The city portion of the April ballot has now been finalized. There will be additional “outside” races, yet to be announced, including a seat on the State Supreme Court. There will not be a primary on February 18 for local races but may be for other races.

City of Whitewater Common Council

Four City of Whitewater Common Council seats are up for election on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The following individuals, listed in alphabetical order, filed for candidacy by the January 7 deadline:

District 1 (Currently represented by Patrick Singer)
Michael E. Smith, 327 E. Clay Street, #29
J. Christopher Wilt, 334 Parkside Drive

District 3 (Currently represented by Brienne Brown)
Steven Sahyun, 250 N. Franklin Street

District 5
Neil Hicks, 1254 Tower Hill Pass (incumbent)

At-large (Currently represented by Lisa Dawsey Smith)
Patrick Singer, 263 Amber Drive

Whitewater Unified School District School Board

Two school board seats are up for election. The following individuals, listed in alphabetical order, filed for candidacy by the January 7 deadline.

Miguel Aranda (incumbent)
Nick Baldwin
Jennifer Kienbaum (incumbent)
Wayne Redenius

The first annual Walworth County Pro/Am Culinary Showdown, scheduled for January 26 at Lake Lawn Resort, will feature eight teams of Walworth County high school culinary students and professional chefs, including a team of two students from Whitewater High School. Molly Donner and Kevin Gonzalez will be working alongside chefs from The Abbey Resort!

Registrants will sample two dishes from eight pro/am teams:

• Team #1: Delavan-Darien High School + Delavan Lake Yacht Club
• Team #2: Elkhorn Area High School + Lake Lawn Resort
• Team #3: Badger High School + Jonathan’s
• Team #4: Whitewater High School + The Abbey Resort
• Team #5: Bigfoot High School + Geneva National Resort
• Team #6: Williams Bay High School + Oakfire
• Team #7: Career & College Academy of Elkhorn + Pier 290
• Team #8: East Troy High School + East Troy Brewery

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In order to attend and sample the dishes, PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

$20 – Individual Registration (Noon-2:30 pm)
$35 – Individual VIP hour, 11am – Noon (Beat the crowd and enjoy tasting among a small group prior to the opening of the event.)

Tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/culinaryshowdown25

SD 15 All-district Legislators: Pictured left to right is Rep. Clinton Anderson (AD-44), Rep. Brienne Brown (AD-43), Rep. Ann Roe (AD-45), and Senator Mark Spreitzer (SD-15).

Sen. Spreitzer and Staff: Pictured left to right is Katie Iliff, Senator Mark Spreitzer, Eleanor (Ellie) Thorman, Dylan Moffitt, and Doug Hyant.

Sen. Mark Spreitzer Announces Committee Assignments and Legislative Staff as 2025-2026 Legislative Session Begins

MADISON – State Senator Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) announced his committee assignments and legislative staff as the 2025-2026 legislative session began at the State Capitol. Senator Spreitzer was elected to a four-year term in 2022, and represents communities in Rock, Jefferson, and Walworth Counties – including six cities, two villages, and twenty-one towns. Senator Spreitzer serves as the Senate Democratic Caucus Chair for the 2025-2026 legislative session.

“I am proud to serve as your State Senator, and I look forward to continuing to work for the people of our district and our state,” said Sen. Spreitzer. “It was wonderful to watch the six new members of the Senate Democratic Caucus be sworn in today, and I am incredibly excited to begin this legislative session with a much larger and more diverse caucus. As your State Senator and as the Senate Democratic Caucus Chair, I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on issues that matter most to Wisconsinites and our district. Together, we can move Wisconsin forward.” 

Sen. Spreitzer will serve on three committees during the 2025-2026 legislative session. He has been appointed the ranking Democratic member on the Committee on Government Operations, Labor, and Economic Development. Sen. Spreitzer will also serve on the Committee on Transportation and Local Government, and the Committee on Agriculture and Revenue. 

“I look forward to serving on these committees in the new legislative session,” said Sen. Spreitzer. “I was proud of our bipartisan work together during the 2023-2024 legislative session – including new state laws to improve election administration, to invest in local communities, and to support our farmers and protect our environment. I look forward to continuing to work together on the issues that matter to the people of our state. As we begin the new legislative session, I will fight to ensure that we invest in the people and priorities of our district.”

