News

Arts Alliance Call for Art: Artrageous Birds

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).

Artists can submit entries through ArtCall, accessible via the WAA website at whitewaterarts.org/artrageous-birds-2026-call. Discounts for WAA members and students are available.

“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.”

For more information, please contact Exhibit Co-Chairs Jeff McDonald at waa.franachen@gmail.com or Emily Painter at wwartsalliance@gmail.com, or Gallery Director Kim Adams at wwartsalliance@gmail.com or 608-201-2151.
Website: whitewaterarts.org
Facebook: facebook.com/wwartsalliance

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!”

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Happy Thanksgiving

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society, this week on a Thursday, so we can wish you all “Thanksgiving Greetings.” This early 20th century post card is another in our collection of holiday cards from this era. Once again, it features a turkey, a holiday tradition dating back over 100 years. We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

Winter Storm Watch Saturday: Early projection for our area – 6-11″ of snow

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Winter Storm Watch for all of Southern Wisconsin, effective in our area from 3 a.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. on Sunday. Total accumulation of 6-11′ appears possible. It is advised to avoid travel on Saturday if possible.

NCAA Football DIII 2nd Round Championship @ Perkins on Saturday

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will host DePauw University [Indiana] for the second round of the 2025 NCAA Division III Football Championship on Saturday, November 29. Kickoff at Perkins Stadium is set for 12 PM. 

RANKINGS
The Warhawks are ranked 14th in the most recent American Football Coaches Association Division III poll. UW-Whitewater is listed at 11 in the D3football.com poll. The Tigers’ are ranked 10th and 15th in the pair of national polls respectively. 

SERIES
Saturday will be the just the second meeting between UW-Whitewater and DePauw. The lone other matchup was also a NCAA Second Round game back in 2021. The Warhawks won that contest 45-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.

HOW WE GOT HERE
UW-Whitewater received an at-large bid into the NCAA Division Championship after tying for second in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this season.

DePauw finished as the runner-up in the North Coast Athletic Conference this season. The Tigers also claimed one of 13 at-large bids into the postseason. Both squads received a first round bye to set up Saturday’s second round matchup.

WATCH LIVE
All 2025 NCAA Football Championship preliminary round contests including Saturday’s game will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+ (subscription required). The game will not be available on local Charter channels [it appears not to be available on TDS either] or the WIAC Network. According to ESPN, coverage will begin promptly at noon. 

ON THE AIR
Fans can listen to Josh Golberg and Bill O’Leary with the call live on the radio on 105.9 FM The Hog in the Whitewater/Janesville area, or online at www.1059thehog.com.

PARKING
Fans are encouraged to purchase parking in advance for Saturday. Cash will not be accepted on gameday. Payment may be made with use of a QR code. Season parking pass holders will still have their designated space in Lot 24. 

You can purchase football parking online at Order Event Permit. Lot 24 is Sold Out, Lot 11 is $20 and all other general parking is $10.

TICKETS
Tickets [Adults $15, Age 65+ or Under 18, $10, Age 3 and under free] can be purchased online or at the ticket windows on gameday (cash will be accepted for ticket purchases on gameday). Season parking pass holders must purchase tickets for all NCAA contests. Students also must purchase tickets for NCAA contests. 

GAMEDAY INFO
Find all of the information you need for Gameday at The Perk in one place … Gameday Central..

As a reminder there was a change to the Bag Policy at Perkins Stadium last year and spectators are expected to follow this policy. Please review so that you are prepared on game day.  

If tailgating, or for other gameday questions, refer to Gameday Central.

City Trash Pickup Delayed Till Friday

John’s Disposal will be closed on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in observance of Thanksgiving Day.
Please note the following route change:

  • Thursday’s city route is delayed to Friday
  • Residents with questions may contact John’s Disposal at (262) 473-4700 or by email at
    office@johnsdisposal.com. Additional information is available at www.johnsdisposal.com.

Model UN Members Take Part in MADMUN Conference

Model UN members competed at the MADMUN conference at McFarland High School on Saturday, November 8th.They did great work! For many, this was their first time competing.

Model UN (Model United Nations) is a high school club where students act as delegates from different countries and simulate real UN meetings. Members research global issues, learn their assigned country’s viewpoints, and work with students from other schools to debate, negotiate, and create solutions. It’s a fun and engaging way to build public speaking, writing, and leadership skills while learning how international problems are solved.

Article and Photos Submitted by Greg Stewart and Liberty Cunningham
Whitewater High School Model UN Advisors
gstewart@wwusd.org

WHS Computer Programmers Compete at MSOE

The Whitewater High School Computer Programming Team competed at the annual Milwaukee School of Engineering Opportunity Conference on Friday, November 21. The competition hosted 43 teams of up to 4 students each from 12 high schools across Wisconsin and Illinois: Menomonee Falls, Jacobs, Glenbrook North, Janesville Parker, Crystal Lake, Janesville Craig, Homestead, Cedarburg, Whitnall, Oak Creek, Brookfield East, and Whitewater. Students could choose to code in either Python or Java during the 2.5 hour competition. WHS fielded two teams.

Rae Breisath, Emilie Bruns, Ace Hudec, Margaret Brown, Carson Miller, Silas Long, and Jayden Kehrer

Teams could use two laptops and choose to divide their time between solving a series of 10 coding challenges written by professors at MSOE. The problems were divided into 4 levels of difficulty – one 5-point problem, three 10-point problems, three 20-point problems, and three 40-point problems. A team from Menomonee Falls was the only group to correctly solve a 40-point problem, and placed first, scoring 83 out of the possible 215 points.

The team of Ace Hudec, Margaret Brown, Rae Breisath, and Emilie Bruns placed 16th out of 43, scoring 32 points. The team of Carson Miller, Silas Long, and Jayden Kehrer placed 21st out of 43, scoring 25 points. Scoring problems involves negative points, with teams losing 3 points each time they submit an incorrect solution. Final scores at the event ranged from the high of 83 to a low of negative 7.

Following the competition, students took part in a presentation by an MSOE professor titled, “Teaching AIs Teamwork.”

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Computer Science Teacher
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Dept. of Health Svces. Registered Nurse

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of  Wisconsin Department of Health Services Registered Nurse Tricia Ploessl 
 
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #280, ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Wed., Nov. 26, 2025, in honor of Tricia Ploessl, who unexpectedly passed away in the course of her work as a nurse clinician at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Central Wisconsin Center (CWC) facility, on Fri., Nov. 21, 2025, at the age of 45.

“By all accounts, Tricia was a devoted and talented nurse who was committed to providing the highest quality services to those in her care, and her sudden passing leaves a void in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her,” said Gov. Evers. “Kathy and I share our deepest condolences with Tricia’s husband and kids, as well as the abundance of loved ones, friends, and colleagues who had the privilege of knowing, loving, and working alongside her.”

Tricia graduated from Cassville High School in 1998 before going on to earn a degree in elementary education from Winona State University in Minnesota. Eventually returning to Wisconsin, Tricia began her career at Kids Express Learning Center in Madison while raising her own young family. With an intrinsic passion for helping others, Tricia went on to earn a nursing degree from Southwest Technical College before becoming a nurse clinician at the CWC, one of three facilities operated by DHS that offers short-term and residential services to assist people living with intellectual disabilities. Through her work at the CWC, Tricia was dedicated to providing high-quality care to her patients, offering guidance and support to those in her care so that they could gain the personal skills needed to reach their highest potential. Remembered for her gentle, steady, and unwavering care for others, Tricia was an advocate for all those in her care, and in her final act of generosity, she gave the gift of life through organ donation. Her legacy of kindness and spirit of giving lives on through her husband and daughters, as well as the abundance of friends, family, and loved ones who will all miss her dearly.

Services for Tricia Ploessl will be held on Wed., Nov. 26, 2025, in Lancaster.

100+ Local Children Waiting for Their Holiday Wishlists to Be Filled on Amazon

Over 100 Whitewater Children Still Waiting for Their Holiday Wishlists to Be Filled — Deadline December 8

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth County’s Holiday Helpers program is issuing an urgent call to the community. With the December 8 deadline quickly approaching, more than 100 Whitewater children still have unfilled holiday wishlists.

Holiday Helpers provides gifts and seasonal essentials to local children facing financial hardship, ensuring they feel seen, supported, and celebrated during the holidays. In addition to their wishlist item, each child will also receive a dental kit from Whitewater Family Dentistry, an age-appropriate book, gloves or mittens, and a Christmas stocking filled with goodies.

To make giving simple and stress-free, donors can shop directly from the Amazon wishlist:

Amazon Wishlist: https://a.co/8HxbqpM
Items are shipped directly to United Way for easy distribution.

“We’ve made the process incredibly easy for anyone who wants to help,” said Elizabeth Ellis, CEO of the United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth County. “With over 100 children still waiting, every gift—big or small—brings joy and reassurance to families who need it most.”

Community members, organizations, and businesses are encouraged to give or share the link so that all children can be supported by the December 8 cutoff.

For questions or additional ways to get involved, please contact United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth County at uwjnwc@gmail.com.

Together, let’s make sure every child in Whitewater feels the warmth and wonder of the season.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Alexa from Pixabay.