News

Updated 2/13/25 at 2:35 p.m. – Location of the discussion changed.

“JAMES: A NOVEL” -League of Women Voters Book Club Discussion, Part I

The League of Women Voters of Whitewater Area’s Book Club is pleased to announce the first of three discussions of the book James: A Novel by Percival Everett, on Tuesday, February 18th, starting at 6:30 PM. The discussion will be held at The Book Teller, 171 W Main Street in Whitewater. [Please note the change of location.]

Tara McKenzie-Peotter, Whitewater High School teacher, will lead the discussion
including such topics as comparing the text to Huckleberry Finn and the historical and contemporary use of the “n” word.

The book James: A Novel, is a re-imaging of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. The powerful, thought-provoking novel is written in three parts and we will be discussing each part separately.

Mark your calendars for the following two discussions:

Part II: Thursday, March 20 @ 6:30 pm – Greg Stewart, Whitewater High School teacher, will continue the book discussion with emphasis on the teaching of historical time frames and concepts such as cake walks, minstrels, slave narratives, and the Civil War.

Part III: Thursday, April 17 @ 6:30 pm – UW-Whitewater professor, Dr. Tamara
Lindsey, will lead the final session with an emphasis on topics such as emancipation, liberation, freedom and social construction theory that suggests reality and knowledge are shaped by societal agreements and shared assumptions.

A limited supply of books is available at The Book Teller. Call 262-269-9109 to hold a copy. For questions or further information please call Deb Gamble at 262-953-1946.

We invite all in the Whitewater community to join us in the discussions of the book of which The New York Times writes “below the packed dirt floor of Everett’s moral sensibility, James is an intensely imagined human being.” Let’s delve into that world together.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook.

UW-Whitewater announces 2024 winter graduates

More than 800 students graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at winter commencement, held Dec. 14, 2024, at Kachel Fieldhouse in the Williams Center.

The following students from your coverage area earned degrees from the UW-Whitewater at winter commencement:

Editor’s note: It is likely that many of these graduates came to UW-W from other areas, but in the university records they have listed Whitewater as their home.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Marijke Arreola graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Biology – BS.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Sydney Christianson graduated with the following degree: Social Work – MSW.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Adam Coleman graduated with the following degree: Marketing – BBA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Amber Cornille graduated with the following degree: Women’s and Gender Studies – BS.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Matt DeMichiel graduated with the following degree: General Business – BBA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Elizabeth Dempich graduated with the following degree: Applied Arts and Sciences – BAAS.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Christian Derenne graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: History – BSE.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Kianna Doerr graduated with the following degree: Women’s and Gender Studies – BA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Derya Fathroen graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS.

Whitewater, WI 53190: George Fedorov graduated with the following degree: Integrated Science – Business – BBA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Cooper Gosse graduated with the following degree: Management – BBA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Adam Groth graduated with the following degree: History – BA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Bianca Housworth graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Psychology – BA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Amarion Isbell graduated with the following degree: Psychology – BA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Sarah Keller graduated with the following degree: Music – BM.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Devon Knowles graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Social Work – BA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Issac Leal graduated with the following degree: Liberal Studies – BS.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Demetrius Lewis graduated with the following degree: Communication – BA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Haley Lindquist graduated with the following degree: Geography – BS.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Alissa LoCicero-Geraths graduated with the following degree: Criminology – BS.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Scott Luebke graduated with the following degree: Integrated Science – Business – BS.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Kyra Maly graduated with the following degree: Liberal Arts – AA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Thomas McCulloch graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Cybersecurity – BS.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Samantha Meister graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: General Business – BBA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Colton Meuret graduated with the following degree: Mathematics – BSE.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Inger Miles graduated with the following degree: Special Education – MSE.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Destiny Mitchell graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Early Childhood Education – BSE.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Ben Nelson graduated with the following degree: History – BA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Joyce Ngwe graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Raquel Ortiz graduated with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Yasmin Palomec-Garcia graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Criminology – BS.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Alex Phelan graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Maria Rodriguez graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Evelyn Rozenkvit graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Accounting – BBA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Camila Salazar Delgado graduated with the following degree: Psychology – BA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Lex Schuhmacher graduated with the following degree: History – BA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Eddie Slattery graduated with the following degree: Finance – BBA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Odessa Sonn graduated with the following degree: Communication – BA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Trevor Spragg graduated with the following degree: Marketing – BBA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Meena Subedi graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – DBA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jonce Tolley graduated with the following degree: Liberal Studies With a Minor – BS.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Kaitlyn Van Wyhe graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: English – BA.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Dayna Wendelberger graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Dakota Wolf graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Wenshou Wu graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Art – BA.

