News

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Willie Hearn, age 69, of 370 N. Tratt St., #124 was convicted on October 24 of two felony and four misdemeanor counts arising from the robbery of the BP Station, 1138 W. Main Street in Whitewater on May 19, 2023. The felonies were Armed Robbery with Threat of Force and Possession of Cocaine/Coca (2nd+). The misdemeanors were two counts of Resisting or Obstructing an Officer, Disorderly Conduct, and Possess Drug Paraphernalia.

Judge David M. Reddy presided over the trial. Mackenzie Renner represented Hearn, and Attorney Andrew Herrmann, the State of Wisconsin. As the two day trial began, attorney Renner indicated that his client was willing to plead guilty to simple robbery, an offer that was not accepted.

According to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, the 12 person jury deliberated for approximately an hour before returning guilty verdicts on all six charges.

The sentencing hearing was scheduled for December 20, 2023. The most serious charge, Armed Robbery with Threat of Force, is a Class C felony, which alone is punishable by up to 40 years of confinement, a $100,000 fine or both.

Editor’s note: Earlier reports on the Banner regarding this incident:

Whitewater Police Make Arrest in BP Station Robbery, May 19, 2023

Whitewater Resident Charged with Armed Robbery, May 22, 2023

My name is Brian Schanen, and I am announcing my intent to run for City of Whitewater Council District 4 in the Spring 2024 election.  The actions of certain members of the common council over the last few months have demonstrated that they are more interested in the interests of a few, over the interests of the hardworking taxpayers of Whitewater.  I have become alarmed by the actions of certain members of the council as they attempt to waste taxpayer dollars, and city employee time, to handle differences in personality versus the substantive issues facing our community.

Over the last year, because of the hard work of our city employees, Whitewater has seen more development than it had for many years prior including creation of the first strategic plan** in recent history and a 1.9 million dollar grant to increase affordable housing that is, by design, owner occupied. After the past week, it is clear that this progress has been in spite of council members, instead of in concert with. City employees should be commended for their hard work.

As I establish my campaign I will listen to the members of the community and what is important to you. It is long past due that the city council works for the community it serves.

The city sits on the brink of doing some incredible things. The attacks on the city manager, city employees, and city residents must stop, or we risk losing far more than just a city manager. Our reputation among neighboring communities will tumble, there will be more turnover, and City Council meetings will be far more divided. Additionally, the city’s budget still sits in a precarious position, and spending dollars we do not have, or have not budgeted, is a recipe for disaster.

I am running to celebrate the amazing things this city has, and its bright future. This means supporting our city employees, making sound, strategic and financial decisions, expanding our tax base to ease the burden on taxpayers, and being laser focused on implementing the city’s strategic plan.

When you see my name, Brian Schanen, on the ballot next spring, please vote for me.

**The Strategic Plan (Passed on June 6, 2023)

1.       Incentivize development of single-family homes
2.       Find ways to communicate without a newspaper (to a wide variety of constituents)
3.       Support a thriving business community.
4.       Improve and communicate recruitment and retention efforts.
5.       Prioritize expenditures with available resources.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the City of Whitewater.

The City of Whitewater is forming a Lakes Advisory Committee to help with the lakes management of Trippe and Cravath Lake.

Due to the community’s frustration towards Trippe and Cravath Lakefront, the city has decided to focus the surge of community buzz around this topic and create the Lakes Advisory Committee. This Committee will oversee the beautification of the City’s lakes.

The Committee will be made up of a minimum of three and a maximum of five people; additionally, there will be an alternate that
serves on this committee. To serve on this committee you must be a resident of the city of Whitewater or have expertise related to lake preservation and enhancement.

Expertise in this area is defined as knowledge, skills, and experience, including but not limited to environmental science, conservation, water management, hydrology, ecology, algology, marine biology, and other relevant professional experience. Please note that the committee can ask potential members to provide information about their background and experience.

By forming the Lakes Advisory Committee and actively seeking members with expertise in lake preservation and enhancement, the City of Whitewater is making a positive and hopeful step towards effectively managing Trippe and Cravath Lake. Through their knowledge, skills, and experience, these committee members will work towards addressing previous issues and creating a better future for these lakes and their community. With this dedicated effort, success in lakefront management is a promising possibility.

Interested persons can apply to be considered for the Lakes Advisory Committee here.

Creation of Lakes Advisory Committee

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.

The Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Top Dog fundraising contest kicks off November 4 and runs through November 18 and anyone can submit a cute photo of their pet beginning November 4.

