News

City of Whitewater proudly celebrated the individuals and families whose service, leadership, generosity, and dedication continue to strengthen the community during the 2026 Community Stars Gala this past Friday, held at the newly renovated Whitewater Public Library.

The Community Stars Gala recognizes those who go above and beyond to make Whitewater a better place to live, work, learn, and grow. This year’s honorees represent a wide range of contributions, from historic preservation and volunteerism to youth advocacy, community development, philanthropy, and lifelong public service. 2026

Community Stars Award Recipients

Preservation Protector Award – James “Jim” Olm. Recognized for his work preserving and sharing Whitewater’s history, including creating engaging educational videos highlighting the community’s historic landmarks.

Volunteer of the Year – Ginny Coburn. Honored for her extensive volunteer service with the Senior Center Respite Program, Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, Lakes Advisory Committee, Whitewater Community Foundation, Senior Center programs, and other community efforts.

Community Champion Award – Rick and Jeanine Fassl. Recognized for their generous and consistent support of community events, recreation programs, fundraisers, and special projects, often working quietly behind the scenes to make Whitewater a stronger and more welcoming community.

Youth Champion Award – The Fuller Family. Honored for their commitment to Whitewater’s young people and families through Run for Trey, youth athletics, Parks & Recreation, early literacy initiatives, and numerous volunteer efforts.

Difference Maker Award – Jon Tanis. Recognized for his leadership and commitment to expanding quality, affordable housing opportunities through the Stonehaven Development project, Habitat for Humanity, and other efforts that strengthen Whitewater.

James D. Allen Service Award – Jim Caldwell and The Kachel Family. This year, the City presented the James D. Allen Service Award to two recipients in recognition of their exceptional and lasting contributions to Whitewater.

Jim Caldwell was recognized for his many years of dedicated service to the Whitewater community, including his role as a founding member and former chairman of the Community Development Authority (CDA). His leadership, willingness to serve, and commitment to helping others have made a lasting impact on the community and reflect the spirit of service represented by the James D. Allen Award.

The Kachel Family was honored for generations of philanthropy, public service, and investment in Whitewater. Their generous support of education, public safety, community facilities, human services, local organizations, and economic development has made a lasting impact and helped shape Whitewater for generations.

The City of Whitewater is honored to recognize both Jim Caldwell and The Kachel Family for legacies of service that will continue to benefit Whitewater for generations to come. Whitewater City Manager, John Weidl, reflected on these awards saying, “Presenting two James D. Allen Service Awards was the right decision, because two distinct forms of legacy came before the committee and neither could stand in for the other. Jim Caldwell has given this community more than fifty years of leadership, including founding the Community Development Authority and serving as its first chairman, work that still shapes how Whitewater approaches economic development. The Kachel Family’s generosity is built into this city: the Aquatic Center, our Fire and EMS service, the library we gathered in on Friday night, the Food Pantry, Bethel House, and our schools. Both legacies will outlast all of us.”

“A community is not something that simply happens,” said City Manager John Weidl. “It is built by people who choose to give their time, share what they have, and work toward something larger than themselves. That is what every one of our twelve nominees do es, and this year’s recipients show the full range of it from preserving our history, to expanding access to housing, to simply showing up year after year wherever help was needed.”

The City thanks everyone who submitted nominations and helped recognize those making a difference in Whitewater. We also extend our appreciation to the Gala Committee, City staff, sponsors, community partners, volunteers, elected officials, and board and committee members who made the 2026 celebration possible. The City of Whitewater provides efficient and high-quality services that support living, learning, playing and working in an exceptional community. Visit www. whitewater -wi.gov for community information and updates.

Article Submitted by Becky Magestro
Phone: (262) 473-0101
Email: bmagestro@whitewater-wi.gov

The Whitewater High School Cross Country Team is selling water softener salt delivered to your HOME by CC athletes as a way to raise money for the program. Orders and payment are due on Friday, August 28, with a two-bag minimum. Orders can be dropped off at Whitewater High School or given to any cross country athlete. Delivery will be done by athletes per your specific instructions on Friday, September 11, between 3:30 and 6:00 pm.

