According to a story on 15WMTV, “On Saturday, March 22 residents who live on Lower Hebron road in Jefferson County say they woke up to their street spray-painted with racial slurs and symbols.
Tom Torre, who lives on Lower Hebron, said this isn’t the first time it’s happened in the area and he’s tired of it. ‘We were shocked and it’s not something that is unusual around here as it has been an issue for at least the last two years,’ said Torre. ‘To be honest I think it’s kids that are involved in this…we don’t need to see it… we have families out here that we’re trying to raise and do good in this world.’ ”
WMTV reported that the marks had been covered over by Saturday afternoon. Per the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, no arrests have been made.
Editor’s note: Lower Hebron Road intersects County Highway N just beyond the Bark River. It was not reported as to where on Lower Hebron Road the graffiti appeared.
James M. Leaver, 85, of Whitewater passed away on March 19, 2025.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorials in his honor may be made to the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, 431 W. Center St., Whitewater, WI 53190 or to the Whitewater Community Food Pantry, 146 W. North St., Whitewater, WI 53190.
Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com
Ann Mulligan, center, an athlete from Madison, and Lt. Nate Stetzer of the City of Wausau Police carry the flame to light a cauldron at Perkins Stadium, opening the Special Olympics Wisconsin on Thursday, June 6, 2024. UW-Whitewater hosted Special Olympics Wisconsin on June 6-8, 2024. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
For the third consecutive year, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will welcome thousands of Special Olympics athletes, family and friends to campus for competition and fun.
The Special Olympics Wisconsin Summer Games, set for June 5-7, will include state competitions in cornhole, powerlifting, soccer, tennis, and track and field.
“We are so excited to welcome these talented athletes back to campus for a third straight year,” UW-Whitewater Chancellor Corey A. King said. “As an institution of access, we support and value opportunities to be inclusive of people with all abilities and skill levels. Our experienced staff and beautiful facilities will be ready to welcome everyone, and I can’t wait to join in the celebration of these athletes.”
“Special Olympics Wisconsin is incredibly grateful to have UW-Whitewater as the host for our largest state games once again this summer,” said Chad Hershner, president and CEO of Special Olympics Wisconsin. “Their commitment to fostering inclusion, excellence, and community support aligns perfectly with our mission to create opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This partnership strengthens our efforts to provide athletes with an unforgettable experience, and we are thrilled to see the Warhawk spirit shine as we come together to celebrate the power of sport and unity.”
Competitors leave the starting line during sprints on Saturday, June 8. UW-Whitewater hosted Special Olympics Wisconsin on June 6-8, 2024. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
The event begins Thursday, June 5, with the opening ceremonies at Perkins Stadium. The evening includes the parade of athletes, lighting of the torch, and remarks from leaders from Special Olympics Wisconsin, UW-Whitewater, and the community.
Competition takes place Friday-Saturday, June 6-7, at UW-Whitewater’s athletic facilities, including Kachel Fieldhouse inside the Williams Center, Rex Foster Track, the Warhawk Outdoor Tennis Complex, and the intramural fields.
Since 1997, Special Olympics has been offering free health screenings and education to Special Olympics athletes in a welcoming, fun environment as part of their Healthy Athletes program. Health Promotions, which focuses on illness prevention and nutrition, and Opening Eyes, which promotes vision and eye health, will take place on Friday, June 6. Special Smiles, which focuses on dentistry, will take place on Saturday, June 7. All Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes — including those not competing at the Games — are encouraged to attend. The Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation and Golisano Foundation, and the CDC make the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program possible.
A volunteer celebrates the young athletes that competed in the mini javelin event at the Special Olympics Wisconsin Summer Games on June 7, 2024. This was the second year that Special Olympics Wisconsin had their Summer Games at UW-Whitewater. (UW-Whitewater Photo/Kyle Winter)
Volunteers will be needed to staff events and stations throughout the weekend. Sign up to volunteer and stay tuned to the Special Olympics Wisconsin webpage for more information about volunteer needs in the coming months.
UW-Whitewater’s Continuing Education staff hosts the State Summer Games. Last year, the department welcomed more than 12,000 visitors to campus through youth summer camps, and other events run by external partners, including the Special Olympics Wisconsin Summer Games and the Drum Corps International Whitewater Classic.
UW-Whitewater is a leader in youth safety, recently hosting a statewide Youth Safety Summit in partnership with the Universities of Wisconsin and Tree House Child and Family Center of Elkhorn.
“We are fortunate to work with a collaborative Special Olympics Wisconsin staff as well as generous partners on campus and in the local community,” said Lucas Peterson, director of camps and conferences. “Our collective goal is to deliver a uniquely satisfying experience that these athletes remember for the rest of their lives.”
