News

Kids From Wisconsin (KFW) is a non-profit performing arts organization featuring youth aged 15–20 who tour across Wisconsin performing Broadway-style revues and musical productions. Founded in 1968, the troupe provides a pre-professional performing experience and has become a celebrated platform for young talent in the state. The group is headquartered at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis. The troupe performs in over 40 communities statewide.

Our country’s fabric is interwoven with the sounds and rhythms of our unique music genres that continue to shape our identity and unite generations. Join Kids from Wisconsin in their 58th season as we honor the 250th anniversary of this great nation with America’s great composers, songwriters, musicians and instrumentalists. Our show will salute their creativity, innovation, and unforgettable contributions to the world of music. From the smoky pulse of rhythm and blues to the soaring spirit of jazz, from the electric fire of rock and roll to the raw power of soul, and from chart-topping pop to timeless folk, country and classic Broadway, this live show—brought to life by Wisconsin’s finest young performers—ignites the very heartbeat of American music.

All tickets are $25 including tax and service fees. Parking is free in lots 1 and 2. (Access to the auditorium is generally most convenient from lot 2 off Prince Street. Tickets may be purchased online. They also will be available at the door.

The Young Performing Arts Center is located at 800 W. Main Street, Whitewater.

Daniel Portwine, from Whitewater, was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Dean’s List for the 2026 Spring Semester. Portwine is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

Zoe Olson, from Whitewater, was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Honors List for the 2026 Spring Semester. Olson is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering.

MSOE encourages excellence in academic achievement and, as a result, publishes the Dean’s List and Honors List each fall and spring semester. Students taking undergraduate courses who have earned at least 12 credits in residence at MSOE, are in good academic standing, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher are on the Dean’s List. Students on that list who have maintained a 3.70 or higher receive “high honors.”

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 3,000 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, computer science, business, nursing, mathematics, user experience, and construction management. 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 Plan & Architectural Review Meeting – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible recommendation to Common Council Zoning Ordinance creating
section 19.09.291 and subsections 19.19.30(G), 19.33.30(T) amending subsections
19.15.30(G), 19.18.30(H), Creating 19.19.030 (H) to define Family child care Centers and
Define conditional uses for Family Child Care Centers; Discussion and possible recommendation to Common Council the Child Safety Zone Map and Resolution.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join ourww webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2380281851001?p=sEgX6zC8pyw2OoWXIW
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,,311833736# United States
Phone conference ID: 311 833 736#

City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Board – Food Pantry Subcommittee – Wednesday @ 12:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion on Food Pantry Lease Options
Armory Basement Summer Camp Room, 146 North Street, 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.
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/257016959841236?p=sThPLeowTPYBQzi26x

WHITEWATER ARTS ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES 17th ANNUAL FRAN ACHEN JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

Record Regional Submissions and New Digital Platform Mark Landmark Year for Whitewater’s Premier Photography Event

The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) is proud to announce the 17th Annual Fran Achen Juried Photography Exhibition, opening Thursday, June 4, 2026 at the Cultural Arts Center Gallery, 402 W. Main Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin. The exhibition runs through Sunday, June 28, 2026, with an Awards Reception on Sunday, June 7 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.

This year’s exhibition marks a landmark moment for the event, drawing a record 502 submissions from photographic artists across the region — a 25 percent increase over the previous year. The breadth and quality of work submitted reflects the exhibition’s growing reputation as a serious regional venue for fine art photography.

Two Salons — A Philosophy of Full Equals

The Fran Achen Exhibition has pioneered a dual-salon format that treats the photographic print and screen-based digital media as full equals in the gallery space. The Traditional Salon celebrates the enduring power of the physical print, displayed in a classical gallery setting. The Digital Salon champions screen-based fine art, presented on high-definition displays in-gallery — not as an afterthought, but as a fully realized exhibition experience alongside its printed counterpart.

This year’s exhibition received 201 submissions in the Traditional Salon and 301 in the Digital Salon. A total of 342 works by 75 photographic artists are represented in the show, with 150 works hung in the gallery.

“Each work here represents an artist who responded to the world with skill, intention, and a point of view worth sharing. That is what this exhibition has always been about.”

