News

Gov. Tony Evers announced on May 14 his appointment of Sara Gehrig-Woodman to the Rock County Circuit Court – Branch 7. The appointment will fill the vacancy created by Judge Barbara W. McCrory’s retirement. Gehrig-Woodman will complete a term ending July 31, 2027.

“Sara Gehrig-Woodman brings a breadth of legal experience and a deep commitment to her community to the circuit court,” said Gov. Evers. “She will be an excellent judge for the people of Rock County.”

Gehrig-Woodman is a partner at Nowlan Law LLP in Janesville. Her practice includes all aspects of civil litigation, including contract disputes, complex employment and construction cases, and family law in both state and federal courts. She also serves as an independent hearing officer for the School District of Janesville. Earlier in her career, Gehrig-Woodman was a prosecuting attorney in both Alaska and Idaho, where she focused on prosecuting crimes of violence against women, children, and vulnerable adults.

“I am pleased that Gov. Evers appointed Sara Gehrig-Woodman to succeed me,” said McCrory. “She brings a wealth of experience to the bench. I look forward to seeing how she uses that experience to serve Rock County.”

Gehrig-Woodman lives in the town of Janesville and is a graduate of St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota Law School. In the community, she serves on the board of the United Way Blackhawk Region and has previously served as board president for the Boys and Girls Club of Janesville.

“I am extremely grateful to Gov. Evers for this appointment, as well as to numerous past and present colleagues, community members, and family members who supported me in my application,” said Gehrig-Woodman. “Having practiced in several jurisdictions, including state and federal courts in Alaska, Idaho, and Wisconsin, I am honored and humbled to be selected to serve in this role in Rock County, the community where I was raised. I am particularly honored to succeed the first female judge to serve in Rock County, the Hon. Barbara W. McCrory. I will attempt to continue her legacy of exemplary service, making Branch VII of the Rock County Circuit Court a place of inclusion, fairness, and just adjudication of conflict and controversy for all who appear before me.”

Shirley Erdman Household Sale
Susan Mealy
Prairie Village
863 Burr Oak Trail
Whitewater, WI 53190

Saturday, May 16th 9:00am-2:00pm
Sunday, May 17th 9:00am-12:00pm

*Numbers issued ½ hour prior to sale on both Saturday & Sunday*

Additional photos may be viewed here.

Furniture: Dining Table/Chairs, Wing-Back Chair/Ottoman, Spoon Carved Commode, Table & Floor Lamps, Desk, Desk Chair

Glassware: Stemware, Cut-Glass, Stoneware, Set of Noritake China, Rockdale Pottery

Artwork: Lighthouse Print by Donna Elias, Watercolors by Marilyn Fuerstenberg, and Nikki Knudson, Oil on Canvas by Tom Jewel, Old Main by Gray

Household Items: Usual Kitchen Items, Area Rug, Silk Tree, Baskets, Books, Pictures & Frames, Sea Shells, Holiday Decorations, T.V., Optelec Compact 10HD with Speech, Packer Collectibles, Step Stool, Uttermost Wall Clock, Set of 34 Leather Bound Wisconsin Reports Law Books dating back to 1908

Garage Items: Garden Tools, Hand Tools, yard Decorations, Wisconsin Corn Hole Game, Rossignol Ski Shoes, Set of Lady’s Golf Clubs

Items of Special Interest:

1. ½ Wooden Indian Canoe made into a Glass-topped Coffee Table
2. 2023 Club Car Golf Cart with many extras including Aluminum Cargo Box, Premium Seat Cushions, Canopy Top, Lithium Battery, with many more extras – Approximately 100 miles.

Terms & Conditions

All Sales Final · No Refunds · Cash · Sold in “As Is” Condition
No Early Sales · Not Responsible for Accidents
Please bring help and tools for removing your items on the day of purchase – our staff is unable to lift or load items.

The city’s unofficial citywide garage sale is this weekend, Friday through Sunday. The first sales that are shown below are ones that were submitted directly to the Banner. Below those is a list from the Facebook page “Whitewater City Wide Rummage, 53190.” Our thanks to the reader who passed on that information.

