News

Expanded program offers nicotine replacement therapy

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced on August 15 the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line has expanded its text-based Live Vape Free program to include young adults ages 18-26. The program supports young Wisconsinites on the path to ending their use of nicotine and vape products and will provide people age 18 and over with two weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy if medically eligible.

According to the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, nearly one in five Wisconsinites ages 18-24 vape. They account for 34% of current adult e-cigarette users in our state.

“Young adults are the first generation to have been exposed to widespread commercial electronic vaping devices, and we see the impact of that exposure in the number of youth who use vape products today,” said State Health Officer Paula Tran. “By expanding the Live Vape Free program, we can help this age group achieve what they deserve: A life free of nicotine addiction that can harm their physical, mental, and financial health.”

The expanded Live Vape Free program helps young adults reduce or quit vaping on their own terms with text-based communications and medications designed to increase their success. Supportive text messages from coaches and interactive videos of peers, lessons, and podcasts help participants manage their stress, while nicotine therapy can help with the physical cravings and double their chances of quitting.

Live Vape Free has been traditionally offered to teens ages 13-17 with a companion program for parents and other trusted adults who support them. This program continues; however, it does not include free nicotine replacement therapy for minors. Young people are encouraged to speak to their health care providers about using medication to help them reduce or quit vaping.

To participate in Live Vape Free, text VAPEFREE to 873373 or visit livevapefree.com. Find more information about Wisconsin’s Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment program on the DHS website.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage from Ethan Parsa from Pixabay.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s summertime image from the Scholl collection is an interesting gravestone from Hillside Cemetery. The Scholl collection has many Hillside Cemetery images and this one is particularly poignant. This fine gravestone marks the burial site of Kitty Govier, who died 124 years ago on August 17, 1900. She was the wife of W. E. Govier, who was a photographer in Whitewater for only a couple of years around 1900. He and Kitty came from Fennimore, Wisconsin and after only about a year, Kitty died at the age of 32. About six months later, W. E. Govier sold his photography studio and returned to Fennimore, leaving Kitty in Hillside Cemetery.

Update on 8/16 @ 11:15 a.m.: Patty Beran sent the following additionally sad information to the Banner: “Kitty Govier died 3 days after giving birth. The infant also died (or was born dead). The infant is buried with the mother. Her widow Ed remarried and they had a daughter in 1907.” Historian Carol Cartwright, who kindly provides the #FlashbackFridays for the Whitewater Historical Society, responded that although these details were not included in her source material, “I would not doubt that it is the case.  Mother and infant mortality was high then.”

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

(3604GP, Whitewater Historical Society)

Whitewater High School has been named one of 27 recipients of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Award of Excellence for the 2023-24 school year.

The WIAA Award of Excellence recognizes high schools for outstanding achievements in sportsmanship, ethics, integrity, leadership, and overall accomplishment. Whitewater High School’s selection highlights its commitment to creating a positive and supportive environment for student-athletes, meeting the rigorous standards set by the WIAA.

To qualify for the award, schools must fulfill specific criteria, including maintaining up-to-date records in the WIAA School Directory, conducting regular meetings on sportsmanship and ethics, participating in leadership conferences, complying with WIAA coaching requirements, engaging in community volunteerism, attending key WIAA meetings, and promoting sportsmanship initiatives among students.

“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our athletic director, coaches, student-athletes, and the entire Whitewater community,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent of Whitewater Unified School District. “We are committed to excellence both on and off the field, and this recognition from the WIAA underscores our ongoing efforts to lead with integrity and character.”

Whitewater High School will be officially recognized at the WIAA Area Meeting in September. All 27 recipients are highlighted on the WIAA website and in the WIAA Bulletin, with additional recognition planned for the 2025 WIAA Annual Meeting.

To view a complete list of 2023-24 Award of Excellence recipients, please visit https://www.wiaawi.org/Schools/Awards-Recognition/Award-Of-Excellence.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the Whitewater Unified School District.

The registration form may be found here.

Also! Mark your calendar for the final Mom Walk of the summer! Saturday, September 14, 10-11amSunset Park, Elkhorn

Questions about Mom Walks? Please contact 262-374-2242 or info@treehouseforkids.net. Funding for Mom Walks is provided by a grant from the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board (CANPB).

Our Mission: To Promote safe, strong, and healthy environments for children and families through equitable access to child abuse prevention, education, and resource support.

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

The Associated Press reported that the statewide turnout for the August 13 primary election was approximately 26% of the voting age population, which was the highest in 60 years for a fall primary in a presidential year. 1825 ballots were cast in the City of Whitewater, representing approximately 37% of the 4890 registered voters. Nearly 35% of those ballots were cast absentee, which, for the first time, were processed at a “Central Count” location, the Community Room at the Municipal Building. It was the second local election that made use of the Badger Books electronic poll books, and the process appeared to work very efficiently. City personnel and election officials completed the Board of Canvass and were able to leave the polls by 10:30 p.m.

