Community members are invited to a free Somatic Release for Spring event facilitated by local writer Katy Daixon Wimer on Thursday, April 16 at 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Through breathwork, movement, and journaling practices, reconnect with your body this spring, and the juicy, messy, radiant, challenging truth it might reveal as you open to the new chapter 2026 brings. Please come with an open heart and mind, a sense of humor, a journal, and a yoga mat or blanket.
This program is for adults. The event is free, but please register in advance at whitewaterlibrary.org/events as space is limited. You may also email sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-458-2782 to register, or with any questions.
The Whitewater Public Library is located at 431 W. Center St. Visit whitewaterlibrary.org for more information and to view all upcoming events.
The Boards of Canvass for the city of Whitewater and the Whitewater Unified School District both convened on Monday, April 13 and certified the results of the Spring Election. There was no change from the results that were previously reported on The Banner.
City of Whitewater Common Council
Councilmember at Large Orin Smith 1081 Aubrey Thompson 861
Councilmember, District 2 Gavin Kelleher 190 Sean Liebherr 46
Councilmember, District 4 Chuck Mills 210 Brian Schanen 375
Council terms are for two years. The newly elected members will take the oath of office on April 21.
The Whitewater Unified School District provided the following press release.
Three Members Elected to Whitewater Unified School District School Board
At 3:30 p.m. on Monday, April 13, the Board of Canvassers certified the votes cast from the April 7 School Board Election for the three open board seats.
The results of the canvass are as follows: Stephanie Hicks – 2044 votes Terri Jones – 1849 votes Lisa Huempfner – 2053 votes Christy Linse – 1707 votes
Stephanie Hicks, Terri Jones, and Lisa Huempfner will hold office for a three-year term, commencing on Monday, April 27, 2026, and expiring on Monday, April 22, 2029.
Versiti is the primary blood supplier for Southeastern Wisconsin hospitals, including Aurora Lakeland Medical Center and Fort Memorial Hospital. They are also the primary provider for all of the veterans’ hospitals in the state.
Appointments are preferred, and many are still available. Please use the QR code, visit https://www.versiti.org or call Lynn at 262-473-2997 to make an appointment
Sometimes April 15 falls on the weekend and taxpayers are given a bit of grace in filing their federal and state income tax. Alas, there is no grace this year, and no longer is it sufficient to dart to the post office drop box to catch the 5 p.m. pickup. As has been previously announced on The Banner, Whitewater’s first-class mail does not leave the city until the next morning (Sundays excluded) after it is deposited in a box. The mail is then processed in the Oak Creek distribution center, where it may or may not be postmarked that next day. Consequently “mailing” a return on April 15 will not be considered timely, so penalties and interest may result.
If you’re mailing your return(s) on Wednesday, report to the post office before 5 p.m. and request a local postmark, which the clerk will be happy to provide.
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued another tornado watch that includes Jefferson, Rock and Walworth counties effective from 2:30 – 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday. In addition, our area is seen as being at risk of damaging hail up to 3.5″ in diameter, which is between the size of a hockey puck and a baseball.
On Tuesday morning at approximately 1 a.m. the tornado sirens sounded in Whitewater. Though the sirens are designed to warn people who are outside, in the quiet of the night the sirens were undoubtedly heard inside many homes. There has not been confirmation of a tornado touching down in our area, but there was significant wind damage. The schools closed for the day due to ongoing power outages and hazardous travel due to trees down. A large portion of the city was without power overnight, but as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, We Energies reports that only about ten customers are still without power.
On January 28th, Quinton O’Toole enlisted in the Wisconsin Air National Guard at Truax Field in Madison.
Quinton began investigating the Wisconsin Air National Guard in August 2023 with a trip to Volk Field in Camp Douglas. He completed the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) in his sophomore year and again in his senior year.
Quinton expects to complete his high school sports career after competing in Cross Country, Wrestling, and Track & Field. He has completed AP classes in Literature, English, Speech and Biology. Last summer, he was selected as a delegate to Badger Boys State and attended with Sam Nicklesburg and Chacha Binagi.
