News

Try the Reformer — Free Intro Class at Pilates Reformed, 131 W. Center Street!

Experience a free 15-minute introduction to reformer Pilates and see what everyone is talking about. Reformer Pilates is designed for all fitness levels and is especially loved for being low-impact and easy on the joints.  

Why people love Pilates:  

• Improves strength + flexibility  

• Builds deep core stability  

• Helps posture and balance  

• Supports mobility and recovery  

• Low-impact and joint-friendly  

• Great for athletes, beginners, and busy adults  

• Helps you move and feel better in everyday life  

Whether you’re looking to get stronger, recover, improve mobility, or simply try something new — this is the perfect place to start.

You’re welcome to a FREE demo class on Saturday, June 13th @ 10 am or 10:15 am. Space is limited and you may sign up online just like booking a class but it’s completely free. 

Here’s the link to sign up: https://www.vagaro.com/pilatesreformedllc/classes – Just look for the date and time labeled “FREE – Reformer Intro.”

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored more than 2,500 undergraduate students for attaining high grade point averages during the spring semester of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Full-time undergraduates who earned grade points of 3.90 to 4.0 (4.0 equals straight A) are given the highest honors designation.  High honor citations go to those with grade point averages from 3.75 to 3.89 and honor recognition is accorded to those with grade point averages from 3.50 to 3.74.

Personalized certificates of scholastic achievement are sent to those who earned highest honors distinction.

Students who received honors include:

Whitewater, WI

 Wyatt Anderson, Honors
 Giovanni Anello, Honors
 A’lani Ross, Highest Honors

Huge rummage sale! Something for everyone. Girls and adult clothes, coats and boots.  Toys – vintage pedal tractors, ride on JD peg tractor and pull behinds, Tonya, princess dolls with bedding and wall art.   Kitchen and blankets.  Men toys (hunting, yard, and tools).  Plus, so much more!!
Friday 6/12  9 am to 4 and Saturday 6/13  8 am to 4.  W6915 Bluff RD. Whitewater

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.

Visit versiti.org/WI to make an appointment.

Appointments may also be booked by calling Lynn Binnie at 262-473-2997.

This technology help is for adults age 50 and older and individuals aged 18 and over with a disability. Services are provided by University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students and delivered in increments of 30-minutes. The program is designed to help participants build confidence using their technology, develop digital skills, and stay connected in an increasingly digital world.

Editor’s note: The hours of this service have been reduced compared with an earlier post on The Banner. This announcement was submitted by Jennifer Jackson, the city Parks & Recreation Department Adult Program Coordinator. She indicated that this service is scheduled to continue throughout the summer, with hours likely to be expanded in the fall.

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued the following guidance on Tuesday afternoon. In addition to the threat of severe thunderstorms, a heat index of nearly 100 degrees is anticipated on Wednesday.

• Multiple rounds of severe storms expected from early Wednesday morning to Thursday evening.
• Each round’s intensity will depend on the previous time period.
• Exact timing and location will likely shift – Keep an eye on the forecast.
• Wednesday morning, scattered storms moving northeastward may produce gusty winds and large hail.
• Wednesday midday to Wednesday afternoon, a line of severe storms is expected to move eastward. All hazards are possible.
• Wednesday evening, storms continue and begin to produce flood risk. Severe storms are possible, but confidence is lower.
• Thursday, an additional round or two of storms is expected, but timing and placement remains in question. Flooding would become more likely through Thursday.

The Whippet City Mile will again be run 10 minutes prior to the start of the 4th of July parade. The race is free and open to everyone. Racers and walkers are welcome. Come run in front of thousands of people lining the parade route and enjoy a course that is 7/10 downhill. Entrants are encouraged to pre-register by printing and mailing this form. As always, on-site registration will be available.

Goal is to reduce emergency department visits and hospital stays

Spring has sprung, and many Wisconsinites are starting to feel it in their airways. In Wisconsin, approximately 550 children are hospitalized each year for asthma-related health issues, and 4,800 children end up in Wisconsin emergency departments. May is Asthma Awareness Month, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) wants to remind Wisconsinites that help and resources are available.

“Asthma symptoms increase in the spring due to increased allergens like pollen and other environmental triggers that irritate sensitive airways,” said Paula Tran, state health officer and administrator of the Division of Public Health. “While there is no cure for asthma, it can be managed with proper treatment and an asthma action plan.”

In Wisconsin, 1 in 15 children has asthma, and 41% of children have an uncontrollable form of it, causing 1 in 3 to miss school as a result. Programs like the Asthma-Safe Homes Program (ASHP) can be a lifeline to families who need support managing asthma symptoms.

ASHP is available to all Medicaid-eligible children and pregnant people with uncontrolled asthma in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Rock counties. Services offered include home visits for self-management education, home assessments to identify triggers, supplies to reduce triggers, and, if eligible, asthma-related home repairs addressing mold, air quality, and allergens. More than 700 Wisconsinites in over 100 homes have received repair and remediation services to address sources of asthma triggers in the past three years.

All families managing asthma can use these tips to help keep their child’s asthma under control:

• Make sure children take their medicine as prescribed every day.
• Create an asthma action plan and share it with any adult in a child’s life who may need to know the steps, such as teachers, babysitters, and coaches, etc. Ensure children recognize their asthma symptoms and know what action to take.
• Recognize common springtime asthma triggers like pollens, temperature changes, and physical activity.
• Check local air quality and pollen levels (visit the DHS Climate and Health webpage).
• Have children stay indoors when air quality levels or pollen counts are high.
• Use air conditioning instead of opening windows when air quality levels or pollen counts are high.
• If a child has played outside, have them shower off before getting into bed.
• Vacuum kids’ rooms and wash bedding, clothes, and stuffed animals weekly.

Learn how to reduce asthma triggers, create an asthma action plan, and apply to ASHP on the DHS Asthma webpage.

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

On June 1, Emergency Communications staff at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office launched their new Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) system, which utilizes a standardized protocol and advanced technology to ensure that EMTs and paramedics have the critical information they need when responding to each call for medical assistance.

All dispatchers on the Emergency Communications team will use APCO IntelliComm software. It enables them to gather real-time information in order of importance while using natural conversation to aid the caller in providing key facts. This aids staff members in providing vital details to responders as they are traveling to the scene.

“Although dispatchers have always asked clarifying questions, EMD standardizes that process and ensures we follow a proven protocol for every call,” said Robert Krueger, Communications Supervisor at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. “This means the questions are structured, consistent, and designed to quickly pinpoint the patient’s condition. It allows dispatchers to provide pre‑arrival instructions that weren’t always part of the previous workflow.”

Callers may notice that they are being asked additional questions, but that will not delay the arrival of assistance. Help is sent immediately during the call – and responders will be able to work more quickly and effectively, armed with the additional details they received on the way. “The new system improves the accuracy of the information our crews receive and helps us deliver better, more efficient service to the public,” said Krueger.

For more about the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.jeffersoncountywi.gov/sheriff_br_law_enforcement___public_safety/index.php

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Jefferson County.