News

Al Stanek caught this photo on the Ice Age Trail.

Our thanks to Al Stanek for sharing this beautiful photo.

— 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. Thanks for thinking about this!

UW-Whitewater Chancellor Corey A. King and Willie Warhawk were excited to visit Aropa Designs — a fixture in the community for almost 40 years. At the downtown shop, which offers custom and contract screen-printing and embroidery on a wide variety of apparel products, they were joined by co-founder Tom Spear, who started the business with his brother Tim in the back of a bar. Tom is now helped by his wife, Ann, and two of their kids, Sage and Slate. (Shout out to double alum Ann Spear, who earned a BSE in elementary education in 1990 and an MSE in reading and elementary education in 1996, and worked for the Whitewater Unified School District for more than 30 years!)

View the video here:

Every year Aropa Designs prints more than 3,000 T-shirts for UW-Whitewater to hand out when first-year and transfer students experience painting Warhawk Drive and running into Perkins Stadium during our signature Warhawk Welcome event. It’s another shining example of a local business working closely with the university and leaning into what they do best to benefit the Whitewater community.

Mascot on Main showcases community businesses and organizations like Aropa and the many positive relationships they have with the university. To view more Mascot on Main highlights, visit our YouTube playlist.

To find out more about Aropa Designs, visit https://www.aropadesigns.com/

Jefferson County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). This award is considered the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

GFOA evaluated Jefferson County’s budget for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2026. An impartial panel determined that the budget satisfied “nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device,” as noted in the GFOA press release. Those who earn the award are rated “proficient” in the four main categories and all fourteen of the criteria within the categories.

Jefferson County’s budget also received special recognition for strategic goals and strategies, signifying that this aspect of the budget earned the highest possible score from each of the three GFOA reviewers.

“Jefferson County’s continued recognition from GFOA reflects the skill, dedication, and professionalism of our Finance Department and the entire team behind this budget,” said Michael Luckey, Jefferson County Administrator. “This is evidence of the County’s commitment to being a transformative government as called for in our Strategic Plan through careful planning, transparency, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.”

Jefferson County is one of just five Wisconsin counties to receive the most recent Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and the most recent Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, which is also presented by GFOA.

“These awards reflect the trust and confidence we have in (Jefferson County Finance Director) Marc DeVries and his team,” noted Finance Committee Chair George Jaeckel. “Marc oversees the budget with the conservative views our community values while maintaining fluidity to allow for the purchases necessary to serve the people of Jefferson County.”

To serve residents with outstanding fiscal responsibility, Jefferson County will continue to submit financial documents that comply with the highest established reporting standards.

For more about Jefferson County: jeffersoncountywi.gov

Last Bugle Call

We honor and remember the following Whitewater area veterans who passed away since last Memorial Day. “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” General George S. Patton.

Taps

22 May 2025 – 25 May 2026

Bruce Bucholtz
Kenneth D. Eggleston
Walter F. Eichman
Louis W. Golembiewski
Ronald Gosh
Clarence E. (Bud) Hansen Jr.
Michael J. Higgins
Richard D. Kilpin
John D. Koebler
Leonard J. Larsen
Kelly S. O’Donnell
Stephen Thorngate

We apologize if we have omitted the name of any veteran. It is not intentional. We only know what we see reported in the media and other sources.

Steven R. Smith, Adjutant, William Graham Post 173, Whitewater American Legion

If you have a worn American flag, you can drop it off at the flag drop for proper disposal. Located at 292 S. Wisconsin St.

If you’re a Veteran, consider joining American Legion Post 173, or your local post. 

Thank you

Steve  GO NAVY  Watson 

Our thanks to Steve GO NAVY Watson for this helpful reminder.

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Review and discussion of updated Capital Improvement Project Plan and Borrowing
Requirements; Review and Discussion of potential policy concepts related to fiscal management and
budgetary practices
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West
Whitewater Str, Whitewater, WI, 53190
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/22802858602943?p=eENK9PjoSvnCdsileP
Meeting ID: 228 028 586 029 43
Passcode: KR7qT2n9
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663 United States
Phone conference ID: 424 306 282#

City of Whitewater Board of Review – Tuesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190

City of Whitewater Aquatic Center Committee – Tuesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible recommendation on Engineering Audit proposal award.
Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center, Large
Meeting Room 580 S. Elizabeth St. Whitewater, WI
53190
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/210153510526973?p=q0pBJLhyuyvOUQEHse

