Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of 9/11 and State Day of Service and Remembrance
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #304 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Fri., Sept. 11, 2026, and declaring a state Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the nearly 3,000 individuals who lost their lives in the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. As Wisconsinites reflect and remember the fateful day 25 years ago, Gov. Evers is encouraging folks to participate in a day of service to give back to their neighbors and local communities. Gov. Evers and members of the Evers Administration will be participating in service events on Fri., Sep. 11, 2026, as part of the state Day of Service and Remembrance.
“Today, as we reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the events that changed our nation forever, I call upon Wisconsinites to help honor this solemn day through acts of kindness and service in our local communities,” said Gov. Evers. “Together, we are united today in remembering and honoring those whose lives were forever changed and paying our respects to the first responders, service members, and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in its aftermath. We will never forget.”
A list of potential volunteer opportunities, including virtual options, can be found on the Volunteer Wisconsin website here. Wisconsinites can also participate in other ways, including by engaging with their neighborhoods and communities, performing acts of kindness, and taking the time to reflect on the significance of the day.
The Unity Walk on Saturday, September 12 at 10 am will occur RAIN or SHINE because the speeches in front of the Arts Alliance by Rev. Clarissa Martinelli, First United Methodist Church, and Camden Harlan, Whitewater Pride, will occur inside the Armory if it is raining. Everyone is invited to attend the Unity Walk – a Symbol of Civility.
Thursday, September 10, 7:30 p.m. – Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for under 18 or age 65+. Please see information at bottom of this post regarding parking permits that are required Monday through Thursday.
Sunday, September 13 @ 7:30 p.m. – Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for under 18 or age 65+. There is no charge for parking on Sunday.
Tuesday, September 22 @ 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for those under age 18 or 65+. Please see information at bottom of this post regarding parking permits that are required Monday through Thursday.
Parking – Monday through Thursday
A permit is required to park in university lots and on Prince Street north of Main Street during events that take place Monday – Thursday. Parking is permitted without a permit from 5 p.m. Fridays to 11:00 p.m. Sundays.
The closest lots are Lots 1 and 2. To purchase a permit, visit uww.aimsparking.com and follow these steps:
Select: Purchase UW-W Special Event Permits
Agree to Terms of Service
Select Event Type: CENTER OF THE ARTS
Select the event you are attending
Select Permit Type: EVENT GUEST
Dates will automatically fill in
Click Add Vehicle
Enter license plate, make, model and color vehicle; Click ADD
Follow the remaining prompts to complete registration process
NOTE: Your license plate is your permit; be sure to enter the plate information correctly to avoid tickets. Plates not entered correctly are subject to $5 tickets. Do not park in stalls with any type of sign. If you need to change your plate, call 262-472-1011 during business hours Mon-Fri 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Whitewater’s 6th Annual Pride Rally is a free, family-friendly celebration that takes place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Cravath Lakefront Park in downtown Whitewater.
Whitewater City Manager, John Weidl, said, “Whitewater is at its best when everyone who lives here knows they belong here. That’s not a slogan; people and employers choose communities where their families will be welcomed, and that’s good for all of us. The City is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the 6th Annual Whitewater Pride Rally, and as a Warhawk married to a Warhawk alum, I’m proud of what this college town shows the world. Thank you to the organizers and volunteers. See you at Cravath Lakefront Park on October 3rd.”
Whitewater Pride is dedicated to bringing the LGBTQ+ community and Allies together. Their mission is to foster diversity, inclusion, and pride in the Whitewater community. Their vision is to create an open, affirmative, and accepting environment for all people, with a focus on celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
Malayna Oswald, AFSP Wisconsin Chapter Board Member, said, “The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Wisconsin Chapter has been excited to engage with the Whitewater community through our yearly Out of the Darkness walk for suicide prevention every spring at UW-Whitewater, and we are very excited to be invited back to Whitewater to participate in the 6th Annual Whitewater Pride Rally. We are deeply committed to fostering supportive spaces for the LGBTQ+ community, with one example being our new Pride Pathways: Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Communities and Allies program being offered for free to communities. We look forward to coming together to promote mental health and suicide prevention, and we want to thank Whitewater Pride for the work they do every day and for inviting us to such a meaningful event.”
The event this year includes the community and statewide speakers, engaging performances by Cynthia Mooseknuckle, Jessabelle, Lavender Jones, Pony Boy, Miss Cowphusia, Ellah Maeaux, and Angel Voyer, music by DJ Femme Noir, the UWW Marching Band, and Jonah Hirst, storytelling by Tim Mumm, an open mic, 30+ inclusive vendors, and multiple food trucks, including Sampa’s Tacos and Rocky Rococo’s. Speakers include UWW Chancellor Corey King, WUSD Superintendent Sam Karns, Whitewater City Manager John Weidl, AFSP-WI Board Member Malayna Oswald, and Kim Valenta from Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. A children’s area includes face painting, activities, and story time with a selection of LGBTQ+ children’s books. Leashed pets are also invited to attend and participate in our Pride Pet Costume Contest, sponsored by Pet Supplies Plus of Whitewater.