City of Whitewater Public Test of Election Machines – Monday @ 10:00 a.m. City of Whitewater Municipal Building, 2nd floor Cravath Lakefront Conference Room, 312 W. Whitewater St.
City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 5:30 p.m. Agenda includes Discussion and possible action on retaining the stump and replacing all signage at the Territorial Oak until a time when rot or hazard dictates removal of the stump; Discussion regarding annual tree sale Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St In Person and Virtual Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86740339960?pwd=Vq2Y4CsbTA4vMOaVIiqno7Tz0JxQWx.1 Meeting ID: 867 4033 9960 Passcode: 110869 One tap mobile +13126266799,,86740339960#,,,,110869#
City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m. Agenda includes CLOSED SESSION, FOLLOWED BY OPEN SESSION: Interview of Police Detective Candidate Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St. *In Person and Virtual Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Please click the link below to join the webinar: Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/905031261 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 905-031-261 United States: +1 (408) 650-3123
City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m. Agenda includes Discussion with Greg Johnson from Ehler’s regarding TIF and Developer’s Agreements, Contract with new city attorney, Stipend for city manager for covering economic development during possible vacancy in director position Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St *In Person and Virtual Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar 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/88542815829 Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US Webinar ID: 885 4281 5829
Join the Whitewater Common Sense Citizens and citizens of Whitewater, WI on March 27, 2025 at 6 pm at 841 Brewhouse (located 841 E Milwaukee St, Whitewater, WI 53190).
We will be discussing multifamily apartment subsidies (TIF – Tax Increment Financing projects) and their impact on the taxpayers and community of the City of Whitewater.
The Whitewater Unified School District is proposing a $30 million capital referendum on the April 1st ballot to address our schools’ most pressing needs. To assist community members in learning more about these needs, a set of short videos is linked at www.whitewaterreferendum.org. Additionally, these videos will be shared out on the school district’s social media platforms. For community members who have remaining questions or feedback, please complete the brief form at the bottom of the www.whitewaterreferendum.org site.
Readers may view all fourteen of the videos from the link above, but for a few days the Banner has featured several videos per day with introductions to the direct links that will be provided. The earlier post regarding tech ed may be viewed here, and the one showing the ag area is available here.
Laura Masbruch: Robotics Team – 2:09 (two minutes, nine seconds) Laura Masbruch, Robotics Team Advisor and veteran Math/Computer Science Teacher, showcases the current robotics team space. Limited by space constraints, the program would greatly benefit from the expansion and improvements funded by the April 1 referendum. This video may be viewed here.
WHS Cafeteria Crowding Timelapse – :53 This timelapse video shows the inability of the Whitewater High School cafeteria to accommodate the school’s student population and the crowding that occurs daily.
Dave Friend: Doors in Need of Repair/Safe Doors – :44 Dave Friend, Director of Buildings and Grounds, highlights one of the many problematic doors at Whitewater High School. Many district doors are in poor condition, compromising safety. Safe and secure doors and entryways are a key focus of the April 1 referendum. Passing the referendum will provide funding to replace these doors, ensuring a safer environment for students, staff, and the community. Friend demonstrates what a high-quality, secure door should look like. This video may be viewed with this link.
Dave Friend: New Bus Loop and Parent Drop-off/Pickup Area at WMS – 1:18 A new bus loop serving both Lincoln Elementary and Whitewater Middle School would open up the former middle school bus loop for parent drop-off/pickup of students. This safety enhancement is among the improvements that would be funded by the referendum. Please click here to view this video.
Dave Friend: Washington Elementary School Windows – :56 WUSD Buildings and Grounds Director, Dave Friend, explains the urgent need for new windows at Washington Elementary School. Click here to view this video.
Dave Friend: WHS Tennis Courts – :34 Dave Friend provides a look at Whitewater High School’s aging tennis courts, built in the 1990’s. If the April 1 referendum is approved, they will be replaced with modern, safer courts for student-athletes and the community. This is just one of the many capital improvements included in the referendum. This video may be viewed here.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.
For the past twelve years, the Discover Whitewater Series (DWS) has collaborated with the university, the city, the Whitewater Unified School District, and the Greater Whitewater Committee. DWS is proud to announce we will be hosting the thirteenth annual Half Marathon, Half Marathon Team Event, 5k, and Kids Korral. The DWS team is excited to announce that the thirteenth annual DWS will be held on September 21st, 2025.
The DWS was delayed in organizing the 13th annual DWS race due to Walworth Avenue soon being under construction. Despite these challenges, our team has put in lots of time and effort to create the best possible 5k and Half-Marathon map for the runners to enjoy.