Whitewater Unified School Board – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner) – Includes potential November operating referendum, Closed session regarding preliminary consideration of allegations of misconduct against a District employee.
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
6:00 p.m.
———————————————–
6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83039116695?pwd=nGaWlsWf5Ube2585gESOQbR1KpxFxb.1
– Passcode: 002157
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 830 3911 6695
– Passcode: 002157

City of Whitewater Board of Zoning Appeals – Thursday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Property Location: 328 W Main Street Parcel #/OT 00036
Variance Requested: To allow driveway asphalt to be up to the property line.
Reason for Request: To allow easier parking and wheelchair ramp access
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
*In Person and Virtual
Thursday, May 28, 2026 – 5:00 PM
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83198282604?pwd=cDdLWjUvTTRqRUQ4UVcwQWcrcW1BUT09
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 831 9828 2604
Passcode: 137945

City of Whitewater Ethics Board – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West
Whitewater Str, Whitewater, WI, 53190 *In Person
and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2967478053654?p=JEESDGICrxf7EyvfjJ
Meeting ID: 296 747 805 365 4
Passcode: 3wv9RX7y
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,,528687501# United States,
Phone conference ID: 528 687 501#

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff for Memorial Day

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #296 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Mon., May 25, 2026, as the state and nation recognize Memorial Day to honor and remember the nation’s fallen heroes, as well as the family members and loved ones they left behind. “Memorial Day marks a tradition that has been part of our nation’s history for more than 150 years, and today, we pay tribute to the selfless service members who have given their lives in the line of duty to defend and protect the freedoms, principles, and values we hold dear,” said Gov. Evers. “From soldiers and sailors to marines and airmen, our service members exemplify great courage, selflessness, dedication, and determination, and those who sacrificed their lives for this country will forever be heroes. Today, we join the loved ones, friends, and colleagues of our fallen service members in mourning their loss and sharing our deepest condolences and gratitude for their loved ones’ service.” Executive Order #296 will be in effect from sunrise to 12 p.m., as is customary, on Mon., May 25, 2026, and is available on Gov. Evers’ website.

On Wednesday evening, May 20, members of the Whitewater High School Class of 2026 gathered in the James M. Stewart Auditorium for the annual Scholarship Night Program. The scholarships included in this program are those awarded only to Whitewater High School students as part of the local and area scholarship program and are provided by businesses, organizations, individuals, and memorials local to Whitewater. Many students have earned additional scholarship monies through national programs and/or their school of choice. The total awarded on Wednesday evening was $311,064.

The Class of 2026 wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the Whitewater community.

