News

Holocaust Remembrance Concert

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 @ 7:30 PM
LIGHT RECITAL HALL
950 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190
Join us for a powerful and moving Holocaust Remembrance Concert, honoring International Holocaust Remembrance Day through music and reflection. This special performance pays tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and remembers the lives lost during one of history’s darkest chapters. Experience an evening of solemn beauty, hope, and remembrance as we come together to reflect and never forget.
Adults $7; those age 65+ or under 18, $4. Tickets may be purchased here or at the door. See parking information below.

UWW Percussion Ensemble

Thursday, April 16, 2026 @ 7:30 PM
LIGHT RECITAL HALL
950 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190
Adults $7, those age 65+ or under age 18, $4
Experience the thrilling range and rhythmic intensity of the UW-Whitewater Percussion Ensemble as they present an electrifying concert of large-scale works for percussion alongside intricate quartets for smaller ensembles. From powerful, driving pieces to finely crafted chamber works, this performance showcases the full spectrum of percussion artistry. Join us for an unforgettable evening of bold sound, dynamic energy, and musical innovation.Tickets may be purchased here or at the door. See parking information below.

Hawk Kor, Harmonia, Concert Choir

LIGHT RECITAL HALL
Sun, 4/19/2026 @ 7:30 PM
950 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190  
Adults $7, those age 65+ or under age 18, $4
Join us for an inspiring afternoon of choral music featuring UW-Whitewater’s Hawk Kor, Harmonia, and Concert Choir. From rich harmonies to soaring melodies, these talented vocal ensembles will present a diverse program that celebrates the beauty and power of the human voice. Don’t miss this showcase of musical excellence and heartfelt expression. Tickets may be purchased here or at the door. There is no charge for parking on the weekend.

University/Community Band

Monday, April 20, 2026 @ 7:30 PM
The Young Performing Arts Center
930 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190

Join the University/Community Band for an uplifting concert that brings together talented musicians from both campus and the local community. This diverse ensemble performs a wide range of music, from beloved classics to exciting contemporary works, creating an engaging and spirited experience for all audiences. Don’t miss this celebration of collaboration, music, and community spirit! Tickets may be purchased here or at the door. See parking information below.

Jazz Ensemble II Spring Concert

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 @ 7:30 PM
LIGHT RECITAL HALL
950 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190
Adults $7, those age 65+ or under age 18, $4
Get ready for a lively evening with Jazz Ensemble II as they take the stage for their Spring concert, performing a vibrant mix of classic jazz favorites and fresh new arrangements. This talented group brings energy, swing, and soulful improvisation to every piece, celebrating the rich tradition and evolving sound of jazz. Join us for a night full of rhythm, passion, and unforgettable grooves! Tickets may be purchased here or at the door. See parking information below.

Symphonic Wind Ensemble

Sunday, April 26, 2026 @ 3:00 PM
The Young Performing Arts Center
930 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190
Adults $7, those age 65+ or under 18, $4

Immerse yourself in the powerful and rich sounds of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, featuring UW-Whitewater’s finest wind and percussion musicians. This dynamic ensemble performs a diverse repertoire ranging from timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, delivering vibrant and thrilling performances. Join us for an inspiring afternoon that showcases the passion and precision of wind ensemble music at its best. Tickets may be purchased here or at the door. There is no charge for parking on the weekend.

Parking information

Parking: A permit is required to park in University lots and on Prince Street north of Main Street during events that take place Monday – Thursday. The closest lots are Lots 1 and 2. Permits may be purchased at the kiosk at the Visitors’ Center on Starin Road. To purchase a permit online, visit uww.aimsparking.com and follow these steps:

1. Select: Purchase UW-W Special Event Permits

2. Agree to Terms of Service

3. Select Event Type: CENTER OF THE ARTS

4. Select the event you are attending

5. Select Permit Type: EVENT GUEST

6. Dates will automatically fill in

7. Click Add Vehicle

8.  Enter license plate, make, model and color vehicle; Click ADD

9. Follow the remaining prompts to complete registration process

NOTE: Your license plate is your permit; be sure to enter plate 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.

Thank you to the Whitewater community for the first four Community Native Tree Sales! Unfortunately, the 2026 Tree Sale is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. The Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission [UFC] wants to THANK YOU for your support and would like to remind you that we are always in need of committed community members to serve on UFC. If you’d like to make a positive difference in Whitewater, go to the city website and apply today if you are interested! Thank you for your understanding.

Add some sparkle to the start of spring by taking in a performance of Walt Disney’s “Dare to Dream JR” musical revue by the Whitewater Middle School Players in the James M. Stewart Auditorium at Whitewater High School on April 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and April 11 at 2 p.m.

Tickets (April 9 – Pay What You Can, April 10 and 11 – $5 students, $10 adults) are available an hour before the performances.  Also, 30 minutes before the performances, Tom Ganser’s photos from the WMS productions of “Seussical” (2023), “Far Fetched Fairytales” (2024), and “Annie” (2025) will be shown.