Reverend Joseph O’Donnell said, “The best part of the Whitewater Pride Rally is seeing people, businesses, churches, and groups coming together and creating a community of welcome, a space where people are valued, and where the authentic spirit of each person (and pet) is loved and celebrated. I look forward to these opportunities every year to participate in and support an event that encourages us to come together as a community from so many different aspects and quarters of our city and the surrounding community.” Reverend O’Donnell serves First English Lutheran Church.
This year’s Pride Rally sponsors include: Whitewater Unites Lives, Coburn Company, City of Whitewater, Starbucks Foundation, First English Lutheran Church, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, First United Methodist Church, Fort HealthCare, First Weber Real Estate, Fort Community Credit Union, Tim Mumm, The Family of Paul and Helen Pelnar in Memoriam, LGBTQ+ Walworth County, and Pet Supplies Plus of Whitewater.
There will be a 50/50 raffle and basket raffle. If you would like to make a donation to the basket raffle, for more information, or to support Whitewater Pride as Sponsor or Donor, please visit www.whitewaterpride.org, Instagram @whitewaterpride, or Facebook at Whitewater Pride.
Editor’s Note: The above was submitted by Whitewater Pride.
City provided Letter of Support for project along the US-12 corridor
Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announced on September 8 that a Kwik Trip location on Whitewater’s south side has been selected to receive funding for new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations through the state’s latest round of National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program grants.
The Kwik Trip #1065 site located at 837 S Janesville St near US-12 will receive $423,562 in federal funding to construct the new charging infrastructure. The award is part of a $25 million round of NEVI grants supporting 42 new EV charging locations across Wisconsin, funded through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. WisDOT has now awarded approximately $62 million to 120 EV charging projects statewide since the program began.
As part of Kwik Trip’s application to the program, the City of Whitewater submitted a Letter of Support in June 2026 affirming local backing for the project and its benefit to the community and traveling public along the US Highway 12 corridor.
“We were happy to provide a Letter of Support for Kwik Trip’s application,” said Mason Becker, Community Development Director for the City of Whitewater. “Projects like this bring new investment into the City of Whitewater and support the kind of public-private partnership that helps our community grow. This project will also support additional transportation options for residents and visitors alike.”
WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said the state has planned its EV charging station network to benefit both drivers and the communities that host new stations along key travel corridors.
Kwik Trip currently has twenty-three open locations as part of their Kwik Charge® program. People can learn more about the program and future Kwik Charge® locations on their website: https://kwiktrip.com/kwikcharge
The City of Whitewater will continue working with WisDOT and Kwik Trip as the project advances.
Editor’s note: The following list shows all the locations that are being funded.
Belgium | $627,390
Kwik Trip #1281 near I-43
Belmont | $561,540
Kwik Trip #1197 near US-151
Boscobel | $607,648
AmericInn by Wyndham Boscobel near US-61
Brown Deer | $624,886
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – Milwaukee North near WI-100
Chilton | $628,395
Best Western Stanton Inn near US-10
Coloma | $437,603
Kwik Trip #1979 near WI-21
De Pere | $626,287
BP near WI-32
Dodgeville | $591,022
Best Western Dodgeville Inn & Suites near US-18
Eagle River | $602,466
Days Inn by Wyndham Eagle River near US-45
Eau Claire | $455,745
Dairy Queen near WI-93
Ellsworth | $488,770
Waltz Ace Hardware near US-63
Fennimore | $612,952
Napps Motel near US-18
Fitchburg | $734,434
Sunoco near US-14
Fond du Lac | $609,926
BP near WI-23
Gillett | $630,666
Shell near WI-32
Hayward | $488,770
Marketplace Foods near US-63
Lomira | $636,446
Hi-Way Hop near I-41
Madison | $396,800
Woodman’s near US-12
Marshfield | $591,016
AmericInn by Wyndham Marshfield near US-10
Milwaukee | $930,849
Walker’s Point Plaza near WI-32
Monona | $596,292
BP near US-12
Monroe | $925,600
Downtown Monroe near WI-11
Mt Pleasant | $631,176 Somers Market near I-41
Oconomowoc | $618,678
Hilton Garden Inn Oconomowoc near I-94
Prairie du Chien | $426,831
Kwik Trip #307 near US-18
Racine | $623,010
Comfort Inn Mount Pleasant – Racine near WI-11
Random Lake | $627,640 Random Lake Motel near WI-57
Reedsburg | $607,648 Mobil near WI-23
Reedsville | $910,260
Cenex near US-10
Richland Center | $606,390
Ramada by Wyndham Richland Center near US-14
River Falls | $433,795 Kwik Trip #1104 near WI-35
Salem Lakes | $636,378 Shell near US-45
Spring Green | $603,745 Round Barn Lodge near US-14
Sturgeon Bay | $436,357 Kwik Trip #1282 near WI-57
Turtle Lake | $488,770 Cenex near US-63
Viroqua | $564,158
Sleepy Hollow Commercial Truck Center near US-14
Watertown | $632,094 Best Western Watertown near WI-26
Waukesha | $670,786
Hop N Shop #19 near US-18
Wausau | $629,918
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Wausau near I-39
West Bend | $418,365
Kwik Trip #1982 near WI-33
Whitewater | $423,562
Kwik Trip #1065 near US-12
Wisconsin Rapids | $612,687
BP near WI-54
WisDOT evaluated a variety of factors when choosing these projects, including location, the potential for future development, availability of pull-through parking spaces to allow for larger EVs, and extended business site hours to accommodate longer refueling times. More information on Wisconsin’s electrification program can be found on the WisDOT website.
