News

Taken the week of June 2, 2025

Last week Steve noticed a couple birds darting around on Cravath Lake over several days. They moved like swallows, but looked like the size of a woodduck. With the help of the Wisconsin Wildlife page, Steve found out they were Black Terns. 

Terns were common in Wisconsin,  but are declining in part due to habitat loss.

Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing these interesting photos and information.

— 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!

The City of Whitewater is updating its Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan, and we need your input!

This short survey is your chance to help guide the future of our parks, trails, natural areas, and recreational programs. Whether you use the parks daily or only occasionally, your feedback is vital. By sharing your thoughts, you’ll help our Parks and Recreation team identify priorities, shape future improvements, and ensure that our public spaces reflect the needs of everyone in our community.

The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and will directly inform how we plan for the next five years — and beyond.

Take the Survey Now ➜ https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z5HWL8W

Thank you for being part of the process to keep Whitewater’s parks welcoming, safe, and enriching for all.

Kevin Boehm
Director of Parks and Recreation
City of Whitewater
(262)473-0122
kboehm@whitewater-wi.gov

Whitewater Arts Alliance Presents

Savory Sounds Concert featuring Tony Rocker

Thursday, June 19, 2025
11:30am – 12:45pm
Flat Iron Park, Whitewater

Tony Rocker is an Elvis tribute artist known for authentic performances, original keys, and replica jumpsuits.

Sponsored by TDS
Food Vendor:  Annie’s Burger Town

• Concert Times: All concerts are held on Thursdays from 11:30am – 12:45pm.
• Location: Outside the Cultural Arts Center (CAC) / Flat Iron Park (next to the Birge Fountain), 402 W Main St, Whitewater.
• Rain or Shine: Normally held outdoors on the lawn. In the event of inclement weather, the concerts are moved inside the CAC and seating is provided.
• Seating: If the concert is held outside, please consider bringing a lawn chair or blanket. A few picnic tables and benches around the Birge Fountain are also available.
• Food & Refreshments: Food and other refreshments will be available from the food vendor or bring your own lunch.
• Parking: CAC lot and city street parking is available with additional parking available at First English Lutheran Church.

Friday 6/20/25 9 am to 4 pm and Saturday 6/21/25 8 am to 4 pm  
W6915 Bluff Road, Whitewater

Huge rummage sale! Something for everyone.

• Clothes for kids and adults, Winter coats,  and boots.
• Toys from little tyke, Melissa and Doug, Barbie and more. 
• John Deere kids 2 seater gator, petal tractors, bikes and more. 
• Kitchen items, holiday, and crafts.
• Yard tools, old cow tank, hunting and fishing items. 
• Many Black bear cabin decorations.

Come on out we have it all!

Get ready to clean out your garage: Walworth County will host residential Clean Sweep recycling events on June 20 and 21, 2025, at Walworth County Public Works, W4097 County Road NN, Elkhorn. No registration is required. 

Schedule

• Recycle household hazardous waste only on Friday, June 20, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. View a full list of acceptable items. 
• Recycle household hazardous waste and electronics, TVs, appliances, and tires on Saturday, June 21, from 8 a.m. to noon. 

Fees

Household hazardous waste is free. Electronics and computers can be recycled for free. The following items can be recycled for a fee (cash only):

• All TVs: $10 each 
• Monitors: $5 each 
• Mini fridges, small AC units, and dehumidifiers: $5 each 
• Refrigerators and freezers: $10 each; all other appliances are free 
• Tires with 18-inch rims or smaller may be recycled: The cost is $10 each for tires without rims and $15 each for tires with rims. 

Learn more about our Clean Sweep events. 

Congratulations to students making the Honor Roll and High Honor Roll for second semester of the 2024-2025 school year at Whitewater High School. These designations are based on Semester 2 weighted grades. Students earning a 3.500 – 3.7499 are on Honor Roll, and students earning a 3.75 – 5.0 are on High Honor Roll.

The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library’s Expansion and Renovation Project is currently in Phase Three. While the library building is closed to the public, curbside pickup services will be available starting Monday, June 23.

Library patrons may place holds on books, movies, and other materials and pick them up at the library. Print jobs may be sent to the library’s printing email at library-printing@whitewater-wi.gov. When holds or print jobs become available, patrons must call
or email the library in advance to schedule a time to pick up their items (times will be available in two-hour windows). Community members may also register for a library card via curbside or at any library event.

In addition, reference services and help with library accounts and databases will be available via phone or email. Reading logs and prizes for the Summer Reading Program will also be available via curbside.

Hours for Curbside Services
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:30 a.m-1:00 p.m.

Completion of the library’s building project is projected for November 2025.

The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Complete details, updates, online services, and the library events calendar can be found at whitewaterlibrary.org. Call the library at 262-473-0530 or email library@whitewater-wi.gov with questions.

On Wednesday, May 28, members of the Whitewater High School Class of 2025 gathered in the James M. Stewart Auditorium at Whitewater High School for the annual scholarship presentation.

Thank you to Tom Ganser for the photo gallery.

Below is an alphabetical listing of all scholarships awarded that evening:

The City of Whitewater is excited to announce a new way for residents and community members to stay connected and engaged online. The City has transitioned from its traditional Facebook page to a newly created City of Whitewater Group on Facebook.

The City warmly invites all residents, business owners, and local organizations to join the new group. To become a member, simply search for ‘City of Whitewater Group’ on Facebook.