On Thursday, March 2nd, all WHS Band and Choir students kicked off Music In Our Schools Month by performing in the Whitewater High School Chamber Music Festival. Student performances ranged from solos to small ensembles. Each event was performed for a clinician who then worked with the students, giving constructive criticism to help them improve as musicians. Choral students sang for Dr. Sharri VanAlstine and Mr. Brian Leeper and were accompanied by Ms. Kathy Schereck, Dr. Sarah Read Gehrenbeck, and Mrs. Karen Tordera. Band students played for Ms. Bianca Kue, Mr. Justin Steger, Mr. Dylan Ovanin, and Mr. Tim Hummel. This event was organized by WHS Band Director, Mr. Sam Averill and WHS Choir Director, Mrs. Karen Tordera.
Thank you to all family and friends who attended. A special thank you to Whitewater Music Parents Association for providing the dinner for all clinicians, accompanists, and directors as well as snacks for all of the student performers!!! Your support is appreciated!!
Editor’s note: Photos and text provided courtesy of Karen Tordera.
La policía de Whitewater investiga el hallazgo de un recién nacido fallecido
El sábado, 4 de marzo de 2023, a las 11:12 am, la Policía de Whitewater y EMS respondieron al área de Twin Oaks Mobile Home Park en 755 N. Tratt St. por un informe de un recién nacido fallecido localizado en un campo. Se trata de una investigación en curso y por el momento no se facilitará más información.
La policía de Whitewater está buscando cualquier información que pueda ayudar en la investigación. Cualquier persona con información debe ponerse en contacto con el Departamento de la Policía de Whitewater en 262-473-0555 opción # 4, o por correo electrónico a nuestra Oficina de Detectives directamente en jbrock@whitewater-wi.gov (Detective Justin Brock) y aheilberger@whitewater-wi.gov (Detective Anthony Heilberger). Las denuncias anónimas también pueden compartirse utilizando P3Tips.com.
El Departamento de la Policía de Whitewater también quiere asegurarse que el público sepa de la legislación Refugio seguro para los recién nacidos (Wis. Stat. 48.195). Esta ley garantiza los derechos de los padres que renuncian a la custodia de recién nacidos, de 72 horas de vida o menos, de forma anónima y confidencial. Los recién nacidos pueden ser entregados a un agente de la ley, a un profesional de los servicios médicos de urgencia o a un miembro del personal de un hospital sin temor a consecuencias legales.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Whitewater Police Department. It was initially posted on the Banner on March 4.
On Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 11:12 a.m., Whitewater Police and EMS responded to the area of Twin Oaks Mobile Home Park at 755 N. Tratt St. for a report of a deceased newborn located in a field. This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional information will be released at this time.
Whitewater Police are seeking any information that may assist in the investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Whitewater Police Department at 262-473-0555 option #4, or email our Detective Bureau directly at jbrock@whitewater-wi.gov (Detective Justin Brock) and aheilberger@whitewater-wi.gov (Detective Anthony Heilberger). Anonymous tips may also be shared using P3Tips.com.
The Whitewater Police Department also wants to ensure the public is aware of the Safe Haven for Newborns legislation (Wis. Stat. 48.195). This law guarantees the rights of parents relinquishing custody of newborn babies, 72 hours old and younger, anonymously and confidentially. Newborns can be relinquished to a law enforcement officer, emergency medical services practitioner, or hospital staff member without fear of legal consequences.
Jeanine and Rick Fassl write, “Some of our ‘snow birds’ have returned! Took this Sunday, March 5 about 12:30 p.m. Wasn’t sure if we opened the door, would they come in? Spring is definitely in the air!!! YEAH!!!”
Our thanks to Jeanine and Rick Fassl for sharing another great photo.
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119 high school robotics teams from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota descended on the city of Duluth for twin FIRST Robotics Regionals at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (the DECC) from March 1 through March 4. Ferradermis, Whitewater High School’s team, competed with 59 teams in the Northern Lights Regional, while the other 60 took part in the Lake Superior Regional. Ferradermis was one of the final 12 teams standing on the Northern Lights field, finishing as part of the 4th place alliance.
While at the event, the 17 WHS students who traveled with the team each took on different roles and responsibilities.
Driver Andrew O’Toole, Operator Ace Hudec, Technician Erison Dreksler, Human Player Jazmin Cederberg, and Drive Coach Dilpreet Randhawa waiting to take the field at the DECC with the 2023 robot Chief GatorVator
The team was led onto the field by Driver Andrew O’Toole, Operator Ace Hudec, Human Player Jazmin Cederberg, and Technician Erison Dreksler. After some unfortunate events on Friday, the team left the arena with a 2-4 record and ranked in the mid-forties. They returned with a fury on Saturday morning to win their final 3 qualification matches, finishing 5-4 and climbing to number 25 in the overall rankings. Ranked ninth in the offensive power ratings and having proven on Saturday morning that our bot was one of the strongest in the field, we were the 5th pick in alliance selections, joining the number 4 seeded alliance captained by the Warriorbots from Muskego High School. Warriorbots and Ferradermis would later invite Round Table Robotics from Oak Creek High School to join them to form an all-Wisconsin alliance.
