Interim Economic Development Director Named Beaver Dam City Administrator

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

According to a July 19 article in Daily Dodge, Nathan Thiel, who was introduced as city of Whitewater interim Economic Development Director on June 8, was approved on July 18 by the Beaver Dam common council to be hired as its city administrator. Other finalists included Walworth County Director of Public Works Richard Hough. The council approved the creation of the City Administrator position in September, while expecting to phase out the Director of Administration position and reducing the mayor from full-time to part-time.

Thiel was hired for the interim Whitewater position following the departure of Economic Development Director Cathy Anderson. He had most recently served as village administrator in Pleasant Prairie.

In other city staff news, Neighborhood Services Director Chris Bennett was not selected for the Village Administrator position for which he had applied in Union Grove. According to a June 28 article in The Journal Times, the village selected Kerry Bennett, who has been serving as village treasurer for the past three years, as well as interim village administrator for the past few months. Kerry Bennett is not related to Chris Bennett.

Longtime UW-Whitewater Supporter Tom Lange Passes Away

Tom Lange graphic July 2022

Editor’s note: The following announcement was received on July 19 from the UW-W Athletic Department.

Tom Lange, a longtime volunteer, contributor and fan for teams at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, passed away last week of natural causes at the age of 85.

Funeral arrangements are currently pending.

Lange, a 1997 Warhawk Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, contributed significantly to the success of UW-W athletics programs for nearly half a century as a public address announcer, booster club officer and volunteer.

“Tom Lange is a Warhawk,” UW-Whitewater Director of Athletics Ryan Callahan said. “He touched countless lives over his 40-plus years working with our athletic staff and teams, pouring his time and resources into our programs while asking for nothing in return.

“I am grateful to have personally known him for the last 20 years and will remember our numerous interactions and the laughs we shared the most. I know countless alumni and friends feel the pain of this loss, but I know that Tom lived a full and happy life in this community. We are lucky to have had him on our team for the last four decades and will miss him dearly.”

Most recently, Lange served as public address announcer for the UW-W wrestling and baseball teams. He also previously volunteered for men’s and women’s basketball games and for freshman football games and was an active member of the Quarterback Club and Tip-Off Club as a longtime Whitewater resident.

Lange attended countless athletics events over the last 45 years and was one of the Warhawks’ biggest supporters.

———-

“Tom’s legacy lives in all of us that were truly blessed to call him our friend. His passion for the Warhawks was second to none. That passion is why we are ‘Powered By Tradition.’” – Head Football Coach Kevin Bullis

“Tommy ‘The Kid’ Lange was a unique figure in Warhawk Athletics who enhanced the student-athlete experience through his daily endeavors and his announcing. Tommy built many long-lasting and meaningful relationships with athletes and coaches. His presence, laughter and one-liners will be missed by Warhawk Wrestling and the athletics department.” – Head Wrestling Coach Matt Zwaschka

Ferradermis Leads Winning Alliance at Lakeshore Invite, Invites Public to Mukwonago on July 24

A small group of Whitewater High School students, Elijah Grall, Jazmin Cederberg, Peter Portwine, Emerson Dunham, Andrew O’Toole, Andrew Zimmermann, Payton Bunger, and Mel Prince, fielded two robots at the Lakeshore Invitational in Manitowoc on Saturday, July 16, and Ferradermis’ in-season competition robot (wearing #6574) brought home a blue banner as the captain of the winning alliance.

The second Ferradermis robot (wearing #9574) is the team’s off-season project bot allowing the team to implement a swerve drive for the first time and experiment with some alternative designs for mechanisms. Fielding a second bot also allows more students to get experience as members of a drive team. In one qualification match, #6574 and #9574 faced off against each other, and in another, they were able to play on the same randomly assigned alliance.

After a hard-fought day of competition with and against 15 total robots, Ferradermis became the captain of the #3-seeded playoff alliance and asked Team #930 the Mukwonago Bears and Team #7768 The Iron Hill Automatons from Iron River, Michigan to join our alliance. The Ferradermis-led alliance defeated the #2-seeded alliance 2-0 in a best of three series, and then faced the #1-seeded alliance captained by 2202 BEAST Robotics from Brookfield, winner of two in-season regional events, in the best of three finals. The Ferradermis alliance won the first match and then dropped the second but came back strong to take the third with all three of our alliance robots climbing to secure the win.

