News

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Whitewater Police Department.

On Thursday, July 20th, 2023, at 3:51 p.m., the Whitewater Police Department received a report of an attempted child abduction. At approximately 3:45 p.m. on the same date, a male approached a minor female at the intersection of W. Center St. and S. Cottage St., in the City of Whitewater. The male exited his vehicle, described as a black four-door sedan with tinted windows. The male approached the minor female and told her to get into the car. The male grabbed the minor female’s right arm, attempting to pull her towards his vehicle. The female bit the male’s forearm and fled the area on foot. The male entered back into his vehicle and sped away at a high rate of speed, last observed traveling eastbound on W. Center Street. The male is described as being around 30 – 40 years of age, spoke English, having “tan” skin, shoulder length dark brown hair, and a long dark brown and gray beard. The male is further described as wearing a green in color sleeveless shirt and having a black and gray “rose” tattoo between his shoulder and lower neck area.

Whitewater Police are continuing to investigate and are asking the public for assistance in locating any witnesses to the incident, or anyone with external video/pictures in or around the neighborhood/city displaying a potential suspect or suspect vehicle. Anyone with information should contact the Whitewater Police Department at (262) 473-0555 option #4. Anonymous tips may also be shared using P3Tips.com.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Walworth County Treasurer. Information from Jefferson County’s website is shown after Walworth County’s.

Walworth County Treasurer Valerie Etzel would like to remind all Walworth County property owners that the final installment of the 2022 real estate taxes is due to the Walworth County Treasurer by July 31, 2023. Include your payment stub(s) or indicate parcel number(s) that you are paying on your check or in a separate memo so we may apply your payment(s) correctly.

The following payment options are available to property owners:

1. In Person: Check, cash, money order at the Walworth County Treasurer’s office, 100 W. Walworth St, Elkhorn. Office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
2. By Mail: Checks or money orders may be mailed to the Walworth County Treasurer, PO Box 1001, Elkhorn, WI 53121. Your mail must receive a U.S. Postmark on or before July 31, 2023. If you would like a receipt(s) mailed to you, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with your payment.
3. Online: https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/ (Property Taxes) Editor’s note: Search for your property record and click on “pay taxes.” Payments accepted via electronic check, debit card, or credit card. Convenience fees for online payments are as follows:

 $.25 – electronic check (echeck)
 $3.50 – debit card (flat convenience fee)
 2.2% – credit card (fee is charged for total amount due)

4. Drop Box: Payments of checks or money orders may be placed in the drop box located at the center median of the parking lot on the north side of the Government Center, 100 W. Walworth St, Elkhorn.
   
   It is important that property owners meet the July 31st deadline. If you miss the deadline, the balance on your account will be considered delinquent and subject to interest and penalty of 1.5% per month retroactive to February 1st (10.5 %).
   
   Specific questions may be directed to the Walworth County Treasurer’s Office. (262)741-4251;
   email treasurer@co.walworth.wi.us
   ___________________________________________________________________________________________
   Editor’s note: Jefferson County property tax is also due on July 31. Here is the information from their website:
   PAY MY TAXES ONLINE
   Jefferson County Wisconsin accepts Real Estate Property Tax payments online using your debit or credit card or e-check. 
   THE ONLINE OPTION IS FOR SECOND INSTALLMENT or DELINQUENT REAL ESTATE TAXES ONLY.
   We are not able to take your credit card information over the phone, you must use the online link below to process your tax payment.
   Online payments are made through Certified Payments by Deluxe, a third-party vendor that charges a convenience fee for this service.
   Before you click the link below, make sure you have:
   Your Parcel Identification Number (Parcel #) this is the 14-digit number from your tax bill
   Your debit or credit card
   Your bank routing and account number if using the e-check option
   Jefferson County’s Bureau Code : 4664645
   Click this link to make your payment. 

Editor’s note: This announcement was received from St. Patrick Church.

The UW Oshkosh 149th spring commencement – with a pair of ceremonies May 13 – recognized the accomplishments of students from all three of its campuses (Fond du Lac, Fox Cities, Oshkosh). Nearly 1,300 students earned bachelor’s, master’s, associate and doctoral degrees and joined the ranks of more than 100,000 UWO alumni. 

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, COLLEGE, DEGREE, MAJOR (if listed) Whitewater, WI

 James DuVal, College of Education and Human Services, Bachelor of Science in Education, Special Education-Cross Categorical

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department.

The Walworth County Drug Enforcement Unit, in partnership with the Whitewater Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted an investigation that involved the sale of cocaine as well as fraudulent documents including both state and federal identification cards. The investigation involved controlled buys conducted by law enforcement.

On July 13th, 2023, at 7:00 AM, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the residence of Jose Valentin OSTRIA-HERNANDEZ (31), located within the City of Whitewater.

Located inside the residence were over 60 grams of Cocaine, in excess of twenty (20) fraudulent state and federal identification documents, various drug paraphernalia, and over $50,000 in cash. Five vehicles were also seized as a part of this investigation.

Jose Valentin OSTRIA-HERNANDEZ was subsequently arrested and transported to the Walworth County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.

