News

News Release from The SweetSpot – Aug. 31:
Both SweetSpot Locations will Maintain Regular Operations Under New Leadership

As of Monday, August 31st, The SweetSpot is under new ownership.
Jacob Gildemeister and Elena Schleusner purchased The SweetSpot Cafe and Bakehouse
from the previous owners Lacey Reichwald, Karen Moline, and Peggy Race.

“We are so thrilled about this opportunity,” said Lacey Reichwald. “We know that The
SweetSpot is in good hands and will continue to thrive as a community hub under new
ownership. We’re so grateful for the support of our community these past years and we hope
our fans will embrace the new owners with the same support.”

Jake and Elena have owned and operated the Whitewater Cinemas since 2018 and will
continue to operate that business. The new owners are both alumni of UW-Whitewater and
have a strong connection to the Whitewater community. They are eager to take over operations
of The SweetSpot and continue its legacy as a hub for community members, students, and
visitors.

There will be no interruption in business due to the sale. In fact, Lacey says, customers should
hardly notice a change at all. “Elena and I have been working together for a while now, to get
her up to speed. Plus, I’ll be around for further consulting as needed and my mom, Karen, will
still be working for The SweetSpot as a cake decorator.” The hours of operation will be
remaining the same as well.

Any previously placed bakery orders will be fulfilled without change. Karen was joined back in
early July by Ashley Valentine, a cake decorator and friend of the new owners. “It was exciting
and a big relief to learn that Jake and Elena had someone in mind for the bakery side of things.
Ashley has been great to work with. We wanted to make sure that our customers could continue
to get awesome cakes in the future and with Ashley, they will,” says Karen.

Lacey notes that the predicted smooth transition can also be attributed to seasoned Cafe
Manager, Jenna Karsten. Jenna has been with The SweetSpot for six years and has managed
the Downtown location for four. She will be continuing on in her role under the new ownership.
The rest of the 18 current staff members will also remain in their current positions.

“Jake and I couldn’t be more excited for this opportunity,” says Elena Schleusner. “Whitewater
is our home, and we are committed to serving this community however we can. The SweetSpot
is known to be a ‘home away from home’ for many visitors, and we are honored to continue
providing that welcoming space for the community.”

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Includes planning for November election, discussion re: virtual vs. in-person meetings, and closed session re: possible purchase of Mound Meadows subdivision
More information
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/96751039896
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +13017158592,,96751039896# or +13126266799,,96751039896#
Or Telephone:
Dial US: +1 301 715 8592: Meeting ID: 96751039896#

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Special Meeting – Thursday @ 5:00 p.m.
Includes Sale of Vacant Land in Business Park (Lot 3, Certified Survey Map #4555) – to be discussed in closed session but there may be an open session afterwards
More information
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/651990941
You can also dial in using your phone.
(For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.)
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122 Access Code: 651-990-941#
One-touch: tel:+16467493122,,651990941#

Whitewater Fire Department Board of Directors – Thursday @ 6:30 p.m.
See below

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

A primary measure of the spread of COVID-19 in a community is the positivity rate, which is generally calculated as the percentage of people with positive results out of all of the test results that have been reported in the past 7 or 14 days. The Whitewater Unified School District Board has indicated that, based on advice from the Jefferson County epidemiologist, in order for fulltime in-person classes to resume, the blended 14-day positivity rate for Jefferson, Rock and Walworth counties should be less than 8% and continue on a downward trajectory for 14 days. Some school districts have used a target of 5%.

The tables below show both the 14 and 7 day test results for the city and Walworth County. (Only the Walworth County portion of Whitewater can be computed, as the census tract for the Jefferson County portion of the city extends as far as Palmyra.) Although the 14 day positivity rate for the city has declined, unfortunately the trend for the past 7 days has been on the increase.

