News

NOTICE: Road Construction – State Highways 59 & 89

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has announced a roadway improvement project affecting portions of State Highway 59 and State Highway 89 in and near Whitewater.

Construction is expected to begin April 1, 2026, and is anticipated to be completed by the end of June, early July, 2026, weather permitting. The project will occur in three stages.

Stage 1:
Highway 59 from the Rock/Walworth County line to Janesville Street

• Curb and gutter replacement
• Sidewalk and pedestrian ramp upgrades
• Milling existing pavement and installing new asphalt
  Traffic will be detoured using County Highway N and Highway 26.
  
  Stage 2:
  Highway 59 from Janesville Street to US 12 and Highway 89 from US 12 to Wills Ray Road
• Milling existing pavement
• Installing new asphalt
  Traffic will remain open with flagging operations.
  
  Stage 3:
  Highway 59 from the Rock/Walworth County line to Janesville Street
• High-friction surface treatment
  Traffic will again be detoured using County Highway N and Highway 26.
  Electronic message boards will be placed one week prior to closures to alert motorists. Please slow down and use extra caution when traveling through construction zones.
  Thank you for your patience during these roadway improvements.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Brad Marquardt, city director of public works.

Jefferson County Parks, in partnership with local volunteers, educators, and utilities staff, has completed the installation of a new osprey nesting platform at Dorothy Carnes Park East, marking yet another milestone in ongoing efforts to support native bird populations and enhance wildlife habitat within the park.

The installation fulfills a long-standing goal of the Friends of Rose Lake, which has advocated for a dedicated osprey nesting structure since 2019. That year, an active osprey nest had to be removed from an ATC transmission pole within the park for safety reasons, leaving the area without a suitable nesting site. Since then, Friends of Rose Lake members have worked diligently with park staff to raise funds and advance a solution that would safely accommodate returning ospreys.

Jefferson County Parks Operations Supervisor Rolland “JR” Klement led the project on behalf of the Jefferson County Parks, coordinating fundraising, design, and installation with numerous partners.  Students from Fort Atkinson High School provided a key educational component under the guidance of ecology teacher Stephanie Schreiner. Students in her ecology class assisted with assembling the nesting structure, gaining hands-on experience in conservation, ecology, and community service.

On February 24, crews from Jefferson Utilities came on site to drill and set the pole that now supports the osprey platform. Jefferson Utilities also donated the pole and assembly hardware for the structure.  The successful installation reflects a true team effort involving county staff, students, utility professionals, Friends of Rose Lake volunteers, and other community supporters.

Nesting platforms have played a critical role in the long-term return of ospreys and bald eagles to southern Wisconsin. Once nearly eliminated from the region due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and human disturbance, these raptors have rebounded in recent decades thanks to conservation efforts, cleaner waterways, and the availability of safe nesting structures. Purpose-built platforms reduce conflicts with infrastructure, increase nesting success, and help anchor breeding pairs to suitable habitats near lakes and wetlands.

Beyond the osprey platform, Fort Atkinson High School students and Friends of Rose Lake volunteers continue to install and maintain wildlife habitat throughout the park system. Their ongoing stewardship includes more than 30 wood duck nesting boxes, 25 bluebird houses, four purple martin “condos,” and two kestrel boxes, all monitored and maintained by these two groups to support healthy breeding populations.

Creating and maintaining nesting habitat is especially important for species such as purple martins and bluebirds, which rely almost entirely on human-provided structures due to the loss of natural cavities and competition from invasive species. These efforts not only help sustain local bird populations but also provide educational and observational opportunities for park visitors, students, and families.

The osprey nesting platform at Dorothy Carnes Park East stands as a clear testament to the power of partnerships. Through collaboration, shared vision, and volunteer commitment, local organizations and residents continue to make Jefferson County’s parks stronger, more resilient, and richer in natural resources for future generations.

For more information about Jefferson County Parks, visit https://parks.jeffersoncountywi.gov/.

Editor’s Note: The above was provided by Jefferson County Parks Department.

Monday, March 23rd through Thursday, March 26th there will be free kids’ movies at the library! Grab your pillows, grab your blankets, and lounge at the library with snacks and cinema. Showtime is 11:00 a.m. in Meeting Room 1.

