News

Editor’s note: Parking violation 12 is for parking without a permit in a space that is designated for use by persons with a disability. The following comments were provided by Police Chief Dan Meyer.

Whitewater Community,

We’ve heard your questions and concerns regarding the recent changes to parking violation fees, and I want to take a moment to explain why these changes were made.

The decision to adjust our parking fee structure was not made lightly—nor was it made unilaterally by the Police Department. In fact, the revised fee schedule was proposed and approved by the Common Council earlier this year as part of a broader financial strategy to address structural funding challenges facing the City. At that time, it was still unclear whether the operational referendum would pass, so a number of proactive measures were explored.

One key principle behind the parking fee increase is fairness. Instead of shifting more financial burden onto all taxpayers through higher property taxes, this approach better aligns the cost with those responsible for the infraction. In other words, rather than having the entire community shoulder the cost of parking enforcement and maintenance, revenue is generated directly from those who violate the rules.

This adjustment was part of a more comprehensive effort to diversify the City’s revenue streams in a fiscally responsible way. In addition to parking fees, the City also adopted modest cost-recovery charges for open records requests and video redactions—steps that help ensure essential services can continue without further strain on the general fund.

We recognize the timing of the fee implementation may be frustrating to some. Please know it was carefully considered within a larger context, and always with the intent of ensuring fairness and long-term fiscal sustainability.

Respectfully,

Dan Meyer

Chief of Police

By Dr. John Frye and Andrew Courtney to The Whitewater Banner

Dr. John Frye, Associate Professor of Geography with a focus in meteorology and climatology of extreme weather events at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, storm chaser with 25 years of experience. Dr. Frye can be contacted at fryej@uww.edu.

Andrew Courtney holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography with a research focus in severe weather, storm chaser with 12 years of experience.

As of 3 pm Sunday, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC, www.spc.noaa.gov) has most of Wisconsin under an enhanced risk of severe weather from Monday 7 a.m. until Tuesday at 7 a.m. An enhanced risk is a level 3 out 5. A powerful storm system is moving across the country today and into our region tomorrow. This system is bringing together the ingredients to produce a wide-spread and powerful outbreak of severe weather.

For Whitewater, the SPC has the greatest threat being hail and tornadoes. At this time, it is difficult to predict exactly where storm cells will form and track; that will become clearer as the event nears. Off to Whitewater’s northwest in western Wisconsin the threat level is a 4 out of 5.

The timing of this event looks to be after sunset tomorrow night for the eastern part of the state. Given the time and the increased threat, now is the time to start preparing for where you would shelter and how will you receive warning notifications in the case of a storm tracking near Whitewater. Here are some steps to help prepare yourself and your family:

 Make sure everyone is aware of where you would shelter in the event of a tornado
 Check back often on forecasts; as the event nears more precise information can be obtained. Follow the Storm Prediction Center and/or our Local National Weather Service out of Milwaukee/Sullivan on social media accounts.
o www.spc.noaa.gov
o https://www.facebook.com/NWSSPC
o https://www.weather.gov/mkx/
o https://www.facebook.com/NWSMilwaukee
 Make sure to have multiple ways to receive a warning if issued by our local National Weather Service office.
 Turn the Wireless Emergency Alerts feature to active on your cell phone
 If you have a weather radio, make sure it is plugged in, tuned to the closest station to receive the best signal, and, if possible, put fresh batteries in it in case power goes out.
 Download an alert app on your phone, like the Red Cross Emergency app. In this app you can turn on to have it track your position and you can also set a home location and boundary for that. This app is also useful if you have friends and/or family scattered around; you can track their locations too by adding more spots for the app to monitor.

An important reminder for Monday is the definitions of a watch and warning. A watch is usually issued before any storms start and it is telling us that the ingredients for severe weather or tornado, depending on the watch type, have come together in the
atmosphere and thus the event is likely. A warning means that a storm has begun and/or is showing on radar that it is producing wind, hail, or a tornado.

Figures below are the categorical and probability forecast from the Storm Prediction Center out of Norman, Oklahoma.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates Dr. John Frye and Andrew Courtney’s input regarding the incoming storm system.

Per the 5:15 a.m. update from the National Weather Service on Monday, the following is the projected sequence of severe storm potential this afternoon and evening:

• Isolated to scattered storms now through 12 PM, with small hail possible.

• Scattered severe storms developing this afternoon and evening.
  • Window of greatest severe potential 4 PM to 11 PM.
  • All hazards expected with any storms that develop (damaging wind, large hail, and tornadoes).
• Storm formation this afternoon and evening is dependent on placement of upstream thunderstorms this morning. Timing and placement remains in question.
• A cold front with a line of associated thunderstorms will move west to east late tonight into early Tuesday morning.
  • Large hail and damaging winds are the main threats with this line, mainly in western areas.

Preliminary ACT results for Whitewater High School show significant academic growth, with all subject areas demonstrating improvement from 9th-grade PreACT through 11th-grade ACT assessments for the Class of 2026.

The cohort’s composite score rose from 15.6 in 9th grade to 18.4 in 11th grade, reflecting an 18% increase. The most notable gains occurred between the 10th and 11th grade, where targeted instructional efforts and academic supports were emphasized.

“This year’s ACT data tells a powerful story,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, WUSD Superintendent. “The Class of 2026 has shown incredible determination and perseverance, and their growth demonstrates the impact of our focused support.”

Compared to prior WHS cohorts, the Class of 2026’s composite ACT score of 18.4 is higher than the Class of 2024’s score of 17.2 and nearing the Class of 2025’s score of 19.1. The greatest two-year gains were seen in Science (23.87%) and English (25.0%).

“This cohort has made measurable progress, particularly between the 10th and 11th grade assessments,” said Dr. Terilyn Robles, WUSD Director of Teaching & Learning. “The data shows that the instructional strategies and interventions our staff implemented have effectively supported academic achievement.” The composite scores grew 12.20% between 10th and 11th grade.

Whitewater High School continues to promote growth-oriented learning strategies and collaborative supports across grade levels. School leadership also praised the high school instructional team for their role in supporting student development throughout the testing timeline.

These results will guide future planning and support strategies as the Class of 2026 prepares for senior year and post-secondary pathways.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

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Registration is available on the Parks & Recreation site (click on “special events.”) Deadline is Monday, May 5.

Updated on 4/27/25 @ 1:30 p.m. to add photos of Show Choir. Apologies that they had been accidentally omitted.

Article and photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

The 23rd annual Whitewater Middle School Jazz Band and Show Choir concert was presented on April 22 in the WMS cafeteria.

Under the direction of Stacey Joseph, the WMS Show Choir wowed the audience of at least 120 with two numbers featuring solos by Aurora Gerblick, Felicity Volbright, Serina Soto, Amelia Lefaive, Lucy Baldwin, Lily Tranel, and Eleanor Wilt.

The WMS Jazz Band, under the direction of Justin Kamp, entertained the audience with six selections. The soloists included Raya Fajardo, Melody Smith, Karlee Luna, Liam Egnoski, Liam Springer, Alex Perez-Aguila, and Jacob Christensen.

According to the program, there are 24 students in the Jazz Band and 20 students in Show Choir. It is important to note that the students rehearse and prepare for performance before the start of the school day.

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Large items will be picked up in the City of Whitewater on
Thursday:

~ May 1, May 8, May 15, and May 22, 2025~

• These additional pickups are for garbage or recycling items that are too large to fit in
  the toters. This does not include yard waste, construction materials, hazardous
  materials, or electronics (including TVs).
• The Electronic Recycling Event is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 9 am –
  12 pm (or until their vehicle is full, so come early) in Lot B (Cravath Lakefront).
• Place all large items including furniture, carpeting, large metal, large cardboard boxes
  (emptied and flattened), and appliances 6 ft. away from, and not in front of or next to, the
  toters.
• Items such as automotive batteries, tires (two per home per month), drain oil (in sealed 1-
  5-gallon container) should also be 6 ft. away from the toters.
• Solid waste containers, recycling containers, and bulk items should not be placed at the
  collection point sooner than 4:00 pm on the day before the collection day.
• Solid waste containers, recycling containers, or bulk items should not remain at the curb
  line after 9:00am on the day after the scheduled collection time.
  For additional pick-up information or removal of TVs, please contact John’s Disposal at
  262-473-4700 for current disposal rates.
  

More information regarding John’s Disposal can be found at: https://www.whitewater-
wi.gov/231/Johns-Disposal-Service.

It’s time again for the City of Whitewater’s Community Tree Sale!! Each of the last three years, the Urban Forestry Commission has organized and held our Community Tree Sale to offer native trees and shrubs to our community and the surrounding area. Because of the success of these sales and the efforts of our City Forester to plant more native trees in the city, Whitewater now has one of the most diverse tree inventories in the state of Wisconsin! That’s a very big deal! That means that when the next invasive pest shows up, we will lose fewer trees. Remember the emerald ash borer killed more than 600 trees on public land, and many more on private property. Thank you to all past and future buyers and planters for your hard work in making our forest canopy a much stronger and more resilient one.

As in past years, the sale is held during the last weekend in April to coincide with Arbor Day and Earth Day. This year it will be held at Starin Park’s Upper Shelter on April 25th from 10 – 6, April 26th from 8 – 4 and, if necessary, April 27th from 10 – 4 or until sold out. We will be offering more trees this year due to popular demand, but as in previous years, all sales are on a first come, first served basis. Cash and check will be accepted as payment. Remember that these trees are being offered at prices you won’t find anywhere else as Urban Forestry holds this sale not to make a profit, but to cover the costs of the sale as we get more natives into our landscape. Go to arbatstarin.org for a complete list of trees and shrubs that will be available this year, make your list and we will see you at the sale!

“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy”

Tuesday, April 29, 1 pm

(Romantic Comedy) Rated R (language);

 2 hours, 4 minutes (2025). 

In this fourth (and final..?) film of the series, Bridget (Renee Zellwegger) is a now a widow, mother, screenwriter, and, on her smartphone’s apps, has found a suitor 20 years her junior. Also starring Colin Firth, Hugh Grant and Leo Woodall.

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/