News

UW-Whitewater will open various facilities as cooling centers in response to the heat advisory issued in Rock and Walworth counties.

The National Weather Service issued the advisory for Thursday and Friday as temperatures are expected to reach the 90s with the heat index reaching 100 degrees, according to a news release.

These facilities will be air conditioned and open to the public:

• James R. Connor University Center, 228 Wyman Mall, Whitewater, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday.
• Andersen Library, 141 Wyman Mall, Whitewater, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday and 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday.
• Williams Center, 907 W. Schwager Drive, Whitewater, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday.
• UW-Whitewater at Rock County campus, 2909 Kellogg Ave., Janesville, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Friday.

The Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, Inc. is proud to announce that the Whitewater Police Department has joined a growing number of First Responders to have earned the Purple Angel Award.

This award is in recognition of the police department’s commitment to becoming as educated as possible as it relates to law enforcement response to those who suffer from dementia. The Whitewater Police Department extends their sincerest gratitude to the dedicated people who provide such valuable training throughout the greater Whitewater area.

One of the principal purposes for the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, Inc. is providing free training programs to those who live and work in Walworth County, as well as businesses and organizations serving Walworth County residents, affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s and their caregivers including churches, police, fire, and EMT’s.

“We see a lot of value in the information and would recommend the training for any other public services entities,” stated Chief Aaron Raap.

WPD recognizes the need to serve our growing population of over 65-year-olds. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the estimated population for those with Alzheimer’s/Dementia in Walworth county will be over 2,100 in the year 2020. By 2040, it is estimated that number will have grown to over 4,400. It is important to know that Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging; however, aging is a risk factor. By age 85, one in three people are expected to have Alzheimer’s/Dementia.

Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, Inc.’s mission is to provide a safe haven that will allow those with dementia and Alzheimer’s to live as independently as possible. A dementia friendly community is where individuals with dementia live good lives, continue to be part of their community, are met with understanding, and are given support where necessary. This enables those with dementia to safely find their way around the community, access local facilities that they are used to and are known and maintain their social networks as they continue to feel they belong. It eases the fear and isolation associated with dementia and increases access to the resources people need to live well with dementia. It is also treating the person with dementia with dignity and respect. They did not ask for this disease.

For more information, contact Walworth County Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, Inc. President Bernadette Russow or Secretary/Treasurer Eric Russow at (262) 320-7325 or dfcwalworth@gmail.com.

The City of Whitewater provides efficient and high quality services which support living, learning, playing and working in an exceptional community. Visit www.whitewater-wi.gov for community information and updates.

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Fee collection for the Whitewater elementary schools will be on Tuesday, August 13, and fee collection for the middle school and high school will take place on Thursday, August 15.

League of Women Voters-Whitewater Area

Biennial Garage Sale

Friday, July 19: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday, July 20: 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Bill & Sue Chandler’s Home- 414-630-3597

369 Lakeview Drive, Whitewater

Two Days of Bargains!

Make an offer: donate what you feel the item is worth!

(A few items are already priced.)

The proceeds will benefit the programming offered to the public for the next two years. League events are open to the public and traditionally are held every month of the school year.

Whitewater High School incoming senior Sophie Olson traveled to San Antonio at the end of June for the National Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Conference, accompanied by retired WHS Business Teacher and FBLA Advisor Mrs. Cindy Teal.

Sophie earned the right to compete nationally in Business Law after qualifying at the State FBLA Conference earlier this year.

In addition to attending the opening session and the Wisconsin state meeting, and competing in business law, Sophie Olson had the chance to visit the Tower of the Americas, built in the 1960s for the 1968 World Fair. The tower provides visitors the most spectacular view of the Alamo City. While in San Antonio for the National FBLA conference, Sophie also had the opportunity to tour the Alamo, spend time on the River Walk, and visit the Historic Market Square. 

The Whitewater Arts Alliance announced the award winners of the 10th Annual Fran Achen Photography Competition that runs through July 28 at the Cultural Arts Center on 402 West Main Street in Whitewater. Currently on display in the Cultural Arts Center Gallery are 111 photographs representing the work of 34 photographers from around southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

Jeff McDonald, Chair of the show and Whitewater Arts Alliance Board Member said, “The overall quality of the show is outstanding and there have been more positive comments than we could count. Thank you to the photographers who submitted their work. Thank you to our judges, Michael Flanagan and Gerald Emmerich, Jr., as well as to the many volunteers involved with the show and the gallery. Thank you to the Whitewater Arts Alliance for sponsoring the show.”

Some photos from the opening reception are up on the show’s web page at: www.whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2019

Congratulations to the award winners:

Best of Show: David Bueschel: “Once a Farm”

Accomplished – 1st Place: Gary Galger: “Desolation”
Accomplished – 2nd Place: Karl Mohr: “Freeport Area Farm”
Accomplished – 3rd Place: Cindy Vondran: “Twilight Mill”
Accomplished – Honorable Mention: William Eklund: “Dreamline”
Accomplished – Honorable Mention: William Eklund: “Mill Race”
Accomplished – Honorable Mention: Mary Ellsworth: “Spring Snow”
Accomplished – Honorable Mention: Gary Galger: “Geometry”
Accomplished – Honorable Mention: James E Meldrum: “The Cosmic Steam Engine”
Accomplished – Honorable Mention: Donald Parsons: “Micro Crystals #1”
Accomplished – Honorable Mention: Cindy Vondran: “Passing Time”

Amateur – 1st Place: Robert Buell: “Winter Trees”
Amateur – 2nd Place : Rita Carpenter: “Le Vieux”
Amateur – 3rd Place: Melanie Hayes: “Blooming Creek”
Amateur – Honorable Mention: David Bueschel: “Time Was”
Amateur – Honorable Mention: David Bueschel: “Jaguar”
Amateur – Honorable Mention: Ellen Mecca: “Batteries”
Amateur – Honorable Mention: Jason Miklik: “Ektachrome Composition #6”

Youth/Teen – 1st Place: Hogan Alexander: “Foggy Morning”
Youth/Teen – 2nd Place: Hannah Keziah C Agustin: “Downtown”
Youth/Teen – 3rd Place: Campbell Alexander: “Infectious Purple”
Youth/Teen – Honorable Mention: Campbell Alexander: “Raspberry Bloom”

Visitors to the show can still vote for their favorite photograph, and The Viewers’ Choice Award will be announced on the last day of the show after all the votes are counted. 

Fran Achen was a longtime Whitewater resident, teacher, and local photographer. He is most remembered for his photographic collection which chronicles the history of Whitewater.

The mission of the Whitewater Arts Alliance is to promote the visual and performing arts through an alliance of artists, individuals, educational resources, and organizations to promote creativity and diversity that will serve to educate and enrich the lives of the residents of the Whitewater community and surrounding areas.

Contact: Jeff McDonald, 262-473-5086

Students enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater are receiving an exceptional academic experience at the most affordable cost among the state’s public, four-year universities.

Today, the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents approved student fees as well as room-and-board costs for the 2019-20 academic year as part of the system’s operating budget. Factoring in tuition, fees, and room and board, UW-Whitewater is the best value in the UW System – a distinction it has held for at least five years.

Students save thousands of dollars on books by using the university’s textbook rental program – the largest in Wisconsin – covering 95 percent of students’ textbook needs. Students living in the residence halls have access to free printing and laundry. To ensure students are successful and stay on track to graduate on time, UW-Whitewater provides tutoring services free of charge for all students.

UW-Whitewater’s segregated fees are the lowest among all the campuses.

“We take pride in being responsible stewards of the funds entrusted to us,” said Interim Chancellor Cheryl Green. “UW-Whitewater has invested this money very wisely to enhance the student experience with outstanding programming and gorgeous facilities to make our campus a true ‘home’ where students can learn, live and work.”

Even though UW-Whitewater is implementing a slight increase to room-and-board rates, the campus remains the most cost-effective choice.

This fall, a new residence hall will open, featuring many amenities that today’s students desire in on-campus living.

“Our new residence hall will offer extensive kitchen options, as well as spaces for group work and socialization, including computer labs. In keeping with our campus mission, the hall was constructed with universal design principles to serve students with disabilities. We are excited to offer this modern residence hall experience to our students,” Green said.

UW-Whitewater was recently named the safest campus in Wisconsin, another important aspect of the student experience.

With more than 20 years of experience in delivering online college courses to students from Wisconsin and around the world, UW-Whitewater was ranked No. 6 in the top 30 online education programs in the United States by EDSmart.org. The University of Michigan was ranked No. 1.

EDSmart.org said this about UW-Whitewater’s online offerings: Online programs for undergraduates at UW-Whitewater include a Bachelor of Business Administration in economics, general business, finance or management. There is also a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies as well as one in political science. A unique bachelor’s degree program is one in law enforcement. The latter degree is for veteran police officers with three years of experience who already possess an Associate of Arts in criminology. The program is designed to allow officers to work at a pace that does not overwhelm them. There is also a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.

“Our online programs have been stellar for more than two decades,” said Interim Chancellor Cheryl Green. “These alternative forms of delivery are important not only for the level of excellence they offer, but also to allow students to take classes when it is convenient for them. UW-Whitewater’s online programs serve traditional college-age students, and also allow returning students to start a degree program or finish one they began earlier in their educational career.”

UW-Whitewater continues to expand its online offerings to serve the needs of students who are looking for an exceptional education at a reasonable price.

The retention rate for online students is 78 percent with a graduation rate of 62 percent.

According to EdSmart, “EDsmart’s ranking of the best online colleges in the U.S. is the most comprehensive and well-rounded to date. The ranking includes only fully accredited schools. Rankings are based on affordability and return on investment, while also considering factors such as graduation and retention rates according to NCES College Navigator reporting.”

“As online college classes become more prevalent, it is important to recognize the colleges and universities that go above and beyond,” said Tyson Stevens, managing editor of EDsmart. “Our goal is to highlight these schools and their commitment to higher education.”

“The Best Online Colleges ranking allows students to compare accredited programs and find those that best fit their education interests and career goals,” said EDsmart’s spokesperson. “Beyond providing affordable education, a college is not successful if it does not graduate its students, which is why EDsmart rankings place a high value on outcomes, including graduation and retention rates.”

The Whitewater Arts Alliance, in partnership with Fairhaven Senior Services, First Citizens State Bank, Fort Community Credit Union, Olm & Associates, PremierBank, and John and Sandra Heyer will present The Brothers Quinn as the fifth and final performance of the 2019 concert series Savory Sounds at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 West Main Street from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, July 18. Attendees may bring their own lunch or purchase lunch from SweetSpot, the participating vendor, while they enjoy music.

The SweetSpot can take pre-orders for any of the cold sandwiches, wraps, and salads on their menu if orders are made by July 17 by calling 262-473-5080 (press #1 for the café). In addition, the SweetSpot will have a variety of three different wraps or salads available for purchase the day of the event: Pesto, Thai Peanut, and Greek, for $7 each. They will also have cookies, cupcakes and beverages available for sale. 

After enjoying the music and lunch, attendees are invited to explore the exhibits at the Cultural Arts Center. July features photography by the community to honor the late Fran Achen with the Tenth Annual Fran Achen Photography Competition.

The Cultural Arts Center is located on 402 West Main Street in the historic White building near the Birge Fountain. Parking is behind the building. An elevator is available for access from the parking lot entrance. 

The Lights for Liberty Vigil is part of a nationwide event on July 12th.  The Whitewater event will be held at the Cravath Lakefront Park from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. 

Lights for Liberty: A Nationwide Vigil to End Human Detention Camps is coming to Whitewater on Friday, July 12. The vigil will begin at 8:30 pm at Cravath Lakefront Park, and is expected to go until 9:30 pm, with participants joining a nationwide moment of silence at 9:00 pm.

Whitewater-area residents came together quickly to plan this event, which has a simple mission: to stand together, dedicated to human rights and the fundamental principle behind democracy that all human beings have a right to life, liberty and dignity. We are partnering with international, national, regional and local communities and organizations who believe that these fundamental rights are not negotiable and are willing to protect them.

Parking is available at Cravath Lakefront Park, and participants will gather in the NE part of the park that runs along Main Street, near the flags that honor U.S. military veterans. A few flameless candles will be available on-site, but participants are asked to bring their own if they have them.  

Lights for Liberty vigils are scheduled in more than 500 locations around the United States and the world, with new locations being added daily. A vigil will also be held in Fort Atkinson, with residents meeting at the Main Street bridge at 8:30pm. More information can be found at http://www.lightsforliberty.org.