Recent Felony Charges in Walworth County Circuit Court

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

Melvin B. Brown, Jr., 27, 147 N Fraternity Lane #8, has been charged with strangulation/suffocation, two counts of disorderly conduct, and misdemeanor battery in an alleged domestic violence incident. If convicted, he faces up to seven years and three months in prison and $22,000 in fines.

Adam Isaac Cooper, 37, 340 N Newcomb St # B3, has been charged with bail jumping for allegedly driving a vehicle in violation of a court order. If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Garrett K. Mandel, 39, 257 N Prairie St, has been charged with possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Gerald M. Wilcox, 56, 349 Amber Dr, has been charged with operating under the influence – fourth offense and operating with a prohibited blood alcohol content – fourth offense. If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

Whitewater Resident Graduates from Western Technical College

LA CROSSE, WI (07/08/2020)– Jordan Simons, of Whitewater, graduated from Western Technical College in the Automotive Technician program. Simons is one of 599 graduates to receive an associate’s degree or technical diploma in the 2020 Spring Term.

Western Technical College is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). Each year, more than 400,000 Wisconsin residents receive education and training from the state’s 16 technical colleges.

To learn more about Western Technical College programs and servces, call 608.785.9200 or visit www.westerntc.edu. For more information on WTCS, visit www.wistechcolleges.org.

Nancy A. Cassano, 77, of Whitewater passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at home after a mercifully short illness from cancer

Nancy A. Cassano, 77, of Whitewater passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at home after a mercifully short illness from cancer.

Nancy is survived by her children Brad Cassano, Scott Cassano, and Kim Cassano.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Cassano, sisters Mary DeSobe and Barbara Harkonen, and sister-in-law Barbara Lewis.

Per Nancy’s wishes, there will be no funeral services.

The family would like to give special thanks to Nancy’s family and many friends in Monticello, Prairie Village, the Ice Age Trail Alliance, the League of Women Voters, Lauderdale Lakes, Monticello High School, the Friends of Lake Maria, and the Class of ’61.

In honor of Nancy, donations may be made to:

In Wisconsin:
Ice Age Trail Alliance
Community Space
Bethel House

In Minnesota:
Lake Maria State Park
Monticello High School

The Whitewater Arts Alliance Announces Fran Achen Photography Competition Award Recipients

Whitewater Arts Alliance
11th Annual Fran Achen Photography Competition
July 2020

Following are the award recipients for the 2020 Fran Achen Photography
Competition:

Awards Program at: https://www.whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2020-award-winners (There you will see all of the photographs that won awards. Click on some of the pictures and hover for full information. )
Virtual Show: https://www.whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2020-virtual-show (Click and hover over the pictures for full information including whether the photograph is for sale.)

2020 Fran Achen Photography Competition Awards:

Best of Show : Ellen Mecca : “time”

Best of Show : Ellen Mecca : “time”

Youth/Teen 1st Place : Leo Strand : “Grazing at Dawn”
Youth/Teen 2nd Place : Crystal Chan : “The Perching Dragonfly”
Youth/Teen 3rd Place : Leo Strand : “Pumpkins for Lunch”
Youth/Teen Honorable Mention : Crystal Chan : “The Forlorn Nymph”

Youth/Teen 1st Place : Leo Strand : “Grazing at Dawn”

Amateur 1st Place : Phyliss Stokes : “Blue Shoes”
Amateur 2nd Place : Christine C. Hayes : “Moroccan Artist”
Amateur 3rd Place : David Yochum : “Depot #2”
Amateur Honorable Mention : Phyliss Stokes : “Tea Time”
Amateur Honorable Mention : Sandy Ott : “Sunflowers”
Amateur Honorable Mention : Patricia Knox : “Cycling Sister”
Amateur Honorable Mention : Phyliss Stokes : “Three Hands”

Amateur 1st Place : Phyliss Stokes : “Blue Shoes”

Accomplished 1st Place : Chappy Achen : “Rattlesnake Bluff”
Accomplished 2nd Place : David Bueschel : “White Pigeon”
Accomplished 3rd Place : William Eklund : “Otter Creek”
Accomplished Honorable Mention : Robert Buell : “Remote Church Iceland”
Accomplished Honorable Mention : Everett Long : “Purple-Eared Green
Hummingbird”
Accomplished Honorable Mention : Gary Galger : “Linear Reflection”
Accomplished Honorable Mention : William Eklund : “Faithless”

Accomplished 1st Place : Chappy Achen : “Rattlesnake Bluff”

The Whitewater Arts Alliance is hosting the annual Fran Achen Photography Competition and Exhibition both virtually at whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2020 and at the Cultural Arts Center on 402 West Main Street.  The Cultural Arts Center is open through July 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.:  Fridays (for at risk individuals only – age 65 and over or with immunocompromised health conditions), and Saturdays and Sundays for all others.  Visitors will be asked to participate in health and safety measures in light of COVID-19, to include wearing a mask at all times (masks will be provided), entering via the elevator and exiting via the front door (unless they require the elevator), and keeping six feet apart.  There will be a ten-person maximum in the building at all times.

