News

Town of Whitewater
Walworth County Wisconsin
2026 Road Work

The Town of Whitewater is now accepting proposals for chip sealing projects in 2026. There will be 8 roads involved in this project. If interested in participating in the project, please contact CARL AHRENS, Public Works Superintendent at
920-723-0458 or public.works@townofwhitewaterwi.gov. Carl will provide the complete bid package.

Sealed bids, clearly marked “ROAD BID,” must be delivered to the Town Clerk no later than Monday, March 23rd, 2026, at 12:00 pm (noon). All bids received by the deadline will be opened at a special open meeting to be held at 8:00 AM, March 24, 2026. You
may also use the secure drop box at the Town Hall to submit your proposal.

Mailing Address:
Town of Whitewater
W8590 Willis Ray Road
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: 262-473-4639

Project completion date is 8/21/2026

Editor’s note:

Nate Parrish, President and CEO of First Citizens State Bank, is pleased to announce the promotions of Shelly Bucholtz and Kelsey Reilly to Assistant Vice President. Both Bucholtz and Reilly are based at the bank’s Whitewater Main Office, located at 207 W Main Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Bucholtz has been with First Citizens State Bank for nearly 33 years and oversees all aspects of Loan Processing and Servicing. During her tenure, she has advanced through several key roles within Loan Operations, most recently serving as Loan Operations Officer. Bucholtz holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from UW-Whitewater and has completed extensive professional training through the Wisconsin Bankers Association. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for FIPCO.

Reilly joined First Citizens State Bank in 2018 and has steadily advanced into leadership roles. She currently serves as the Bank’s Compliance Officer and Assistant Security Officer, ensuring strong internal controls and regulatory compliance. Reilly earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from UW-Whitewater and is a Whitewater High School graduate. She serves as the Treasurer for the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club and is a member of the Whitewater Landmarks Commission.

Commenting on the promotions, Parrish said, “Shelly and Kelsey each bring exceptional knowledge, integrity, and dedication to their roles. Their leadership, attention to detail, and commitment to our customers and our bank make them highly deserving of this advancement. We are proud to recognize their contributions and look forward to the continued impact they will have on our organization.”

First Citizens State Bank, locally owned and operated since 1863, is committed to serving the communities in which we live, work, and do business. The bank takes pride in building lasting partnerships with organizations, businesses, and individuals throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. First Citizens State Bank has Full-service offices in Whitewater, East Troy and Palmyra. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

February was Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and we wrapped it up with a busy week in the Tech Ed classes.

First, in honor of National Discover Engineering Week, students in Exploratory Tech went on a tour of Doosan Bobcat in Johnson Creek on Wednesday. Students were able to see how they engineer and manufacture the mowers and other machines in the Doosan Bobcat line. They also had the chance to try out their own engineering skills by designing and building a boat. One of our teams even took 2nd place!

On Thursday, students in Introduction to Engineering traveled to UW–Madison to learn more about different engineering disciplines, with a focus on Nuclear Engineering. They heard from a prestigious career panel, interacted with local businesses, and toured engineering labs on campus. Students were able to see just how wide the world of engineering really is and explore what the schooling looks like to get into an engineering program.

Finally, students from first semester Exploratory Tech celebrated completing and receiving their OSHA 10 certifications. This certification will help them as they work toward Youth Apprenticeships and other technical careers. Students were excited to receive their cards today!

Thank you to Doosan Bobcat and UW–Madison for hosting our students and giving them a glimpse into their futures!

Article and Photos Submitted by Nolan Otremba
Whitewater High School Technology and Engineering Teacher
otrno01@wwusd.org

Whitewater Common Council Candidate Forum
Saturday, March 7, 1:30PM – 3:00PM
Whitewater City Hall Council Chambers, 312 W Whitewater Street

There are three open seats on the Council with two candidates running for each seat. The candidates are:  Aldermanic District 2 (Wards 9 & 10) Gavin Kelleher and Sean Liebherr; Aldermanic District 4 (Wards 6, 7 & 8) Brian Schanen (incumbent) and Chuck Mills; and, Member at Large Aubrey Thompson and Orin Smith. All candidates have agreed to attend the forum.  