This year, DWS will feature a retro racecourse created in the 1980s and 90s, parts of which were run by Olympic Qualifiers! Once the changes were complete, we were required to get approval from various governing bodies, including the township, university, and city, before proceeding. We are pleased to announce that we have received all final approvals, and the 13th annual DWS is moving forward with organizing the race.
With the new retro race maps, the Executive Committee decided to have the start line on Schwager Dr. and the finish line at UW-Whitewater’s Perkins Stadium. Due to the closure of Walworth Avenue, packet pick up will no longer be at the Whitewater High School, instead it will be located at UW-Whitewater’s Kachel Gymnasium. As the DWS team moves forward with finalizing race details, registration on the DWS website will be opening very soon. Make sure to check our website daily, as many updates will come soon.
About the DWS
The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features, while keeping everyone in the community active. All the proceeds from the race are donated to four local non-profit partners: Bethel House (which provides interim housing for homeless families), Whitewater LEADS, Whitewater Foundation-Athletics, and the J-Hawk Aquatic Club. The DWS partners with the city, business community, university, and the school district to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit www.runwhitewater.com.
Editor’s note: This press release was received from DWS.
A pair of swans on a migration layover this morning. 2-27-25.”
Our thanks to Steve Watson for another beautiful wildlife photo.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!
Saint Peter, Minn. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater finished second at the 2025 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Championships Saturday as Paige Magel (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) and Tegan Haberstock (Alberta, Canada/National Sport School) shared the individual national title on the balance beam. The Warhawk coaching staff was also recognized with a number of honors.
UW-Whitewater finished as the national runner-up behind the second-highest team total in program history, 194.025. That score was bolstered by a program record on the balance beam – 48.875 – where three Warhawks finished among the top eight including two that shared gold. Magel and Haberstock registered phenomenal routines scoring 9.85 to share gold on the beam in a six-way tie for first place. The pair are the fifth and sixth Warhawks in program history to secure an individual national title on the balance beam. Chloe Hammond (Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny) added All-America honors in the event with a seventh-place score of 9.825. Sofia Spadafora (Windsor, Ontario, Canada/Saint Thomas of Villanova) and Kelsey Kollhoff (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg) each registered 9.675s to help UWW break the program record on the apparatus.
The Warhawks’ first event of the 2025 championships saw the second-highest team total in program history recorded – a 49.025 on the floor exercise. Elaine Copeland (Arlington, Texas/University Prep) and Carleigh Moore (Oregon, Wis./Oregon) led the way with 9.825s to share sixth and claim their first career All-America honors. Zoe Jenks-Recker (Cottage Grove, Wis./Monona Grove) and Kollhoff posted 9.8s while Ariana Goodwin (Elgin, Ill./The Einstein Academy) registered a 9.775 to round out UWW’s scoring five.
On the vault, Ava Pesch (Waterford, Wis./Waterford Union) paced UW-Whitewater with a 9.675. Moore added a 9.65 followed by Alayna Fern (Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville) (9.625), Hammond (9.625) and Copeland (9.575).
Kollhoff secured her fourth career All-America honor on the uneven bars. The senior’s impressive routine scored a 9.75 to share bronze in the event. Pesch posted a 9.625 while Carley Scott (Oak Grove, Mo./Grain Valley) and Magel each registered scores of 9.55. Copeland added a 9.5 on the event.
Following competition, Head Coach Jennifer Regan was named the NCGA Coach of the Year for the third time in her tenure at UWW (2009, 2017). Coach Regan was also honored as the NCGA West Region Coach of the Year this season – the fourth time she’s been recognized with the regional award. Additionally, Chloe Edgren and Acacia Fossum were named the NCGA West Region Assistant Coaches of the Year – the seventh time the honor has been bestowed upon the Warhawk staff since 2008.
The NCGA also recognized the 2025 All-Americans in Academics that include Warhawks Carley Scott (Oak Grove, Mo./Grain Valley), Fern, Jenks-Recker and Gracie Talley (Collierville, Tenn./Briarcrest Christian).
This season marks the 13th time since 2007 the Warhawks have finished among the top three nationally as a team.
As is tradition at the national championship, after all of the scores are announced, awards handed out and honors recognized, the seniors gather in a circle on the floor – coming together one last time – as all of their teammates surround them in a larger circle while music is played. This season, that circle was missing an important piece of the Warhawk family. The 2025 team has persevered through incredible adversity this season to achieve exceptional levels of success. The team has leaned on each other, supported each other and competed for each other, but above all, they did it For Her – for Kara. So as the seniors gathered in the circle with a photo of Kara firmly planted at their side, they stood together, surrounded by their teammates and the gymnastics community, a fitting end to a remarkable season.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by UW-Whitewater Athletics.