— Jeff McDonald, WAA President and 12-Year Exhibition Chair

The G/A Exhibition Engine — A First for Local Arts Organizations

Making its debut this year is the G/A Exhibition Engine, a sophisticated web application developed by Gaelic Arts LLC and provided to WAA at no cost. The Engine brings both salons together in a single unified digital experience and represents a significant advancement in how community arts organizations can present exhibition work.

The G/A Exhibition Engine was designed specifically for desktop and laptop viewing. Respect for its artists and an uncompromising commitment to quality drove that decision — every image is presented with true color, fine detail, and the visual scale that serious fine art photography deserves. The Whitewater Arts Alliance is proud to be among the few regional arts organizations providing this level of international-standard digital presentation.

The Exhibition Engine features high-definition zoom capability, an interactive artist directory with direct links to participating photographers’ websites and social media channels, and a real-time Public Choice voting system. It is available now at whitewaterarts.org/fa-2026-exhibition.

The Jury

This year’s distinguished jury panel brings three distinct perspectives to the evaluation of submitted work: Ashley M. Dimmig, PhD, Crossman Gallery Director and Art History faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; Gerald H. Emmerich, Jr., HonPSA, GMPSA-P, a Photographic Society of America Grand Master with over 15,400 international acceptances; and Michael J. Havice, PhD, a retired Marquette University broadcast faculty member and active professional photographer with significant magazine publication credits.

Awards

Eleven cash awards totaling $1,300 will be presented at the Awards Reception, including Best of Show, Photographic Merit Awards (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place in each salon), Fran Achen Creative Expression distinctions, and Public Choice Awards determined by community voting both in-gallery and online.

About the Exhibition

The Fran Achen Juried Photography Exhibition commemorates the life of Fran Achen, a longtime Whitewater resident, educator, and photographer whose work chronicled the history of the Whitewater community for decades. Named in his honor, the exhibition continues his legacy of helping people see the world through fresh eyes.

Admission is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, Noon to 4:00 PM.

More information about the exhibit, including a link to the digital Exhibition Engine, may be viewed here.

Jefferson Street Road Project Information
The City of Whitewater would like to inform residents of upcoming road construction activities and related impacts associated with the Jefferson Street Reconstruction Project.

Phase 1
Construction Starts: June 15, 2026
Project Limits: Jefferson Street from Starin Road northward, including the closure of the Starin Road/Jefferson Street intersection.
Property Access: Access will be maintained for properties located north of Starin Road.
Estimated Completion: July 17, 2026 (weather dependent)

Compost Site Schedule Changes
Due to construction -related access restrictions, the compost site will be open on Saturdays only beginning June 13, 2026, and will resume its regular Wednesday schedule on July 22, 2026.
Therefore, the compost site will be closed on the following Wednesdays:

• June 17
• June 24
• July 1
• July 8
• July 15
• 
  Temporary Compost Site Access Changes Beginning June 27
  Access to the compost site will be limited due to ongoing road construction.
  Visitors must enter:
• From Jefferson Street south of Starin Road, or
• From Starin Road via Fremont Street
  Please note: Starin Road will close between Newcomb Street and Jefferson Street.
  
  Dog Park Access
  Beginning June 15, residents visiting the Dog Park will need to park along the north side of Starin Road west of Jefferson Street.
  
  The City appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation throughout this important infrastructure improvement project. Additional updates will be provided as construction progresses.
  
  Brad Marquardt
  Director of Public Works
  (262) 473 -0139
  Bmarquardt@whitewater -wi.gov
  

#

Written by Jeff Angileri| Photo by Craig Schreiner

UW-Whitewater awarded $225K to enhance region’s emergency preparedness

Nearly a quarter million dollars in federal funding will be managed by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to create a technologically advanced and sustainable Emergency Operations Center [EOC] for the region.

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin secured $225,000 as part of Department of Homeland Security annual funding legislation that was passed into law recently.

“Wisconsin families need to know that when an emergency strikes, their communities have what they need to keep them safe and help them recover,” Baldwin said in a statement. “I’m proud to have secured this funding to help communities across our state strengthen infrastructure, improve emergency preparedness, and keep Wisconsin families safe for years to come.”

