News

The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon, 5k, 5k Teams, Fit Kid Shuffle, and Kids Koral is taking place in one week!

Sunday, September 20th, the Discover Whitewater Series is set to take off at 7:55 a.m. for the wheelchair division, and the Half Marathon at 8:00 a.m, followed by the 5k at 8:15 a.m. During this time traffic in the area may be affected; please refer to the course map for detailed information. 

Superintendent Samuel Karns of Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) will be making opening remarks at 7:45 a.m. at the start line. He will be joined by Chancellor Corey A. King and City Manager John Weidl to welcome runners to this exciting event! 

The DWS team is hard at work getting ready for race weekend! Volunteers and team members are busy stuffing shirts, bibs, and goodies into packets for all of the race participants, while preparations continue on the course. There is still time to register as a volunteer or as a participant; sign up today at  https://RunWhitewater.com/. The DWS team also encourages community members to line the streets and cheer on the runners! To see where you can cheer on runners, please see the attached course map. 

For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight, Executive Director at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.

About the DWS

The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features, while keeping everyone in the community active. All the proceeds from the race are donated to five local non-profit partners: Bethel House, J-Hawk Aquatic Club, Whitewater LEADS, The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Foundation-Athletics, and the Whitewater High School’s Future Business Leaders of America The DWS partners with the city, business community, university and the school district to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit www.runwhitewater.com.

Did you know that Whitewater Music Boosters gives thousands of dollars to support music at all WUSD schools? That money dries up, and the decisions don’t happen, without the help of family and community members like you!

If you haven’t been to a Whitewater Music Boosters meeting – or if it’s been a while – the first meeting of the year is arguably the most important one, and your opportunity to see what this year will hold is right around the corner. We are holding our first meeting on Monday, September 21st from 5:30-6:30 PM. Join us via Google Meet at the following link: https://meet.google.com/fko-afzc-hxa.

The agenda will be finalized soon. It will be available with previous agendas, past minutes, and other important organizational documents here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TuBl93A6i-eHoumy9RN1HDvYWYLHdbeN?usp=sharing Did you get this message from a music teacher? Join our email list: https://forms.gle/NYGKUrk3TgbSwLmF9

Our constitution went through some updates over the couple of years. You can find it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/176FiAPf8aBMIY6qAUMseCVGTBSoBRencaSgcpmIwuek/edit?usp=sharing

Meetings are casual, and it’s common to have kids, pets, etc. show up on camera. Come see what we’re about and how we support your students’ music!

If you can’t attend this meeting, there are many ways to get involved: 

Way #1:

We know that our meeting times don’t work for everyone, but anyone can volunteer! Whitewater music events frequently need your assistance. Look for opportunities from Whitewater Music Boosters and from teachers in the future. Volunteering is a great way to support students in their music experience.

Way #2:

Over the recent years, our funds have steadily decreased, so we could use people to donate and/or fundraise! In addition to supporting student activities through volunteering, Music Boosters supports the growth of students through sponsoring music related activities and providing monetary support for instruments, uniforms, and other needed items that aren’t budgeted for. Donors are recognized on social media and through the programs at district music events but can also donate anonymously if it’s preferred.

Donate/Share Form here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qkxHs1iNBujuaWKY7SqiDjH4QjZQ5dg2/view?usp=drive_link

Future Meetings:

Our meetings are bi-monthly, online only, and typically fall on the first Monday of the month. This year’s meetings are set for:

November 2

January 11 (We try to avoid the first Monday back from break.)

March 1

May 3

Whitewater Music Boosters

Supporting the Whitewater Unified School District

wwusdmusicboosters@gmail.com

There is no cost. Register using the QR code or at tinyurl.com/f87dzk7z

As part of its 2027 budget process, Jefferson County’s Finance Committee will hold public budget hearings on September 14-17. Residents are welcome to attend these meetings in person or via Microsoft Teams virtual meeting.

Following a kickoff session on September 14, each Jefferson County department will have a 20-minute hearing on their proposed 2027 budget with the Jefferson County Finance Committee. Residents will be able to listen to all budget presentations, but there is no public comment on the proposed budgets during these hearings.

After each department’s budget is approved, the County Administrator will present the budget to the full Board of Supervisors on October 13. The Board will hold a special meeting on October 27 for the purpose of a public hearing on the proposed budget.

Finance Committee budget presentations will follow this schedule:

Monday, September 14 (8:30 a.m.)

• Budget Overview
• Sheriff
• Register of Deeds
• Facilities

Tuesday, September 15 (8:30 a.m.)

• County Clerk
• Management Information Systems (MIS)
• Planning and Development
• County Board
• District Attorney
• Land and Water Conservation
• Emergency Management
• Health Department
• Parks
• Highway
• Treasurer
• Court Support Services

Wednesday, September 16 (8:30 a.m.)

• Library Service
• Child Support
• Administration
• Clerk of Courts
• Human Resources
• Medical Examiner
• Human Services
• Corporation Counsel
• UW Extension
• Fair Park
• Veterans Service

Thursday, September 17 (8:30 a.m.)

• Economic Development Consortium
• Finance
• Outstanding Department Budgets
• 2027 Capital and 5-Year Capital Plan
• General Revenues; General Expenditures (Contingency)
• Fee Schedule
• Fund Balance Policy
• Debt Service
• Set Tax Levy

For information about attending a meeting in person or virtually, go to https://apps.jeffersoncountywi.gov/jc/meetings and click the agenda for the applicable meeting date.

For more about Jefferson County: jeffersoncountywi.gov

Whitewater Unified School District Policy Review Committee – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda – click on “meetings” in upper right corner
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office
419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible recommendation to Common Council the proposal from Graef for
the Zoning Code Rewrite; Discussion and possible approval of the Final Certified Survey Map splitting and
combining into a three lot Certified Survey Map for Tax Parcel #’s /WUP 000324, /WUP
00325, /WUP 00327 and /WUP 00328. The properties are collectively known as the
Hoffman Property. Located on Walworth Avenue next to the High school, bisected by
Hwy 12 Bypass.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/29131185604002?p=b17ARUw22l0ysjukvz
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,,89990458# United States
Phone conference ID: 899 904 58#

Whitewater Unified School District Business, Operations & Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 4:45 p.m.
Agenda – click on “meetings” in upper right corner
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office
419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
4:45 p.m.

City of Whitewater Public Safety & Licensing Review Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
Whitewater Municipal Building, Cravath Lakefront
Room, 2nd Floor, 312 West Whitewater St.,
Whitewater, WI 53190 *In Person and Virtual
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/261164722548583?p=XTZk3TIkEcWJ4qpszh
Meeting ID: 261 164 722 548 583
Passcode: K6tZ6rD2
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,,714967804# United States,
Phone conference ID: 714 967 804#

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Evaluating the Municipal Service Impact of the Proposed Jefferson Street Project; Amending Ordinance: 2026-O-22 an Ordinance amending Section 11.45, Operation of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV) Allowed; Review, discuss, and direct staff regarding changes to Chapter 7.04 Code of Ethics; Review, discuss, and direct staff regarding centralized polling location for August Primaries
312 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/29798331236420?p=kRodQm1B1wXZjB8KVr
Meeting ID: 297 983 312 364 20
Passcode: g4Ah9Fk6
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,,235345423# United States
Phone conference ID: 235 345 423#

City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action on Food Pantry Lease Agreement; Discussion on parking at Starin Park
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str, Whitewater, WI, 53190 *In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/227141404736830?p=iDIRxdsCAqopFy5vBR

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join:https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/241783468097966?p=EfZwMCMSwiXFNMOLrF
Passcode: Pr34Fd9f

The Whitewater Unified School District has introduced its 2026-31 Strategic Plan, outlining the priorities that will guide the district over the next five years.

The plan includes five priorities: Connected Community, Culture of Belonging, Social & Emotional Wellness, Future Ready Learners, and Sustainable Operations.

Students, families, staff, district leaders, and community members provided input throughout the planning process. The Strategic Planning Committee used that feedback to develop the framework for the plan.

