News

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area will hold the first of three Book Club discussions on Thursday evening, February 22, 6PM-8PM, in the Irvin L Young Memorial Library, 431 W Center St, Whitewater. The first three chapters of Poverty, by America, by Pulitzer Prize winning author Matthew Desmond, will be discussed.

Desmond draws upon history, research and original reporting to argue that poverty in America persists because the rest of us benefit from it. Please join us to investigate new ways of imagining solutions to a morally urgent problem and engage in how to usher in an age of shared prosperity.

Books have been reserved at Irvin L Young Memorial Library for the group’s use during the study. Please ask at the front desk for a copy. Additional discussions will be held on March 21 and April 18 at the same time and location.

The LWV Book Club was formed to help our members and friends engage in meaningful discussions of current notable books dealing with public policy issues of interest to the League. You do not need to be a member of the League to participate! Please contact Deb Gamble (262-583-1946 or shebagam@gmail.com) for questions or further information.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!

Editor’s note: The following press release was issued by the City of Elkhorn Police Department on February 16.

Thomas Allen Routt, Jr., 57-years old, Elkhorn, has been arrested in connection with the early morning shooting on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at the Sports Page Barr in downtown Elkhorn, which claimed the lives of Emerson and Gina Weingart.

Initial investigation focused on eyewitness evidence, including an eyewitness that was inside the bar at the time of the shooting. That eyewitness said a male, now believed by law enforcement to be Routt, came into the bar and began playing the gaming machines. After approximately 30 minutes, the eyewitness said it was just the eyewitness, Emerson, Gina, and Routt in the bar. The eyewitness said Routt brandished a handgun and pointed it at Gina, the bartender, and ordered them not to move. The eyewitness said they instinctively got up off their barstool and Routt pointed the gun at the eyewitness and ordered the eyewitness not to move. The eyewitness said they sat back down and said Routt subsequently fired the gun at Gina and the eyewitness immediately fled out the door, calling 9-1-1 after distancing themself from the scene.

Routt was taken into custody without incident by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 3:40 AM on a Department of Corrections hold as Routt was on parole for arson.

Routt subsequently admitted to shooting both Emerson and Gina Weingart and following the eyewitness out the back door and shooting at the eyewitness as they fled. Routt indicated that his motive was robbery and said after chasing and shooting at the eyewitness, he returned to the bar and took $120 – $140 from the open cash drawer and fled in his vehicle to his residence in Elkhorn. Routt said the next morning he discarded the weapon and ammunition in a trash receptacle at the Handi-Mart in Lake Como. Officers subsequently retrieved a 9mm handgun and ammunition from the trash at the Handi-Mart.

Routt has been charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon, one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, and felon in possession of a firearm.

The investigation is on-going, however there is no indication that anyone other than Routt was directly involved in the crime.

The Elkhorn Police Department was assisted by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, Walworth County Medical Examiner’s Office, Delavan Police Department, Town of Delavan Police Department, Lake Geneva Police Department, Town of Geneva Police Department, Kenosha Police Department, Milwaukee Police Department, Wauwatosa Police Department, Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory, Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the City of Whitewater.

A critical meeting was held today [February 15] at 3:00 p.m. in Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, where Whitewater’s City Manager John Weidl, Police Chief Dan Meyer, and Council President Neil Hicks met with Governor Tony Evers and his team. The focus was on pressing issues facing Whitewater, particularly the challenges of immigration and the impact of reduced state revenue and university funding on local law enforcement. A PowerPoint presentation provided by city officials, highlighting recent policing statistics, showed an increase in unlicensed driving and other issues, against a backdrop of decreased capacity for proactive policing.

Police Chief Dan Meyer shared insights into the increased migration to Whitewater, notably from Nicaragua and Venezuela, starting in early 2022. He detailed incidents that highlighted the migrants’ struggles, including a family found living in a small shed during winter, a teenager forced into labor, and young children left alone during a fire. These examples underscored the need for increased community support and resources.