COVID-19 TEST RESULTS – CITY OF WHITEWATER (WALWORTH COUNTY PORTION)

End Date	# Tests Reported – 14 days	# Positive	Positivity %	# Tests Reported – 7 days	#Positive	Positivity %
8/22	216	27	12.5%	103	6	5.8%
8/29	221	19	7.9%	128	13	9.2%

COVID-19 TEST RESULTS – WALWORTH COUNTY

End Date	# Tests Reported – 14 days	#Positive	Positivity %	# Tests Reported – 7 days	# Positive	Positivity %	% of Those with Positive Results Who Reported being Asymptomatic	Total Deaths
8/22	2386	277	11.6%	1071	112	10.5	11.4%	25
8/29	1972	210	10.6%	901	98	10.9	11.1%	27

UWW has established the following dashboard which provides useful information. It is found at this link.

COVID-19 Dashboard

The COVID-19 pandemic is an ever-changing situation and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater actively monitors and reviews a series of health, safety, and resource metrics to guide decision-making with regard to university operations. These metrics are considered in combination and consultation with recommendations and orders from the state and county health departments before any changes in operations are made.

COVID-19 cases reported to UW-Whitewater

	New cases – Week of Aug. 23-29	Previous week	Cumulative cases since March 2020
Students	5	0	12
Employees	1	1	6
Other	0	0	0

Dashboard is updated daily with available data. Numbers include cases reported through university-coordinated testing, as well as those reported through the COVID-19 Hotline, which may include testing that occurred off-campus through other health clinics/providers. Student employees are counted in the student numbers. The “Other” category is defined as any positive cases reported to UW-Whitewater who are neither students nor employees and may include visitors to the university, contractors or vendors, or others who have been to the university in person.

Regional Metrics

	University Health and Counseling Services 8/16-8/29	Walworth County 8/12-8/25	Rock County 8/12-8/25	Jefferson County
Percent Positive	50% (1 of 2*)	10.95%	4.75%	9.9%
Time to complete contact tracing	100% of contacts are initiated within 48 hours	96% of contacts are initiated within 48 hours	79% of contacts are initiated within 48 hours	Not Available
Healthcare system capacity level	No crisis management of care	No crisis management of care	No crisis management of care	Not Available
Total cases per 100,000	n/a	260	94	220

*UHCS percentage positive is based on PCR testing performed at the University Clinic site of students only.

Additional UW-Whitewater metrics

Capacity for isolating/quarantining individuals on campus

101 of 113 rooms available*

The university is also monitoring the current PPE supply and supply chain, staffing levels across both campuses, and compliance of university safety protocols.

*One room is currently occupied by a general use student, not COVID related.

The following individuals were either recently charged in Walworth County Circuit Court or recently made their initial court appearance.

Jason D. Cardinal, 38, 1154 W. Walworth Ave., has been charged with possession of narcotic drugs, possession of THC, driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent, and possession of drug paraphernalia. If convicted, he faces up to seven years and ten months in prison and $30,500 in fines.

Alec J. Forret, 23, 232 S. Summit St., has been charged with bail jumping, misdemeanor bail jumping, and possession of drug paraphernalia. If convicted, he faces up to six years and ten months in prison and $20,500 in fines.

Scot H. Inscore, 32, 116 S. Whiton St., B, has been charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years and one month in prison and $100,500 in fines.

Rock County Sheriff’s Dept. Press Release – Aug. 24 – Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic we are all enduring this year, there has been a significant increase in the number of citizens enjoying our rivers and creeks located within Rock
County. The most popular method of travel utilized by those individuals new to water
sports has been the use of human powered vessels such as kayaks, canoes and inflatable
tubes. While the Rock County Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to enjoy the summer
weather and the Rock County waterways, we want to remind everyone to do so in the
safest manner possible and to adhere to all applicable laws and regulations.

As a reminder Wisconsin State Statute 30.62(3)(A) requires “Every boat, except a
sailboard and except as provided in par. (b), shall carry at least one personal flotation
device prescribed by federal regulations for each person on board or being attended by
the boat, so placed as to be readily accessible and available to the persons.”

This statute applies to all of the above mentioned vessels regardless if they are motorized
or not.

TROY J. KNUDSON
SHERIFF

(Studio 84 Submission) Studio 84 is hosting their 2nd Annual Chocolate Affair: Cupcake War Fundraiser. They are seeking a dozen bakers to enter into the event. Bakers are required to bake 48 cupcakes that are decorated. The main requirement is that these cupcakes worship chocolate! An entry form to show off your baking skills is available online at www.studio84inc.org  Entry fee is only $20.

