News

Updated 10/19/26 @ 9:30 a.m. to add School District meeting on Wednesday.

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Monday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda: Budget review 3 of 4
Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd Floor, 312 W.
Whitewater St., Whitewater WI 53190
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/259499706281887?p=eyfFrjQvRjnC49IV1f
Meeting ID: 259 499 706 281 887
Passcode: L3s7Jf9K
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,132712027# United States
Phone conference ID: 132 712 027#

Whitewater Public Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda
Whitewater Public Library, Meeting Room 2
431 West Center 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://teams.microsoft.com/meet/278709995248183?p=HwquvKVhF1toZ5OLMo
Meeting ID: 278 709 995 248 183
Passcode: Cg97Yi9V Telephone: +1 (929) 229-5663

Whitewater Public Library Board of Trustees Evaluation Committee – Monday @ 7:30 p.m.
Agenda: Discussion of Library Director’s annual performance evaluation tool
Whitewater Public Library, Meeting Room 2
431 West Center 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://teams.microsoft.com/meet/250413454903680?p=ClFpo4UxZuQNM3sav8
Meeting ID: 250 413 454 903 680
Passcode: Wb7a4g7A
Telephone: +1 (929) 229-5663

City of Whitewater Public Safety & Licensing Review Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
Whitewater Municipal Building, 2nd Floor, Cravath
Lakefront Room, 312 West Whitewater St.,
Whitewater, WI 53190 *In Person and Virtual
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 – 5:00 PM
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:
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/286965759072476?p=76boznmYTJ2XSzxpJZ
Meeting ID: 286 965 759 072 476
Passcode: Nh9A5KP6

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Review of findings from Community Survey; Presentation and Brief Overview of the 2027 Draft Budget; Resolution to approve the development agreement for redevelopment of Bower’s House located at 183-187 W Main Street; Resolution to approve $2.5 million State Trust Fund Loan for TID #10 developer incentive; an Ordinance amending Chapter 7.04 Code of Ethics; Review, discuss and direct staff regarding Vacant Building Registration. Closed session, to be followed by open session, to discuss conduct of M.S.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
*In Person and Virtual
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 – 6:00 PM
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:
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/240342612121294?p=tgkaQxXQFYB3yAz3LH
Meeting ID: 240 342 612 121 294
Passcode: AP7eD3SH
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,,888025644# United States
Phone conference ID: 888 025 644#

Whitewater Unified School District Human Resources Committee – Wednesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office
419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin

City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action to Recommend Funding for a Detailed Inspection of the Historic Birge Fountain; Discussion regarding membership and rental fees for the Aquatic & Fitness Center.
Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd Floor, 312 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater WI 53190
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup
join/19%3aKqXzkx6yBQBb9Ya7NiiNvv6TkGlBOufcZU0bQqwQZ781%40thread.tacv2/1786821330283?co
ntext=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22d015a1a7-4cf9-4719-99d9
1d1ae1176df0%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2201bae412-1919-4aa4-9cd9-6d732755a818%22%7d

City of Whitewater Election Equipment Public Test – Saturday @ 9:00 a.m.
Whitewater Municipal Building, Cravath Lakefront
Room, 2nd Floor, 312 West Whitewater St.,
Whitewater, WI 53190

LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR TICKETS!

Don’t miss out on Bethel House’s 2026 Annual Fall Dinner! Ticket sales are coming to a close this weekend, so be sure to secure your spot before it’s too late! Link:  2026 Annual Fall Dinner

Please see below for event details and ticket purchasing information.

A HUGE thank you to all of our generous sponsors and everyone who will be joining us! Your support means so much to Bethel House and the local families we serve.

We can’t wait to see you all on November 6th!

We are excited to invite you to our 2026 Annual Fall Dinner on Friday, November 6th at Forever Young in Palmyra, located across from Rushing Waters!

Tickets can be purchased online through the Bethel House website under the Events tab or with the QR code above.

Please note that you must mention Bethel House in order for us to benefit.

SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Janesville to Host Educational Presentation on GLP-1 Medications

As interest in GLP-1 medications continues to grow, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Janesville is offering a community education event to help individuals better understand these treatments and their role in managing diabetes and weight loss.

“Weighing” Out the Risks and Benefits of GLP-1 Medications: A Review of Injectable Medications for Weight Loss and Diabetes will take place on Wednesday, October 21, from 4:30 to 5:30 pm in the Violet and Orchid Rooms at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Janesville, 3400 E. Racine St.

The presentation will be led by Katelyn Theisz, PharmD, Ambulatory Care Pharmacist Practitioner – Primary Care, who will provide an overview of GLP-1 medications, including how they work, their potential benefits, associated risks and important considerations for patients. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and gain a better understanding of these increasingly discussed treatment options.

