News

Obituary: Kandi Lynn Kincaid (Cardinal)

In Loving Memory of Kandi Lynn Kincaid (Cardinal)
Beloved Daughter, Sister, Mother, Grandmother, and Friend

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kandi Lynn Kincaid, daughter of Eunice and Richard Kincaid, on December 28th at 7 PM. Kandi passed away peacefully in bed, enjoying one of her favorite pastimes—watching crime shows.

Kandi was a woman of many passions. She was a devoted fan of the Chicago Bears, found joy in listening to 2Pac, and had an unwavering love for animals, always standing against cruelty of any kind. Her smile could light up a room, and her warmth and humor touched the lives of all who knew her.

As a mother, Kandi worked tirelessly to provide for her four children: Jason, Nate, Thor, and Sara. Her love extended to her grandchildren—Karman, Ashlyn, Aiden, Ella, and Ashton—and her great-grandchild, Jordan, all of whom she cherished.

Kandi’s kindness, strength, and compassion will be remembered and celebrated by her family and friends. She leaves behind a legacy of love and resilience.

She will be forever missed and always remembered.

Local Student Named to Troy University Chancellor’s List


Abby Grosinske of Whitewater, WI has been named to the Chancellor’s List at Troy University for the Fall Semester/Term 2 of the 2024-2025 academic year.

The Chancellor’s List honors full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who earn a grade point average of 4.0.

About Troy University

Troy University is a public, historic, international university with 22,500 students and 154,000 alumni. Students choose TROY for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty, and flexible in-class and online class offerings. Students on the Troy, Ala. campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City, Ala., as well as at locations around the world and online.

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Lots of Snow on First Street


It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. The second of our winter views for 2025 is this view of lots of snow on First Street. In the background is the three-story, five-storefront, building at the center of the south side of Center Street. You can barely see the storefronts. In the 1920s, the third story was removed from this building, but two stories are still extant.

In a close-up you can see three women on the sidewalk. They are standing in front of a side storefront of the old bank building (until recently, a restaurant). This was the location of a long-time millinery or hat shop and no doubt they were visiting or window shopping.

Join us again next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(3162PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order Declaring Energy Emergency: Heating oil & propane concerns

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #253 Declaring Energy Emergency
 
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced on January 9 that he signed Executive Order #253 declaring an energy emergency in the state of Wisconsin. Due to persistent challenges caused by severe regional winter weather and its impact on the distribution of residential heating fuel, including heating oil and propane, Executive Order #253 will allow for the swift and efficient delivery of these products throughout the state.

“From coast to coast in the U.S., Winter Storm Blair has impacted residents and industries alike. This has increased demand for heating fuel and caused strain on delivering essential products across our state, including fuel for home heating, which is critical for the health and safety of folks during the Wisconsin winter,” said Gov. Evers. “Getting residential heating fuel like propane and heating oil moving now to those who need it will help Wisconsinites remain safe as we continue to face cool and freezing temperatures in the coming months.”

According to the Public Service Commission’s Office of Energy Innovation, multiple suppliers report challenges such as long lines at terminals and having to drive further distances to collect needed products.

Executive Order #253 will provide a 30-day waiver of certain state and federal hours-of-service restrictions, allowing suppliers to get caught up from weather-related delays.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Alexander Fox | PlaNet Fox from Pixabay.

Southbound I-39/90 Closed South of Janesville Due to Crash – UPDATE: Reopened

Update 1/10/25 @ 5:30 p.m. – 511wi.gov is no longer showing the freeway as being closed.

A press release, shown below, from Rock County Public Works announced a road closure on I-39/90 due to a crash. Though the release does not indicate whether both sides of the interstate are closed, 511wi.gov indicates that it is only the southbound traffic that is detoured. Per below, it is expected that the detour will continue through Friday evening’s commute.

“On January 10, 2025, at approximately 11:47 a.m. a significant crash occurred on I-39/90 near mile marker 182 eastbound.  The investigation showed the accident involved a semi tractor trailer and a Rock County Department of Public Works plow.  At the time of the incident, the plow was clearing snow on the inside median as part of winter maintenance efforts following this morning’s snow event.  The semi tractor trailer struck the plow on the rear passenger side.  The driver of the plow reported being uninjured but is being evaluated at a local hospital.

Traffic on I-39/90 is currently being re-routed utilizing STH 11, CTH G and CTH BT. The anticipated length of the closure is unknown but will likely extend into the evening commute.  The Wisconsin State Patrol is currently on scene and will be investigating this incident.  County resources are supporting the incident response.”

Per 511wi.gov

I-39/90 South CLOSED from WIS 11 West/Avalon Rd to beyond Ramp from WIS 11 East/Avalon Rd because of a crash. Alternate Route – Southbound traffic will exit I-39/90 at WIS 11. West on WIS 11 to CTH G. South on CTH G to CTH BT. East on CTH BT to CTH S. Continue on CTH S back to I-39/90. Last Updated 1/10/25, 11:55 AM.