Ferradermis will next take the field at Mukwonago High School on Sunday, July 24, for MROC – the Mukwonago Robotics Off-Season Competition. This event is free and open to the public and would be a great way for sponsors and potential new team members to see the robots in action and talk with current team members and mentors. Opening ceremonies begin at 8:45 a.m., and the event will run until mid to late afternoon.  It should be a great day of competition with 20 robots representing teams from Wisconsin and Illinois, including five teams that won regional championships during the season. If you get a chance, consider stopping in for an hour or two.

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor and Banner Volunteer
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

Local Students Graduate from UW-Platteville

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (July 18, 2022) -The University of Wisconsin-Platteville awarded diplomas to more than 800 students from its three campuses for the spring of 2022.  Founded in 1866, UW-Platteville is located in Southwest Wisconsin and has branch campuses in Richland Center and Baraboo. UW-Platteville is ranked the best public institution in Wisconsin for value by Payscale. For more information on the university, visit www.uwplatt.edu. Students from this area who graduated include: 

Whitewater, WI

 Joseph Creanza, Soil & Crop Science, UW-Platteville
 Alexa DuClos, Forensic Investigation and Chemistry, UW-Platteville

Walworth County ADRC will SPARK a Conversation About Lewy Body Dementia

Capturing the Spark of Robin Williams - An Online SPARK Viewing - Lewy Body  Dementia Association

Editor’s note: The following announcement was provided by the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center.

The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will
host SPARK, a Lewy Body Dementia event on Friday, August 5th from 9 to 11 a.m. The morning
will be highlighted by a viewing of SPARK, a documentary about actor Robin Williams and his
battle with Lewy body dementia. Following the film, a panel of experts will share their experiences
and offer a Q & A opportunity.

“Lewy Body Dementia is the third most common form of dementia, yet is largely unknown to the
general public because the signs and symptoms resemble those of other forms of dementia,” says
ADRC Dementia Care Specialist Jake Sawyers. “Robin Williams was a beloved actor and the
agonizing journey he and his wife experienced is a story that will resonate with those who have
walked a similar path. SPARK shines a light on Lewy Body Dementia and raises awareness of the
disease, which is often overshadowed by the more common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s
disease.”

The SPARK event will be held at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building,
1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. RSVPs are highly recommended by calling (262) 741-3273.

About the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center: The ADRC provides
information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the
public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the
needs of your personal situation.

Seniors in the Park Presents “Return to Auschwitz: The Survival of Vladimir Munk”

“Return to Auschwitz: The Survival of Vladimir Munk”
Wednesday, July 20, 1 p.m.  
(Documentary) (1 hour)
75 years ago he lost his home and his family. Now he is going back. 95 year old Vladimir Munk, a Holocaust survivor who eventually became a university professor, returns in 2020 to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp where his parents and over 30 relatives were murdered during World War II. A telling, moving story…

UW-Whitewater Announces Spring Graduates

WHITEWATER, WI (07/08/2022)– The following students earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as part of the 2022 spring commencement.

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Hannah Keziah Agustin graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Film Studies – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Kali Anditon graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Journalism – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Ryan Anditon graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: English – BSE

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Miguel Aranda graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — LaPerish Barnes graduated with the following degree: Higher Education Leadership – MSE

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Callisa Briggs graduated with the following degree: Finance – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Lindsey Buchanan graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Media Arts and Game Development – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Sarah Carlus graduated with the following degree: Data Analytics – MS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Ian Carnes graduated with the following degree: Environmental Science – BS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Jackie Carper graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Marketing – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Celia Cotter graduated with the following degree: Liberal Arts – AAS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Kianna Doerr graduated with the following degree: Liberal Arts – AAS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Jessica Dukat graduated with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Grant Enwright graduated with the following degree: Marketing – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Amelia Ford graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Rubith Garcia graduated with the following degree: Communication Sciences and Disorders – MS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Cody Garthwaite graduated with the following degree: Media Arts and Game Development – BS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Elizabeth Garthwaite graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Rachael Gerondale graduated with the following degree: Spanish – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Robin Gleason graduated with the following degree: Social Work – MSW