GLP-1 medications are commonly used to help manage Type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, support weight loss. With growing public awareness and interest in these medications, the session aims to provide evidence-based information to help community members make informed decisions about their health.

The event is free and open to the community. No matter whether you’re considering these medications yourself, supporting a loved one or simply interested in learning more, this educational presentation offers an opportunity to hear directly from a medication expert and get the facts behind the headlines.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Haberdoedas Photography from Pexels.

In recognition of the outstanding support that the community of Whitewater provides to the school, each year during Homecoming the WHS Student Council selects two community members to serve as The Whippet Legacy Award winners. The Whippet Legacy Award allows us to recognize all community members, no matter the age or teaching background, that have demonstrated exceptional and ongoing dedication to our students and schools. This ensures that we continue to celebrate the spirit of support, mentorship, and community involvement that this tradition was founded on—while adapting to reflect the evolving nature of our Whippet family. This year’s The Whippet Legacy Award winners are Mary Taggert and Bruce Parker. 

Mary’s career has included teaching her last 27 years of her career at Whitewater High School, calling it her home. Her best memories from teaching include working with numerous remarkable students, Socratic Seminars on “Frankenstein Fridays,” participating in staff lip sync, and learning from fellow colleagues who helped her grow as an educator. Some advice Mary has to offer young people today follows: 

1. Read 30 minutes a day. This will increase your vocabulary and reading speed for tests in upper level classes and your career. 
2. Save your money! Learn to invest.
3. Don’t be afraid to work challenging jobs before discovering your career. These work opportunities will allow you to develop good communication skills and other skills that will assist you in your future.

Bruce has worked for the city of Whitewater for over 30 years and has just started his 16th year as a school bus driver. Bruce has been the driver on many of our agriculture and robotics road trips for WHS. Students absolutely adore Bruce as their driver. Why??? Bruce just isn’t their driver, but he will actually stay and cheer on the students at whatever event he has driven them to. Students really appreciate that kind of support.  “Watching future leaders of the world grow up and become adults,” sums up how Bruce feels about his career. 

Congratulations Mary and Bruce for your support and commitment to the WUSD Community!

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

This photo of harvesting equipment from the mid- to later twentieth century at the Converse Equipment Company reminds us that it’s the time of the year when farm equipment often slows us down on the roads. Of course, modern harvesters are much larger than this equipment, which was “state of the art” for its time. Please be patient with the farm equipment; they have an important job to do this time of the year.

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

(5112P, Whitewater Historical Society)

Derek Johnson (L) and Hunter Martin

On October 13 the City of Whitewater Police & Fire Commission approved the promotion of Officers Derek Johnson and Hunter Martin to Patrol Lieutenant.

The department provided the following information regarding the newly appointed lieutenants.

Lieutenant Johnson was hired in 2022 as a Community Service Officer prior to being hired as a Patrol Officer and serves in a variety of capacities for the department. He is a member of the Search Warrant Response Team (SRT), Designated Marksman Rifle Team (DMR), Community Impact Team (CIT), and serves as a field training officer.

Lieutenant Martin was hired as a Patrol Officer in 2024 and serves in multiple specialty capacities at the department. He is a member of the Walworth County Mobile Field Force team, Drone Team, and serves as a field training officer for the department.

A high-profile effort to raise funds to support Whitewater youth programs is nearing its end in hopes of raising at least $10,000 to fund annual scholarships and contribute to other Kiwanis funded projects like an effort to replace porta-potties at a heavily used youth soccer facility.

It might seem ambitious that a Pet Photo Contest could generate that level of fundraising, but the effort is well underway as it moves into the critical public voting stage.

To date over 60 area pets have been entered into the contest, which ends Sunday, October 25. Friends, family and pet lovers have already raised over $3000 by votes requiring as little as a $1 contribution.

“It’s a way for small individual contributions to add up to make a big impact in our long-running Kiwanis efforts to support youth here and around the world,” according to Whitewater Kiwanis President Corey Davis.

The long-running professional fund-raising advisor to non-profit organizations that handles the local contest’s safe and protected contributions advises that the “accelerated voting” phase that the contest is now in will be critical to the success of the fundraiser.

The families and friends of the contest entries, which are still being accepted, will be encouraged to compete to be one of 12 prize winners sharing well over $1000 in prizes. The 12 pets with the most votes will also each be featured on the cover of one of the months of a 2027 Kiwanis Top Pet Photo calendar going on sale in December.

Your vote, even if you don’t have a photo entered, can make a big difference with a small contribution. Visit www.gogophotocontest.com/whitewater. Entries include a mini horse, several birds, an adorable bunny, a pooch dressed in patriotic apparel and lots of area dogs and cats that you might recognize.