News

Whitewater Unified School District Employee Handbook Committee – Monday @ 3:30 p.m.
Agenda – Click on “meetings” in upper right hand corner
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3:30 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81309217908?pwd=WEE5aUwyUXpucWRGMWhDTllENjlOdz09
– Webinar ID: 813 0921 7908
– Passcode: 942660
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 813 0921 7908
– Passcode: 942660

Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes library building project.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/375713733
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 375-713-733
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/375713733

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes allowing alcohol in Cravath Lakefront Park, repeal of face coverings ordinance, changes to Brown Cab shared ride taxi service, and approval of design of new water tower.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/96627002480?pwd=QzZrbVF2STZ5QWdxWEJxSUwrK2hDUT09
Passcode: 375937
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799 or 888 475 4499 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 966 2700 2480
Passcode: 375937

Whitewater Unified School Board Policy Review Committee – Wednesday @ 10 a.m.
Agenda – Click on “meetings” in upper right hand corner
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin

City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Aquatic & Fitness Center agreement and business/marketing plan
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/249222741
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (646) 749-3112
Access Code: 249-222-741
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/249222741

Common Council Meeting, held jointly with Plan and Architectural
Review Commission and Community Development Authority – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes brief review of Tax Increment Financing; presentation and discussion regarding district boundaries, feasibility of Whitewater plans A through E, and analyses of districts
Due to Coronavirus Concerns, this will be a VIRTUAL MEETING. (not in person).
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/94050739033?pwd=MHYzNW5JVDBmUDQzS2N2Uk1PYU9kZz09
Passcode: 253898
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799 or 1 888 475 4499 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 940 5073 9033
Passcode: 253898
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/ab8ueTRCX6

(UW-W press release) The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization hosted the virtual Warhawk Business Plan Competition on May 5. Six finalists pitched their business plan ideas to the judges, and at the end of the exciting “Shark Tank”-style event, three student teams were awarded $2,250 in tuition credit at UW-Whitewater.

Bailey Wichert, an entrepreneurship major from Waukesha, won first place and $1,000 in tuition credit with his pitch for Secure Ski — an innovative product he designed to prevent skis from being stolen.

The team of Arianna Plaster and Braden Bunnow, both entrepreneurship majors, earned second place for Prodigy Contracting. Plaster and Bunnow have already launched their general construction company, which specializes in government projects. Dan Gauerke, an entrepreneurship major, took third place with an exotic car parts company named Lead Pedal Parts.

The other business plan finalists included Jasmine Haag with Golden Hour Patisserie, with creative bakery and delivery, Hannah Kalis with Preference, a Greek life dating app, and the team of George Soucek and Jason Tamras with PortaPlug, a portable smartphone charger.

Dave Gee, lecturer, entrepreneurship program coordinator, UW-Whitewater Launch Pad co-director, and CEO chapter advisor, was proud of the dedication and perseverance demonstrated by the competitors and CEO chapter members.

“We had an outstanding group of finalists this year, and in fact, we have never had such a breadth of competitors,” he said. “Our CEO chapter has done an amazing job of adapting to our virtual world, and the Warhawk Business Plan Competition was no exception.”

All participating students dedicated significant time and effort to complete the two-stage competition, which begins with a business plan and two-minute video, and culminates with the pitch at the live event. The structure provides a framework for students to develop a sound business plan and prepare to explain their ideas to prospective investors and customers.

The event judges, including Brian Jensen of FLIR Systems, Jim Caldwell of First Citizens State Bank, and Joe Donovan of the Donovan Group and ProPRcopy, asked the students insightful questions regarding their ideas and plan development. They also shared their extensive expertise as entrepreneurs and investors.

The Warhawk Business Plan Competition was started by the UW-Whitewater Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization in 2007 to encourage student entrepreneurs to turn their inspiration into startup businesses. Each year, the event depends on the judges, CEO chapter members, faculty mentors, and event sponsors for its success.

UW-Whitewater CEO’s mission is to inform, support and inspire college students to be entrepreneurial and seek opportunity through enterprise creation. This successful student organization offers access to invaluable resources, such as the UW-Whitewater Launch Pad and UW-Whitewater Incubation Program, as well as exceptional education and networking experiences. Learn more about the UW-Whitewater entrepreneurship program and resources available to students at uww.edu/cobe/bachelors/degrees-and-majors/entrepreneurship.

(Discover Whitewater press release) – From police officers positioned at all areas of the course to public safety, parking and providing picturesque landscape, the City of Whitewater has been a crucial part of the Discover Whitewater Series: Half Marathon & 5K for nine years. 