Starting July 7th, Quinton will attend basic training in Texas, followed by F-35 Crew Chief training in Texas/Arizona or Florida. His duty station will be the 115th Fighter Wing at Truax Field in Madison. As a member of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, Quinton will be eligible for in-state tuition and federal education benefits for future use.
Article Submitted by Greg Stewart Whitewater High School Social Studies Teacher gstewart@wwusd.org
Northwoods Seniors Unite Around Shared Issues in Merrill, Extend Project to South Central Wisconsin for Summit Set for April 23 in Elkhorn
Growing Movement of Seniors to Host “Senior Summit” in South Central Wisconsin
Last Saturday, 87 residents gathered at the Eagles Club in Merrill for the Senior Empowerment Project’s Northwoods Senior Breakfast. Participants enjoyed breakfast and connecting to neighbors from across the region. The event included a process for collectively naming the issues and concerns felt most deeply and widely among those who gathered. Top concerns for the group included:
Isolation & lack of transportation across city and county lines,
Isolation & the need to better connect neighbors who are left behind by technology, as well as
Access to senior healthcare and caregiver support.
Now, the energy from that gathering is heading south.
On Thursday, April 23, 1-5 PM, the Senior Empowerment Project will host the South Central Wisconsin Senior Summit at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building in Elkhorn—a free, community-wide gathering for seniors and supporters across the region to connect, share what matters most to them, and help shape the organizing agenda ahead.
“Senior citizens have more power than they realize,” said the Rev. Michael Southcombe, who moderated the Merrill breakfast. “When they gather and talk about the issues they’re facing, they start to see opportunities and focus on solutions. That’s what we are witnessing here in Lincoln County and beyond.”
This is a conviction that resonates in Walworth County, where the need is often invisible to outsiders.
“Most people don’t realize how much disparity continues in our county. There are thousands of people who cannot afford good food, healthcare, or rent without the help of organizations like Open Arms Free Clinic or local food pantries.”
“People don’t realize there’s so much disparity in our county,” reports Sherry Engstrom of Common Ground Lake Geneva. “People hear about Lake Geneva and they think, ‘Oh, everyone here is rich, or from Chicago living in their third vacation home.’ That may be true. But at the same time, there are so many people who can’t afford to pay rent, eat, or live in the county without the help of places like Open Arms Free Clinic or one of the local food pantries—and even then it is hard, especially if you don’t have reliable transportation.”
The Rev. Jeremiah Gómez is pastor of Trinity Church in Genoa City and a member of the Groundswell Collective, a grassroots group that has organized for transportation as well as senior and childcare in Walworth County. Pastor Gómez sees the summit as a chance to enhance local efforts while also uniting with groups from around the state to address needs felt across county lines. “One of the things we’ve been learning from the summits and senior breakfasts we’ve been hosting around the state,” he said, “is that when seniors come together—when we, as humans who struggle, are given permission to share our needs, our concerns, and our hopes for a better future—the connections that are made are sacred. They give us the power, together, and make real, positive changes, for seniors and for all of us here in Wisconsin.”
The April 23 summit will feature a keynote address from Janet Zander of the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, facilitated small-group discussions, and opportunities to connect with local organizations including the Walworth County ADRC.
The event is free and open to the public, ADA accessible, and has ample ADA parking.
The project’s vision: every senior has a home; every senior has access to affordable local care; seniors are no longer isolated, but integrated into community life; care workers are treated with dignity and paid wages that reflect the value of their work.
What: South Central Wisconsin Senior Summit—Aging Forward: Informed. Inspired. Involved.
When: Thursday, April 23, 2026, 1-5 PM
Where: Walworth County ADRC, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn
Why: Unite seniors and allies around shared concerns to collectively work toward shared solutions.
Who: This event is co-hosted by the Senior Empowerment Project, Common Ground Lake Geneva, and the Groundswell Collective. It is a non-partisan event, open to seniors and those who care about seniors in South Central Wisconsin.
8:30 am Update: After doing a more thorough assessment of our district facilities and talking with other officials, half of our buildings are still without power. WE Energies is not able to provide any type of timetable for when the power should be restored. There is still a downed tree and power line at Elizabeth Street, impeding traffic and creating a safety hazard. Therefore, school will be cancelled today, April 14, 2026, and all after-school activities. We will continue to monitor the weather, as we are aware that there is another round coming tonight.