Chief Meyer emphasized, “It’s crucial that we approach these issues without casting blame or vilifying any group. Our goal is to identify and address the root causes, focusing on problem-solving and public safety rather than politics. We’re committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure Whitewater is safe and inclusive.”

The discussion also covered the reasons migrants are drawn to Whitewater, particularly the availability of housing due to changes at the university brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to a significant increase in the migrant population, highlighting the need for coordinated community responses.

On the topic of law enforcement funding, city officials pointed out the financial challenges faced over the past year. Despite an increase in shared revenue for Whitewater and other municipalities, this was offset by cuts in the Municipal Services Payment (MSP) program and the end of reimbursements from the University for dispatch services. These changes have resulted in a funding shortfall of over $400,000 for the 2024 fiscal year, effectively negating the benefits of the increased shared revenue.

In addition, City Manager John Weidl expressed gratitude towards the Whitewater elected officials for their steadfast commitment to enhancing law enforcement capabilities within the city. “Thanks to their support, we’ve been able to install license plate cameras at every entrance point to Whitewater, we employ drone technology, and have proactively funded a comprehensive staffing study. We’re also prepared to pursue a referendum if necessary. Our elected officials have truly risen to the challenge, demonstrating their dedication by allocating the necessary funds to address our concerns. This level of commitment is crucial for driving meaningful change in our community,” stated Weidl.

Governor Evers expressed his commitment to collaborating with Whitewater officials to address the city’s concerns. The meeting concluded with an agreement to explore and implement strategies to support not only the migrant population but also to strengthen the city’s overall public safety and community infrastructure.

Council President Neil Hicks added, “Our communication with legislators at all levels about Whitewater’s immigration issues has led to meaningful discussions. We’re grateful for the constructive dialogue with Governor Evers and others, focusing on collaborative solutions for our community.”

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

The third installment of our series “Gone but not Forgotten,” is the old 1927 High School building, later the Franklin Junior High School. Built as Whitewater’s first “modern” school building, old “city high” served teenagers until around 1960, when a new high school building was constructed along Elizabeth Street. The building then served another 30 years as a junior high school.

When the building was vacated in the mid-1990s for the new Middle School after the current high school was completed, the first proposal was to put senior apartments in the old school, but that proposal failed. A subsequent owner demolished the building in 1999, and the property has been vacant since that time.

Join us next week for the last of the “Gone but not Forgotten” series of images.

(5015PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from UW-Whitewater.

The 2024 U.S. News and World Report Best Online Programs rankings were announced February 7, 2024. One Wisconsin college is the top-ranked, single-business college in all business school categories. That school is the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics. UW-Whitewater is Wisconsin’s Best Online Business Graduate Program, Best Online Business Undergraduate Program, Best Business Program for Veterans, and Wisconsin’s highest ranked, single school for Best Online MBA.

The College of Business and Economics is also nationally ranked in all five categories.

• No. 31 Veterans- MBA Programs
• No. 38 Online Undergraduate Business
• No. 37 Online Graduate Business
• No. 55 Online MBA

These rankings are more impressive knowing that this year’s edition of the U.S. News report evaluates more than 1,750 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. U.S. News assessed schools based on a variety of objective factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials, and services and technologies.

Dean of the College of Business and Economics, Dr. Paul Ambrose, commented, “our repeat performance as the best online business school in Wisconsin is just one of the reasons why we are also the state’s largest business college and why the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is in the top 2% of the world’s business schools.”  Ambrose continued, “Our student-first, online business program has been created to fit into people’s busy lives. It allows students to work, connect with their friends and families, and still pursue higher education.”

For more information on the rankings, readers are encouraged to visit U.S. News & World Report.

About UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE) is Wisconsin’s largest business college. It is home to the #1 ranked online, single school Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program in the State and is the only college in Wisconsin that offers an AACSB-accredited Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) degree program.  CoBE is in the top 2% of the world’s business schools having earned both AACSB and AACSB Accounting Accreditation. For more information on the College of Business and Economics, visit uww.edu/cobe or email cobe@uww.edu.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

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Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Edgerton Hospital.

