News

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh officials have released the names of students who qualified for the Dean’s List and Honor Roll in fall 2022 across its three campuses (Fond du Lac, Fox Cities and Oshkosh).

The term grade-point average (GPA) requirement for University Honor Roll is 3.3; the term GPA requirement for Dean’s List is 3.75 out of a possible 4.0.

To qualify, a student must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits. There can be no individual grades below a “C” and no incomplete or non-reported grades at the time the process is run.

 James DuVal, Honor Roll
 Martin Gonzalez, Honor Roll
 Jazmine Peterson, Honor Roll

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Rock River Community Clinic.

Rock River Community Clinic (RRCC) has recently announced the hiring of Traci Wilson as the new Medical Operations Manager to oversee the operations of their three medical clinics located in Jefferson, Watertown and Whitewater.

“We are thrilled to have Traci join and lead our outstanding medical team at RRCC,” states Olivia Nicholas, CEO/Executive Director of RRCC. “The experience Traci brings in organizing community health efforts along her passion for making healthcare and health education more accessible will be a tremendous asset to our organization and our community.”

Wilson is a senior health education and outreach specialist and brings over two decades of experience with developing and leading community health initiatives. Wilson previously served as the Clinic Health Educator/Dietician at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and most recently served as the Community Health Program Coordinator and Grant Compliance Specialist at Fort Healthcare.

“I believe this position aligns perfectly with my skills and interests, including project management, problem solving, and relationship management,” states Wilson. “Experience with both federal and state grants, including project management and compliance, healthcare quality improvement, and previous work experience in a clinical setting, will allow me to quickly assimilate into the team at RRCC. Additionally, my background as a Registered Dietitian and Certified Health Coach will provide a new perspective to the team-based care approach at RRCC.”

Wilson’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, overseeing the day-to-day medical clinic activities, working closely with physicians, providers and clinic personnel in strengthening clinic operations, leading quality improvement and community initiatives, and much more.

“With our new designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center, we have added responsibilities as well as opportunities for expanded resources and services that further support our patients and staff,” adds Nichols. “Traci’s leadership comes at an exciting, pivotal time in our journey and will make a difference for years to come.”

“The network I have built over the years working on collaborative community health improvement initiatives will help RRCC to expand its network and opportunities,” Wilson adds. “Patients at RRCC already receive support beyond healthcare, such as assistance with transportation, referrals to community resources, and other services that can help reduce barriers and ensure patients receive the care they need. The opportunities we are able to offer patients at RRCC will only continue to grow in this new year.”

Wilson officially began her role with RRCC on January 3.

All three RRCC medical clinics accept Medicare, BadgerCare and most private health insurance plans for health services. Financial assistance is also available for uninsured and underinsured families to ensure all families have access to high quality, affordable healthcare. For a full list of insurance plans and eligibility details, visit https://rockrivercommunityclinic.com/eligibility/.

Rock River Community Clinic is actively hiring for additional clinic positions, including a nurse practitioner. The Fort Atkinson dental clinic also has open hygiene and dental assistant positions. Both part-time and full-time options are available. Interested applicants can visit https://rockrivercommunityclinic.com/careers/ for full details.

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Rock River Community Clinic (RRCC) provides comprehensive and cost-effective health care services to ensure all community members have access to the care they need. Serving families in Jefferson, Dodge and parts of Walworth County, RRCC includes three medical clinics located in Whitewater, Watertown, and Jefferson, and a dental clinic located in Fort Atkinson. Referrals for behavioral health care services will be available in Whitewater and Watertown locations soon.

At RRCC, all community members are welcome and accepted, regardless of ability to pay, with discounted prices for patients who are uninsured or underinsured (high deductible plans). RRCC also provides care coordination services to help patients overcome barriers to accessing healthcare (e.g. transportation), and helps to coordinate referrals. Bilingual staff (Spanish and English) are available to support patients and their families. By increasing access to health care services, offering care at affordable costs, and assisting with healthcare navigation, RRCC works to create a healthier, more equitable, community. For clinic hours and directions, visit www.rockrivercommunityclinic.org

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At RRCC, all community members are welcome and accepted, regardless of ability to pay, with
discounted prices for patients who are uninsured or underinsured (high deductible plans). RRCC also
provides care coordination services to help patients overcome barriers to accessing healthcare (e.g.,
transportation), and helps to coordinate referrals. Bilingual staff (Spanish & English) are available to
support patients and their families. By increasing access to health care services, offering care at
affordable costs, and assisting with healthcare navigation, RRCC works to create a healthier, more
equitable, community. For clinic hours and directions, visit www.rockrivercommunityclinic.org

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU UNITED WAY CONTRIBUTORS

Bernadette and Eric Russow moved to Elkhorn thirteen years ago bringing with them patience, a thirst to
learn and find humor in the day-to-day, and an ability to love others. Let’s cycle through the evolution of
Bernadette and Eric Russow’s major milestones!

