News
#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Christmas Greetings
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
“Christmas Greetings” to everyone from the Whitewater Historical Society. This image is from the society’s collection of holiday “penny” post cards, popular during the first two decades of the 20th century.
On the back of this card sent to Miss Ida Edwards, the sender wishes Ida a Merry Christmas and “lots of presents.” The card is postmarked December 21, 1910.
Join us next week for greetings for the New Year!
(post card in the manuscript collections of the Whitewater Historical Society)
We Energies: Thanks for cooperation; okay to raise thermostats
| On Friday, December 23 at approximately 6:30 p.m., We Energies began notifying customers of a request to reduce their thermostats to 60-62 in order to conserve natural gas due to an equipment failure by one of their suppliers. We Energies made this announcement at approximately 7 a.m. on Saturday, December 24: “This morning the amount of natural gas being delivered by interstate pipelines into Wisconsin is back to levels that should meet all customers’ needs. Therefore, We Energies is no longer urging customers to reduce their natural gas use. We Energies made a conservation request of customers after the Guardian pipeline, which provides natural gas to our distribution network, experienced a significant equipment failure — reducing the amount of fuel they committed to send by 30%. As a result of our customers’ support, no customer lost the ability to heat their home. We truly appreciate your understanding throughout this event.” |
URGENT: We Energies asks customers to immediately lower their thermostats [Updated]
Update 12/23 @ 9:50 p.m. This link to a Fox6 video report features an interview with a We Energies spokesperson who indicates that the equipment failure was on two valves in DeKalb County, Illinois on the Guardian pipeline. One valve has now been repaired and work is continuing on the other.
On December 23 beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m., We Energies sent out the following urgent notification to its customers:
“We Energies is urging customers to reduce their natural gas use by immediately lowering their thermostats to 60 to 62 degrees. The move will allow customers to stay safe, warm and help avoid a significant natural gas outage.
This request comes after one of the interstate pipeline suppliers who provides natural gas to We Energies experienced a significant equipment failure that is limiting the amount of fuel they are sending We Energies.
The impacted pipeline is one of multiple sources We Energies uses to receive natural gas. On a typical day, an issue like this would not require customers to reduce their usage. However, with extreme cold setting in over much of the United States, We Energies is unable to receive additional natural gas from its other pipeline suppliers.
We Energies has already taken numerous steps to reduce demand for natural gas, including drawing from its liquefied natural gas and propane storage facilities, and reducing natural gas to business customers who have agreed to special billing in these types of events.
We Energies strongly urges customers to reduce their natural gas use by lowering their thermostats and avoid using other natural gas appliances like fireplaces, dryers or ovens.
The company is working to maintain service to emergency and critical facilities.
Customers should take the following actions to help reduce natural gas demand:
- Set thermostats between 60 to 62 degrees. Add layers or blankets to keep warm when lowering a thermostat’s temperature.
- Close blinds or drapes at night and avoid opening doors to retain heat. Open blinds during the day to let in heat from the sun.
- Avoid using secondary natural gas heating sources, such as natural gas fireplaces.
- Use natural gas ranges sparingly. Prepare food with slow cookers or microwaves.
We expect this shortage will last throughout the rest of the day — we will reassess tomorrow.
We truly appreciate and thank our customers for your understanding and patience as we work to manage these challenging conditions and keep all of our customers safe and warm.
We will be working tirelessly to resume normal operations as soon as possible.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage. “The Thermostat” by starmanseries is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Weather Service Downgrades “Storm Warning” to “Weather Advisory;” Hazardous Conditions Continue till Sat. a.m.
According to a release on Friday at 2:30 p.m. from the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office:
“Blowing and drifting snow is ongoing due to 35 to 50 mph winds, especially on open/rural roads. Bitterly cold wind chills in the -20 to -35F range will persist into mid Saturday morning. The cold temps and blowing snow are resulting in slick and icy stretches of roads.
The Winter Storm Warning was replaced with a Winter Weather Advisory for south central and southeast Wisconsin. The observed conditions/impacts are turning out to be more of an advisory level rather than warning level. The Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 9 a.m.
Plan on pockets of slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the evening commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 30 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.”
Winter Storm Warning Until Sat. 6 a.m.; Dangerous Wind Chills
According to the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office, a winter storm warning will be in effect for our area from Thursday at 9 a.m. until Saturday at 6 a.m. This will be for a combination of snow, (moderate to heavy at times Thursday), blowing/drifting snow, and plummeting temperatures with bitterly cold wind chills.
While it remains uncertain if we will see new snow Thursday night through Friday, the combination of fresh snow on the ground and very strong wind gusts will create significant travel impacts across southern Wisconsin. Wind gusts between 45 and 55 mph are expected Thursday night through Friday. This will likely result in significant blowing and drifting of snow, and periods of blizzard conditions.