Voting for the Viewer’s Choice Award can be done online at whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2020-vote throughout the run of the show until Saturday evening, July 25. The winner will be announced on the last day of the show, July 26.  

Thank you to Board Member Jeff McDonald for chairing the show.

UW-Whitewater Announces Spring 2020 Graduates

UW-Whitewater announces 2020 spring graduates

WHITEWATER, WI (07/09/2020)– The following students earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on May 16, 2020.

Whitewater, WI, — Patrice Achu graduated with a Master of Business Administration in business administration.

Whitewater, WI, — Nicholas Andersen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in occupational safety.

Whitewater, WI, — Kara Bennett graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in economics.

Whitewater, WI, — Gracie Blechl graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in criminology.

Whitewater, WI, — Anya Bower graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance.

Whitewater, WI, — Tristan Browning graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in political science.

Whitewater, WI, — Grace Buendia graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.

Whitewater, WI, — Ashley Bueschel graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in human resource management.

Whitewater, WI, — Alexis Butry graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in media arts and game development.

Whitewater, WI, — Katy Carlson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders.

Whitewater, WI, — Sandra Cohen graduated with a Master of Science in Education in special education.

Whitewater, WI, — Anthony DeRose graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in political science.

Whitewater, WI, — Courtney Decker graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in special education.

Whitewater, WI, — Harrison Dilts graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in art.

Whitewater, WI, — Maxwell Dodd graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in physical education.

Whitewater, WI, — Travis Dring graduated with a Bachelor of Science in political science.

Whitewater, WI, — Jamison DuClos graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in information technology.

Whitewater, WI, — Brandy Eason graduated with a Bachelor of Science in social work.

Whitewater, WI, — Adrienne Elvord graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology.

Whitewater, WI, — Nancy Espana graduated with an Associate of Arts and Sciences in liberal arts.

Whitewater, WI, — Nathan Feeney graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in English.

Whitewater, WI, — Beatrice Fongang Maimouna graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in social work.

Whitewater, WI, — Breanna Fossum graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in criminology.

Whitewater, WI, — Andrea Fox graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in physical education.

Whitewater, WI, — MacKenzie Freeman graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in social work.

Whitewater, WI, — Carlie Gard graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Jessica Gardner-Rodriguez graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in history.

Whitewater, WI, — Bayly Grosskopf graduated with a Master of Science in Education in school psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Margaret Harms graduated with a Bachelor of Music in music.

Whitewater, WI, — Zachary Hasselberger graduated with a Bachelor of Science in occupational safety.

Whitewater, WI, — Ryan Hassett graduated with a Master of Science in Education in school psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Tyler Hill graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in general management.

Whitewater, WI, — Jacob Hollenbeck graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting.

Whitewater, WI, — Mariah Hummer graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Kayla Johnson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Matthew Lahti graduated with a Bachelor of Science in computer science.

Whitewater, WI, — Tou Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.

Whitewater, WI, — Elizabeth Liska graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in history.

Whitewater, WI, — Peter Lowney graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance.

Whitewater, WI, — Hannah Maes graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.

Whitewater, WI, — Christina Malone graduated with a Master of Science in counseling.

Whitewater, WI, — Kelly Mandry graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in supply chain and operations management.

Whitewater, WI, — Sarell Martin graduated with a Master of Science in Education in professional studies.

Whitewater, WI, — Ethan Maurice graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism.

Whitewater, WI, — Stephanie Mepham graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Ashlin Meyer graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology.

Whitewater, WI, — Jonathon Mickel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in communication.

Whitewater, WI, — Sean Murphy graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in general management.

Whitewater, WI, — Brion Nash graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism.

Whitewater, WI, — Ricky Newell graduated with a Master of Business Administration in business administration.

Whitewater, WI, — Christian O’donnell graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in physical education.

Whitewater, WI, — Cody Olson graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in integrated science – business.

Whitewater, WI, — Lindsey Persinger graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in elementary education.

Whitewater, WI, — Dominic Pickart graduated with an Associate of Arts and Sciences in liberal arts.

Whitewater, WI, — Brianna Pope graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in social work.

Whitewater, WI, — Daniela Porras Serna graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in art education.

Whitewater, WI, — Kylie Puttkamer graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in communication.

Whitewater, WI, — Olivia Rasmussen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in special education.

Whitewater, WI, — Brittany Redden graduated with a Master of Science in Education in school psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Michael Rogers graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in computer science.

Whitewater, WI, — Brett Saley graduated with a Bachelor of Science in computer science.

