Registration for the annual FBLA Royal Ball is open!
Royal Ball is a semi-formal dance for 4K through 5th graders to be held on Friday, March 7 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. The cost is $15, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Use this link to register.
Information Submitted by Baron West
Whitewater High School FBLA Advisor
bwest@wwusd.org
Placing second in the Prepared FFA Speaking competition held recently at Whitewater High School is Whitewater FFA member, Emily Schmidt. Emily is receiving her plaque from Section 10 State FFA Sentinel, Allyssa Schauer.
Emily will go on to compete at the Sectional competition on April 2nd at East Troy High School for the chance to compete at the State level in June.
Article and Photo Submitted by Paul Majors
Whitewater High School FFA Advisor
pmajors@wwusd.org
BaristaCats Cafe and Sanctuary for Wayward Cats invites the community to a heartwarming event celebrating the joy that our feline friends bring into our lives. Join us on February 13 and 14 from 1 to 6 PM for a special experience filled with love, companionship, and of course, cats!
For a $5 donation, you will receive a personalized Pawlentine from one of our adorable coolcats. These charming tokens of affection make the perfect gift for loved ones or a cherished keepsake. As a special treat, each participant will also receive a delicious snack to share (with the kitties), generously provided by our friends at Fussie Cat.
BaristaCats Cafe and Sanctuary is more than just a café—it’s a place to relax, destress, and connect with both friendly faces and our resident kitties. We are committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment for all who visit.
Cats – Community – Coffee
Reservations are required [for which there is an additional cost besides the $5 for the Pawlentine] and space is limited, so be sure to secure your spot in advance. To book your tickets, visit https://baristacatscafe.org/reservations. Before your visit, please review our Pawlor Rules and Frequently Asked Questions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Join BaristaCats in spreading love this Valentine’s season with the purr-fect celebration at BaristaCats Cafe!
Submitted by Downtown Whitewater, Inc.
Updated 2/13/25 at 2:35 p.m. – Location of the discussion changed.
“JAMES: A NOVEL” -League of Women Voters Book Club Discussion, Part I
The League of Women Voters of Whitewater Area’s Book Club is pleased to announce the first of three discussions of the book James: A Novel by Percival Everett, on Tuesday, February 18th, starting at 6:30 PM. The discussion will be held at The Book Teller, 171 W Main Street in Whitewater. [Please note the change of location.]
Tara McKenzie-Peotter, Whitewater High School teacher, will lead the discussion
including such topics as comparing the text to Huckleberry Finn and the historical and contemporary use of the “n” word.
The book James: A Novel, is a re-imaging of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. The powerful, thought-provoking novel is written in three parts and we will be discussing each part separately.
Mark your calendars for the following two discussions:
Part II: Thursday, March 20 @ 6:30 pm – Greg Stewart, Whitewater High School teacher, will continue the book discussion with emphasis on the teaching of historical time frames and concepts such as cake walks, minstrels, slave narratives, and the Civil War.
Part III: Thursday, April 17 @ 6:30 pm – UW-Whitewater professor, Dr. Tamara
Lindsey, will lead the final session with an emphasis on topics such as emancipation, liberation, freedom and social construction theory that suggests reality and knowledge are shaped by societal agreements and shared assumptions.
A limited supply of books is available at The Book Teller. Call 262-269-9109 to hold a copy. For questions or further information please call Deb Gamble at 262-953-1946.
We invite all in the Whitewater community to join us in the discussions of the book of which The New York Times writes “below the packed dirt floor of Everett’s moral sensibility, James is an intensely imagined human being.” Let’s delve into that world together.
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.
More than 800 students graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at winter commencement, held Dec. 14, 2024, at Kachel Fieldhouse in the Williams Center.
The following students from your coverage area earned degrees from the UW-Whitewater at winter commencement:
Editor’s note: It is likely that many of these graduates came to UW-W from other areas, but in the university records they have listed Whitewater as their home.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Marijke Arreola graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Biology – BS.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Sydney Christianson graduated with the following degree: Social Work – MSW.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Adam Coleman graduated with the following degree: Marketing – BBA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Amber Cornille graduated with the following degree: Women’s and Gender Studies – BS.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Matt DeMichiel graduated with the following degree: General Business – BBA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Elizabeth Dempich graduated with the following degree: Applied Arts and Sciences – BAAS.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Christian Derenne graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: History – BSE.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Kianna Doerr graduated with the following degree: Women’s and Gender Studies – BA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Derya Fathroen graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS.
