News

Looking for a way to connect with nature, grow your own food, and be part of something local?

We’re inviting families, friends, and individuals to join our community garden for the upcoming season!

All experience levels welcome

Grow your own fresh, healthy food

Connect with your community

Support sustainable living

Let’s fill every plot this season! 

Learn more & sign up:

WhitewaterCG.org

On February 13, 2026, City of Whitewater Police investigated a complaint involving a juvenile victim reporting they had been repeatedly sexually assaulted by an adult male over the course of six years. These incidents were reported to have occurred multiple times in the City of Whitewater when the juvenile victim was between 5 – 11 years of age. The case was transferred to the Whitewater Detective Bureau to investigate. Whitewater detectives ultimately established probable cause to make an arrest of the adult male. On February 19, 2026, Whitewater detectives took the male suspect into custody in the City of Jefferson. The male suspect, Vincent M. Dean (33 years of age) of Jefferson, WI was taken into custody at his residence without incident with the assistance of the Jefferson Police Department.

Vincent Dean was confined in the Jefferson County Jail and has been formally charged by the Jefferson County District
Attorney’s Office with the following crimes:
 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child – Intercourse with Person under 12 (5 counts).
 Repeated Sexual Assault of Same Child (At least 3 violations of 1st Degree Sexual Assault)
 Child Enticement – Sexual Contact
 Expose Child to Harmful Material
 Exposing Genitals/Pubic Area/Intimate Parts to a Child (2 counts)

The Whitewater Police Department would like to thank the City of Jefferson Police Department for their assistance in
taking Vincent Dean into custody.

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: The above press release was received from the Whitewater Police Department on March 4, 2026. It appears that Dean is still in custody with cash bond having been set at $250,000.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

La policía de Whitewater detiene a un sospechoso en una investigación por agresión sexual a

menores

El 13 de febrero de 2026, la policía de la ciudad de Whitewater investigó una denuncia presentada por una víctima menor de edad que afirmaba haber sido agredida sexualmente en repetidas ocasiones por un hombre adulto durante seis años. Se informó que estos incidentes ocurrieron en múltiples ocasiones en la ciudad de Whitewater cuando la víctima menor de edad tenía entre 5 y 11 años. El caso fue transferido a la Oficina de Detectives de Whitewater para su investigación. Los detectives de Whitewater finalmente establecieron causa probable para arrestar al hombre adulto. El 19 de febrero de 2026, los detectives de Whitewater detuvieron al sospechoso en la ciudad de Jefferson. El sospechoso, Vincent M. Dean (33 años), de Jefferson, Wisconsin, fue detenido en su domicilio sin incidentes con la ayuda del Departamento de la Policía de Jefferson.

Vincent Dean fue recluido en la cárcel del condado de Jefferson y ha sido acusado formalmente por la Fiscalía del
Condado de Jefferson de los siguientes delitos:

• Agresión sexual en primer grado a un menor: relaciones sexuales con una persona menor de 12 años (5 cargos).
   Agresión sexual repetida al mismo menor (al menos 3 delitos de agresión sexual en primer grado)
   Seducción de menores: contacto sexual
   Exponer a un menor a material perjudicial
• Exponer los genitales, la zona púbica o las partes íntimas a un menor (2 cargos)
  
  El Departamento de la Policía de Whitewater desea agradecer al Departamento de la Policía de la ciudad de Jefferson
  por su ayuda en la detención de Vincent Dean.
  
  Cabe señalar que este caso aún no ha concluido. A menos que se dicte una sentencia condenatoria, se presume que el
  detenido/acusado es inocente de todos los cargos.
  
• Nota del editor: El comunicado de prensa anterior fue recibido del Departamento de Policía de Whitewater el 4 de marzo de 2026. Parece que Dean todavía está bajo custodia, habiéndose fijado una fianza en efectivo de $250,000.

Please scroll down for the video.

We are getting ready to drum into March with our Fairhaven Drum Circle led by Christine Hayes. Whitewater area community members are welcome.

