News

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

In honor of Father’s Day on Sunday, we present the image of a man who could be called the “father of the UW-Whitewater.” It is Judge Samuel A. White, a man who was appointed to the state’s Normal School Board of Regents in 1865 and spearheaded the drive to get a state normal school located in Whitewater, a task that was successful in 1868. That normal school eventually became the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

White was also the father of Mary Flavia White, who donated much of the money for building of the first substantial public library in Whitewater, the White Memorial Library, now known as the White Building housing the Whitewater Arts Alliance and the Chamber of Commerce. We wish all fathers a wonderful Father’s Day!

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

(2582P, Whitewater Historical Society)

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The following local student is named a Class of 2026 graduate from St. Olaf College. To graduate, students must have completed the equivalent of 35 credits through a combination of full-credit and fractional-credit courses.

St. Olaf develops individuals of action and substance who will shape the world. We aim to help students discover their strengths, explore their passions, and launch their futures. St. Olaf is a residential liberal arts institution with an enrollment of more than 3,000 students offering over 85 undergraduate majors, concentrations, and pre-professional tracks. We offer more than 5,000 experiential learning opportunities each year for students to test out opportunities and learn new skills to be prepared for life after graduation. Ninety-five percent of recent graduates are employed, in graduate school, or engaged in full-time service work. St. Olaf is committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of every student with 99 percent of students receiving scholarships or grants. Visit stolaf.edu.

Whitewater, WI

 Olive Coburn, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies

Community members are invited to join master gardener Ruth Flescher for an overview of pollinators and how to adapt your garden to support them.

This event will be held in Meeting Room 2 of Whitewater Public Library at 431 W. Center St. in Whitewater on Thursday, June 25 from 5:30 – 7:00 PM.

This program is intended for adults, but teens are welcome. Registration is preferred. Visit whitewaterlibrary.org/events to register in advance. You may also email hswanson@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0113 to register, or with any questions. 

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The following students have been named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2026 semester at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

To make the Dean’s List, students must have earned at least 12 credits for the spring 2026 semester and have no disqualifying grades. The GPA threshold varies by college – for the College of Education and the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, undergraduate students must have at least a 3.7 to be named to the Dean’s List. 

The undergraduate GPA requirement is 3.5 for the following colleges: the Diederich College of Communication, the College of Business Administration, the College of Health Sciences, the Opus College of Engineering and the College of Nursing. All other programs have a 3.75 GPA minimum.

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university that draws over 8,000 undergraduate and 3,700 graduate and professional students from nearly all states and more than 60 countries. In addition to its nationally recognized academic programs, Marquette is known for its service learning programs and internships as students are challenged to use what they learn to make a difference in the world. Find out more about Marquette at marquette.edu

Whitewater, WI

 Maddie Arnett, Doctorate, Occupational Therapy
 Tyler Arnett, Bachelor of Science, Accounting
 Emerson Maliszewski, Bachelor of Science, Nursing
 Mo Webb, Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Sciences

Community members are invited visit the library for a 1970s themed party with retro refreshments, memorabilia, and trivia. Feel free to dress your ’70s best and bring items to reminisce over.

This event will be held in Meeting Room 1 of Whitewater Public Library at 431 W. Center St. in Whitewater on Monday, June 22 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM

This program is for all ages. Registration is preferred. Visit whitewaterlibrary.org/events to register in advance. You may also email hswanson@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0113 to register, or with any questions. 

Lakeland Health Care Center Unveils Newly Updated Renovation; Community Invited to Open House June 22

Lakeland Health Care Center (LHCC), a skilled nursing facility owned and operated by Walworth County, is proud to announce the completion of a nearly yearlong renovation, marking the latest milestone in a long tradition of service to the residents of Walworth County.

After 20 years of continuous use, the building required both aesthetic enhancements and major infrastructure updates. The newly completed remodel includes refreshed interior spaces alongside critical operational upgrades, such as a new roof and multiple HVAC replacements—improvements that ensure LHCC can continue providing high‑quality, reliable care for decades to come.

Open House Invitation

Lakeland Health Care Center warmly invites families, partners, and community members to revisit and celebrate our beautifully renovated space.

Tuesday, June 22
4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
1922 County Road NN
Elkhorn, WI 53120

We look forward to welcoming you, sharing our updates, and celebrating this important chapter in LHCC’s history.

Whitewater High School
Class of 1956 (Of course … at the time known as “City High School”)
70th Reunion
June 4, 2026 at the Real MacCoys in Whitewater
Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

Front Row (L to R)
Joan (Rockwell) Nysather, Shelby (Millard) Reese, Dorothy (Douglas) Hughes, Lyles (Lee) (Enright) Dravus, Barbara (Rohloff) Papcke, Richard Lenz

Back Row (L to R)
Thomas Sheehan, Leroy Vohs, Ronald Schoppe, James Fuerstenberg

Editor’s note: The following update on the Jefferson Street road project was issued on June 16.

Due to the recent rainfall, the start of the Jefferson Street Road project has been postponed and is now scheduled to begin on Friday, June 19.

Phase 1
Construction Starts: June 19, 2026
Project Limits: Jefferson Street from Starin Road northward, including the closure of the Starin Road/Jefferson Street intersection.
Property Access: Access will be maintained for properties located north of Starin Road.
Estimated Completion: July 24 , 2026 (weather dependent)

Compost Site Schedule Changes
Due to construction -related access restrictions, the compost site will be open on Saturdays only beginning June 13, 2026, and will resume its regular Wednesday schedule on July 29, 2026.
Therefore, the compost site will be closed on the following Wednesdays:

• June 17
• June 24
• July 1
• July 8
• July 15
• July 22
  
  Temporary Compost Site Access Changes Beginning July 1:
  Access to the compost site will be limited due to ongoing road construction.

Visitors must enter:

• From Starin Road via Fremont Street
  Please note: Starin Road is scheduled to close on July 1, between Newcomb Street and
  Jefferson Street. (see attached map)
  
  Dog Park Access
  Beginning on June 19, residents visiting the Dog Park will need to park along the north side of Starin Road west of Jefferson Street.
  
  The City appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation throughout this important infrastructure improvement project. Additional updates will be provided as construction progresses.
  
  Brad Marquardt
  Director of Public Works
  (262) 473 -0139
  Bmarquardt@whitewater -wi.gov

Karin Silvius, Executive Director of Downtown Whitewater, Inc., stated “We will be doing a Culver’s Dine Out Night Wednesday, June 17 from 4-7. I would love to see you all through the drive through or inside! Proceeds are going towards the 4^th of July festivities!”

Editor’s note: Although many residents think that the festival is sponsored by the city, actually it is Downtown Whitewater, Inc. that is responsible. The city’s role beginning this year is to coordinate the parade, which in previous years was led by the Lion’s Club.