News

The Walworth County Division of Public Health is pleased to announce a special initiative promoting community health and safety. Through the end of July and select dates in August, residents will have the opportunity to purchase discounted private well water test kits and return collected water samples for testing at the following town hall locations:

• July 23, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Whitewater Town Hall, W8590 Willis Ray Rd.
• July 25, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Spring Prairie Town Hall, N6097 State Rd. 120
• August 1, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at East Troy Town Hall, N9330 Stewart School Rd.
• August 6, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Delavan Town Hall, 5621 Town Hall Rd.
• August 8, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Darien Town Hall – N2826 Foundry Rd.

Test kits are priced at $10 per sample for bacteria or nitrate, and $18 per sample for arsenic or lead. Well water test kits may also be purchased from Walworth County Health and Human Services (HHS) during regular business hours. Checks are the only forms of payment accepted at the town hall dates; checks and cash are accepted at the Health and Human Services building. Collected test samples may be returned to the town halls during the specified hours or to HHS during regular laboratory hours.

Private wells are a vital water source for many residents in Walworth County, and regularly checking your water is essential to ensure health and safety. By offering discounted well tests, Walworth County Public Health aims to encourage more residents to take proactive steps towards safeguarding their health.

Please visit our website at http://www.co.walworth.wi.us/430/Well-Water-Testing for water laboratory hours, to learn how to check your well water, or call (262) 741-3200 for more information.

Country star Chris Cagle will be the headliner of Edgerton Tobacco Heritage Days on July 20 at Racetrack Park in Edgerton, WI.

Edgerton Tobacco Heritage Days is made possible by platinum sponsors:  Albrecht Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Morrison’s Auto Parts, IKI Manufacturing, Dam Paradise, Iron Pine, J. Becker Construction, Inc., Davis Family Dentistry, Two Brothers Downtown Pub and Grill, South Central Well and Pump, Dohner Heating & Cooling and Last Nite Bar & Grill.

Proceeds from Edgerton Tobacco Heritage Days benefit multiple local scholarships, groups, causes and community improvements.

The weekend long festival kicks off on Friday July 19 with a weekend long citywide rummage sale. At Racetrack Park there is a men’s softball, women’s softball and little league tournaments. Live music kicks off with classic rock cover band Audiodrive at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday July 20, The Rascal 5k Run starts at Racetrack Park at 8:00 a.m.  The youth will put their skills to the test in a lip sync/ talent show and the big wheel race at Racetrack Park. Softball, baseball and little league tournaments continue throughout the day. Local Edgerton cover band the Pink Houses will be playing classic rock hits at 5:30 p.m. With chart topping hits including: “Chicks Dig It”, “What Kinda Gone” and “What a Beautiful Day,” country star Chris Cagle takes the main stage at 9:30 p.m.

On Sunday July 21, there is a parade in downtown Edgerton with over 50 entries.  Free admission into Racetrack Park on Sunday. Anyone can compete in a pie eating contest and tobacco axe throwing contest is at Racetrack Park for ages 15 and up. Back by popular demand, Sounds of Edgerton where a variety of local musicians and bands will play 2:00 p.m. – 8 p.m. The hometown baseball team the Albion Tigers take the field at 2:00 p.m. vs Lake Mills, followed by Utica vs Cambridge.

The price of admission to Racetrack Park is $15 in advance or $20 at the gate on July 20. Wristbands are currently on sale at Deegan’s Hardware, the Coffee Depot and Dam Paradise. For more information visit www.edgertontobaccodays.com or on Facebook at Edgerton Tobacco Heritage Days.

The Edgerton Tobacco Heritage Days Parade will be held on July 21 at 11:30 a.m.

The Edgerton Tobacco Heritage Days parade featuring over 50 entries begins at Stoughton Road on July 21 at 11:30 a.m.

This year’s parade is coordinated by Edgerton Tobacco Heritage Days Committee Member Anna Jensen with support from the Edgerton Police Department and the City’s Department of Public Works. The Edgerton Tobacco Heritage Days Committee thanks Jen Maier for all her work over the years to make the Edgerton Tobacco Heritage Days parade a success.

Due to road construction on Albion Street the parade route is as follows:  Starts on Stoughton Road, which turns into W Rollin Street.  Take a right onto Swift Street, turn left onto West Fulton Street, left onto North Henry St, ending at Central Lutheran Church. 