The Whitewater Community Foundation is seeking a passionate, community-minded leader to serve as our next Executive Director—an expanded role building on our former Program Coordinator position.
This part-time role (20 hours/week) is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of philanthropy and community impact in Whitewater. As Executive Director, you’ll work closely with our Board of Directors to lead strategic initiatives, strengthen community partnerships, and guide the day-to-day operations of the Foundation.
If you’re energized by nonprofit leadership, relationship-building, and making a difference locally, we’d love to hear from you.
The Whitewater Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting and strengthening Whitewater, Wisconsin. Learn more and apply: www.whitewatercommunityfoundation.org
Enjoy family-centered activities on Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the annual International Children’s Day celebration at Lincoln Elementary School, Whitewater.
This free fun family event will include live music, games, crafts, face-painting and other activities for children of all ages and runs from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Information will be available on local and regional services for families. A variety of international food offerings from local organizations will also be for cash sale.
“Whitewater prides itself on being a community that is supportive of all children and their families. April 18 is an opportunity to celebrate International Children’s Day and those who care for, support, and encourage children here and around the world. We are so pleased that another child-focused organization, the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club, is one of our sponsors for this volunteer-based event,” said Miguel Aranda, planning committee member.
The World Conference for the Well-being of Children in Geneva, Switzerland, proclaimed June 1 to be International Children’s Day in 1925. It is usually marked with speeches on children’s rights and wellbeing, and other events involving or dedicated to children. A similar event, Universal Children’s Day, falls on Nov. 20. It was established by the United Nations in 1954 and aims to promote the welfare of children around the world. The first celebration of International Children’s Day in Whitewater was held in April of 2022. Many countries around the world celebrate the day in late April.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at this event. The food offers are cash only.
Sponsors of International Children’s Day Celebration include the Whitewater Unified School District, Whitewater Unites Lives, and Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.
18 de abril: celebración del Día Internacional del Niño, un gran día en familia
WHITEWATER: disfrute de actividades familiares el sábado 18 de abril, de 11:00 a. m. a 2:00 p. m., con la celebración anual del Día Internacional del Niño en la escuela primaria Lincoln, en Whitewater.
Este divertido evento familiar gratuito incluirá música en vivo, juegos, manualidades, pintura facial y otras actividades para niños de todas las edades, y se llevará a cabo de 11 a. m. a 2 p. m. Se proporcionará información sobre los servicios locales y regionales para familias. También se venderán en efectivo una variedad de platillos internacionales ofrecidos por organizaciones locales.
«Whitewater se enorgullece de ser una comunidad que apoya a todos los niños y sus familias. El 18 de abril es una oportunidad para celebrar el Día Internacional del Niño y a quienes cuidan, apoyan y animan a los niños aquí y en todo el mundo. Estamos muy contentos de que otra organización centrada en los niños, el Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club, sea uno de los patrocinadores de este evento basado en el voluntariado», dijo Miguel Aranda, miembro del comité de planificación.
La Conferencia Mundial para el Bienestar de los Niños, celebrada en Ginebra (Suiza), proclamó el 1 de junio como Día Internacional del Niño en 1925. Suele celebrarse con discursos sobre los derechos y el bienestar de los niños, así como con otros eventos en los que participan o que están dedicados a los niños. Un evento similar, el Día Universal del Niño, se celebra el 20 de noviembre. Fue establecido por las Naciones Unidas en 1954 y tiene como objetivo promover el bienestar de los niños de todo el mundo. La primera celebración del Día Internacional del Niño en Whitewater se llevó a cabo en abril de 2022. Muchos países de todo el mundo celebran este día a finales de abril.
Los niños deben estar acompañados por un adulto en este evento. Las ofertas de comida solo se pueden pagar en efectivo.
Entre los patrocinadores de la celebración del Día Internacional del Niño se encuentran el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Whitewater, Whitewater Unites Lives y el Club de Desayuno Kiwanis de Whitewater.
Editor’s Note: The above was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.
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