“The City of Whitewater is proud to be a sponsor of the Discover Whitewater Series and strives to maintain a safe and fun environment for all participants and spectators, along with our community as a whole,” said City of Whitewater PR and Communications Manager Kristin Mickelson. “We are grateful for those who take safety seriously so people from all over can continue to enjoy this event and all Whitewater has to offer.”

Police officers from the city keep traffic going the correct way and runners on the move on race day. The city provides traffic cones, barricades, and no parking signs to make sure everyone is safe and having a good time whether they’re on the half marathon or 5K course, or lining up at the starting line and passing through the finish line. Detour signs are placed throughout the city to help people to move safely on race day.

One of the DWS’ main goals is to promote the beauty of the City of Whitewater. The half marathon showcases many of the cornerstones of Whitewater, such as the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, business park, Whitewater Unified School District, and the many beautiful landscapes this city offers. 

“The purpose of this race has always been to showcase and benefit the Whitewater community,” DWS Executive Director Jeffery Knight said. “We are grateful for how involved the City is in our goal. This race would not be possible without the generous support from the city.”

Participants for the DWS come from all over the United States, and this event is a great way to show what a great place Whitewater is to visit, live, and play. Go to https://runwhitewater.com/ to register for race day and secure your spot at the start line. 

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 (which provides interim housing for homeless families), Whitewater LEADS, Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3), Whitewater Unified School District and the J-Hawk Aquatic Club.

(Whitewater Unites Lives submission) Willie Hearn III is a WUL Hometown Hero, for donating his time and talent to create a lemonade stand for kids to use to raise funds for the City of Whitewater Police Department – K9 TILLA’S NEXT RIDE.

Willie, who is known by many in the community as “Sam,” said, “My neighbor’s granddaughter wanted to sell lemonade, but didn’t have a lemonade stand, so I volunteered to make one.”

Sam is well-loved at the Garden Apartments.  The management team there prepared a celebration for Sam when he received his award.

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

 Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com 

(Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club submission)  On Thursday, May 13, Steve Ryan and Jean Bromley, of the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club, presented certificates of recognition and $100 to each of the following students for their excellence at Whitewater High School:  Carson Ellenwood and Jonathon Magaña. Seniors Jonathan Magaña and Carson Ellenwood were nominated by staff for their outstanding character and leadership this year. This award acknowledges students who have gone above and beyond in the school in various ways.

Jonathan Magaña is an outstanding student leader. He leads with kindness and by doing what is right. He’s active in sports and clubs. He serves as a Lead Dog and although the year’s ups and downs have made this role difficult, Jonathan can be seen acting kind to all students and serving as a role model. Jonathan is never short of encouraging words for his peers in class. He demonstrates kindness and respect at all times. He knows the importance of doing his best and tries to bring out the best in those around him even making efforts to make sure some of his friends have rides to school. Jonathan is a brave advocate for others and never shies away from sharing his support of fellow students or standing up for them in a positive way. Jonathan Magaña has been a positive, contributing member of the school community and he is the epitome of TheWhippetWay.

Carson Ellenwood opted to remain fully virtual as a JEDI student this year, but he continued to fully engage with WHS and demonstrated strong leadership as part of both the robotics team and NHS. Carson is one of the kindest, most mature, and most responsible students we have. He took the lead in communicating with the elementary schools and virtually mentored the LEGO League teams at two buildings. Carson was an integral part of the Ferradermis administrative team, taking the lead on the execution of all Robotics Week activities, including the Penny War to raise funds for the Kiwanis for accessible playground equipment. He put in dozens of hours in Google Meets and on his own time, working on the virtual submissions for multiple robotics competitions, always fully supporting his teammates and making sure that everyone’s ideas were valued and included. When something needs to get done, Carson will see it through and make it happen.

This award was developed by the late Dr. Patrick Brooks, who believed in recognizing student achievement.  He strongly felt that there were many students who were doing fantastic work without recognition.  He wanted to be able to give that recognition, and was the inspiration behind this award. 

The Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club is made up of dedicated volunteers who help children in the Whitewater community and the world, all with 100 percent of funds raised going directly to projects helping improve the lives of children in the community.  Each year the club distributes approximately $20,000, with over half going to the Whitewater Unified School District, including scholarships. Kiwanis helped to build and maintain the Flowing Well Shelter, the shelter and accessible playground at Starin Park and Treyton’s Field of Dreams, the WHS football field lights and press box, as well as adopting a highway to clean up.  In addition, the group donates to the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club, the Friends of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center Family Partnership Fund, the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House and more. More information can be found on the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club Facebook page.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world
one child and one community at a time.

By Jeff Angileri
Executive Director, University Marketing and Communications
University of Wisconsin–Whitewater

As the 2020-21 academic year comes to a close at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, there are multiple success stories that wouldn’t be surprising in a typical May.