“This plan gives us a clear direction for the next five years and keeps our focus on what matters most for our students,” Superintendent Samuel Karns said. “It reflects what we heard from our staff, families, students, and community and gives us a way to track our progress along the way. We look forward to implementing this robust plan in partnership with our entire community, and continuing our efforts to provide students with an exceptional learning experience throughout our schools.”

The plan is centered on WUSD’s commitment to be “an inclusive community where ALL foster their dreams, explore their interests, and build their futures every day, in a UNIFIED way.”

WUSD will track progress through measures that include staff and family engagement surveys, business and community partnerships, student participation and belonging data, attendance rates, local and state academic benchmark assessments, college and career readiness indicators, employee retention rates, and budget projections.

As the district begins implementing the plan, schools will develop goals aligned with district priorities, including scorecards and 100-day plans. WUSD will also develop its Portrait of a Whippet Graduate and regularly review its progress.

Additional information about the 2026-31 Strategic Plan is available at www.wwusd.org.

Editor’s note; This press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

On Wednesday, September 16, Seniors in the Park will be showing a film requested by their Sign Language Class. All Seniors in the Park members and Whitewater citizens are also welcome to attend. 

This 2021 Academy Award Best Motion Picture is about children of deaf adults (or CODA) and stars Marlee Matlin, Ruby Rossi, and Troy Kotsur (Best Supporting Actor). Kotsur was the first deaf person to win an Oscar. This film will begin at 10 AM and is Rated PG-13 and is 1 hour, 51 minutes in length.

Then, at 1 pm, Seniors in the Park will be showing its final film of the annual Summer festival of art, foreign, and classic films with an early Humphrey Bogart film that is rarely shown on television, showing the range of this iconic actor. Bogart plays a gangster on the lam (again), but one with a heart of gold, hiding out in a boarding house populated by some rather odd ducks: a cabaret singer and her boyfriend, his mother, and some old biddies who like to mother Bogart. It’s wry,  funny, and a musical, and even has a happy ending! 

“ It’s the kind of film they just don’t make anymore.” Rated G, 1 hour, 37 minutes (1940). 

Starring Humphrey, Bogart, Anne Sheridan, and yes, even Zazu Pitts. Enjoy!

Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) is pleased to announce the promotion of Jennifer Tucker to Associate Director of Member Experience. Jennifer has played a key role in strengthening the member and team member experience across the organization through her leadership in training, onboarding, compliance, and team development.

Throughout her 20 years at FCCU, Jennifer has been instrumental in enhancing training programs, improving onboarding processes, supporting compliance initiatives, and developing resources that help team members confidently serve members and support one another. Her passion for learning, coaching, and continuous improvement has made a lasting impact across the credit union.

In her new role, Jennifer will focus on coaching and developing FCCU’s frontline team, empowering them to support their teams in delivering an exceptional and consistent member experience across every touchpoint.

“Jennifer has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to both our team members and members,” said Sue Johnson, President and CEO of FCCU. “Her ability to develop people, strengthen processes, and champion a member-first culture makes her the ideal person to help lead our member experience efforts into the future.”

“I’m excited for the opportunity to work more closely with our frontline and teams across FCCU. Our team members are the heartbeat of our member experience, and that experience should reflect the care, concern, and dedication they show every day. I’m excited to spend time with our teams, learn where we can grow, and help create opportunities that allow both our team members and members to thrive. Together, we can continue building meaningful relationships and delivering service that exceeds expectations.”

Jennifer’s promotion reflects FCCU’s ongoing commitment to invest in its people and deliver exceptional service to members wherever and however they choose to engage with the credit union.

About FCCU: Established in 1940, Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) is a member-owned financial cooperative open to anyone living or working in Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth, or Waukesha counties. With branch locations in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Watertown, and Whitewater, FCCU holds $456 million in assets and has more than 21,000 members. For more information about FCCU and the products and services they offer, visit fortcommunity.com or call (920) 563-7305.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Fort Community Credit Union.

 Get ready, Whitewater!

Whitewater Fire & EMS is firing up the griddles for its Open House & Pancake Breakfast! This event is FREE!

 Sunday, September 13
 7:00–11:00 AM
 312 W. Whitewater St.

Come hungry, check out the fire station, and enjoy a great morning with Whitewater Fire & EMS!