News

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

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, during the weekend of May 17 Whitewater YES is putting up bilingual “We Love Whitewater Public Schools” yard signs around the community to celebrate graduation and show support for our teachers, staff, and students. The signs will stay up until Sunday, June 8. The response to this effort by the community has been really positive! 

In a time of real division and polarization, 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).

Whitewater YES is happy to accept donations for the cost of the signs. If you would like to support that effort, simply send a check made out to Whitewater YES via Sharon McCullough, 1262 W. Melrose Street, Whitewater, WI 53190. 

In May, Seniors in the Park resumes its monthly, Summer Wednesday matinees of independent and foreign art films, including a documentary and an award-winning animated film in the mix. 

“Sing Sing”

Tuesday, May 13, 1 pm

(Docudrama/Prison drama)

Rated R (language); 1 hour, 47 minutes (2023).

Divine G (Colman Domingo), imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he did not commit, finds purpose by acting in a theater group with other incarcerated men and an unforgettable ensemble cast of actual, formerly incarcerated actors. Nominated for three Oscars, including Best Actor, Song, and Screenplay. 

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/

For more than 30 years the National Association of Letter Carriers has sponsored the largest volunteer one day food collection effort to “Stamp Out Hunger.”  Residents will be receiving postcards and/or plastic bags in the mail as a reminder of the food drive. This food drive is to help relieve shortages that food pantries experience in the spring and summer after holiday donations have been depleted.  Food pantries need our help. One in eight children in the United States-approximately 13 million- are, or may, experience food insecurity. When USPS employees join with people in their neighborhoods to support local pantries, it helps hard-hit families put food on the table.  Just put your nonperishable contribution in or near your mailbox on Saturday, May 10th, and your mail carrier will take the food to the Whitewater Food Pantry.

The Whitewater Community Food Pantry serves over 225 families.  Generous donations and support from everyone make it possible for the food pantry to take care and provide for these families. Last year, the USPS food drive helped collect over 5200 pounds of food for the Whitewater Community Food Pantry. 

Suggested donations include peanut butter, jelly, individual packets of oatmeal, canned tuna, dried cereal, pasta sauce, soups, hygiene products, canned fruits and canned vegetables.   

Our local sponsors include: Whitewater 4-H, Whitewater FFA, Richmond 4-H, LaGrange 4-H, PremierBank, Kwik Trip, Casey’s General Store, Festival Foods, Linda Giorno & Ben Bradley, Ralph & Laurie Giorno, The Whitewater Community Food Pantry, and The Whitewater Post Office.

For more information about Whitewater Community Food Pantry, visit facebook.com/WhitewaterFoodPantry/

Questions? Laurie Giorno, lead volunteer in Whitewater, can be reached at 262-903-9416. 

On May 10^th from 10 am-2 pm at the gymnasium area of Whitewater High School, the Whitewater Unified School District’s Robotics booster club will be hosting the 2^nd Annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) Faire to celebrate and support robotics programs across our community. 

Organizations from all over the city and state will be there hosting interactive art, science, and technology activities for kids and adults.  As just a few examples, at the WOOSH Rocketry booth you can design, build, and launch your own compressed air-powered model rocket.  At the US Air Force booth, you can learn about drones in combat and try your hand at flying in a flight simulator.  At the UW-Whitewater’s Media Arts and Game Development booth you can beta test video games and experience virtual reality.  With dozens of exciting exhibitors, you can freeze dry candy, make your own jewelry, carve a walking stick, drive a robot, frost cookies, 3D print a fidget, make your own ice cream, pet a real axolotl, and so much more!  The fair is a fun filled, all ages family event- with face painting, a bounce house, a giant obstacle course, and free books and puzzles to take home.  Kids and adults from age 2 to 102 will all have a great time!  The event is free with a donation for the Lakeland Animal Shelter (shelter staff will be at the faire with adoptable puppies and kittens to cuddle).

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An exciting addition to this year’s event is the LEGO build competition for children in K-12 grade sponsored by Lake Home Info, LLC.  Children can build their own LEGO creations, exhibit their work at the faire, and receive amazing LEGO kit prizes for their designs.  To learn more please visit:  https://forms.gle/jpMyfqvJYZ89geg4A.

Robotics is a wonderful opportunity for children in our district, but it is a very costly sport. 

The booster club works to offset costs for all the teams and to ensure that every interested student can participate regardless of family income level. We are proud to share that in 2025 the booster club will be funding a scholarship for a graduating high school senior.   

We look forward to seeing you at the fair. We are thrilled to have the following exhibitors joining us this year!