The parade lineup includes the following entries: 1568 International , 1987 Caprice Classic, 99.9 WJVL, Badger Band, Brienne Brown For  Assembly District 43, Brown Paws Rescue, Cottage Grove Lions Club Happy Whistlers, Cripple Creek Cloggers, Cub Scouts Pack 418, Down Syndrome of Association WI, Edgerton Care Center, Edgerton Cub Scouts Pack 418,Edgerton Fast Pitch Softball, Edgerton FFA, Edgerton Fire Department/Lakeside Fire and Rescue, Edgerton High School Band, Edgerton High School Varsity Dance Team, Edgerton Hospital, Edgerton Little League 7th Graders, Edgerton Little League Champions, Edgerton Little League Tobacco Days Tournament Champions, Edgerton VFW City Post 2708, Edgerton Youth Football, Gifts For Kids, Green Beret Marching Band and Green County Cheese Days.

In addition to: Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin, Kim Colby Homes, Lake House Inn, Last Nite Bar & Grill, Lindsay Gallagher & Associates, Lions Club, Lion’s Den Taekwondo Edgerton, Panthers Exteriors and Construction, Perry’s Piggly Wiggly, Renegades 4-H Club, Rock County 4-H Fair Royalty – 2023 Fairest of the Fair Bella, Rock River Marina, Sam the Wheeler, Seitz Towing and Racing , Starlight Dance Edgerton, Sterling North Society, Stevens Construction Corp, Studio A Dance Academy, Tom Olson’s 3 wheeler, Sun & Stars Birth Services , Sundowners Snowmobile Club, Tebala Shrine Air Squadron, Tider Boys Soccer, Tired Iron Car Club, & Tobacco Days Car Show, Wisconsin Region Model A Restorers Club, Yankee Dutchmen Marching Band and Zor Shine Mini Cars.

Nelson Young sponsored the Zor Shine Mini Cars in the parade.

More information regarding the parade can be found on edgertontobaccodays.com or on Facebook at Edgerton Tobacco Heritage Days.

St. Patrick’s Country Fest!!
Sunday, July 28th
St. Patrick Church – 1225 W. Main Street – Whitewater, WI
12:30-4:00 p.m. – church grounds

Great food, music, games and prizes, raffles!
Come and check out our silent auction – many wonderful items.

SAVE THE DATE & COME ENJOY THE FUN!!

Staller Estate Winery and Distillery proudly announces its outstanding success at the esteemed Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition (FLIWC) in Rochester, NY. Competing among top global entries, Staller Estate’s exceptional spirits captivated judges, earning prestigious accolades.

The FLIWC, one of the largest charitable wine and spirits competitions in the US, draws Masters of Wine, Master Distillers, Master Sommeliers, and industry experts for a rigorous two-day blind judging process. Proceeds support Camp Good Days and Special Times, benefiting families affected by cancer and sickle cell anemia.

Staller Estate achieved a pinnacle with the Gold Medal in the “Best in Class” category for their Estate Brandy. This smooth, complex spirit features an amber hue with notes of dried fruits, subtle vanilla, and oak. On the palate, it offers a harmonious blend of caramel, toasted almonds, and spiced honey.

Adding to their success, Staller Estate garnered a Silver Medal for their Orange Royale. This luxurious Orange liqueur blends barrel-aged brandy with ripe oranges, delivering a balanced aroma of citrus freshness and mellow brandy notes.

“We are deeply honored by these awards,” said Wendy Staller, owner and winemaker. “From our beginnings in 2008 to opening our distillery in 2021, this recognition underscores our commitment to quality.”

Located in Delavan, Wisconsin, Staller Estate Winery has been producing exceptional wines since 2008. Wendy Staller’s journey began with viticulture and enology studies at UC-Davis, culminating in the acquisition of their current vineyard. Alongside her husband Joe and their four children, they continue to uphold a legacy of excellence in Wisconsin’s heartland.

For more information about Staller Estate Winery, visit Staller Estate Winery or contact wendy@stallerestate.com.

Whitewater, WI – July 17, 2024 – Rock River Community Clinic (RRCC) is pleased to announce the award of a $249,998 Momentum Grant funded by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin (AHW) Endowment in collaboration with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). The grant is in support of a larger, regional project “Advancing Access to Behavioral Health Care in Rural Jefferson and Dodge County.” The funding, distributed over 24 months beginning July 1, 2024, will significantly enhance access to critical behavioral health services for residents in these rural areas.

“We are thrilled by this opportunity with MCW to increase access to affordable, high-quality behavioral health services across Jefferson and Dodge County,” states Olivia Nichols, PhD, CEO of RRCC. “At RRCC, the expansion of our behavioral health services is a natural and needed next step towards meeting our community needs.”

With MCW’s Department of Family and Community Medicine, the approved proposal aims to establish a coordinated, financially sustainable behavioral health delivery system that leverages existing healthcare resources and empirically-based care models. This initiative is particularly focused on improving health equity and access to behavioral health services in underserved regions.

Dr. David Songco, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor at MCW, and Dr. Nichols, will lead this transformative project. The initiative will employ a strategic approach to unify existing community health partnerships, improve access to behavioral health services, and develop sustainable care models that address the unique challenges faced by rural populations.