Printable Order Form

Information Provided by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
cCarstens@wwusd.org

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) and Rooster Milling will host the first-ever Midwest Kernza Harvest Field Day on Friday, Aug. 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m in SE Wisconsin. The day will begin at Rooster Milling, W1684 Honey Creek Road, East Troy, before moving to the Kernza fields at MFAI’s New Farm nearby. The free event will give farmers, researchers, and alternative grain enthusiasts a look at three different Kernza harvesting techniques, along with grain cleaning and post-harvest handling. Kernza intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) is a perennial grain with conservation value and value-added uses in baking, brewing and distilling. Free lunch will be provided by Mama Bear Catering of Mukwonago. 

This free event is hosted by The Forever Green Initiative at University of Minnesota, along with Graham Adsit and Andy Rowntree of Rooster Milling and Whitewater High School Alum Dr. Nicole Tautges, Research Director at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. More information and directions are available at michaelfields.org. Registration is requested to help with food planning.

“Does swathing it result in a better yield? Is it worth the extra trips across the field? These are questions Kernza farmers, including us, often encounter,” Tautges said. “The demonstration of the different harvest methods is going to be a unique aspect of this field day, allowing growers to compare the results of three harvesting options for Kernza in person and discuss those results with other growers as well. This will be a can’t-miss event.”

Dr. Nicole Tautges is Research Director at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute and a nationally recognized Kernza researcher. She earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Ph.D. from Washington State University, where her research focused on soil fertility, weed management and soil microbial management in semiarid organic wheat production systems. She later conducted Kernza research at the University of Minnesota and soil health research at the University of California, Davis. Her current research at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute focuses on organic production methods, biological nutrient cycling and post-harvest quality in Kernza, oat and buckwheat systems.

Unlike annual grains that must be replanted each year, Kernza is a perennial grain that can remain in production for three years after planting. Its deep, living root system allows the crop to provide continuous ground cover while producing grain that can be used in products ranging from baked goods and flour to beer and distilled spirits.

Because Kernza is a relatively new small grain crop, optimal harvest methods are still being developed. The field day will focus on important decisions facing Kernza growers, including how to harvest the crop to maximize marketable yield and how to properly clean and process the grain after harvest. Attendees will see three harvest methods demonstrated side by side: direct combining, swathing and harvesting with a stripper header.

Rooster Milling will demonstrate grain cleaning and post-harvest handling. Operated by Adsit and Rowntree, Rooster Milling was established to clean, process and market food-grade grains grown on their farm while also providing processing opportunities for other growers. The mill sells processed grains to bakeries, distilleries and other food businesses, as well as flour for home bakers.

The demonstrations will be followed by networking and knowledge sharing among farmers, researchers, perennial-grain growers and other partners. This event is free and open to the public  and will also feature presenters from the Forever Green Initiative, The Land Institute, The Nature Conservancy, Clean Wisconsin, and the Artisan Grain Collaborative.

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a non-profit organization that has been cultivating resiliency through research, education, and policy work since 1984. With a broad coalition of public and private partners, The Institute supports regenerative farmers, food systems and communities in the Upper Midwest and beyond through a range of programs and initiatives.

It’s been another great week at Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County — a corporate volunteer team put in a full day of work, new kitchens will soon be coming together for our Whitewater homes, and we’ve got two Women Build Days on the calendar this September. 

This past week, a team from Generac joined us at the Whitewater build and tackled the flooring and egress windows in one of the buildings — and it is looking great! Generac provides its employees with 8 hours of paid volunteer time off, and this group chose to spend theirs with us. It’s a fantastic example of a company giving employees the opportunity to give back to their community, and we hope to see them again soon.

Mark your calendars! We’re hosting Women Build Days in Whitewater on September 9 and 16. Women Build Days are about creating opportunity. They provide a welcoming space for women to work together, learn hands-on construction skills, build confidence, and make a meaningful contribution to affordable housing in their community. Women are encouraged to organize teams, invite others to participate, and learn alongside experienced Habitat volunteers and site leaders.