Participants will vote for the cutest and/or coolest dog and the winner will be the dog with the most votes. Beginning November 4, dog owners can go to the contest website at wwtopdog.net (see QR code below) and donate $5 to enter a photo of their dog (showing the dog only-no humans) to enter the contest. After registration, contestants will encourage their friends and family to vote for their canine companion (votes are just $1 each). Contestants can also vote multiple times. At the end of the contest, the top eight dogs with the most votes will have the choice of some great prizes.

Many thanks to First Citizens State Bank for being the major sponsor of this event.  Thanks, also, to the following sponsors for contributing prizes:  Second Salem Brewing, HSI Rentals, Shadow Dog Photography, Whitewater Veterinary Hospital, Whitewater Pet Supplies Plus, Whitewater Animal Medical Center and Studio 84.

Following is a list of the current prizes and additional sponsors:

Grand Prize

Second Salem Brewing Company, working with the winner, will craft an exclusive springtime brew featuring a portrait of the victorious pup on its label. The winner’s owner/guardian will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with their Brewmaster on the label’s design and the beer’s moniker.

Additional Prizes and sponsors are as follows:

• $500 Cash prize
• A winter weekend retreat provided by HSI Rentals at their Lake Alice Airbnb
• Shadow Dog Photography is providing a portrait experience – $800 value
• Whitewater Veterinary Hospital will provide a free annual exam, vaccinations, heartworm test and fecal test – value $300
• Whitewater Pet Supplies Plus will provide a gift basket for your “top dog.”
• Whitewater Animal Medical Center will provide a gift basket of prizes for your “top dog.”
• Studio 84 in Whitewater will provide an artist’s rendition of your special dog.

Rick Halvorson, Kiwanian and Chair of the Top Dog contest, said, “As a retired vet, I am very enthusiastic about this program that combines our love of our pets with our love of community and helping the children of Whitewater and the world.”

This fun contest will support youth activities in our Whitewater community. If you have an interest in helping youth in Whitewater, you can check out Whitewater Kiwanis on Facebook and join our Club by contacting Patrick Taylor at Petaylor.law@gmail.com.

Whitewater Kiwanis is a group of dedicated volunteers who help both children of the Whitewater community and the world, all with 100% of funds raised going directly to youth projects and zero to administrative costs. Over the past five years the club raised funds to make possible the recent installation of the city’s first piece of inclusive playground equipment, a We-Go-Round, in Starin Park.  Annual donations are also made to provide shoes and winter clothes for students, as well as support for organizations such as the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, The Community Space, and the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.

Editor’s note: The following word of thanks was received from Patricia Chaput.

The Whitewater Community Food Pantry wishes to thank everyone for their support of “Stuff the Bus” which was held in September. The event was conducted by the Whitewater High School Student Council during Homecoming Week. All Whitewater schools participated in this event and together they collected 2,640 pounds of food. The high school students were responsible for loading the food on the bus and delivering it to the food pantry. We thank all students from all the schools for their hard work in support of this event. Beth Arnett, the Event Coordinator, and Lead teachers Amy Houwers and Anne Cresswell helped Beth, and Dave Nelson provided the bus. We thank all of them for their time and dedication to this yearly event. Needless to say, we are extremely grateful.

We also wish to thank the Whitewater University students involved with the Community Garden for their hard work. They have been bringing in fresh produce every week throughout the summer. Thank you to our local farmers and gardeners who also bring in produce from their crops.

Whitewater churches and friends of the food pantry are also very generous in support of the Whitewater Community Food Pantry. With the end of September, the pantry has three hundred and fifteen families who are in need of help.

Currently, during the month of October, we are signing patrons up for the Thanksgiving meal which will include the meat of choice: turkey, ham, chicken or ground beef and the fixings for the Thanksgiving dinner. The Thanksgiving meal will be given out November 15 and 16 during regular hours. The pantry is open every Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The Whitewater Community Food Pantry will be closed Thanksgiving Day November 23, 2023.

The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area’s Book Club’s second discussion of Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story by Jacob Tobia, will be held on Thursday, October 26, 6-8 p.m., in the Irvin L Young Memorial Library in Whitewater. Part II (pgs 98-174) of the book will be discussed. Sissy is a complex, moving and enlightening memoir written by a gender non-conforming writer. Tobia inspires readers to open their minds and experience his fascinating journey of gender positivity.

Books are reserved at the Whitewater Public Library. League members and the general public are invited to fully participate in discussions of this engaging memoir. Refreshments will be served!  If you have any questions, please contact Dwight C. Watson at dwight.watsondcw@gmail.com or call 920-542-8601.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!

According to the City of Whitewater Public Works Department, on Tuesday morning October 24^th the street department will be closing N. Franklin St. for the removal of the Territorial Oak Tree. There will be a hard closure at W Main St. Homes and Fairhaven will be accessible from W Starin Rd. The closure will be removed as soon as work is complete.

