News

On December 5, Jefferson County hosted a Legislative Breakfast at the Jefferson County Courthouse. Local, county, state, and federal elected officials joined county staff to discuss issues affecting the county and its residents.

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson and U.S. Representative Scott Fitzgerald opened the session with remarks on federal legislation and their top priorities in Washington, D.C. Sen. Johnson’s presentation centered on government spending, the national debt, and opportunities for reforming the Affordable Care Act. Congressman Fitzgerald spoke about labor and housing issues that make headlines nationally but are especially important to Jefferson County: H1-B visas, undocumented workers in the agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism sectors, and ideas for adding housing stock of the right size and cost to meet consumer demand.

Jefferson County Administrator Michael Luckey provided an overview of County accomplishments in 2025, priorities for 2026, and updates on local issues that impact residents. Key investments include a new Financial Empowerment Center available to all residents and workers, funding for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, and $1.1 million in the 2026 Jefferson County budget to support the Live Local Development Fund, a program that promotes local housing development. Luckey also voiced support for a bill to provide certainty in utility aid payments for liquefied natural gas storage, which he and other county leaders traveled to Madison to testify in favor of.

State legislators Brienne Brown (43^rd Assembly District), Cindi Duchow (97^th Assembly District), Joan Fitzgerald (46^th Assembly District), John Jagler (13^th Senate District), William Penterman (38^th Assembly District), and Melissa Ratcliff (16^th Senate District) presented updates on their work in Madison on behalf of their constituents. Rep. Brown spoke on agriculture bills and veterans’ issues. Rep. Duchow talked about school consolidation and her work on the Gail’s Law bill, which seeks to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for breast cancer screenings. Rep. Fitzgerald focused on farmland-preservation efforts and a bill to advance property tax transparency. In his remarks, Sen. Jagler discussed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reform and ideas for adding affordable housing for seniors and others who lack a variety of options. Rep. Penterman shared his work to create a per diem for homeless veterans and concerns about foreign adversaries owning local agricultural land. Sen. Ratcliff expressed her support of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and provided details on a tax incremental district (TID) bill to encourage workforce housing development.

Officials from Jefferson County’s cities, villages, and towns addressed attendees to relay updates, achievements, and issues of primary interest to their residents. The Village of Johnson Creek shared updates on housing developments and two commercial additions: the new U.S. headquarters of Abet Laminati and an orthopedic center. The City of Fort Atkinson announced the successful closure of two TIDs. Among city and village representatives, discussions centered on development and infrastructure work, industry and workforce updates including additions to the City of Jefferson’s Food and Beverage (FAB) Innovation Campus, and efforts to add diverse housing stock. Town officials shared concerns about affordability of emergency medical services and discussed solar energy development considerations in rural areas.

This was the third Legislative Breakfast hosted by Jefferson County since 2024. The next Legislative Breakfast is tentatively scheduled for December 2026 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Jefferson County.

Mariana Aranda, a student from Whitewater, whose major at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is Finance, is one of 23 Warhawks who completed ConnectED, a professional development training program, as part of their student employment at the university’s student union.

ConnectED, a self-paced training program, encourages students to explore career pathways, strengthen their resumes, and connect with resources across campus while preparing for success after graduation. Students in the program were required to complete a suicide prevention course, two educational events, and five professional development opportunities.

UW-Whitewater’s University Center, the central hub of the Whitewater campus, offers a wide variety of activities and services designed to enhance the college experience. The UC sponsored more than 130 events during the 2024-25 academic year. Visit uww.edu/uc to learn more.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s image is one from 1998, taken by intrepid society photographer George Scharfenberg, who chronicled the comings and goings of downtown businesses in the 1990s and 2000s. It is the festive Christmas window of Ginny’s Ladies Apparel store that opened in late 1998 and lasted a few years in the downtown. The society hopes you are doing some of your Christmas shopping in downtown Whitewater!

Join us in the next two weeks for Christmas and New Year’s Greetings.

(George Scharfenberg Collection, Whitewater Historical Society)

Walworth County Supervisor District 4 Al Stanek filed non-candidacy papers with the Walworth County Clerk’s Office indicating it is his intention not to run for the Supervisor office in the upcoming April 7, 2026 Spring Election.

Those interested in running for County offices may contact the Walworth County Clerk’s Office. The deadline for filing the Campaign Registration Statement, Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination papers is 5:00 p.m., January 6, 2026

Editor’s note: County Supervisor is a paid position. District 4 represents the western part of the City of Whitewater. A map and further information is available on The Banner here.

So far this year, WHS has had five Auto II students pass their Manual Transmission ASE test. Also, 14 Auto I students have passed their ASE Brakes test this semester.

Autos Teacher Justin Buntrock stated, “This is an incredible feat for our young Whippets. I am very proud of each and every one of them. These are very rigorous tests with content covering diagnostics, theory, repair, and replacement.”

Since 1972, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an independent non-profit organization, has worked to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals.

Article and Photos Submitted by Justin Buntrock
Whitewater High School Autos Teacher
jbuntrock@wwusd.org

On the early morning hours of Sunday, December 7, 2025, Whitewater Police received a report of a male suspect who was actively entering vehicles near the intersection of W. Main St and Second St. Jose De Jesus Pena Flores, 38, of [210 S. Franklin St.], Whitewater, was identified as the responsible individual, and was arrested. Pena Flores was subsequently linked to a number of additional thefts.