Local and Area Scholarship Winners

• Cruz Aranda, J-Hawks Booster Club Swim, $250
• Cruz Aranda, Treyton Kilar Memorial, $500
• Cruz Aranda, Washington PATT, $1000
• Cruz Aranda, Whippet Booster Club, $1000
• Cruz Aranda, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Kiani Aranda, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $1000
• Kiani Aranda, Uglow Family, $1000
• Kiani Aranda, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $1000
• Kiani Aranda, Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club, $1200
• Kiani Aranda, WHS Student Council, $250
• Marcos Barojas, D.L.K. Enterprises Whippet to Warhawk, $750
• Marcos Barojas, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Sahlma Bergstrand, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Sahlma Bergstrand, Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs, $500
• Sahlma Bergstrand, D.L.K. Enterprises Whippet to Warhawk, $750
• Chacha Binagi, WUSD Ferradermis Scholarship, $1000
• Payton Brautigam, Dirk Seibold Cross Country & Track, $1000
• Payton Brautigam, Lakeview PTA Alumni, $500
• Payton Brautigam, Treyton Kilar Memorial, $500
• Payton Brautigam, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Payton Brautigam, WHS Faculty & Staff, $1000
• Rae Breisath, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Rae Breisath, Terra Staffing Services, $500
• Edrick Camacho Rivera, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $500
• Edrick Camacho Rivera, Veronica Hookstead-West Memorial, $5000
• Edrick Camacho Rivera, Kikkoman Foods, Inc. Endowed, $500
• Isabelle Cantu, American Legion Al & Doris Kolmos, $1000
• Isabelle Cantu, Bernie Partoll Memorial, $500
• Isabelle Cantu, D.L.K. Enterprises Whippet to Warhawk, $750
• Isabelle Cantu, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Shaday Capristran-Linares, Anthony J. Weiler Memorial, $1500
• Matthew Carollo, Burton H. Heldt Memorial, $750
• Matthew Carollo, Engineered Plastics Company – MacLean-Fogg Scholarship, $12000
• Matthew Carollo, Lakeview PTA Alumni, $500
• Matthew Carollo, Raymond O. Storck Family, $3000
• Matthew Carollo, TIMSHEL, $300
• Matthew Carollo, Treyton Kilar Memorial, $500
• Matthew Carollo, Veronica Hookstead-West Memorial, $5000
• Matthew Carollo, Whippet Booster Club, $1000
• Matthew Carollo, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Matthew Carollo, Wisconsin Academic Excellence Awards, $9000
• Natalia Casillas, American Legion Al & Doris Kolmos, $1000
• Natalia Casillas, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $500
• Natalia Casillas, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Peyton Clark, Malcolm C. Davison Music, $250
• Isabella Cohen, Michael Hoffman Memorial Music, $500
• Isabella Cohen, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Grace Coleman, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $2000
• Grace Coleman, Kikkoman Foods, Inc. Endowed, $1000
• Grace Coleman, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Grace Coleman, Whitwater Lions Club Scholarship, $500
• Grace Coleman, Whitewater HS National Honor Society, $150
• Lucy Davis, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $1500
• Lucy Davis, Class of 1965 & Wink Jung Memorial, $1000
• Lucy Davis, Elizabeth Parenteau Spirit of Service Award, $1000
• Lucy Davis, Lincoln Elementary School, $500
• Lucy Davis, Treyton Kilar Memorial, $500
• Lucy Davis, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $1000
• Lucy Davis, Whitewater HS National Honor Society, $100
• Lucy Davis, Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club, $1200
• Erison Dreksler, Burton H. Heldt Memorial, $750
• Erison Dreksler, WUSD Ferradermis Scholarship, $1000
• Erison Dreksler, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Erison Dreksler, Whitwater Lions Club Scholarship, $500
• Erison Dreksler, WHS Pride Scholarship, $500
• Coriana Durham, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $1000
• Coriana Durham, Saint John’s Masonic Lodge #57, $600
• Coriana Durham, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• David Enns, Jona Freeman Memorial, $500
• David Enns, Kikkoman Foods, Inc. Endowed, $500
• David Enns, Treyton Kilar Memorial, $500
• David Enns, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Rosenberg Escobar, D.L.K. Enterprises Whippet to Warhawk, $750
• Rosenberg Escobar, James & Zoe Connor, $8000
• Rosenberg Escobar, Whitewater Rotary Club Business, $1000
• Kaylee Fuller, D.L.K. Enterprises Whippet to Warhawk, $750
• Kaylee Fuller, Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs Women’s Bridge Marathon Program, $500
• Kevin Gonzalez, Wisconsin Technical Excellence Award, $6750
• Jennifer Gosh, Treyton Kilar Memorial, $500
• Mya Graves-Koran, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $1000
• Mya Graves-Koran, Frawley Oil Company, $1000
• Mya Graves-Koran, Freiermuth Key to Business, $1000
• Mya Graves-Koran, Jim Stewart Memorial, $1000
• Mya Graves-Koran, The Gittrich Family Leadership Scholarship, $1250
• Mya Graves-Koran, Treyton Kilar Memorial, $500
• Mya Graves-Koran, Whippet Booster Club, $1000
• Mya Graves-Koran, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $1000
• Charlotte Hajewski, Class of 1965 & Wink Jung Memorial, $1000
• Charlotte Hajewski, David F. Veith Memorial, $1250
• Charlotte Hajewski, Kikkoman Foods, Inc. Endowed, $500
• Charlotte Hajewski, ME Converse Public Speaking Memorial, $1000
• Charlotte Hajewski, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $1000
• Delaney Hammack, D.L.K. Enterprises Whippet to Warhawk, $750
• Delaney Hammack, James & Zoe Connor, $8000
• Delaney Hammack, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $1000
• Delaney Hammack, WHS Pride Scholarship – Sponsored by Larry Kachel, $500
• Silvia Harris, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $1500
• Silvia Harris, D.L.K. Enterprises Whippet to Warhawk, $750
• Silvia Harris, Irene Krueger Memorial, $1077
• Silvia Harris, Melissa Patrick Memorial, $500
• Silvia Harris, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Calli Hartzheim, Anthony J. Weiler Memorial, $1500
• Calli Hartzheim, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Calli Hartzheim, WHS Technology & Engineering, $500
• Nina Heim, Burton H. Heldt Memorial, $750
• Nina Heim, Linda Stimpson Memorial, $500
• Nina Heim, Vietnam Veternas of America Chapter #236 Scholarship, $300
• Nina Heim, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Kaia Jones, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $1000
• Kaia Jones, Fort Community Credit Union Scholarship, $2000
• Kaia Jones, Lincoln Elementary School, $500
• Kaia Jones, Sam & Anne Soffa, $13000
• Kaia Jones, Treyton Kilar Memorial, $500
• Kaia Jones, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $1000
• Kaia Jones, Whitewater HS National Honor Society, $75
• Kaia Jones, Whitewater Rotary Club, $1000
• Kaia Jones, Whitwater Lions Club Scholarship, $500
• Kaia Jones, Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club, $1200
• Alexandria Kaczoroski, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Alexandria Kaczoroski, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $500
• Alexandria Kaczoroski, Clara Bray Reddy Memorial Nursing, $500
• Logan Kienbaum, Anthony J. Weiler Memorial, $1500
• Logan Kienbaum, Coperion, $500
• Logan Kienbaum, Rick Nelson Memorial Skilled Trades Scholarship, $1500
• Logan Kienbaum, Stallman Construction LLC Scholarship, $500
• Logan Kienbaum, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Logan Kienbaum, Whitwater Lions Club Scholarship, $500
• Caleb Kluck, Benny Liang Memorial Scholarship, $500
• Danika Larson, Jona Freeman Memorial, $500
• Danika Larson, Treyton Kilar Memorial, $500
• Danika Larson, Whitewater Lions Club – Tim Ryan Memorial Scholarship, $500
• Danika Larson, Whitewater Professional Police Association, $1000
• Tai Lin, Scott Skalitzky Memorial, $500
• Tai Lin, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Casey Lyon, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $1500
• Casey Lyon, Tom Baird Memorial, $3000
• Casey Lyon, Treyton Kilar Memorial, $500
• Casey Lyon, Whippet Booster Club, $1000
• Casey Lyon, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Casey Lyon, Whitewater Rotary Club, $1000
• Casey Lyon, Sam & Anne Soffa, $13000
• Kelly Mayorga Coca, Gateway Promise, $10500
• Isaiah Mendez, Alvin Wutti H.O.P.E. Memorial, $300
• Isaiah Mendez, Kikkoman Foods, Inc. Endowed, $500
• Lilian Navejas-Ortiz, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $2000
• Lilian Navejas-Ortiz, Kindness Matters, $250
• Lilian Navejas-Ortiz, Whitewater Community Foundation, $3000
• Lilian Navejas-Ortiz, Whitewater HS National Honor Society, $100
• Lilian Navejas-Ortiz, Whitwater Lions Club Scholarship, $500
• Lilian Navejas-Ortiz, F. L. Moksnes Memorial, $1000
• Lilian Navejas-Ortiz, Wisconsin Academic Excellence Awards, $9000
• Lilian Navejas-Ortiz, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $1000
• Oswaldo Navejas, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $1500
• Oswaldo Navejas, Lincoln Elementary School, $500
• Oswaldo Navejas, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Samuel Nickelsburg, American Legion Al & Doris Kolmos, $1000
• Samuel Nickelsburg, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Samuel Nickelsburg, Whitewater HS National Honor Society American Red Cross Scholarship, $1000
• Samuel Nickelsburg, Treyton Kilar Memorial, $500
• Quinton O’Toole, James Crummey Memorial, $1000
• Yareli Palomec-Garcia, Fort Community Credit Union Scholarship, $2000
• Yareli Palomec-Garcia, Lincoln Elementary School, $500
• Yareli Palomec-Garcia, Saint John’s Masonic Lodge #57, $600
• Savannah Parker, Gateway Promise, $10500
• Maria Pena-Aburto, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $500
• Maria Pena-Aburto, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $1000
• Gabriella Pena Perroni, Gateway Promise, $10500
• Aubrey Ramirez-Mendoza, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $1500
• Aubrey Ramirez-Mendoza, Kathryn Mayer Memorial, $1000
• Aubrey Ramirez-Mendoza, Kikkoman Foods, Inc. Endowed, $1000
• Aubrey Ramirez-Mendoza, The Coburn Family, $10000
• Aubrey Ramirez-Mendoza, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $1000
• Diego Rodriguez Garcia, Gateway Promise, $10500
• Edward Rohloff, John & Joyce Duffin Memorial, $500
• Sydney Schilt, Treyton Kilar Memorial, $500
• Sydney Schilt, Whippet Booster Club, $1000
• Sydney Schilt, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Rebecca Sortino, Wisconsin Technical Excellence Award, $6750
• Madysen Stevens, Anthony J. Weiler Memorial, $1500
• Madysen Stevens, Veronica Hookstead-West Memorial, $5000
• Madysen Stevens, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Dylan Taylor, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $760
• Dylan Taylor, Whitewater Education Association (WEA), $800
• Dylan Taylor, WHS Technology & Engineering, $500
• Genesis Valadez, D.L.K. Enterprises Whippet to Warhawk, $750
• Genesis Valadez, James & Zoe Connor, $8000
• Genesis Valadez, John Tincher Memorial, $402
• Genesis Valadez, Kachel Family Maury Greene Business, $2500
• Genesis Valadez, Whitewater Community Foundation Founders’, $500
• Genesis Valadez, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Genesis Valadez, Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club, $1200
• Emma Valadez-Morales, American Legion Al & Doris Kolmos, $1000
• Emma Valadez-Morales, Arnold & Clara Dierfeld, $1000
• Emma Valadez-Morales, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Emma Valadez-Morales, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Scholarship, $750
• Alexa Wildenberg, Jamie Sendt Memorial, $750
• Alexa Wildenberg, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman, Burton H. Heldt Memorial, $750
• Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $500
• Atreya Wilson, Burton H. Heldt Memorial, $750
• Atreya Wilson, Dirk Seibold Cross Country & Track, $1000
• Atreya Wilson, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), $100
• Atreya Wilson, Rosemary Roe Goeglein Memorial, $1750
• Atreya Wilson, Whippet Booster Club, $1000
• Atreya Wilson, Whitewater HS Alumni Association, $1000
• Atreya Wilson, Whitewater HS National Honor Society, $100

