News

Kate Winn Author and Publishing Talk

Community members are invited to join debut author Kate Winn as she discusses Reliance Road, a memoir of tender and hopeful vignettes that recalls the past, shows how lessons apply to the present, and shares her life story with future generations.

Also meet with Kira Henschel of HenschelHAUS Publishing and learn about the publishing process that took Kate Winn’s idea and transformed it into a physical book.

Q&A and signing to follow, with copies of Reliance Road available for purchase.

This event will be held in Meeting Room 1 of Whitewater Public Library at 431 W. Center St. in Whitewater on Thursday, April 30 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM

This program is for adults, but teens are welcome with an accompanying adult. Registration is preferred.

Visit whitewaterlibrary.org/events to register in advance. You may also email hswanson@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0113 to register, or with any questions. 

Southeastern Wisconsin Housing Summit to Tackle Workforce Housing Gaps

As housing costs rise and supply dwindles across Southeastern Wisconsin, regional leaders are gathering to move housing projects from vision to reality. The Southeastern Wisconsin Housing Summit will take place on Thursday, May 7, at the Zoofari Conference Center in Milwaukee.

Organized by UW–Madison Extension, the Summit addresses a critical shortage of workforce housing and the legislative and market hurdles currently facing the region. The goal of the event is to increase housing inventory and provide data to support community-level conversations on new housing development.

“A recent report by the Wisconsin Realtors Association estimated that 133,000-144,000 new housing units will be needed in Wisconsin by 2030,” said Steve Chmielewski, Community Development Educator for Extension Waukesha County. “That’s the projected number of housing units to support economic development across the state: to help people moving in for jobs, to help employers, to help schools.”

Event Details at a Glance:
● Date & Time: Thursday, May 7, 2026 – 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
● Location: Zoofari Conference Center, Milwaukee, WI
● Focus: Data-driven strategies, policy solutions, and practical development tools
● Registration: go.wisc.edu/housingsummit (registration closes May 1)

The Summit is designed for the people building and managing Wisconsin’s communities, including community leaders, employers, builders and developers, local officials, urban planners, and housing organizations/advocates. Attendees will explore high-impact topics such as overcoming NIMBYism and community opposition, manufactured/modular housing solutions, data trends, and problem-solving between local government and the private sector.

Registration includes lunch and refreshments. For more information or to register, visit go.wisc.edu/housingsummit.

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension–Walworth County.

One Safe Place – The Hope Shelter – Episode 3 is now published on YouTube, and it covers all the incredible volunteers who donate their services to help Ukrainian Refugees.

James Olm covers these volunteers and what impact they make on the shelter.

The YouTube may be viewed here.

Editor’s note: James Olm’s previous episodes of One Safe Place may be found here:

Local Resident Volunteers in Poland on the Border of Ukraine: Video shared – Whitewater Banner

Hope Shelter in Poland Helps So Many, As Witnessed By Whitewater Resident Volunteer – Whitewater Banner

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda [click on “meetings” in upper right corner] includes WHS scorecard update; WMS scorecard update; Ratification of the Whitewater Education Association (WEA) 2026-27 Collective Bargaining Agreement; 2026-27 WUSD Staffing Plan and Report; Adjourn to CLOSED SESSION, possibly to be followed by an open session: preliminary consideration of allegations of misconduct against a District employee and to discuss the Superintendent’s Mid-Year Evaluation.
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
6:00 p.m.
———————————————–
6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84343606226?pwd=SM4rTRus5a22ivrcbzI3b2TDyFnnY8.1
– Passcode: 349226
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 843 4360 6226
– Passcode: 349226

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Review and possible action: Approve recommendation of General Obligation Bond to the Common Council for Lifetime Manufacturing LLC development project in Technology Park; Discussion and possible action to approve the Down Payment Assistance Program for the Fire/EMS Department; Discussion and possible action to recommend Fire Department Recruitment & Advancement Incentive Program to Common Council; Discussion and possible action to recommend an amendment to the 2026 Salary Resolution to Common Council.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str, Whitewater, WI, 53190
*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.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/247275584778559?p=84oFBseA62QRFl3qwn
Meeting ID: 247 275 584 778 559
Passcode: YJ3Rh9jd
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,,241505337# United States
Phone conference ID: 241 505 337#

City of Whitewater Lakes Advisory Committee – Wednesday @ 4:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action on immediate plan for maintaining and improving water
quality and carp impact.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West
Whitewater Str, Whitewater, WI, 53190 *In Person
and Virtual
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 – 4:00 PM
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/216973048170222?p=fJRSrpQreMoglm3pSH

April 29 at 6 pm in Summers Auditorium on UW-Whitewater’s campus will be the premiere showing of “Beyond the Dryline” by junior journalism major and documentarian Peyton Walz. Walz participated in Dr. John Frye’s storm-chase course in 2025 as a student and, in the process, shot a documentary of the trip and course. “Beyond the Dryline” shows life on the road, the students’ learning process, their personalities, and, of course, the storms they experience. Come see the documentary, followed by a Q&A session with Walz, Frye, and others who participated in the trip.

