News

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda
Community Room – 1st Floor – 4:30 p.m.
312 W. Whitewater St.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/976871229
You can also dial in using your phone.
1 (872) 240-3311
Access Code: 976-871-229

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:00 p.m. (closed session) 7:00 p.m. (open session)
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
6:00 p.m.
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6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88259384433?pwd=OEVnS2d2MCs2NnE3bU9odHFFWjc1dz09
– Password: 500296
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 882 5938 4433
– Passcode: 500296
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Closed Session
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7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
Agenda (Click on “board agendas” on left side, then choose the meeting)
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86703283735?pwd=VGdkMVRIcERvZnRiUkdWZUkzOHNRUT09
– Passcode: 738730
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 867 0328 3735
– Passcode: 738730

City of Whitewater Alcohol Licensing Commission – Tuesday @ 6:15 p.m.
In-person meeting, City of Whitewater Municipal Building – Community Room
Agenda: Request for Class B Beer & Liquor License for Gus Pizza’ LLC, Anjeza Isbel, Owner/Agent (Due to sale of business)

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building – Community Room
312 W. Whitewater St.
Agenda includes Presentation from Bird Scooters representatives, Implementation Plan for Chapter 5.56 “Junk,” NSO Training Program Update, Amendment of Chapter 19.46 Floodplain Ordinance and request for waiver of second
reading of ordinance, Approval of amendment to Employment Agreement for Cameron Clapper, City Manager, and Presentation from EMS regarding paramedic service.
This will be an IN PERSON MEETING as well as a VIRTUAL MEETING
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us in person, or 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/84294841181?pwd=OHhOZWV0MGRsQUJFanRScWViMk5hdz09
Passcode: 113449

City of Whitewater Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m. – CANCELED

City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Update on Birge Fountain, Landmarks Commission oversight, Update on City Manager’s Plan for the Effigy Mounds Preserve and work completed to date
Cravath Lakefront Room
312 Whitewater Street
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/252081517
You can also dial in using your phone.
1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code: 252-081-517
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799

Whitewater Fire Department, Inc. Business Meeting – Thursday @ 6:30 p.m.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building (Lower Level)
312 W. Whitewater, Whitewater, WI 53190
Agenda: Closed session, may reconvene

Editor’s note: The following information was received from the Whitewater Arts Alliance.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance will be hosting a virtual workshop on March 9, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm via Zoom, presented by music entrepreneur Laura Hartmann. Laura teaches aspiring music professionals about their options and opportunities to make their dream a reality.

To register for this free, virtual workshop, please go to: https://www.whitewaterarts.org/laura-hartmann-music-business-workshop.

This workshop, titled “Navigating the Music Business: It’s Who You Know,” gives an overview of the different people that help an artist, including a manager, booking agent, lawyer, accountant, record label, or publicist, how these roles are different, and whether or not the artist can fill these roles themselves.

Laura Hartmann became interested in arts administration when she took a job with the Aspen Music Festival and School after completing a master’s degree in flute performance at the Brooklyn Conservatory. She received a bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Rose in Studio Music and Music Education. In 1990, she began working for Herbert Barrett Management; as Barrett’s jazz roster expanded, Laura was assigned to travel with many leading jazz artists, an experience that led her to specialize in the genre.

In 1997 she struck out on her own as an artist manager and producer, founding LVanHart Artist Productions.  Laura has had the pleasure of meeting and collaborating with many of today’s great jazz musicians and has developed her own roster which has included Steve Wilson, Mike Stern, Terell Stafford, Ray Vega, Joe Locke, Michael Wolff, Don Byron, and Tom Harrell. Hartmann is also currently an adjunct faculty member at the College of St. Rose, Ulster County Community College and SUNY New Paltz.

This workshop has been sponsored by the UW-W College of Arts and Communication, First Citizens State Bank, and John and Sandra Heyer. While sponsorships have made it possible to offer this event free of charge to the public, if you would like to support more programming like this in the future, please donate at https://whitewaterarts.org/shop/donations

Editor’s note: The following information was received from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Everyone is invited to join University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Interim Chancellor Jim Henderson at the annual State of the University Address at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, in Young Auditorium. The presentation will feature an overview of priorities for the coming year, as well as honor our university colleagues and recent achievements.

UWW-TV will livestream the event at uwwtv.org.

The event was previously scheduled for Feb. 22 but moved due to inclement weather.

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the Walworth County Health and Human Services’ Aging and Disability Resource Center.

The Walworth County Health & Human Services’ (WCDHHS) Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is seeking applications on behalf of the Walworth County Administrator for a citizen appointment to represent persons age 60 or older and adults with disabilities on the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Governing Board. The ADRC in Walworth County provides information on a broad range of programs and services, helps people understand the various long-term care options available to them, assists people in applying for programs and benefits, and serves as the access point for publicly funded long-term care.

ADRC governing board members represent the needs, concerns, and well-being of older adults and adults with disabilities in Walworth County. Applicants must reside in Walworth County. Appointments are for a three-year term. In an effort to have representation of all populations residing in Walworth County we highly encourage individuals that could represent the Latino population to consider submitting a notice of interest.

Notice of Interest to Serve as a Citizen Representative applications are available upon request from the ADRC, 1910 County Road NN, P.O. Box 1005, Elkhorn, Wisconsin 53121. An application may also be obtained by emailing Randy Kohl, Division Manager, at rkohl@co.walworth.wi.us, or downloaded at www.co.walworth.wi.us/532/Citizen-Committee-Members. The deadline to submit an application is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 2022. Applications must be submitted to the ADRC, Attn: Randy Kohl, 1910 County Road NN, P.O. Box 1005, Elkhorn, Wisconsin 53121.

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. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center.

The FFA Alumni Farm Toy Show will be this Sunday, February 27th from 9-2:30 at Whitewater High School. Farm toys will be available for purchase and farm displays will be set up for your viewing enjoyment. Admission is $3 for age 11 and older. The proceeds help fund scholarships and provide other support to the FFA members throughout the year. A food stand will be open throughout the day.

Editor’s note: The following information was received from UW-La Crosse and Cedarville University.

The following area students have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for the fall semester of the 2021-22 academic year, ending December 2021.

• Josie Hintz, Undeclared Major – College of Business Administration
• Eve Klawitter, Public Health and Community Health Education Major
• Brady Meudt, Biology Major
• Catherine Skindingsrude, Biology Major: Biomedical Science Concentration
• Celine Zahn, Therapeutic Recreation Major

In addition, Cedarville University student Mina Truesdale of Whitewater, WI, majoring in Chemistry, was named to the Dean’s Honor List for Fall 2021.

Editor’s note: The following information was received from Fort HealthCare.

Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson, WI announces it has been recognized as a 2022 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, this annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™.

“We are proud to be named a Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital once again,” said Mike Wallace, President, and CEO of Fort HealthCare. “In another year of challenges, the combination of our people working with our mission, vision, and values has kept us on track for continuously achieving recognitions like the Top 100.” 

“Despite unprecedented adversity, rural providers continue to display resiliency and a steadfast commitment to their communities,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “Honoring the Top 100 is one of the highpoints of our year. We are delighted to recognize the exceptional performance and innovation of this year’s recipients, particularly in light of the extraordinary challenges facing America’s rural health safety net.”

Over the course of the last 12 years, the INDEX has established itself as the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is trusted by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health across the country to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

Editor’s Note: The following information was received from Fort Community Credit Union

Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) was recognized on Tuesday, February 15th by Gov. Tony Evers as a recipient of the 2021 Governor’s Financial Literacy Award during a virtual ceremony. The honor is given in recognition of the efforts FCCU has put forth to serve members and community members by offering a vast variety of free educational resources.  

As part of their core values, FCCU aspires to be the humble and approachable financial educator for every generation in their lifelong journey. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, they have seen an overwhelming increase of video watch time and social post impressions related to financial literacy content. This ultimately means community members are more informed on financial topics giving them the knowledge needed to make sound financial decisions throughout life. The video library is complete with Spanish subtitles allowing the resources to be accessible in more ways to more people. 

In 2021 FCCU team members dedicated over 330 hours to developing virtual Financial  Literacy resources. This includes the development of the Common Cents video playlist with 23 videos ranging in topics from “how to read your credit score” to “how to teach your kids to save.” The FCCU online video library has over 184,000 minutes of watch time with a reach of over 666,000 impressions, an increase of over 247% from 2020. 

Gov. Evers is quoted in another statement regarding this award saying, “Financial education should build on and respond to people’s individual strengths, circumstances,  and needs in order to help them work toward their own unique goals. The dedication of  these individuals and organizations to help Wisconsinites become more financially secure and achieve their dreams is commendable and helps ensure not only the future success of individuals and families but our entire state.”

The recipients of this award were selected by the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability from the nominations submitted for consideration. Criteria used to judge nominations included: innovative implementation of an effective financial literacy and capability program or program element within the last two years; emphasis on financial inclusion, demonstrated measurable results; collaboration with partners; and scalability of the program design. Visit the Council’s webpage to read a synopsis of the recipients’  efforts https://wdfi.org/OFL/govcouncilfinlit/ 

When asked about the efforts of FCCU, Sue Johnson, President, and CEO said, “This was definitely a group effort, I know that many of our team members have spent time in classrooms, starred in financial literacy videos, filmed and edited videos, and worked with our members to help them be in a better place financially. Our team members are the reason we won this award. I am so proud of them for making this possible.” 

For more information on the award, FCCU’s efforts to increase financial literacy, and to find access to the free financial literacy resources available to you visit fortcommunity.com.

You are invited to join us for Rev. Dr. David Mc Donald’s Installation Service.

On Sunday, Feb. 27, the Congregational United Church of Christ, 133 S. Franklin Street, will install the Rev. Dr. David Mc Donald as pastor and teacher. Representatives of the Wisconsin Conference UCC, local faith communities, service organizations in Whitewater, and the wider United Church of Christ, will gather at 2:00 p.m. for the service.

Dr. Mc Donald came to Whitewater in June 2020 as the congregation’s designated interim minister. He was called to serve the church as its settled pastor in late 2021. A graduate of Beloit College, with advanced degrees in theology from Eden Theological Seminary in Saint Louis and Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Mc Donald has served as a pastor in the UCC since 1991.

A reception at the church will follow the service, and masked protocols will be in order for the day.