WHS Track and Field History Rich with All-American Level Performances

Established in the spring of 2024, the National High School Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (NHSTFXCCA) created standards to recognize outstanding performances, at the national level, by awarding them a certificate for All-American honors. Whitewater had one athlete meet the criteria in the 1600 meter run. Jack Hefty ran 4:13.0 en route to winning his second straight state title. The standard for All American in this event is 4:16.0. Congratulations, Jack!

The coaching staff then began diving into the history books and found several other Whippet track and field athletes who would have earned this award had it been in place during their time in a Whitewater uniform. The staff wanted to recognize these athletes for their superior performances even though the program had not yet been in place for all the years these performances were recorded. Through research and help from former athletes, it was discovered that Janet Partoll had earned honorable mention All-American honors in 1985! Unfortunately, not all the athletes listed below have pictures to go with them. Thank you to all those involved in securing the photos we do have of these athletes as we take a trip down “memory lane” and remember how incredibly rich the sport of track and field is in Whitewater, Wisconsin!

  • 2024 Boys 1600 – Jack Hefty
  • 2023 Girls 4×200 – Madelynn Buehler, Sydney Schilt, Emma Weigel, Kindyl Kilar 1:42.95
  • 2023 Connor Raupp – Discus 169′ 0″
  • 2019 Boys 4×200 – Will Leibrand, Juan Cuellar, Jared Clapper, Jack Mayer 1:29.27
  • 2012 Molly Griep – Shot Put 43′ 3″
  • 2012 Molly Griep – Discus 152′ 1″
  • 2010 Loussaint Minett – Discus 178′ 9″
  • 2001 Rachael Travis – Discus 139′ 4″
  • 1987 Troy Hansen – Discus 172′ 9″
  • 1986 Girls 4×200 – Tina Partoll, Janet Partoll, Julie Paynter, Samantha Reeb 1:43.93
  • 1986 Janet Partoll – High Jump 5′ 8″
  • 1979 Jack Mead – Shot Put 60′ 1.5″
1986 Girls’ 4 x 200 Relay Samantha Reeb, Tina Partoll, Julie Paynter, Janet Partoll and their coaches Wendall Bean, Dirk Seibold, and Lois Lauretson
1979 Shot Put Jack Mead
2010 Discus Lou Minett
2012 Molly Griep Discus
2012 Molly Griep Shot Put
2019 Boys 4×200 Jack Mayer, Juan Cuellar, Will Leibbrand, Jared Clapper
2023 Discus Connor Raupp
2023 Girls 4×200 Madelynn Buehler, Sydney Schilt, Emma Weigel, Kindyl Kilar
2024 Boys 1600 Jack Hefty
1985 High Jump (State Record) Janet Partoll
High School All American Janet Partoll, Coach Wendall Bean, AD Chuck Coulthart
1987 Discus Troy Hansen

To see all the event qualifying standards, visit this link: https://www.nhstfxcca.org/all-american…/2024-outdoor-tf

If you can provide a photo for any of the athletes missing a photograph, please reach out to Coach Carstens at the email below.

Article Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track and Field Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org

Our Readers Share: Steve Watson – Bald eagles

10-27-24
Steve Watson writes, “Wisconsin St. by the scenic overlook.
While trying to figure out what hawk this is sitting on the pole….. (continued)

….this eagle came by with breakfast….. (continued)

….landing on the next pole, and a crow doing a flyby.”

1-2-25
A lone eagle looking for food.
The skate park trees offer no solitude.
A murder of crows lingers above.
Among eagles and crows there is no love.

Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing more beautiful nature photos and a nice poem.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!

National Day of Mourning for Former President Jimmy Carter on Thursday – No mail

A National Day of Mourning will be observed on Thursday for Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at 100 years old.

In a proclamation after Mr. Carter’s death, President Biden called him “a man of character, courage, and compassion.”

In announcing the day of mourning, he said: “I call on the American people to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President James Earl Carter Jr. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance.”

Post offices will be closed, and no mail will be delivered on Thursday due to the National Day of Mourning to honor former President Jimmy Carter.

U.S. stock markets will also be closed.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the photo on the homepage from The Carter Center.

League of Women Voters Presents “State of Our Community” – City & Schools Addresses – Thursday

John Weidl
Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty
Dr. Corey A. King

State of Our Community – Whitewater City and Schools Addresses

The League of Women Voters Whitewater-Area is excited to host its annual State of the City and State of the Schools Addresses on Thursday, January 9, 2025, in the City of Whitewater Council Chambers (Community Room), 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.  The Council Chambers are located on the first floor of Whitewater City Hall, 312 W Whitewater St.

Presenters are Whitewater City Manager John Weidl, WUSD Superintendent Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, and UW Whitewater Chancellor Dr. Corey A. King. Each speaker will have the opportunity to share information on the condition of their area(s) of responsibilities. Audience members will be invited to ask each speaker questions following their presentation. 

The presentations are a wonderful opportunity for the public to learn what is happening in our community as 2025 starts.  Please plan to join us for this informative presentation.  Light refreshments will be served.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!