Team #1 from Whitewater that will be competing in the 2nd Annual Walworth County Pro/Am Culinary Showdown in January had the opportunity to work with talented Chef Nico from Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan. They prepared food, learned new techniques, and expanded their culinary skills. Thank you to Chef Nico for providing this opportunity.
Team #1 with Chef Nico from Lake Lawn Resort
Team #2 from Whitewater created culinary art with Chef Stephen from the Delavan Yacht Club on Tuesday, December 16. A huge thank you to Chef Stephen for taking time out of his day to work with our team and teach them culinary tips and tricks. It was a great experience for them.
Today, Dr. Paul J. McGraw announces his candidacy for the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing District 43. McGraw, a veterinarian with over 35 years’ experience in practice, with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection as the Assistant and then State Veterinarian, as Manager of Medical clinics and as a small business owner is running to bring principled, common-sense leadership to Madison.
“I am proud to call Wisconsin home and am excited to serve the people of the 43rd District by working to ensure a brighter future for our communities,” said McGraw. “I believe that fiscal responsibility, accountability of our schools and government, along with public and neighborhood safety are key to keeping the 43rd Assembly District as well as Wisconsin strong.”
“With high cost of living and economic uncertainty, we must ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely,” continued McGraw. “I will fight for hardworking families, support policies that encourage economic growth, and stand up for limited, responsive government in Madison and the 43rd District.
“I look forward to traveling the district, listening to voters, and learning more about the challenges and opportunities facing families, businesses, and communities across this district,” said McGraw.
McGraw has lived in the Town of Richmond, Walworth County, Wisconsin, for 29 years, where he resides with his wife.
To learn more about Dr. Paul J. McGraw’s campaign for Wisconsin’s State Assembly District 43, please visit www.votePaulMcGraw.com
Editor’s note: This press release was submitted by McGraw4Assembly. The 43rd District includes the City of Whitewater and most of our nearby towns, with the exception of LaGrange.
Editor’s note: A press release from the Walworth County Clerk on December 15 announced that Sheriff David Gerber [a City of Whitewater resident] had filed non-candidacy papers indicating that it is not his intention to run for the Sheriff’s Office in the November 3, 2026 election. The release concluded, “Those interested in running for County offices may contact the Walworth County Clerk’s Office. The deadline for filing the Campaign Registration Statement, Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination papers [for Sheriff] is 5:00 p.m., June 1, 2026.”
In response to The Banner’s inquiry as to whether he would care to make a statement related to this decision, Sheriff Gerber provided the following.
“It has been an honor to serve as the Walworth County Sheriff over the past 3 years. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity. We have a great team here at the Sheriff’s Office, and I am proud to serve with each of them. We honor our mission statement daily to protect and serve the citizens of Walworth County. Throughout my tenure, I have remained committed to my oath and worked diligently to ensure our County remains a safe place to live and work. Over the past three years, our agency has accomplished a great deal, and we take pride in the high level of service we provide. Cooperatively, all law enforcement and first responders in Walworth County dedicate themselves daily in service to our communities. Our first Sheriff took office in 1839, and last year was our 185th anniversary. I am proud to be a part of our agency’s legacy as your 44th Sheriff; however, I will not be seeking re-election next year. I plan to retire at the end of this term, having served the citizens of Walworth County for nearly 32 years throughout my career.”
The Banner asked Sheriff Gerber what accomplishments he is most proud of thus far in his tenure, and he gave this response: “Accomplishments have been the work our team has done on many significant projects, such as the completion of the deputy assigned squad program, the completion of the new digital radio system for dispatch, police, fire, EMS, and DPW throughout the whole County, PEER support for our staff, and filling many vacancies in all areas of the Sheriff’s Office.”
Whitewater Community Drumming Circle Thursday 1:15 p.m.
Mark your calendars…..the next Community Drum Circle with Christine Hayes is set for this Thursday…12/18 at 1:15 pm in Olm Fellowship Hall at Fairhaven, 435 W. Starin Road. All skill levels and ages are welcomed. We hope to see a full room!
(Left to Right) Realtor Jenna Moe with Jenna Moe Homes, Recipients Joseph Hallock & Emma Mitchell; Mason Becker, City of Whitewater (Left to Right) Realtor Jonathan Marshall with Tincher Realty; Mortgage Loan Officer Andres Morales with Fort Community Credit Union; Advanced Program Specialist RoxAnne Witte with Jefferson County At Home Housing Counseling & Education; Realtor Liz Kostroski with NextHome Success; Recipient Manuel Mendez; Mason Becker, City of Whitewater
The Community Development Authority (CDA), the economic development organization for the City of Whitewater, exists to encourage and assist development in the City that creates jobs, increases the tax base, and improves quality of life in the community. In addition to offering multiple programs to help businesses grow, the CDA also offers a Down Payment Assistance Loan Program for first-time home buyers.
Earlier this month, two families [pictured above] moved closer to making their dream of owning a home a reality. They each received funds from the Loan Program which helped towards their down payment.
Mason Becker, Community Development Director says, “The City of Whitewater showed tremendous foresight in using Affordable Housing Extension funds from the closure of a Tax Increment District to support the Down Payment Assistance Program. We are proud to be able to work with local lenders, such as Fort Community Credit Union, to help make the home ownership dream a reality, along with bringing more residents into the Whitewater community. Nine individuals and families have already been assisted by this program, and we’re looking forward to helping many more achieve home ownership.”
City of Whitewater DPA Program Details: Loan to support purchase of single-family home for use as borrower’s primary residence. Loan is 0% interest. Repayment of the loan is deferred until the home is sold or is no longer the borrower’s primary residence. The maximum amount allowed for a second mortgage through the Homebuyer Program is $25,000 and may be applied to lender-required down payment.
Borrower Requirements: Meet program income guidelines. Be mortgage ready and able to secure affordable superior mortgage loan from a bank, credit union, USDA Rural Development, or another conventional lender. Must qualify for a conventional loan through a reputable lender. Land Contract purchase does not qualify. To increase the probability that a house payment will remain affordable, the first mortgage used to purchase a home must be a fixed rate mortgage. To be eligible for the Down Payment Assistance, applicants must have a combined household income of 100% or less of current HUD Income Limits by county (see HUD Income Limits Chart found through the link at the bottom of the article).
Property Requirements: Home must be move in-ready and meet Housing Quality Standards at the time of purchase. Property value must not exceed HUD established county limits. Must be fee simple title at purchase. Homes that qualify for Down Payment Assistance can be stick built, modular, new manufactured or condominium on a permanent foundation. A home on a rented or leased lot does not qualify.
City of Whitewater property owners recently received a tax bill which, in nearly all cases, reflects a significant increase in city and school district property taxes. (The only exception would be if the assessed value of the property declined significantly.) The city has released a video which seeks to explain the tax increase, which is almost entirely a result of the police and fire/EMS referendum which passed last April. The video may be viewed here.
County residents and staff family members recently had a unique opportunity to tour the Jefferson County Courthouse upon completion of a multi-year renovation project. Guests at the November 12 Open House were encouraged to meet with design/construction, facilities, and county representatives; view maps, floor plans, and photographs; and enjoy a self-guided tour through the building.
The renovation added approximately 33,000 square feet of office, meeting, and mechanical space on the north, east, and south sides of the Courthouse, including expanded capabilities for the Jefferson County 911 Call Center and the Emergency Management Command Center, additional court hearing rooms, and a larger area for Geographic Information System (GIS) services.
More than 120,000 square feet of existing space was remodeled, with objectives to modernize furnishings, fixtures, and mechanical/electrical systems to gain efficiencies and maximize functionality for staff and residents. Related County departments are now located in shared suites, allowing for improved customer experience.
“It was wonderful to meet and visit with our constituents as they explored the renovated Courthouse,” said Michael Luckey, Jefferson County Administrator. “This location has been home to the County Courthouse since 1880, with the last major building update completed in 1966. The latest updates position us to serve the people of Jefferson County effectively both now and into the future.”
For additional information about the Jefferson County Courthouse, please contact John Fox, Director of Facilities Management, at JFox@jeffersoncountywi.gov or 920-674-7322.
We were thrilled to have 25 Little Dribblers (K-1st grade) and 25 Shooting Stars (2nd-3rd grade) participate in our six-week basketball clinic this year. Both groups worked hard throughout the year on basic basketball skills. All participants improved on their listening, dribbling, passing, defense, rebounding and shooting skills. The highlight of the clinic occurred when all participants demonstrated their skills at halftime of the Boys basketball game on December 5 against Jefferson. The Little Dribblers and Shooting Stars also had the chance to root for two of their coaches, Casey and Matt, as they led the Whippets to a great win over Jefferson.
Coach Bob stated: “If the Little Dribblers and Shooting Stars continue their dedication and positive work ethic regarding basketball practice and games, the future of boys and girls basketball will be very bright!”
The coaches and Whitewater Park District also want to extend a large THANK YOU to all the parents who helped with practices and supported these young basketball players.
We hope to see all of the kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders back next year. We wish our 3rd graders best of luck as they join traveling basketball.
The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) is excited to announce a Call for Art for the 3rd Annual Artrageous Birds Juried Exhibition, a celebration of creativity inspired by the beauty and spirit of birds. This juried exhibition welcomes artists from the local and regional community to submit original work in both traditional and digital mediums.
The exhibition will run from Thursday, March 5 through Sunday, March 29, 2026 at the WAA Cultural Arts Center Gallery 402 W. Main St., Whitewater. All accepted works will also be displayed online, offering artists the opportunity to reach a wide audience.
As a juried exhibition, all entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges, and accepted works will be eligible for cash awards. A Best of Show award of $250 will be presented, along with first, second, and third place prizes in both the Traditional and Digital Salons. Additional honors such as Viewer’s Choice, Public’s Choice, and Honorable Mentions will also be awarded.
Artists may submit work in the following categories: Traditional Salon: Painting, drawing, illustration, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, 3D art, and photography. Digital Salon: Digital painting, drawing, illustration, mixed media, and photography.
Submissions are now open and close on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Notifications of acceptance will be sent on Monday, February 9, 2026. Accepted works for the Traditional Salon must be delivered to the gallery on Tuesday, March 3 (4 pm-6 pm) or Wednesday, March 4 (12 pm-4 pm). Artwork pick-up will take place on Monday, March 30 (4 pm-6 pm).
“This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for artists to share their creativity and connect with audiences both in Whitewater and beyond,” said Exhibit Co-Chair Emily Painter. Exhibit Chair, Jeff McDonald added, “By expanding the mediums, welcoming regional artists, and offering cash awards, we are creating a vibrant showcase that reflects the diversity of artistic expression in our community.”
Gallery Hours: Thursdays-Sundays, 12 pm-4 pm Please Note: The gallery is closed outside of Gallery Exhibit Hours except for special events and is also closed when no show is currently running.
“20 Years Of Celebrating The Arts And Creating Community!”
On Saturday, December 13, the Whitewater Wrestling Team hosted the 14th Annual Whitewater Invitational involving 12 teams from around the area. After coming close over the years, for first time in the 14 years of hosting the tournament, the Whippet Wrestling Team found themselves in first place, outdistancing Waterford.
Individually the team had many great performances throughout the day with lots of pins along the way.
Leading the way were three champions in George Christon going 3-0, Gabe Crane going 5-0, and Brady Friend going 5-0. This was the first high school tournament championship for all three of these young men. George had 2 pins, Brady 4 pins, and Gabe pinned all 5 of his opponents. George came out really motivated after a tough loss on Thursday night and was on a mission. Gabe also was on a mission and was focused on doing what he does best in his victories. Brady has shown more confidence each time he steps on the mat, and he is fun to watch.
Brady FriendGabe CraneGeorge Christon
Coming in as runner ups after making the finals were Alex Morales, Dahlton Vogel, and Austin Retzlaff, with all 3 of them going 4-1 on the day. Alex showed some great technique and persistence in a couple of close matches during the day coming out on top. He learned how to fight through adversity in the semi-finals to win his match, eventually by pin. Dahlton wrestled very well all day before running into a tough opponent from Janesville Craig. Finally, Austin won a tight match in the quarter finals and then came out on top of a very tough competitor in the semifinals before falling in the finals to a strong student from Kenosha Bradford.
Coming in 4th place and just missing out on the podium were Julio Avelino, Duli Balazi, Max Babcock, and Deavion Olson. Each of these students wrestled well but just missed out on the podium.
Great work to the entire wrestling team on a great job on Saturday. Also thank you to the many hands that made this tournament run so smoothly.
The team is next in action on Tuesday night, December 16, when they host East Troy in a Rock Valley Conference match up. Both teams are 1-0 in the conference so come out and support the Whippet Wrestling Team!
Article Submitted by John Schimming Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach jschimming@wwusd.org Photos Courtesy of Cora Schimming