Whitewater, WI 53190: George Fedorov graduated with the following degree: Integrated Science – Business – BBA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Cooper Gosse graduated with the following degree: Management – BBA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Adam Groth graduated with the following degree: History – BA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Bianca Housworth graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Psychology – BA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Amarion Isbell graduated with the following degree: Psychology – BA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Sarah Keller graduated with the following degree: Music – BM.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Devon Knowles graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Social Work – BA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Issac Leal graduated with the following degree: Liberal Studies – BS.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Demetrius Lewis graduated with the following degree: Communication – BA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Haley Lindquist graduated with the following degree: Geography – BS.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Alissa LoCicero-Geraths graduated with the following degree: Criminology – BS.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Scott Luebke graduated with the following degree: Integrated Science – Business – BS.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Kyra Maly graduated with the following degree: Liberal Arts – AA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Thomas McCulloch graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Cybersecurity – BS.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Samantha Meister graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: General Business – BBA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Colton Meuret graduated with the following degree: Mathematics – BSE.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Inger Miles graduated with the following degree: Special Education – MSE.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Destiny Mitchell graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Early Childhood Education – BSE.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Ben Nelson graduated with the following degree: History – BA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Joyce Ngwe graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Raquel Ortiz graduated with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Yasmin Palomec-Garcia graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Criminology – BS.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Alex Phelan graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Maria Rodriguez graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Evelyn Rozenkvit graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Accounting – BBA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Camila Salazar Delgado graduated with the following degree: Psychology – BA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Lex Schuhmacher graduated with the following degree: History – BA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Eddie Slattery graduated with the following degree: Finance – BBA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Odessa Sonn graduated with the following degree: Communication – BA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Trevor Spragg graduated with the following degree: Marketing – BBA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Meena Subedi graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – DBA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Jonce Tolley graduated with the following degree: Liberal Studies With a Minor – BS.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Kaitlyn Van Wyhe graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: English – BA.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Dayna Wendelberger graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Dakota Wolf graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS.
Whitewater, WI 53190: Wenshou Wu graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Art – BA.
Approximately 633 students crossed the stage to receive their degrees at the ceremony, held at Kachel Fieldhouse in the Williams Center.
The 815-member graduating class included three international students, 58 military veterans and 138 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 80 self-identified students with disabilities received degrees.
A total of 47 students participated in the university’s Hired Before Graduation campaign, which celebrates students who landed a job, earned a job promotion, were accepted to graduate school, or started their own business before commencement.
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Whitewater area effective from 9 a.m. Wednesday until 3 a.m. Thursday. Total anticipated “light and fluffy” snowfall is 4-6″.
The Irvin L. Young Library in Whitewater will be closing at 5:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, February 12, due to inclement weather. We will resume regular hours on Thursday, February 13th.
Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
As was previously reported in The Whitewater Banner, when emergency personnel were called to the home at 505 Ventura Lane on November 21 by the report of smoke, they located a fire that had almost self-extinguished as well as a deceased person. The individual was identified as Indumathi Chilukuri, a 71-year-old female owner of the home. Since the fire appeared to be caused by arson, it was referred to the Walworth County Fire Investigation Team. All parties have now completed their investigation, allowing the Whitewater Police Department [WPD] to close the case, with a finding that Chilukuri’s death was a suicide.
Fire personnel and the investigation team determined that the starting point of the fire was the couch in the living room and that the fire appeared to be intentionally set. Police indicated that there were no signs of recent entry into the residence and no indication of foul play on the body. The Walworth County Medical Examiner’s Office also did not find any evidence of foul play but indicated that there were signs that death had occurred from carbon monoxide inhalation. Toxicology reported that Chilukuri’s level of carbon monoxide was at 68% saturation. It was stated that lethality from carbon monoxide exposure is at a level or 40% or higher. WPD’s report concludes, “Based on the results from the toxicology report, Chilukuri’s death was caused by inhalation of Soot and Products of Combustion (Carbon Monoxide exposure) due to a house fire. The Manner of Death was listed as Suicide.”
Updated 2/9/25 @ 8 p.m. to correct the time of the WUSD legislative breakfast.
Whitewater Unified School District Legislative Breakfast – Monday @ 9 a.m.
Agenda – Click on meetings in the upper right corner.
Editor’s note: The agenda contains an incorrect listing of the area legislators. The Banner has reached out to ensure that the current legislators have been invited. Sen. Nass only represents the town of LaGrange now. Otherwise, the district is represented by Rep. Brienne Brown and Sen. Mark Spreitzer.
Public Test of the Spring Primary Election Equipment – Monday @ 10 a.m.
This notice is given to inform the Public that the City of Whitewater is holding the Public Test of the Spring Primary Election Equipment. The information follows:
When: Monday, February 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: City of Whitewater Municipal Building, 2nd floor Cravath Lakefront
Conference Room, 312 W. Whitewater St.
City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Consideration to Approve and Recommend to Common Council a change in the District Zoning Map to Rezone Vacant Lots on Cedar Court from R-1 (One Family Residence District) to R-2 (One and Two Family Residence District); Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for an Electronic Message Monument Sign to be located at 401 S Elizabeth Street [Whitewater Middle School], Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for Contractor Shops to be located on Greenway Court.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
*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.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/347783733
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 347-783-733
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install
City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd floor, 312 W. Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
AGENDA includes Discussion and Possible Action regarding pedestrian safety crossing W. Main Street.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89241724935?pwd=4iqX7kimmdaVc1xfcXrmhb2C2I3IYe.1
Telephone: +1 312 626 6799 US
Webinar ID: 892 4172 4935
Passcode: 758390
City of Whitewater Community Involvement and Cable TV Commission – Thursday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
*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.
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85478113984?pwd=vJSI08WJD3u3mVjidt1pIv4bgetEPR.1
Join via audio:
+1 312 626 6799 US
Webinar ID: 854 7811 3984
Passcode: 534378
