News

WHS Class of 1999 celebrated their 25th year reunion on August 24, 2024.

Editor’s note: This submission was provided by Jennifer Zamora.

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman will discuss his 2025-27 budget request and its impact on UW-Whitewater.

Event details: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, in Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall. 

Rothman has emphasized that Wisconsin ranks 43^rd out of 50 states in public support for four-year universities; the budget request is designed to get the state “Up to the Middle” in national rankings.

The budget request:

• Emphasizes talent development through student success services.
• Extends the Wisconsin Tuition Promise to students from families earning up to $71,000 in adjusted gross income.
• Proposes 5 percent and 3 percent general wage increases for staff and faculty, and requests the state fully fund the increases while adding a merit and market pool.
• Invests in innovation, including creation of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub.
• Preserves accessibility while covering inflationary cost increases.

Please join us for this important discussion.

Editor’s note: The following press release on the budget proposal was received last week.

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman introduces budget request to get Wisconsin “Up to the Middle”

MADISON, Wis.—Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman today proposed a 2025-27 budget request that would allow the state’s public universities to shed its ranking of 43^rd of 50 states in public funding and reach the national median.

The two-year request will be presented to the Board of Regents on Thursday. If approved, the request will go to Gov. Tony Evers for consideration in his 2025-27 budget proposal. Editor’s note: The Board of Regents unanimously approved the budget request on August 22.

“It’s time Wisconsin escapes the Bottom 10 in public funding and gets Up to the Middle,” Rothman said. “This budget request will spur innovation in research and teaching, make a degree more affordable for our students most in need, develop talent by focusing on student success, preserve accessibility, and ensure quality.”

Rothman added that under this proposal, he would not recommend tuition increases over the period covered by the biennial budget. Additionally, the funding increase would help preserve branch campus access points for students throughout the state.

Wisconsin ranks 43^rd of 50 states in public funding of four-year higher education, according to the latest State Higher Education Finance report by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO). The figure includes state funding and tuition.

By comparison, surrounding states rank 1 (Illinois), 3 (Michigan), 9 (Iowa), and 10 (Minnesota).

“We won’t win the War for Talent if we don’t get Up to the Middle,” Rothman said. “We’re falling behind after years of neglect, and this budget seeks to address that trend.”

Rothman said it would take an additional $457 million annually to reach the median of states, under the SHEEO report. Among the key features of the proposed budget:

• Emphasizes talent development through student success services.
• Extends the Wisconsin Tuition Promise to students from families earning up to $71,000 in adjusted gross income.
• Proposes 5 percent and 3 percent general wage increases for staff and faculty, and requests the state fully fund the increases while adding a merit and market pool.
• Invests in innovation, including creation of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub.
• Preserves accessibility while covering inflationary cost increases.

—

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Monday from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m. Walworth, Jefferson and Rock Counties are included in the expected hot and humid conditions. Heat and humidity are expected to continue into Tuesday, though perhaps not quite as extreme, with the potential for some cooling if there are storms.

Residents who don’t have air conditioning may wish to seek out a cool place such as the library, which is open until 8:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

City Market Canceled
Lisa Dawsey Smith, Downtown Whitewater Board Chair, stated in a Sunday afternoon announcement, “This is much earlier than I would be considering any weather implications for our upcoming market but given the … message issued by the National Weather service please note that the Tuesday market is Cancelled. Please take care of yourselves and stay safe over the next two days. Thank you all for your efforts in making the market a success week after week, year over year.”

Gwynne Sahyun, from Whitewater, graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in Spring 2024. Sahyun received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering .

Milwaukee School of Engineering (www.msoe.edu) is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 2,800 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, business and nursing. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors, and challenge them to go beyond what’s possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators.

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Upkeep of the Arboretum and Discuss and possible action on placing additional Purple Martin Houses in the Community.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 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.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84422777264
Meeting ID: 844 2277 7264
Or dial 312-626-6799

Whitewater Unified School District Staff Kick-Off – Tuesday @ 8:00 p.m.
Members of the Whitewater School Board will be attending the 2024 WUSD Staff Kick-Off at Whitewater High School on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 beginning at 8:00 am. A quorum of the School Board may be present; however, the Board will not be conducting any business during the event.

City of Whitewater Lakes Advisory Committee – Wednesday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action on Clay Street Nature Park Resident Concern, Discussion and possible action on Together for Healthy Lakes Summit- October 2, 2024, Discussion and possible action regarding SEWRPC Recap of Trippe and Cravath Lake Plant and Shoreline Inventory, Discussion and possible action regarding 2025 Dredge Inquiry
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 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/83198282604?pwd=cDdLWjUvTTRqRUQ4UVcwQWcrcW1BUT09
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 831 9828 2604
Passcode: 137945

City of Whitewater Finance Committee Meeting – Wednesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion of Updated License and Permit Fee Schedule
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 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.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86137121258?pwd=LJrBtwRZxrPj5Yz7Zrv9stboakO99K.1
Passcode: 946608
Telephone: +1 312 626 6799 US
Webinar ID: 861 3712 1258
Passcode: 946608

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Sergeant Jack Hohlfeld Who Lost His Life in World War II

