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The community is invited to join the Winter Reading Challenge at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, which runs January 13-February 28. The challenge is for all ages, and it’s easy to participate! Pick up a bookmark at the library’s front desk. Fill in a circle for every 30 minutes that you read or listen to a book. When all of the circles are filled, return the bookmark to the library and claim your goodie bag! All entries will go into a grand prize drawing for a gift basket. There will be two winners – one in the children’s category and one in the adult and teen category. Stay cozy this winter by snuggling up with some good books!
The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact the library at 262-473-0530 with questions.

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

Rep. Brienne Brown (D-Whitewater) was sworn in on Monday, January 6 at the State Capitol as the State Representative for the 43rd Assembly District. Rep. Brown will serve on the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Veteran and Military Affairs during the 2025-2026 legislative session.

Following the ceremony, Rep. Brown released the following statement:

“I am honored to be sworn in as the next state representative for the 43rd District. It is a privilege to be able to serve our neighbors and community.

Every session is an opportunity to address the pressing issues facing Wisconsinites, and I hope to bring more voices of our district to the capitol.

This term, I look forward to building trust and serving the 43rd District. I will work to help our local farmers, veterans, and their families through my committee assignments, as well as advance policy that will benefit our children, public schools, small businesses, and our beloved UW-Whitewater.

Let’s move Wisconsin forward.”

Gov. Evers Announces State Building Commission Approves Critical UW Projects

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, chair of the Wisconsin State Building Commission, on January 10 announced the Commission approved a comprehensive budget adjustment for various University of Wisconsin (UW) System projects and authority to construct two important projects. “While it’s unfortunate that these reallocations to help support UW campuses across our state were unnecessarily delayed, I’m glad they were finally approved today to ensure these critical projects can move forward,” said Gov. Evers. “Our UW System is a central part of Wisconsin’s ability to compete in recruiting, training, and retaining a talented workforce, and it is absolutely essential that we support the UW’s important work, from these projects to robust state investments in our next budget.” The Commission’s approval of key projects today comes as Republican lawmakers on the Commission last month delayed reallocating over $70 million, made available due to other projects the Commission previously approved coming in under budget, toward critical UW System building projects that were likewise already approved by the Commission. The Commission today approved reallocating funding to support the below projects the Commission already approved:

• $29 million for an expanded UW-Madison engineering building to address critical infrastructure and facility needs, expand enrollment, degrees, and program offerings, modernize classrooms and instructional and research laboratories, and to support its goal of increasing student enrollment by 1,000 in the engineering program;
• $10.5 million for the Winther Hall/Heide Hall Entry additions and renovations at UW-Whitewater to resolve infrastructure deficiencies and improve instructional and departmental spaces throughout the facility;
• $5.4 million for the completion of Heritage Hall at UW-Stout, creating a new, unified home for the College of Arts and Human Sciences by consolidating and co-locating spaces across several facilities.

“January is Presidential: the month of the Inauguration (January 20) features biographical dramatizations of two American Presidents.”

“The Apprentice “

Tuesday, January 14, 1 PM

(Period Drama/Biography)

Rated R (language); 2 hours, 2 minutes (2024).

The story of how a young Donald Trump started his real estate business in the 1970’s and 80’s New York with the helping hand of the infamous lawyer, Roy Cohn. Starring Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong. 

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 $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our 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/

Abby Grosinske of Whitewater, WI has been named to the Chancellor’s List at Troy University for the Fall Semester/Term 2 of the 2024-2025 academic year.

The Chancellor’s List honors full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who earn a grade point average of 4.0.

About Troy University

Troy University is a public, historic, international university with 22,500 students and 154,000 alumni. Students choose TROY for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty, and flexible in-class and online class offerings. Students on the Troy, Ala. campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City, Ala., as well as at locations around the world and online.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. The second of our winter views for 2025 is this view of lots of snow on First Street. In the background is the three-story, five-storefront, building at the center of the south side of Center Street. You can barely see the storefronts. In the 1920s, the third story was removed from this building, but two stories are still extant.

In a close-up you can see three women on the sidewalk. They are standing in front of a side storefront of the old bank building (until recently, a restaurant). This was the location of a long-time millinery or hat shop and no doubt they were visiting or window shopping.

Join us again next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(3162PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #253 Declaring Energy Emergency

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced on January 9 that he signed Executive Order #253 declaring an energy emergency in the state of Wisconsin. Due to persistent challenges caused by severe regional winter weather and its impact on the distribution of residential heating fuel, including heating oil and propane, Executive Order #253 will allow for the swift and efficient delivery of these products throughout the state. “From coast to coast in the U.S., Winter Storm Blair has impacted residents and industries alike. This has increased demand for heating fuel and caused strain on delivering essential products across our state, including fuel for home heating, which is critical for the health and safety of folks during the Wisconsin winter,” said Gov. Evers. “Getting residential heating fuel like propane and heating oil moving now to those who need it will help Wisconsinites remain safe as we continue to face cool and freezing temperatures in the coming months.” According to the Public Service Commission’s Office of Energy Innovation, multiple suppliers report challenges such as long lines at terminals and having to drive further distances to collect needed products. Executive Order #253 will provide a 30-day waiver of certain state and federal hours-of-service restrictions, allowing suppliers to get caught up from weather-related delays.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Alexander Fox | PlaNet Fox from Pixabay.

Update 1/10/25 @ 5:30 p.m. – 511wi.gov is no longer showing the freeway as being closed.

A press release, shown below, from Rock County Public Works announced a road closure on I-39/90 due to a crash. Though the release does not indicate whether both sides of the interstate are closed, 511wi.gov indicates that it is only the southbound traffic that is detoured. Per below, it is expected that the detour will continue through Friday evening’s commute.

“On January 10, 2025, at approximately 11:47 a.m. a significant crash occurred on I-39/90 near mile marker 182 eastbound.  The investigation showed the accident involved a semi tractor trailer and a Rock County Department of Public Works plow.  At the time of the incident, the plow was clearing snow on the inside median as part of winter maintenance efforts following this morning’s snow event.  The semi tractor trailer struck the plow on the rear passenger side.  The driver of the plow reported being uninjured but is being evaluated at a local hospital.

Traffic on I-39/90 is currently being re-routed utilizing STH 11, CTH G and CTH BT. The anticipated length of the closure is unknown but will likely extend into the evening commute.  The Wisconsin State Patrol is currently on scene and will be investigating this incident.  County resources are supporting the incident response.”

Per 511wi.gov

I-39/90 South CLOSED from WIS 11 West/Avalon Rd to beyond Ramp from WIS 11 East/Avalon Rd because of a crash. Alternate Route – Southbound traffic will exit I-39/90 at WIS 11. West on WIS 11 to CTH G. South on CTH G to CTH BT. East on CTH BT to CTH S. Continue on CTH S back to I-39/90. Last Updated 1/10/25, 11:55 AM.