Senator Spreitzer also announced his legislative office staff for the 2025-2026 session:

Doug Hyant will continue to serve as the Senator’s Chief of Staff. Doug has worked for Senator Spreitzer since 2019, including two sessions in the State Assembly. Prior to working in the state legislature, Doug worked as the Executive Director of the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee. Doug lives on Madison’s West Side with his wife, Molly, and their two cats, Chickadee and Brig. 

Eleanor (Ellie) Thorman will serve as the Senator’s Policy Director. Ellie has worked for State Senator Jeff Smith, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, and the State Senate Democratic Committee. Ellie lives in Madison with her cat, Rosie.

Katie Iliff will serve as the Senator’s Communications and Outreach Director. Katie has worked for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, the State Senate Democratic Committee, and Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling. Katie lives in Madison with her husband and their two cats, Cirilla and Franklin.

Dylan Moffitt will continue to serve as the Senator’s Constituent Services Director. Dylan has worked for Senator Spreitzer since 2024. Prior to working in the state legislature, Dylan worked as a management analyst for the Village of Machesney Park in Illinois. Dylan lives in Madison with his cat, Cali. 

Senator Spreitzer’s Capitol office is located in Room 108 South of the State Capitol. He can be reached by email at Sen.Spreitzer@legis.wisconsin.gov, by phone at (608) 266-2253, on social media on X.com/SenSpreitzer and Facebook.com/SenSpreitzer, and on his website www.SenSpreitzer.com. 

Editor’s note: As a result of the 2023 redistricting, the entire Whitewater area, with the exception of the town of LaGrange, will be in Senate District 15, which will be served by Mark Spreitzer beginning on January 6, 2025. Spreitzer was sworn in as a senator in 2023, having been in the Assembly since 2015, where he was Democratic Caucus Chair from 2016-22. In a previous article, The Whitewater Banner erroneously indicated that Steve Nass would continue to represent Whitewater until January 2027. It turns out, however, that the new districts are becoming effective now, even though some senators are in the middle of their terms. Nass will continue to represent the town of LaGrange.

Walworth County Health and Human Services Offers $5 Radon Test Kits in January 2025

More than half of Walworth County Homes Tested for Radon in 2024 had Higher Levels than the EPA Deems Safe

Walworth County Health and Human Services is pleased to announce a special promotion in January 2025, offering radon test kits for $5 with a non-perishable food item donation. This offer is limited to one test kit per person. [In response to The Whitewater Banner’s question about eligibility of Jefferson County residents to participate in the program, Health Officer Erica Bergstrom indicated that “it is not limited to only Walworth County residents.” Consequently, it seems clear that both Jefferson and Rock County residents could participate.]

Testing is offered locally through the Kenosha/Walworth Radon Information Center, funded through a Wisconsin Department of Health Services grant. Normally, the cost is $15 per kit. Food donations will be distributed through the Walworth County Food and Diaper Bank, which supports local families experiencing food insecurity.

Radon testing is an essential step in maintaining a safe living environment. Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and testing is the only way to know if radon levels in a home are elevated. “January is a great time to find out if your home has elevated radon as houses are closed up for the cold winter weather and we’re spending more time indoors,” says Walworth County Public Health Officer Erica Bergstrom.

The test kit includes a small vial that must be left open to the air in the lowest livable level of a home for two to three days. The vial should then be capped and mailed to Accustar Labs, which generally provides the results within a few days via mail, email, or telephone. Shipping and analysis of the kit are included in the $5 price.

The reduced-price test kit offer is redeemable starting January 2, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building at 1910 County Rd. NN, Elkhorn, WI 53121. Cash and check payments only.

The County encourages all residents whose homes have not yet been tested for radon to take advantage of this special offer. Those whose homes test at an elevated level of radon are urged to contact the Kenosha/Walworth Radon Information Center for information about mitigation options.

