News

The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will offer “Welcome to Medicare” workshops on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. This popular educational session will provide information about Medicare for individuals turning 65 years of age, those over 65 and planning to retire, or individuals with disabilities that have received Social Security Disability benefits for 24 months or have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).

“It is vitally important that individuals eligible to receive Medicare are aware of the different parts of Medicare, including Part A and Part B, as well as the prescription drug coverage,” says Elder Benefit Specialist Julie Juranek. “Being knowledgeable about premiums and penalties for not having creditable prescription drug coverage will help people make sound choices when exploring available plans.”

The Welcome to Medicare workshops will be held at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. RSVPs are highly recommended by calling (262) 741-3366.

About the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your personal situation.

Editor’s note: The following announcement was provided by Sherry Stanek.

Chimney Swifts Gathering For Migration

Chimney Swifts are very important birds for those of us who don’t like being bitten by mosquitoes, midges and other pesky bugs as we enjoy the outdoors each summer. Each one eats thousands of insects every day as they swoop, chittering through the sky! It is quite a beautiful ballet to watch!

A big gathering place for these birds in Whitewater is the large chimney behind Whitewater Middle School and they’ve started to gang up there ahead of their migration to South America in the coming weeks. Chimney Swifts used to nest in hollow trees in old growth forests and moved into chimneys as that habitat got harder to find. The Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission raised funds to build a ‘Swift Tower’ at Cravath Lakefront Park near the gazebo a few years ago because so many buildings no longer have accessible chimneys. This Swift Tower was built to look like a large chimney and is also a place to watch at this time of year. Plan to arrive about ten minutes before sunset and you’ll get to see the birds arriving and swooping and making their chittering sounds. As it gets closer to dark, they begin circling the chimney they’ve chosen and one by one, drop in to spend the night.

There is a continent wide effort to raise awareness about the diminishing numbers of Swifts held by The Audubon Society each fall. The birds start to gather in mid August and leave sometime between then and mid September. Audubon needs citizens to watch for and count these birds and then report the numbers to The Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group’s website. It is not easy to count the hundreds of swooping birds, and doesn’t have to be perfectly accurate, but it does give them an idea of the population that is invaluable and helps us know how they’re doing. It’s also an amazing sight and lots of fun if you just want to go and see the spectacle! Thank you to everyone who wants to help!

On Sunday, September 10 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. will be the second annual Food Truck Rally in front of Dwight Foster Public Library, 209 Merchants Ave.  The food truck rally is the only event of its kind in Fort Atkinson!  We like to think of the event as a laid-back family fun event where everyone can find something they enjoy.  And, of course, it’s the only Sunday the library is open. Enjoy a variety of delicious food and drinks! Cuisines include Thai, Jamaican, American and Mexican. We’ll also have fresh squeezed lemonade, mocktails, Kettle Korn and Cotton Candy. Music by Jason Pettit.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the Dwight Foster Library.

Editor’s note: Updated on 8/14/23 @ 1:40 p.m. to add Community Development Authority.

Whitewater Unified School District Policy Review Committee – Monday @ 9:00 a.m.
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner)
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office
419 South Elizabeth Street

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 5:30 (Closed Session) Review the superintendent’s evaluation, discuss and consider a third party donation into an endowment fund to benefit the District; and to discuss and consider the deficit threshold for the Whitewater Fitness and Aquatic Center negotiations and discharge of the ad hoc committee.
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
5:30 p.m.
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5:30 p.m. via Zoom Online (Closed session)
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87207144755?pwd=a1doZ21CVWFtWTJBTU4rMlMvbE1sUT09
– Passcode: 441869
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 872 0714 4755
– Passcode: 441869
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Closed Session
———————————————-
7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online (Open Session)
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84244209521?pwd=K20yT2hDK0M3WmVCaWZlZk1DaDBKdz09
– Passcode: 102952
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 842 4420 9521
– Passcode: 102952
Open Session – 7:00 p.m. Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes Naming of WHS Auditorium for Jim Stewart, Middle School science curriculum adoption, and district math data.

City of Whitewater Plan and Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Community Room- First Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone:
https://meet.goto.com/592244373
You can also dial in using your phone
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 592-344-373
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Presentation on a housing study by Tracy Cross & Associates, Business and marketing plan for Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center, Discussion and possible action regarding Twin Oaks mobile home permit, Discussion of the current goals, objectives and management plan for the City Manager, Discussion regarding retaining an attorney to represent Common Council on personnel matters, closed session followed by open session: Discussion regarding the performance evaluation of the City Manager.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building – Community Room
312 West Whitewater St.
This will be an IN PERSON and a VIRTUAL MEETING
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during
topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84931997366?pwd=MmtXcFQ4VHFmU3JJMit0cGo5SFFGUT09
Or dial by phone
1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 849 3199 7366
Passcode: 722290