Whitewater High School Carpentry and Construction students put their skills to work for a great cause on Friday afternoon! 

Students volunteered with United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth County, helping build bin storage for shoes that will be donated to children in need at their new office space. From design to cutting to final assembly, the entire project was completed in just one afternoon — a true showcase of their hard work and teamwork.

This was a great hands-on experience for our students, giving them the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world setting while making a meaningful impact in our community.

We’re proud of the work they did and grateful for the partnership that made it possible!

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

The UW-Whitewater Symphonic Wind Ensemble will be performing their second concert of the semester on Sunday, April 26 at 3:00 pm in The Young Performing Arts Center. The concert follows the theme from their first concert – honoring all Americans as we approach our nation’s semiquincentennial. The program will feature Aaron Copland’s poignant “Lincoln Portrait” narrated by Whitewater’s own Lynn Binnie. An additional feature will be Michael Daughtery’s “Reflections on the Mississippi” for tuba soloist and wind ensemble. UW-W alum Erieann K. Murphy will be the soloist on the imaginative work depicting scenes of the great river. The concert also includes “The Willing” dedicated to all US military personnel and first responders, “A Mother of a Revolution” by Omar Thomas, “Indian Treaty Time” by Brent Michael Davids and will close with the beautiful “From Sea to Shining Sea”, based on “America the Beautiful” by Warren Barker.

Eireann Murphy is a University Fellow and Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Mead Witter School of Music. She previously earned the Master of Music degree from the same institution after completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. An emerging tubist, she has taught masterclasses and performed at universities and conferences throughout the Midwest, including a recent performance at the Heartland Regional Tuba/Euphonium Conference. Eireann is an active chamber and orchestral musician, performing with the Robin Brass Quintet, which has been invited to compete in the Phillip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition this summer, and the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra. In addition to her work as a performer, she maintains a private studio, teaching low brass students of all levels. She is honored to return to her alma mater to present this concerto.

The concert on April 26 at 3:00 pm in the Young Performing Arts Center is open to the public with free parking. Tickets ($7 for adults, $4 for age 65+ and under age 18) are available at https://www.uww.edu/youngauditorium/ticket-services/music or at The Young on the day of the concert.

Editor’s nore: The compost site has been open since the beginning of April; our apologies for the delay in posting this announcement.

• Saturdays | 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Wednesdays | 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  
  Residents are asked to allow sufficient time to unload. The site will close promptly at the posted times.
  The compost site is available to City of Whitewater residents only.
  
  Yard Waste Disposal
  Residents may bring yard waste to the site for disposal. All materials must be removed from bags, cans, or other containers. Containers must be taken home and may not be left at the site.
  
  Compost and Wood Chips
• Residents may collect composted material or wood chips at the site.
• Residents are responsible for loading their own materials.
• A City loader will be available on the first Saturday of
  each month until the site closes for the season.
  o Please note: There will be no loader on Saturday, July 4. Instead, it will be available on Saturday, July 11.

Reminder:
Per City Ordinance 12.08.010, depositing yard waste on city streets or rights-of-way is prohibited.

Location: 599 N. Jefferson St.
Questions? Contact Public Works at (262) 473-0560.

“Marty Supreme”

Tuesday, April 28, 1 pm

(Period Drama/Comedy/Sports)

Rated R (language, violence); 2 hours, 29 minutes (2025).

1952: 23 year-old Marty Mauser (Timothee’ Chalamet) struggles and strives to be the world champion best table tennis player. His obstacles: his mother (Fran Drescher), his pregnant girlfriend, an affair with an older woman (Gwyneth Paltrow) and the current Japanese best player in the world.

9 Oscar Nominations including Best Film and Actor (Chalamet); Winner: Golden Globe Best Actor.

Chalamet IS supreme! 

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $15 and non-residents is $20. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes out of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/ 

On Tuesday, April 21st, Whitewater High School hosted their annual American Red Cross Blood Drive. The goal was to have 43 donors by the end of the drive, and they ended with 51! A special thanks to the incredible selflessness of our students, staff, and community.

National Honor Society (NHS) members were a huge help during the event, ensuring every donor felt welcomed and supported. From managing the registration desk to providing post donation snacks and care, their professionalism and hospitality were the backbone of the day’s success.

This event would not be possible without the American Red Cross. WHS extends a warm thank you to their dedicated staff for their expertise, hard work, and commitment to making the donation process safe and efficient for our volunteers.

Whether you were a first-time donor or a regular contributor, your courage and kindness made a difference.

Article and Photos Submitted by Liberty Cunningham
Whitewater High School National Honor Society Advisor
cunli01@wwusd.org