Just over 1.2 million people cast a ballot on each of two constitutional amendments which were proposed by the Republican majority legislature. Statewide about 58% voted no on the issues, though in the city, which traditionally leans Democratic, the measures were turned down by approximately 69% of the voters. It seems likely that the turnout in the city was driven significantly by the amendments, as there were no contested races on the Democratic side of the ballot. Nonetheless approximately 67% of the voters cast their ballots in the Democratic primary.

Constitutional amendment #1

	State	Walworth County	Jefferson County	City	City vote
No	57.5%	48 %	52%	69%	1197
Yes	42.5%	52%	48%	31%	542

U.S. Senate – Republican

Eric Hovde easily beat two opponents to win the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. He advances to the November general election, where he will face incumbent Tammy Baldwin.

	State	Walworth County	Jefferson County	City	City vote
Eric Hovde	86%	86%	86%	82%	481
Charles E. Barman	7%	9%	5%	11%	96
Rejani Raveendran	6%	5%	5%	7%	42

State Assembly District 43

This election was the first to be conducted with new district maps that were adopted in February for the State Senate and Assembly. Whitewater resident Brienne Brown ran for the Democratic nomination for the new district 43 unopposed. She will face Scott Johnson, a Republican incumbent who currently represents a different district. As a Jefferson area resident, if Johnson wins the November election he will have to move. Johnson bested opponent Dylan Kurtz in the city with 72% of the vote, which was very similar to the districtwide outcome.

Walworth County Register of Deeds

This race was the only contested Walworth County office. Republican Kathy Komstock, who was appointed to the position by Gov. Evers in January, 2024, won 69% of the vote against Michael Domino. In Whitewater her 223 votes out of 325 also amounted to 69%. She will run unopposed in November.

Pictures may be viewed here on Craigslist.

Ranger Power has proposed a large solar farm, referred to as Whitewater Solar, that would be built on multiple parcels of land east of Whitewater. Information regarding the proposal may be found on the company’s website. The company has reserved a room on Thursday, August 15 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Whitewater University Innovation Center, 1221 Innovation Drive, for an open house with company representatives.

Separately, another company called ClearPath Energy has obtained an option from the city to construct a smaller solar farm on the old landfill which is next to the city’s compost site at the north end of Jefferson Street. Brad Marquardt, the city public works director, told the Banner that he believes that the company is in a waiting period while they pay an annual fee to keep the option open.

Editor’s note: Ranger Power did not request for this announcement to be published on the Banner. We discovered it in a post on social media.

Where: N1019 Fremont Rd, Whitewater, WI 53190

When: Sat, Aug 10, 2024 @ 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sun, Aug 11, 2024 @ 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Details: No more babies sale! Lots of different baby items (swing, sit me up) along with clothing newborn – 2T. Kids toys. Lots of women’s name brand clothing. Kuerig. Housewares. Women’s shoes, kids shoes. & so much more!

Due to the projected interesting Thursday weather, The Concert In The Park of Ladies Must Swing is Cancelled. We are disappointed this has to happen, but for the safety of the performers and community, it’s best we cancel. Be sure to join us next week Thursday for our last concert of the Piper Road Spring Band.

Editor’s note: The above announcement was posted to the Whitewater Park & Recreation Department Facebook page.

Kevin Brunner, a long-time Whitewater resident, recently was honored by the Geneva Lake Conservancy at its summer fundraiser for his six years as Chair of the organization during a time of unprecedented growth. During Brunner’s tenure, the organization received accreditation from the National Land Trust Alliance and protected an additional 1,500 acres in Walworth, Racine and Kenosha counties. In 2020, the Conservancy was also named Land Trust of the Year, by Gathering Waters, Wisconsin’s state land trust organization.

The GLC board and staff honored Brunner for his “good judgement, leadership skills, financial support, steadfastness and dedication to our conservation mission.” Brunner was instrumental in the purchase of Bromley Woods, an 83 acre oak forest and kettle pond, in LaGrange from the Bromley family who had owned the property since 1844. Today, the Conservancy owns Bromley Woods as a public nature preserve with more than three miles of hiking trails.

In addition, under Brunner’s tenure, the organization’s annual donations increased from $250,000 to more than $1 million and the Conservancy began working with the DNR Knowles Nelson staff and Ducks Unlimited to obtain grants for the purchase of land with high conservation value.

“I am grateful to our partners and the Conservancy’s board and staff for allowing us to open three new nature preserves in the last five years as well as to complete more than 10 conservation easements,” said Brunner. “We have a very talented board and staff and I am excited to see what can be accomplished in the years ahead.”

The mission of the Geneva Lake Conservancy is to protect and restore the land and lakes of Walworth County and beyond. It owns 13 properties with high conservation value and has completed 37 conservation easements, which protect more than 3,000 acres.

In addition to protecting land, the Conservancy also offers its Conservation@Home and Keep It Blue program to Walworth County residents. With Conservation@Home, a Conservancy staff member will meet at a landowner’s property and educate them on how to make the land more ecological healthy by planting native plants, improving wildlife habitat, managing storm water and removing invasive species. The Keep It Blue program asks residents to minimize the use of fertilizers and other chemicals to protect our lakes and waterways.

For more information on the Conservancy go to its Website at genevalakeconservancy.org.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Geneva Lake Conservancy.