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Status of current Vacant Land Listing Contract with Twelve2 Commercial Group for sale of City‐owned properties expiring 10/31/2023 and review and discussion of proposals received from
Anderson Commercial Group and Legacy Realty Group, Update regarding acquisition of properties from Rod and Mary Dalee located at 104 E. Main St. and 126 N. Jefferson Street and proposed re‐development of the site, and Status of Recruitment for Economic Development Director Position.
Location: Municipal Building – Community Room 1st Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be an IN‐PERSON and VIRTUAL MEETING
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Please click this URL to join.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89506632483?pwd=S1hVN0MvOFBXYnh4UUVuOG45eG5Qdz09
Passcode: 610764
Or join by phone: 312‐626‐6799
Webinar ID: 895 0663 2483
Passcode: 610764

Update 8/14/23 at 12:10 a.m.: According to WKOW, “Whitewater police told 27 News one person was taken to the hospital….That person is expected to recover. The Whitewater Fire Chief told 27 News they lived in a top floor apartment next to the fire….The chief said one of the building’s owners was on the roof working on a small repair when they believe a piece of tar caught fire and spread to the rest of the building.”

At approximately 2:12 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, August 12, Whitewater Fire and EMS was dispatched to a report of multiple Center St. buildings on fire, in the City of Whitewater. Fire crews quickly responded, finding two downtown buildings involved, with flames visible from the roof.

First arriving crews were able to extinguish a large body of fire from the ground, prior to gaining roof access with aerial apparatus. Once on the roof, crews found the roof involved, as well as the front wall and minor extension to the 2nd floor of the structure.

The incident was escalated to a three alarm fire due to the number of buildings involved and the outside temperatures. Box 12-2 was pulled bringing numerous units from Walworth, Jefferson, Rock and Waukesha counties to the scene.

Damage is estimated to be approximately $175,000 for building and contents. The cause of the fire is believed to be construction related. Crews were on scene approximately three hours.

Whitewater Fire and EMS was assisted by the following agencies. A huge thank you to them for their assistance.

City of Delavan Fire Dept
Darien Fire Dept
East Troy Fire Dept
Elkhorn Area Fire Dept
Evansville Fire Dept
Fort Atkinson Fire Department
Janesville Fire Department
Jefferson Fire Department
Johnson Creek Fire Department
Kettle Moraine Fire Dept
Lake Country Fire and Rescue
Lake Geneva Fire Dept
Lake Mills Fire Dept
Lakeside Fire-Rescue
Lauderdale-LaGrange Fire Department
Mukwonago Fire Department
Sullivan Fire Dept
Town of Delavan Fire Dept
Walworth Fire Dept
Watertown Fire Dept
Western Lakes Fire District
Williams Bay Fire Dept.

Editor’s note: Fire and water damage appears to be limited to 137-139 W. Center St., which is currently vacant on the first floor. It is not known whether there are tenants on the second floor. Reportedly the cats next door at BaristaCats Cafe were all safely evacuated. 139 W. Center St. was formerly Gus’ Pizza Palace.

PALMYRA, Wis. – Riding with Angels announced their 2^nd Annual Open House and Fundraiser!

On Saturday, August 26^th, 2023 from 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. the community is invited to experience all that Riding with Angels has to offer and see the farm in action. Riding with Angels’ mission is twofold.  First, Riding with Angels rescues horses in dire situations nursing them back to health and providing a safe environment for them to thrive again.  Second, Riding with Angels uses these rescued horses to provide a youth horsemanship program to youth facing adversity or challenges.  The youth horsemanship program focuses primarily on youth 7 to 18 who might not otherwise get a chance to experience the healing wonder of working with horses.

The event will have rescue horse spotlights along with horse demonstrations including dressage, liberty, obstacles and jumping.  We’ll have a horse drill team performance, roping demonstrations, live music and a silent auction. Children of all ages will enjoy “painting a horse,” kids’ crafts, pony rides and a petting zoo. We’ll also have food and drinks.  Event attendees will also be able to talk with some of the young people who have participated in our youth horsemanship program to hear about their experiences. 

“It’s been nearly 25 years since we began our journey in Palmyra and we’re thrilled to be celebrating with our community this summer” says Marianne Schulz, Riding with Angels’ Director. It’s with your support that we can continue helping these amazing creatures and provide a youth horsemanship program.  In doing so, we provide a place for horses and youth to foster hope and healing.

Riding with Angels’ address is W691 CTH-CI, Palmyra, WI 53156. Check out our website at https://www.ridingwithangelswi.org

You can also connect with the Riding with Angels on Facebook and YouTube @ RIDINGWITHANGELS

FORT ATKINSON – Fort HealthCare is pleased to announce the opening of a new Cardiology department, which will bring heart and cardiovascular care under the direction of cardiologists with Fort HealthCare. With the opening of Fort HealthCare Cardiology, patients will receive heart and cardiovascular care from specialists in our network.