At this point in the investigation, the following criminal charges are being referred to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office: Burglary (Wis. Stat. 943.10(1)(a)), Theft from Motor Vehicle (Wis. Stat. 943.20(1)(a)), Entry into Locked Vehicle (Wis. Stat. 943.11), Misappropriate ID info (943.201(2)(a)), Credit Card Theft (Wis. Stat. 943.41(3)(a)), Resisting or Obstructing an Officer (Wis. Stat. 946.41(1)), and Disorderly Conduct (Wis. Stat. 947.01).

In the course of the investigation, officers have collected a large amount of property suspected to have been stolen within the last two months. If you were a victim of a theft during that approximate timeframe, please contact Detective Lieutenant Anthony Heilberger (aheilberger@whitewater-wi.gov) or Officer Tim Swartz (tswartz@whitewater-wi.gov) at the Whitewater Police Department (262-473-0555) to provide a description of your stolen property. Please be prepared to provide any serial numbers and detailed descriptions of your property.

It is noted that this case has not been concluded. Unless a judgement of conviction is entered, the arrestee/defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Whitewater Police Department. Per Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, Pena Flores has been charged with Misappropriate ID Info – Obtain Money, a felony, as well as the following misdemeanor charges: Receiving or Concealing Stolen Property greater or equal to $2500, and Theft – Moveable Property greater or equal to $2500.

On Sunday, December 14th, the LWV Whitewater Area presented its 2025 Making Democracy Work award to community photographer Tom Ganser.  Tom was recognized for his work photographing democracy in action and telling stories with his pictures that focus on civic pride.  

Since 2010, the League’s Making Democracy Work award has annually honored individuals in our community whose work or volunteerism exemplifies the League’s core values of nonpartisanship, diversity, equity and inclusion, and belief in the value of an open and fair democracy.  Tom Ganser is at every civic event with his camera.  He takes pictures at no charge to local civic organizations that represent Democracy in Action; therefore, he Makes Democracy Work.  His pictures are often seen on the front page of the local newspapers, capturing the community at work, play, service, and worship. His images capture multigenerational folk from diverse backgrounds. You might recognize him in action at School Board Meetings, town hall events, local elections, church engagements, Art Alliance exhibits, parades and celebrations, and sporting events. 

Midge Gill, LWV Whitewater President, and Ellen Penwell, League Treasurer, gave tribute to Tom along with community members Margaret Wheeler and Majorie Stoneman, both of whom mentioned the photo documentary services he has generously provided to organizations and events they have organized. 

The LWV Whitewater Area urges all residents of Walworth and Jefferson counties to pay great tribute and respect to Tom Ganser for all he represents and has accomplished on behalf of his fellow citizens.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area. Photos are courtesy of Julia Ross.

Tom Ganser compiled a 20-minute video featuring some of his favorite photos. It may be viewed here: Whitewater is My Kind of Town

Updated 12/18/25 @ 9 a.m. to add information from Whitewater Fire/EMS press release.

On Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, at approximately 6:20 p.m., the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a head-on vehicle crash on County Road A, east of McCabe Road in the Town of Sugar Creek.

Emergency personnel arrived to find two vehicles involved in the crash, with a total of three patients having sustained injuries. Emergency medical care was provided at the scene, with three patients being transported.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a vehicle driven by a 30-year-old male from Algonquin, Illinois, was traveling westbound on County Road A when it crossed the centerline and struck a vehicle traveling eastbound.

The vehicle traveling eastbound was occupied by a 68-year-old female driver from the Town of Lyons and a 74-year-old female passenger from Elkhorn.

Both drivers were transported to hospitals by helicopter. The female passenger was transported by ambulance.

The 68-year-old female driver was pronounced deceased at a local area hospital at 9:24 p.m.

Names are being withheld at this time pending notification of next of kin.

The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the crash. Assisting at the scene were the Whitewater Fire and EMS Department and UW Health Med Flight. County Road A was closed in both directions during the incident and investigation with assistance from the Walworth County Department of Public Works.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office.

The Whitewater Fire/EMS press release included the following information:

Whitewater Fire and EMS were dispatched to the intersection of County A and McCabe Rd for a reported head-on motor vehicle collision with injuries. Upon arrival, crews located the incident in the 7000 block of County A in the Town of Sugar Creek, east of McCabe Rd. One patient had self-extricated from a vehicle prior to arrival. The second vehicle contained two patients who required extrication.

Due to the mechanism of injury, Flight for Life and Med Flight were requested to the scene to transport two
patients. Landing zones were established at the Millard Community [Covenant] Church parking lot and on North Lake Dr. One additional patient was transported by ground to a local hospital.

County A was closed to all traffic during the incident and remained closed following the response to allow
the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department to conduct their investigation.

Whitewater Fire and EMS extend gratitude to Flight for Life, Med Flight and the Walworth Co Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in managing this incident.

Whitewater Leads has over 100 FREE books available at the Whitewater PremierBank lobby through Christmas.  The books are meant for kids, newborn through fifth grade.  They are absolutely free; take as many as you need for Christmas gifts, stocking stuffers, etc.  The books are new and like new.  First come, first served.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Whitewater Leads.”

Editor’s note: The photo on the homepage was not taken of the books that are available.