The show is based on four important Walt Disney principles for a fulfilling life that are more important today than ever before.  First, Think.  Second, Dream.  Third, Believe.  And Finally, Dare.

Editor’s note: Photos and copy courtesy of Tom Ganser.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The following are unofficial April 7 election results for the competitive area races based on reports from Jefferson, Rock and Walworth Counties. All results are subject to review by the local Boards of Canvassers.

City of Whitewater Common Council

Councilmember at Large
Orin Smith 1081
Aubrey Thompson 861

Councilmember, District 2
Gavin Kelleher 190
Sean Liebherr 46

Councilmember, District 4
Chuck Mills 210
Brian Schanen 375

Town of Lima

Town Board Supervisor 4
Lee Taylor 158
Brandon Pattermann 101

Town of Richmond

Town Board Supervisor 3
Tim Baker 358
Larry Gard 243

Town Board Supervisor 4
Mike Bergman 289
William Lange 283

Whitewater Unified School District School Board (3 will be elected)
Stephanie Hicks 2044
Lisa Huempfner 2053
Terri Jones 1849
Christy Linse 1707

State Race
Justice of the Supreme Court – Chris Taylor is projected to win, with nearly 60% of the vote.

Editor’s note: The following announcement was posted to the City of Beloit website on April 7. John Weidl has served as Whitewater’s city manager since November 2022 after serving as the interim manager for three months. Beloit’s population is approximately 36,000, while our city’s population is about 16,000. The latter number, of course, includes many UW-Whitewater students.

Beloit City Council Announces City Manager Finalists

The Beloit City Council has selected two candidates to advance in the search for the next City Manager. Both candidates will appear in a community forum next week.

The community forum is scheduled for 6pm Monday, April 13, at Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Blvd. The city anticipates that the event will be livestreamed and recorded.

The candidates are:

• Daniel Ortiz Hernandez: Ortiz Hernandez has been in municipal management for 13 years. He currently serves as assistant city manager in Ennis, Texas, where he helps lead more than 240 employees across 12 departments with a combined budget of $74 million; he started in this role in 2024. He has previously served as city administrator in Kimball, Nebraska, and city manager in Wasco, California, and Webster City, Iowa. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University and a Master of Public Administration with an Urban Management concentration from Arizona State University. He is an ICMA Credentialed Manager and a graduate of the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard Kennedy School.
• John Weidl: Weidl has been in municipal management for 15 years and has served in the U.S. Air Force. He currently serves as city manager in Whitewater, Wisconsin, where he oversees 140 employees and a combined budget of $24 million. He has previously served as village administrator and economic development director in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, and as city administrator, clerk-treasurer, and director of public works in Princeton, Wisconsin. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Northern Illinois University and is an ICMA Credentialed Manager, Certified Economic Developer, and Certified Public Manager. He is currently completing his Doctor of Business Administration at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Following the community forum, the candidates will participate in additional interviews on Tuesday, April 14. The City Council is expected to make a final selection by Monday, April 20.

The City Council invites the public to submit questions for the candidates for the community forum to publiccomment@beloitwi.gov. Questions should be submitted no later than April 11, 2026. Not all submitted questions will be asked. The City Council reserves the right to select, combine, or adapt submitted questions to address key themes, and may ask additional questions of its own.

The FIRST Robotics Seven Rivers Wisconsin District Event took place at the La Crosse Center from Thursday, April 2 – Saturday, April 4, featuring 33 high school teams from Wisconsin as well as a visiting team from Indiana. Ferradermis competed hard, going 9-2 in qualification matches and ranking 5^th at the end of qualifications. The team played 12 total qualification matches but only earned ranking points for 11 of them because of a red card disqualification when our robot accidentally knocked over another robot during a match.

During alliance selections, Ferradermis moved up to become the captain of the #4 seeded alliance and invited Team 171 The Cheese Curd Herd from Platteville and Team 8782 TroBotics from New Auburn to join them for the playoffs. After victories over the #5 seed and #1 seed, Ferradermis was bumped to the lower portion of the double-elimination bracket by the #3 seed. They then lost their rematch with the #1 seeded alliance, the eventual champions, to end their weekend in third place overall.

Points earned from this competition combined with the previous competition at Lakeland College qualified the team to compete in the State Championship Event at Brookfield East High School from April 17-19. It is at the end of this event, that it will be determined which Wisconsin teams will represent the state in Houston for the World Championships.

Team members traveling to La Crosse included Chacha Binagi, Rae Breisath, Emilie Bruns, Asher Downs, Erison Dreksler, Georgia Esch, Alex Fletcher, Mason Genung, Vivian Harris, Nina Heim, Cooper Housel, Ace Hudec, Jayden Kehrer, Colby Long, Carson Miller, Preston Miller, Al Nelson, Sam Raupp, Julian Rennells, Johan Servin, Owen Taylor, Letty Trautman, Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman, Paxton Wilson, and Mily Zeferino-Hernandez.