Edgerton Hospital and Health Services has opened a new, walk-in, healthcare option, in downtown Edgerton, WI.

The Edgerton Hospital Quick Care, located at 4 Burdick Street (next to Edward Jones), is a convenient option for people dealing with non-emergency ailments, who are unable to be seen within 1-2 days by their primary care provider.  No appointment is needed, and most patients are expected to be seen and, on their way, within about an hour.

Quick Care is very similar to Urgent Care. Services include stiches and wound repair, testing for strep, UTIs, STDs, and common upper respiratory viruses.  Quick Care patients needing x-ray, or other radiological services, will be referred to the emergency department at nearby Edgerton Hospital.

Edgerton Hospital CEO, Marc Augsburger noted the importance of this transition.  “We are excited to open the new Quick Care in a historical building in downtown Edgerton, and to transition our walk-in, non-emergency services to a new location.  The Emergency Department will continue to handle all your emergency care needs, 24/7.  We look forward to serving community members with quality, walk-in, non-emergency medical services at our new Quick Care.”

The Edgerton Hospital Quick Care is staffed by medical professionals experienced in Urgent Care services, including a Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant, and Certified Medical Assistants.

Quick Care details:

Name: Edgerton Hospital Quick Care

Location:  4 Burdick St., Edgerton, WI 53534
Hours:  Monday-Friday (11a.m. – 7p.m.)

Scheduling:  No Appointment Needed

*For more information on the difference between quick care services and emergency care services, please visit the Quick Care page at edgertonhospital.com.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Victoria from Pixabay.

The Wild Ones Kettle Moraine Chapter: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes,  presents:
Natural Areas Management and Protection in Light of Climate Change

Presented by Zachary Kron, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

Zach will discuss the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission’s amendments to the Regional Natural Areas and Critical Species Habitat Protection and Management Plan for Southeastern Wisconsin (Planning Report 42). The goal of this plan is to identify the remaining remnant natural communities and prioritize them for protection and management. P.R. 42 was updated in 2010, but no significant updates have been made since. The presentation summarizes upcoming changes to the plan including designation changes for individual sites and recommendations to manage for climate resilience.

Zach is a Senior Specialist-Biologist at the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. He earned a Bachelor’s in Natural Resource and Environmental Sciences and a Master’s in Plant Biology from the University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign in 2009 and 2011 respectively. Prior to his position at the Commission, Zach worked for the Illinois Natural History Survey, private restoration contractors, non-profit conservation organizations, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

WHEN:  Saturday, February 17 2024, at 10 a.m.

WHERE:  South Kettle Moraine State Forest Headquarters, Eagle

      S91W39091 Highway 59; One mile west of Eagle, on Highway 59

Open to the Public.  No admission fee.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by  Rosy / Bad Homburg / Germany from Pixabay.

Editor’s note: The following was submitted by Justin Kamp, Middle School band teacher.

The Whitewater Unified School District Band Program held its Annual Bandorama Concert on Saturday, February 10 under the direction of Sam Averill (WHS Bands), Justin Kamp (WMS Bands) and Zach Jacobson (5th Grade Band).  The students in grades 5th-12th and the Jazz Ensembles at Whitewater Middle School and Whitewater High School performed showcasing the growth of musicianship from beginners in 5th grade to our Seniors at the high school!  This year, the 8th grade band joined the High School Bands for a combined piece called “Lightning Field” by John Mackey, the WMS and WHS Jazz Ensembles combined to perform “Jump Jive ‘An Wail” by Louis Prima, and the grand finale of the concert was “Let’s Go Band!” by Andrew Ballent performed by ALL students 5th-12th grade together, with guest conductors, Whitewater Middle School Administration: Chris Fountain and Caitlin Dowden. Photo credit: Cory Christensen