Editor’s note: Corrected on 8/3/26 to show that the date is Tuesday, August 4. The date was previously shown correctly on the poster but not in the text.
Get Ready to Get Messy at Messy Fest!
Whitewater Parks & Recreation invites families to Messy Fest, a FREE evening of messy fun on Tuesday, August 4 from 6:00–7:00 PM at Cravath Lakefront Park, 341 S. Fremont Street.
Kids of all ages can enjoy painting, slip ‘n slides, and a variety of hands-on messy activities designed for laughter, creativity, and unforgettable summer memories.
Participants are encouraged to wear clothes that can get messy and bring a towel and a change of clothes.
No registration is required—just come ready to have fun!
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
For many years concerns have been expressed about the congestion that occurs on Elizabeth Street during opening and closing periods at the Whitewater Middle School. In particular it has been felt that students are at risk of being hit as they dash across the street. One of the improvements that was funded by the recent capital referendum is the construction of a school bus passage from Elizabeth Street to Highland Street, allowing students to board their bus behind the middle school instead of on the south side. That project is scheduled to be completed prior to the start of the school year, and the plan is for those cars that are picking up middle school students to use the circular drive by the main entrance. David Friend, district director of building and grounds, reported at the July city Public Works Committee meeting that it is estimated that up to 52 cars would be able to queue up in that drive, with additional space available if needed in the district parking lot.
The committee members discussed a proposal that was provided by Brad Marquardt, city public works director, to prohibit stopping, standing or parking on either side of Elizabeth Street in the middle school area. The committee voted to recommend that an ordinance with those prohibitions be forwarded to the Common Council. That ordinance will have its first reading at the council meeting this Tuesday. Although a second reading is required, which normally takes place at the next meeting, occasionally that may be waived if the council deems it appropriate. It appears that if approved the prohibition could be in effect as early as the first day of school. Signage would have to be erected in order for the change to be in effect.
The following definitions were provided by the Police Department. Stopping: momentarily halting the vehicle (could include stopping to drop off or pick up passengers while still in control of the vehicle). Standing: vehicle remains motionless for a brief period while the driver remains in the vehicle with the engine running. Parking: the vehicle is stopped, whether occupied or not, for an extended duration. Includes turning off the vehicle or leaving it unattended.
As is standard practice at council meetings, public comment will be welcome either in person or virtually. As part of the council’s plan to make its meetings more accessible to residents, this week’s meeting is taking place at the Whitewater Innovation Center, 1221 Innovation Drive on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. The agenda, which includes virtual access information, may be found here.
When Carol McCormick saw this mallard family she thought “Do you have all your ducks in a row? We do!”
Our thanks to Carol McCormick for another interesting nature photo.
— 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!
UW-Whitewater’s Mascot on Main campaign hit the road this spring! Chancellor Corey A. King and Willie Warhawk made a 20-minute drive to Jefferson — one of Whitewater’s neighboring communities — to visit with the city’s Chamber of Commerce. Several of the chamber’s 225 businesses are owned and operated by UW-Whitewater alums, infusing Jefferson with goods and services and making it a tourist destination.
Updated 8/3/26 @ 9:15 p.m. with access information for Comprehensive Plan Advisory Work Group meeting. It is unknown as to whether the Urban Forestry Commission meeting was held, as no information was provided on the website other than the date and time.
City of Whitewater Public Test of Voting Machines for the August 11 primary – Monday @ 9:00 a.m. Whitewater Municipal Building Cravath Lakefront Conference Room, 2nd Floor, 312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190 Open to the public
City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 5:30 p.m.
