News

On May 23 the Universities of Wisconsin announced the selection of the 2024–2025 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows & Scholars.

This year’s program participants come from the Universities of Wisconsin’s 11 comprehensive universities and UW-Milwaukee. Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars (WTFS) must demonstrate excellent teaching skills and have a curiosity about student learning to be nominated by Provosts. The yearlong program begins in late May and will culminate with a research presentation at the annual Spring Conference on Teaching and Learning in April 2025.

WTFS provides UW faculty and teaching academic staff a unique opportunity to collaborate with other exceptional teachers from across the Universities of Wisconsin and from various disciplines. In addition to discussing effective evidence-based teaching and learning approaches, participants are guided through systematic research focused on improving student learning through a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) project, the 25^th year of using this format.

Wisconsin Teaching Fellows & Scholars is one of three signature programs offered by the Universities of Wisconsin’s Office of Professional and Instructional Development (OPID). OPID supports the Universities of Wisconsin’s’ 13 Centers for Teaching and Learning in fostering a culture of teaching and learning excellence in Wisconsin. Together they offer professional development programs that ensure student learning in face-to-face, online, and blended learning environments. Fay Akindes is OPID Director.

The Wisconsin Teaching Fellows & Scholars program is directed by two faculty leaders, Valerie Barske, a history professor at UW-Stevens Point, and Heather Pelzel, a biological sciences professor at UW-Whitewater.

The two 2024-25 Teaching Fellows & Scholars selected from the UW-Whitewater faculty are:

Cody Marie Busch, Assistant Professor, Speech Language Pathology
Rocio Duchesne-Onoro, Associate Professor, Environmental Science

Here is the link for the pre-registration form that is to be submitted by June 7.

Editor’s note: This information was provided by the City of Whitewater Department of Public Works.

Do you have a veteran in your family tree? Join Russell Horton, Archivist at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, for the presentation, “Finding Those Who Served: Military Genealogy.” Learn about sources, tips, and tricks that you can use to learn about your military ancestor from the Civil War to the present. The presentation is hosted by the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library and will take place in the library’s community room on the rescheduled date of Tuesday, May 28 at 5:30 p.m.

There is no cost or registration to attend. The library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact the library at 262-473-0530 with questions.

We honor and remember the following Whitewater area veterans who passed away since last Memorial Day. “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” General George S. Patton.

Taps
29 May 2023 – 27 May 2024

Brian K. Beck
James W. Benes III
Joseph J. Campbell
Albert F. Danz, Sr.
Laurence W. Delaney
Muril T. Fields
Robert A. Fuerstenberg
Gerald W. Lehto
Ed McManaway
Perry D. Moyer
Gerald G. Nell
Robert O. Nelson
Robert C. Obney
David H. Papcke
Jack H. Papcke
Grant E. Rice
Kurt A. Troemel

We apologize if we have omitted the name of any veteran. It is not intentional. We only know what we see reported in the media and other sources.

Steven R. Smith, Adjutant, William Graham Post 173, Whitewater American Legion

An interim municipal judge for the city was just appointed on May 1, but nomination papers are already being circulated for a special election coincidental with the Presidential Election for a term that will begin in April, 2025 and expire in April, 2027. Per City Clerk Heather Boehm, nomination papers must be filed by June 3. The necessary forms may be obtained by a candidate from her office. If there are more than two candidates there will be a primary election on August 13. The position of municipal judge opened due to the resignation of Patrick Taylor, who is moving to California.

Whitewater, has partnered with CivicPlus to implement its Recreation Management software. The cloud-based solution allows residents greater visibility into offered parks and recreation department activities, classes, sports, youth leagues, and more convenient online registration and payment. It will also allow residents to search for and reserve community facilities, such as pavilions, and picnic shelters, all conveniently online.

“I am truly excited to partner with CivicPlus to make the registering for activities and facility rentals in Whitewater easier for patrons,” said Kevin Boehm, City of Whitewater, director of parks and recreation. “We value all of our patrons and are working hard to improve the services we offer. This new software will greatly improve the registration and rental experience. The new software launches on May 28, 2024.”

The CivicPlus Recreation Management software is intuitive to navigate and easy for residents to use. It is mobile-friendly, allowing community members to search for local activities and events, register, and remit payment from any smartphone or tablet.

The software is part of the CivicPlus integrated technology suite of software designed for local governments. “CivicPlus designs innovative solutions for local governments,” said Jennifer Elliott, CivicPlus Director of Product Marketing. “We continually invest in our products to strengthen and transform the way governments work and communicate with their residents. We are proud to partner with Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department to help accomplish their goals.”

Links to the new software will be available on the City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation website at www.wwparks.org

About Whitewater Parks and Recreation:
Whitewater Parks and Recreation is committed to providing diverse recreational opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities in the Whitewater community. Through innovative programming and collaborative partnerships, we strive to promote physical activity, social interaction, and overall well-being.

On Sunday, May 26, 2024, at approximately 5:28 p.m., the Rock County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Milton area for a report of a possible tornado that went through the area. The City of Milton Police Department also responded. Law enforcement units located multiple downed trees and powerlines. Multiple residences were found to have sustained structural damage. There were not any injuries reported.

Alliant Energy and We Energies responded to repair the downed powerlines. The Rock County Highway Department, Milton Public Works, and Town of Koshkonong Public Works all responded to clear the roadways of the downed trees. The Lakeside Fire Department and Rock County Emergency Management responded as well.

The area will be surveyed in the next coming days by the National Weather Service. Any additional information will be released by Rock County Emergency Management.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. The image on the homepage does not depict this possible tornado.

The Whitewater Common Council on May 21 approved a development agreement for a multi-family housing development at Moraine View Parkway and Jakes Way. The agreement, proposed by Slate Development, Inc., includes 128 units spread across eight two-story buildings.

“This development is a critical investment in our community’s future,” said City Manager John Weidl. “By addressing our
pressing housing needs head-on, we are not only improving the quality of life for our current residents but also making
Whitewater an attractive place for new families and professionals. This project exemplifies our dedication to sustainable
growth and economic prosperity.” The development is receiving financial support from TID #11 [Tax Increment District], utilizing a pay-as-you-go structure to ensure positive cash flow from day one. This approach minimizes financial risk for the city and taxpayers by requiring the developer to meet specific financial benchmarks before receiving payments. Additionally, safeguards such as a minimum assessed value (MAV) guarantee and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) ensure that taxpayers are
protected. If the development falls short of the projected value, the developer will make up the difference, maintaining
the financial stability of the project.

Economic Development Director Taylor Zeinert emphasized the importance of this project: “The need for workforce
housing in Whitewater cannot be overstated. Our business community, recent graduates, and current students all
underscore this necessity.” Common Council President Patrick Singer highlighted the next steps: “With the development
agreement now approved by the Common Council, the project will return to the Plan and Architectural Review
Commission (PARC) for a Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review.” This development will be discussed at the July PARC
Meeting held on July 8th. Singer further stated, “An increase in the quantity and opportunities for housing is an
identified community need that the City of Whitewater is strongly committed to achieving. With single-family housing
units already in the pipeline, this development will give more residents in our community the opportunity to find
affordable housing.”

The conditional use consideration requires a class 2 notice, requiring two postings a week apart. For the July 8th meeting, public notices will be posted on June 20th and 27th, with the agenda posted in the newspaper on July 4th. Council President Singer concluded, “The Plan and Architectural Review Commission will review site plans and a conditional use permit at its July meeting. These two items will complete the approval of this development. I encourage all residents interested in the outcome to attend the upcoming meeting.”

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the city manager’s office.