News

Be An Informed Voter on Election Day!

The League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area (LWV-WW) reminds voters to get ready to vote in the upcoming April 5 Spring Election. Appearing on the ballot are candidates for three district courts of appeals and circuit courts. Other local races in Walworth and Jefferson counties include city councils, school boards, and boards that govern counties, villages, and towns. Some communities will also be casting their vote on referenda. The League encourages voters to start their research before casting their ballot, so they are informed whether they vote by absentee ballot or on Election Day.

One source of nonpartisan candidate information is the League’s voter guide on VOTE411.org, where voters can go to read candidates’ responses to the League’s questionnaires. Voters can learn more about the candidates running for Appellate Court Judge in Districts II, III, and IV. LWV-WW asked candidates running in competitive races to participate in the Spring Election Voter Guide. Not all candidates chose to respond.

In addition to the voter guide on VOTE411.org, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin has created a fact sheet for the court of appeals with information on what this court does and why it matters in the lives of everyday Wisconsinites. This fact sheet is available on LWVWI’s website.

Voters can access candidate information for many local races by using the League’s voter guide on VOTE411.org.

Whitewater FFA News

Editor’s note: The following was received from Mason DePorter, FFA Reporter.

Pictured from left to right are Rebecca Schmidt, Kiwanis President Patrick Taylor, Eloise Rohloff, Kiwanis We Go Round Project Chair Lorrie Koppein, Aiden Wiendenhoeft, FF President Carter Friend, Blake Zajdel, and Mason DePorter. Submitted by FFA Reporter Mason DePorter
Pictured from left to right are FFA Officers Eloise Rohloff, Rebecca Schmidt, Katie Grady manager at Culver’s, Mason DePorter, FFA President Carter Friend, Blake Zajdel, and Aiden Wiendenhoeft.
Submitted by FFA Reporter Mason DePorter

Recently, the Whitewater FFA gave a $2000 check to the Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis Club. Last spring the Whitewater FFA decided to donate the profits from the plant sale to Kiwanis to support the We Go Round project. The We Go Round Project is adding an accessible playground feature at Starin Park. 

In honor of FFA week and their ongoing support, the Whitewater Culver’s donated $500 to the Whitewater FFA. 

Lake Geneva Man Facing Charges Related to Whitewater Burglary; Reportedly Posted Photos of Stolen Items on Yik Yak

According to an article in the Lake Geneva Regional News on March 16, “A19-year-old Lake Geneva man is facing four charges in connection with a burglary that happened in Whitewater after he reportedly posted photos of the stolen items on Yik Yak.

Travis Adam Bates reportedly illegally entered a residence between Feb. 11 and 12 and stole property including a PlayStation 4, two PlayStation 4 controllers, an Xbox One, two Xbox One controllers, and two headsets…..The officer spoke with the property owner who showed him a photograph reported of the app Yik Yak, an anonymous posting app, that read “Baseball house def not throwing anytime soon #thanks for the consoles.”

Hunter Safety Education Course Offered; First Session Nearly Full

Sheriff Knudson is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer two WI DNR Hunter Safety Education Courses this spring at the Edgerton Conservation Club, 900 Stoughton Road, Edgerton, WI 53534.

[Deputy Lund told the Banner that Rock County residency is not required to enroll; however, Class #1 is nearly full.]

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1973, is required to complete a Hunter Safety Education Course in order to legally hunt in Wisconsin. It is recommended that participants be at least 12 years of age. Class size is limited to thirty (30) students.

Hunter Safety Education Courses:

Class #1

Mandatory Registration: April 4, at 6 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club
Class: April 23, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and April 24, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club

Class #2

Mandatory Registration: April 25, at 6 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club
Class: May 14, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and May 15, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club

Registration is now open for Class #1. Complete the online enrollment form to reserve a seat. Upon submission of the online enrollment form, the student will receive an onscreen confirmation message with information on the mandatory in-person registration meeting. Registration for Class #2 will open the week of April 11, 2022.

Enroll At:https://www.co.rock.wi.us/departments/sheriff-s-office/recreational-patrol/hunter-education


There is a class fee of $10 per student, which will be collected at the in-person registration
meeting. The student and a parent or legal guardian if the student is underage must attend themandatory registration meeting in order for the student to take the course. Students will receive course materials at the in-person registration meeting.

Please direct any questions to Deputy Trevor Lund at trevor.lund@co.rock.wi.us.

#FlashbackAnyday with the Historical Society: 1925 Addition to Old Main, Now Hyer Hall

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday [#FlashbackAnyday due to the Banner falling behind] with the Whitewater Historical Society. This last post of Old Main on the UW-Whitewater campus, which burned on February 7, 1970, features the east wing, built in 1925.

The east wing was the last addition to Old Main and featured 25 additional classrooms and a fine auditorium. It was lauded as being of “fireproof” construction, a factor that might have helped on February 7, 1970.

Because the fire started elsewhere in the building and because the east wing had a set of fire doors between it and the rest of Old Main, it was subjected to mostly smoke and water damage. While the rest of Old Main had to be demolished, the east wing was renovated and stands today as Hyer Hall, a classroom building that still has its auditorium.