Interested in helping as an individual or bringing a team? Reach out to get signed up!

Volunteer Interest Form

In the coming weeks, kitchen cabinets and interior doors will be delivered to the Whitewater homes! We’ve worked hard to source quality, affordable products for our homeowners, and this kitchen is a great example of that effort.

Article and Photos Submitted by John Dawson
Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County

The interesting compilation below of the universities from which Chief Executive Officers (CEO’s) of S&P [Standard & Poor’s] 500 companies graduated is posted to LinkedIn. The S&P 500 Index is a list of 500 of the largest publicly traded U.S. stocks. UW-Whitewater is referenced twice in the text and is shown as having three graduates listed on the S&P 500: CME Group [“the world’s largest derivatives marketplace], Generac [which has a plant in Whitewater], and WEC Energy Group [parent company of We Energies].

Editor’s note: The following background on the three UW-W students is from Wikipedia and various other online sources.

Terrance A. Duffy, CEO of CME Group, attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater from 1978 to 1980.^[1][8] While going to school, he worked nights at a bar called Chuck’s in Lake Geneva, an affluent resort town popular with wealthy Chicagoans.^[1][9] There he met Vincent Schreiber, a Chicago Mercantile Exchange trader who convinced Duffy to take up a career in trading and eventually became his professional mentor.^[1][8] From CME’s website: “As the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group is where the world comes to manage risk. We enable clients to trade futures, options, cash and OTC markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data – empowering market participants worldwide to efficiently manage risk and capture opportunities.”

Aaron Jagdfeld was appointed president and chief executive officer of Generac in September, 2008 and is the current CEO.^[7] Aaron P. Jagdfeld is based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is the CEO, President, and Chairman of Generac Power Systems and Board of Directors at National Association of Manufacturers. Aaron P. Jagdfeld attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Jagdfeld received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 Award. [From Crunchbase] Generac is well known for its generators, and the company employs hundreds of people at its Whitewater plant.

Scott Lauber was appointed CEO of WEC Energy Group in 2022, having been employed by various parts of the company since 2003. He graduated from UW-Whitewater with a degree in accounting in 1987.

Whitewater’s Pizza Hut, which operated at 1107 W. Main Street for nearly 48 years, closed abruptly in August 2024. After months of investments in the property, including some exterior improvements, the sign shown above was installed this week. The Shabani family, owners of Jessica’s Family Restaurant, has purchased the property with plans to open a burger-focused restaurant. “Ellie” Shabani told The Whitewater Banner that there have been many unexpected and challenging delays in renovating the building, but further news should be coming in the not-too-distant future.

Exterior of the building now

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a Title Sponsor for the 14th Annual Discover Whitewater Series 

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater renews their title sponsorship for the Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon, 5K, Fit Kid Shuffle, and 5K Teams event! The University has supported the event ever since its inaugural race in 2013. The DWS team is excited to work with the University again this year to continue this event’s success!

The 14th annual DWS will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The DWS is excited to announce that the start and finish line for both courses will be held at the university again due to the great turn out from last year! The courses will end at Perkins Stadium, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s football field; participants will be cheered on as they run through the stadium, ending with a huge celebration! The University has gone above and beyond to support the DWS by providing the assistance of volunteers, University Police, and other staff members to ensure the safety and quality of the event.

The University of Whitewater is a premier academic institution driven by the pursuit of knowledge, powered by the spirit of innovation, and focused on transforming lives. UW-Whitewater offers many academic programs that range from study of the arts, business, education, humanities, natural sciences, and technology programs that benefit undergraduate, graduate, and online learners. All these programs can be offered at the associate, bachelor, masters, and doctoral levels. These programs prepare students to become lifelong learners leading them to a successful life and productive careers.

The University also helps support and staff the Kids Korral; an all day child-care service that is free to all runners the day of the event. On race day, participants’ children have a morning of safe and fun play with certified caretakers from Aspiring Educators, some of whom graduated or are pursuing education from the University itself.

Participants will also have open entry to Williams Center during race day, having access to the showers, bathrooms, and other facilities that the University is providing! The DWS team is thankful for the University’s continued support of our 14th Annual Race!