In addition to competing on the field, several members volunteered to take shifts at the safety glass station, and seven students joined the team choir to perform the national anthem during opening ceremonies. Eight members served as team ambassadors, giving tours to VIPs. Students also rotated through scouting shifts, and the Impact Team presented for the judges. Team members staffed the team pit throughout the event, working on the robot between matches, talking with judges, and selecting the recipients of their pit awards. Safety Captain Nina Heim received the Safety All-Star Award based on nominations from other teams.

On the way to the event, students experienced a UW La Crosse campus tour, visited the Mississippi Valley Archeology Center as a tribute to this season’s archeology theme, stopped at the Dahl Auto Museum, and spent a couple of hours bowling, a team tradition.

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

The following press release was issued by the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents on April 7.

MADISON, Wis.—The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System has unanimously voted to make a change in leadership of the system, with current President Jay Rothman’s tenure ending immediately.

The Board is grateful for President Rothman’s service and recognizes the meaningful work undertaken during his tenure. Under his leadership, the Universities of Wisconsin took important and often difficult steps to address longstanding structural deficits, putting individual universities on sounder financial footing for the future. He worked hard to bring the best to the campuses, students, faculty, and staff. Those efforts and that dedication are acknowledged and appreciated. However, despite these accomplishments, based on the annual performance review and subsequent discussions, the Board has lost confidence in President Rothman’s ability to lead the UWs moving forward. View a copy of yesterday’s statement providing additional details. [See below.]

Universities of Wisconsin Vice President for University Relations Chris Patton will serve as Acting Executive-in-Charge Prior to Appointment of Interim President.

The Board has immediately moved forward in its work to identify the successor. Further details regarding that process will be shared in the coming weeks.

The Universities of Wisconsin have incredible students, faculty, and staff and serve as an economic engine for the state of Wisconsin. The UWs work will continue unabated during this transition, and the remarkable accomplishments and work of the 13 universities will continue.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT
Universities of Wisconsin Regents President Amy B. Bogost
April 6, 2024

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents takes its fiduciary responsibility seriously
and acts in the best interests of our students, faculty, staff, and the people of Wisconsin.
Under Board policy, the Board President is tasked to conduct an annual performance
review of the System President. The Board President met with a wide variety of individuals
and stakeholders including, Regents, Chancellors and other members of the Universities
of Wisconsin communities. Regent leadership then shared the results of that review with
President Rothman. This process consisted of multiple meetings with the full Board of
Regents, including direct conversations and clear feedback regarding leadership
expectations.

President Rothman was not without notice, nor was this process sudden. The Board has
engaged with President Rothman in good-faith discussions over the past several months.
This does not diminish the President’s many contributions, which we acknowledge and
greatly appreciate. As an at-will employee of the Board of Regents, the System President
serves at the pleasure of the Board, which bears the responsibility of determining whether
its chosen leader continues to hold its confidence. This governance structure is standard
practice, and it exists to ensure that we remain accountable to the public we are honored
to serve.

At a time of profound change in higher education, this decision is about the future. The
Universities of Wisconsin must be led with a clear vision that both protects and
strengthens our flagship, supports our comprehensive universities, and ensures we are
meeting the evolving needs of our students, workforce, and communities across all 72
counties.

The Board will meet on April 7, 2026, at 5:00pm to consider next steps with that
responsibility firmly in mind.

Polls will be open on Tuesday, April 7 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. A photo ID is required. Same-day registration is available. Proof of residence is required for registration, and the voter must have lived in the residence for at least the previous 28 days.

Anyone may enter their address at this website to confirm the races on their ballot and their polling place. The city will have two polling places, the Downtown Armory and the University Center on the UW-Whitewater campus. There will be no charge for parking at the university in lots 12 or 12A.

All city residents will have the following contested races on their ballot:
Justice of the Supreme Court
Whitewater Unified School District School Board Members (four candidates for three seats)
City of Whitewater Council Member At Large

City residents in Districts 2 and 4 also have a contested race for Common Council member.

Absentee ballots must be received by Tuesday at 8 p.m. Voters wishing to deliver an absentee ballot on Tuesday must bring it to the Community Room on the first floor of the Municipal Building, 312 W. Whitewater St.

This Easter, we’re seeing what happens when a community begins to come together around something meaningful.

Across Walworth County, real progress is underway.

Whitewater: A Strong Start

Excavation began this past week at 214 E. Main Street in Whitewater [shown above], marking the first visible step toward two new workforce homes for local families. To recognize this moment, we invite you to join us for a ground blessing: Thursday, April 9 at 4:30 p.m. 214 E. Main Street, Whitewater. If you’d like to attend, RSVP here.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Habitat for Humanity Walworth County.

On May 1st you can give a little bit of joy to someone special. The Whitewater Lions Club is hosting their annual May Day Basket fundraiser. For $5 your recipient will receive a paper basket containing a paper flower and assorted candy. The order form is in Google Docs, address below; please fill out one form per delivery address. Orders due by 4/25, and are limited to addresses in the Whitewater School District. Orders will be delivered on Friday May 1 approximately between 7-8 am. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclIWXHrn8bk676ZwPx9m_IvA_h7X1EFFxigH88pl7HBwPJfg/viewform?usp=dialog