News

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth County.

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth County is thrilled to announce its inaugural BINGO event at the upcoming Jefferson County Fair. This exciting addition to the fair promises fun for all ages while supporting a great cause.

Scheduled to take place July 10^th -13^th with mini-games starting at 2 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm each day (3 pm on Saturday) and concluding with a special evening session with a 50/50 game and progressive pot at 6 pm each evening. Card Sales will start 30 minutes before each game.  BINGO event will be located at “the big tent across from the Grandstand”  within the fairgrounds. Participants can look forward to a lively atmosphere filled with anticipation and great prizes, all while contributing to the United Way’s mission of serving our local communities.

“We are excited to bring this new entertainment option to the Jefferson County Fair,” said Elizabeth Ellis-Bols, Executive Director. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for families and fairgoers to have fun together while supporting important initiatives in our community.”

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth County invites everyone to join us for BINGO at the Jefferson County Fair. Come enjoy the thrill of the game, win fantastic cash & prizes, and help make a difference in our community.

For more information about the event or to learn more about how the United Way is impacting lives in Jefferson and North Walworth County, visit us on Facebook.

About United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth County

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth County fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community. We harness resources to create lasting change and empower local individuals and families to thrive.

For a complete schedule of the festival’s music and other events, click here.

Festival Closing Live Musical Performance – Saturday, July 6, 8:00 p.m. to after fireworks

“PH!L” – The Music of Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins & Genesis!

PERFORMING 3 GENERATIONS OF HITS!
Songs like, ABACAB, Turn It On Again & Misunderstanding! To Sledgehammer, Solsbury Hill, Follow You Follow Me, In The Air Tonight! To deep cuts like, Red Rain, Shock The Monkey, Games Without Frontiers & In Your Eyes, and many, many more from these three Grammy award-winning artists! – Double Drums, and all… With A BIG BAND SOUND!!! And a show people talk about for months after…!

Featuring WAMI award winner and Grammy member himself, Scott E. Berendt.

Scott has been a singer/songwriter & drummer for the last 2 decades, of the legendary Wisconsin rock band, Bad Boy & his all-star adult/contemporary/world beat band, The Us Project!

THE SHOW PERFORMERS INCLUDE:
Brian Wirt on drums
Mitch Cooper on keys
Brian Memmel on Guitars
Scott Esser on Bass

(*PROMO VIDIO’S*)

SHORT LIVE HIGHLIGHTS OF “PH!L” @ https://youtu.be/BNaOIKVbTUc?si=dQzxf4KpNxDAVNax

LONG LIVE HIGHLIGHTS OF “PH!L” @ https://youtu.be/mdsswhANkl4?si=_zi8HJNBNKTwFiFp

The Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) announces a record-breaking start to its Summer School Program, with nearly 800 students participating.

This is the highest number of participants in the program’s history, highlighting the strong support and student interest in summer learning. WUSD’s Summer School Program offers a wide selection of academic and recreational classes, catering to diverse interests and needs. Courses include “Getting Ready for Kindergarten,” “Ice Cream Making,” and “Elementary Engineering,” as well as physical education classes and high school credit recovery opportunities.

“The students’ energy and enthusiasm have been incredible,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent. “We want to sincerely thank our community for their support in making the start of summer school a resounding success. Additionally, a shout-out to our amazing summer school staff and principals; we could not do this without you!”

In addition to the various class offerings, WUSD has integrated a reading initiative into the summer curriculum. This initiative aims to support students’ reading goals and outcomes, ensuring continued literacy development throughout the summer break.

WUSD is proud to be at the forefront of Act 20 compliance, particularly in its summer programming. The district is committed to providing top-notch educational opportunities for students by staying ahead of future requirements.

The “Ongoing Literacy Learning” initiative, designed for students below grade-level standards, ensures targeted elementary and secondary-level literacy courses. This initiative is crucial to WUSD’s commitment to fostering academic success for all students.

To learn more about the WUSD Summer School Program, please visit www.wwusd.org

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

The Purple Angel program has grown from one small town in the UK to a global effort to help communities become more dementia-friendly.  In January 2012, Norman McNamara, a resident of Torbay, Devon, UK who had been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 50, was out shopping and had an unhappy experience with an impatient shopkeeper.  He realized this person lacked information and decided to change the way people see dementia and treat their neighbors who have been stricken with the disease. 

Dementia Friendly Community Initiatives around the world such as Whitewater’s, have adopted the Purple Angel as one of their primary means of educating the public.  Training is available to organizations such as stores, restaurants, offices,  libraries, churches and services of all kinds.  Employees and management receive a free 30-minute training session and then receive a Purple Angel logo to display at their entrance. In Whitewater, thirteen locations have earned the Purple Angel logo including churches, banks, offices, the public library and the Police Dept.

What does Purple Angel training cover?  You will get an overview of changes in the brain which cause certain behaviors, recognizable as signs of dementia.  You will get tips for how and why to communicate with patience, kindness and a friendly manner. You will learn how to make your space more dementia-friendly and where to find resources in your community and on-line to learn more.

Every new Purple Angel logo means a few more people have changed their thinking and have helped people with dementia find it easier to navigate their world and remain engaged in community life.