The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area is pleased to announce a public program on Exploring Disability, Bigotry and Trauma on Wednesday, September 16th, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at the Whitewater Public Library, 431 W Center St, Whitewater.
James Bonilla, author of An Eye for An I, will discuss his memoir, the JEDI Book Club’s Spring 2026 book. This powerful narrative offers an intersectional analysis of disability, racism, and mental illness, inviting readers to empathize, be inspired, and consider their own potential for social change. Copies will be available for purchase.
A question and answer session will follow James Bonilla’s lecture on resilience in navigating blindness, racism, and mental illness.
You do not need to be a League member or JEDI Book Club participant to attend and refreshments will be served. For questions or further information please contact Dwight C. Watson, dwight.watsondcw@gmail.com.
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!
Calling all music makers! Kids and families are invited to “Family Jams: Music, Movement, and Instrument Exploration” at the Whitewater Public Library on Saturday, September 12 at 10:30 a.m. in Meeting Room 1. Explore world instruments in the “Instrument Lab,” dance and move to expressive music, and make music together at “Family Jams,” a memorable music and movement experience for the whole family. All ages welcome! There is no cost or registration.
10:30-11:00: Instrument Lab: everyone can freely explore and “jam” with a variety of world instruments.
11:00-11:45: Music and Movement “Family Jams” — dance and create music together as a group.
The class is taught by Noelle Larson, a Board-Certified Music Therapist, graduate of Whitewater High School and Berklee College of Music, and the owner of Circle of Song Music Therapy, LLC. Noelle has a passion for helping clients and participants to “Connect, Thrive, and Come Alive Through Music,” strengthen family relationships, learn adaptive coping strategies, and experience wonder and joy through the delight of participating in live music making.
Ed Grosskreutz says that there “has not been much activity on Trippe or Cravath lake this year at all,” but he managed to find a few photogenic wildlife.
Our thanks to Ed Grosskreutz for sharing these photos of his finds.
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Ferradermis Administrative Team Captain Alex Nelson has been named to the FIRST Wisconsin Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for 2026-2027. Alex completed a lengthy application and interview process in order to secure one of approximately 20 spots on the statewide YAC.
Alex Nelson
As stated on the FIRST Wisconsin website, “The FIRST Wisconsin Youth Advisory Council (YAC) involves a select group of high school students working directly with the FIRST Wisconsin Board of Directors and staff. These student leaders ensure that the student perspective is integrated into the long-term mission, objectives, and goals of FIRST Wisconsin programs. They collaborate on initiatives to enhance the overall FIRST experience for all students in the state.”
This school year will be Alex’s third on Ferradermis, having served as Business Subteam Lead as a sophomore before stepping up to one of the tri-captain positions for the team as a junior. Alex was also a part of the Impact Presentation Team during the 2026 season.
Congratulations, Alex!
Article Submitted by Laura Masbruch Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor lmasbruch@wwusd.org
WMTV Channel 15 broadcast a report on September 7 regarding the Whitewater police department’s ongoing investigation into internet crimes against children. “The investigation began after the department received a tip on Dec. 29 through Wisconsin ICAC, the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force run by the Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation,” WMTV stated. According to the report, the Whitewater Police Department detective unit’s ongoing investigation into these crimes against children has identified “at least 4,000 victims, and suspects around the globe.”
Detective Lieutenant Anthony Heilberger, who leads the detective bureau, told WMTV that “the department’s central message to parents and children is to be cautious about who they are communicating with online. He said parents should monitor their children’s online activity, talk with them about what they are doing online, and keep computers and cell phones in shared or public spaces in the home.”
A Whitewater Bannerpost on March 7 indicated that Cody J. Pierson, 39, of 1254 W. Satinwood Lane, had been charged with Possession of Child Pornography and Child Sexual Exploitation. Police alleged that over 114,000 images and recordings of child pornography had been found on Pierson’s devices. Pierson is still confined in the Walworth County Jail, and he most recently appeared in court by video on September 3 for a status conference. Another such conference is scheduled for October 22. A trial date has not yet been established. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, Pierson is presumed innocent of all charges.
The Banner reached out to Police Chief Dan Meyer for further information regarding the larger investigation. Meyer indicated that the television station spoke with the department staff quite a while ago and they’ve continued working the case since. He stated that he would get an update from the staff before responding to our questions.
