News

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes rezoning of all city parks to Institutional, Discussion and possible recommendation to Common Council Childcare Ordinance, Discussion and possible recommendation to Common Council the creation of a Razing Buildings Ordinance, Discussion and possible recommendation to Common Council regarding creation of a permit expiration ordinance, Discussion and possible recommendation to Common Council regarding increasing number of wall signs permitted on a business.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
*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/22371977662228?p=BW6FGKLsfJMvgKRJnw
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,,159349400#
Phone conference ID: 159 349 400#

Innovation Center Advisory Panel – Tuesday @ 8:30 a.m.
The agenda has not been posted as of 1/11.

City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 5:15 p.m.
Agenda includes public art on electric boxes
Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/23709701252747?p=Qu1V1zSretC3jVdM2R
Telephone: +1 929-229-5663 US
Webinar ID: 237 097 012 527 47
Passcode: oM6CS3vz
Phone conference ID: 761 487 627

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Pre-3 TIF Request: Review and Discussion [open session, followed by closed session, followed by another open session]; Community Engagement Center discussion in closed session, followed by open session.
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.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83198282604?pwd=cDdLWjUvTTRqRUQ4UVcwQWcrcW1BUT09
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799
Webinar ID: 831 9828 2604
Passcode: 137945

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office on Friday identified a man who died Thursday morning, January 8 after a crash with a semi-truck east of Beaver Dam. Justin Dean, 33, of Whitewater was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash along County Highway A near Prospect Road in the Town of Burnett.

According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, Dean was reportedly driving erratically along County Highway A when he hit a semi, head-on. The driver of the semi, a 38-year-old Burnett man, was not hurt. The crash remains under investigation.

​

As part of its ongoing Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) program, the City of Whitewater Community Development Department recently met with leadership from PremierBank – Whitewater to discuss collaboration opportunities and better understand how the bank is serving local residents and businesses.

Mason Becker, Community Development Director, and Karin Silvius of the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce met with Melissa Overdahl, Branch Manager, and Joel Kohl, Vice President & Loan Officer, at PremierBank’s Whitewater branch. The discussion focused on PremierBank’s range of personal and commercial banking services, lending products available to the community, and ways the City and PremierBank could partner more closely in the future.

PremierBank shared its strong commitment to Whitewater and noted that the Whitewater branch currently employs seven staff members, including bilingual team members who help serve the Latino community. The bank offers personal banking services for both residential and commercial customers and maintains dedicated lending funds to support local needs. “We have the resources to meet the full range of financial needs for residents in the Whitewater area, from everyday deposit products like checking and savings accounts, to competitive loan options for small businesses, consumers, and homebuyers. What truly sets us apart though is that we are a community bank, with local ownership, where all decisions are made locally, allowing us to respond quickly, and tailor solutions to our customers’ needs. We pay local taxes and reinvest in the Whitewater area through philanthropy, including donations to local nonprofit organizations,” said Kohl.

During the visit, PremierBank expressed interest in exploring partnerships that could help address housing affordability and homeownership opportunities, particularly for first-time homeowners. Workforce topics were also discussed, with the bank indicating that its current staffing needs are being met and that it frequently employs UW –Whitewater students. The PremierBank team also shared interest in expanding internship opportunities for high school students and highlighted its ability to provide advancement opportunities, which has contributed to strong employee retention. “The BRE program is about listening first and building long-term relationships,” said Becker. “PremierBank is clearly invested in Whitewater’s future, and conversations like this help identify ways we can align local resources, housing initiatives, and business support tools to strengthen the community.”

The City of Whitewater’s Community Development Department will continue BRE visits throughout 2026, meeting with local businesses including manufacturers, financial institutions, and other organizations to identify opportunities, address challenges, and support sustainable economic growth within the City of Whitewater.

The Whitewater Unified School District is launching a strategic planning process to gather community input and set priorities that will guide the district over the next three to five years.

The process will begin with a brief community survey, open from January 9 through January 30, inviting input from students, families, staff, and community members. Feedback collected through the survey will help inform the district’s strategic direction and ensure future planning reflects the needs and priorities of the broader school community. The survey is available at https://dgsurveys.com/r/Whitewater2026.

Input from the survey will guide the work of a Strategic Planning Workgroup, which will meet several times throughout the process to help shape the district’s vision, core values, and strategic priorities. Additional opportunities for engagement will include focus groups and community engagement sessions designed to gather deeper insight and encourage broad participation.