Jose Valentin OSTRIA-HERNANDEZ is currently facing the following charges:
961.41(1)(cm) Delivery of Cocaine (4 counts)
961.41(1m)(cm)(4) Possession With Intent To Deliver Cocaine – Excess of 40 Grams
961.573(1) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
961.42(1) Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Residence

Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule20:3.6, Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Looking for a summer activity for your kids that will pay off down the road? FCCU’s Common Cents Summer Camp teaches the skills necessary to have smart money sense.

The camp will be taught by Certified Financial Coaches and will include the basics of financial knowledge with grade
appropriate lessons, games, and activities. The camp will be held on Wednesday, July 26th from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at
FCCU’s Home Mortgage Store, 732 Madison Ave, Fort Atkinson.

The camp is free and open to all kids in grades 2-5. Registration can be completed online by visiting
https://www.fortcommunity.com/notice-details.html. Space is limited, register today to invest in your child’s financial wellness! Editor’s note: FCCU is using an outside service, DocuSign, for registration which will require verifying one’s identity. Do not be alarmed when you are asked the types of questions that might be asked if you were checking your credit report.

About FCCU: Established in 1940, Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) is a member-owned financial cooperative
open to anyone living or working in Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth, or Waukesha counties. With branch
locations in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Watertown, and Whitewater, FCCU holds $339 million in assets and has more
than 21,000 members. For more information about FCCU and the products and services they offer, visit
fortcommunity.com or call (920) 563-7305.

Savory Sounds Presented by the Whitewater Arts Alliance on July 20, 2023, 11:30-12:45 – TAPESTRY: ACOUSTIC FOLK QUINTET A five piece acoustic string band of local musicians woven together in a multi-faceted collection of musical styles and flavors. Add five-part vocal harmony and a wonderful experience is guaranteed. The featured food vendor for this concert will be Jersey Mikes.

Location: Birge Fountain, outside of the Cultural Arts Center at 402 W. Main Street. Extra parking is freely provided across the street at First English Lutheran Church. In case of rain, the concert will be airconditioned indoors. “We love playing here,” Tapestry says on their Facebook page.

Sponsored by: First Citizens State Bank, Associated Bank, Fairhaven Senior Services, Olm and Associates, Fort Community Credit Union, PremierBank, and all those who wish to remain anonymous.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Walworth County.

More than 100 million adults in the U.S. are now living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While that statistic is startling, there is good news. People with diabetes or pre-diabetes can improve their health by joining a Healthy Living with Diabetes workshop sponsored by the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Walworth County. The program has been researched and proven to improve the health of adults with diabetes or pre-diabetes.  

In just six weekly sessions, Healthy Living with Diabetes gives participants strategies for managing diabetes including techniques to deal with symptoms and information about healthy eating, appropriate use of medication, exercise, and working effectively with health care providers. Participants learn to make realistic, achievable action plans, share their experiences, and help each other solve problems.

Healthy Living with Diabetes will be held in the Kettle Moraine Trail Room on Thursdays, August 3 to August 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Walworth County Health and Human Services, 1910 County Road NN Elkhorn, WI 53121. The workshop has a suggested contribution of $10. 

For questions, or to register for the program, contact Chetney Blaszczyk RDN, CD at (262) 741-3309.

About the ADRC of Walworth County: 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 situation. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center.

The UW-Whitewater Foundation, Inc. recently announced the election of five new members to its Board of Directors. Each member joins with the commitment to inspire philanthropic support for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and ensure student success now and in the future through the administration of financial awards.

Joining the Board of Directors are Dave Adam, ’87; Todd Gray, ’77, ’82, and ’84; Louise Hermsen, ’75; Ashley Johnson, ’08; and Tanika Murphy, ’02. The new board members begin their term on July 1, 2023 and will continue for three years.

“I am honored to welcome new members Adam, Gray, Hermsen, Johnson, and Murphy,” said Katie Kuznacic, Foundation President and Vice Chancellor for University Relations. “Our Foundation is comprised of steadfast and highly engaged members that drive long-term University support through strategic engagement and impactful giving. I look forward to working with them to build on our successes and achieve even greater impacts for Warhawks in the years to come.”

Adam is a financial consultant and non-profit leader. He earned his BBA in Accounting from UW-Whitewater and serves as president of Argentarii Advisors, LLC and as an advisory board member for MobCraft Beer. Adam also spent 11 years in senior leadership roles for Johnson Financial Group, including senior vice president of finance and treasurer.

Gray is an adjunct professor at UW-Whitewater’s College of Business and Economics. He was also formerly the interim superintendent of schools for the Palmyra-Eagle Area School District and superintendent of schools for the School District of Waukesha. Gray received a BSE in business education and M.S. in school business administration and accounting from UW-Whitewater.

Hermsen is a senior marketing and communication leader and women’s leadership advocate. She is a committee member at the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County and on the board of Present Music and the Waukesha County Museum. She was a marketing executive for DUECO Inc., Odyne Systems LCC and Joy Global’s P&H Mining Equipment. Hermsen received her MBA in Marketing from UW-Whitewater.

Johnson is an audit director and accounting and auditing manager at Sikich LLP, specializing in non-profit organizations. She received her Master of Professional Accountancy from UW-Whitewater.

Murphy is the manager of inclusion and belonging (DEI and supplier diversity) at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. She also worked as an HR manager at Harley-Davidson and SC Johnson. Murphy received her B.S. in public policy and administration, and human resource management from UW-Whitewater.

To learn more about the UW-Whitewater Foundation and its work, visit https://www.uww.edu/foundation.