Funds will be used to establish a dedicated EOC space on the Whitewater campus. It is expected to serve as a collaborative emergency headquarters for UW-Whitewater, the City of Whitewater, and Walworth, Jefferson and Rock counties.

“This investment will allow UW-Whitewater to move from a locally equipped Emergency Operations Center to one that is regionally equipped, strengthening our ability to support both campus and community response efforts,” said Chancellor Corey King. “It also reflects and enhances the institution’s ongoing investment in emergency preparedness and coordinated response between multiple agencies and organizations.”

UW-Whitewater Police Chief Matthew Kiederlen said the dedicated space will offer communications technology and sustainable power generation, among other features.

“The goal is that our regional EOC can sustain itself for weeks at a time and will include redundancies, such as solar power, to ensure ongoing operations during power outages,” he said.

Editor’s note: This press release was received from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.

The Greater Whitewater Committee is set to host Michael Anderson, MD, Fort Healthcare’s CEO, to present on the innovations the organization has made over the past few years.

WHITEWATER—June 4th, 2026—The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) is set to host Michael Anderson, MD, Fort Healthcare’s CEO, to present on the innovations the organization has made over the past few years.

This event will take place on Thursday, June 11th at 7:00 a.m. at Jessica’s Family Restaurant: 140 W Main St.

Michael R. Anderson, MD, joined Fort HealthCare as an Otolaryngologist, otherwise known as Ear, Nose, and Throat, surgeon in August 2003. Quickly assuming a leadership role in the organization, he served as Chief of Surgery in 2007. The Medical Staff elected him to serve as Chief of Staff in 2012. Dr. Anderson was appointed to Fort HealthCare Board of Directors in 2013, where he served for 10 years.

Dr. Anderson was appointed Medical Director of Perioperative Services in 2015. Subsequently in 2022, he was named Senior Vice President of Fort HealthCare and assumed the role President & CEO on Jan 1, 2023.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Anderson enjoys spending time with his three kids and wife of nearly thirty years. Avid about the Wisconsin summer season, you can usually find them golfing, in a boat or waterskiing. Summer nights are spent on the deck or around the firepit.

The GWC’s upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled to take place Thursday, June 11th at 7:00 a.m. at Jessica’s Family Restaurant: 140 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190. The public is more than welcome to attend this meeting to learn more about Fort Healthcare. If you are interested in attending, you must RSVP. To reserve your spot, contact Jeff Knight at jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662 by Wednesday, June 10th.

“Many of our members frequently utilize Fort HealthCare’s services,” said GWC President, Jeffery Knight. “We are excited to learn about the updates and achievements they have accomplished over the past few years.”

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

About the GWC

The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to collaborating with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies needed to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life. 

To wrap up the school year, students in Mr. Nolan Otremba’s Carpentry and Construction course had the sheds they built officially inspected by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. The students passed inspection and received certificates certifying they have the entry-level skills required for a career in carpentry. During the visit, students also spoke with the representatives about entering the field, essential industry skills, and the career benefits of the trade.

We are incredibly proud of their hard work, precision, and dedication.

Article and Photos Submitted by Nolan Otremba
Whitewater High School Technology and Engineering Teacher
otrno01@wwusd.org

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

It is high school graduation season and here is a post card featuring the Whitewater High School Class of 1921. According to the Whitewater Register, there were 21 graduates and of these 19 are shown in this photograph. Of note is graduate Edwin Coe, editor of the Whitewater Register for many years in the 20th century. Also of interest is this rare interior view of the old “Big Brick” High School building (burned 1927). We have a lot of views of the exterior of that building, but only a few of the interior. Congratulations to all graduates this June!

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(3325PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

Editor’s note: This proclamation, which was read at the Common Council meeting on June 2, was submitted by Jenny Rule, Local Group Lead, Moms Demand Action-Whitewater Area. Jenny added the following: Links to the Wear Orange coalition website: wearorange.org (also in Spanish here).  Please consider sharing information about Wear Orange on your personal social media this week to spread awareness far and wide. Use the hashtag #WearOrange