing potential candidates, current council members, and residents about the various ways they can actively participate in city government. As nomination papers for Common Council were made available on December 1st, it is crucial for individuals to be well-prepared and equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to engage effectively in the local decision-making process.

The presentation will make clear the essential role of the city manager in government affairs, familiarizing attendees with the powers vested in the City Council, and emphasizing the significant impact that boards, commissions, and committees can have on shaping the community. Furthermore, the session will provide valuable insights into the resources and tools that entrust individuals with the power to effect positive change within the city.

The city manager’s office cordially extends an invitation to all interested parties to attend this presentation. By participating in the event, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the inner workings of city government, enabling them to make informed decisions and potentially contribute to the betterment of the City of Whitewater.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the City of Whitewater.

Nelson Salisbury House at 404 W. North St

Saturday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with pizza supper if you want to stay.

Remember, you are still an artist if you pursued another career for financial stability.

You are still an artist if you have a survival job and make art when you can.

You are still an artist if you haven’t created in a while.

You are still an artist if you only make art as a hobby.

* Contact hosts, Suzanne Popke and Zachary Popke if you need directions, or need special acoustical/physical set up at:

intsim@idcnet.com or zacharyekpop@gmail.com

You might also like to read the following article on called “Being an Artist and a Baha’i.”

U.S. News & World Report has named Washington Elementary to its list of the 2024 Best Elementary Schools across the United States.

Washington earned a spot at number 290 out of the 951 elementary schools that U.S. News analyzed in Wisconsin.

The publication analyzed and ranked elementary schools’ proficiency in mathematics, reading, and language arts based on state assessment data. The rankings are not based on the test scores alone, as they also take into consideration local socioeconomic demographics. This two-part calculation ensures schools listed are serving all students. 

“This is a recognition to be celebrated for our staff, students, and families of Washington Elementary,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent. “These results show the success of our teaching models and initiatives to make our schools more inclusive and equitable for all students. We are proud of this recognition and will continue to best prepare our students for their continued educational journey.”

Washington Elementary scored 69.58 out of 100 overall. The school ranked 305 in reading proficiency and 456 in math proficiency, out of 951 Wisconsin schools. 

Additionally, about 88 percent of Washington Elementary teachers have three or more years of experience. About 42 percent of students scored at or above proficient in both math and reading, compared to the state average of 36 and 37 percent, respectively.

To learn more about Washington Elementary’s ranking, please visit https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/wisconsin/washington-elementary-225107. 

Editor’s note: This article is primarily based on a news release from Washington Elementary School.

Updated (twice) on 12/4/23 with agenda for Board of Zoning Appeals. The full packet has now been provided.

City of Whitewater Police & Fire Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Recognition Of Police & Fire Commission Member Dr. Glenn Hayes For His Service To The
City of Whitewater and closed session (to be followed by open session) including interview of Detective Lieutenant candidate
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/430445381
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 430-445-381
United States: +1 (571) 317-3122

City of Whitewater Common Council Meeting – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes closed session to Discuss Bargaining and Negotiation strategy related to the contract with the Police Union, 2024 salary resolution, first reading of an ordinance regarding revisions to Chapter 12.22 Construction Standards Adopted, and Discussion and possible action regarding the Proposed Nonconforming Use Agreement for Kienbaum Iron & Metal.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85173798964?pwd=MnEg8oCuovzvPXye11bTMqeJCT_gA.pBZXd8Utj5U9Bv22
Or Telephone: 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 851 7379 8964
Passcode: 518542

The Landmarks Commission meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, December 7 has been canceled due to lack of a quorum.

City of Whitewater Board of Zoning Appeals – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes appeal by Jes Cisneros, 421 Indian Mound Parkway, to exceed the four foot height in street yard.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/624685101
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 624-685-101
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

The City of Whitewater – Department of Public Works will deliver sand on Monday, December 4, 2023. Residents who wish to receive a quantity of sand for placement on public sidewalks, during the winter months, are asked to have a sturdy container at the curbside by 7:00 a.m. on Monday, December 4. City officials stress that a cardboard box is not considered a sturdy container.

If there is a snowstorm or some other unpredictable occurrence that prevents delivery that week, the sand will be delivered as soon as weather permits.

As a reminder, the owner, occupant, and person in charge of any building or lot fronting upon or adjoining any sidewalk shall remove all snow and ice from the sidewalk no later than twenty-four hours after a snow or ice event. When any ice is so formed on any sidewalk that it cannot be removed, then the responsible party shall keep the same sprinkled with salt or sand.

For additional questions or concerns contact the Streets Department at (262) 473-0560.

Filled with music of hope and promise, the Christmas Cantata, “A Journey to Joy,” by Joseph M. Martin, will be presented on Sunday, December 10^th at the 10:00 a.m. worship service and a 4:00 p.m. concert at First United Methodist Church. The 35-voice choir is comprised of singers from the Whitewater Area Regional Ministry and community.  This beautiful work will be accompanied by a full 17-piece professional orchestra.  

Soloists for the work are Jen Crone, Nathan Roley, Barb Taylor and Kay Ebert.  The choir is conducted by Christine Hayes and accompanied on piano by James Athas.  The work is a joyful blend of traditional carols and contemporary selections all telling the Christmas story.  Scripture and narration is interjected throughout the cantata, delivered by The Rev. Dan Fahs and The Rev. Beth Staniforth-Seamster. Prelude music for both presentations will be performed on harp by Lauren Hayes.

The cantata is presented with memorial money in honor of Joe Mansfield and in memory of Sandy Mansfield, (grandparents of Kay Ebert), in memory of Kay Pincikowski (Kay’s Aunt), and in honor of Barb and Chuck Taylor (dear supportive friends of Kay).

Admission is free.  First United Methodist Church is located at 145 S. Prairie Street in Whitewater. 

Fort HealthCare is pleased to announce the opening of a new Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine department, which will bring specialty lung care under the direction of pulmonologists to Fort HealthCare. With the opening of Fort HealthCare Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, patients will receive lung care from specialists in our network.

Fort HealthCare Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine will offer diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care for lung conditions, including asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, and more. In addition, as prevalence and awareness of sleep disorders have grown, expanding FHC’s Sleep Medicine services is very timely. The new department will address such issues as snoring, insomnia, restless legs, unrefreshed sleep, grogginess, and narcolepsy.

Raed Hamed, MD, and Mouhammed Rihawi, MD, will be leading our Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine medical practice. Dr. Hamed completed his residency in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia and Dr. Rihawi completed his residency in Pulmonary Medicine at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Two additional team members are Tom Freichels, APNP and Angela Monzon, APNP. They both they have many years of experience as advanced practice providers and are looking forward to joining the FHC community.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Hamed and Dr. Rihawi to Fort HealthCare. Our community has a great need for Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine services as access into this specialty has been difficult. They will bring a high level of expertise to our community eliminating the need for our patients to travel to receive this critical medical care,” shared Michael Anderson, MD, President and CEO of Fort HealthCare.

To learn more about Fort HealthCare Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine or to schedule an appointment with immediate availability, please visit FortHealthCare.com/Service/Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine/.

OPEN HOUSE TO CELEBRATE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUCCESS 

Community members are invited to an open house at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library (431 W. Center St.) on Friday, December 8 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. to celebrate the success of the library’s capital campaign, “Engaging the Community; Promoting Learning.” The library successfully reached its fundraising goal and raised more than $2,300,000 for the upcoming library expansion and renovation.