Taking the Field for a MatchThe Alliance Selection Process for the Playoffs
The alliance lost their first playoff match in the double elimination tournament by three points, 108-105, to the fifth seeded alliance. They then bounced back with two strong wins, 104-60 and 112-75. In round 4, the alliance thought they had secured a victory, but after the match ended, the officials called for a replay due to a problem with the field. The Ferradermis alliance lost the rematch and was eliminated from the playoffs, finishing in fourth place.
Working in the PitsRecording Scouting Data in the Stands
Support in the pit was provided throughout the event by Safety Captain Daniel Portwine and electrical team members Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman and Belle Cohen. Competition Logistics Lead Emerson Dunham led the scouts including Zoe Olson, Chacha Binagi, Margaret Brown, and Rae Breisath, with many other students rotating through scouting shifts as well and Emerson representing the team on the field for alliance selections.
There are many activities and responsibilities at an FRC event that are not directly related to the robot as well. Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman, Maddi LaHaie, and Andrew Zimmermann worked tirelessly on the team’s presentation for the Impact Award, which allows teams to highlight their community outreach and STEM education efforts. Five team members, including Willow Vogelzang and Mel Prince volunteered for the FRC Team choir, performing the national anthem at opening ceremonies for both regionals.
The Impact Presentation TeamFive Ferradermis Members in the FRC Team Choir
Ferradermis will next compete at the Wisconsin Regional in Milwaukee at UW Milwaukee Panther Arena from March 22 through March 25. The event is free and open to the public on Friday and Saturday for the qualification and elimination rounds. We encourage spectators to both cheer from the stands and visit the pits to see the robots up close. Ferradermis members are especially looking forward to exposing some of our elementary and middle school students to this FRC event as we have chartered two busses to bring the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams from Lincoln, Lakeview, Washington, and the middle school to Milwaukee on Friday morning!
Team SpiritTalking with the JudgesTeam MealCheering on the TeamPost Event Bowling Fun
A special thanks to Tim O’Toole for pulling his trailer to Duluth and to our bus driver extraordinaire Bruce Parker for helping us arrive safely on Wednesday despite a winter storm that turned out to be much worse than predicted. Thank you also to all of our sponsors who make this team possible, our volunteer mentors who work tirelessly with the students, and our parents who keep us well fed and cheer us on both in person and online.
The Whitewater Lions motto is “WE SERVE” and that’s exactly what we will be doing on Tuesday, March 7th at Culver’s in Whitewater. It is our first Culver’s night!!
Please join us in supporting our great community. 100% of the profits gets donated back into the community. Plus, you’ll get a great meal and night off of cooking!
City of Whitewater Strategic Planning Session for Community Stakeholders – Monday @ 6:00 This Notice is given to inform the Public that the City of Whitewater has contracted with UW-Extension to host a Strategic Planning Session for Community Stakeholders. The process will open with introductions from Council President Smith and City Manager Weidl. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. on March 6, 2023 and will be held in the Community Room of the City of Whitewater Municipal Building. 312 W. Whitewater Street. Although this is a citizen meeting, it is possible that a quorum of councilmembers could possibly attend. This notice is being given to inform the public of such possibility, and to confirm that no formal action is planned or will be taken at this event.
City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m. Agenda includes telecommuting policy and input concerning renewal of POLCO community surveying service City of Whitewater Municipal Building – Community Room 312 W. Whitewater St. This will be an in person AND a virtual meeting. Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join 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/86463278029?pwd=TjN0SXJkOHV2cGF6UktjSGp4MFFyZz09 Passcode: 734324 Or Telephone: US: 1 929 205 6099 Webinar ID: 864 6327 8029 Passcode: 734324
City of Whitewater Common Council and Management Staff Strategic Planning Session – Wednesday @ 6:30 p.m. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: This Notice is given to inform the Public that the City of Whitewater has contracted with UW-Extension to host a Strategic Planning Session / Retreat for the Councilmembers and the City of Whitewater Management Staff. The sessions will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on both March 8, 2023 and March 16, 2023, in the Cravath Lakefront Room, City of Whitewater Municipal Building, 312 W. Whitewater Street, Whitewater, WI 53190.