More than 1,500 students graduated on Saturday. The campus’s American Marketing Association chapter reigns supreme. A Warhawk is headed to the NFL. A physics professor has received a U.S. patent. And UW-Whitewater Enactus will represent the U.S. at the World Cup.

But this was not a typical year. 

From classroom learning to athletics to student organizations, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the university to operate in different ways in order to be successful. And it required the participation and commitment of faculty, staff and students to take every step possible to stay well and protect one other.

“I’m immensely proud of the way our university community came together to carry out our academic mission and to serve the greater community,” said Chancellor Dwight C. Watson. “The challenges were many, and the ever-changing nature of the pandemic added additional complications, but we persevered as a Warhawk family.”

To date, UW-Whitewater has conducted nearly 80,000 COVID-19 tests — about 55,000 for faculty, staff and students on campus, and about 25,000 at testing sites for community members. Multiple partners help to fund and support the testing programs, including UW-Whitewater, UW System, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

“Robust COVID-19 testing helped keep case numbers down,” said Matt Kiederlen, chief of police and chair of the Emergency Operations Committee, which led the execution of UW-Whitewater’s COVID-19 response. “When you combine that with mask wearing, social distancing and adjusted room capacities, it allowed us to safely offer more in-person experiences this year. At this point, our antigen positives are less than one percent.”

UW-Whitewater’s COVID-19 Office/Hotline has responded to 13,000 phone calls and emails, providing critical information about health, safety and university operations. Meanwhile, the contact tracing team has assisted more than 3,000 faculty, staff and students.

And as vaccines have rolled out across the country, University Health and Counseling Services made sure faculty, staff and students were informed so they could take advantage of vaccine opportunities. 

“When supply arrived, we quickly and efficiently distributed vaccines on campus. By May 20, we’re projected to have given about 1,800 doses, including the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. About 196 of those were given to community members,” said Julie Martindale, director of health services.

Now, UW-Whitewater looks toward summer, when popular athletic, music and academic  camps will take place with established safety protocols.

And it’s looking like a much more normal fall semester.

“We’re looking forward to in-person classes as they were pre-pandemic, residence halls as they were pre-pandemic with extended move-in processes, along with dining halls, athletics, arts and other expected activities,” Watson said. “We do not yet know what, if any, modifications will remain in place as we return in the fall. Just as our protocols under COVID-19 have been based on county, state and federal health department guidelines, our path to a safe fall 2021 will continue to be based on this guidance.”

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Names Fort HealthCare
a Winner of the Milwaukee Top Workplaces 2021 Award

(Fort HealthCare press release) Fort HealthCare has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2021 honor by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few. This is the eleventh time that Fort HealthCare has proudly received this award.

Nancy Alstad, Fort HealthCare Senior Director of Human Resources commented, “This recognition continues to signify that our employees feel valued and are proud to be an employee of Fort HealthCare; In 2020 our employees endured a year like no other, and their commitment to our mission and to each other sustained us, always focusing on quality patient care. Receiving this award for an eleventh time is an incredible honor!”

You can read more about the award at https://topworkplaces.com/award/jsonline/2021/500-plus/

THIRD UPDATE: “They’re phenomenal:’ Pilot of crashed plane in Whitewater credits rescuers” – article from channel 27 – WKOW.COM
SECOND UPDATE: A more comprehensive report on the rescue is available here.

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

Per the Whitewater Fire Department Facebook page, the department was notified at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Saturday, May 15 of a single engine plane crash. The crash was located in the Kettle Moraine Forest in the Town of Whitewater, with rescue efforts causing sections of Highway P south of Whitewater to temporarily close. Multiple other departments, including Janesville and Lauderdale LaGrange, responded. As of 2:19 a.m. on Sunday, all three persons had been removed from the aircraft and were reporting no injuries.

An unnamed reliable source told the Banner that the plane itself was equipped with a parachute which opened, and the plane descended into a 75′ oak tree with the pilot, reportedly in his 50’s, and two passengers in their 20’s, trapped inside. The plane was wedged in a crotch of the tree, fairly high off the ground, and it is unknown how it may be removed.

An article in Air & Space dated May 15, 2018, titled, “Those parachutes for small airplanes really do save lives,” claimed that a study found that 380 lives had been saved by the parachutes. This Youtube video, “Are planes with parachutes really safer,” provides a description of the system, which has been available for over twenty years, apparently only on the Cirrus line of aircraft. Per the video, in the early years the fatality rate for equipped planes was actually higher than the average for general aviation, but more recently use of the system appears to have contributed to preventing deaths or serious injuries.

Press release from Whitewater Fire Department posted to Facebook page approximately 3 p.m. on May 16: