News

Buildings across the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater are now being equipped with naloxone, a medication that helps reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

This university-wide effort — a partnership with Wisconsin Voices for Recovery that includes both the Whitewater and Rock County campuses — involves installing naloxone rescue boxes in 22 strategic locations in residence halls and academic buildings, as well as visitor-centered areas like the James R. Connor University Center and the Williams Center. A complete list of locations where the boxes will be installed can be found online.

The university is taking this step as a proactive, life-saving measure, said Matthew Kiederlen, UW-Whitewater police chief. 

“While the number of incidents of opioid overdose in the university community is extremely low and our police officers have had naloxone/Narcan available for several years, providing the general public and community the ability to assist before we can arrive on scene can save a life,” Kiederlen said. 

UW-Whitewater police officers and student CSOs (community service officers) have been trained to administer naloxone. Voluntary training will be made available to other university employees. 

Placed near AEDs (automated external defibrillators), the boxes at UW-Whitewater will be stocked with naloxone in nasal spray form courtesy of Wisconsin Voices for Recovery.

Naloxone — known widely by the brand name Narcan — is an FDA-approved medication that can rapidly and temporarily reverse an opioid overdose from heroin, synthetic opioids like fentanyl, and prescription pain relievers like oxycodone and morphine. 

“Other drugs have been found increasingly laced with fentanyl and users are therefore inadvertently consuming and accidentally overdosing,” said Jenny Kwapil, who serves as a counselor and alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) coordinator. “Having readily available access to naloxone can save lives if it is administered immediately after an overdose. This program aligns with our duty and commitment to student care and wellbeing, as well as community safety.”

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports the state had 1,427 opioid overdose deaths in 2021, up about 16% from 2020. The region (Walworth, Rock, Jefferson counties) had 97 confirmed overdose deaths in 2021, an increase of 28% from 2020.  

Cindy Burzinski, Wisconsin Voices for Recovery director, said her team is pleased to facilitate access to naloxone at UW-Whitewater. 

“The mission of our Nalox-ZONE program is to increase access to naloxone by installing as many boxes as possible across Wisconsin, supporting harm reduction efforts to save lives and prevent fatalities as a result of opioid overdoses,” Burzinski said.

Included in the Nalox-ZONE boxes are “211” cards, which is the number to call to inquire about treatment and recovery resources. They also contain CPR masks, and Narcan administration instruction tear-off sheets for easy access in emergencies (and to take to just have). The boxes are monitored wirelessly by sensors that detect when they have been opened, so they can be restocked if necessary. 

Naloxone is available at pharmacies, but many people are reluctant to purchase the product in those locations because there is a record of who bought it and when, said Julie Martindale, health director at UW-Whitewater. Retrieving the medication on campus provides anonymity.

Calling 911 so that emergency medical services staff can help the person in need is a critical first step in overdose response. Naloxone can help keep the person breathing until additional medical help arrives.

“While naloxone should only be used when there is a high suspicion of overdose, it’s also important to understand that you can’t hurt anyone by administering naloxone as a precaution to someone who turns out to not be overdosing. You can only save a life,” said Martindale. 

In addition to the AEDs, life safety kits accompany each naloxone rescue box, containing tourniquets, pressure bandages and medical gloves, designed to allow folks to assist those injured in a traumatic event.

Wisconsin Voices for Recovery’s Nalox-ZONE Box Program began in 2020 and continues to expand. For more information about the program or to make a donation, contact NaloxZone@fammed.wisc.edu. The program acknowledges the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Narcan Direct Program for providing naloxone that helps make the program a success. 

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Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Community Room
431 W. Center Street
Agenda includes possible changes to meeting room policy.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88152573275?pwd=V25Wd3Z2d0llM3FZcUt1eTJBdGN4QT09
Meeting ID: 881 5257 3275
Passcode: pjB0AaAK
Or dial 1 312 626 6799

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes swearing in of new Council members, election of President, closed session to discuss Lease and option agreement with ClearPath Energy LLC for a solar energy project to be constructed on the City of Whitewater closed landfill site located at the end of the north terminus of Jefferson Street (action on which may be taken afterwards in open session) and closed session re: negotiation of Aquatic & Fitness Center agreement with school district. [Editor’s note: The Council President confirms that the mission statement for the Police Department was inadvertently included at the top of the agenda.]
This will be an IN PERSON and a VIRTUAL MEETING. (not in person).
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87097227499?pwd=Y0dSeEdXWm1YdkJDSUptd1gxRmsrdz09
Passcode: 396658
Or Telephone 929 205 6099
Webinar ID: 870 9722 7499
Passcode: 396658

Irvin L. Young Libary Board Development Committee – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
AGENDA includes update regarding Economic Development Director/CDA Director Search.
Location: Municipal Building – Community Room 1st Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be an IN-PERSON and VIRTUAL MEETING
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click this URL to join.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86888429409?pwd=M2tiNXBjK2lYeUhxTDdPM3A1RHB2QT09
Passcode: 077687
Or join by phone: US: +1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 868 8842 9409
Passcode: 077687

Whitewater High School Class of 2023 graduate Kindyl Kilar has been awarded a Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship.

The Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship program aims to recognize student leadership, citizenship, school and community involvement, and academic achievement. The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation’s goal is to encourage Wisconsin youth to pursue post-secondary education in a public or private two-year or four-year college or university. The Foundation awards $10,000 scholarships to 100 Wisconsin high school graduates each year.