In 2008, Bernadette and Eric Russow joined the Walworth County Aging Network and assisted in raising
awareness and funding for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, in Lake Geneva. Three years after, the walk was
recognized as the #1 walk in the United States for communities of similar size.

In 2015, Bernadette and Eric became trained and established the first Memory Café at the Matheson
Memorial Library in Elkhorn. Since then five additional Memory Cafés have been added: Lake Geneva, Delavan,
Burlington, Whitewater and a second one in Elkhorn. Memory Cafés are comfortable, social gatherings for
those experiencing minor memory loss and/or have mild cognitive impairments, and for caregivers.

In 2017, Bernadette, President, and Eric, Secretary/Treasurer, launched the nonprofit Dementia Friendly Community
Initiative (DFCI) in Walworth County, providing free training to individuals, police, first responders, groups, faith
communities and businesses, interested in learning more about dementia. Their goal is to help the
community become dementia friendly. According to former Wisconsin Governor Martin Schreiber, in his
book My Two Elaines, “The biggest problem is ignorance about Alzheimer’s.” Walworth County became the
first county in Wisconsin to be nationally recognized as dementia-friendly by the Dementia Friends of
America and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. To date, 6,000 people and 70 businesses
in Walworth County have been trained.

After learning about the 16% increase in death by those with Alzheimer’s in 2020 due to isolation,
Bernadette and Eric began sponsoring Cycling Without Age, a grassroots movement, which started in 2012 in
Copenhagen, Denmark, with the purpose of providing free rides to elderly citizens struggling with isolation,
dementia, Alzheimer’s, and mobility issues. This interactive activity allows these citizens the time and space
to feel the wind in their faces and recall the joy of mobility. Cycling Without Age is an international
phenomenon in over 52 countries. Wisconsin holds the title of most Chapters in the U.S., with 16.

In 2021, DFCI’s first year of operating Cycling Without Age, 400 rides were provided with the use of two trishaw bikes,
called Chats, purchased, and shipped from Denmark at a cost of about $10,000 each. In 2022, 700 rides
were provided with the help of 30 volunteer trishaw pilots, the oldest pilot being 88 years old! Most recently
Bernadette and Eric became the winners of the David Bretl Community Betterment Award, presented by The
Walworth County Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA).

Because of the generosity of contributors to the United Way of Walworth County, DFCI was awarded United
Way funds and ARPA Grants managed by United Way of Walworth County, totaling $20,750. DFCI was just one
of the 45+ community vetted organizations helped by United Way of Walworth County.

This financial contribution helped Bernadette and Eric purchase two additional trishaw bikes for DFCI, at an
increased price of $13,800 each due to inflation, and a second trailer. Bernadette and Eric also noted,
“There are a myriad of ways. We would be remiss if we didn’t thank Kunes Automotive.” Kunes is loaning
the use of a pickup truck used to pull the trailer to and from the numerous locations.

DFCI’s need for financial and volunteer support continues, including the need of specialized skills in computer
and accounting, social media, art design, and project management, as well as more volunteer pilots, for as
little time as 2 to 3 hours a month. Please consider supporting the mission of Bernadette and Eric, to create
dementia-friendly spaces and promote dementia awareness throughout the community.  Bernadette says,
“There is a role for everyone in Walworth county with the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative and
Cycling Without Age.”

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

At a press conference on Monday afternoon, City of Whitewater Second Assistant Fire Chief Joe Uselding provided an update on the “five alarm plus” fire at John’s Disposal that was called in at approximately 9:54 p.m. on Sunday, January 8. Highlights included:

• City Manager John Weidl and Uselding expressed appreciation to the city fire department staff and to the over thirty agencies (fire departments and other businesses) that assisted the department. John’s Disposal management personnel also helped. The outside support was needed due to the size of the incident, the cold conditions, and need for water to be brought to the scene. There is no water supply on the property other than for personnel use. Water was brought in from the adjacent cogeneration plant and also with the use of tender trucks transporting water from fire hydrants.
• No injuries were sustained.
• The department was successful in limiting the fire to one of several buildings on the property, and mobile equipment on the property was not significantly affected. The primary firefighting operation continued until approximately 2-3 a.m. Fire personnel are still monitoring the building to suppress hot spots, and will likely be on scene for a couple more days. There is no danger to the public and the DNR is monitoring any runoff from the incident.
• The building was used for the storage and sorting of materials that are to be recycled. Uselding estimated that the building’s size may be in excess of 15,000 square feet. It has multiple levels and contained a conveyor belt and various sorting units.
• Though a social media comment indicated that the fire appeared to have started in a restroom, Uselding indicated that it is not known where the fire started, and the cause is under investigation. There is not currently any inclination that it was suspicious in nature.
• The building was structurally compromised and had a partial collapse. Uselding indicated that the estimated value of the loss in building and contents is likely in the millions of dollars. It is not known what the company’s plans may be for replacement.
• Highway U is open.
• A message on the John’s Disposal website states, “One of our recycling facilities caught on fire in the evening on Sunday, January 8th. All routes will remain on their scheduled service day for the entire week of January 9th. Please note that service times may vary and that some recycling routes might be collected before the garbage routes. We give our sincerest thanks to the many firefighters who have been assisting us during this tough time.”

