News

“We Love Whitewater Public Schools” Signs Going Up Just in Time for Back to School

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater YES for Education.

Whitewater YES for Education formed back in 2004 to help support the passage of school district referendums. The group is intentionally and necessarily nonpartisan and not political. Whitewater YES works to keep folks aware of all the positive things happening in our school district. For example, the group maintains a Whitewater YES Facebook Page.

As part of this effort to continue a drumbeat of positivity, this weekend Whitewater YES is putting up bilingual “We Love Whitewater Public Schools” yard signs around the community to celebrate back to school time and show support for our teachers, staff, and students. The signs will stay up until Saturday, September 7. The response to this effort during Spring graduation was really positive! 

We are hoping this effort brings people together and shows hardworking district staff and proud students that the community cares and supports them. 

Last Concert in the Park: Piper Road Spring Band


Who’s ready for the LAST Concert in The Cravath Lakefront Park? Piper Road Spring Band is always one of the most popular concerts; the group is in its 51st year! There are always some folks on the “dance floor” when they’re playing. PRSB consists of Randal Harrison Hoecherl (fiddle), Bob Mason (mandolin), Barry “Blacky” Riese (guitar),  Mark Hembree (bass), and Billy “Kangaroo” (washboard).

Piper Road Spring Band will present our last concert THIS Thursday, August 22nd at 7 p.m. This event is FREE and family friendly. Bring your dinner, a lawn chair or blanket, and come enjoy some music in the Park!

Fort HealthCare Attains Dementia Friendly Recognition

The Fort HealthCare Dementia Friendly Committee is made up of staff across multiple departments, as well as representatives from community organizations.

Pictured Left to Right – BACK ROW: Krista Green (Imaging), Jessica Olson (Laboratory), Tiffany Pernat (Community Health and Wellness), Jenna Rudolph (Inpatient Services), Amy Christian (Dwight Foster Library), Marin Koch (Inpatient Services)
FRONT ROW: Tonya Runyard (Jefferson County ADRC), BethAnn Nowak (Internal Medicine and Pediatrics), Lisa Rudolph (Inpatient and Education Services), Sandy Brown (Obstetrics), Molly Prater (Community Health and Wellness)
 


Fort HealthCare proudly announces its official recognition as a Dementia Friendly Organization, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to providing inclusive and compassionate care for all patients.

To achieve this recognition, Fort HealthCare diligently met the rigorous criteria set forth by the Dementia Friendly Business/Organization standards:

 Over 50% of staff have undergone specialized training in dementia care
 Management has received comprehensive training to effectively lead and support dementia-friendly initiatives
 Continuous integration of dementia care training and resources into ongoing staff development programs
 Proactive consideration of environmental updates to better accommodate individuals living with dementia

Lisa Rudolph, Director of Inpatient Services and Education and Chair of the Dementia Friendly Committee at Fort HealthCare, expressed her excitement about this achievement, stating, “We are thrilled to be officially recognized as a Dementia Friendly organization. This milestone reflects our unwavering dedication to providing high-quality, person-centered care to individuals living with dementia. Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that Fort HealthCare is a welcoming and supportive environment for all patients and their families.”

Fort HealthCare remains committed to advancing its efforts in dementia care and upholding its mission of promoting health and well-being throughout the community.

For more information about Fort HealthCare and its dementia-friendly initiatives, please visit FortHealthCare.com/dementia-friendly.

This Week’s City & School Board Meetings (Update: Board of Zoning Appeals agenda added)

Whitewater Unified School District School Board Policy Review Committee – Monday @ 5:30
Agenda includes Title IX policy

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:00 p.m. – CLOSED SESSION
Agenda: discuss the superintendent evaluation and discuss board governance
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
6:00 p.m.
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6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87288261629?pwd=uNe5w0Ci1qAZ8z31HW67hSmA35psuL.1
– Passcode: 978719
———————————————–
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 872 8826 1629
– Passcode: 978719
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Closed Session
———————————————–
7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online – OPEN SESSION
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes Review draft of community survey and facilities study (review and give feedback)
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387538099?pwd=VDVKdU9uajNzRDhVODlWL2U3eHJnUT09
– Passcode: 104745
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 873 8753 8099
– Passcode: 104745

Irvin L. Young Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m. == This meeting was canceled.

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Library Construction Costs and Financing, Resolution Authorizing Referendum Question for the Starin Park Water Tower for the 2024 General Election, First reading of Ordinance 2024-O-13 an ordinance creating Section 16.04.255 Lead Water Service Replacement Program-Public Works
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/81052726226?pwd=SE6yF1a4rLSrzbk5Eh3CI5m6sXItbD.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799
Webinar ID: 810 5272 6226
Passcode: 964142

City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda: PARK TOUR
The purpose of this park tour is for the board members to directly observe and assess the current
conditions of our city parks. This tour will enable the board to gather firsthand information that is crucial
for developing informed budgets, strategic plans, and long-term goals for the city park system.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor, 312 West Whitewater St

City of Whitewater Board of Zoning Appeals – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m. (Agenda added 8/21/24 @ 3:30 p.m.)
Agenda includes Property Location: 187 W Main St
Applicable Code: 19.30.030(g) A ground floor residence is prohibited.
Variance Requested: To allow a first-floor apartment in a B2 Central Business District.
Reason for Request: To allow for continue remodeling of the Bowers House.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
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/83246954390?pwd=ihGMt0wxYaNFi2XyRxew4oMA2h7hsX.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 832 4695 4390
Passcode: 687832

Back to calendar

Our Readers Share: Jeff & Lin Tortomasi – This is one family that enjoyed our “secret garden”

Jeff and Lin Tortomasi write, “This is one family that enjoyed our  “secret garden.”