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Baylee Goldsmith graduated with the following degree: Communication Sciences and Disorders – BS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Lexington Gracia graduated with the following degree: Communication – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Taylor Herman graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: English – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Jake Herrendeen graduated with the following degree: Communication – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Joshua Hetz graduated with the following degree: Liberal Arts – AAS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Michael Higgins graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Accounting – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Brooke Hildebrand graduated with the following degree: Human Resource Management – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Sophie Howard graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: English – BSE

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Aidan Howe graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Computer Science – BS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Kat Hunt graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Psychology – BS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Jameson Hutchins graduated with the following degree: Entrepreneurship – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Zack Isselmann graduated with the following degree: Marketing – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Seth Johnson graduated with the following degree: Physical Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Caleb Kahila graduated with the following degree: International Studies – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Breanna Kearney graduated with the following degree: Social Work – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Paul Kosik graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Karthik Krishnamurthy graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Andie Laube graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: English – BSE

Whitewater, WI (53190) — KayLee Jo Lutz graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Psychology – BS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Sarah Maloney graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Chemistry – BS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Avery Maney graduated with the following degree: Marketing – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Susanne Maroske graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: German – BSE

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Gabby Martinsen graduated with the following degree: International Studies – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Max Meylor graduated with the following degree: Occupational Safety – BS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Nikki Nehlsen graduated with the following degree: Mathematics – BS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Zach Noll graduated with the following degree: Marketing – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Ryan Norton graduated with the following degree: General Management – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Billie Jo Parker graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Art – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Trey Roth graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Physical Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Molly Rueth graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Business Analytics – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Alex Runyard graduated with the following degree: Social Work – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Trent Sanborn graduated with the following degree: Biology – BS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Hannah Santeler graduated with the following degree: Journalism – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Nikolas Schaal graduated with the following degree: Liberal Studies Without a Minor – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Scott Schaefer graduated with the following degree: Psychology – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Jordan Scheidecker graduated with the following degree: Higher Education Leadership – MSE

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Kelsey Schmidt graduated with the following degree: Special Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Justin Silbaugh graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: General Management – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Casey Skindingsrude graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Biology – BS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Curtis Smith graduated with the following degree: Physics – BS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Tyler Smith graduated with the following degree: Liberal Arts – AA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Yacouba Soire graduated with the following degree: Finance – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Riley Van Egdom graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: History – BSE

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Bashkim Veliu graduated with the following degree: Chemistry – BS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Harrison Wessels graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: General Business – BBA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Seth White graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – MS

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Emily Wozniak graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Art – BA

Whitewater, WI (53190) — Anna Yeazel graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Physical Education – BSE

More than 1,530 students crossed the stage to receive their degrees at this semester’s ceremonies – held May 14 on the Whitewater campus, and May 17 on the Rock County campus.

The graduating class included 11 international students, 71 military veterans and 200 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 194 self-identified students with disabilities received degrees.

Dozens of students participated in the university’s Hired Before Graduation campaign, which celebrates students who landed a job, earned acceptance to graduate school or started their own business before commencement.