“We are committed to hearing directly from our students, staff, families, and community as we plan for the future,” said Superintendent Samuel Karns. “This process will help us build on our district’s strengths, address areas for growth, and make sure our strategic priorities reflect the voices of those we serve.”

A guiding theme of the strategic planning is “All Means All,” a commitment to ensuring every student is seen, heard, and supported. The district aims to create an accessible process that reflects the full diversity of the school community and engages participants across all backgrounds and experiences.

Updates and additional information about the strategic planning process will be shared throughout the coming months. For more information, visit www.wwusd.org.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Andreas Breitling from Pixabay.

Storytime
Wednesdays | 9:30 a.m. | January 7th-May 20th
Meeting Room 1
Join Miss Deana for stories, songs, and silliness! Storytimes are best for children ages 2-5, but older and younger siblings are always welcome. No registration is required. Please contact Deana Rolfsmeyer at (262) 458-2788 with any questions.

Coloring Club
Mondays | 3:30 p.m. | January 5th-May 18th
Meeting Room 1
Mondays are hard. Come to the library for snacks, soothing music, and seasonal coloring pages. All ages are welcome and no registration is required. Please contact Deana Rolfsmeyer at (262) 458-2788 with any questions.

Build It! Club
January 6th | February 3rd | March 3rd | April 7th | May 5th
3:30 p.m.
Meeting Room 1
Spend an afternoon building whatever suits your fancy with the library’s LEGO bricks. This program is best suited to kids in grades K-5. No registration is required. Please contact Deana Rolfsmeyer at (262) 458-2788 with any questions.

Family Game Night
January 13th | February 10th | March 10th | April 14th | May 12th
3:30 p.m.
Meeting Room 1
Tired of sitting at home and beating your family at Monopoly? Come to the library and beat someone else’s family at Monopoly! Games and snacks will be provided. Registration is not required. Please contact Deana Rolfsmeyer at (262) 458-2788 with any questions.

Homeschool Hangout
January 8th | February 12th | March 12th | April 9th
2:00 p.m.
Meeting Room 1
Join Whitewater homeschool families at the library for educational presenters or problem solving activities. Activities are geared towards children ages 6-12, but older and younger siblings are always welcome. No registration is required. Please contact Deana Rolfsmeyer at (262) 458-2788 with any questions.
2nd Thursday of the month.

Teen Gaming Club
Thursdays | 3:30 p.m. | January 8th-May 21st
Teen Room
Nintendo Switch and snacks. What more do you need? Open to students ages 12-18. No registration required. Please contact Deana Rolfsmeyer at (262) 458-2788 with any questions.

HERSHEY, Pa. — Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA) announced today that Lindsay and Eric
Baneck of Helenville, Wisconsin have been named finalists for the 2026 National Outstanding Young
Farmer of America (NOYF) Award.

The 2026 finalists are:
Mitchell and Rebecca Henry, Moulton, Alabama; John and Rachel Bearden, Arkadelphia, Arkansas;
Knapp Boddiford III, Sylvania, Georgia; Todd and Meghan Selvik, Waseca, Minnesota; Preston and
Emily Cave, Dobson, North Carolina; Wade and Abby Walters, Shickley, Nebraska; Brandon and
Nichole Raso, Hammonton, New Jersey; Tanner Hento, Avon, South Dakota; Lindsay and Eric Baneck,
Helenville, Wisconsin; and Adam and Amanda Bunker, Sheridan, Wyoming.

Nominations were submitted from across the United States by a nationwide network of county extension
agents with the National Association of County Extension Agents, as well as members of OFA, former
NOYF winners, and agricultural industry professionals. Nominations may be submitted by anyone, and
while multiple nominations from a single state are allowed, no more than two finalists may represent any
one state.

Eligible nominees must be between the ages of 21 and 40, not turning 41 prior to January 1, must be
active farm operators, and must derive at least two-thirds of their income from farming. Nominees are
evaluated based on progress in their agricultural careers (50%), soil and water conservation practices
(25%), and contributions to their communities, states, and the nation (25%).

“There are challenges in Agriculture today, but there are also opportunities. These 10 Finalists exemplify
their ability to take on challenges, their love for their families & communities, and their desire to improve
their operation for generations to come,” said Mary Johnson, National Outstanding Young Farmer of
America coordinator. “These finalists represent the best of American farming. This award recognizes
their hard work and dedication while welcoming them into Outstanding Farmers of America, where they
can connect and network with top farmers from across the country.”