Approximately 633 students crossed the stage to receive their degrees at the ceremony, held at Kachel Fieldhouse in the Williams Center.

The 815-member graduating class included three international students, 58 military veterans and 138 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 80 self-identified students with disabilities received degrees.

A total of 47 students participated in the university’s Hired Before Graduation campaign, which celebrates students who landed a job, earned a job promotion, were accepted to graduate school, or started their own business before commencement.

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Whitewater area effective from 9 a.m. Wednesday until 3 a.m. Thursday. Total anticipated “light and fluffy” snowfall is 4-6″.

The Irvin L. Young Library in Whitewater will be closing at 5:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, February 12, due to inclement weather.  We will resume regular hours on Thursday, February 13^th.

Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library.

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

As was previously reported in The Whitewater Banner, when emergency personnel were called to the home at 505 Ventura Lane on November 21 by the report of smoke, they located a fire that had almost self-extinguished as well as a deceased person. The individual was identified as Indumathi Chilukuri, a 71-year-old female owner of the home. Since the fire appeared to be caused by arson, it was referred to the Walworth County Fire Investigation Team. All parties have now completed their investigation, allowing the Whitewater Police Department [WPD] to close the case, with a finding that Chilukuri’s death was a suicide.

Fire personnel and the investigation team determined that the starting point of the fire was the couch in the living room and that the fire appeared to be intentionally set. Police indicated that there were no signs of recent entry into the residence and no indication of foul play on the body. The Walworth County Medical Examiner’s Office also did not find any evidence of foul play but indicated that there were signs that death had occurred from carbon monoxide inhalation. Toxicology reported that Chilukuri’s level of carbon monoxide was at 68% saturation. It was stated that lethality from carbon monoxide exposure is at a level or 40% or higher. WPD’s report concludes, “Based on the results from the toxicology report, Chilukuri’s death was caused by inhalation of Soot and Products of Combustion (Carbon Monoxide exposure) due to a house fire. The Manner of Death was listed as Suicide.”

Updated 2/9/25 @ 8 p.m. to correct the time of the WUSD legislative breakfast.

Whitewater Unified School District Legislative Breakfast – Monday @ 9 a.m.
Agenda – Click on meetings in the upper right corner.
Editor’s note: The agenda contains an incorrect listing of the area legislators. The Banner has reached out to ensure that the current legislators have been invited. Sen. Nass only represents the town of LaGrange now. Otherwise, the district is represented by Rep. Brienne Brown and Sen. Mark Spreitzer.

Public Test of the Spring Primary Election Equipment – Monday @ 10 a.m.
This notice is given to inform the Public that the City of Whitewater is holding the Public Test of the Spring Primary Election Equipment. The information follows:
When: Monday, February 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: City of Whitewater Municipal Building, 2nd floor Cravath Lakefront
Conference Room, 312 W. Whitewater St.

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Consideration to Approve and Recommend to Common Council a change in the District Zoning Map to Rezone Vacant Lots on Cedar Court from R-1 (One Family Residence District) to R-2 (One and Two Family Residence District); Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for an Electronic Message Monument Sign to be located at 401 S Elizabeth Street [Whitewater Middle School], Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for Contractor Shops to be located on Greenway Court.
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. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/347783733
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 347-783-733
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd floor, 312 W. Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
AGENDA includes Discussion and Possible Action regarding pedestrian safety crossing W. Main Street.
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/89241724935?pwd=4iqX7kimmdaVc1xfcXrmhb2C2I3IYe.1
Telephone: +1 312 626 6799 US
Webinar ID: 892 4172 4935
Passcode: 758390

City of Whitewater Community Involvement and Cable TV Commission – Thursday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
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.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85478113984?pwd=vJSI08WJD3u3mVjidt1pIv4bgetEPR.1
Join via audio:
+1 312 626 6799 US
Webinar ID: 854 7811 3984
Passcode: 534378

Wisconsin has a rich U.S. Naval history. There have been more than 65 U.S. Navy ships named after the cities, people, and places of Wisconsin. General William “Billy” Mitchell was considered “The Father of the U.S. Air Force” and grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We cannot wait to see the lasting impact these Whitewater High School students will have on the U.S. military.

Whitewater High School is proud to announce that Andrew O’Toole and Jackson Hefty were nominated for appointment to serve at a U.S. military academy by Congressman Bryan Steil.