Students are evaluated on their leadership, citizenship, school and community involvement, and academic achievement. In addition, students are evaluated on their ability to clearly articulate goals in each of four areas: future educational goals, personal life goals, community/society service goals, and career goals.

Editor’s note: The above announcement is posted on the Whitewater High School website.

It’s that time of year again in Whitewater! In honor of Earth Day, the Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission along with the City of Whitewater will hold our 2nd Annual Community Tree Sale on Saturday, April 22nd from 10 – 4 and Sunday, April 23rd from 10 – 2 . Last year we sold all of our trees in two days so the sale this year will only be for two days instead of last year’s four. Come early so you don’t miss out!

What’s so great about these trees you ask? All of these trees are native to this area of Wisconsin and are usually very hard to find. They are also very reasonably priced because they are smaller than what you’d be lucky to find at a nursery, so they will fit in an SUV. What’s really special though is that these trees have been grown in a process called air pruning which means that they have very well developed, fibrous root systems that will allow the trees to take off quickly once planted. Each tree comes with planting instructions and we will have knowledgeable people on hand to answer your questions. Go to our website at www.arbatstarin.org for a complete list of the trees for sale, their characteristics and pictures so you can start planning! I will note here that our supplier, Possibility Place, lost all of their Ironwood trees this winter, so though these are on the list, they will not be available for this sale, we’re sorry! Hope to see you at the Tree Sale!

*This sale is held to provide native trees to area residents. Prices are just enough to cover the cost of the trees and their transportation. Last year they were $30 to $65 and will be that or very close to that again this year.

The National Honor Society at Whitewater High School is hosting a Spring Silent Auction from April 14 – 28 this year!  Projects up for bid are Babysitting, Yard Work, Spring Gardening, Dog Walking, Car Wash, Baking / Catering, Starbucks Coffee Basket, Spring Cleanup Project, Movie Night Basket, Candyland Basket, Walk & Wash Dog Project, Book Gift Basket, and a Rainy Day Basket! 

NHS members will notify their winners the week of May 1 and will complete their projects from May 1 – 22.  Funds raised will be used for local & area scholarships and other worthwhile causes.  People interested in participating can place their bids on the following link to the WHS NHS Website by 3:30 pm on Friday, April 28:

https://sites.google.com/wwusd.org/whsnationalhonorsociety/spring-silent-auction-23

Thank you so much for participating!

Please contact Pam Sonmor-Wintz if you have any questions!

Pamela Sonmor-Wintz, 
Whitewater High School Counselor (M-Z)
Scholarship Coordinator
National Honor Society Advisor

 Whitewater High School
 534 S Elizabeth St  
 Phone:  262.472.8113

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Orders #192 and #193 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., April 15, 2023, in honor of Chetek Police Officer Emily Breidenbach and Cameron Police Officer Hunter Scheel, who were killed in the line of duty on Sat., April 8, 2023.

“By every account, Officer Breidenbach and Officer Scheel were deeply committed to their roles and responsibilities as law enforcement officers and the people and communities they served every day,” said Gov. Evers. “Their tragic and senseless deaths are an incredible loss and a testament to the danger first responders face every day in the line of duty to keep our communities safe. Our hearts are with Officer Breidenbach and Officer Scheel’s family, friends, and loved ones, members of the Chetek and Cameron police departments, and everyone from the Barron County community.”

Officer Breidenbach began her law enforcement career with the Stoughton Police Department before joining the Chetek Police Department in 2019. Officer Breidenbach was committed to serving her community, seeking public office and serving as president of the Chetek Youth Center board.

Officer Scheel graduated from the Law Enforcement Academy in 2022 and served the Cameron Police Department for the past year. Additionally, Officer Scheel’s commitment to service extended even beyond the Cameron community, having served as a member of the Army National Guard for six years.

Services for Officer Breidenbach and Officer Scheel, announced yesterday, will be held on Sat., April 15, 2023, in Cameron, Wisconsin.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the City of Whitewater.

NOTICE: The Water Utility will begin its semi-annual water main and hydrant flushing program on Monday, April 17, through Friday, April 28, 2023.

Flushing of water mains is necessary to test the hydrants to make sure adequate flow and pressure is available.  It also confirms the fire hydrants and valves are operating correctly.  In addition, it enhances water quality by removing sediment from the pipes in order to maintain water clarity and quality in the distribution pipes.  

Occasionally, water becomes discolored after hydrant flushing.  If this happens turn on an outside spigot or a cold water tap, in the lowest level of your home, for a few minutes until the water clears.  If it doesn’t clear the first time, wait a few minutes and run the water again.  You may want to wait until the crew has left the area and the water settles down before running your water tap.  

Additionally, caution should be exercised in washing of white clothing.  Discoloration of water due to flushing WILL stain white clothing.  Therefore, you should avoid washing clothes until the water clears.  

If the Water Utility crew experiences more repairs than expected throughout the two weeks, flushing may continue into the following week.  Thank you for your patience and understanding during water main and hydrant flushing.  

The City of Whitewater provides efficient and high-quality services which support living, learning, playing and working in an exceptional community. Visit www.whitewater-wi.gov for community information and updates.

You may be able to download and print the order form below, but the information may be emailed or mailed in another format to the Lions Club, P. O. Box 246, Whitewater 53190.