For more information about the promotion or to learn more about radon testing, please contact Walworth County Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health at (262) 741-3140, email walcoph@co.walworth.wi.us, or visit us online at www.co.walworth.wi.us.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from Walworth County Public Health. The following is a press release on the same subject from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

DHS Encourages Homeowners, Property Owners, and Schools to Test for Radon

Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking

Radon, a colorless, odorless gas, can seep into homes through their foundation and be deadly at high levels. In Wisconsin, 1 in 10 homes has elevated levels. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and approximately 962 Wisconsinites have radon-induced lung cancer. Fortunately, radon is easy to test for and leaks can be fixed. This National Radon Action Month, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is encouraging home and building owners, and schools, to understand their risk and test their buildings for radon.

“Knowing about radon and testing radon levels in your home can save lives,” said DHS State Health Officer Paula Tran. “In Wisconsin, we have 17 Radon Information Centers around the state where experts are available to answer your questions and offer low-cost test kits. Indoor radon levels tend to increase during the colder months, so now is the perfect time to test your home or building for radon if you haven’t before.”

While radon can affect anyone, children are generally considered to be more sensitive compared to adults due to their smaller lung sizes and faster breathing rates. Along with encouraging testing at home, Wisconsin continues to take steps to improve testing in spaces where children spend significant amounts of time. In March 2023, the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) enacted rule changes which require licensed childcare providers to test for radon and install a mitigation system if radon levels exceed the EPA action level. In addition, DHS recommends that all schools test for radon at least once every five years or upon completion of any major renovations.

“Since the DCF rule went into effect, 41 childcare centers across Wisconsin have mitigated high radon, protecting over 820 children enrolled in care from exposure to high radon levels,” said DHS State Health Officer Paula Tran. “Preventing exposure to high radon in places where kids spend a lot of time is a significant way to reduce their overall exposure to radon.”

Reduced-cost test kits are available to childcare providers and all Wisconsin residents through their regional Radon Information Center and test kit promotions are happening throughout January. The cost of mitigation can be a barrier for some families and businesses; Wisconsin residents can visit their Radon Information Center or speak with local public health department radon experts by calling 888 LOW-RADON to discuss available options.

Any house or building can be at risk for high radon levels, including apartments and commercial buildings. Landlords have a responsibility to provide safe living and working conditions to their tenants and should work with a certified radon testing or mitigation contractor to get started on addressing the issue for their tenants. DHS encourages homeowners and property owners to use a certified contractor and to locate one using resources available on the DHS How to Find a Contractor webpage.

More information can be found at lowradon.org.

Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

WHS Winter Gala – December 11

WMS Choir – December 16

Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

5th Grade Concert – December 17

Music Masters Ensemble Showcase – December 15

Update 1/7/25 @ 10:30 a.m. – Reader Mike Smith made a comment on our social media post indicating that the “star” was the planet Venus. He added, “Really great app is Stellarium. You point it at the sky and it tells you what you are looking at. Jupiter is currently very visible at night as well.”

Tom Ganser writes. “On January 3, 2025, at about 6:30 p.m., looking west from Acorn Ridge in Prairie Village, this is all I could see high up in the totally black sky dome – a bright crescent moon and one equally bright star friend.  A remarkable sight.”

Our thanks to Tom Ganser for this striking image.

— 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!

The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) is pleased to announce the opening of the “Faces of Fairhaven” exhibit at the Cultural Arts Center Gallery. Running from January 4-26, 2025, this special exhibition celebrates the vibrant community spirit of Fairhaven through a unique collaboration between UW-Whitewater drawing students and Fairhaven residents.

The exhibit features a diverse collection of illustrations and craft projects that capture the essence of Fairhaven’s residents and their stories. Visitors will have the chance to see the remarkable artistic talents of both students and seniors, highlighting the rich heritage and creativity that characterize the Fairhaven community. This meaningful collaboration showcases the unity and shared creativity between Fairhaven residents and UW-Whitewater students.

The “Faces of Fairhaven” exhibit is the result of a collaborative effort among the WAA, Brian Robinson from Fairhaven Senior Services, and Lilly Handley, a drawing instructor at UW Whitewater. Their dedication and vision have brought together the generations in a shared artistic endeavor.

The opening reception will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025, from 1 pm-4 pm. The gallery hours are Thursdays-Sundays from 12 pm-4 pm. The exhibit will take place at the Cultural ArtsCenter Gallery, located at 402 West Main St, Whitewater.