To register for the 14th annual DWS and to learn more about its sponsors, charity partners, and the
University’s involvement, visit www.RunWhitewater.com/Register.

For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight, Executive Director, at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.

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The City of Whitewater is a Title Sponsor for the 14th Annual Discover Whitewater Series 

The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): 5K, Half Marathon, 5K Teams, and Fit Kid Shuffle and is excited to announce that the City of Whitewater is continuing their Title Sponsorship! The city has supported this race for fourteen years and the DWS is grateful to welcome them back for this community event!

The City of Whitewater has contributed to the DWS through more than just their Title Sponsorship. Since its inauguration in 2013, the City has provided the race with volunteers, parking, and public safety in collaboration with the Whitewater Police Department, EMS, and Public Works. The City of Whitewater staff also ensures that event day is fun and safe for all participants by providing barricades, safety cones, no parking signs, and by guiding traffic. Their gracious support allows for the DWS to be a successful charity race year after year!

“The services the City provides are not only outstanding, but are a core part to what makes this a premier event,” Executive Director, Jeffery Knight, said. “We are honored to have such a fantastic crew with us.”

The 14th annual DWS will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The DWS is very proud to have such a supportive community and is grateful to work with the City to promote Whitewater’s finest features.

“Partnering with the Discover Whitewater Series Race over the years has been a valued partnership,” John Weidl, City Manager for the City of Whitewater. “It brings many new faces to our city and highlights our incredible community.” 

To register for the 14th annual DWS and to learn more about its sponsors, charity partners, and the University’s involvement, visit www.RunWhitewater.com/Register. 

For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight, Executive Director, at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.

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Whitewater Unified School District is a Title Sponsor for the 14th Annual Discover Whitewater Series

The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): 5K, Half Marathon, 5K Teams, and Fit Kid Shuffle is excited to announce that the Whitewater Unified School District has renewed their Title Sponsorship! 

The 14th annual DWS race will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The team is committed to delivering a premier event in the Whitewater community and is grateful for the support of the Whitewater Unified School District as a Title Sponsor. With a shared commitment to community engagement and wellness, this partnership encourages active lifestyles for all ages and strengthens connections throughout the Whitewater community. 

“We are proud to continue our partnership with the Discover Whitewater Series and support an event that brings so many people together,” Superintendent Samuel Karns said. “The race is a great example of what makes Whitewater such a special community. It encourages healthy, active lifestyles while allowing our students, families, staff, and community members to connect outside the school day. We are excited to be once again part of an event that benefits our community and supports local organizations.”

The Whitewater Unified School District is dedicated to providing high-quality education that empowers students to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Serving the Whitewater community with a commitment to academic excellence and student well-being, the district strives to create opportunities that foster personal and lifelong learning growth. Through the support of programs and events that encourage healthy lifestyles and community engagement, the Whitewater Unified School District invests in the future of the Whitewater area.

“It is a privilege to welcome the Whitewater Unified School District as a Title Sponsor,” Jeffery Knight, Executive Director of the DWS, said. “They are dedicated to providing opportunities for each and every student, and their commitment to the community aligns perfectly with our mission. We are really looking forward to this partnership.”

The Discover Whitewater Series is thrilled to have the Whitewater Unified School District as a Title Sponsor for the 2026 race. Their support helps make race day a memorable experience for participants of all ages. By investing in an event that brings together students, families, businesses, and community members, the district is helping create a memorable race day for all involved.

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Fort HealthCare is a Title Sponsor for the 14th Annual Discover Whitewater Series

The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): 5K, Half Marathon, 5K Teams, and Fit Kid Shuffle is excited to announce that Forth HealthCare has renewed their Title Sponsorship! Fort Healthcare has supported the race since its inauguration in 2013, and the DWS are grateful for their continued contribution!

The 14th annual DWS race will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The team is committed to ensuring a premier event for all participants, and they are thankful to Fort HealthCare for supporting and enhancing this mission for the past 14 years. Both organizations’ values are aligned to promote healthy living, encourage activity, and foster connections within the community, making this partnership a valuable asset in achieving these goals!

