News

Walworth County Real Estate for Sale


Walworth County Treasurer Valerie Etzel announces the sale of county-owned properties. Sealed bids are invited and will be accepted by the Walworth County Treasurer’s Office, 100 W. Walworth, Room 103, PO Box 1001, Elkhorn, WI 53121, until 10:00 a.m., August 28, 2024.

Please visit the Walworth County website at www.co.walworth.wi.us and under the Treasurer’s Department page click on “Treasurer In Rem Tax Foreclosures” [on the left side of the page] for instructions, a complete property listing, and official bid form. Properties are located in the towns of Bloomfield, Delavan, East Troy, Lyons, Richmond, Sugar Creek and Troy; village of Sharon; cities of Elkhorn and Lake Geneva.

Specific questions may be directed to the Walworth County
Treasurer’s Office (262)741-4251; email treasurer@co.walworth.wi.us.

GWC Hosting UW-W Athletics Director Ryan Callahan

The Greater Whitewater Committee is Set to Host Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Ryan Callahan, as a Guest Speaker at the August Meeting.  

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) is set to host UW-Whitewater Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Ryan Callahan, at the upcoming August meeting. Callahan will be presenting on the state of athletics at the university.

Ryan Callahan was named Interim Director of Intercollegiate Athletics in May, 2019, and assumed the position on a permanent basis in July of 2021.

As the Director of Athletics, Ryan Callahan is responsible for the oversight of the Warhawks’ 22 varsity programs and is a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet. Callahan started working at UW-W in 2007, including a period as Director of Continuing Education, after several years of playing for the San Francisco Giants as a pitcher. 

Ryan Callahan is a UW-Whitewater graduate. He was a pitcher for the Warhawk baseball team from 2001-04. He was a three-time all-conference selection and part of three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season championships, two conference tournament titles, and three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a 2004 trip to the NCAA Championship round. He was inducted into the UW-Whitewater Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. 

The GWC’s upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 8th at 7 a.m. at 841 Brewhouse: 841 E Milwaukee St, Whitewater, WI 53190. The public is more than welcome to attend this meeting to hear more about UW-W intercollegiate athletics. If interested in attending, you must RSVP. To reserve your spot, contact Jeff Knight at jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662 by Wednesday, August 7.

“We are very excited to have Ryan Callahan speak at our upcoming GWC meeting,” said GWC President, Jeffery Knight, “ We are interested to learn more about the state of the UW-Whitewater athletic program.”

About the GWC

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

Listening Session Tonight Re: Proposed Multifamily Development at Moraine View Pkway & Jakes Way

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

The Plan and Architectural Review Commission agenda for Monday, August 12 includes consideration of a Conditional Use Permit and site plan review for a multifamily development which is proposed to be located on an 11.36 acre vacant parcel at the corner of Jakes Way and Moraine View Parkway. It is anticipated that construction would take place in two phases, ultimately consisting of 8, 16-unit buildings. The image above is not representative of the project, which would consist of two-story buildings. (See images below.) Comprehensive information about the proposal may be found in the Plan Commission agenda.

A meeting tonight, Thursday, August 8, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Municipal Building, will provide an opportunity for residents and property owners in the area to learn about the proposed project. City staff will give an overview of the proposal, answer questions and respond to any concerns.

Exterior project design included in Plan Commission agenda

Concert in the Park on Thurs. – Palmyra-Eagle Community Band

Cooler weather is on the way and we are ready for another great Thursday Night 7 p.m. FREE Concert In The Park @ Cravath Lakefront Park Amphitheater.

The Palmyra- Eagle Community Band is one of our local favorites and we can’t wait to see them again THIS Thursday at 7 p.m.!! Grab your dinner, a chair or blanket, and mosquito repellant — and join us for a great evening!

Local Student Graduates from Cedarville University

CEDARVILLE, OH (08/05/2024)– Mina Truesdale, from Whitewater, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in BS in Chemistry from Cedarville University.

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 5,456 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation, and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about Cedarville University, visit www.cedarville.edu.

Celebration of 25th Anniversary of Whitewater Community ESL Program a Tremendous Success

Founders Sandra Heyer and Jorge Islas Martínez address the crowd


Nearly 300 people filled the 841 Brewhouse banquet hall last Friday, July 26, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Community ESL (English as a Second Language) Program of Whitewater.

The gala, which included music, dinner, a recognition ceremony and dance, honored the many individuals and organizations that have partnered with founders Jorge Islas Martínez and Sandra Heyer over the years to teach English and life-skills to language
learners and families new to the area.

Members from all sectors of the community—education, business, city government, health care, social services, etc.— and many past and present students, teachers and their families attended.

The owner of the 841 Brewhouse, Jim Burns, says it was the most heavily-attended event they’ve hosted in recent years.

Honored contributors to the ESL Program were: Sarah S. Lynn, Anjie Kokan, José A. Martínez, Marlene Martínez, Margaret Fischer, Simone McKinney, Wallace Sherlock, Terilyn Robles, Alisson Keiser, Jessie Dugan, Katherine Konover, Susan Huss-Lederman, Silvana Del Val, Maritza Guerra Sucuc, Jesús Vargas, Margaret Jones, Antonio Cortez, Jennifer Paulson, Marta Aranda, Henrrique Alas Melgar, Rita C. Luna, Yasmin Palomec García, and Mireyda Palomec Cortes. In addition, Islas-Martínez
received a special honor from Voces de la Frontera for his community advocacy.

