News

Sheriff Travis Maze reports that on October 16, 2024 at 10:36 a.m., Deputies responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on CTH U [reportedly near Fremont Road] in the Town of Cold Spring.

Preliminary investigation at the scene shows that a vehicle was traveling eastbound on CTH U when it crossed over the centerline and struck a vehicle that was traveling westbound. Both vehicles had lone occupants in them.

The driver of the eastbound vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the westbound vehicle was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Fort Atkinson Fire Department, Whitewater Police and Fire Departments, and the Jefferson County Medical Examiner.

The incident is still being investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

On Thursday evening, October 17, 6:30 PM-8 PM, Ramona Williams, Regional Coordinator for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, will address the present state of women’s reproductive choices in Wisconsin and the same for the LGBTQ+ community’s fundamental right to bodily autonomy. The program, A Path Forward: Protecting the Healthcare Rights of Women and LGBTQ+ Community, will be held in the Cravath Lakefront Community Center, 341 S Fremont Street. 

Ramona “Mona” Williams has been with Planned Parenthood since 2014 and has worked in a variety of roles from abortion counseling to health center management, before deciding that community outreach and organizing was her calling. A little over two years ago, Mona moved to Madison, Wisconsin from a small town in southern Illinois to continue her career in reproductive justice in a state with a vastly different and more challenging political landscape. 

Please join us on October 17th to learn what is happening in the State of Wisconsin with regard to women’s right to privacy in reproductive choice and LGBTQ+ healthcare rights. 

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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!

Baha’is and Friends Autumn Meditation Retreat

Saturday, October 19
1:30 PM – 5 PM

Buryat Fields (Popke Farm), Whitewater, Wisconsin

Join us to practice nature meditation and transition into the season of winter, as we commemorate those family and friends who have ended their earthly lives during the past year. Wear clothes appropriate for any type of weather since we will be meeting outside. Bring your favorite lawn chair and be ready to gather in the Buryat tradition – you know what that means.

RSVP to Suzanne so we have enough refreshments at intsim@idcnet.com

Contact Suzanne or Zachary for more information at 262-490-6067 (Suz) or 920-397-8513 (Zac)

“Friday Afternoon Tea Time Visitors at Village at Trippe Lake” – Photo by Mark Dorn

Our thanks to Mark Dorn for sharing this great photo of sandhill cranes.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!

The tickets may be purchased online. Alternatively the QR code below will access the form. [Sorry, there are only two ways left!] Reservations are accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, October 18 or until sold out.

Update 10/15/24 @ 12:20 p.m. – Community Development Authority Board of Directors agenda added.

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for Vacant Lot 4 at Cedar
Court for a planned residential development to call for a duplex; Discussion and Recommendation to Council Regarding Annexation of Parcel at N9618 and N9622 Howard Road, Town of Whitewater, Owned by Michael Mason, Including Zoning Map Designation and Certified Survey Map Approval; Discussion and possible approval for a Conditional Use permit for an 18-foot pylon sign and more than 1 wall sign for Dollar Tree to be located at 1441 W Main Street.
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/301922029
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 301-922-029
United States: +1 (872) 240-3412
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

City of Whitewater Alcohol Licensing Committee – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes appeal of the denial of a beverage operator’s license
Whitewater Municipal Building Cravath Lakefront
Room, 2nd Floor, 312 West Whitewater St.,
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.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81342413169?pwd=cjMMYRMOgSwPUQ6SEOWxfVteEmvxQW.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID:813 4241 3169
Passcode: 566469

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Fitch & Associates Whitewater Police Department Organizational and Workload Study presentation; ATV/UTV Data update; Update on Whitewater Middle School parking on Elizabeth Street; Mid Block crosswalks on Main Street by UW Whitewater; Presentation and brief overview of draft 2025 budget; Discussion and Possible Action regarding changing winter parking restrictions to start December 1 instead of November 1; Discussion and Possible Action regarding WPD request for proposals-Public Safety Referendum Communications Firm
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 click the link below to join
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85183483921?pwd=2QXCtaFWNl5qGeP3lSlSOqPFW1rPGF.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 851 8348 3921
Passcode: 245344

City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action on Capital Campaign implementation for WAFC upgrades.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor, 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 Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82801219900?pwd=JRaIgKXoaeHymJYN0JOyGBbj4oqjas.1
Meeting ID: 828 0121 9900
Passcode: 978114
One tap mobile
+13092053325,,82801219900#,,,,978114# US +13126266799,,82801219900#,,,,978114# US (Chicago)

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action regarding Request for Proposal (RFP) for demolition of the
108 West Main Street building (EDD Zeinert), Discussion and possible action regarding Request for Proposal (RFP) for the demolition of the 216 East Main Street building (EDD Zeinert), and closed session re: Consideration and possible action regarding Development Agreement with Tanis.
(In-Person & Virtual)
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
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/82244534281?pwd=OxaO933yrs5h45YyRnnRdlV6jTYtKA.vm2j4MY31USfiJSs
Or Telephone:
Dial +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Webinar ID: 822 4453 4281
Passcode: 627030

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Community Foundation.

The Whitewater Community Foundation is now accepting applications for Fall Community Action Grants.  Grants will be awarded to local non-profit organizations actively working to support the greater Whitewater community. 

Qualified projects should be intended for educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent purposes that will benefit and improve the greater Whitewater community.  Consideration will also be made based on the results of the 2023 Civic Summit, when more than 30 community members, business leaders, educators, nonprofit organizers, and others determined key areas for improvement in Whitewater:

• Communicating to Whitewater’s diverse population in English and Spanish, making signage bi-lingual, coordinating communication to all groups, and providing opportunities for people of different backgrounds, age groups, etc. to integrate to help meet community needs;
• Housing assistance, affordability and accessibility for families and professionals seeking to purchase homes;  
• Marketing Whitewater by coordinating and cross-pollinating events, calendars and volunteer opportunities.

Projects are expected to be accomplished within a specific period of time (generally not more than one year) and should be creative, innovative and address community needs.  Interested organizations can find more information and fill out an application at site https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/community-action-grants/ The deadline for submitting applications is October 31, 2024.

Kat Mawhinney, WCF Board Member who chairs the Community Action Grant Selection Committee, said, “We are pleased to be able to offer these grants to organizations helping to make the Whitewater community stronger.”

Organizations interested in pursuing a Whitewater Community Foundation Action Grant should check out the Whitewater Community Foundation web https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/  or contact Kat at 262-473-1403.

The Foundation continues to provide and host scholarships for Whitewater High School students and also offers fiscal sponsorship to organizations that are seeking 501(c) (3) status or require temporary pass-through funds for worthy community projects.

More information about the Whitewater Community Foundation can be found at whitewatercommunityfoundation.org and on Facebook. 

The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to “enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.”

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.

Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis volunteers helped to clean up Highway 12 from County O to County H in La Grange recently. Pictured here are Steve Ryan (L) and Steve Smith. Others not in the picture who helped are Lynn Binnie, Rick Halvorson, and Darsha Olsen.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving  the world one child and one community at a time.