Jeanine and Rick Fassl are again taking their art to new heights. They are participating in the Whitewater Arts Alliance Public Art Project by creating wooden barn quilts that will hang on the light poles downtown for the summer. They have enjoyed creating fish, chairs, water barrels, bikes, kites, hearts and more for the many years the Whitewater Arts Alliance has been hosting the project.
Blanks are available at the Cultural Arts Center or the Chamber of Commerce office. The finished boards are to be returned by April 15 unless an extension is requested. Further information is available here.
Our thanks to Jeanine and Rick Fassl for sharing their beautiful work in progress with us.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com or click on “submit a story” near the top right of our homepage. Thanks for thinking about this!
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the City of Whitewater.
Common Council President, Lisa Dawsey Smith, and Whitewater City Manager, John Weidl, invite the community to a Meet and Greet event on Wednesday, April 5th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at City Hall on the second floor. The April Meet and Greet will also include the Chief of Police, Daniel A. Meyer and Officer Saul Valadez. From 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Common Council Member and Community Development Authority Vice Chair James Allen will be available.
“Over the next several months and into next year, the Common Council president and I look forward to introducing the community to individual council members and department heads as well as showcasing their unique contributions to our City. At the same time, we hope to provide an opportunity for individuals to get to know more about the City employees, ask questions, and make suggestions,” says John Weidl, Whitewater city manager. “We are also pleased to announce that we will have staff that can speak both Spanish and English for our ELL and MLL community members. All are welcome!”
This event is part of a series of open forums to get to know your leadership. All citizens are welcome and encouraged to attend. This is a great opportunity to introduce yourself, get answers to your questions, or discover ways to get involved in serving your community through a board, committee, or commission.
“The future of our community depends in large part on our commitment to meaningful dialogue. Everyone has a role in building a more vibrant community. We need to build a bridge between the conversations we have around the kitchen table and the conversations amongst our community leaders. This series of open forums enables us to build community dialogue,” says Lisa Dawsey Smith, Common Council president.
The April 5th Meet and Greet event will be held at the Municipal Building, on the 2nd floor, in the Cravath Lakefront Conference Room. Coffee and cookies will be served. First come, first served.
Town of Whitewater Walworth County, Wisconsin The Town of Whitewater has a road project planned for April, 2023. The project is for scratch and overlay on Reliance Road from Highway 12 to County Road P. All bids must be delivered no later than 8:30 AM, April 13, 2023. For specific project information, please contact the Public Works Superintendent. 920-723-0458 or public.works@townofwhitewaterwi.gov
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
According to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, the woman who allegedly was the mother of the deceased infant that was found in a field on March 4 was charged in Jefferson County Circuit Court on March 28 with two felonies. Santos Asucena Caseres Cruz, age 39, 755 N. Tratt Street, Lot 42, faces charges of Neglecting a Child (Consequence is Death) and Move/Hide/Bury Corpse of Child. The Court ordered a $10,000.00 CASH Bond, with conditions: surrender of any passport, not to leave Jefferson County, and the Defendant is to report and comply with GPS monitoring program as administered by Wisconsin Community Services.
Per WKOW, “Although she initially denied the pregnancy, Caseres Cruz later admitted she had the baby on January 27 in secret. She told police she believed the baby was dead soon after he was born. She said she did not call 911 or get help because her other children didn’t know she was pregnant. A probable cause statement said, the next day, Caseres Cruz put the baby in the field where it was later found. ” This purported timing conflicts with the earlier statement from investigators who said that they believed that the child had been in the field for less than two days prior to being discovered on March 4.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for April 4, 2023.
The initial press release from March 4 regarding the incident is available here.
From Wednesday, March 22, through Saturday, March 25, the Whitewater High School FIRST Robotics Competition Team 6574 Ferradermis competed at the Wisconsin Regional in Milwaukee with 47 teams from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Mexico.
Chacha Binagi, Mel Prince, Zoe Olson, Andrew Zimmermann, Emerson Dunham, and Belle Cohen wait to greet the elementary and middle school students visiting on Friday.