Look yard sale Saturday May 16 at 1140 W Highland St 10-5 clothes diamond art rims and tries jewelry and DVDs  so come take a look 

HUGE Multi-family rummage 426 S. Buckingham Blvd , Whitewater Friday May 15th and Saturday May 16th.   Entertainment including DVD’s, CD’s, VHS, vinyl, books, games, and toys. Microwave, Countertop oven, tools, boxspring metal frame, Kitchen, Aquarium and Pet supplies, sporting goods, hardwares, housewares, Chicco bassinet, baby through adult clothing and accessories, magic cards, stamp collecting, collectible coins, Brewers items, crafts, Singer sewing machine and so much more. Something for everyone!

GARAGE SALE 
336 S Summit St, Whitewater
Fri & Sat, May 15 & 16, 8am to 4pm
Rummage and Vintage: 
End Tables, Lamps, Decor, Seasonal, Doilies, China, Corelle,  Glassware, Jewelry and Jewelry Boxes, Wooden Cigar Box, Authentic Cowbell, Wicker Hamper,  Kitchen & Office,  Bedding, Totes, Cassettes, Gifts & Collectibles, AND SO MUCH MORE!

Yard Sale 
Saturday May 16th from 9-1
1660 Mound View Place, Whitewater

____________________________________________________________________________________

The following sales are posted to the “Whitewater City Wide Rummage, 53190” Facebook page.

476 Ventura Lane
Thu–Sat | 9 AM–4 PM Boys clothing (NB–18M), baby/kids toys, household items, women’s clothing (S/M, teen/college styles), purses & bags

N468 Fremont St
Fri–Sat | 9 AM–4 PM Bicycles, home goods, lots of antiques

336 S Summit StFri–Sat | Vintage estate items, jewelry, home decor, lamps, end tables, china & Corelle, household items, clean quality items throughout

282 Lakeview Dr
May 16–17 | 10 AM–4 PM
Snow blower, kids shoes (0–12), baby clothes, toys, household items

351 S Summit St
May 15–17 | 9 AM–5 PM
Clothing (women/men/children), shoes, baby items, toys, household items

512 E North St
Sat–Sun | 10 AM–2 PM
Office desk, ice maker, kitchen items, kids toys

214 S Woodland Dr
May 14–15 | 8 AM–4 PM
May 16 | 8 AM–1 PM
Kids toys, clothing, shoes, kitchen table, stools, Paw Patrol, books