The finalists were notified in December and invited to attend the 2026 Outstanding Farmers of
America Convention, scheduled for Feb. 4–7 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. During the convention,
finalists will participate in in-person interviews to determine four honorees who will be named the
National Outstanding Young Farmers of the Year for 2026. Winners will be announced during the
final banquet on Saturday, Feb. 7.

All finalists attend the convention with travel and expenses fully covered. More than 200 farmers from
across the United States are expected to attend the annual OFA Convention, which includes educational
sessions, agricultural tours, and networking opportunities celebrating the NOYF Class of 2026.

For more information, visit www.outstandingfarmers.com or email info@outstandingfarmers.com.

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Kelly McElroy, Administrator, Outstanding Farmers of America

“Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale”

(Period Drama)

Tuesday, January 13, 1 pm

Rated PG; 2 hours, 3 minutes (2025).

Is this really the final chapter in the favorite 14 year family saga…? Starring Hugh Bonneville and the entire Downton cast.

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $15 and non-residents is $20. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes out of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/ 

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Today’s image is of the Whitewater Paper Mill that was located on Trippe Lake off of Wisconsin Street today.

The Whitewater Paper Mill was built at the Trippe Lake dam on the site of a saw mill from the 1830s constructed by James Trippe, who financed the building of both the Trippe Lake and Cravath Lake dams and started industry in Whitewater. In 1859, Trippe and Crombie built this paper mill on the sawmill site. It had a stone foundation and brick walls. It made paper from straw, a plentiful by-product of wheat growing, which was dominating agriculture around Whitewater in the mid-19th century. The paper made at this mill in 1860 was advertised as book and wrapping paper. The paper mill operated until the mid-1890s. In the 1910s, the Whitewater Condensery (later the Hawthorn-Mellody Milk Plant) was built on this site. That complex was demolished in the 1990s and today condos sit on the site.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society

(3127STU, Whitewater Historical Society)

UW-MADISON ANNOUNCES FALL DEAN’S LIST

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has recognized students named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Students who achieve at a high level academically are recognized by the dean at the close of each semester. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester. Each university school or college sets its own GPA requirements for students to be eligible to receive the distinction. 

To view an online listing, visit https://registrar.wisc.edu/deanslist/.

Here are the students from the Whitewater area who have received this honor.

 Andrea Alcala, School of Education, Dean’s List
 Isabel Aranda, College of Letters and Science, Dean’s List
 Carley Lane Boudreau, College of Letters and Science, Dean’s List
 Crystal Chan, Col of Agricultural & Life Sci, Dean’s List
 Jonathan Chan, College of Engineering, Dean’s Honor List
 Shivam Kalra, School of Education, Dean’s List
 Leah Newmann, College of Letters and Science, Dean’s List
 Lucien Pomazak, Col of Agricultural & Life Sci, Dean’s List
 Kendal Schreiber, College of Letters and Science, Dean’s List
 Caleigh Yang, School of Business, Dean’s List

The Greater Whitewater Committee is set to host the new Executive Director of The Young Performing Arts Center, Mike Stefiuk, to present on the Young’s current and upcoming projects and initiatives at the upcoming January meeting. 

This event will take place on Thursday, January 15th at 7:00 a.m. at Jessica’s Family Restaurant: 140 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190.

Mike Stefiuk, the recently appointed Executive Director of The Young Performing Arts Center, is a strategic, results-driven performing arts executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience in concert operations, artistic programming, and venue management. He has overseen multimillion-dollar budgets, led high-performing teams, and produced nearly 1,000 events annually across major venues serving audiences of up to 5,000 patrons. Known for his expertise in artist relations, contract negotiations, and cross-sector partnerships, Mike has collaborated with world-renowned artists and institutions while driving significant growth in ticket revenue, audience engagement, and operational efficiency.

The GWC’s upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, January 15th at 7:00 a.m. at Jessica’s Family Restaurant: 140 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190. The public is more than welcome to attend this meeting to learn more about The Young Performing Arts Center. If you are interested in attending, you must RSVP. To reserve your spot, contact Jeff Knight at jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662 by Wednesday, January 14th.

“The Young Performing Arts Center has always been a staple in the heart of the Whitewater community,” said GWC President, Jeffery Knight. “Many of our members frequently attend the events they host. We are excited to hear about the recent initiatives and learn how we can support this incredible program.”

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

About the GWC

The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to collaborating with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies needed to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.