News

(Press release from Michele Smith, City Clerk – Nov. 20)

Each election, the Elections Commission selects certain districts to conduct an audit of the election machines.  What this means is that the ballots are hand counted, and hand-counted results are compared against those processed by the voting machines.

Whitewater’s Ward 12 was selected for audit for the November 3 election.  Ward 12 had 205 ballots cast at the Presidential election. (This ward is in Jefferson County and consists of University residence halls Wells, Wellers, Knilans and Tutt).

We will begin the audit process at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 22.  Yes, Sunday is correct, due to other scheduling commitments of the auditors.  The process is open to the public, however we ask that masks be worn by observers, and ask that social distancing take place.

If you have any questions, please call Clerk Michele Smith at 473-0102.

(WHS Facebook page – Nov. 19, 2020)

Dear WHS Families, The District adopted a plan requiring a school to shift to virtual instruction for three days after three positive COVID-19 cases are confirmed within a seven-day period. Unfortunately, we have confirmed three or more cases at Whitewater High School, and the building will be closed for in-person attendance Friday. The building will be left vacant on Friday and Saturday and deep cleaned on Sunday. In-person instruction will resume on Monday.

Contact Tracing:Upon receiving the notification and confirmation, the school conducted initial contact tracing and has contacted any students or staff who were directly impacted by close contact via phone. If you did not receive a call, you were not a close contact.

Banner note: The complete message may be viewed on the WHS Facebook page.

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Estimadas familias de WHS, El Distrito adoptó un plan que requiere que una escuela cambie a la instrucción virtual durante tres días después de que se confirmen tres casos positivos de COVID-19 en un período de siete días. Desafortunadamente, hemos confirmado tres o más casos en la Escuela Preparatoria de Whitewater, y el edificio se cerrará a la asistencia en persona el viernes. El edificio quedará vacío el viernes y el sábado y se limpiará a fondo el domingo. La instrucción en persona se reanudará el lunes.Rastreo de contactos: Al recibir la notificación y confirmación, la escuela realizó el rastreo de contactos iniciales y ha contactado por teléfono a los estudiantes o personal que fueron afectados directamente por el contacto cercano. Si no recibió una llamada, no fue un contacto cercano.

Featured image courtesy of Tom Ganser

(Discover Whitewater Series press release) — The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon and 5k held its eighth annual race on Sunday, September 20, 2020. This year’s race held new challenges that had not been experienced before. To keep the safety of all runners and volunteers in mind, participation was limited to 300 runners and social distancing was required during the whole event. Despite this change, the DWS was able to raise $21,000 to donate to charity this year. In the past eight years, the DWS has been able to donate $204,500 to its charity partners. 

The DWS partners with five local charities: Working for Whitewater’s Wellness, Bethel House, Whitewater Unified School District, Whitewater LEADS and J-Hawk Aquatic Club. The $21,000 was split up between these charities and each was given $4,200. “We are so excited to be able to give so much back to the Whitewater community,” DWS Executive Director Jeffery Knight said. “Despite all of the challenges of this year, we are happy to continue to support the local community. We couldn’t have done it without all the support from our wonderful sponsors!” In the past, the DWS hosted a banquet celebrating the race, our sponsors, and our charity partners. Traditionally, each donation to our charity partners is presented at the banquet. This year, the checks were presented outside while following social distancing guidelines.

Each year, the DWS team looks for ways to improve our event, with the end goal being to put on a fun, athletic event and to benefit the Whitewater community. To monitor feedback of the event, a post-race survey is sent out to all participants. The purpose of the survey was to give race participants the opportunity to express their opinions of their overall race day experience. In the 2020 DWS, 54 percent of the runners had participated in past DWS races. In the survey, 100 percent of all returning and first-time runners expressed that they felt “satisfied to extremely satisfied” with the race, and 98 percent of respondents also said they would recommend the DWS to friends and family. 

Out of all the changes from this year’s DWS, one of the most popular updates has been the addition of drive-through packet pickup, where participants were able to social distance and not get out of their cars. No matter how 2021 looks, this is one change the DWS team will likely be keeping. Another big hit was our new race course. Participants could experience more of the City of Whitewater while still participating in a challenging and fun race.

For more information about the DWS contact Jeffery Knight at jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662. About the DWSThe goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features. The DWS partners with the city, business community, university and the school district to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit runwhitewater.com. For general race inquiries email info@runwhitewater.com.

(Lions Club press release – Nov. 18)

Lion Judy Malone and Lion Steve Malone are shown presenting a check in the amount of $1500 from the Whitewater Lions Club Halloween Drive-thru Pancake Breakfast to Pat Chaput (2nd from right) and Barbara Quast (last on the right) of Whitewater Community Food Pantry.  THANK YOU for the tremendous support for our continuing efforts to SERVE our community. “WE SERVE”

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
November 18, 2020

At the end of the November 17 meeting of the Common Council, Patrick Singer announced that he will not be running for reelection. Mr. Singer will complete his fourteenth year on the council in April. Beginning in 2007 he represented the 5th District, and since 2013 has served in one of the two at-large positions. He was president of the council for twelve years. Patrick indicated a desire to spend more time with his family, including his two young sons.