Andrew O’Toole received a nomination for an appointment to both the US. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Jackson Hefty received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy.

The process to become admitted to any of the military academies is quite rigorous. Part of the U.S. Military Academy application process includes obtaining a nomination from an authorized nomination source, such as a member of Congress.

Acceptance to an Academy is a highly competitive process, and the nomination by Congressman Bryan Steil is the first step.

Andrew has received an appointment to the United States Coast Guard Academy, which he will accept. Jackson recently accepted the appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy where will also be a member of the U.S. Naval Academy cross-country team.

Other WHS seniors aiming for a career in the military include Miles Nickelsburg (Army ROTC) and Isaac Straight (Marines).

Article Submitted by Greg Stewart
Whitewater High School Social Studies Teacher
gstewart@wwusd.org

UW-Whitewater and its alumni contribute more than $1.4 billion to Wisconsin’s economy each year

Findings of two new studies show the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Warhawk alumni have a significant impact on Wisconsin’s economy, to the tune of more than $1.4 billion annually.

The studies, published last month by the Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC), explore and quantify how UW-Whitewater’s operations — and the more than 38,000 UW-Whitewater alumni currently in the state’s workforce — affect economic activity in Wisconsin.

“It is part of our mission at UW-Whitewater to serve as an economic driver of our region and to boldly champion education, opportunity and prosperity for all,” said Corey A. King, chancellor. “We’re proud — but not surprised — by this research that shows the Warhawk family has a considerable effect on Wisconsin’s economy.” 

Operational impact

Just by carrying out its day-to-day academic mission and auxiliary operations, the university attracts money, employment and volunteerism into Walworth, Rock and Jefferson counties, said Russ Kashian, director of FERC. “University and student spending together account for the largest impact on the region, followed by art and entertainment events, athletics competitions, and youth camps,” he said.

All of this leads to $514,750,000 in annual economic activity and the creation of 2,680 jobs, according to the report. In addition to this regional impact, the university generates $24,465,000 in annual tax revenue for the state, including sales, income, and property tax.

Alumni impact + value of a UW-Whitewater degree

When UW-Whitewater’s alumni are considered, the benefit to Wisconsin’s financial picture is even more impactful. The 38,000 alumni currently living and working in the state have a collective economic output of $890 million. In addition, they pay $145 million more in sales and income tax than those without a college degree.

“UW-Whitewater graduates are crucial to strengthening Wisconsin’s job market,” Kashian said. “Our research revealed the average alum is earning $97,500 per year. In comparison, the average annual income of a 25- to 54-year-old high school graduate is $46,208.”

Kashian noted that every discipline at UW-Whitewater is represented in high earner categories, from arts and education to business and the social sciences.

“At a time when there is a lot of conversation about whether a college degree is a wise financial decision, it’s absolutely clear from the data that UW-Whitewater graduates are thriving in their careers. A UW-Whitewater degree is an exceptional investment, and it’s paying off faster than ever,” Kashian said.

For the UW-Whitewater class of 1995, the rate of return on their college investment took 10.3 years. For graduates in 2015, that had decreased to just 8.4 years, much faster than the national average of 13 years.

“Our alumni are our legacy, and this study confirms our Warhawk graduates are enjoying successful careers and making positive contributions to the State of Wisconsin,” said Chancellor King.

About the research

To determine the university’s economic impact, FERC used institutional spending data combined with student and visitor surveys. Respondents were asked to calculate the total amount they spend each month across various categories such as food, housing, and transportation within the local economy.

To determine the alumni economic impact, FERC used alumni survey data from the Classes of 1982-2023 combined with data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Consumer Expenditure Survey.

The full reports are available at the Fiscal and Economic Research Center website. 

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by UW-Whitewater.

CHILDREN’S STORY TIME WITH A POLICE OFFICER

Families are invited to a Community Helpers story time series that will be presented with the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library and members of the local community. This monthly story time will explore a different career each session and will offer children opportunities to play and learn with hands-on activities. The next session will feature a Whitewater Police officer and will be held on Wednesday, February 12 at 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Note that due to library construction, story time will be held at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center located at 341 S. Fremont Street. Children will enjoy books, songs, and early learning stations just right for preschool learning. Everyone is welcome to attend this fun, free story time, which is best for ages 2-6 but all ages are welcome. Registration is not required.

The Community Helpers story time series will continue every 2nd Wednesday of the month at the same time and location through May. March’s story time will feature a local farmer. Contact Sarah French with questions or accommodation requests at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-458-2782. For a full listing of library events, visit whitewaterlibrary.org.