News

The WHS Class of 1976 will be celebrating our 50th high school reunion the weekend of August 14th -16th.  

If you haven’t sent in your response form, there’s still time to participate in the festivities!

Whitewater Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Program is in full swing! Bookworms and aspiring bookworms of every age are invited to read books, win prizes, and attend fun, FREE events. Here is next week’s lineup for children and teens:

Build a Box Fort
Monday, July 20th 
4:00-5:00 PM
All ages
No registration required
We provide the boxes; you build the fort.

Boba Mixology Teen Workshop
Tuesday, July 21st 
3:00-4:30 PM
Ages 12-18
Registration required
Idyllic Bubble Tea House will be offering a hands-on Boba Mixology Experience where kids will explore the culture and history behind bubble tea while creating their own custom drink combinations. Participants will experiment with four unique tea bases, authentic premium toppings, and a variety of boba to design delicious, one-of-a-kind creations.  

Storytime
Wednesday, July 22nd
9:30 AM
Ages 0-5
Stories, songs, and general silliness with Miss Deana! No registration required.

Stuffed Animal Sleep Over
Thursday, July 23rd 
3:30-4:30 PM  
Ages 0-11
Do you ever wonder what your stuffies do at night?  Bring them to the library for a story and a bedtime snack and see what kind of trouble they can get up to!  Stuffies can be picked up on Friday morning starting at 9:00 a.m.

The Wisconsin DNR allowed the Air Quality Advisory for southeast WI to expire at 6 PM CDT Friday.

• The latest model guidance suggests smoke will return to southern Wisconsin later Saturday and then linger into Sunday. The approximate arrival windows are: lighter concentrations from 9 AM to Noon, moderate concentrations from 5 to 8 PM, and higher concentrations from roughly 8 PM to 2 AM Saturday. Continued northerly winds could thicken the smoke Saturday night. Light and variable winds will probably allow the smoke to linger into Sunday.

Heat and humidity persist into the first half of Saturday.

• Saturday: Air temperatures in the upper 80s, with heat index values in the upper 80s to middle 90s. Values may approach 100 in far southeast WI. A cooling trend kicks in from north to south in the afternoon. 
• Sunday: Air temperatures in the lower to middle 80s, with identical heat index values. Noticeably lower humidity is anticipated. Slightly cooler temperatures are possible in far eastern Wisconsin due to a lake breeze. 

Chance for showers and thunderstorms:

• Saturday: 20-40% chance of showers and storms (mainly south of I-94) along a front that will track southward during the morning hours. The main hazards would include gusty winds, small hail and cloud-to-ground lightning. The afternoon chance of storms trended downward and only includes far southeast WI.
• Sunday: Dry weather is expected. 

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week we present this photo, probably from the early 2000’s of local historian Fred Kraege. He is sitting by his volumes of local history research he prepared over many years of research and reading old editions of the Whitewater Register. He donated his works to the Whitewater Public Library, where they are available today for local history researchers. Fred is one of the local historians honored in the exhibit currently running at the Whitewater Arts Alliance gallery in the White Building. He represents the local historians who added to our understanding of Whitewater’s history in the 20th century. Come see the exhibit running through July 26, 12:00-4:00, Thursdays through Sundays at the Arts Alliance building, 402 W. Main Street.

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

(Whitewater Historical Society photo)

Nate Parrish, President & CEO of First Citizens State Bank, is pleased to announce that Jessica Islas has been promoted to Assistant AML/CFT/OFAC [Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism/Office of Foreign Assets Control] Officer at the Whitewater Main Office, located at 207 W Main Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin.

A member of the Whitewater community, Jessica has been with First Citizens State Bank since 2019. Throughout her tenure, she has served in several key roles, including Teller Supervisor, Bookkeeping, and AML/CFT/OFAC Assistant, gaining valuable experience in retail banking operations, regulatory compliance and operational support. Her broad knowledge of the bank’s operations combined with her dedication to providing exceptional service and ensuring regulatory compliance, has prepared her well for her new role as Assistant AML/CFT/OFAC Officer. Jessica’s promotion reflects both her commitment to professional excellence and First Citizens State Bank’s dedication to developing talent from within.

In making the announcement, Nate Parrish said, “We are excited to congratulate Jessica on her promotion to Assistant AML/CFT/OFAC Officer. She has been an integral part of our BSA [Bank Secrecy Act] team, consistently stepping up to strengthen our compliance efforts. This promotion is well deserved, and we look forward to her continued success in this role.”

Jessica commented, “I’m honored to step into the role of Assistant AML/CFT/OFAC Officer at First Citizens State Bank. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to an organization that values integrity, compliance and strong customer relationships. I look forward to continuing to support our customers and communities by helping safeguard the bank through effective risk management and regulatory compliance.”

First Citizens State Bank, locally owned and operated since 1863, is committed to serving the communities in which we live, work, and do business. The bank takes pride in building lasting partnerships with organizations, businesses, and individuals
throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. First Citizens State Bank has Full-service offices in Whitewater, East Troy and Palmyra. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Whitewater officers responded to a residence on S. Summit Street for a reported physical domestic abuse incident in progress. Upon arrival, officers immediately secured the scene, separated the parties involved, and investigated the reported incident. As a result of the initial investigation, arrests were made related to the domestic disturbance.