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #236 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Mon., Aug. 26, 2024, in honor of U.S. Army Air Forces Sergeant Jack Hohlfeld, who lost his life in World War II and whose remains have been identified and returned to Wisconsin for burial. “Sergeant Jack Hohlfeld was a decorated military hero who selflessly answered the call to serve and gave his life defending the values and freedoms we as a nation hold most dear,” said Gov. Evers. “It is our responsibility to make sure no hero is ever left behind, no matter how many years have passed, and it is an honor to be able to help welcome Sergeant Hohlfeld back to his home so that he may be laid to rest.” Born in Vernon County and raised in La Crosse and Trempealeau Counties, Sergeant Hohlfeld voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1938 and was assigned to the Philippines as a member of the Headquarters Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group. On Dec. 8, 1941, Sergeant Hohlfeld and members of the 24th Pursuit Group were engaged in combat and were soon overtaken by Japanese forces and forced to surrender as prisoners of war. Sergeant Hohlfeld survived the Bataan Death March and was held captive in the Cabanatuan Japanese prisoner of war (POW) camp until his death on Dec. 26, 1942, after which he was buried in Common Grave 811 with five other service members, before being moved to the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in 1948. The recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, WWII POW Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Foreign Service clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, WWII Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Honorable Service Lapel Button-World War II, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and Philippine Defense Ribbon with Bronze Star, Sergeant Hohlfeld’s family have worked tirelessly to advocate for his identification, and his remains were positively identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in May 2024. Sergeant Hohlfeld will be buried on Mon., Aug. 26, 2024, in La Crosse.

Rockin’ Respite now has openings for caregivers seeking respite care for their loved one. The Rockin’ respite program is a collaboration of Fort HealthCare, local volunteers and local churches. We serve seniors in the Walworth and Jefferson county area. 

Here’s an unsolicited testimonial that was received from the spouse of one of our participants:

“Whitewater is a dementia-friendly community that includes Rockin’ Respite. My name is Susan and I am a care partner. I know firsthand caregiving is hard. It often feels like there is no time left for you. Rockin’ Respite is a free program that offers time and rest for you, the care partner. Staff, including a nurse and volunteers, work one-on-one with your care partner. Activities include games, trips down memory lane, music, and light exercise. Lunch and snacks are provided. More importantly, smiles, laughter, and abundant care are provided.

As for me, well, I can read a book, have coffee with a friend, or finish a long overdue project worry-free knowing my care partner is happy and is in good hands thanks to Rockin’ Respite.“

Rockin’ Respite meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 9:30-3:30 at The Chapel, 445 Warner Road, Whitewater. There is no cost other than a nominal charge for lunch. If you are a full time caregiver in need of a respite break please contact Nurse Maisie Allie at (920) 723-7288 or Jennifer at 262-473-0535 for more information,  

The Walworth County Division of Public Health, in partnership with the Geneva Lake Environmental Agency (GLEA) and the City of Lake Geneva, has officially closed the Lake Geneva Public Beach at the Riviera. The Big Foot Beach State Park beach will also be closed, per the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. A harmful algae bloom has been reported. Please avoid aquatic recreation and swimming in this area.

To ensure public safety, GLEA and Walworth County Public Health continue to actively sample the algae blooms in the city and lake-wide to determine the strain of Cyanobacteria and its toxicity level.

Blue-green algae, known as Cyanobacteria, are microscopic organisms naturally present at low levels in lakes, streams, and ponds. When conditions are favorable, usually in summer, the number of algae can increase dramatically. Some algal species produce toxins that, when ingested, can harm the neurological systems or liver of people, pets, livestock, and wildlife, and can cause other health problems.

There is no way to know immediately whether an algal bloom is harmful, so follow these tips to try and avoid contact with harmful algae:

• Do not swim in or near algal blooms
• Avoid water where blue-green algae appear as scums on the surface of the water, pea-soup-like discoloration, or a paint-like sheen
• Don’t swallow water while swimming
• Wash off after swimming in any lake, river, or pond to reduce the chance of illness
• Keep your pets away from algal blooms and rinse them off with clean water after swimming in lakes and ponds to reduce exposure to algal material

Symptoms of algae-related illness include:

• Sore throat, congestion, cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing
• Eye irritation
• Itchy, red skin, with or without blisters and/or hives
• Earache
• Agitation, headache
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting

Members of the public and veterinarians should call 608-266-1120 or complete the online form Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) Illness or Sighting Survey, F-02152 (web survey) to report any blue-green algae blooms and related human or animal illnesses.

For more information on harmful algae blooms, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms.

Editor’s note: The image on the homepage is not a photo of either of the above lakes.

“The Fall Guy”

Tuesday, August 27, 1 p.m.

(Comedy/Action/Romance)

Rated PG-13; 2 hours, 6 minutes (2024)

Stuntman Cole Seaver (Ryan Gosling) has to track down a missing movie star, solve a conspiracy, and try to win back his girlfriend (Emily Blunt) while still doing his “day job.

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

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

Whitewater YES for Education formed back 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, this weekend Whitewater YES is putting up bilingual “We Love Whitewater Public Schools” yard signs around the community to celebrate back to school time and show support for our teachers, staff, and students. The signs will stay up until Saturday, September 7. The response to this effort during Spring graduation was really positive! 

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