755 N Tratt St Lot 200
May 15–17 | Various times
Clothing, tools, kitchen items, baby items, pet supplies, misc

1245 Tower Hill Pass
May 15–17
Plus-size women’s clothing (1X–5X), household items

1140 Highland St
May 16 | 10 AM–5 PM
Tires/rims, jewelry, clothing, DVDs, misc items

405 Ventura Lane
Fri–Sat | 8 AM–4 PM / 8 AM–12 PM
Women’s, teen, boys clothing, home decor

426 S Buckingham Blvd
Fri–Sat | 7 AM–5 PM
5-family sale: clothing, bedding, decor, household goods

331 S Whiton St
Fri–Sun
Storage sale: clothing, collectibles, housewares, toys

529 S Franklin St
Sat–Sun | 9 AM–4 PM
Women’s clothing, scrubs, wedding decor, home goods

1343 E Jakes Way
Thu–Sat | 8 AM–6 PM / 8 AM–1 PM
Stockpile items, household goods, misc

736 E Chicago St
Thu–Sun | 9 AM–3 PM
Clothing, decor, tools, hunting items, antiques

133 N Newcomb St
Fri–Sat | 8 AM–4 PM
Furniture, tools, collectibles, clothing, vintage items

1270 E Jakes Way #9
May 15–16 | 9 AM–4 PM
Generator, electronics, appliances, clothing, misc

233 Ash Lane
Thu–Fri | 8 AM–5 PM
Clothing, Harley items, household, camper & boat for sale

340 S Woodland Dr
May 14–16 | 9 AM–3 PM
Furniture, golf clubs, toys, clothing, household items

1145 W South St
May 15–16 | 8 AM–4 PM / 8 AM–1 PM
Kitchenware, dolls, clothing, misc items

1011 W Walworth Ave
May 15–17 | 9 AM–5 PM
Clothing, toys, diecast, Christmas items

1212 W Salisbury Lane
Fri–Sun | varied hours
Clothing, furniture, toys, plants, household goods

415 E Main St
Thu–Sun | 9 AM–5 PM
Bikes, tools, mailboxes, hardware, household goods

365 W Ann St
Fri–Sat | 8 AM–4 PM
Clothing, bedding, kitchenware, decor

747 E Clay St
May 15–16 | 9 AM–4 PM
Kitchen items, towels, Christmas decor, clothing

263 S Green St
May 16 | 8 AM–3 PM
Brand name clothing, shoes, sports, lawn equipment

1254 Tower Hill Pass
May 15 | 8 AM–5 PM
Misc items

1320 Tower Hill Pass
May 16–17 | 8 AM–4:30 PM
Clothing, toys, workout gear, baby/kids bag sale

1277 E Bluff Rd Unit 10
Thu–Sun
Storage sale items, household goods, misc

620 W High St
May 16 | 8 AM–4 PM
Miscellaneous / everything sale

160 N Park St
Sat–Sun
Antiques, vintage, furniture, clothing, tools, toys

“

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Hmong-Lao Veterans Day, Proclaims “Hmong-Lao Veterans Day” Across the State

Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #293, ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Thurs., May 14, 2026, in honor of Hmong-Lao Veterans Day. Each year since assuming office, Gov. Evers has proclaimed May 14 as Hmong-Lao Veterans Day in Wisconsin. “Through their service and sacrifice, our Hmong-Lao veteran community has earned every honor and respect we can give them by serving this nation during the Vietnam War and in many conflicts since, and for that, we owe them an enormous debt of gratitude,” said Gov. Evers. “Here in Wisconsin, we are committed to our promise to protect, defend, and support the veterans who’ve protected, defended, and supported us, and that includes our Hmong-Lao heroes.” During the Vietnam War, thousands of Hmong-Lao people courageously fought alongside the United States and, following the end of the war, faced harsh retribution from the Vietnamese and Lao governments for their service. Many Hmong-Lao soldiers and their families were ultimately forced to flee their homes, and many later resettled in communities throughout the United States, including in Wisconsin. Today, Wisconsin is home to the third-largest Hmong population in the United States. The last day of airlift evacuation of remaining Hmong-Lao soldiers and their families from the covert headquarters in Long Tieng, Laos, to the Nam Phong refugee camp in Thailand took place on May 14, 1975. On May 14, 2021, Gov. Evers signed 2021 Wisconsin Act 31, officially designating May 14 as Hmong-Lao Veterans Day in Wisconsin. Act 31 also requires the governor to the governor to annually issue a proclamation for the observance of Hmong-Lao Veterans Day that orders the flags at the State Capitol Building to be flown at half-staff, requests that the day be used to recognize Hmong-Lao veterans’ accomplishments and to thank Hmong-Lao veterans for their service, and encourages schools to discuss Hmong military service in support of the armed forces of the United States.   Gov. Evers has long made supporting the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Wisconsin’s Hmong and Asian American communities, including Hmong-Lao veterans, a priority of his administration. In 2024, Gov. Evers signed 2023 Wisconsin Act 205, which ensures Hmong veterans can have veteran status on their driver’s license or ID by adding to the definition of “veteran” any person who was admitted to the United States under the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act. Additionally, last month, Gov. Evers signed 2025 Wisconsin Act 206, which ensures qualifying Hmong and Laotian veterans can receive military funeral honors.  In 2024, Gov. Evers celebrated Hmong Heritage Month by signing 2023 Wisconsin Act 266, requiring schools to include education on the contributions and history of Hmong Americans and Asian Americans in Wisconsin. Wisconsin law requires K-12 schools to teach Black American, Hispanic American, and Native American history. 2023 Act 266 added Hmong and Asian American histories to this required curriculum, promoting greater awareness and understanding among Wisconsin students of the histories, cultures, and traditions of these diverse communities in Wisconsin. Gov. Evers also proclaimed April Hmong Heritage Month in accordance with national observances. Last year, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Vietnam War and the Secret War in Laos, among other events that significantly impacted the lives of millions in Southeast Asia, Gov. Evers also issued a proclamation in recognition of the 50th anniversary to honor the resilience of Southeast Asian American communities.  Executive Order #293 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Thurs., May 14, 2026, and is available on Gov. Evers’ website.

