News

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Continuing our series on Whitewater fires, here is a “colorized” post card of the original high school building, constructed in 1884 as an elementary school. By 1894, the high school program, started in 1889, completely took over the building fondly known as the “Big Brick.” In 1927, city residents approved a referendum to build a new modern high school (old Franklin Junior High School, demolished). But before the new building was completed, this building burned and the school district had to scramble to house classes in other buildings for the remainder of the year. “Big Brick” park honors the location of the old high school.

Per a 3 p.m. update on Friday from the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office, the late winter storm is tracking more to the north, and it is expected that until about 4 p.m. on Sunday any precipitation here will be primarily in the form of “mix” or rain. Then it is likely that we will be under a Winter Storm Watch from Sunday at 4 p.m. until Monday at 7 p.m. During this period, it’s anticipated that we may see 2-6″ of snow. Initially the snow is expected to be wet and heavy but eventually will transition to lighter and drier. Watch for updates, as the track of this storm is difficult to predict.

Calling all music makers! Kids and families are invited to “Family Jams: Music, Movement, and Instrument Exploration” at the Whitewater Public Library on Saturday, March 14 at 10:30 a.m. in Meeting Room 1. Explore world instruments in the “Instrument Lab,” dance and move to expressive music, and make music together at “Family Jams,” a memorable music & movement experience for the whole family. All ages welcome! There is no cost or registration.

10:30-11:00: Instrument Lab: everyone can freely explore and “jam” with a variety of world instruments.

11:00-11:45: Music and Movement “Family Jams” — dance and create music together as a group.

The class is taught by Noelle Larson, a Board-Certified Music Therapist, graduate of Whitewater High School and Berklee College of Music, and the owner of Circle of Song Music Therapy, LLC. Noelle has a passion for helping clients and participants to “Connect, Thrive, and Come Alive Through Music,” strengthen family relationships, learn adaptive coping strategies, and experience wonder and joy through the delight of participating in live music making.

The Whitewater Public Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. For more information, visit whitewaterlibrary.org, email library@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0530.

Editor’s Note: The above was provided by Bethel House.

Studio 84 is having their Spring Flower Fundraiser. This includes bulbs, perennials, seeds, seed mats and more. The studio’s personalized website http://studio84.fpfundraising.com will be open to receive orders until May 14^th. Studio 84 will receive up to 50% of the total sales from all orders placed. Your order will be shipped directly to your home.

Studio 84 representatives are asking people to please consider this spring fundraiser as a way to continue to support the programming at Studio 84 and enjoy beautiful flowers at the same time.

Editor’s Note: The above was provided by Studio 84.

New York Voices: The Grand Finale-A Celebration of Songs & Friendship

New York Voices has released 10 studio albums featuring their signature sound and eclectic musical choices. They follow their passions on choosing repertoire and how to write for the human voice. They were special guests special on two Grammy Award-winning projects with The Count Basie Orchestra and Paquito D’Rivera. A contemporary classical record, Visions Within, a Meeting of Minds with the Bob Mintzer Big Band and a soon-to-be-released collaboration with Ivan Lins rounds out the large projects in their catalogue. Too numerous to mention guest artist appearances flesh out a long career of recording, collaborating and being in-demand for projects looking for their special sound and refined artistry. After nearly four decades together, New York Voices recently announced their plan to retire by the end of 2026…don’t miss being a part of their farewell tour!

Sunday, March 15, 2026 @ 3:00 PM
The Young Performing Arts Center
930 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190

All seats are $31, tax and fees included. Tickets may be purchased here or by calling the Ticket Services office at the Greenhill Center for the Arts, 950 W. Main Street, Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. or by calling 262-472-2222. There is a small additional service charge for purchasing tickets at the door.

New York Voices Biography by Scott Yanow

One of the best (and only) jazz vocal groups of the 1990s, the New York Voices use a repertoire that includes bop songs from the vocalese tradition, plus adaptations of more timely material from the jazz and pop worlds. Leader Darmon Meader (who also plays reeds and the EWI) had taken a vocal group to Europe in 1986 through Ithaca College, using the name of the New York Voices. The following year, the group became official, consisting of a rhythm section and five singers: Meader (who also plays reeds and EWI), Caprice Fox, Kim Nazarian, Sara Krieger (later succeeded by Lauren Kinhan), and Peter Eldridge. They have recorded an enjoyable series of CDs for GRP.

On Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 5:47 a.m., Whitewater Police Officers responded to a residence on S. Prairie Street for a 911 call advising the dispatch center about an unknown disturbance in progress. When officers arrived on scene, it was discovered that a significant domestic abuse incident had occurred. The victim in this incident had visible minor injuries when she answered the door for officers. The victim advised that the suspect, Arling Fajardo Herrera (24-year-old male), had called her and threatened to kill her and himself.

Fajardo Herrera broke into the victim’s residence and armed himself with a large kitchen knife. Fajardo Herrera confronted the victim in the bedroom and threatened to kill her. Fajardo Herrera used the knife and attempted to stab the victim, but the victim was able to block the knife enough to cause the suspect to stab into the bed mattress causing the blade and handle to break. Fajardo Herrera then armed himself with a second knife and approached the victim again when officers knocked on the door. Fajardo Herrera attempted to conceal himself in a bedroom and ignored orders from officers to surrender. Fajardo Herrera was ultimately taken into custody after officers entered the bedroom that Fajardo Herrera was hiding inside. Fajardo Herrera was confined in the Walworth County Jail and formally charged by the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office on the following charges:

 Disorderly Conduct – Domestic Abuse Assessments, Use of a Dangerous Weapon
 Battery – Domestic Abuse Assessments, Use of a Dangerous Weapon
 First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety – Domestic Abuse Assessments as a Repeater
 False Imprisonment – Domestic Abuse Assessments, Use of a Dangerous Weapon
 Criminal Damage to Property – Domestic Abuse Assessments, Use of a Dangerous Weapon

It is noted that this case has not been concluded. Unless a judgement of conviction is entered, the arrestee/defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Whitewater Police Department.

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office [NWS] indicates that there is potential for significant snowfall with wind across at least a portion of southern Wisconsin from Saturday night through Sunday night. NWS stated on Wednesday afternoon: “An area of snowfall accumulation exceeding eight inches is expected, but the location remains highly uncertain. Significant travel impacts are possible if heavy snow and blustery winds occur within a portion of southern Wisconsin.” 

The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area will hold a Candidate Forum for Whitewater Unified School District school board candidates on Saturday, March 14, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM, in the City of Whitewater Council Chambers, 312 W Whitewater Street.

There are three open seats on the School Board and four candidates. The candidates are: Stephanie Hicks (incumbent), Lisa Huempfner (incumbent), Terri Jones, and Christy Linse (incumbent). All candidates have agreed to attend the forum.

The League sponsors candidate forums for the benefit of YOU, the voter. At the forum, you will be asked to write your questions on cards distributed by the League. Questions are reviewed by question checkers, who sort them by topic and check for redundancy, before forwarding them to the moderator. We do not accept questions targeted to specific candidates. Questions prepared by the League board will be used only if there are not enough questions provided by residents in attendance at the forum.

Bring your family, friends and neighbors! Be an active participant in our democracy!

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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!