News

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (June 28, 2024) – The following local resident was among 676 students receiving degrees from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls following fall commencement in Dec. 2023. Bachelor’s degrees were awarded to 603 undergraduates, while 73 students received graduate degrees. 

Area students are listed below by name, hometown, degree, major and honors (if any).

At graduation, four types of merit awards are recognized:

Senior Merit – Graduating seniors who have maintained a 3.500 grade point for their last 60 credits at UWRF.

Cum Laude – Graduating seniors with a minimum cumulative 3.700 grade point average for their entire college career at all institutions.

Magna Cum Laude – Graduating seniors with a minimum cumulative 3.800 grade point average for their entire college career at all institutions.

Summa Cum Laude – Graduating seniors with a minimum cumulative 3.900 grade point average for their entire college career at all institutions.

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is a student-centered institution that provides excellent accessible academic programs serving the needs of our region, the state and beyond. 

Whitewater, WI

 Owen Kramer, Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Cum Laude

Chocolate bars, cones, and gummies containing psychoactive compounds may cause serious illness

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and federal partners at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating reports of severe illnesses associated with Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies. These products contain a proprietary blend of mushrooms and are available for purchase online and at retailers nationwide.

“Products containing psychoactive compounds such as cannabinoids or mushroom extracts are increasing in availability,” said DHS Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist for the Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health Sheryl Bedno. “The Diamond Shruumz-brand products may contain harmful and undisclosed ingredients that can cause serious illness when eaten, and we ask Wisconsinites who have purchased these products not to consume them.”

On June 12, 2024, the CDC released a Health Advisory reporting severe illnesses associated with Diamond Shruumz-brand products. As of June 25, 2024, a total of 39 illnesses have been reported in 20 different states. To date, Wisconsin has no reported cases. Of the 39 people who became ill after eating these products, more than half were hospitalized. People who became ill from Diamond Shruumz-brand edibles reported a variety of severe symptoms including seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, abnormal heart rates, high or low blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting.

Retailers should not sell or distribute any of these products and should hold them until further direction is given by the FDA.

People who became ill after eating these products should talk to their health care provider or seek medical care. Wisconsinites can also call the Wisconsin Poison Center at 800-222-1222 to report symptoms. Anyone who has purchased these items should throw them away.

Health care providers who suspect someone is ill as a result of these edibles can consult with a toxicologist at the Wisconsin Poison Center and are asked to report illnesses to the Wisconsin Poison Center or directly to the FDA by completing an online MedWatch Voluntary Reporting form.

The investigation into these illnesses is still ongoing by the FDA. DHS and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will continue to monitor the situation and will give updates when available. Learn more and get updates on the FDA website.

Editor’s note: The above press release was issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

The Community Space will be closed the week of July 4th for some much-needed R & R for our volunteers.

We will reopen on Tuesday, July 9.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Next week is the 4th of July and Whitewater’s 4th Parade has been a long-time tradition. This image is of the Whitewater Historical Society’s float from a 4th parade during the 1970s. The 1970s was an active time for the society because in July of 1974, the society took over the old Whitewater Passenger Depot and turned it into a local history museum. We are celebrating “50 Years at the Depot” at the museum beginning July 4 and 6 when we will have extra open hours (11:00-3:00 on July 4 and 2:00-6:00 for the car show on July 6).

We will have a special display about the opening of the museum in 1974 along with some of the large banners from Whitewater High School that were produced with museum photographs for the production of “Our Town.” Come and see us during the 4th festivities and/or on Tuesdays (4-7) or Saturdays (9-12) to see our special exhibit!

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

(#5177P, Whitewater Historical Society)

WHS Class of 2004:  20 Year Reunion on August 10th! 

The Whitewater High School Class of 2004 is celebrating its 20 year reunion on Saturday, August 10th starting at 4:00 P.M. at Second Salem Brewing. All 2004 classmates and a significant other are invited to join.

Please help spread the word!