Fort HealthCare Cardiology will offer diagnosis, treatment and preventive care for heart and cardiovascular conditions, including angina, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, peripheral arterial disease, and more.

Raaid Museitif, MD, a Cardiologist who specializes in Nuclear Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, and Vascular Interpretation, will be leading the new department. Dr. Museitif earned his MD at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. 

“We are excited to bring Cardiology under the expanding umbrella of care services at Fort HealthCare,” said Michael Anderson, MD, President and CEO of Fort HealthCare. “With our new team of cardiologists, we will be able to offer high quality care services for heart and cardiovascular patients in our community.” 

Dr. Museitif expects to begin seeing patients in September. “I am pleased to join the team of physicians at Fort HealthCare,” he said. “Fort HealthCare Cardiology will pair cutting-edge technology with a high standard of patient-focused care to serve patients closer to home.”

To learn more about Fort HealthCare Cardiology and cardiac services, visit FortHealthCare.com/Service/Cardiology/.  

About Fort HealthCare

Fort HealthCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, with a vision to be the healthiest community in Wisconsin. As the leading healthcare provider in the region, it is our goal to reach as many members of the community as possible with health and wellness messages, providing tools and resources to help individuals improve their health and quality of life while collaborating with several partners to positively improve the population’s health overall on a long-term basis. FortHealthCare.com.

“The Quiet Girl”
Wednesday, August 16, 1 p.m.
(Drama/Foreign Film)
Rated PG-13;  1 hour, 35 minutes. (2022)

Our monthly art film is the Winner of AARP Best Foreign Film; and Academy Award nominee Best International Film. Rural Ireland, 1981. A shy, neglected daughter is sent away to Dublin, where she blossoms with her foster parents. This is the first-ever film in the Irish language to be nominated for an Oscar. 

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Executive Order #209 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Aug. 12, 2023, in honor of Lance Corporal Tanner Kaltenberg, who passed away on July 23, 2023, at the age of 19. “Our hearts are heavy for Lance Corporal Tanner Kaltenberg’s loved ones, fellow Marines, and the Verona community as they mourn this tragic loss,” said Gov. Evers. “On behalf of our state, we honor him for his service and selflessness as he is laid to rest in his home state. He will be missed by all those who knew him and will not be forgotten.” Following his graduation from Verona Area High School in May 2021, Lance Corporal Kaltenberg enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He completed boot camp at the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. He was also stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and, most recently, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Lance Corporal Kaltenberg was a motor vehicle operator of Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group. During his service, Lance Corporal Kaltenberg received the National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Arctic Service Ribbon, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Services for Lance Corporal Kaltenberg will be held on Sat., Aug. 12, 2023, in Verona. Editor’s note: This article provides details concerning the death of Lance Corporal Kaltenberg and two other U.S. Marines.

Carol McLernon writes, “Last week, my neighbor, Darryl Pieper, suffered a cardiac event in the vicinity of McDonald’s while driving to the pharmacy to get his wife Darlene’s prescription. A nurse who happened to be nearby tended to Darryl and comforted Darlene. The paramedics arrived promptly and administered appropriate care. A kind university student offered assistance and went for the prescription using his own money although Darlene had given him money. The nurse took her to the hospital in Janesville. How blessed we are to have these and other wonderful young people here in Whitewater.”

Our thanks to Carol McLernon for sharing that beautiful account, which she titled “Young Heroes.”

Darlene’s son, Anthony Menneke, posted the following words of thanks on the Facebook page of the local Whitewater Anything Forum. Through the comments that were made on that post it was learned that the nurse is Ashley Voigt, and the young man is a student at UW-Whitewater.

Anthony Menneke writes, “Want to give a huge shout out and thank you to the nurse and young man that helped my stepdad and mom last Wednesday night. They were driving and turned by the McDonald’s when my stepdad who has been having heart issues blacked out and they went over the curb at McDonald’s and hit a bush which stopped the car. My mom called 911. Luckily they or no one was hurt. Luckily a woman in the parking lot is a nurse and immediately checked on my stepdad. Police arrived and they pulled him out of the car and immediately started CPR. A nice young man/student sat with my mom calming her down and helping her. Rescue squad arrived and took him to the Janesville hospital. He coded twice in the ambulance but they got him back. This amazing nurse that checked on my stepdad when they crashed was gracious enough to take my mom to the hospital. My stepdad is doing well and getting a pacemaker today. Want to give a huge thank you to this young woman/nurse, the young man who comforted my mom while they were working on my stepdad, Whitewater PD, and the EMTs that brought him back. We are blessed to still have him. Whitewater is an amazing community.”