News

Starting this Saturday, the Wisconsin National Guard is returning to Jefferson County to help boost access to testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. 

PCR testing will be available at the Jefferson County Health Department every Saturday from Sept. 25 to Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Jefferson County Health Department is located at 1541 Annex Road, Jefferson.

Pre-registration at https://register.covidconnect.wi.gov is recommended, but not required. Anyone 12 months of age or older is eligible for testing. 

County health officials say that persons with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested, regardless of vaccination status. Those who get tested because they have symptoms or were potentially exposed to the virus should stay away from others pending test results and follow the advice of their health-care provider or a public health professional. 

The following individuals should get tested: 

• People who have symptoms of COVID-19.

• People who have had a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

• People who are fully vaccinated should get tested three to five days after exposure, and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.

• People who are not fully vaccinated should quarantine and be tested immediately after being identified, and, if negative, tested again in five to seven days after last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop during quarantine.

• People not fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine who are prioritized for expanded community screening for COVID-19.

• People not fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine who have been asked or referred to get testing by their school, workplace, healthcare provider, state, tribal, or local health department.

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past three months and recovered, as long as they do not develop new symptoms, do not need to get tested after a known exposure to COVID-19.

Health officials remind the public that COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at preventing illness, hospitalization and death. 

“Wisconsin surveillance data clearly support this and show the surge in COVID-19 cases continues to be driven by cases among people who are not fully vaccinated,” said Jefferson County epidemiologist Samroz Jakvani. “Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19.”

To find a COVID-19 vaccination site, visit www.vaccines.gov, text your zip code to 438829, or call 211. 

People also may call (844) 684-1064 or (800) 232-0233. 

Many pharmacies (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, or your local pharmacy chain) might offer walk-in vaccinations. Call ahead to ensure availability. 

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Young Auditorium.

Whitewater’s premier performing arts facility prepares for a full schedule of LIVE in-person events.

The time is here! With an exciting new season about to begin, tickets are NOW on sale for
all Young Auditorium 2021-2022 season performances. Join us for live concerts, comedy shows, professional
theatre, family friendly entertainment and more as Whitewater’s premier performing arts center returns with an
amazing performance lineup.

Young Auditorium season highlights include a side-splitting comedy show from Wisconsin’s own Charlie
Berens, and the triumphant return of a Young Auditorium favorite, the Church Basement Ladies. With
additional performances by rock supergroup The Hit Men, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers (not peppers), the
National Players Theatre and more…there truly is something for everyone. There’s even a performance by
America’s Got Talent finalists Catapult: Magic Shadows and That Golden Girls Show, an adults-only
salute to the classic television show…using puppets!

To purchase your tickets TODAY, or for a complete listing of season performances including dates, times, and
ticket prices, please visit the Young Auditorium website at www.youngauditorium.com.
• The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra performance scheduled for October 2nd has transitioned from a
ticketed event to a MEMBER EXCLUSIVE concert. This event will not be open to the general public.
• The EmiSunshine performance originally scheduled for October 7th has been postponed. A new date will be announced shortly.

Social distancing measures are currently in place for all performances. Please visit the War Hawks Are Back! website,
which outlines operating practices for the UW-Whitewater campus. Modifications of these practices should be anticipated. UW-Whitewater will continue to use information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of Wisconsin, county health departments and the University of Wisconsin System to guide the decision-making processes across campuses. Banner note: As is indicated on the above website, currently facial coverings are required at the auditorium as part of the UW-W campus. Ticketholders should plan to check the website for possible changes before each performance.

Young Auditorium 2021-2022 Season-At-A-Glance
MARQUEE PERFORMANCES
The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra – Member Exclusive Concert – Saturday, October 2
Catapult: Magic Shadows – Wednesday, November 3, 2021 – 7:30pm
Charlie Berens – Saturday, November 6, 2021 – 7:30pm
Griffin Theatre: Letters Home – Tuesday, November 9, 2021 – 7:30pm
Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas – Sunday, December 12, 2021 – 3:00pm & 7:00pm
Mamma Mia! Sing Along Film – Saturday, January 22, 2022 – 3:00pm
John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party – Friday, February 11, 2022 – 7:30pm
Church Basement Ladies: 20th Anniversary Tour – Sunday, February 27, 2022 – 2:00pm & 6:00pm
Red Hot Chilli Pipers – Thursday, March 31, 2022 – 7:30pm
That Golden Girls Show – Sunday, April 10, 2022 – 7:30pm
Borealis Dance: id.ego – Tuesday, April 12, 2022 – 7:30pm
National Players Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Tuesday, April 19, 2022 – 7:30pm
National Players Theatre: A Raisin In The Sun – Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 7:30pm
The Hit Men – Saturday, April 30, 2022 – 7:30pm
Emi Sunshine – Rescheduled Date TBD

FAMILY SHOWS
Magic Morgan & Lilliana – Saturday, October 9, 2021 – 3:00pm
The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) – Sunday, November 14, 2021 – 3:00pm
Florentine Children’s Opera: Hansel & Gretel – Sunday, January 23, 2022 – 3:00pm
Missoula Children’s Theatre Residency & Show – Saturday, February 5, 2022 – 2:00pm
Family Fun Day – Saturday, February 12, 2022 – 1:00pm
School House Rock LIVE! – Friday, February 18, 2022 – 6:30pm
The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Saturday, April 23, 2022 – 3:00pm

Once again, tickets for all Young Auditorium 2021-2022 performances can be purchased online at
http://www.youngauditorium.com. Tickets will also be available by phone (262-472-2222) or in-person or at the
main box office located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts atrium on the UW-Whitewater campus.
UW Whitewater Ticket Services
950 West Main Street – located inside the Greenhill Center of the Arts –
(262) 472-2222
(Hours: Monday – Friday 9:30am – 3pm)

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the office of the governor. Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Navy Fireman First Class Kenneth E. Doernenburg Who Lost His Life During the Attack on Pearl Harbor

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Executive Order #133 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021, in honor of Navy Fireman First Class Kenneth E. Doernenburg, who lost his life during the attack on Pearl Harbor.   “As Navy Fireman First Class Kenneth E. Doernenburg is finally laid to rest in the place he once called home, we reflect on and remember his sacrifice in service to our country,” said Gov. Evers. “We honor his memory and join in mourning his loss.”  Navy Fireman First Class Kenneth E. Doernenburg, assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, lost his life on Dec. 7, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The ship, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, was attacked by Japanese aircraft and sustained multiple torpedo hits that quickly capsized the boat, claiming the lives of 429 crewmen, including Navy Fireman First Class Kenneth E. Doernenburg. Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew between 1941 and 1944 and interred unidentified remains, including those of Navy Fireman First Class Kenneth E. Doernenburg, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) exhumed USS Oklahoma Unknowns in 2015 for scientific analysis and possible identification and the DPAA laboratory identified Navy Fireman First Class Kenneth E. Doernenburg, who was accounted for on March 25, 2021.   Navy Fireman First Class Kenneth E. Doernenburg will be laid to rest with full military honors at Elmwood Cemetery in his hometown of Antigo, Wisconsin on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021.

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

The City of Whitewater’s prospective attempts to regulate where convicted sex offenders can reside after being released from prison got an initial review at the September 21 Common Council meeting. A draft ordinance was distributed with potential passage of a sex offender residency ordinance as early as the next scheduled Common Council meeting.

City Attorney Wally McDonell advised council members that although Wisconsin requires convicted sex offenders to register with the state it allows individual communities to decide if they want to pass ordinances regulating where a convicted sexual offender may live within a given community. The City of Whitewater does not currently have such an ordinance.

The draft ordinance included several potential components designating specific “child safety zones” where sexual offenders would be prohibited from taking up residence. It also would prohibit residency by a convicted sex offender who was not a city resident at the time that his or her offense occurred. State and federal requirements allow for a convicted sex offender to return to the community in which they resided at the time of the offense.

Consideration of a sex offender residency ordinance was initially suggested by the Whitewater Police Department. The department reported the results of a preliminary review indicating that roughly 150 Wisconsin municipalities have sexual offender residency ordinances. That compares to the 600 individual city and village members reported by the Wisconsin League of Municipalities. It was suggested that communities that lack a sex offender residency ordinance may experience a disproportionate influx of released sex offenders.

City Attorney McDonell urged careful review of the proposed ordinance and pointed to the potential liability if the city passed an overly restrictive ordinance that could be challenged on US Constitutional grounds.

The issue first arose at the September 7 Common Council meeting and several people provided public input at that time. The ability to provide input electronically at the September 21 meeting was hampered because the meeting was not able to be livestreamed on smart phone or computer. The meeting was broadcast on cable and the recording is available to be viewed on the city website.

In other business a request from Johns Disposal for a 4.4% rate increase for garbage pick-up was approved, the lakes drawdown project was reported as being on schedule, and the Landmarks Commission presented a report with concerns regarding the upkeep of the Effigy Mounds Preserve, located west of Indian Mound Parkway, and the potential need to relocate visitor pathways. Parks & Recreation Director Eric Boettcher is researching requirements and options and will report back.

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Our thanks to Tom Ganser for generously sharing these photos.

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by The League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area.

 The League of Women Voters-Whitewater Area is excited to again be part of a national effort to strengthen our democracy on National Voter Registration Day, Tuesday September 28, 2021! We are holding three tabling events that day: 

• 10AM-3PM, Irvin L. Young Memorial Library (431 W. Center Street, Whitewater)
• 1PM – 3PM, Dwight Foster Public Library (209 Merchants Avenue, Fort Atkinson)
• 4PM- 7PM, Whitewater City Market at the Train Depot (301 W. Whitewater Street, Whitewater)

League volunteers will be handing out voting informational materials, plus registration and absentee ballot request forms as needed. National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan nationwide event seeking to increase civic participation by encouraging Americans to register to vote and making sure everyone has the opportunity to vote. 

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!

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Tilla’s Next Ride.

Come on out to a Brat Fest Fundraiser! 

Being held in conjunction with the Whitewater Lake Pop-Up Market this Saturday, September 25th, the market runs from 10 am to 2 pm and we’ll be cooking up brats and hot dogs from 11 am – 1 pm!  Have fun while we raise funds for Tilla’s Next Ride!

Help Support the Paws that Enforce the Laws
Whitewater’s K-9 Police Unit is Funded by the Community, for the Community

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

Needy families in Whitewater will soon have their choice of organic edible pumpkins and squash courtesy of the Whitewater Kiwanis sponsored Middle School ‘Builders Club.’

Roughly three dozen Whitewater Middle Schoolers under the direction of Associate Principal and Kiwanis member Ben Holzem harvested the produce Wednesday September 22. After washing and inspection, the produce will be available at the Whitewater Community Space on East Milwaukee Street as early as this weekend.

Local organic farmer Rollie Cooper, another Whitewater Kiwanis member, provided equipment, seeds and oversight on the project. The pumpkins are mostly New England pie pumpkins which can provide both family fun as Jack-O-Lanterns and as a food source.

“The Builders Club provides our students with the opportunity of getting out into our community and serving others,” said Holzem. “We are finding that it promotes leadership and good citizenship, and we are genuinely proud of them and their efforts.” The group has 56 active members. Not all were able to attend Wednesday’s harvest because of other after school activities.

The Whitewater Kiwanis Club is made up of volunteers interested helping children in the Whitewater community and the world. Along with supporting the Builders Club, the WHS Key Club, and a UW-Whitewater auxiliary group they have been instrumental in providing hundreds of thousands of dollars in projects that benefit area children and enhance Whitewater’s quality of life.

Incoming Whitewater Kiwanis Club President Patrick Taylor stressed that 100 percent of funds raised go directly to projects with no raised funds used for administrative costs.  Each year, the club distributes approximately $20,000, with over half going to various Whitewater Unified School District programs.

Funds are raised through annual Pancake Breakfasts that have been served continuously since the 1950s along with yearly poinsettia and lily plant sales. The club is currently looking for additional members.

The Whitewater Kiwanis will be offering a free-will offering drive-through Pancake Breakfast sale this Saturday at the Whitewater City Armory on North Street in Downtown Whitewater. More information can be found on the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club Facebook page.