Seventeen team members traveled to the event and took on various roles and responsibilities over the course of the four days. The team was led onto the field by Drive Team members Andrew O’Toole, Ace Hudec, Jazmin Cederberg, Erison Dreksler, and Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman, while the pit crew was headed by Safety Captain Peter Portwine. Additional students rotated in and out of the pit, including Luc Pomazak and Belle Cohen. Other students, including Mel Prince, Rae Breisath, Zoe Olson, Chacha Binagi, and Margaret Brown focused mainly on scouting and gathering detailed data on the performance of other teams under the leadership of Competition Logistics Captain Emerson Dunham. The Impact Presentation Team of Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman, Maddison LaHaie, and Andrew Zimmermann focused on talking with judges about everything the team does outside of the robot, greeting judges at the pit as well as doing their formal presentation. The team’s Dean’s List Nominees, Emerson Dunham and Maddison LaHaie, also had a chance to do their personal interviews with the judging panels at this event.
The Drive Team, including Co-Head Coach Dilpreet Randhawa, Technician Erison Dreksler, Operator Ace Hudec, Human Player Jazmin Cederberg, Driver Andrew O’Toole, and Media Person Luc Pomazak wait to take the field for a match.
On Wednesday afternoon, before doing pit setup, the team visited the Milwaukee Public Museum and enjoyed the “Streets of Old Milwaukee” exhibit, as well as the special exhibit on “Survival of the Slowest,” and viewed “Wings Over Water,” a film in the domed theater. The team attempts to schedule one non-robotics activity in each city they travel to for multiple-day events.
Throughout Thursday’s practice day, the team enjoyed visits from many Whitewater School District staff. School administrators and counselors had been specifically invited by the newly formed board of FIRST Wisconsin to attend a meeting to learn more about grant funding for robotics, and Whitewater was well-represented. The team is also thankful for all of the sponsors, community members, parents, and school staff members who joined us for parts of the competition on Friday and Saturday, despite the interesting weather events.
A highlight for the team was a visit on Friday morning by members of the FIRST Lego League Teams from Washington Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, and Whitewater Middle School. Ferradermis chartered two buses to bring these students to Milwaukee so that the younger students could experience the excitement of the competition and see the opportunities that await them as part of the robotics program. Mel Prince, Zoe Olson, Chacha Binagi, Belle Cohen, Maddison LaHaie, and Andrew Zimmermann greatly enjoyed cheering with their groups of students in the stands and leading them on tours of the pits to collect buttons and see all of the robots up close. Thank you to chaperones Val Troxel, Chris Nate, Lisa Kaminski, Sara Brautigam, Kerry Ramsden, Suzanne Chenoweth, and Jill Bergman for making this possible! The team was also excited to see so many classrooms in the Whitewater schools joining in the fun by watching matches online.
Members of the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Teams from Washington Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, and Whitewater Middle School visited the event on Friday morning.
There are so many opportunities for students to engage with other teams and sponsors at a regional event. Chacha Binagi, Mel Prince, Rae Breisath, Maddison LaHaie, and Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman joined the FRC Team Choir to perform the National Anthem for Saturday morning’s opening ceremonies. Maddison LaHaie and Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman also served as official Team Ambassadors, giving tours to visiting VIPs. Behind the Bumpers is a program produced by FIRST Updates Now and hosted by Tyler Olds which does interviews to highlight teams that are finding success on the field. Andrew O’Toole, Ace Hudec, Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman, and Erison Dreksler were honored to be interviewed by Tyler on Friday, and we look forward to seeing the finished piece appear online.
Filming the “Behind the Bumpers” segment with Tyler Olds from FIRST Updates Now
The team ended the qualification rounds with an 8-4 record and ranked 10th out of 47. Following qualifications, an alliance selection process takes place where eight alliances of three teams each are formed for the elimination (playoff) rounds. After declining an offer to join the #2 seeded alliance for the playoffs, a decision based on our scouting data, Ferradermis became the captain of the #8 seeded alliance. During the alliance selection process, the #8 alliance captain makes its two picks back-to-back, and Ferradermis invited Red Raider Robotics from Sheboygan and Graffiti from Greendale to join them in the playoffs.
