News

Superintendent of the School District Dr. Caroline-Pate-Hefty and School Board Member Lisa Huempfner, City Manager John Weidl, and Police Chief Dan Meyer are set to be speakers at the public civic event to discuss their respective referendums for the April Ballot

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) will be hosting a public event for the community. The GWC has asked the Superintendent of the School District, Dr. Caroline-Pate-Hefty, school board member Lisa Huempfner, City Manager John Weidl, and Police Chief Dan Meyer to present their respective referendums for the April Ballot.

This event will take place on Thursday, February 13th at 5:00 p.m. at 841 Brewhouse: 841 E Milwaukee St., Whitewater, WI 53190, banquet hall in Whitewater, WI.

The city will be presenting their referendum on an increase in the City’s annual tax levy to fund five additional police officers, a dispatcher, two cross-trained firefighters/EMTs, and necessary equipment they may need to help meet the growing needs of Whitewater. The school district will be presenting their referendums on what improvements the school needs. This includes replacing outdated heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, repairing roofs, upgrading electrical and plumbing systems, replacing windows, increasing safety and security throughout the schools, updating the high school auditorium, and expanding the Career and Technical Education space. 

Both the city and the school have prepared informative presentations that are not only beneficial to understand the April ballot better, but to connect with the community through prominent issues.

“I am looking forward to hearing what the city and school district have to say about their respective referendums for the April ballot,” said GWC President Jeffery Knight.

 About the GWC

The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to collaborating with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies needed to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life. 

Whitewater Lions Club 49th Annual Fish-A-Ree

Attention all ice fishing anglers: the Fish-A-Ree is back. 2025 marks the 49th year that the Whitewater Lion’s club has hosted this popular February fishing derby in their backyard. Mark your calendar for Sunday, February 9th. Back again is the Eat-In/Carry-Out Pancake Breakfast serving hot pancakes, eggs and sausages. The Lions are also hosting an Online Auction, Bucket Raffles and 50/50 Cash Raffle. Another innovation is a live streaming of the action on the ice on Facebook. “Whether sitting in an ice fishing tent or the comfort of their home, everyone could feel involved,” says the Lion’s press release.

Pancake Breakfast:6 am-11 am
Hourly Fish Prizes: 6 am-2 pm

Online Auction from February 9th Through February 16th  – Click here.

The following individuals from your area have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Fall 2024 semester. UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with more than 24,000 associate, undergraduate and graduate students.

Whitewater, WI

 Ghati Binagi, Letters & Science Undergrad
 Myialynn Cobbs, Nursing Undergraduate
 Kymora Kimbrough, Letters & Science Undergrad
 Skylar Staebler, School of the Arts-Undergrad

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

“Conclave”

Tuesday, February 11, 1 PM

(Drama/Mystery/Thriller) Rated PG; 2 hours. (2024). 

After the unexpected death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with managing the covert and ancient ritual of electing a new one. Sequestered in the Vatican with the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders until the process is complete, he learns of a conspiracy that could lead to the fall of the Church. Also featuring John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini. Nominated for six Golden Globes; it’s also on the Oscars Short List. 

Embark on a musical journey “From Venice to Sicily by way of Abruzzo” with baritone Brian Leeper and pianist Diana Shapiro. Sunday, February 9 – 3 p.m. – Light Recital Hall, 950 W. Main Street. Free parking is available in Lots 1 & 2. Tickets are available here. Adults are $10, age 65+ are $6, and under age 18 are $6. Tickets at the door are subject to a $2 surcharge. The Music Mosaics concert series, launched in 2002, unites diverse performances to benefit the Music Department’s Scholarship Fund. Faculty, alumni, and the community inspire through their generosity, supporting students’ musical and academic excellence. Join us for a mosaic of music with students’ success as the ultimate goal.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Be Kind Whitewater.

            Be Kind Whitewater Committee is currently planning monthly events for the year.  A grassroots community-based group, Be Kind Whitewater is a non-partisan group that promotes kindness and civility for the betterment of our community and region.

            Join us for a Love and Kindness karaoke party, which will be held at Snug Harbor from 8 until 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. Snug Harbor is located at W7785 Wisconsin Parkway, Delavan. This event promises to be filled with great music and entertainment.

            The evening  is hosted by Snug Harbor, Be Kind Whitewater, and the Whitewater High School Key Club. Come early and enjoy a meal at Snug Harbor with the whole family.

            To Keep up with Be Kind events watch the Whitewater Banner and our Facebook page at BeKindWhitewater or visit our newly minted website at https://bekindwhitewater.weebly.com

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

This month we are showing you some business-related photos from the mid-20th century. We start with this winter view of the Whitewater Co-op that was located where Casey’s gas station on East Milwaukee Street is located today. The co-op was an important business, especially for farmers. The business offered discounts to members and had a large gas station at their location.

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

(5468P, Whitewater Historical Society)

A bonus: Last week’s #FlashbackFriday that wasn’t posted yet

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

We are sure you are as tired of seeing these old winter views as you are of winter by now, but here is another historical look at lots of snow. This is an important picture in looking at the history of downtown. It is the north side of the west block of Main Street (west of First St.) and none of these buildings are extant. Because we know this view is from around 1880, it gives us good information on what this part of downtown looked like before all the newer buildings were constructed. In the foreground is an old hotel that was replaced around 1890 by a two-story brick commercial building that was, in turn, replaced by the one-story building that sits there today, the old Schultz Brothers dime store or what is today Main Street Shops.

(0370ST, Whitewater Historical Society)

On Saturday, February 1st, 18 students competed in the FBLA Regional Leadership Conference in Middleton. Several students earned top placements and qualified for the state competition in Green Bay. Atreya Wilson placed 2nd in Entrepreneurship, Maddi Morton, Maggie Mass, and Zoe Zei placed 2nd in Digital Video Production, and Ameera Lin placed 3rd in Intro to Public Speaking.

Article and Photos Submitted by Baron West
Whitewater High School FBLA Advisor
bwest@wwusd.org