This Week’s City Meetings


Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda
Community Room
431 W. Center Street

This will be a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 817 0332 8943
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City of Whitewater Common Council Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes amendment to Bird Scooters contract and presentation from Cornerstone regarding their work on Starin Park water tower.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building – Community Room
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be an IN PERSON and 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:
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Or Telephone:
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Joint Review Board Annual Meeting Thursday @ 3:00 p.m.
Agenda
Municipal building located at
312 West Whitewater Street on Second Floor in the
Cravath Lakefront Conference Room. THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
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UW-Green Bay & Hamline U. Announce Academic Honors

GREEN BAY, Wis. (July 8, 2022) — The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay has made public the names of undergraduate students receiving semester honors for spring 2022 semester academic achievement. Students who earn a 4.0 grade point average, which represents all “A” grades, receive highest honors. High honors go to students earning 3.99 to 3.75 grade point averages. Honors are given to students earning 3.74 to 3.50 grade point averages. Students are listed by the Wisconsin county or state claimed as place of permanent residence. All were full-time students in the fall term, earning 12 or more credits of graded coursework. This list includes students attending all four UW-Green Bay campuses (Green Bay, Marinette, Manitowoc, Sheboygan). 

Whitewater, WI

 Justin Brantmeier, Semester Honors
 Steffi Farrey, Semester Highest Honors
 David Nehlsen, Semester Highest Honors

***********************************************************************************************

SAINT PAUL, MN (07/07/2022)– Dalton Chenoweth, of Whitewater, was named to the Hamline University School of Business Dean’s List for the Spring 2022 term.

Chenoweth was among 65 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 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.

First Case of Monkeypox Identified in Walworth County Resident; Risk Remains Low

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services.

On July 15, 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) identified the first confirmed case of orthopoxvirus, presumed to be monkeypox, in a resident of Walworth County. The patient is currently isolating and the risk remains low for the general public. Department of Health Services, federal, state, and local partners are working closely together to investigate and monitor the current monkeypox outbreak.

“The number of monkeypox cases continues to rise in the U.S., so it is not surprising that monkeypox has been detected in Walworth County,” said Health and Human Services Director, Carlo Nevicosi. “While it is possible that additional cases may be found among Walworth County residents, we want to assure the public that this disease does not spread easily from person to person and the risk of widespread transmission remains low. We urge all of our health care providers to remain alert to patients with compatible rashes and encourage them to test for monkeypox.”

Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is typically characterized by a new, unexplained rash and skin lesions. Other early symptoms of monkeypox include fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes. Recently identified cases have developed skin lesions in the genital, groin, and anal regions that might be confused with rashes caused by common diseases such as herpes and syphilis.

Most people with monkeypox recover in two to four weeks without needing treatment. However, vaccinations and antiviral medications can be used to prevent and treat monkeypox. People who had known exposure to someone with monkeypox should talk with a doctor or nurse to learn if they are eligible to receive a vaccine. This includes people who were specifically identified as someone who had close or intimate in-person contact with someone with the characteristic monkeypox rash or someone with a probable or confirmed monkeypox diagnosis.

It is important to know that monkeypox does not spread easily from person to person. The virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets, sustained skin-to-skin contact, and contact with items that have been contaminated with the fluids or sores of a person with monkeypox. Anyone can develop and spread this disease after being exposed to the virus. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that most cases of monkeypox in the U.S. have occurred among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

To prevent the spread of monkeypox, DHS encourages all Wisconsinites to be aware of the following:

-Know the symptoms and risk factors of monkeypox.
-Avoid skin-to-skin contact with people who are showing a rash or skin sores.
-Don’t touch the rash or scabs, and don’t kiss, hug, cuddle, have sex, or share items such as eating utensils or bedding with someone with monkeypox.
– In jurisdictions with known monkeypox spread, participating in activities with close, personal, skin-to-skin contact may pose a higher risk of exposure.
– If you were recently exposed to the virus, contact a doctor or nurse to talk about whether you need a vaccine to prevent disease. Monitor your health for fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and a new, unexplained rash, and contact a health care provider if any of those occur. If you become ill, avoid contact with others until you receive health care.

The DHS Outbreaks in Wisconsin webpage will be updated with the latest case counts of monkeypox.

DHS continues to work closely with local public health, health care providers, and the CDC to monitor the current outbreak and provide guidance to mitigate risk. DHS urges all Wisconsinites to contact a doctor or nurse immediately if they develop any unexpected skin lesions or rashes. 

For free, confidential support finding health care and community resources near you, dial 211 or 877-947-2211, or text your ZIP code to 898-211. Find resources online at 211Wisconsin.org.