As part of the WAA’s 20th-anniversary celebration, the “Faces of Fairhaven” exhibit marks two decades of fostering artistic expression and community engagement in Whitewater. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the creativity and spirit of Fairhaven.

Bethel House has announced that Angeline Doman has been hired as its new Director of Case Management & Operations. She will officially start on January 6th.

“Bethel House is so excited to have Angeline serve as the new leader of our organization,” said Jessie Dugan, Bethel House Board Chair. “We’ve worked hard the last two years to streamline our operations, expand community partnerships, and increase our critical client support, and we’re eager to continue that growth. Angeline’s knowledge, experience, and passion for
nonprofit work will be a tremendous asset to our organization and all the families looking to Bethel House for support.”

Doman holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Aurora University, as well as a Bachelor’s in Social Work and Associate degrees in Nursing and Human Services from George Williams Aurora University and Gateway Technical College, respectively. She has over six years of social work and case management experience, having previously served as a social worker and crisis
advocate at New Beginnings APFV and most recently as a social worker and case manager at Mercyhealth. “The hiring committee unanimously chose Angeline as our new director based on her experience and authentic passion for supporting families,” adds Dugan. “We have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead Bethel House and add to our important presence in the Whitewater community.”

Doman will fill a newly created role following the departure of Megan Hartwick and Sydney Christianson and will be joined by a part-time administrative assistant, who will begin in March.

“Our previous staffing structure of a full-time case manager and part-time director was critical at a time when a focus was needed on operations and fundraising,” Dugan notes. “Megan and Sydney provided such important stability to our organization at a time of significant transition, and our hiring committee is confident this newly created position can effectively meet the needs of all those we serve, partly due to the hard work of our outgoing team.”

Doman will be responsible for distributing emergency financial assistance, managing casework for housed families, and managing the organization’s marketing and fundraising efforts.

“I am excited and honored to help lead an organization that is so special within the Whitewater community,” states Doman. “I’m looking forward to meeting with local families, listening to their stories, and helping them navigate their hardships.”

Doman will serve in her capacity full-time and will be available during office hours of 8:30 am- 5 pm Monday-Thursday.

“The entire board is thankful for the Whitewater community as they’ve steadfastly supported Bethel House in so many ways,” states Dugan. “Our organization has been a mainstay of support in Whitewater for 30 years, and we could not be more excited to have Angeline leading with optimism and enthusiasm.”

For more information on Bethel House’s programs and services or on how you can support it, visit www.bethelhouseinc.org or call 262.473.2715.

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Bethel House is an ecumenical project helping families facing homelessness in the Whitewater area. Bethel House provides transitional housing, emergency financial assistance, and case management to families in need.

Bethel House utilizes seven private housing units where families can live for up to one year while working on the issues that led to their homelessness. Case management services include budgeting, debt repayment, job searching, resume creation & building, life skills & decision-making, accessing other community resources & services, and much more. Emergency assistance support is also provided for families needing assistance with rental payments, utility bills, transportation costs, and more.

Bethel House services are provided to clients free of charge and with understanding and compassion. Clients are always treated with the dignity and respect we all deserve. For more details, visit www.bethelhouseinc.org or call 262.473.2715.

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The Whitewater Culver’s, along with nearly seventy others across Wisconsin, is raising money to support victims of the recent shooting at Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) in Madison. A teacher and student were killed Dec. 16 when another student opened fire during a study period at the school. The shooter then turned the gun on themselves, police say. Six others were injured.

“Make Your Meal Matter” Day will take place Monday, Jan. 6, to support the ALCS Emergency and Recovery Fund. Each participating restaurant is establishing the portion of its sales that will be donated.

Other area participating restaurants include Delavan, Elkhorn, Fort Atkinson, and Lake Geneva.

“So many organizations and businesses stepping up to help our school, our students, our staff, and our families. We are grateful,” the school wrote on its Facebook page.

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, the funds will be donated to United Way of Dane County’s fund to support Abundant Life Christian School families. “Abundant Life’s principal has said the priorities will be first, to help the families who lost loved ones; then, to support the medical expenses of those injured; and finally, to use the remaining funds to provide for the mental health needs of the school community,” per the article.