News
Sexual Assault Suspect Charged; Victim Speaks Out (REVISED/UPDATED)
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
May 27 revision/update: Fox6 News reported that the case was charged in Walworth County, but it actually was in Jefferson County court. This article has also been updated with Mayorquin Landero Jr.’s address. He was released from custody on May 26 on a $1,000 cash bond with the following conditions: no acts or threats of violence, no contact with Victim 1, no presence on UW-Whitewater Campus.
Fox6 News Milwaukee reports that Pedro Mayorquin Landero Jr., 21, of 1012 W Shaw Ct #20, was charged in Jefferson County court on May 26 for the alleged sexual assault that occurred on the UW-W campus on Saturday, May 22. Mayorquin Landero Jr. faces one count of second-degree sexual assault and one court of attempted robbery with use of force. It is indicated that the alleged perpetrator acknowledged to police that he assaulted the victim, Melissa Jasurda; however, he denied any intentional sexual contact with the victim, stating that he only intended to rob her.
Although the victim would not normally be named, Ms. Jasurda consented to an interview, which is shown on the above report, in order to warn other people to be more cautious. She states that she had moved her family from Milwaukee in an attempt to avoid crime.
UW-W Police credited tips received from the public in helping to identify the suspect based on a video surveillance image.
The Banner is unable to independently confirm the charges as referenced above, as the case has not yet been posted on the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access site.
Helicopter Recovers Crashed Plane from Treetops
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Alan Hutchison learned from Facebook on the morning of May 15 that there was going to be an attempted recovery that day of the small plane that had crashed in the treetops in the Kettle Moraine State Forest near Rice Lake on May 26. The Banner report on the crash may be found here. Mr. Hutchison kindly gave permission for the Banner to share the photos above that he took of the helicopter and the recovery.
WKOW.com also has a report, with video, on the helicopter recovery.
Federal Aviation Administrator investigators visited the scene of the crash soon after the incident.
Local Students Named to Dean’s List at Cedarville University, Hamline University & UW-Stout
CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY
CEDARVILLE, OH (05/25/2021)– Cedarville Student Mina Truesdale of Whitewater, WI, majoring in Chemistry, was named to the Dean’s Honor List for Spring 2021. This recognition requires the student to obtain a 3.75 GPA or higher for the semester and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,550 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation, and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about Cedarville University, visit www.cedarville.edu.
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HAMLINE UNIVERSITY
SAINT PAUL, MN (05/25/2021)– Dalton Chenoweth of Whitewater, WI was named to the Hamline University School of Business Dean’s List for the Spring 2021 term. Chenoweth was among 117 students to make the Dean’s List this semester. To qualify, students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher and complete a minimum of 16 credit hours. In the Spring 2021 term, students were required to have completed a minimum of 12 credits graded on the standard letter-grade scale for the term.
Founded in 1854, Hamline was the first university in Minnesota and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation. Today, Hamline University provides a world-class education for undergraduate and graduate students. Our faculty, staff, and students cultivate an ethic of civic responsibility, social justice, and inclusive leadership.
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UW-STOUT
MENOMONIE, Wis. (May 25, 2021) – The following students from the area have been named to the University of Wisconsin-Stout Dean’s List for the spring 2021 semester. The award is presented to students who have a grade point average of 3.5 or above. UW-Stout has 47 undergraduate majors and 24 graduate programs, including one doctoral degree. UW-Stout, established in 1891, prides itself on the success of its students in the workplace, with an employment rate above 97% for recent graduates. The university was awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2001. Enrollment was 7,970 in the fall. UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.
Zach Gross, Senior, BS Computer Science
Michael Hilliger, Senior, BFA entertainment design, BFA Game Design & Dvlpmnt-Art
Cassandra Hoxie, Sophomore, BS Computer and Electrical Eng
Luke Rule, Sophomore, BS Digital Mktg Technology
Run or Walk to End Homelessness on Saturday, June 12
Whitewater Community Fundraising Partners (WCFP) is hosting a 10K/5K/1 mile fun run on June 12, 2021 benefiting the homeless youth in the Whitewater Unified School District. WCFP is working directly with the district. In 2020, thanks to the help of run participants, local businesses, and community members, $5000 was donated to the district and through a collaboration with The Black Sheep Restaurant, 144 meals were delivered to families on Christmas Eve day.