Three other council seats will be on the April 6, 2021 election: Aldermanic District 1, currently held by Carol McCormick; District 3, currently held by Brienne Diebolt Brown; and District 5, to which Greg Majkrzak II was appointed in September to fill the position vacated by McKinley Palmer. It is not known whether these council members plan to run for reelection.

Council members are elected for two-year terms, which will begin on April 20, and are paid $300 per month. In addition to regular council meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month, members are also appointed to serve on committees. The total time commitment is significant, but many of those who have served have indicated that it is a very enlightening and rewarding experience.

Citizens who may be interested in running for the council are encouraged to contact City Clerk Michele Smith at 312 W. Whitewater Street, msmith@whitewater-wi.gov, or (262) 473-0102. Ms. Smith can provide information concerning the aldermanic district boundaries as well as the candidacy process. The first day to circulate nomination papers is December 1, and the deadline for filing is 5:00 p.m. on January 5, 2021. Persons running for district seats must submit 20-40 signatures, and for an at-large seat, 50-100 signatures. A primary, if necessary, will be held on February 16.

Banner note: Lynn Binnie is president of the Common Council.

(UW-Whitewater submission) The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Department of Music brings music straight to your home this November with a variety of virtual concerts (see full list of upcoming virtual concerts below). Two of these virtual events include the Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE) concert conducted by Glenn Hayes Ph.D., and the Whitewater Symphony Orchestra (WSO) conducted by Christopher Ramaekers, Ph.D. Tickets for these two concerts will be on sale Friday, November 13, 2020 – Sunday, November 22, 2020. Ticket buyers will be sent a link by email to their selected concert on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. The content will be available for viewing Wednesday, November 25, 2020 – Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Single viewer tickets are $13, and family viewing tickets are $26. Tickets can be purchased by calling 262-472-2222, or by going to tickets.uww.edu.

WSO is the flagship orchestra at UW-Whitewater, and includes woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings. Repertoire selections focus on standard symphonic masterworks, but include a variety of pieces from the classical period to modern day. The Symphony will be playing “Symphony No. 38 (Prague)” by Mozart, and “Symphony No. 6 (Le matin)” by Haydn. “Le matin” features the skills of Dayna Hubbartt on flute, Claire Whitney on violin, and Samuel Kristiansen on cello. WSO will also be joined by the UW-Whitewater Chamber Orchestra, and together they will be performing Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings” and Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3”.

SWE is the premiere wind and percussion ensemble on campus. The group has distinguished itself internationally, nationally, and regionally; honors include being the first university band from Wisconsin to perform at Carnegie Hall. SWE will be performing “Canzona” by Peter Mennin, “Divertimento for Band” by Vincent Persichetti, movement II of “Four Abstractions for Band” by Robert Ward,” Prelude and Fugue in Ab” by Bach (arranged by Roland Moehlmann), movement II of “Dragon Rhyme” by Chen Yi, and “Mysterium” by Jennifer Higdon.

“We are all learning something new from this experience. There is nothing usual or convenient about what we are doing, and the students have responded magnificently as always,” says Hayes, who conducts SWE. “Following safety standards put in place by the University, we have been rehearsing in thirty-minute increments utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment for musicians. This semester has been a challenge; the equipment allowing us to rehearse and perform safely arrived late, social distancing measures have us spaced out much further than in a normal non-pandemic year and I’m conducting from the audience seating in the space. This semester, SWE is showing their resolve, character, and again, their musical excellence. Nobody planned for this; everybody is working to make it special for all. I could not be prouder of the members of SWE if they were my own children. It is a true honor to be their conductor.”

Tickets for these two concerts will be on sale Friday, November 13, 2020 – Sunday, November 22, 2020. Ticket buyers will be sent a link by email to their selected concert on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. The content will be available for viewing Wednesday, November 25, 2020 – Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Single viewer tickets are $13, and family viewing tickets are $26. Tickets can be purchased by calling 262-472-2222, or by going to tickets.uww.edu.

Upcoming Department of Music virtual concerts

Gala Gets Thankful Scholarship Fundraiser Tickets on sale now | Content available: Mon., Nov. 23 – Mon., Dec. 21 Despite this unusual time, we are profoundly grateful for MUSIC. UW-Whitewater’s Department of Music is shaking up the traditional holiday Gala this year with a digital November event. We are serving up a musical fest with all of the fixings – featuring works from current students, faculty, and more! This year, we are incredibly thankful for our community – you make what we do possible. Tune in for an evening of extraordinary music and generosity as we raise funds for student scholarships.

Symphonic Wind Ensemble Tickets on sale: Fri., Nov. 13 | Content available: Weds., Nov. 25 – Weds., Dec. 9 The UW-Whitewater Symphonic Wind Ensemble is the premiere wind and percussion ensemble on campus. The group has distinguished itself internationally, nationally, and regionally; honors include being the first university band from Wisconsin to perform at Carnegie Hall. SWE will be performing “Canzona” by Peter Mennin, “Divertimento for Band” by Vincent Persichetti, movements II and III of “Four Abstractions for Band” by Robert Ward,” Prelude and Fugue in Ab” by Bach (arranged by Roland Moehlmann), movement II of “Dragon Rhyme” by Chen Yi, and “Mysterium” by Jennifer Higdon.