City of Whitewater Common Council Meeting – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m. Note change of location: Whitewater Innovation Center, 1221 Innovation Dr. Agenda includes Review and Discuss Fire Department Turnout Times; Review and Discuss Flock Guardrails; Downtown Activation Initiative Program Proposal & Budget Amendment; Amending Ordinance: First reading of 2026-O-20 an ordinance amending 5.20.025 Alcohol License Review Committee to add review of and advising on public safety concerns to the duties of the Committee; First reading of Ordinance to repeal chapter 2.52.100 Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Commission; First reading of Zoning Ordinance: 2026-O-17 Zoning Ordinance Change for Family Child Care Centers; First reading of Amending Ordinance 2026-O-19 Ordinance Amending Municipal Code 11.16.150 – Street Index of Parking Restrictions for Elizabeth Street and Highland Street and 11.22.010 – No Stopping, Standing or Parking; and Review, discuss, and direct staff regarding the potential of consolidating polling locations for low turnout elections. *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 click the link below to join the webinar: Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/257239925410445?p=gnbnMqwcnYBf1iT93u Meeting ID: 257 239 925 410 445 Passcode: 6Rk9kZ2c Dial in by phone +1 929-229-5663,,759665657# United States, Phone conference ID: 759 665 657#
The city’s Community Development Authority has only received a few applications for its relatively new Homeowner Loan Program, and it says that “we want to get this money deployed to help homeowners and enhance property’s values in the city.” There is no interest on the loans, which are not repaid until the home is sold or transferred.
Recently the CDA, the Greater Whitewater Committee and Home Lumber sponsored a meeting to introduce the program to contractors. Shown below are a few of the slides that could help homeowners understand whether this program might benefit them.
If you have any questions about the program or would like additional information, please reach out to Mason Becker at mbecker@whitewater-wi.gov.
Editor’s note: The Whitewater Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Franz Bachinger from Pixabay.
Construction is progressing on the first phase of the new multi-family development on Moraine View Parkway and Jakes Way on the east side of the city. The developer, Hartland Shores, is planning a total of 128 apartments. This first phase, under construction, will have two 32-unit buildings with efficiency to three-bedroom apartments.
Our thanks to Ron Binning for keeping us abreast of developments in the city.
— 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 Pieces of Eight Wind Octet will perform a chamber music concert on Sunday, August 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM. The concert is hosted by the Whitewater Arts Alliance, located at 404 W. North St. in Whitewater, WI. A free-will donation in support of the musicians and venue is greatly appreciated.
The program “Oh, the Drama!” features music from the opera stage to silver screen, with music by Gounod, Weber, Verdi, Prokofiev, Arnold, and Joplin. It is sure to be an afternoon of musical stores you will love.
Pieces of Eight is a semiprofessional, summer-only woodwind octet (pairs of oboes, clarinets, horns, and bassoons) from southern Wisconsin. Our members have careers as K-12 music educators (Abi Kading, Jessica Westlund, Andrea Haffelder, and Justin Kamp), university professors (Zach Oster, Kris Curran, Alex Widstrand), and music publishing professionals (Pamela Whitcomb, Alex Widstrand). The ensemble name is a reference to the old Spanish real, a gold coin which was broken into eight “bits” for smaller units of currency.
Pieces of Eight (Wind Octet)
Pamela Whitcomb & Abi Kading, oboes
Zach Oster & Jessica Westlund, clarinets
Kris Curren & Andrea Haffelder, horns
Alex Widstrand & Justin Kamp, bassoons
Program
Introduction to Faust, by Charles Gounod, arr. Patrick Clements
Andante e Rondo ongarese, by Carl Maria von Weber, arr. Clements
Fantasia on Rigoletto, by Giuseppe Verdi, arr. Ian Harrold
Romeo and Juliet Suite, by Sergei Prokofiev, arr. Andreas N. Tarkmann
III. Morning Dance
VI. Montagues and Capulets
VIII. Mercutio
Hobson’s Choice, by Malcom Arnold, arr. Uwe Radok
The Easy Winners, by Scott Joplin, arr. Robert G. Patterson
For more information, Contact: Kim Adams, Gallery Director, Whitewater Arts Alliance
Programming Note… The CAC Gallery is currently closed between exhibitions, except for special events. We will resume our normal gallery hours on Thursday, August 13.
The Whitewater Fire Department indicates that the person who was killed by the lightning strike on July 27 while tree trimming for a company contracted by We Energies was Rodrigo Barrera Arreola of West Virginia. Originally his age was listed as 29, but he was 31 years old.
