It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Continuing our series of vacation postcards that might have been sent from Whitewater is this one, a pretty modern one dating to c.2000. We can date it to around 2000 because Cravath Park was not developed until 1998-1999. Sites around Whitewater feature in this postcard, including the Kettle Moraine State Forest and Old World Wisconsin. The theme “Greetings from Whitewater Wisconsin” is still popular in postcards at this time.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
Whitewater Fire/EMS would like to extend an invite to the community to come see our new fire training facility located at 1220 Innovation Drive in the industrial park. The open house will commence with ribbon cutting, followed by tours of the facility. This facility was made possible through funding from the Whitewater Community Foundation’s Chief C.G. Hickey Fund.
There will be fire department staff on hand to answer questions, and demonstrate some of the capabilities and building features of this new training center.
There will be some parking spaces available on the training grounds. There is public parking across the street near the soccer fields, and spots available at the Innovation Center.
This Friday, August 14, you can support Studio 84 at GOLF “FORE” ART. Two new raffle items are available that you could have a chance to win. Come out to Spring Creek Golf Center and join in the fun!
On August 17th, the Whitewater Unified School District School Board will continue their considerations on whether to place an operational referendum question on the November 3rd ballot.
The board is proactively considering options as the district’s current $4,400,000 operational referendum authority to exceed the revenue limit will expire at the end of the 2026-27 school year.
The board has discussed the possibility of renewing the operational referendum during public meetings over the past several months, including a June 22nd meeting focused on the district’s financial outlook and a special meeting on August 10th to review potential referendum scenarios. At its August 10th meeting, the board reviewed four potential operational referendum scenarios, each covering four years beginning with the 2027-28 school year:
Renewing the current $4.4 million authority,
A $5 million per year request, an increase of $600,000 over the current authority.
A $6 million per year request, $1,600,000 over current authority, and
A $7 million per year request, representing an increase of $2,600,000 over current authority.
The board also reviewed budget forecasts, planned expenditure reductions, and estimated property tax impacts associated with each scenario. To date, no final decision has been made about whether a referendum will appear on the November ballot or, if so, the amount of the proposed referendum.
In the absence of additional operating referendum support, current budget forecasts represent an approximate $6,900,000 deficit in the 2027-28 school year with the current $4,400,000 authority expiring.
The discussion comes as WUSD faces rising operating costs and state revenue that has not kept pace with those expenses.
At the same time, the district is planning additional spending reductions as part of its efforts to manage its financial outlook. Current budget assumptions include $500,000 in reductions for 2026-27 and another $500,000 in 2027-28, totaling $1 million in reductions over two years.
“We have been discussing our financial situation and the possibility of an operational referendum publicly for several months, and there is still an important decision for the school board to make,” said Superintendent Samuel Karns. “Our goal throughout this process is to provide clear, factual information about the district’s financial needs, the options being considered, and their potential impact. If the board decides to move forward with a referendum, we will continue providing information and hold informational sessions for community members to ask questions.”
The board also reviewed the estimated property tax impact associated with each scenario, which is listed below in the table.
The board will give further consideration of the financial position of the district and potential operating referendum scenarios at their special meeting on August 17th. If the school board finds consensus regarding their position on this matter, district administration will work with the district’s legal counsel to prepare the respective resolutions for board consideration and action at their regular meeting on August 24th. Any such adopted operating referendum would then be advanced to the November 3rd election ballot.
If the board approves a referendum question for the November ballot, WUSD will provide additional information about the proposal and its financial impact. The district also plans to offer opportunities for residents to ask questions and participate in discussions in the months leading up to the election.
The historic log cabin at the Walworth County Fairgrounds following its recent restoration. (Front view)
Side view
Walworth County has announced the restoration of the historic Log Cabin located on the Walworth County Fairgrounds, a landmark built in 1936 to commemorate the county’s centennial.
Constructed by the Old Settlers Club, the Log Cabin stands as a testament to the determination and pride of local residents. Although initial fundraising fell short, schoolchildren throughout Walworth County donated nickels and pennies to ensure the cabin’s completion.
Over the decades, the Log Cabin has hosted numerous community groups and exhibits. The Geneva Lake Historical Society displayed 100‑year‑old regional artifacts, Boy Scouts used the building as part of their programming, and County Extension Homemakers organized educational demonstrations there for many years. Today, the structure remains a beloved symbol of the region’s pioneering roots.
Restoration for the Semiquincentennial
In early 2026, the America’s 250th Anniversary Celebrations Committee, comprised of Walworth County Board Supervisors, staff, and a representative from the Walworth County Historical Society, identified a need to restore the Log Cabin. The committee recommended a comprehensive restoration addressing the cabin’s foundation, structural elements, windows, and doors to preserve the building for future generations.