Lakeland Animal Shelter

Whitewater Axolotls

Whitewater Pride

Wisconsin Makers

WOOSH Rocketry

Whitewater Police Department

Studio 84

RC Flying Club

Radio Club

Pet Supplies Plus

Makers Mashup

MAGD

Lima Center 4H

Lakeland Treats

Lego League and Iron Dragons Robotics 

Ice Age Trail

Ghostbusters

Gateway Technical College

Fort HealthCare

First Citizens State Bank

Ferradermis

Community Space

Be Kind Whitewater

Whitewater Historical Society

Air National Guard

Applied Material Solutions

Generac

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s image has been lent to the historical society by the Coburn Company. It is a view of their business location sometime between 1950 and 1976. The building was part of the old Winchester and Partridge Manufacturing Company factory on Whitewater Street. The building burned in 1976.

In honor of the Coburn Company’s 100th anniversary, the museum’s temporary exhibit this year is about this home-grown company. Come to the museum on May 20 at 4:00 p.m. to celebrate this new exhibit.

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

(photo courtesy of the Coburn Company)

City of Whitewater Public Works Director Brad Marquardt announced at the Common Council meeting on May 6 that he learned on April 28 that Bird Scooters will be discontinuing their service in the city. The company stated that all the scooters will be removed by May 14. The representative stated that the decision was driven by the impact of tariffs on company-wide vehicle shipments and allocations.

Whitewater’s usage, driven largely by UW-Whitewater students, has been considerably larger than that of nearby communities whose service was lost: Beloit had 8,004 trips in 2022 and was then discontinued. Janesville had 9,971 trips in 2023 and then was discontinued. Nonetheless, Whitewater’s usage declined last year, as shown in the table below that was provided by Marquardt.

The Daily Jefferson County Union reported that Bird’s Director of Partnerships and Policy Jimmy Gilman, stated that overall ridership declined by 21% from 2022 to 2024, which was a “contributing factor” to the decision. Gilman told the Daily Union that there were 35,819 trips made in 2022 and 28,361 in 2024. The Union also quoted Gilman as saying “As is the case for many businesses, tariffs are impacting the total number of scooters and spare parts that we are able to receive as part of our company-wide inventory at the moment. Based on this, our revised fleet allocations contributed to making the difficult decision to cease operations in a limited number of small Bird programs, including Whitewater.”

“Albert Benedict—Standing Tall” A Celebration of an Inspiring Artist & Educator Who Called Whitewater Home.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance is proud to present Albert Benedict—Standing Tall, a special exhibition celebrating the life and art of Albert Benedict, an accomplished artist whose passion and creativity left a lasting impact on students and art enthusiasts alike.

A Wisconsin native, Benedict earned his MA and MFA in ceramics and sculpture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, exhibiting his extraordinary works in galleries and art shows nationwide. His art drew inspiration from Wisconsin’s landscapes, enriched by his travels across the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Europe. His deep admiration for Mexican and Native American cultures influenced his distinctive artistic style.

Benedict developed an innovative approach to sculpture, integrating traditional and experimental techniques. His hand-built and wheel-thrown ceramic pieces featured high-and low-fire glazes alongside intricate surface treatments, resulting in compelling sculptures that explored form, color, texture, and design principles.

His artistic journey began as a pattern maker, earning his Journeyman Card at Industrial Pattern and Model Works while working alongside his father. This craftsmanship laid the foundation for his dedication to the fine arts. Later, Benedict shared his love for art as a devoted educator at South Milwaukee High School, where he taught for 27 years before retiring in 1998.

Until his passing on November 26, 2022, at the age of 79, Benedict maintained his studio in Whitewater, where he continued creating and refining his diverse body of work, characterized by expressive and whimsical designs.

To honor Benedict’s extraordinary artistic legacy, the Whitewater Arts Alliance will host a commemorative exhibition in the North Gallery of the Cultural Arts Center throughout May 2025. The retrospective will feature key pieces from his career, including his early whimsical figures, the iconic Wisconsin Holstein cow sculptures, and ceramic works capturing the vibrant delicacy of blooming flowers. Many pieces will be available for purchase.

The Cultural Arts Center is located at 402 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI. The exhibition will be held in conjunction with the WRAP Exhibition Reception, making this event a meaningful and engaging experience for all attendees.

Gallery Exhibit Hours
Thursdays: 12-4 pm
Fridays: 12-4 pm
Saturdays: 12-4 pm
Sundays: 12-4 pm

Join us in celebrating the life, artistic brilliance, and legacy of Albert Benedict. His work continues to inspire, and this exhibition serves as a tribute to an artist who shared his unique vision with the world.

Editor’s note: As was previously posted on The Banner, there is an electronics recycling event in Whitewater on Saturday, May 17. This Jefferson County event is shared primarily in case readers have a conflict with the 17th event, although in a few cases the $10 per carload might be less expensive than a quantity of items for which there is a charge at the Whitewater event.

Do you have unused, outdated or broken electronics & appliances around your home? Bring them to the Electronic & Appliance Recycling Event on Saturday, May 10 from 8-11 a.m. at Jefferson County Fair Park (503 North Jackson Ave, Jefferson). The event is open to all Jefferson County HOUSEHOLDS. Editor’s note: Jefferson County allows all City of Whitewater residents to participate in their events even if they live in Walworth County.