You can register on-line at: www.runsignup.com/homelessnesstorest21 If you would like to donate to WCFP, please send your check to WCFP, PO Box 182, Whitewater WI 53190. You can also make a donation online at the run link provided.
Run is at 8 a.m. and begins and ends at Starin Park. All participants registered by May 31 receive a dri-wick run shirt.
WHS National Honor Society Announces New Officers
By Pamela Sonmor-Wintz, School Counselor and National Honor Society Advisor
Whitewater High School
The National Honor Society at Whitewater High School is proud to announce new officers for the 2021-2022 school year! Sophia Walton was elected President, Savannah Hill – Vice President, Nikita Hartzheim – Secretary, and Audrey Mayer – Treasurer! Current President, Carson Ellenwood led the final meeting of the year on May 25 and passed the NHS Gavel to incoming President Walton. Members reflected on accomplishments this year which included the Kindness Matters Program & HOPE Squad presentation, Elementary Book Reading Project, Fall & Spring Silent Auction Projects which helped our school and community, National Student Leadership Week celebrations, 4K Registration, Culver’s Night, recycling ink cartridges, and the creation of a virtual National Honor Society Induction Ceremony in December. NHS Advisor, Pam Sonmor-Wintz, congratulated members on their accomplishments and thanked them for demonstrating outstanding leadership, character, scholarship, and service throughout the year!
The National Honor Society would like to thank the Whitewater McDonald’s Restaurant for donating a delicious breakfast of Egg McMuffins to celebrate a great year of service!
UW-Whitewater LIFE program — first in the state — graduates six proud Warhawks
Six proud Warhawks, the first cohort of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s LIFE Program, successfully completed their two-year program and crossed the stage in cap and gown in May 2021.
LIFE, which stands for Learning Is For Everyone, is a program that provides a complete college experience for young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 who have an intellectual disability. Students receive ample support programs, specialized instruction, on-campus residential living and community integration. It is the first and only program of its kind in the University of Wisconsin System, according to its director, James Collins.
“This is a group of students who had long been forgotten and excluded from the many opportunities college affords,” said Collins. “We’re redefining what a college education means and meeting significant needs in the community. Our program is personalized for our students, who get to participate in all aspects of campus life — from living in the residence halls to joining clubs like archery, gaming, and Active Minds.”
“Our UW-Whitewater LIFE students get access to everything that comes with the classic college experience, and rightfully so: they are Warhawks just like everybody else across campus.”
The program has two components: the two-year basic program and an advanced two-year program, designed to facilitate independent living and employment success, in addition to a variety of other essential skills and outcomes that align with a meaningful postsecondary education. The U.S. Department of Education has designated UW-Whitewater LIFE as being a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program, which makes students eligible for some forms of Federal financial aid, including Pell grants.
One of the hallmarks of the program is the required residence on campus, which helps dismantle barriers and creates substantive opportunities for students to fully participate in campus activities as it prepares students to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle, including regular exercise and participation in enjoyable leisure activities.
A trained, dedicated resident assistant lives in the residence hall with the students, helping them develop essential skills in non-academic domains. Called independent living assistants, these students, who come from a variety of majors, serve an important role in the program’s success and share many of the same responsibilities as a traditional campus resident assistant, but with additional supportive duties such as helping students with tasks of daily living, promoting independence, providing mentoring, facilitating social and leisure opportunities, and helping students acclimate to campus life.
One of the independent living assistants is Michala King, who earned a B.A. in social work this May.
“My mom did similar work with students with intellectual disabilities where I grew up,” said Michala. “It made me want to do it too — to be part of their academic journey, to help them gain independence and to see them gain confidence.”
“I really enjoyed working with these students over the last two years,” she added. “They have become a big part of my life.”
The first group of students to graduate the program are Nathan Barnes, from Racine, Sam Craden, from Menomonee Falls, Sera Lira, from Oshkosh, Alexis Orkfritz, from Baraboo, Amelia Pierson, from Oconomowoc, and Caitlin Salzeider, from Kenosha.
“Four of these students will be returning next year for the advanced program, and they’ll be moving from Tutt Hall to off-campus living to take their independence to the next level,” said Collins.
For more information, visit the UW-Whitewater LIFE Program.