In addition to the snow and wind, very cold temperatures will build into the area Thursday. Wind chills between -25 and -35F are possible between Thursday night and Sunday morning with Wind Chills at their lowest Friday morning. Anyone who becomes stranded while traveling between Thursday night and Saturday night will quickly find themselves in a life threatening situation!
Total snowfall for our area is projected to be between 2-4″. Wind gusts nearly as high as 50 mph are expected around midday on Friday. Wind chills may be as high as -35 degrees F in the early morning hours on Friday, and may continue to be around -20 degrees F through Saturday morning.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Hans from Pixabay.
Women’s Basketball: Carollo Records 400th Win in Home State
By Angela Kelm,
Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information,
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball head coach Keri Carollo, a California native, recorded her 400th win Wednesday as the Warhawks defeated Minnesota-Morris 82-45 at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz.
In her 21st season with UW-Whitewater, Carollo already holds the most wins in program history. Leading up to the 400-win milestone, Carollo has led the Warhawks to four Final Four appearances including a pair of national runners-up and two third-place finishes, the most by a coach in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history. UW-Whitewater has made the NCAA Division III tournament 13 of the last 14 seasons and she has recorded 20 or more wins nine times. Carollo has coached nine All-Americans, a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Division III All-Star, a WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar Athlete and over 60 to all-conference honors. She has garnered Division III National Coach of the Year accolades along with 12 total coach of the year awards including conference, regional and national honors.
The Warhawks were rolling from the opening tip Wednesday. Minnesota-Morris scored the opening bucket but UW-Whitewater rattled off 14 of the next 15. By the end of the first, UWW widened the gap to 25-10.
UW-Whitewater dropped in the first six of the second quarter to take a 21-point lead. That advantage eventually swelled to 27 by halftime. The Warhawks cruised the rest of the way outscoring their opponent 20-12 in the third and 18-16 in the fourth leading to the final.
The Warhawks turned defense into offense once again outscoring their opponent 37-21 in points off turnovers.
All 19 Warhawks saw action in the milestone-reaching contest with 11 entering the scoring column. Aleah Grundahl led all players with 16 points on 6-10 from the floor. Kacie Carollo added 12.
Yssa Sto. Domingo dished out eight assists while Abi Baumgartner hauled in 10 boards and registered four steals in the contest.
UW-Whitewater wrapped up their winter trip in California with a 2-0 record and will return to Whitewater for their next game on December 30.
…
Flags to Half-staff on Thurs. in Honor of USPS Mail Carrier
| Editor’s note: The following announcement was received from the office of the governor. According to an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aundre Cross, who had worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 18 years, was fatally shot on the job at about 6 p.m. on December 9 on the 5000 block of North 65th Street on Milwaukee’s northwest side. It appears that no arrests have been made in connection with the crime, although a suspect vehicle has been identified. |
| Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #180 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Thurs., Dec. 22, 2022, in honor of Aundre Cross, a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier who was killed on Fri., Dec. 9, 2022, at the age of 44. “Mr. Cross was, by all accounts, a cherished husband, father, coworker, minister, and friend, and he was a dedicated public servant who committed 18 years of his life and career to the U.S. Postal Service and his community,” said Gov. Evers. “Kathy and I send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and coworkers during this difficult time.” Services for Aundre Cross will be held on Thurs., Dec. 22, 2022, in Milwaukee. Executive Order #180 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Thurs., Dec. 22, 2022, and is available here. |
School Board Update: One Day Left to File (Jan. 3) – Three Seats Open, Only One Candidate Has Filed
The election for the Whitewater Unified School District board will be held on April 4. Three seats are up for election; as of December 21, Stephanie Hicks, 1254 Tower Hill Pass, is the only person who has filed as a candidate. Incumbents Casey Judd and Steven J. Ryan have filed noncandidacy notifications. Incumbent Thayer Coburn has not announced his intentions. The district office is closed due to weather on Thursday, December 22 and will not reopen until January 3, which is the final date for a candidate to file and be listed on the ballot.
Interested in Running for the WUSD School Board?
Anyone who may decide before January 3 to be a candidate is welcome to submit an announcement to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com for publication in the Banner.
All School District candidates must complete and submit the required forms to the filing officer no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Candidacy paperwork, Ballot Access Checklist & Campaign Finance Overview – Local Candidate Committees is available at the Central Office, 419 S. Elizabeth Street, Whitewater. The Whitewater Unified School District does not require nomination papers for School Board candidates, and the process may be completed in minutes. The office is closed from Thursday, December 23 through Monday, January 2. The office reopens on Tuesday, January 3 from 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., which is the deadline for filing candidacy paperwork. The contact person for questions or assistance is Jaclyn Tueting, School Board Secretary, 262-472-8702, or jtueting@wwusd.org.
Whitewater Schools Are Closed Thursday
Per a press release, “Whitewater Unified School District will be closed on Thursday, December 22, 2022 due to predictions of rapidly dropping temperatures, snow and strong winds (potential blizzard conditions) that will make travel for our students and staff dangerous, throughout the day Thursday. All after-school activities for Thursday are also canceled.”