News

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

The following individuals from our area are among more than 1,900 prospective candidates for degree attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee virtual commencement exercises held on Sunday, Dec 19, 2021 in Milwaukee. UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with over 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students. 

Whitewater, WI

 Abigail Childs, College of Letters and Science, Bachelor of Arts
 Talia Olson, College of Letters and Science, Bachelor of Arts
 Viet Vo, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, Bachelor of Science

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

This week we are featuring G. Stuart’s Mens Shop in this mid-1990s photo by George Scharfenberg. This storefront, constructed in 1892, housed long-term hardware stores and men’s clothing stores.

Many people probably remember this as the location of Art Lein’s men’s store. Art Lein began his store in 1959 out near the Hawk bowling alley, but soon moved to downtown. He operated his store until 1980. After remaining a men’s store, the storefront was absorbed into the Double Dip Deli in 1999 (now Rosa’s).

In the first half of the 20th century, this was the location of Baker Hardware and Keiser & Tubb’s Hardware (1894-c.1940). Many stores came and went quickly in downtown Whitewater, but the three storefronts we have featured this month housed some of the city’s most long-time businesses.

(George Scharfenberg Collection)

Editor’s Note: The below photos from the Whitewater High School Winter Gala Concert on December 9 were contributed by Tom Ganser. Several ensembles performed.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

Today’s post features another mid-1990s photo taken by George Scharfenberg. It is the Reynolds Pharmacy, located in a building that housed a pharmacy for 120 years. Built in 1883, the storefront first opened as A.V. Burke’s drug store (1883-1893), then housed the Duffin drug store for over 50 years (1893-1945). Clarence Krahnke operated his drug store here from 1945 to 1968, when he sold it to Jim Underwood, who sold it to Dan Reynolds in 1986. Reynolds remained here until 2004 before relocating to the west side.

Join us again next week for another 1990s look at a downtown Whitewater storefront.

(George Scharfenberg Collection)

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
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Whitewater School Board
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street
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6:30 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84762539647?pwd=bmN1NTFrbWNjS2xucU8reVF6Tytzdz09
– Password: 157894
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 847 6253 9647
– Passcode: 157894
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Closed Session
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7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84232602136?pwd=Q2xTUEZxSER2SnZWZXEyTGlLa1lTQT09
– Passcode: 410444
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 842 3260 2136
– Passcode: 410444

Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes Approval of Administrator Contract Extensions and Letters of Intent for 2023-24; Review of 2020-21 financial audit

Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes update from Library Expansion Committee
Irvin L. Young Memorial Library
Community Room
431 W. Center Street
This meeting will be both in-person and virtual
Join Zoom meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83199582389?pwd=Sm9NUjZXYTNVM3J0SmVrNjU2cG8xdz09
Meeting ID: 831 9958 2389
Passcode: Ei3JsjBg
Dial 1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 831 9958 2389
Passcode: 80191071

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Commitment to contribute $3,000,000 towards library expansion project; discussion of lakesdrawn project and dredging of portions of the lakes.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building – Community Room
312 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater WI 53190
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.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85136735869?pwd=czg3djh6ZTk5RExIYk14aHF1ckN0dz09
Passcode: 179389
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 851 3673 5869
Passcode: 179389

Versiti is the primary blood supplier for Southeastern Wisconsin, as well as Lakeland and Fort Hospitals. Please consider making an appointment by clicking here today. Hours are 1 – 6 p.m. Update: It appears that there will be plenty of room for walk-ins between 2:30-3:30.

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Residents of the City of Whitewater have an opportunity to have a positive impact on their community as candidates are being sought for three Common Council positions.

The seven-member Common Council has three seats up for election in April with nomination papers due by January 4.

Common Council representation is designed with one individual representing each of five different geographic areas that are elected by just residents of that individual area as well as two “at-large” council members that are elected by a citywide vote. In April voters will elect one of the two at-large members and council representatives for District 2 and 4. Information on district boundaries is available from the City Clerk’s office at (262) 473-0102 or at msmith@whitewater-wi.gov . The City Clerk’s office can also explain the paperwork and circulation of signature requirements which are slightly different for the citywide at-large position than for the individual numbered district spots.

A name that will NOT be appearing on the ballot in April for the first time in 14 years is that of current District 4 member Lynn Binnie. Binnie, the current Common Council president, indicated in November that he had decided not to seek reelection. To date only one potential candidate for District 4, Jill Gerber, has taken out nomination paperwork, which she has completed.

At-large member Jim Allen has taken out nomination paperwork, as has Lukas Scrieber, who was appointed in July to fill a vacancy in District 2. As of December 17, City Clerk Michele Smith indicated that no one else had taken out paperwork for either of those positions.

Any resident interested in serving on the Common Council is encouraged to contact the City Clerk’s office well in advance of the January 4 deadline for submitting nomination papers. Council members are elected for two-year terms beginning in April. Evening meetings are on the first and third Tuesdays of each month and Common Council members also serve on various city boards and commissions that meet less frequently. A stipend of $300 per month is provided to council members.

Elvira Kau writes, “Field & Stream Restoration was burning along the exposed lakebed of Cravath Lake Friday afternoon. Photos were shot south of the park, on the west side of the shoreline opposite the cemetery.”

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Our thanks to Elvira Kau for sharing these timely photos.

Previous posts on the Banner regarding the burn:

Update Dec. 17: Eric Boettcher, city Parks & Recreation Director, told the Banner, “It looks like favorable weather to start the burns on the dried lake bed vegetation on Trippe and Cravath lakes.  Ignition will likely start at 11 a.m. [TODAY, Friday] and end about 3 p.m.  We plan to try and burn Friday and Saturday of this week and Monday through Wednesday of next week. 

Update Dec. 14: Kristin Mickelson, city PR and Communications Manager, told the Banner that it is still hoped that the controlled burn can begin this week; however, it has been delayed due to wind and visibility concerns. No further information is available at this time.

December 9, 2021

Dear City of Whitewater residents,

Between December 13 to December 23, Field & Stream Restorations will conduct prescribed burns on the two lake beds, Trippe and Cravath.  The purpose of the burn is to prepare for the dredging that may occur in 2022 and the subsequent lake refilling.   Prescribed burning is an excellent tool for reducing above-ground biomass (plant material).  

We will start by creating burn breaks (unburnable strips on the ground) around the burn units.  In some cases this may involve mowing and raking vegetation to create nearly bare soil conditions.  We will examine the wind direction and speed to determine the best and safest ignition pattern.  

Field & Stream Restorations is insured and has burned hundreds of acres safely, and will do so at this site.  We employ nationally trained firefighters.  We will be equipped with several types of mobile water sources for fire suppression, including water backpacks , UTV’s, and ATV’s with mounted sprayers.   At no time should you ever feel that your residence is at risk.  We have examined the site and have determined that the necessary fire breaks can be created to burn safely.

For those who live near the lake, on the day of the burn we ask that you do the following for us:

1. Close your windows and doors when not at home and the day of the burn so that smoke does not enter your home.
2. Allow us to do our work uninterrupted, distractions to fire spotters create unnecessary risks.
3. Approach us before you call the fire department.

For more information, call, text, or email Steve Banovetz, Senior Scientist, Field & Stream Restorations, 608-320-2338 or email.  Please also visit the Field and Stream Restorations website. For additional questions, contact Parks and Recreation Director, Eric Boettcher 262-473-0122 or email.