A quorum of the Common Council will be present. This notice is given to inform the public that there will be no formal action taken at this meeting. The retreat process is open to the public. Dated: March 3, 2023. Michele R. Smith, City Clerk
City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission – Wednesday @ 7:00 p.m. Agenda: Adjourn to closed session for interview of patrol officer candidates, interview of EMS chief candidate, and EMT/Firefighter candidates for certification; Return to open session for announcements of recommendations of same City of Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room- First Floor 312 W. Whitewater St. Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/469480141 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 469-480-141 1 (872) 240-3212
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
A major reconstruction project on US Highway 12 between Whitewater and Fort Atkinson is resulting in the closure of a frequently used route for approximately nine months, beginning on Monday, March 6. A public information meeting was held on March 1 at the Town of Koshkonong Town Hall regarding this project. The meeting was led by Craig Hardy, P.E., Project Development Project Manager with the WI Department of Transportation (DOT), and he was joined by Chad M. Raschein, Project Engineer with CGC, Inc. of Madison. Rock Road Companies won the bid for the construction, with CGC overseeing the work. Approximately fifty people attended the meeting; from the comments, it appeared that most of them reside in the rural areas along the affected route. A primary concern that was expressed was that during the previous construction period many semis were using the township roads, some of which have recently been resurfaced, but are not designed for heavy truck traffic.
The above “road closed” sign is located just north of Business Highway 12 (Main Street) and the bypass. The actual construction area begins at Buckingham Road and continues to County Highway M, where Baker Glass is located. Through traffic will be prohibited throughout the construction period, which is officially due to be completed by the end of the year, although Hardy anticipated it might end around the end of November. He assured the audience that one lane traffic will be maintained, except for brief periods, in order to ensure access to residences and businesses along the route. For example, Whitewater residents would be able to go around the barriers to travel to Binggs Restaurant. Drivers using the road for through traffic (i.e. from Whitewater to Fort) will be subject to being cited. Although an inconvenience, many drivers will likely be pleased to see the road repaved, as it has been notoriously difficult to navigate during rain, with ruts that can contribute to hydroplaning.
Although the 511 Wisconsin Construction Projects website of the DOT indicates that reconstruction will include “modifying three substandard horizontal curves to meet current design standards,” Hardy indicated that there will be no major changes to the road’s route. He did state that the sight lines at the intersection with Hackbarth Road will be improved.
DOT indicates that the detour will be Highways 59 and 26, which is a result of their policy that calls for detours to be routed over state highways. Most Whitewater area residents, however, will likely prefer taking Cty N (from Tratt Street) north to State Hwy 106 and west into Fort Atkinson. Alternatively one could reach Hwy 12 from Cty N by traveling west on Cty M. However, it was indicated that a separate project that will start later in the spring will result in the closure of Highway 12 from Cty M to the intersection with Madison Avenue in Fort where Walgreens is located.
Notes to residents of the affected areas: – Garbage service will continue during construction. Any changes to which side of the road to place the cans will be communicated to the residents. – Mail pick-up: A cluster of mailboxes will be set up once grading operations begin. Notification to residents about the location of the mailbox cluster will be communicated once a location is determined. – School bus pick-up/Drop-off: Will continue during construction. Project contacts: Craig Hardy, P.E. WisDOT – Project Manager (608) 246-5406 craig.hardy@dot.wi.gov
Chad Raschein Consultant Project Leader (608) 225-1364 CRaschein@CGCinc.net
View of the entrance to the new Dollar General Store
View from Bluff Road (Photos by Lynn Binnie)
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Dollar General (DG) opened its doors by the roundabout on Friday morning, March 3 and on Saturday afternoon a cashier told the Banner that the store has been very busy ever since, with many customers commenting that they appreciate not having to drive across town to do some of their shopping. The store is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. It is located across Bluff Road from Kwik Trip.
Though the signature black and yellow exterior signage is present, the exterior of the store is very different from most DG stores. The developer, Midwest WI, LLC, purchased the land from the city, and consequently the Common Council took the opportunity to have input towards the goal of what it considered to be more desirable design specifications than are found in many of the stores.
The DG homepage describes their operation as “offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items.” An article in Chain Store Age, dated July 1, 2021, indicated that in an effort to address food insecurity in many areas, DG was offering fresh produce in more than 1300 stores, and planned to expand the offering in up to 10,000 of its locations. Supermarket News reported in May 27, 2022 that fresh produce was then sold in over 2300 stores with a goal of 10,000 plus still in place. The Whitewater store has no fresh produce, and the personnel indicated that they do not expect for it to be offered. The store, however, has a long wall of coolers and freezers, which as been another recent DG priority.
The store has three self-service registers, two of which are for card purchases only. Orders may be placed online for pickup.
DG stores have also recently opened in nearby Tibbets, Eagle, and Palmyra.