“The approval of this grant is a testament to our commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of residents in Jefferson and Dodge County,” said Dr. Songco. “By leveraging our collaborative network and focusing on sustainable, integrated behavioral health services, we aim to make a lasting impact on the community.”

A HealthWorks Behavioral Health Committee has been formed to oversee the development of a dual-county wide collaborative network, including but not limited to, Fort Healthcare and Watertown Regional Medical Center leadership, county health & human services leadership, and Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation representatives. The committee will be tasked with aligning behavioral health services to maximize reimbursement revenue and ensure long-term sustainability, and to create a network-wide Masters of Social Work (MSW) field rotation in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to support workforce development.

“Partners across the greater Jefferson County region have a long history of collaboration,” states Tina Crave, President and CEO of the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation. “Mental health is a top priority for all of us, and we are eager to work together to innovate and improve the wellbeing of our community.”

Specifically at RRCC, the MCW grant funding will allow for expanded capacity of primary care and behavioral health providers to deliver integrated care, an improved referral system within the HealthWorks network, and enhanced screening and quality measures for mental health and substance misuse services throughout their service area.

“We know that there is a desperate shortage of behavioral health services, especially in rural areas and communities of color,” adds Beth Lucht, PA-C, LCSW, Behavioral Health Director at RRCC. “And we also know that providing integrated behavioral health services within primary care improves access as well as helping patients attain better outcomes in managing chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. We are excited to have this opportunity to work to build a more robust, accessible system of care in Jefferson and Dodge Counties.”

RRCC aims to provide affordable, accessible healthcare services to any individual in need of care. From dental to medical to behavioral health, RRCC accepts patients who are uninsured, on Medicare or BadgerCare, or underinsured through their private health insurance plan.

“Our organization strives to make accessing affordable healthcare services attainable to historically underserved communities,” states Nichols. “Now, with the inclusion of expanded behavioral health, we are able to offer a full healthcare home to all those in our communities who need our care.”

RRCC encourages stakeholders and community members to join in celebrating this significant award towards critical advancement in the overall mental health of our communities. Further announcements and updates about the project will be shared on RRCC’s Facebook & Instagram account and website. Any specific questions about the grant or RRCC’s participation in the HealthWorks Committee can be directed to Nichols at director@rockrivercommunityclinic.org or 262.472.6839.

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Rock River Community Clinic (RRCC) is a community health center that 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 Walworth County, RRCC includes medical clinics located in Whitewater and Watertown, and one dental clinic located in Fort Atkinson.

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

Olivia Nichols, Ph.D.
CEO/Executive Director
director@rockrivercommunityclinic.org
262.472.6839

It is anticipated work will begin on Forest Avenue, between Fourth Street and Church Street, the week of July 22, 2024.

During the project Forest Avenue will be closed to thru traffic. The intersections of Church Street and Fourth Street will have intermittent closures when work is being performed within the intersections.

Work on Forest Avenue includes replacement of the sanitary sewer main and laterals, the water main and laterals, storm sewer improvements, replacement of sidewalk, curb and gutter, and new asphalt pavement.

The project is scheduled to be completed by the first week of September 2024.

Brad Marquardt Director of Public Works
(262) 473-0139
Bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov

The First United Methodist Church is hosting an XYZ event, and all are invited to attend. 

On Monday, July 22nd First United Methodist Church will host Rev. Dr. Eliad Dios dos Santos, a United Methodist Missionary Serving in Italy.  All are invited at noon for lunch, followed by a presentation by Rev. Santos about her ministry in Italy. 

Cost is $6/person. Please RSVP to First UMC by Friday, July 19th by calling 262-473-2131.

Looking for a summer activity for your kids that will pay off down the road? FCCU’s Common Cents Summer Camp teaches the essential financial skills and knowledge that will empower children towards a brighter financial future.

The camp will be taught by FCCU’s Certified Financial Coaches and will include the basics of financial knowledge with grade-appropriate lessons, games, and activities. Participants will learn how to create a budget, set financial goals, and make informed decisions about spending and saving. The camp will be held on Wednesday, July 31 from 1:00-5:00pm at FCCU’s Home Mortgage Store, 732 Madison Ave, Fort Atkinson.

“We believe that financial education is crucial for the next generation. Our Common Cents Camp is designed to make learning about money fun and accessible, ensuring that children develop a positive relationship with finances from an early age “said Whitney Townsend, Director of Business and Community Development at FCCU.

The camp is free and open to all kids in grades 2-5. Registration can be completed online at https://www.fortcommunity.com/education-resources/financial-education/events. Space is limited; register today to invest in your child’s financial wellness!