Compost Site Opens Sat., 4/2

NOTICE: Compost Site Opening
The compost site will open on Saturdays starting April 2, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The compost site will
also open on Wednesdays starting April 6, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The City will provide a loader for loading
chips and compost beginning Saturday, April 2. This loader will be available the first Saturday of every month
until the site closes for the season.

Please allow enough time for unloading as the compost site will close promptly at the posted times.

NOTICE: It is against city ordinance to deposit any yard waste debris on right of ways
other than City of Whitewater designated days.

If you have any questions, please call the Streets Department at 473-0560.

Spring Leaf & Yard Waste Collection Scheduled


NOTICE: Spring Leaf and Yard Waste Collection
The City of Whitewater – Department of Public Works will collect leaf and yard waste the:
• Week of April 4 – April 8, 2022
• Week of April 11 – April 14, 2022
*Dates may be subject to change in the event we experience accumulating snow during this time.
Yard waste is defined as leaves, grass clippings, and yard and garden debris. Yard waste must be bagged in
30 gallon or smaller biodegradable or clear/transparent bags only. Yard waste will not be collected if not
property bagged or placed in non-transparent or black bags. The City offers Bio-Bags in the fall only at the
Finance Department.

Please place your bagged yard waste on the curb no earlier than Saturday, April 2, (for collection beginning on
April 4) and April 9, (for collection beginning on April 11). All bags must be brought to the curb by 7:00 a.m., on
April 14, for collection by City staff.


Residents may also use the compost site to dispose of leaf and yard waste. The compost site will on open on
Saturdays starting April 2, from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Wednesdays, starting on April 6, from 3:00 p.m. –
7:00 p.m. The City will provide a loader for loading chips and compost beginning Saturday, April 2. This
loader will be available on the first Saturday of each month until the site closes for the season.

Residents requesting brush collection should call 473-0560 to make an appointment for pick up on Tuesdays.

NOTICE: City Ordinance Chapter 12.08 – Street Obstructions, Section: 12.08.010 – Residents are prohibited
from depositing any yard waste debris on right of ways other than City of Whitewater designated
days.

Tratt St. @ Walton Dr. Closed Thurs.-Fri.; Rural Detour Will Be In Effect

Editor’s note: The following announcement was received from the City of Whitewater Department of Public Works.

NOTICE: Starting on Thursday, March 24, 2022, the intersection of Tratt Street and Walton Drive will be closed
to all traffic starting at approximately 7:00 a.m. The intersection is anticipated to remain closed until 5:00 p.m.
Friday, March 25, 2022. Northbound traffic on Tratt Street will be detoured east on Starin Road, north on
Fremont Street and west on CTH U back to CTH N/Tratt Street. Southbound traffic will use the same streets in
reverse. The intersection will be closed to allow for underground utility work. We apologize for this inconvenience.


Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works

WHS in Search of Community Volunteers to Hear Senior Portfolio Presentations

The WHS Portfolio Committee is seeking community members to be a part of the listening audiences on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. We are hoping for at least 15 Whitewater Community members to participate. Community members willing to attend the presentations can email kmcnulty@wwusd.org  or call 262-472-8230 to sign up by Friday, April 8.

Members of the Whitewater High School Class of 2022 are currently preparing for the annual Portfolio Event which will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 4-7:30 p.m. at the high school. 

This event for seniors allows them to showcase their academic achievements, celebrate their accomplishments, and share their postsecondary career and academic plans before graduation. To make the presentations more meaningful, students present to an audience of WHS staff members and members of the community along with family and friends who are invited to attend. 

Students present examples of their best work in core academic and elective areas, share 2 or more examples of their involvement in activities in and outside of school, or work experiences, and at least one service activity that had special significance. Students then describe their future career and educational plans and the pathway they have chosen to accomplish their career goals. Graduates end their presentation by summarizing the most important learning experiences they’ve had in high school and how they hope to use their knowledge and skills to become a productive and responsible member of society. 

Article Submitted by Kate McNulty
Whitewater High School
kmcnulty@wwusd.org

Volunteers needed to Support Individuals Experiencing Memory Loss

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Walworth County.

Walworth County is seeking volunteers for a new Department of Health and Human Services program called Connecting Minds that begins April 7. The memory enhancement program pairs volunteers with adults who may have mild cognitive impairment, early-stage memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, for a weekly three-hour interactive group class that provides social stimulation and enjoyable activities. The program is designed to promote and preserve brain health through fun, engaging activities that challenge cognitive abilities, help improve memory, focus, and concentration.

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“Volunteers bring extra energy, ideas, and motivation to the program, as well as offering warmth and support to Connecting Minds participants,” says Volunteer Services Coordinator Colleen Lesniak. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related memory loss, and their families.”

Volunteers will receive training from professional staff with experience in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and therapeutic recreation. The program will be held on Thursdays, starting April 7, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Walworth County Health and Human Services, 1910 County Rd. NN, Elkhorn. 

Individuals interested in volunteering should contact Colleen Lesniak at (262) 741-4223, clesniak@co.walworth.wi.us. 

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