FREE Campus & Community Meals Continue – January 9/Comidas de Espaguetis GRATIS Continuan 9 de enero

The Congregational UCC, 133 S. Franklin Street, Whitewater, continues to host the free Monday night carry-out spaghetti meals.
Temporarily…beginning January 9th through January 30th, 2023, only frozen carry-out meals will be available. Beginning February 6th, we will resume the Sit-Down meals and fresh Carry-Outs. Carry-outs are available from 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. For more information, contact Patty Harmon at the First English Lutheran Church office, (262) 473-5076 or at the Congregational UCC office, (262) 473-4101.

El UCC Congregacional, 133 S. Franklin Street, Whitewater, continúa ofreciendo las comidas gratuitas de espagueti para llevar los lunes por la noche.
Temporalmente… a partir del 9 de enero hasta el 30 de enero de 2023, solo estarán disponibles comidas congeladas para llevar. A partir del 6 de febrero, retomaremos las comidas para sentarse y las comidas para llevar frescas. Las comidas para llevar están disponibles de 5:00 p. m. a 6:00 p. m. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con Patty Harmon en la oficina de la Primera Iglesia Luterana Inglesa, (262) 473-5076 o en la oficina de la UCC Congregacional, (262) 473-4101.

Update 1/9/23 at 10 a.m.: According to a press release from the City of Whitewater, it was at 9:51 p.m. on January 8 that dispatch received a report of smoke and flames at John’s Disposal. It is indicated that upon arrival officers found one building fully engulfed in flames. As of the time of the release at 8:33 a.m. on the 9th, fire personnel were still on the scene containing hot spots.

No John’s employees were onsite when the fire was called in, and no injuries have been reported. Although traffic has been reopened on County Highway U, it is requested that the public avoid the area at this time. The city expressed appreciation to the many communities that provided, and continue to provide, fire personnel and resources for the incident.

The release also indicated that according to a John’s representative trash and recycling pickup is expected to remain on schedule.

The Banner will be updated as further information becomes available.

Update 1/9/23 at 7:30 a.m.: Per WMTV: “Employees were given passage on Hwy U to get into work this morning, telling NBC15, they were given the green light from JDS to carry out work as scheduled.”

Update 1/9/23 at 7:30 a.m.: The following was posted to the Whitewater Fire Department Facebook page at approximately 2 a.m.:

 

Crews are currently operating at a structure fire on Hwy U at John’s disposal outside of Whitewater. Hwy U is shutdown between Fremont and Hwy D. Crews will be operating on scene for an extended period of time.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Per Whitewater Dispatch, a structure fire was reported at John’s Disposal, 107 County U at approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday, January 8. At this time the Banner is able to report that with the amount of smoke still arising from the property at midnight, the large quantity of firefighting vehicles on site from multiple agencies, and the number of tankers still being filled at hydrants, this is a major, five alarm fire. Reportedly agencies have been responding from as far as 50 miles away. As of 1 a.m. on Monday we are unable to confirm any further information.

County U between Fremont and County D is likely to be closed for many hours. It is expected that there may be some icy areas on roads where tankers have been filling from hydrants.

John’s Disposal’s recycling facility in the Town of Norway in western Racine County suffered what was described as a massive fire on July 1, 2018.

The Jefferson County Scanner Facebook page, considered to be a reliable but unofficial source of information, published the following late breaking updates:

**UPDATE AT 1112P ,Waukesha County requested with a tender strike team on the interdivisional box

UPDATE 1138p, strike team of engines requested from Dane Co

UPDATE 103am, Green County requested with a strike team

The Walworth County Scanner Updates Facebook page, which is considered to be a reliable but unofficial source of information, published the following information about the January 8, 2023 fire.

Whitewater Fire: MABAS 12-5 2nd alarm
John’s Disposal Hwy U for structure fire
3rd alarm – full
Upgraded Full 4th
5th alarm for truck companies
5th Alarm for tenders
Upgraded to interdivisional strike team level from
MABAS
division 106 for tenders
Divison 115 for engines

Engines: Fort Atkinson, Palmyra, Helensville, Cambridge, Darien, city of Delavan, Stoughton, Evansville, Sharon

Trucks: Whitewater, East Troy, Lake Geneva, Watertown

Tenders: LaGrange, Milton, Big Bend, Edgerton, Johnson Creek, Kettle Morraine, Troy Center, Clinton, Waterloo, Janesville, Walworth

Squads: Jefferson, Rome, Lake Mills, Town of Delavan, Sullivan, East Troy, Footville, Western Lakes

Ambulances: Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Waterloo

Chiefs: Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Helenville, Lake Mills, city of Delavan, Elkhorn, Evansville, Dousman, Williams Bay

Special Equipment
Milton RIT
WE Energies
Western Lakes Rehab
Lyons Air Unit

Change of Quarters Mukwonago engine & chief

Ixonia