They are also seeking 48 tasters who will be our judges.  The only requirement is that they worship chocolate too and aren’t allergic to it!  Tickets for the event are $20 and there are raffle tickets for a chance to win an awesome “Death by Chocolate” candy creation made by board member Julie Witt.  Raffle tickets are 1/$2 or 8/$5.  

To keep this event safe for all, the event is curbside. Tasters can pick up their cupcakes on Saturday, October 3 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. without getting out of their cars.  Details and ticket purchases can be found at www.studio84inc.org

Tasters will be able to vote for the best decorated and best tasting via a google form sent to them before the event date. 

Director of Studio 84, Deborah Blackwell, states, “We already have two entries and are excited for this year’s event even though we couldn’t hold it in person. With being closed for 3 months and running at a 30% capacity with students in order to keep them as safe as possible, our budget took a major hit. We hated the thought of canceling this great fundraiser, so came up with a creative solution. We hope to gain a dozen bakers and then sell only 48 taster tickets, this way each taster should receive a dozen cupcakes to judge.”  Deborah adds, “Last year’s winner, Stephanie Bailey, earned the title of Best Chocolate Cake in the County for her entry.  This year we are happy to add a decorating winner along with a best tasting cupcake winner.”

“Only a couple hours after getting the word out we already had two entries, so only 10 positions are left, ” Blackwell stated.  The first entry is from Whitewater. Sarah Hoots loves baking and while she’s most famous for her pies, she said, she loves chocolate and is excited to enter and support Studio 84.

A special invite to those who think they have the best chocolate cake recipe and for those who love to eat chocolate cake! Watch a fun video on the Cake War: https://youtu.be/T5zwJoE1gaE

(Whitewater Lions Club Submission) The Whitewater Lions Club will be helping to feed hungry children at Lakeview Elementary School this year with their new service project opportunity in conjunction with “Lakeview Loves”. The program gives any student that signs up a bag of food for the weekend. This program ensures that no Lakeview student goes hungry.

Lakeview Loves volunteers had the opportunity to talk to the Whitewater Lions Club about the need to continue to distribute food and the impact that COVID has had on the program.

From Lakeview Loves communications: “Because we can’t have volunteers in our school building, the Lions Club voted to help us store and pack Loves bags on a rotational basis. We will have a plan in place to store food safely at the club and at school to reduce COVID transmission risks. And the Lions will pack for us! That in itself is amazing! But that’s not all. They had a food drive for us too! Several bags of food were donated as well as a check from a dedicated member. As one member commented, ‘It’s all for the kids!'”.

More information about Lakeview Loves can be found at: #27a1wilions #lakeviewlovesLakeview Loves

Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission
Starin Park Arboretum Subcommittee

Agenda

Initial Meeting Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 10 a.m. at Starin Park Lower Shelter
Call to Order by Chair Stanek:
Roll Call:
Goal of Subcommittee: To form a consortium made up of the City of Whitewater City
Forester, City Parks Director, Whitewater UFC, UW-W, Historic Starin Park
Neighborhood, Whitewater School District and corporate sponsors to create an
educational arboretum at Starin Park in Whitewater to encourage and inspire
community members and visitors to understand the importance of trees and to teach
stewardship of them in our environment.
Expected initial members are: Brian Neumeister, City Forester, Sherry Stanek, UFC
Chair, Nick Alt, UFC Member, Rose Mary Leaver, UFC Member, Bill Chandler, Retired
Teacher, Jim Nies, Retired Teacher and Morton Arboretum Educational Volunteer &
HSPN member and future members who would like to work toward this goal.
The plan is to use existing trees at Starin Park as well as native trees to be planted in
the future as funds allow using the consortium’s members fundraising. Jim Nies has
articulated a detailed proposal for this project and will be used as the template as we
begin.
Discussion and introduction: Jim Nies will lead this meeting to inform members of his
ideas and plans for action to make this proposed arboretum a reality as we outline the
steps to begin our mission.
Next steps:
Action Items:
Next meeting: TBD