“Our thanks to Jeff and Lin Tortomasi for sharing this beautiful sandhill cranes photo.

— 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!

Whippet Cross Country Teams Launch Annual Water Softener Salt Fundraiser

The annual Whitewater Whippet Cross Country water softener salt fundraiser is currently accepting orders! This wildly popular fundraiser looks to take the less-than-exciting chore of going to the store, loading bags of salt, and heading to the register before loading them into your vehicle. Let’s not forget the unloading at home and taking them down your stairs. What a hassle, but not anymore!

The team hopes the heaviest thing you lift when buying salt this year is your pen as you write a check to let us do all the hauling and stacking at your home. Check out the sales flyer linked below to find out all the details about the price per bag and delivery date. We will accept orders through Friday, August 30th. If you have any questions, reach out to any athlete on the team or to Coach Chad Carstens at ccarstens@wwusd.org

A special thank you to Dalee Water Conditioning for supplying the salt for our event!

Link to flyer: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RNE1_bdszMsmXri7aZB69flYgOB7PvX_9oLNju6_A0E/edit?usp=sharing

Obituary: Barbara Lynn (Bressler) Robbins, 62, of Dubuque, IA

Barbara Lynn (Bressler) Robbins, 62, Dubuque, IA, passed peacefully, August 16, 2024.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:30 pm Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory, where a prayer service will be held at 7:30 pm.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Barbara will be 10:00 am Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Church of the Resurrection with Father Phil Gibbs as the Celebrant and Rev. Michael Tess as the homilist. A graveside service will follow the same afternoon at 3:00 pm at Maple Ridge Cemetery adjoining the First Lutheran Church of Jordan on Hwy 40, north of Sterling IL, followed by a gathering of friends & family in the church.

Born August 2, 1962 to Mary Jo (Bickford) and Neal Bressler in Sterling, IL. Barbara married Thomas Robbins on July 11, 1998, in Whitewater, WI.

Barbara graduated from Sterling High School in 1980 and matriculated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1988. She served as a graphic designer for a variety of employers including Panoramic Inc. in Janesville WI, Getter Press in Whitewater WI, and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Barbara’s marriage to Tom found their family relocating to various tri-state area locations from Whitewater WI to DeKalb IL to Hartford WI to Dubuque IA over a period of 25+ years.

Barbara was a consummate graphic artist, illustrator, and creative thinker. Her award-winning artwork has been featured in numerous art galleries and museums. Besides her two children, her life masterpieces were her Hearts Across America Children’s Memorial Art/Quilt Project commemorating the tragedy of 9/11 (permanently displayed at the U.S. Pentagon) as well as her 2022 published anthology entitled, “Fibromyalgia: The Invisible Illness Revealed.”

Barbara was a warrior and fighter, tenacious to the end battling various illnesses and health setbacks with grace and determination. Nothing stopped her especially when her mind was set on helping others stating, “if I could help one person in one way…then life was worth living.” Faith, country, family, nature, and the arts were her life passions.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Thomas Robbins; her sons Andrew Marnocha (fiancée Hannah Madrzak) of New Bern, NC, and Alexander Robbins (fiancée Lyric Strickland) of Dubuque, IA; her father Neal Bressler of Palm Harbor, FL; her twin sister Beth (John) Metzler of DeKalb, IL; her brother Scott Bressler of Clearwater, FL; her sister-in-law Crysty (Matt) Schultz of Dubuque, IA; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother Mary Jo Bressler, her father-in-law, Jerome “Jerry” Robbins, her mother-in-law, Mary Kay Robbins, her brothers-in-law Jerome Jr., Charles, and William Robbins, and her grandparents.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Dubuque for their gentle care of Barbara.

A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting Barbara’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.

Town of Richmond Treasurer Recall Election Results

The Town of Richmond conducted a treasurer recall election on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

According to the Town of Richmond website, the unofficial results are follows:

Emmily Taylor 232

Ann Seaver 177

Editor’s note: Ann Seaver is the incumbent. Based on the unofficial results, it is expected that she will be removed from office.

Fremont St. Construction Update

The Fremont Street contractor is scheduled to pulverize the existing asphalt pavement between Whitewater Creek and Lauderdale Drive on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.  Travel on the pulverized material can be difficult until it is shaped, rolled and compacted.  The first layer of asphalt is scheduled for Saturday, August 24, 2024 between Starin Road and Whitewater Creek.  Motorists are advised to avoid this section of Fremont Street the next two weeks as crews continue to work on gravel shoulders, restoration, and placing the final lift of asphalt.  As a reminder, Fremont Street between Starin Road and Whitewater Creek is closed to thru traffic.

Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by Brad Marquardt, public works director.