Per our movie license, all movie titles are listed on our website:
https://whitewaterpl.librarycalendar.com/events/month

If you have any questions, please contact Deana Rolfsmeyer at (262) 458-2788 or
drolfsmeyer@whitewater-wi.gov

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Canva.

I am seeking re-election to the Whitewater School Board because this community and our schools mean a great deal to my family and me. Whitewater has been our home for the past 27 years, and it is where my husband and I chose to raise our children. We have two children who have grown up in Whitewater schools. Our oldest is a graduate of Whitewater High School, and our youngest is currently a freshman at WHS. Watching my children grow and succeed here has reinforced how important strong public schools are to our community.

I am a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, and my connection to the district is both personal and professional. I have been an educator for 22 years and currently work as a special education teacher. This experience allows me to relate firsthand to the work of educators and the needs of students. I also hold a master’s degree in Educational Leadership.

For the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving on the Whitewater School Board, and I am currently the sitting Board President. In this role, I have worked collaboratively with fellow board members and district leadership to support students, staff, and families while helping guide important decisions for the district. I have also had the opportunity to be part of the hiring of our new superintendent.

Beyond the board, I stay actively involved in our community through organizations such as the Whitewater High School Athletic Booster Club, Whitewater LEADS, and the Parks and Recreation Board. Prior to that, I served on the Whitewater Middle School PTO for three years, including my final year as PTO president.

I am proud of the progress our district has made and excited about the positive momentum in our schools. With the addition of our new superintendent, Samuel Karns, and his leadership in strengthening connections among our board, schools, families, and community, I believe it is important to maintain continuity and stability on the board to keep this work moving forward.

Serving on the school board has been a true honor, and I would appreciate the opportunity to continue serving our community and supporting the success of every student in Whitewater.

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Stephanie Hicks. The Whitewater Banner welcomes a submission to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com from Common Council, School Board or Town Board candidates for the city and nearby towns.

The Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs (WFWC) is pleased to announce that its Ladies and Young Ladies Tea Party will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Whitewater’s beautiful Bassett House, 708 W. Main Street in Whitewater.

We will have two seatings: First Seating 1:00 to 2:00 PM, and Second Seating 3:30 to 4:30 PM. All ladies over six years old are welcome. Delicious refreshments, tea, and lemonade will be served in the charming ambiance of one of Whitewater’s loveliest old homes. This is a wonderful spring tradition that you won’t want to miss.

Ticket prices are $35 for an adult and a child; $10 for additional children; and $30 for a single adult. Make checks out to the WFWC and mail them to Linda Robinson at 957 W. Highland Street/Whitewater, WI 53190. Alternatively, you may pay via Paypal to Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs. In either case, please indicate the number of adults attending, the number of children attending (if any), and First or Second Seating. Space is limited, so buy your tickets soon! The ticket purchase deadline is April 13, 2026.

All proceeds will go to the Bassett House Preservation Fund, which the WFWC will use to ensure the preservation of the Bassett House, one of Whitewater’s oldest historic homes.

For more information, contact Linda Robinson at linrob73@gmail.com

Editor’s Note: The above was provided by The Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Rock Lake is a popular destination for many fishermen – both in the summer and during the ice cover. The fishery is in good condition because of the variety of habitat in Rock Lake such as the bulrush bed in Korth Bay, the variety of native aquatic plants, and rocks that are found mostly on the eastern shore. However, there is a shortage of one type of habitat in the lake: wood. In order to change this situation, trees must be installed in the water at various locations around Rock Lake. Rock Lake Improvement Association members along with the local Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fish Biologist and Jefferson County Water Resource Specialist worked to install fish sticks on February 9, 2026. (Fish sticks consist of multiple whole trees, including branches, bundled together and anchored to shore or the lake bed, partially to fully submerged under water.) More fish sticks are planned in the future.

Fish sticks are recommended where the density of trees in a lake is less than 200 trees per mile of shoreline. A 2016 wood survey on Rock Lake found 55 trees in the water, amounting to just 7.5 trees per mile. In order to improve this number, the Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD) obtained a DNR grant to install fish sticks in Rock Lake adjacent to the Glacial Drumlin Trail. The Rock Lake Improvement Association helped to provide funds and coordinate the project.