The Walworth County Agricultural Society, the nonprofit organization that manages the fairgrounds, received a bid of $38,000 for the full restoration. Of that amount, the Society committed $10,000, and the America’s 250th Committee agreed to allocate $28,000. In March 2026, the Walworth County Board of Supervisors approved the request, authorizing the committee to move forward with the project.
Ribbon Cutting
Restoration work was completed in early August, ensuring that the Log Cabin will look its best for the Walworth County Fair, September 2 through 7, 2026. A rededication ceremony and ribbon cutting will be held on the opening day of the fair, September 2, 2026, at 11 a.m. Walworth County welcomes residents and visitors to experience this 90-year-old local landmark.
In addition to the log cabin restoration, Walworth County will honor the semiquincentennial with a daylong event at the Walworth County Fair on September 3. The Walworth County Salutes America 250 event will feature a patriotic ceremony honoring local Purple Heart and Silver Star recipients, stirring music, and a Revolutionary War re-enactor bringing history to life. Visitors to Walworth County’s America 250 Tent on the park green will be treated to historical displays, educational giveaways, coupons for free America 250 ice cream from the Walworth County Farm Bureau (for the first 500 visitors), and family-friendly activities. This special day will conclude with a patriotic drone show at 9 p.m. Find all the details at www.co.walworth.wi.us/1285/America-250. Fair tickets and information are available at www.walworthcountyfairgrounds.com.
Update 8/12/26 @ 9:25 p.m. – Francesa Hong has conceded the race and indicated she will be supporting David Crowley.
Various media are reporting that Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley beat State representative Francesca Hong in an upset win after being locked in a very tight battle on Tuesday night. The Associated Press called the race for Crowley shortly after 2:30 a.m. with Crowley leading Hong by 39.78% versus 39.37% of the vote, a difference of only 3,211 votes.
Polls had consistently shown Hong with a sizable lead; however, the race was difficult to call, with three candidates having dropped out. Additionally, Crowley had been out of the race for just over a week, and many voters had described themselves as undecided just days before the election.
A recount is possible if Hong requests one. State law allows for a recount if the margin is less than 1%, and the campaign is not charged for the expenses if the margin is less than .25%. The results will not be final until next week when boards of canvassers meet.
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The city of Whitewater’s polling place at the Armory had fairly steady traffic on Tuesday, with 975 ballots cast. The Banner does not yet have the results of the absentee ballots, which are counted at the Municipal Building in what is known as “Central Count.” Consequently, the results below only show the in-person votes.
There was one relatively brief glitch: in mid-morning the Walworth County tabulator, the machine that counts the ballots, started having difficulty reading some of the ballots. It was indicated that the problem might have been related to high humidity resulting from the outside environment. Ultimately, as the problem escalated, it was determined that an alternate machine needed to be put into service. The switch was completed quickly, with all results from the first machine transferring to the replacement, and that machine functioned well.
As of midnight on Tuesday, it was uncertain who the Democratic candidate for governor will be, with Francesa Hong and David Crowley in a very tight race. Tom Tiffany will be the Republican candidate, and David Varnam will be their candidate for lt. governor.
Whitewater resident Miguel Aranda was strongly favored in the city for the Democratic nomination for U.S. House District 1, and he came in second in Walworth County. Mitchell Berman was declared the nominee.
Party Preference
Jefferson County
Walworth County
Total
Republican
39
187
226
Democrat
95
571
666
Republican Primary
Governor
City/Jefferson
City/Walworth
Total
Walworth Co.
Tiffany
37
187
224
10133
Manske
2
5
7
400
Lt. Governor
City/Jefferson Co.
City/Walworth Co.
Total
Walworth Co.
Varnam
28
90
118
5179
Martin
9
80
89
4137
Secretary of State
City/Jefferson Co.
City/Walworth Co.
Total
Walworth Co.
Schroeder
19
70
89
4462
Pollnow
11
49
60
2633
Werner
6
19
25
1213
Myer
2
26
28
950
Democratic Primary
Governor
City/Jefferson
City/Walworth
Total
Walworth Co.
Hong
49
320
369
3569
Crowley
35
209
244
3900
Roys
10
59
69
793
Brennan
3
16
19
390
In Walworth County, candidates who dropped out received these votes: Rodriguez – 427, Barnes – 394, Hughes – 45
Steve Watson writes “Look hoo I saw on the Trippe Lake path on one of my morning walkabouts.”
Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing another of his great nature photos.
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The Bassett House, a cherished local landmark in the city of Whitewater, commemorated the 100th anniversary of its ownership by the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs (WFWC) on June 14, 2026.