The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area sponsors candidate forums for the benefit of YOU, the voter. At the forum, you will be asked to write your questions on cards distributed by the League. Questions are reviewed by question checkers, who sort them by topic and check for redundancy, before forwarding them to the moderator. We do not accept questions targeted to specific candidates. Questions prepared by the League board will be used only if there are not enough questions provided by residents in attendance at the forum. Bring your family, friends and neighbors! Be an active participant in our democracy!

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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!

The Jefferson County Beef Producers (JCBP) are proud to announce their 1st Annual Steak Dinner, to be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Jefferson County Fair Park, located at 503 N. Jackson Ave., Jefferson, Wisconsin.

This community event is designed to bring consumers and producers together while celebrating the importance of the local beef industry. Guests will enjoy a hearty dinner featuring freshly grilled ribeye steaks, along with hotdogs, corn, baked potatoes, dinner rolls, desserts, and beverages including soda and beer. The evening will also include raffles and silent auctions, offering attendees additional opportunities to support local agriculture.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Jefferson County Beef Producers and help fund educational opportunities for both current and future beef producers. These efforts aim to strengthen the beef industry in Jefferson County and ensure its success for generations to come.

“The Jefferson County Beef Producers are dedicated to promoting and preserving the local beef industry by bridging the gap between producers and consumers,” said representatives of the organization. “This steak dinner is a great way for the community to enjoy a delicious beef dinner and socialize while supporting agriculture.”

Community members, families, and supporters of local agriculture are encouraged to attend.

For sponsorship opportunities, donations, or additional information, please contact the Jefferson County Beef Producers on Facebook or jeffersoncountybeefproducers@gmail.com.

At New Day Women’s Clinic, Every Day is International Women’s Day 

Client name changed for privacy 

Each March, National Women’s Day offers a time to celebrate and honor the women in our lives. At New Day Women’s Clinic in Whitewater, it’s also a reminder to show up for them.

Established in May 2025 as the second location of the original Delavan clinic, New Day operates as a Christian non-profit that does not accept federal funding. For 40 years, the clinic has provided a variety of free services that include pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, abortion pill reversal, STI testing, one-on-one mentoring, parenting education, and material support. 

Nurse Justine Himsel, who has been a part of New Day since 2020, leans into the clinic’s focus of connecting education with informed decision making. While a crisis can often result in panic and fear, Himsel aims to help women understand their bodies and view their decisions holistically. “Our goal is to equip and empower you on your health journey.” she said. She hopes clients walk away with a renewed sense of wonder for their bodies, and the confidence to embrace life and its possibilities. 

Equipping women to navigate challenging situations reflects the broader mission of New Day. Executive Director Gretyl Rabe believes that, “meeting people with grace starts by absolving judgement about their situation.” Financial, social, or shame-related barriers might prohibit some from seeking medical or supportive care. In response, New Day strives to provide individuals with the resources and referrals to break out of harmful cycles and enrich their lives through a newfound sense of hope.

Rabe describes success at New Day as a collaborative process that helps spark a moment of self-realization for the client. “We want to help clients have the self-efficacy to continue to overcome challenges by building those strengths and the confidence in herself,” she said. For some, that might mean overcoming homelessness. For others, it’s growing in their parenting skills. For one client, Lois, it meant receiving ongoing support through different pregnancies. 

Lois came to New Day during her first pregnancy because she lacked insurance. After her second pregnancy ended in miscarriage she recalled, “They were extremely kind and understanding and willing to put forth every effort to make me feel like I had community.” Now expecting again, Lois says, “I feel that I have every resource through them … but if I did feel that I needed additional support, they’re more than willing to help connect me to groups.”

National Women’s Day provides the perfect opportunity to recognize women and their value. As a woman-run clinic serving primarily women, New Day strives to relay that message through listening, practical care, and long-term support for women like Lois.

Would you or someone you know be interested in an appointment? At New Day, every conversation matters. “An appointment is really just two women chatting, listening, and knowing how to best care for you.” Himsel said. “Women are relationally based and so are we.” 

Schedule a tour today or visit New Day’s website to learn more about how they care for the women in our community. They can’t wait to meet you!

Website: https://ndwomensclinic.com

Appointment Line: 262-725-6977

Text Line: 262-300-7796

Located at 117 S. 2nd Street, Whitewater, WI

Editor’s note: This article was contributed by New Day Women’s Clinic.