Emerson Dunham (back left corner) represents Ferradermis during the alliance selection process for the playoffs. This photo shows the representatives from the 24 teams (out of 47) who have made it into the playoffs to form 8 alliances of 3 teams each.
Ferradermis launched into the double-elimination playoffs with a fury, defeating the #1 seeded alliance led by Team 930 from Mukwonago, 133-127. They then fell to the #4 seeded alliance led by Team 2202 BEAST Robotics from Brookfield, 107-126 to drop into the lower bracket of the playoffs. Ferradermis rallied and defeated the #6 seeded alliance led by Team 93 NEW Apple Corps from Appleton in round 3, 118-91. In round 4, Ferradermis was eliminated by the #2 seeded alliance led by Team 537 Charger Robotics from Sussex, 108-144. The Ferradermis-led alliance ended the regional in 4th place, and the event was eventually won by the #3 seeded alliance led by Team 1732 Hilltopper Robotics from Marquette University High School.
A Photo Shared from a 3rd Grade Classroom in WUSD
Chief GatorVator waits on the Field for a Match to Begin
Discussing Match Strategy with the Drive Teams from our Playoff Alliance
Drivers Andrew O'Toole and Ace Hudec Review Match Footage with Co-head Coach Jacob Lee
Electrical Team Member Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman works on the Robot Between Matches
Enjoying the Survival of the Slowest Exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum
Five Ferradermis Members Represented the Team in the FRC Team Choir
FLL Students from Lakeview in the Stands with the Button Bags Made for them by Ferradermis
Getting Weighed and Measured as part of the Inspection Process
Lakeview FLL Students Show Off Their New Button Collections with their Ferradermis Rep Zoe Olson
Lincoln FLL Students Talk with Another Team About their Robot in the Pits
Lincoln Poses for a Team Photo with their Ferradermis Reps Belle Cohen and Mel Prince
Maddi LaHaie Waits for her Dean's List Interview
Mechanical Team Member Luc Pomazak works on the Elevator Between Matches
Peter Portwine Answering Questions from Pit Scouters for other Teams
Safety Captain Peter Portwine Checks the Robot Between Matches
School District Visitors - Teri Hamilton and Principal Brent Mansky
School District Visitors - Terilyn Robles and Superintendent Dr. Pate-Hefty
Sophomore Emerson Dunham has Just Finished her Dean's List Interview
Spanish Teacher Kate McNulty was one of Many Fans to Visit Milwaukee
Talking Match Strategy with Alliance Partners
Talking with a Pair of Judges about Team Sustainability
Team Meeting at the Hotel
The Butterfly Garden at the Milwaukee Public Museum
The Impact Presentation Team
The Pit Setup Crew of Andrew O'Toole, Erison Dreksler, and Peter Portwine
The Team Appreciates Meals Often Provided by Parents
Ferradermis will continue to meet throughout the remainder of the school year in preparation for summer off-season events including ones in Mukwonago and Kettle Moraine. We are open to new membership at any time, including incoming freshmen over the summer. Students do not need any particular skill sets to join, as they will learn everything they need to know from the veteran students and mentors. Students interested in joining should reach out to Laura Masbruch at lmasbruch@wwusd.org or stop by room 249 at the high school. Students will also be available for question and answer as well as robot demonstrations at Lincoln Elementary’s STEAM Night on May 2. The team is also in search of additional adult mentors with knowledge in machining, CAD, programming, business, marketing, or any number of other skills.
Thank you to all of our sponsors and volunteers who make this exciting opportunity available to our students at Whitewater High School. Co-advisors Laura Masbruch and Jacob Lee would especially like to thank volunteers Dilpreet Randhawa, Doug Grall, Mark Zimmermann, Kat Dunham, Rob Prager, Reilly Aschenbrener, and Rosie Aschenbrener for working with the students throughout the event this past week.
Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor and Banner Volunteer lmasbruch@wwusd.org
Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Oder #189 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Tues., March 28, 2023, in honor of Army Private First Class William LaVerne “Sonny” Simon, a recently identified World War II soldier whose remains have been identified and returned to Wisconsin for burial.
“A decorated military veteran, Private Simon served our state and country well, giving his life in defense of the values and freedoms we hold most dear,” said Gov. Evers. “We are incredibly grateful for the efforts of his family and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to bring him home so that he will finally be laid to rest in peace.”
A native of Middleton, a Veteran of World War II, and a member of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, Army Private First Class Simon was reported unaccounted for on Nov. 5, 1944, during the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest in Germany. His remains were designated “X-5767” and were interred in the Ardennes American Cemetery in 1950, with his name memorialized on the Netherlands American Cemetery Wall of the Missing, along with others missing from World War II. In April 2019, Army Private First Class Simon’s remains were sent to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency laboratory for analysis and identification, and because of the efforts of his surviving sister and brother and the work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Army Private First Class Simon’s remains have been positively identified.
Army Private First Class William LaVerne “Sonny” Simon will be buried with full military honors in Middleton on Tues., March 28, 2023. Army Private First Class Simon was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his actions at the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest.
A Proclamation Honoring the Victims of the Tragedy in Nashville, Tennessee
As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on March 27, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of American, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, March 31, 2023.
The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Community Room will be the venue for monthly Medicare Scholar educational seminars presented by local business owner Jean Linos of ePlatinum Health. The Medicare Scholar program provides timely information about updates to the Medicare program, law changes, benefits, different types of insurance coverage and more. Each seminar includes a visual presentation, handouts on the topic covered are provided to all attendees and time for questions & answers at the end. Upcoming seminars for March and April are as follows:
Thursday March 30th @ 10 a.m. 2023 Medicare Updates
Tuesday April 4th @ 1 p.m. and Thursday April 6th @ 10 a.m. Inflation Reduction Act
Thursday April 13th @ 1 p.m. Diabetic Treatment & Supplies
Tuesday April 25th @ 10 a.m. Medicare Cost Plans
Editor’s note: This announcement was submitted by Jean Linos. The Irvin L. Young Library indicates that this is not a library-run program.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Whitewater Police Department on March 27. The initial report of the incident may be found here.
On Friday, March 24, 2023, Whitewater Police arrested a 39-year-old Whitewater woman, believed to be the mother of the deceased newborn. The suspect is currently confined in the Jefferson County Jail. This case continues to be investigated, but the following charges are being forwarded to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office at this time: Wis. Stat. 948.23(2) – Concealing Death of a Child and Wis. Stat. 946.41 – Resisting or Obstructing Officer. It should be noted that additional charges, or modifications to these charges, may follow based on the continuing investigation. We thank the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation for their investigative assistance in this case. Due to the fact that this case is ongoing, no additional details will be provided at this time.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the City of Whitewater Police Department.
On Sunday, March 26, 2023, at 11:21 a.m., Whitewater Police, Fire and EMS, responded to the Main Street bridge in the 100 block of W. Main St. for a deceased male found suspended from the bridge. The male was identified as 47-year-old, Cameron Bicknell, of Whitewater. Based on the investigation, this was determined to be a suicide that occurred late in the day on Saturday, March 25th. The Walworth County Medical Examiner was called to the scene to assist in the death investigation, and an autopsy has been scheduled. We offer our sincere condolences to those who knew Mr. Bicknell.
We want to ensure our residents are aware of the crisis resources available in the community. There is immediate access to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Additionally, Walworth County residents can connect with Walworth County Crisis resources at 262-741-3200, and Jefferson County residents can connect with Jefferson County Crisis resources at 920-674-3105. Finally, anyone in crisis can get connected to services by contacting the Whitewater Police Department at 262-473-0555 or by calling 911.