Facial Coverings Optional in WUSD Schools Beginning Wednesday, May 26
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
After a nearly 90-minute discussion, the Whitewater Unified School District Board voted 6-1 on Monday, May 24 to rescind the facial coverings requirement and make them optional beginning on Wednesday, May 26. The initial motion was to rescind the requirement effective on June 10, which would have made the change apply only to summer school. The last day of school is June 9. It was indicated that, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the district is required to continue requiring masks on school buses, and masks are also required in locker rooms.
During the public comment period all nine parents and the one high school student who spoke were in favor of rescinding the facial coverings requirement immediately. It was claimed that since February 22 the district has never reported having more than one positive COVID-19 case at a time. Several parents indicated that, especially with the warmer weather and some classrooms not being air conditioned, their children are reporting increasing difficulty breathing, are experiencing perspiration, and having difficulty with anxiety and maintaining focus. It was also claimed that most of the other districts in the area are no longer requiring masks, that if the mandate was not lifted there would be additional students leaving the district for the next school year, and that there would be a negative impact on the outcome of the anticipated referendum in 2022.
The primary reservation which was expressed by several members to rescinding the mandate was that CDC, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and the Jefferson County epidemiologist are all recommending that masks continue to be required through the end of the current school year. It was this concern that Board President Casey Judd cited in voting against making facial coverings optional before summer school.
District Superintendent Caroline Pate-Hefty did not make a recommendation on the matter. Her strongest statement was that if a change was made, everyone must respect other parents’ and childrens’ personal decisions, and bullying would not be tolerated. Dr. Pate-Hefty did recommend that, effective with summer school, some of the district’s mitigation measures be modified, specifically that a 14-day quarantine only be required for those with a person in their household who tests positive, rather than to include a close contact at school, and that the symptoms of runny nose and sore throat be deleted from those which contribute to having to stay out of school for a minimum of three days. The board accepted these changes for summer school.
Saturday Whitewater Lake Brat Fry and “Pop Up” Farmer’s Market to Benefit Police K-9
“Tilla’s Next Ride,” a group raising funds for a new Whitewater PD K-9 Unit vehicle, is
sponsoring a Brat Fry and “Pop-Up” Farmer’s Market Saturday (May 29) from 10 to 2 at the
corner of CTH P and Kettle Moraine Drive. Free spaces for vendors are still available by
contacting Sheila at 262 729-1121. Whitewater’s K-9 Officer Tilla will be the guest of honor.
Tilla needs a newer, larger dedicated police vehicle and all Brat Fry proceeds will go toward
that purchase. The group is planning a series of fund raisers throughout the summer and
over the next 18 months.
Whitewater’s Police K-9 unit relies on donations and is a community funded program. The
current squad dedicated to the K-9 unit is outdated and has an excess of accumulated
miles.
Saturday’s event is currently scheduled to feature Wisconsin summer sausage & beef
sticks, handmade jewelry, plinko wooden board games, skincare products, veggies &
canned goods, wax melts & diffusers, beeswax candles, bath & body products, key chains &
can koozies, CBD oils and much more!
The event will be held at the site of the old Whitewater Lake First Citizens Bank branch office across from
JNT’s Marina. Brats, hot dogs and beverages will be available.
Alleged Offender in Custody for Saturday Daylight Stranger Sexual Assault on UW-W Campus
Per the UW-W Police Facebook page, it was reported that a daylight stranger sexual assault occurred on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at approximately 12:26 p.m. The alleged perpetrator was apparently depicted in surveillance video, and was described as a white male, possibly Hispanic with a tan complexion, in his late teens or early 20’s having an athletic build. The male traveled to and from the assault location on a dark colored soft tail mountain bike. During the assault the suspect stated he was from Virginia. Per Fox6, the alleged assault occurred in the area of UW-W’s parking lot #18. No information was provided regarding the victim or the nature of the assault.
Chief Matthew Kiederlen posted the following on the Facebook page at approximately 8:40 p.m. on May 24: “I want to thank the community and university members who provided information and leads. I am happy to report the alleged offender is currently in custody. I truly appreciate the hard work of the officers involved, the assistance of our City of Whitewater Police partners and the bravery of the individual who came forward. If you ever need assistance please don’t hesitate to contact us!”