For more information:   https://purpleangel-global.com/

https://dementiafriendsusa.org/become-a-dementia-friend

*****

This article submitted by Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, a program of Whitewater Seniors in the Park to help inform the community about dementia and to support patients and caregivers.  New members are always welcome!  Contact jjackson@whitewater-wi.gov or call Jennifer at 262 473 0535.  

City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission Meeting – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Fire Chief’s report – staffing update, adjourn to closed session, to reconvene: Interview of FTE EMT/Firefighter Candidate(s)
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.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/759747365
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 759-747-365
United States: +1 (872) 240-3311

Special Meeting – City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
Agenda: Closed session, to reconvene: Consideration and possible action with regard to Development Agreement for Phase 4B –
Park Crest Subdivision.
*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 join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/178177397
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 178-177-397
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

Notice from the Whitewater Unified School District Board regarding board member attendance at various events during the school year
Jul 01, 2024 – Members of the Whitewater Unified School District Board May Attend Social Events or District Sponsored Events and Activities Throughout the 2024-2025 School Year
Subject Public notice is hereby given that some members of the Whitewater Unified School District Board may on occasion attend social events or district-sponsored events and activities in support of staff and students of the school district. No formal meeting of the Board will take place and no official action will be taken by the Board. A quorum of the Board may be present.

Notice regarding Fourth of July Festival
This notice is given to inform the Public that the City of Whitewater is attending the 4th of July Festival.
The event information follows:
When: Wednesday, July 3, 2024 thru Saturday, July 6, 2024
Where: Cravath Lakefront Park, Starin Park Upper Shelter, Municipal Parking Lot.
A quorum of the Common Council and/or Boards and Committees may be present. This notice is given to
inform the public that no formal action will be taken. This event is open to the public.

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (June 28, 2024) – The following local resident was among 676 students receiving degrees from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls following fall commencement in Dec. 2023. Bachelor’s degrees were awarded to 603 undergraduates, while 73 students received graduate degrees. 

Area students are listed below by name, hometown, degree, major and honors (if any).

At graduation, four types of merit awards are recognized:

Senior Merit – Graduating seniors who have maintained a 3.500 grade point for their last 60 credits at UWRF.

Cum Laude – Graduating seniors with a minimum cumulative 3.700 grade point average for their entire college career at all institutions.

Magna Cum Laude – Graduating seniors with a minimum cumulative 3.800 grade point average for their entire college career at all institutions.

Summa Cum Laude – Graduating seniors with a minimum cumulative 3.900 grade point average for their entire college career at all institutions.

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is a student-centered institution that provides excellent accessible academic programs serving the needs of our region, the state and beyond. 

Whitewater, WI

 Owen Kramer, Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Cum Laude

Chocolate bars, cones, and gummies containing psychoactive compounds may cause serious illness

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and federal partners at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating reports of severe illnesses associated with Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies. These products contain a proprietary blend of mushrooms and are available for purchase online and at retailers nationwide.

“Products containing psychoactive compounds such as cannabinoids or mushroom extracts are increasing in availability,” said DHS Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist for the Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health Sheryl Bedno. “The Diamond Shruumz-brand products may contain harmful and undisclosed ingredients that can cause serious illness when eaten, and we ask Wisconsinites who have purchased these products not to consume them.”

On June 12, 2024, the CDC released a Health Advisory reporting severe illnesses associated with Diamond Shruumz-brand products. As of June 25, 2024, a total of 39 illnesses have been reported in 20 different states. To date, Wisconsin has no reported cases. Of the 39 people who became ill after eating these products, more than half were hospitalized. People who became ill from Diamond Shruumz-brand edibles reported a variety of severe symptoms including seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, abnormal heart rates, high or low blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting.

Retailers should not sell or distribute any of these products and should hold them until further direction is given by the FDA.

People who became ill after eating these products should talk to their health care provider or seek medical care. Wisconsinites can also call the Wisconsin Poison Center at 800-222-1222 to report symptoms. Anyone who has purchased these items should throw them away.

Health care providers who suspect someone is ill as a result of these edibles can consult with a toxicologist at the Wisconsin Poison Center and are asked to report illnesses to the Wisconsin Poison Center or directly to the FDA by completing an online MedWatch Voluntary Reporting form.

The investigation into these illnesses is still ongoing by the FDA. DHS and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will continue to monitor the situation and will give updates when available. Learn more and get updates on the FDA website.

Editor’s note: The above press release was issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

The Community Space will be closed the week of July 4th for some much-needed R & R for our volunteers.

We will reopen on Tuesday, July 9.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Next week is the 4th of July and Whitewater’s 4th Parade has been a long-time tradition. This image is of the Whitewater Historical Society’s float from a 4th parade during the 1970s. The 1970s was an active time for the society because in July of 1974, the society took over the old Whitewater Passenger Depot and turned it into a local history museum. We are celebrating “50 Years at the Depot” at the museum beginning July 4 and 6 when we will have extra open hours (11:00-3:00 on July 4 and 2:00-6:00 for the car show on July 6).

We will have a special display about the opening of the museum in 1974 along with some of the large banners from Whitewater High School that were produced with museum photographs for the production of “Our Town.” Come and see us during the 4th festivities and/or on Tuesdays (4-7) or Saturdays (9-12) to see our special exhibit!

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

(#5177P, Whitewater Historical Society)