Whitewater, WI, — Darius Sanders graduated with a Bachelor of Music in music.

Whitewater, WI, — Bo Sheffield graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in general management.

Whitewater, WI, — Zack Shortess graduated with a Master of Business Administration in business administration.

Whitewater, WI, — LeRacha Simon graduated with a Master of Science in Education in professional studies.

Whitewater, WI, — Olimpia Soto graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting.

Whitewater, WI, — Nathaniel Spahn graduated with a Bachelor of Science in environmental science.

Whitewater, WI, — Kaitlin Spindler graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.

Whitewater, WI, — David Stearns graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art.

Whitewater, WI, — Jacob Stricker graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Emily Stroh graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Autumn Tracy graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in English.

Whitewater, WI, — Chase Trickey graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Hannah Tuinstra graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders.

Whitewater, WI, — Zurishaddai Vazquez graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism.

Whitewater, WI, — Hogan Veserat graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.

Whitewater, WI, — Mkami Wambura graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology.

Whitewater, WI, — Megan Wicke graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.

Whitewater, WI, — Rebecca Wilber graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in elementary education.

Whitewater, WI, — Casey Wilson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Whitewater, WI, — Gwenna Yakes graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in art.

Whitewater, WI, — Nicole Zajakowski graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.

More than 1,700 students received degrees this May, including 1,685 from the Whitewater campus and 95 from the Rock County campus.

The graduating class included 15 international students, 85 military veterans and 244 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 137 self-identified students with disabilities received degrees.

Whitewater Resident Graduates from UW-Platteville

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (July 9, 2020) – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville awarded diplomas to nearly 1,000 students from its three campuses for the spring and summer of 2020.

A total of 942 students from UW-Platteville, UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County and UW-Platteville Richland earned either their bachelor’s or associate degrees. Because of COVID-19, no ceremonies were held in May, but will be rescheduled at a later date.

UW-Platteville, founded in 1866, has been named the best public institution in Wisconsin for annual return on investment for the fifth consecutive year by Payscale and the best value in the state.

For more information on the university, located in Southwest Wisconsin, visit uwplatt.edu.

Students from this area who graduated, with their hometown, major(s), degree and campus, include:

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, DEGREE(S), CAMPUS

Whitewater, WI

 Emily Heckert, Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, UW-Platteville

Court of Appeals Grants New Trial for Alan M. Johnson in 2016 Whitewater Shooting Death of his Brother-in-law

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner staff
whitewaterbanner.com

Alan M. Johnson
Alan M. Johnson
Photo credit: Wisconsin Dept. of Corrections

The District 2 Court of Appeals on July 8 ordered a new trial for Alan M. Johnson, 35, who was convicted by a jury in November, 2017 of first-degree reckless homicide in the killing of his brother-in-law, Ken Myszkewicz, on October 25, 2016 in Myszkewicz’s home at 911 Peck Street. Johnson had entered the home by an unlocked door around midnight to search for child pornography on Myszkewicz’s computer. Years earlier he had made a police report with that allegation, but police indicated that the alleged evidence was not sufficiently current. After spending some two hours on the computer, Johnson was confronted by Myszkewicz, age 43. A struggle ensued, and ultimately the trespasser shot the homeowner five times.

Walworth County Judge Kristine Drettwan in January, 2018 sentenced Johnson to 25 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision. Lawyers representing Johnson alleged in a May, 2019 filing that Drettwan erred in forcing him to testify and limiting his self-defense claim.

The Court of Appeals found that the circuit court erred in denying Johnson’s request to instruct the jury on “perfect self-defense” and in not offering the jury the option of second-degree reckless homicide. The appeals court also found that Drettwan should have allowed into evidence that child pornography was found on Myszkewicz’s computer, which if proven could have resulted in a prison sentence for Myszkewicz. It was the appelate court’s position that the jury should have been given the opportunity to decide whether “Johnson reasonably believed that K.M. was unlawfully interfering with his person, that he used such force as he reasonably believed he had exhausted every other reasonable means to escape from or to otherwise avoid death or great bodily harm at the hands of K.M.” The “unlawfully interfering” reference was to the possibility that Myszkewicz “wanted to prevent Johnson from reporting his ongoing criminal activity of possession of child pornography.”

Judge Paul Reilly wrote the decision, joined by judges Lisa Neubauer and Jeffrey Davis.

For an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel click here.

For the 28-page decision click here.

July 4th Fireworks Light Up the Whitewater Sky

Thanks to Tom Ganser for the following beautiful July 4th Fireworks photos:

Photo by Tom Ganser
Photo by Tom Ganser

Tom’s comment: “Just thinking … this was the only ‘official’ thing for 4th July.  No parade.  No stuff at Cravath Lakefront for 4 days.  No Miss Whitewater Pageant.  A 4th of July to (non) remember …”