The Territorial Oak tree and site are Local Landmarks. The site includes a Bur Oak tree dating to 1800 or before that was used as the fixed point from which U.S. federal land surveyors platted the village of Whitewater in 1836.

Unfortunately the tree has been in decline for a number of years and recently has been deemed to be dying.

The following Banner articles provide further information about the tree.

“Landmark Trek: The territorial burr oak tree and its impending end,” posted September 17, 2023 – This article includes a link to the Landmark Trek video about the tree.
  https://whitewaterbanner.com/landmark-trek-the-territorial-burr-oak-tree-and-its-impending-end/

“#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: The Territorial Oak,” January 20, 2021
https://whitewaterbanner.com/flashback-friday-with-the-historical-society-the-territorial-oak/

“Territorial Oak Site Designated as Local Landmark,” March 26, 2019
https://whitewaterbanner.com/territorial-oak-site-designated-as-local-landmark/

Editor’s note: In previous years, Ghoul’s Night Out has still been held in spite of inclement weather, so it’s probably safe to assume that it will not be canceled by rain tonight.

Start your Halloween celebrations right! Join the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce and local businesses on Main Street and beyond for a ghoulish good time of scavenger hunts, trick or treating, costume contest, fright or delight, and more!

Participating Businesses doing Trick-or-Treat Inside or Outside:
The Sweet Spot Bakehouse and Cafe
Whitewater Cinemas
Fairfield Inn & Suites Whitewater
BaristaCats Cafe
advance auto parts
Culver’s
Revamp Nutrition
Associated Bank
Burtness Chevrolet
HSI RENTALS
Fort Community Credit Union
Whitewater Arts Alliance
Underground Cutz
Whitewater Family Dentistry
Arby’s
Whitewater Fire/EMS
The Vinery Stained Glass Studio
Rocky Rococo
SteveO’s Flip Flops & Tank Tops
Mercyhealth Whitewater
QDOBA
Botanica Beauty Parlour
The Book Teller
Mainstreet Laundromat (Officer Stuppy and K9 Tilla will be there handing out candy!)
SSM Health
FCCU
Rosas Pizza
Whitewater Walmart (with Whitewater Police Department!)
First Citizens State Bank
McCullough’s LTC Pharmacy
M.E. & My Pets
Cozumel
Subway

Businesses Offering a Game/Activity:
The Sweet Spot Bakehouse and Cafe
Whitewater Cinemas
BaristaCats Cafe
Revamp Nutrition
Whitewater Nutrition
Associated Bank
Burtness Chevrolet
Whitewater Arts Alliance
Whitewater Family Dentistry
The Vinery Stained Glass Studio
Mercyhealth Whitewater
Walworth-Jefferson County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail
Productive Living Systems
Whitewater 4-H Club – (Will be set up at Saint Patrick Church’s corner)
Rosas Pizza

Businesses Participating in the Scavenger Hunt (grab forms at the Chamber office or at the business!):
The Sweet Spot Bakehouse
The Sweet Spot Cafe
Whitewater Cinemas
Fairfield Inn & Suites Whitewater
BaristaCats Cafe
Advance Auto Parts
Culver’s
Revamp Nutrition
Associated Bank
Burtness Chevrolet
Whitewater Arts Alliance
Underground Cutz
Whitewater Family Dentistry
Whitewater Fire/EMS
The Vinery Stained Glass Studio
Rocky Rococo
Mercyhealth Whitewater
QDOBA
Botanica Beauty Parlour
Center Street Cafe
The Book Teller

Businesses that will be set up along the sidewalk outside the Chamber’s office!
BaristaCats Cafe
Whitewater Nutrition
Walworth-Jefferson County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail
Productive Living Systems
Ferradermis Robotics
City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation
Whitewater Grocery Co. 

Whitewater Lions Club Annual Dine-in and/or Take-out Pancake Breakfast

Welcome back to the Whitewater Lions Club annual Pancake Breakfast, Sunday, October 29th , from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Although there is a chill in the air, there is warmth and hospitality being dished out along with the eggs, sausage, and pancakes at the Whitewater Lions Club, located at N7462 Kettle Moraine Drive. Freshly brewed
steaming hot coffee, cold milk and juice are included.

Dine-in or Take-out, there will be treats for the kids and a 50/50 cash raffle with bonus prizes for the adults.

Profits from the breakfast and your donations of non-perishable food items will be donated to the Whitewater Food Pantry. Thank you for your generous freewill donations.

Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by the Whitewater Lions Club.