“We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the Discover Whitewater Series and support an event that brings together health, wellness, and community. At Fort HealthCare, we believe that staying active is one of the most important investments people can make in their health, and events like the Discover Whitewater Series help inspire individuals and families to do just that. We look forward to another successful year and remain committed to helping build healthier communities throughout our region,” said Michael Anderson, MD, President & CEO of Fort HealthCare.

Fort HealthCare is a regional healthcare system that is dedicated to supporting individuals and families across southeastern Wisconsin. They are committed to high-quality care for all patients and emphasize the importance of understanding the unique needs of the residents in the surrounding areas. By providing personalized medical services, access to life-changing educational resources, and hosting events that promote wellness, Fort HealthCare strives to meet its vision of becoming the healthiest community in Wisconsin.

“It has been an honor to work with Fort HealthCare through the years,” Jeffery Knight, Executive Director of the DWS, said. “Their staff are the most dedicated people you will meet, and it is through our shared core values that we can continue to improve the well-being of our community.”

Thanks to Fort HealthCare’s Title Sponsorship, the Discover Whitewater Series participants are given the opportunity to get active and build connections, all while helping a great cause! The team is thankful to be able to host a safe and fun annual Half Marathon, 5k, 5k Teams, and Fit Kid Shuffle and look forward to the continued growth of the Discover Whitewater Series in collaboration with Fort Healthcare!

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About the DWS
The main goal for the DWS is to promote Whitewater and highlight its excellent features while keeping everyone in the community active. All the proceeds from the race are donated to five local non-profit partners: Bethel House, the J-Hawk Aquatic Club, Whitewater LEADS, UW-Whitewater Athletics, and Whitewater Highschool’s Future Business Leaders of America. The DWS partners with the city, business community, University, and school district to make this a tremendous event that benefits all participating. For more information about the race, visit www.runwhitewater.com.

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, the weekend of August 22 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 the weekend of 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. 

If you would like to request a yard sign, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/ZqM 5uj ECnCR juNe 9. (There are limited quantities available). If you’ve requested a sign in previous years, there’s no need to request another!

The Fairhaven Pollinator Garden, planted at Fairhaven Senior Services just three months ago on May 17, was delighted to find that it recently hosted several rusty patched bumble bees, a critically endangered native bumble bee. 

A volunteer weeding the garden spotted the bees, took photos, and shared them with Wisconsin/Midwest Bumble Bee Observers, a Facebook group focused on identifying bumble bees.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/555238811914604

The group verified that it was rusty patched bumble bee, and the volunteer uploaded the photo to Bumble Bee Watch, a citizen science project and online platform designed to track, study, and conserve native bumblebee species across North America. 

The federally endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee is a vital keystone pollinator. It boosts ecosystems and human food supplies by pollinating native wildflowers and key commercial crops like cranberries, blueberries, apples, and tomatoes through a specialized “buzz pollination” technique.

Find out more about the rusty patched bumble bee!

https://xerces.org/endangered-species/species-profiles/at-risk-bumble-bees/rusty-patched-bumble-bee

Our thanks to Kristine Zaballos for sharing this photo and great news.

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Roadway Construction Notice: Highway D

The Jefferson County Highway Department will begin resurfacing County Trunk Highway (CTH) D, from US Highway (USH) 18 to CTH B, starting on August 19, 2026. This project involves pulverizing deteriorated asphalt, installing culverts, grading, compacting, and paving. Work is expected to continue through late October, weather-permitting.

CTH D will be closed to through traffic for the duration of the project. We encourage motorists to use posted alternate routes during construction. Local access will be maintained for residents, businesses, mail delivery, garbage collection, and emergency services. Drivers may experience minor delays while traveling through the work zone.

For safety, please drive with caution in and around work zones, and keep children away from construction areas.

If you have questions, please contact the Jefferson County Highway Department at (920) 674-7265. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to improve our local infrastructure.

For more about Jefferson County highway construction projects:
https://www.jeffersoncountywi.gov/highway/highway_construction_projects.php