The Whitewater Community ESL Program would like to thank the many individuals and organizations that supported the event. Among them were: the Mexican Consulate, Voces de la Frontera, Whitewater Unites Lives, the Immigrant Support Coalition,
Rainbow Community Care, Planned Parenthood, Whitewater Unified School District, Fort Community Credit Union, Associated Bank, Premier Bank, Katzman Farm, Soberalski Immigration Law Firm, Open Arms Free Clinic, Rock River Clinic, the Methodist Church, and McCullough’s Pharmacy. A special thanks to The Community Space for its support and to Marco Wence, who provided music. There were many others in attendance who contributed to a wonderful showing of community spirit.

Lisa Huempfner
Immigrant Support Coalition

Editor’s note: A previous article on the Banner provides additional background about the Community ESL program.

Memory Cafe Presents Bowl-A-Rama!

Please note the new location for the Memory Cafe at the Whitewater Senior Center in Starin Park. The library will be under construction very soon, and the Senior Center will be our home for the foreseeable future.  As always, registration is requested, but never required. Online registration is available at librarymemoryproject.org/events

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library.

Electronics & Appliance Recycling Event

The Fall Electronics & Appliance Recycling Event will be held on Saturday, August 17 from 8-11 a.m. at the Jefferson County Fair Park (503 N. Jackson Ave, Jefferson). The event is open to households only. You do not need to register for the event! Simply, come to the Jefferson County Fair Park between 8 and 11 a.m. Fees apply for some items. Feel free to bring items from multiple residences/ families.

Recyclable Items with NO Recycling Fees: Amplifiers, Bread Makers, Cables, Calculators, Camera Equipment, CD Players, Cell Phones, Coffee Makers, Computer Mice, Computer Towers, Controllers, Copiers (desktop), Cordless Phones, Curling Irons, Digital Cameras, DVD Players, DVRs, Eight-Track Tape Players, Electronic Toys, Fax Machines (desktop), Film Cameras, Flat Irons, Food Processors, Game Systems, GPS Devices, Hair Dryers, Headsets, Keyboards, Lab Equipment, Landline Telephones, Laptops, Lawn and Garden Equipment (electric only), Microphones, Mixers, Modems, MP3 Players, Netbooks, Paper Shredders, Phone Systems, Power Cords, Power Tools, Printers (desktop), Record Player, Robotic Equipment, Rotary Phones, Routers, Satellite Phones, Satellite Receivers, Saws, Scanners (desktop), Servers, Sewing Machines, Speakers, Tablets, Toasters, Turntables, Vacuum Cleaners, and MORE! NO BATTERIES OR BULBS ACCEPTED!

Flat Screen and Tube TVs (per unit):

  • 29” and under = $20.00
  • 30” to 49” = $40.00
  • 50” to 69” = $60.00
  • Wooden Console (any size) = $60.00
  • Projection (any size) = $60.00
  • 70+”=$70.00 + $1.00 for every inch larger than 70”

Freon & Appliances:

  • Microwaves / Large Copy Machines: $15 Each
  • Mini Fridges / Small AC Units / Dehumidifiers: $20 Each
  • Refrigerators / Larger Freezers: $35 Each
  • Stoves / Washers / Dryers / Dishwashers: $25 Each


No hazardous waste, latex paint or unused prescription drugs will be collected at this event. Please refer to our website on how to properly dispose of these items. For information about this or upcoming events, go to www.Jeffersoncountywi.gov/cleansweep or call Kim at 920-674-7430.

Editor’s note: All City of Whitewater residents are eligible to participate in this event, even if they reside in Walworth County. Jefferson County has an agreement with Walworth County

Employers “How to Hire” International Workers Conference – Tuesday


Are you looking for employees and are interested in learning more about the best way to hire from the Newcomer populations in Wisconsin?

The Jefferson County Human Resources Management Association (JCHRMA) has recently embarked on an exciting new chapter! We are laser-focused on empowering local and Wisconsin HR professionals and business owners to tap into the talent of newcomer workers from immigrant, ESL and refugee communities through programs like humanitarian parole, Welcome Corps, visas, and international workforce/asylee initiatives.

Join us for this groundbreaking event designed for business owners and hiring managers to gain invaluable insights into hiring best practices, cultural understanding and the nuances of employing diverse populations.

We’ll cover successful integration strategies for newcomers with your existing workforce, including transportation, housing, ESL/ELL support with technology, and retention tactics. Success stories will be highlighted.

Additionally, we’ll discuss training opportunities surrounding basic skills, soft skills, and available resources to facilitate a smooth onboarding process.

Keynotes from industry leaders will kickstart enlightening discussions. A comprehensive hiring manual and website will be developed after the conference, putting valuable resources at your fingertips.

The conference agenda may be found here.

Let’s make a real impact together in Wisconsin and beyond. Register now and be part of this transformative conference.

For more details or to get involved, reach out to Matt Glowacki at President@JCHRMA.org.

Hope to see you on August 6th. Space is limited, please register soon. We will be at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 800 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190. The event venue is the Hamilton Room in the James R. Connor University Center. A continental breakfast and box lunch will be served. Please notify me if you have any specific food preferences or allergies. We will be parking in lot 12 and 14. We do need your license plate number on the vehicle you will be arriving with to pay for your on-campus parking for the day. Please email your plate information to President@JCHRMA.org

Editor’s note: We are sorry for the late notice of this event, which we just happened upon. It appears that space may still be available, as the registration button is still functional. General registration is $65 plus $6.21 in fees, and government/agency fee is $49 plus $5.13 in fees.