The next drumming dates are Friday, March 6 @ 1:15 p.m. and Thursday, March 19 at 1:15 p.m.
Fairhaven Senior Services, Olm Fellowship Hall, 435 W. Starin Road
We hope you can attend one but we all know you would have a better month if you attended both!

Steve Watson writes, “Well, spring is on the way. I’ve heard robins and sandhill cranes and have seen redwing blackbirds.

This morning, 2-21-26, the first migratory ducks, common mergansers.”

Our thanks to Steve Watson.

— 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!

Town of Whitewater
Walworth County Wisconsin
2026 Road Work

The Town of Whitewater is now accepting proposals for chip sealing projects in 2026. There will be 8 roads involved in this project. If interested in participating in the project, please contact CARL AHRENS, Public Works Superintendent at
920-723-0458 or public.works@townofwhitewaterwi.gov. Carl will provide the complete bid package.

Sealed bids, clearly marked “ROAD BID,” must be delivered to the Town Clerk no later than Monday, March 23rd, 2026, at 12:00 pm (noon). All bids received by the deadline will be opened at a special open meeting to be held at 8:00 AM, March 24, 2026. You
may also use the secure drop box at the Town Hall to submit your proposal.

Mailing Address:
Town of Whitewater
W8590 Willis Ray Road
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: 262-473-4639

Project completion date is 8/21/2026

Editor’s note:

Nate Parrish, President and CEO of First Citizens State Bank, is pleased to announce the promotions of Shelly Bucholtz and Kelsey Reilly to Assistant Vice President. Both Bucholtz and Reilly are based at the bank’s Whitewater Main Office, located at 207 W Main Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Bucholtz has been with First Citizens State Bank for nearly 33 years and oversees all aspects of Loan Processing and Servicing. During her tenure, she has advanced through several key roles within Loan Operations, most recently serving as Loan Operations Officer. Bucholtz holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from UW-Whitewater and has completed extensive professional training through the Wisconsin Bankers Association. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for FIPCO.

Reilly joined First Citizens State Bank in 2018 and has steadily advanced into leadership roles. She currently serves as the Bank’s Compliance Officer and Assistant Security Officer, ensuring strong internal controls and regulatory compliance. Reilly earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from UW-Whitewater and is a Whitewater High School graduate. She serves as the Treasurer for the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club and is a member of the Whitewater Landmarks Commission.

Commenting on the promotions, Parrish said, “Shelly and Kelsey each bring exceptional knowledge, integrity, and dedication to their roles. Their leadership, attention to detail, and commitment to our customers and our bank make them highly deserving of this advancement. We are proud to recognize their contributions and look forward to the continued impact they will have on our organization.”

First Citizens State Bank, locally owned and operated since 1863, is committed to serving the communities in which we live, work, and do business. The bank takes pride in building lasting partnerships with organizations, businesses, and individuals throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. First Citizens State Bank has Full-service offices in Whitewater, East Troy and Palmyra. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

February was Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and we wrapped it up with a busy week in the Tech Ed classes.

First, in honor of National Discover Engineering Week, students in Exploratory Tech went on a tour of Doosan Bobcat in Johnson Creek on Wednesday. Students were able to see how they engineer and manufacture the mowers and other machines in the Doosan Bobcat line. They also had the chance to try out their own engineering skills by designing and building a boat. One of our teams even took 2nd place!

On Thursday, students in Introduction to Engineering traveled to UW–Madison to learn more about different engineering disciplines, with a focus on Nuclear Engineering. They heard from a prestigious career panel, interacted with local businesses, and toured engineering labs on campus. Students were able to see just how wide the world of engineering really is and explore what the schooling looks like to get into an engineering program.

Finally, students from first semester Exploratory Tech celebrated completing and receiving their OSHA 10 certifications. This certification will help them as they work toward Youth Apprenticeships and other technical careers. Students were excited to receive their cards today!

Thank you to Doosan Bobcat and UW–Madison for hosting our students and giving them a glimpse into their futures!

Article and Photos Submitted by Nolan Otremba
Whitewater High School Technology and Engineering Teacher
otrno01@wwusd.org