Information Provided by Ben Hertel
Whitewater High School Scholarship Coordinator
herbe01@wwusd.org

On May 13, 2026, officers with the Whitewater Police Department responded to 291 N. Fraternity Lane, in the City of Whitewater, after receiving a report from a resident who heard a loud bang inside their apartment. The resident reported observing a hole suddenly appear in the wall, followed by the room filling with dust and debris. While officers were responding, additional information was received by the Whitewater Communications Center indicating that a person in a neighboring apartment may be in possession of a firearm.

Officers quickly secured the scene and conducted an investigation with the assistance of the Whitewater Detective Bureau. The investigation ultimately led to the arrest of Eric Kramer, a 22-year-old Whitewater resident, after it was determined he had recklessly discharged a handgun inside his apartment. During the investigation, officers learned the fired round traveled through multiple walls and a television that was actively being used in a neighboring apartment. The round came within only a few feet of striking individuals who were inside the neighboring residence at the time of the incident.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the investigation, detectives sought and obtained a search warrant for the residence. During the execution of the search warrant, detectives located an additional gunshot hole in the ceiling that occurred during a previous incident involving the discharge of the handgun by Eric Kramer. Detectives located the handgun that was hidden inside the residence during the search warrant.

As a result of the investigation, Eric Kramer was arrested for the following offenses:

• 1st Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety (3 counts); contrary to Wisconsin State Statutes 941.30(1)
• Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place; contrary to Wisconsin State Statutes 961.42(1)
• Negligent Handling of a Weapon; contrary to Wisconsin State Statutes 941.20(1)(a)
• Criminal Damage to Property; contrary to Wisconsin State Statutes 943.01(1)
• Disorderly Conduct Use of a Dangerous Weapon; contrary to Wisconsin State Statutes 947.01(1)
• Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine; contrary to Wisconsin State Statutes 961.41(1m)(cm)1g
• Possession of Tetrahydrocannabinols; contrary to Wisconsin State Statutes 961.41(3g)(e)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; contrary to Wisconsin State Statutes 961.573(1)
• Possession of an Illegally Obtained Prescription Medication; contrary to Wisconsin State Statutes 450.11(7)(h)and 450.11(9)(a)

Eric Kramer was confined in the Walworth County Jail on the charges. 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. Currently no further information is being released, as this is still an ongoing investigation.