You do NOT need to register for the event! Simply, come to the Fair Park between 8 and 11 a.m. First come, first served. $10 per vehicle (cash only).

Acceptable Electronics:

Computers (desktop, laptop & notebook); Computer accessories (keyboards, mice, hard drives, scanners, speakers & other devices); Monitors; TVs; DVDs; VCRs; Fax machines, Stereos; Calculators; iPads; Camcorders; Shredders; Tablets; Cameras; Copiers; Game Consoles; E-Readers; Electric Motors; Modems; Printers (desktops, 3-D & combos); Handheld Electronics; Microwaves; Cellphones; Adding machines; Vacuums; Scanners; Monitors; Toasters

Acceptable Appliances:

Refrigerators (mini & regular); Freezers (chest & upright); Dishwashers; Air conditioners; Water heaters; Dehumidifiers

Please remove all batteries prior to recycling if possible.

Items not accepted: smoke detectors, fluorescent bulbs, batteries, fans, coffee makers, blenders, hazardous waste, or unused prescription drugs.

For information about this or upcoming events, go to www.jeffersoncountywi.gov/cleansweep or contact Kim at 920-674-7430 or kimb@jeffersoncountywi.gov

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

On April 29 the Whitewater Police Department provided a press release indicating that six persons were arrested on April 25 as “part of a human trafficking operation targeting criminal activity in the Whitewater area.” An updated press release, issued on May 6, identified the individuals who were arrested and their charges, but indicated that the department was issuing no further information at this time. The single common denominator is that all of the men have had a charge of prostitution forwarded to the district attorney. In some cases, there were additional, apparently unrelated charges.

The U.S. Department of Justice defines human trafficking as follows: “Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological.  Exploitation of a minor for commercial sex is human trafficking, regardless of whether any form of force, fraud, or coercion was used.”

The definition of prostitution in the Wisconsin statutes is “Any person who intentionally …. has or offers to have or requests to have nonmarital sexual intercourse for anything of value.” It seems unclear as to why a simple case of prostitution would be considered human trafficking unless there was compelling or coercion involved, or a minor was being solicited for the act.

Prostitution is a misdemeanor. The Banner does not routinely publish misdemeanor charges, nor do we normally post a charge that does not yet appear on the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access [WCCA] website, as there are occasions when the district attorney does not choose to file charges that have been forwarded by a police department. However, since a press release was issued, we are deeming this matter to be newsworthy.

On the press release we have bolded those charges that are felonies. As of this writing, none of the names of the individuals who were only arrested for prostitution are appearing on WCCA, so it is unknown whether the district attorney will charge those persons.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The press release follows.

Whitewater Police Arrest Six Individuals in Human Trafficking Operation – UPDATE
Whitewater, WI – May 6, 2025 – The following information is being released as an update to the investigation
completed on April 25, 2025. During that operation, the Whitewater Police Department arrested the six individuals listed
below and forwarded the accompanying charges to the Walworth County District Attorney (applicable municipal citations
are not listed).

 Dillin R. Poeppel, 37, of Fort Atkinson, WI
o Prostitution (Wis. Stat. 944.30(1m)(a))

 George D. Moffett, 57, of Janesville, WI
o Prostitution (Wis. Stat. 944.30(1m)(a))
o Bail Jumping-Felony (Wis. Stat. 946.49(1)(b))

 Willie Trammell IV, 35, of Beloit, WI
o Prostitution (Wis. Stat. 944.30(1m)(a))
o Operating While Under the Influence – 4th (Wis. Stat. 346.63(1)(a))
o Operating w/ PAC >= .02 – 2nd (Wis. Stat. 346.63(1)(b))
o Failure to Install Ignition Interlock Device (Wis. Stat. 347.413(1))
o Bail Jumping-Felony (Wis. Stat. 946.49(1)(b))
o Bail Jumping-Misdemeanor (Wis. Stat. 946.49(1)(a))
o Possession of Narcotic Drugs (fentanyl) (Wis. Stat. 961.41(3g)(am))
o Possession of Cocaine (Wis. Stat. 961.41(3g)(c))
o Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Wis. Stat. 961.573(1))

 Alfredo A. Lima, 29, of Darien, WI
o Prostitution (Wis. Stat. 944.30(1m)(a))

 Trey J. Roth, 24, of Whitewater, WI
o Prostitution (Wis. Stat. 944.30(1m)(a))

 Kenshawn A. Denwiddie, 44, of Rockford, IL
o Prostitution (Wis. Stat. 944.30(1m)(a))
o Possession of THC (Wis. Stat. 961.41(3g)(e))
o Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Wis. Stat. 961.573(1))

It is noted that this case has not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendants are presumed innocent of all charges.