RSVP: https://facebook.com/events/s/twenty-year-reunion/978761050645818

Or RSVP via email at: Whitewater.HS.2004@gmail.com

Living with a chronic condition such as arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, anxiety or another ongoing health problem can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. If you or someone you care about has a chronic condition, this workshop is for you. It is important to find solutions that work for you, but you need the tools and knowledge to help you. Living Well with Chronic Conditions workshop can show you the way! The program has been researched and shown to improve participants’ physical and emotional outcomes and health-related quality of life.

In just 6 weekly sessions, Living Well with Chronic Conditions gives participants strategies to manage chronic disease including techniques for coping with fatigue, pain, and isolation, communicating with family, friends, and health professionals, practicing good nutrition, evaluating new treatment options, and goal setting and problem solving. In just 6 weeks, you can take charge of your health and live well!

Living Well with Chronic Conditions will be held on six Wednesday mornings from 9:00 AM -11:15 AM, from July 10 – August 21, 2024 (no class 7/24/2024.) Location will be at the Kandu Industries Building, 15 Plumb Street, Milton, WI. The workshop is best suited for those age 60+. Suggested donation is $15 for the series, which includes the resource book & class materials. For questions or to register for the program by July 8th, contact the ADRC of Rock County by calling: 608-757-5309 or email: Lisa.Messer@co.rock.wi.us.

Editor’s note: The ADRC of Rock County has told the Banner that they welcome residents of other counties when they have space available in the programs. Since they indicate that they still have space for more participants in this program it seems very likely that they would accept Jefferson or Walworth county residents at this time.

Photos of dress rehearsal on June 26 courtesy of Tom Ganser

WUSD Summer School Playhouse production of Nickelodeon’s “The SpongeBob Musical.”

By Tom Ganser

Not so happy about the string of hot and humid days? Nothing better to handle this than a trip to Bikini Bottom with SpongeBob, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, Eugene Krabs, and a net full of other sea creatures, taking to the stage in the Whitewater Unified School District Summer School Playhouse production of Nickelodeon’s “The SpongeBob Musical.”

The production opens in the James Stewart Auditorium at Whitewater High School on June 27 at 7 p.m., with additional performances on June 28 at 7 p.m. and June 29 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. For ticket information call 262-472-8178.

We find ourselves in the undersea city of Bikini Bottom, inhabited by the happy-go-lucky and ever-optimistic yellow sea sponge SpongeBob SquarePants and his quirky circle of friends and neighbors. Stakes are higher than ever before as all of Bikini Bottom faces the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage. SpongeBob, trying to prove to himself and the world that he is not “just a simple sponge,” resolves to save the day when everybody else has given up all hope.

Tom Ganser’s photos of the three prior Summer School Playhouse productions (“Madagascar,” “Willie Wonka,” and “Finding Nemo”) will be shown before each performance.

Under the artistic direction of Jim McCulloch and the musical direction of Liz Elliott, the cast of incoming 6th grade students through WHS Class of 2024 graduates, includes Ian Agen, Deven Bawden, Chacha Binagi, Payton Bunger, Ayden Clark, Grace Coleman, Julianna Cortez, Emery Duris, David Enns, Elijah Gonsiour, Tyrelle Griswold, Raena Hicks, Rafa Los, Brooke Mason, Genevieve Miranda, Ian Ngabo, Maia Pratt, Jesus Ramirez, Julian Rennels, Harry Ritchie, Melody Smith, Serina Soto, Taylor Speerbrecher, Letty Trautman, Ava Van Daele, Felicity Volbright, and Zach Welsch.

Supported by Kat Dunham’s deep talents, the crew working their magic from set construction to scene changes include Caitlin Alford, Corbin Bunger, Isabella Cohen, Emerson Dunham, Isabelle Lavertu, Kayla Mikos, Miles Nickelsburg, Ava Nygren, Joshua Nygren, Cora Schimming, Lucille Troxel, and Samantha Van Daele. 

Michelle Dujardin writes, “Thought I would share a picture I took last night [Tuesday] after the storm, the colors were beautiful! Picture taken on my property in La Grange.”

Our thanks to Michelle Dujardin for sharing this beautiful photo.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!