News

Missoula Children’s Theatre is the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre, touring extensively for more than 40 years, performing all over the world. A tour team arrives in a given town with a set, lights, costumes, props and make-up, everything it takes to put on a play…except the cast. The team holds an open audition and casts 50-60 local students to perform in the production. The show is rehearsed throughout the week and a public performance is presented on a Saturday.‍

This year’s MCT show is an original adaptation of the classic children’s story, The Wizard of Oz. 

Tickets for the show on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 3:00 p.m. are available here for $24. They also may be purchased at the ticket office in the Greenhill Center for the Arts, 950 W. Main Street in Whitewater or at the door with a $2 surcharge.

After a reported five-plus acre marsh fire on Sunday in the Town of Oakland to which the Whitewater Fire Department provided mutual aid, the Fort Atkinson Fire Department recommended to all of the towns in its territory to suspend approving any outdoor burning. The department stated, “Over the past week, multiple large brush and marsh fires have occurred in the county, and the current [extremely dry and windy] conditions are making outdoor burning exceptionally dangerous.”

WMTV-15 reported on Sunday regarding the marsh fire, which fortunately was extinguished before it reached a nearby home. “Officials say the fire started when embers from a debris burn in a burn pit were carried by strong winds into the adjacent marsh,” WMTV reported.

February 18, 2025 Spring Primary Election

In Person Absentee Voting
All In Person Absentee Voting for the City of Whitewater, will be held at the
City of Whitewater Municipal Building, 312 W Whitewater St

Voting starts Tuesday, February 4, 2025 and goes through Friday, February 14, 2025.

Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Please contact the City Clerk’s office with any questions. 262-473-0102 or 262-473-0103 or hboehm@whitewater-wi.gov

Heather Boehm
City Clerk

The Whitewater Unified School District is home to three unique robotics programs, all within the FIRST sequence of challenges. Fourth and 5th graders at all three elementary schools and 6th graders at the middle school can participate in the FIRST Lego League Challenge (FLL), 7th and 8th graders from the middle school have a new FIRST Tech Challenge Team (FTC) this year, and the high school is in their ninth season as a FIRST Robotics Competition Team (FRC).

On Saturday, February 8, between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, the public is invited to meet the teams and see their 2024-2025 projects during the annual Robotics Open House at Whitewater High School. Visitors should follow the signs in the parking lot and enter through Door #38 which is between the rear of the auditorium wing and the overhead shop doors.

Editor’s note: The following statement was provided by Dan Meyer, chief of police, regarding the city public safety referendum which will be on the April 1 ballot.

As the Chief of Police for the City of Whitewater, I am honored to serve a community that values safety, growth, and inclusivity. Today, I want to share details about an important initiative that will help us meet our city’s growing needs: the $1.3 million public safety referendum on the April 1, 2025, ballot.

Whitewater is a vibrant community, but with growth comes challenges. Calls for service have nearly doubled in the last decade, from 7,501 in 2010 to over 14,000 in 2024. This reflects a dynamic city where evolving needs require us to adapt. While our Police and Fire/EMS teams have worked tirelessly to serve everyone, the increasing volume and complexity of calls demand additional resources.

The referendum will enable the City of Whitewater to make critical investments in public safety, including:

·         Four additional police officers to improve response times and address rising call volumes.

·         Increased Fire/EMS staffing, adding one person on every shift to enhance emergency response capabilities.

·         Capital fund creation to eliminate borrowing for all public safety vehicles and equipment, saving taxpayer dollars in the long run.

·         The addition of one dispatcher increasing staffing levels to prevent service disruptions and ensure efficient emergency response.

Additionally, the referendum’s structure allows for adding a second School Resource Officer (SRO). In this scenario, the two SROs would support our schools and assist with school traffic crossings during start and end times—a critical improvement for student safety that has been a growing concern in our community.

These enhancements will strengthen our ability to protect and serve all residents while preparing for the future. Importantly, this referendum builds on steps we’ve already taken, including adding a detective without increasing the levy, securing a $375,000 federal grant to fund three officers, and implementing cost-saving technologies.

Our commitment is to provide the highest level of public safety to all who call Whitewater home. This referendum represents a responsible, forward-thinking investment in that vision, ensuring our city remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone. Whether you’ve lived here for decades or just joined our community, these improvements will enhance your quality of life.