Whitewater Symphony Orchestra & Chamber Orchestra Tickets on sale: Fri., Nov. 13* | Content available: Weds., Nov. 25 – Weds., Dec. 9* The Whitewater Symphony Orchestra is the flagship orchestra at UW-Whitewater and includes woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings. The Symphony will be playi ng “Symphony No. 38 (Prague)” by Mozart, and “Symphony No. 6 (Le matin)” by Haydn. “Le matin” features the skills of Dayna Hubbartt on flute, Claire Whitney on violin, and Samuel Kristiansen on cello. WSO will also be joined by the UW-Whitewater Chamber Orchestra, and together they will be performing Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for String”s and Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3”.

Music Mosaics: Faculty Jazz, Tribute to Charlie “Yardbird” Parker Tickets on sale: Tues., Nov. 10 | Content available: Tues. Dec. 1 – Tues., Dec. 15 The great jazz legend Charlie “Yardbird” Parker would have turned 100 this past August. Charlie Parker the legendary Grammy Award–winning jazz saxophonist who, with Dizzy Gillespie, invented the musical style called bop or bebop. The Faculty Jazz Ensemble performs a tribute to “Yardbird”. The ensemble includes Michael Hackett, trumpet; Matt Sintchak, saxophone; Rob Hodson, piano; Brad Townsend, bass; and Devin Drobka, drummer.

WINTER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 2020

As we prepare for another Wisconsin winter, this is the perfect time to make sure you have fresh batteries
in the smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and NOAA Weather Radios at home. It’s also
important to make sure you have an emergency kit in your home and vehicles, supplied with nonperishable food, bottled water, blankets, flashlights with extra batteries, vehicle cell phone charger, and a
first aid kit. “While Wisconsin typically experiences most of its winter weather from late November through
April, this season got off to an early start with several parts of the state receiving a late-October blast of
snow,” said Dr. Darrell L. Williams, Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator. “It’s an important
reminder that winter weather can be unpredictable, so you need to be prepared early on for what Mother
Nature may throw at us.”

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, an average of 43 people are killed and 4,138
are injured each year in crashes on icy or snow-covered roads in the state. On average, there are about
18,000 vehicle crashes in the state each year caused by poor winter driving conditions.
“During the winter months, it’s important to check current road conditions before you head out,” Williams
said. “Consider cancelling travel plans, if you don’t need to be on the roads. If you can’t avoid driving,
make sure you have an emergency kit in your vehicle, slow down, and make sure someone knows where
you’re going and that you have arrived safely.”

You can check travel conditions for most major roadways in the state by using 511 Wisconsin, a state
Department of Transportation service updated regularly with the latest traffic and road conditions on
major routes throughout the state. This information, along with live traffic cameras and traffic alerts, can
be accessed through the free 511 Wisconsin mobile app, @511WI on Twitter, or the mobile-friendly
site www.511wi.gov. You may also find updates through local government websites and social media
accounts.

View ReadyWisconsin’s full Winter Awareness Week information at https://tinyurl.com/y2pwqxx3.
Find more tips on getting ready for winter at http://www.readywisconsin.wi.gov. You can also follow
ReadyWisconsin on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ReadyWisconsin) and on Facebook
(http://www.facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin) for daily safety tips and severe weather updates

WHITEWATER, WIS – The Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for a socially
distanced holiday season and announcing an exciting community event, the “Week for the
Community” Virtual Raffle.

This virtual raffle event is designed for the whole community to participate in. The raffle is
helping us put some money in the hands of local businesses while raising money for some
marvelous reasons! The Chamber and its partner organizations, The Whitewater Tourism
Council and Downtown Whitewater, Inc. want to help ease the holiday stress for families who
are suffering this year and celebrate the community of Whitewater. Proceeds from the raffle
will be used to help support the Bethel House holiday giving program and help seed the
preparations for a grand celebration of the Whitewater Community in the Fall of 2021!

The Chamber, with the help of some wonderful and generous sponsors, has put together six
incredible packages filled with experiences that celebrate all that Whitewater has to offer! The
packages range in value from $400 to $500 and we think they could be a great addition
to your holiday giving plans. Tickets are $20 per package or a bundle of 6 tickets (one for each
package) for $100. Ticket sales will begin on November 16th and be available until November
22nd. See the Chamber’s Facebook event page at https://fb.me/e/3AhYplPUq for event &
package details and announcements about tickets and winners.

We would like to thank our generous sponsors! Your contributions are going a long way to
support the community and local businesses. Corporate sponsors: First Citizens State Bank,
Lavelle Industries, 841 Brewhouse, Whitewater Arts Alliance, Premier Bank, LSP
Whitewater/NAES, Fort Community Credit Union, Fairfield Inn & Suites, and The Book Teller.
Individual sponsors: Kim Brotz, Katy Grady, Kristen Burton, and Lisa Dawsey-Smith