The City of Whitewater and the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) visit with leadership from First Citizens State Bank’s Main Office to discuss the bank’s continued role in supporting local economic growth and community development.

The visit was conducted by Mason Becker, Community Development Director for the City of Whitewater, and Karin Silvius, Executive Director of the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce. They met with Jim Caldwell, Chairman of the Board, and Darcy Rallo, Chief Human Resources Officer for First Citizens State Bank.

With a history dating back to 1863 , First Citizens State Bank has maintained a longstanding presence in Whitewater and remains one of the community’s key financial institutions. Over the years, the bank has supported local businesses, homeowners, nonprofit organizations, and economic development initiatives throughout the region.

During the discussion, participants reviewed current economic conditions, workforce and staffing challenges facing employers, opportunities to encourage continued business growth in Whitewater, and the importance of ongoing collaboration among local businesses, educational institutions, municipal leaders, and community organizations.

“First Citizens State Bank has been an important community partner in Whitewater for generations,” said Mason Becker, Community Development Director. “Conversations like these are critical to understanding the needs of our employers and identifying ways we can continue strengthening Whitewater’s business environment and workforce pipeline.”

Karin Silvius emphasized the value of maintaining strong communication between the business community and local leadership.

“Our BRE visits are an important tool for relationship building and problem -solving,” said Silvius. “First Citizens State Bank has a deep commitment to Whitewater, and we appreciate their willingness to share insight on the opportunities and challenges facing employers today.”

Jim Caldwell highlighted the bank’s long -term investment in the community and the importance of collaborative partnerships.

“Whitewater has always been a strong and resilient community,” said Caldwell. “We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside the City and the Chamber to support local businesses, attract talent, and help ensure continued economic vitality. It’s critically important that we all keep working together to move Whitewater forward.”

Darcy Rallo noted that workforce development remains a key topic for employers across industries.

“Like many organizations, we continue to focus on attracting and retaining talented employees,” said Rallo. “It’s encouraging to have proactive discussions with community partners about how we can collectively support workforce development and create opportunities for future growth.”

The City of Whitewater and the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce regularly conduct BRE visits with local employers as part of ongoing efforts to support business retention, expansion, and economic development throughout the community.

For further information on the BRE Program, contact:
City of Whitewater Community Development Department
Attn: Mason Becker, Community Development Director
312 W. Whitewater Street
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: (262) 473 -0148
Email: mbecker@whitewater-wi.gov
Website: www.whitewater-wi.gov

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 the end of the school year and show support for our teachers, staff, and students. The signs will stay up until Sunday, June 7. The response to this effort during back-to-school time 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 signs in the past, there is no need to complete the form again! 

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

Bluff Creek Culvert Project to Begin May 18

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with Walworth County, will remove an abandoned railroad box culvert over Bluff Creek located on the west side of County Highway P, roughly 1.75 miles south of U.S. Highway 12 in the Town of Whitewater.

What to Expect

Beginning May 18, County Highway P will be closed between Kettle Moraine Drive and Reliance Road. The road will be entirely shut down at Bluff Creek for approximately 90 days. Emergency services, postal deliveries, and garbage collection should use local roads and alternate routes.

A signed detour will utilize County Highway O between County Highway A and U.S. Highway 12 for non-local traffic. Local residents are encouraged to use all available alternative routes.

Keep an eye out for message signboards for more specific information as it becomes available. The work is anticipated to be completed by the end of July.

Who to Contact

All questions or concerns can be directed to the Wisconsin DNR’s Project Manager, Mike Stone, at 608-444-3207 or via email at michael.stone@wisconsin.gov.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Walworth County.

CORRECTION: This drive is not being held at the Whitewater Public Library but rather at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center. The library apologized for the mix-up.

The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center on Friday, May 15 between 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. It is open to the public.

Give the gift of life—donate blood and make a real difference in your community. Appointments are encouraged, walk-ins welcome. Appointments may be made here.