The Whitewater Unified School District Superintendent, Samuel Karns, is publishing a monthly newsletter. Our apologies that The Banner is tardy in providing some of the highlights of the January newsletter, which was distributed on January 25. In addition to the items shown below, the newsletter also includes information regarding the property tax increases, the ACT high school assessment and a variety of other subjects. The complete newsletter may be viewed here.

January Highlights: A Day of Service

On January 12th our high school held its annual Day of Service — a meaningful way for students and staff to give back to the community that supports their educational journey. Projects took place at every school in the district, at Fairhaven, the Community Space, and even at the LaGrange Fire Station. More than 200 WHS students participated — it was a GREAT day to be a Whippet! A memorable moment worth sharing: I joined students at Fairhaven to make dog treats and watched them interact with residents. The joy on both the students and the resident’s faces was unforgettable. Please check out the recap video of the day below. We have several events coming up in February. Registration will open on February 1. On February 11, I will be at Cravath Lakefront Community Center to discuss the strategic plan, 4K registration and more updates, so please come out to engage. We will also be holding a Discovery Day for incoming 4K students on February 20; more information will be shared soon for these events.

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Preparing and Supporting Learners for State Testing

Looking ahead, many of our students will participate in statewide assessments this Spring:

• The Wisconsin Forward Exam (for students in grades 3–8 and 10) will be administered between mid-March and late April. This assessment measures progress in English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. To learn more, please access the family information flyer below by clicking the button for English or Spanish.
• Many high school students will take the pre-ACT and ACT in March as a college and career readiness evaluation. For family information on the ACT, please access the ACT high school assessment flyer below by clicking the button for English or Spanish.

These assessments provide valuable information about student learning and help our schools and staff reflect on progress and inform instruction to support all learners. At home, you can support your child’s confidence and readiness for upcoming assessments by:

• Ensuring they get adequate rest and a healthy breakfast on test days.
• Encouraging them to do their best.
• Providing reassurance that assessments are one of many tools educators use to know how to help them grow.

We deeply value the partnership between home and school. Your interest, encouragement, and support make a difference in your child’s daily learning and long-term success. Thank you for your partnership!

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Supporting Student Mental Health at Home

Families play an important role in helping students feel safe, confident, and ready to learn. While schools provide support during the day, routines and relationships at home make a powerful difference. Here are a few simple, practical ways families can support student well-being—no special training required.

Create predictable routines

Regular schedules help children and teens feel secure. Consistent bedtimes, mealtimes, and homework routines can reduce stress and improve focus. Routines don’t have to be rigid—just reliable enough that students know what to expect.

Keep communication open (and low-pressure)

You don’t need the “perfect” words. Simple check-ins like “How was your day?” or “Anything on your mind?” let students know you’re available. Listening without immediately trying to fix things can be one of the most supportive responses.

Be mindful of screen time

Technology connects us, but too much screen time—especially before bed—can affect sleep and mood. Setting screen-free times (for example, during meals or before bedtime) helps students recharge and stay present.

Teach everyday stress skills

Stress is part of life, even for kids. Help students name their feelings and try simple coping strategies: take a few deep breaths, go for a walk, listen to music, or break big tasks into smaller steps. Modeling how you manage stress sends a strong message.

Notice effort, not just outcomes

Celebrate persistence, kindness, and growth—not just grades or achievements. Feeling valued for who they are helps students build confidence and resilience.

Reach out for assistance

If you have significant concerns about your child’s mental health or notice concerning changes, please reach out for help. When seeking mental health support for your child, start with their pediatrician or school counselor, provide detailed observations, and consider immediate crisis resources (such as 988) for severe symptoms; early intervention with a specialist offers the best outcomes for managing issues and building coping skills.

Finally, remember that you’re not alone. Schools and families are partners, and reaching out for support is a sign of strength. Together, we can help every student feel supported—at school and at home.

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Website Redesign

The main district website had been changed as part of our soft launch. The redesigned website includes streamlined navigation, shortcut menus for commonly accessed pages, and enhanced search functionality to help users locate information efficiently. If you have feedback and suggestions please feel free to email us at wusdallmeansallcomm@wwusd.org .

The new website may be viewed at the same link as before.