While officers were investigating the incident, they observed evidence in plain view indicating illegal controlled substances were present inside the residence. Due to the nature of their findings, detectives with the Whitewater Police Department responded to assist with the investigation. Detectives subsequently obtained a search warrant for the residence. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of suspected illegal narcotics and drug-related items, including the following:

• 26 grams of psilocybin mushrooms
• 10.78 pounds of marijuana/THC
• Cocaine
• Amphetamine
• Suspected Ketamine (currently undergoing additional laboratory testing for confirmation)
• Numerous items of drug paraphernalia
  As a result of the investigation, Timothy Zeimet, a 38-year-old Whitewater resident, was arrested and confined in the
  Walworth County Jail on the following charges:
• Possession with intent to deliver psilocybin mushrooms
• Maintaining a drug trafficking place
• Possession with intent to deliver marijuana/THC
• Possession of cocaine
• Possession of amphetamine
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
  
  Additionally, Emily Seidl, a 30-year-old Whitewater resident, was arrested and confined in the Walworth County Jail on the following charges:
• Disorderly conduct – domestic abuse enhancer
• Battery – domestic abuse enhancer
• Possession with intent to deliver psilocybin mushrooms
• Maintaining a drug trafficking place
• Possession with intent to deliver marijuana/THC
• Possession of cocaine
• Possession of amphetamine
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

The Whitewater Police Department is committed to conducting thorough, professional, and impartial investigations into every incident reported to our agency. We take every complaint, allegation, and criminal investigation seriously, regardless of its nature or complexity. Keeping drugs off our streets and out of our community is a priority for this department, and we remain committed to actively investigating drug-related offenses while working to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works, and visits Whitewater. This investigation remains active. Additional charges may be referred as evidence continues to be processed and laboratory analysis completed.

The Whitewater Police Department reminds the public that criminal charges are merely accusations. Unless a judgement of conviction is entered, the arrestees/defendants are presumed to be innocent of all charges. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Whitewater Police Department at (262) 473-0555 [option 4] or submit anonymous tips through www.P3Tips.com.

Editor’s note: This press release was received from the Whitewater Police Department.

Dare to Dream JR. is a vibrant musical revue that weaves together timeless classics, contemporary favorites, and reimagined medleys to celebrate a century of Disney magic. An eager group of young trainees attend their first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio, where they must first discover their own dreams in order to help others achieve theirs. The team works together to explore the power of dreams to unite, inspire, and make anything possible. Featuring songs from 24 Disney films, including Tangled, The Lion King, Toy Story, The Princess and the Frog, and Encanto, this musical revue is jam-packed with show-stopping dance numbers, new twists on classic songs, and a powerful message that will surprise and delight Disney lovers of all ages.

Performance Schedule

All performances will take place at the Historic Sprague Theater, 15 W. Walworth Street, Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

• Friday, July 17, 2026 — 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, July 18, 2026 — 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 19, 2026 — 2:00 p.m.
• Friday, July 24, 2026 — 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, July 25, 2026 — 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 26, 2026 — 2:00 p.m.

Tickets Available Now

Tickets for all performances are $10.00 and are on sale now.

Tickets can be purchased online at lakeland-players.org.

About Lakeland Players Ltd.

Lakeland Players Ltd. is a nonprofit community theater organization dedicated to enriching the community through quality theatrical productions, educational opportunities, and youth programming. Based at the Historic Sprague Theater in Elkhorn, Lakeland Players provides opportunities for performers and audiences of all ages to experience the joy, creativity, and impact of live theater.

The Wisconsin DNR has issued an Air Quality Advisory until at least Noon CDT Friday.

• The primary concern is wildfire smoke (PM-2.5) originating from fires in northeastern Minnesota and western Ontario.
• Surface stations confirm that air quality has reached “Hazardous” (Maroon) levels across much of southern WI.
• A gradual west to east clear-out of the smoke is expected through the daytime hours Friday, leaving most areas free of smoke by Friday afternoon (perhaps lingering a little longer along the immediate shoreline of Lake Michigan north of Milwaukee).
• The latest model guidance suggests smoke will return to southern WI this weekend behind a cold front: Arrival window of roughly 5 AM to Noon Saturday morning. Continued northerly winds could allow the smoke to thicken Saturday night, then light & variable winds could allow it to linger into Sunday.

Moving/Garage Sale for Ukraine

Moving/Garage sale – one day only – Saturday, July 18, 9 am-4 pm. Twin beds set, queen bed set, patio set, dining set, other furniture, tools gardening, table linens, glassware, misc.  All money will go toward the Hope Shelter for Ukrainian refugees, in Przemysl, Poland.  Come support Ukraine and find treasures at the same time!  Storm/heavy rain date, Sunday, July 19.

1180 Blooming Field Dr, #304
Whitewater, WI  53190

Due to the heat and air quality advisory, the Unity Walk is being postponed to a later date.  Caminata por la Unidad cancelada debido al exceso de calor.

Editor’s Note: The above was provided by the Unity Walk Committee.