The DNR approved installation of the fish sticks along the shore and the City of Lake Mills Parks Staff agreed to supply the trees that would be used. The trees are ones that the City was planning to take down anyway.

The fish and wildlife of Rock Lake will benefit greatly from the partnership between the Rock Lake Improvement Association, the City of Lake Mills, the County, and the DNR. Almost all of the fish species in the lake use woody habitat for a portion of their lifecycle. Depending on the species, the habitat provides areas for spawning, shelter, and feeding. The fish sticks can also benefit creatures that use the parts of the trees that will be above the water by providing nesting and sunning areas for birds and turtles.

The contractor, Forest Landscaping & Construction, Inc., helped to transport and place the trees at the installation location. A total of five trees varying in size were placed and connected to form this fish stick. When the ice melts, the trees will drop into the water so that the majority of the trees are underwater and a small portion is above water. Please note, it is always a good idea when in shallow waters near shore to watch for structures under water to prevent damage to boat propellers and hulls.

In order to further improve the woody habitat in lakes, we recommended that homeowners leave the trees that naturally fall into the water in place if possible, and plant native shrubs and trees that will become fish habitat in the distant future. For more tips on improving fish habitat or to learn more about the fish stick projects on Rock Lake, contact Colton Hutchinson (CHutchinson@jeffersoncountywi.gov, 920-674-7111).

Editor’s Note: The above was provided by the Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department.

Moody’s Ratings has assigned an Aa3 rating to the Whitewater Unified School District’s planned $13.6 million issuance of general obligation promissory notes.

Moody’s also maintained the district’s Aa3 issuer rating and Aa3 rating on its outstanding general obligation unlimited tax bonds. Following the sale, WUSD will have approximately $34 million in outstanding general obligation unlimited tax debt.

Promissory notes are a type of short-term borrowing used by school districts to finance projects and manage capital needs. According to Moody’s, the rating reflects WUSD’s growing local economy, stable enrollment, adequate reserves, and modest debt levels.

“This strong credit rating reflects our commitment to responsible financial management and long-term planning,” said Superintendent Samuel Karns. “We are proud to maintain a high rating from Moody’s while continuing to invest in our schools and support the educational needs of our students and community.”

Moody’s noted that WUSD benefits from its location, approximately 50 miles from both Madison and Milwaukee, as well as the presence of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, which plays a significant role in supporting local economic activity.

The agency also reported that the district’s tax base continues to grow, driven by recent residential and commercial development. New housing construction and population growth are expected to help maintain stable enrollment.

Financial indicators remain solid, with the district’s available fund balance ratio at 18 percent and its net cash ratio at 14 percent in Fiscal Year 2025. The district projects balanced general fund operations in the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years.

To learn more about WUSD’s rating, visit https://ratings.moodys.com/ratings-news/460247.

Walworth County Public Works manages about 400 miles of county highways, striving to keep them clean and beautiful. To help maintain our roads and eliminate litter, Public Works invites individuals, families, businesses, and civic organizations to participate in the Adopt-a-Highway program. 

This volunteer program allows groups and individuals to “adopt” a stretch of roadway—two miles or less—by cleaning up litter at least three times per season. 

If residents are interested in getting involved, there are several highway segments available for adoption on County Highways A, B, C, D, DD, ES, K, M, O, and X.  

Walworth County urges drivers to stay alert, watch for Adopt-A-Highway volunteers, and slow down around them. 

For more information about Adopt-A-Highway or to adopt a section, please contact Walworth County Public Works at 262-741-3114, option 1. 

Editor’s Note: The above was provided by Walworth County.

On Saturday, March 14th, Whitewater High School’s music department sent 74 events to District Solo and Ensemble with 28 events qualifying for the state competition that will be hosted by UW Whitewater on April 25th. Congratulations to every single performer for representing our school district well and sharing your musical talent. We wish good luck to our future state performers. 

Article and Photos Submitted by MacKenzie Gehrke
Whitewater High School Vocal Music Instructor
gehma01@wwusd.org