I encourage you to learn more about this referendum and the opportunity it presents to build a safer, stronger Whitewater. Further information can be found on the City website: https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/615/CITY-OF-WHITEWATER-REFERENDUM-APRIL-2025.

Specific questions can be directed to: WW2025Referendum@whitewater-wi.gov.

Together, we can ensure our community thrives for generations to come.

Sincerely,
Dan Meyer
Chief of Police
City of Whitewater

Whitewater Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty and Whitewater Middle School Assistant Principal Caitlin Dowden presented at the 2025 Wisconsin State Education Convention on January 22.

Their breakout session, titled “From Absenteeism to Engagement: Proven Strategies for Increasing School Attendance,” explored the role of school boards in addressing chronic absenteeism. “While many Wisconsin schools are dealing with chronic absenteeism, the circumstances leading to absences may be different for every family,” said Dr. Pate-Hefty. “We are able to take an engaging and solutions-focused look at improving student attendance. The panelists in the session shared innovative strategies and successful practices designed to enhance student engagement and reduce absenteeism.”

The Wisconsin State Education Convention, held January 22-24 at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, drew more than 2,000 attendees. The event is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO), and the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA).

Did you know that the Whitewater Banner website offers easy access to various community newsletters? Whether you’re looking for updates from local organizations, city news, or special interest groups, you can find them conveniently listed in the menus on the left side of the website.

One highlight is the regularly updated Seniors in the Park Newsletter, which provides the latest information on programs, activities, and resources for Whitewater’s active senior community. This newsletter, along with others, ensures you stay informed about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and local happenings.

Be sure to check back frequently, as these links are updated regularly with new editions and announcements. Stay connected, stay informed, and make the most of everything Whitewater has to offer!

Article submitted by Downtown Whitewater, Inc
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by geralt from Pixabay.

Area businesses, organizations, and friends have been stepping up to help raise money for a beloved friend and colleague who is battling cancer.

Kristina Heimsch, a Nurse Practitioner at Rainbow Community Care, was recently
diagnosed with an incurable form of esophageal cancer. She and her family now face an uncertain future. Kristina is no longer able to work and continue caring for patients and families and faces the rising cost of medical bills and lost wages. Rainbow Medical Director Dr. Thom McGorey partnered with several area venues to perform a special fundraising concert series in December to help support Kristina and her family.

Dr. McGorey and several of Kristina’s coworkers at Rainbow have arranged an upcoming 9-Pin Tap Bowling Tournament at Rock River Lanes (1010 Larsen Rd.) in Fort Atkinson next month that will unofficially wrap up the Concerts for Kristina fundraising series.

The bowling tournament fundraiser takes place on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 12 to 4 p.m. Participants can choose between two sessions of bowling, each lasting two hours. Start times will be at 12 p.m. or 2 p.m. (with a ten-minute warm-up). Teams on adjacent lanes will alternate lanes for each frame, and each team will bowl two games in their two-hour session. 16 lanes will be used for bowling with up to teams of four people per lane. 9-pin tap means bowling a 9 on your first ball of any frame counts as a “strike” with regular scoring otherwise. No handicaps will be used. You can register as pair or a foursome (pairs will be joined to form a four-person team on each lane).

The cost is $50 for a pair or $100 per team and includes two games of 9-pin tap bowling, shoe rental, one free soda, and silent auction/door prize tickets. Free snacks and desserts will be available throughout the day. Dr. McGorey will be performing live music from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., featuring many popular songs from the 1950s-80s and taking requests from an extensive catalogue of songs (for a small donation). Additional food is also available for purchase from the kitchen.

You can pay through Venmo by entering “concertsforkristina” in the search bar or you can pay in person at the event by cash, check, or credit card.

You do not need to bowl to participate in the event. You can just come out to watch and cheer on the bowlers, enjoy the snacks, listen to the music, and join in on the fun. Tickets will also be sold for drawings on door prizes, and anyone could go home a winner.

For more information and to sign up online for the Concerts for Kristina- 9-Pin Tap Bowling Tournament, visit https://bit.ly/concertsforkristina.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Rainbow Community Care. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay.