News

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Community Foundation (WCF.)

The Whitewater Community Foundation (WCF) has announced that the Rock River Community Clinic (RRCC) was the recipient of the WCF Action Grant from last fall, and has received $3,500 for website design and development improvements with more accessible materials and clear, simple navigation in both Spanish and English.  The grant will also aid in completing the poster project and finishing the Community Resource Wall in the Dental Office.    

Olivia Nichols, CEO and Executive Director of the Rock River Community Clinic, said, “We are so grateful for the support of the Whitewater Community Foundation to advance these two projects at RRCC, both of which will support our efforts to continue finding effective ways to support our patients. Partnership support is critical to our organization’s overall community outreach and education efforts, and we are incredibly appreciative of the WCF’s willingness to serve in this partnership capacity for our organization.” 

At RRCC, all community members are welcome and accepted. BadgerCare (Medicaid) and Medicare are accepted at all RRCC locations and help support RRCC operations and services. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), RRCC receives higher reimbursement rates for BadgerCare and Medicare payer groups, which helps cover discounted prices for patients who are uninsured or underinsured (high deductible plans). Many commercial insurance groups are also accepted at RRCC, and further support the mission.

Care coordination services are also available at RRCC to help patients overcome barriers to accessing healthcare, including prescription assistance programs, transportation support, and behavioral health referrals. Care Navigators also assist in enrolling eligible families in BadgerCare to attain needed health insurance for individuals, families, and children. Over one-third of RRCC medical staff are bilingual (Spanish & English) to further support patient care and communication.

By increasing access to health care services, offering care at affordable costs, and providing care coordination services, RRCC works to create a healthier, more equitable, community. For clinic hours and directions, visit www.rockrivercommunityclinic.org

Rock River is one of many organizations that have received Whitewater Community Foundation Action Grant funds over the years.  The next grant application process deadline is April 30.  

Qualified projects should be intended for educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent purposes that will benefit and improve the greater Whitewater community.  Consideration will also be made based on the results of the 2023 Civic Summit, when more than 30 community members, business leaders, educators, nonprofit organizers, and others determined key areas for improvement in Whitewater:

• Communicating to Whitewater’s diverse population in English and Spanish, making signage bilingual, coordinating communication to all groups, and providing opportunities for people of different backgrounds, age groups, etc. to integrate to help meet community needs;
• Housing assistance, affordability and accessibility for families and professionals seeking to purchase homes;  
• Marketing Whitewater by coordinating and cross-pollinating events, calendars and volunteer opportunities.

Projects are expected to be accomplished within a specific period of time (generally not more than one year) and should be creative, innovative and address community needs.  Interested organizations can find more information and fill out an application at: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bx6_oS4QSIAeR3BoVjNTeVJfQzg 

The deadline for submitting applications is April 30, 2024.

Organizations interested in pursuing a Whitewater Community Foundation Action Grant should check out the Whitewater Community Foundation web site https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/community-action-grants/ or contact Kat at 262-473-1403.

The Foundation continues to provide and host scholarships for Whitewater High School students and also offers fiscal sponsorship to organizations that are seeking 501(c) (3) status or require temporary pass-through funds for worthy community projects.

More information about the Whitewater Community Foundation can be found at whitewatercommunityfoundation.org and on Facebook. 

The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to “enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.”

Updated 4/15 @ 11:40 p.m. – Typical sale items and prices added

Typical Sale Items and estimated prices:

Apple Laptops (Macbooks)- $200* (limit 1 Apple computer or laptop per person)

Apple Desktops (iMacs) – $150* (limit 1 Apple computer or laptop per person)

PC Laptops – $125* (limit 1 per person)
PC All-In-Ones – $75

PC Desktops – $50

Projectors – $125

Printers – $50

Monitors -$20

Video Cameras – $25

Cameras – $20

M.2 SSD – $10** (limit 2 per person)

SATA SSD – $5

HDD – $1

RAM – $5

Misc. Devices – $5 -$200 (prices as marked)

All pricing includes tax.

*Limit of 1 Apple computer (laptop or desktop) and 1 Windows laptop per person.

**Limit of 2 M.2 SSDs per person.

Accepted payment options:

• Cash (For the quickest checkout, bring cash.)
• Check
• Credit Card / Debit Card
• Purple Points

Receipts will be provided for all purchases. Individuals with tax-exempt status should bring in a physical copy of their signed tax exemption form to process tax-exempt purchases.

Items are not reserved and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All devices are sold as-is and may not be returned or used at UW-Whitewater for any reason. Devices are not subject to warranty, support, or return once the sale is processed.

Members of Whitewater High School Ferradermis FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition Team #6574 will be heading to Houston, Texas for the April 17-20 FIRST Championship, a culminating, international event for the youth robotics competition season and a celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This year’s championship will include slightly over 600 teams, including 9 teams from Wisconsin.  Last year’s Championship included teams from 50 countries. The full list of qualifying teams can be found at https://frc-events.firstinspires.org/2024/CMPTX.

The teams will play on 8 fields in Houston, each named after a famous scientist; Ferradermis will play on the Hopper Field, named for computer science pioneer Grace Hopper. The 75 teams assigned to Hopper hail from 28 states and 7 other countries including Australia, China, the Netherlands, Canada, Israel, Turkey, and Mexico. Once qualification and playoff matches are complete on each field, the winning alliance from each field will come together on the Einstein field for a new set of playoffs to determine the world champion.

Ferradermis’ current membership includes 28 students and about 20 adult mentors. Twenty-one students and 9 adults will be making the trip to Houston.

The Ferradermis ticket to the FIRST Championship was punched at Northern Lights Regional Competition in Duluth when it was the Impact Award Winner from among 55 teams from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. The Impact Team will present again in Houston for the chance to become a member of the FIRST Hall of Fame.

This season, the robots have been put to the test in a music-themed challenge that requires retrieving round, orange “notes” from the floor, depositing them in an “amplifier” or launching them into a “speaker” while running on a prepared program or under the control of a student “driver.” The Ferradermis robot is named “Chief Lee the Tangerine,” inspired by the prominence of orange in his components.

The qualification matches for the competition will be livestreamed on Thursday, April 18, and Friday, April 19, from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm at https://www.twitch.tv/firstinspires_hopper. Playoff matches will take place beginning at 8:30 am on Saturday, April 20. You can also follow the team’s journey to Texas on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ferradermis/.

Ferradermis would like to thank the nearly 75 sponsors who stepped forward in the last 6 weeks to help the team fund their trip to the FIRST Championships. Every donation, whether it was $15 or $15,000, helped the team make this journey possible. Thank you, Whitewater!

Go Team, go!

Article and Photos by Tom Ganser, Supplemented by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

APPLETON, Wis. — Four Lawrence University volleyball players were chosen for the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team.

Taylor Hughes (Wausau, Wis./West), Cora Linos (Janesville, Wis./Whitewater), Hilirie McLaughlin (Mosinee, Wis./SPASH) and Bailey Nez (Pinehill, N.M./Pine Hill) were all selected for the team.

McLaughlin, a junior outside hitter, was chosen for the second consecutive season. McLaughlin has a 3.65 grade point average and is majoring in physics with a pre-medicine track. Nez has a 3.97 grade point average and is a sophomore outside hitter. She is an environmental science major.

A junior setter, Linos has a 3.91 grade point average and is a government major. A junior defensive specialist, Hughes has a 3.84 grade point average and is a creative writing major.

To be eligible for the team, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore and have a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average. The student-athlete must also meet the playing time requirements.


PLAYERS MENTIONED
#4 Hilirie McLaughlin
OH/MB 6′ 0″ Junior
#2 Taylor Hughes
DS/L 5′ 3″ Junior
#8 Bailey Nez
OH/RS 5′ 7″ Sophomore
#17 Cora Linos
S/RS 6′ 2″ Junior

Updated 4/14 @ 3:20 p.m.: CDA meeting details added.
Updated 4/16 @ 2:40 p.m.: Webinar ID added to CDA Zoom signin.
Updated 4/17 @ 12:20 p.m.: Parks & Recreation Board details added.

Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Library Building Project update: approve building schematics and color finishes and guest presenter Eric Robinson
Library Community Room 431 West Center
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84130965938?pwd=SmhrM2FmRVJQa0hxbmNBUnBiMjlqdz09
Telephone: +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 841 3096 5938
Passcode: SzGnVr9h

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes election of Council President, Update on MOU with UWW regarding elections, Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Resignation of Municipal Judge Patrick Taylor, Discussion and Possible Action regarding Changing City Class, and Discussion and Possible Action regarding Ayres Old Stone Mill Dam Proposal for Engineering Services for Downstream Wall Repairs
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82620567128?pwd=yNQKWe39zrX_cTmWXImujvrzu0_a-Q.I4HX6aLGTu3eUVWS
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799
Webinar ID: 826 2056 7128
Passcode: 065668

City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please note that although every effort will be made to provide for virtual participation, unforeseen
technical difficulties may prevent this, in which case the meeting may still proceed as long as there is a
quorum. Should you wish to make a comment in this situation, you are welcome to call this number:
(262) 473-0108

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85428039940?pwd=SWRsRDJrenludFhhUlRuTDRVbkZjdz09
Meeting ID: 854 2803 9940
Passcode: 355760
Dial by your location
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 854 2803 9940
Passcode: 355760

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action regarding Memorandum of Understanding – Whitewater Innovation Center (Joe Kromholz), including discussion regarding FERC’s Assessment of the Innovation Center (Russ Kashian), Discussion and possible action regarding transfer of funds from Action Fund Account to Facade Loan Fund Account, Discussion and possible action with regard to Request for Proposal for legal counsel to represent the interests of the CDA, Discussion and possible action regarding selection of a judge for the WindUp competition.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.

Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j89062950482?pwd=3iDD6qyXEEJC0AusurYHpg8SeDBX4A.-6UJSDDvtIShk9CA
Webinar ID: 890 6295 0482
Passcode: 328531
Phone: +1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 890 6295 0482
Passcode: 328531

Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer our second and final 2024 Boater Safety Education Course on April 30, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., and May 11, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the Rock County
Fairgrounds – Craig Center, 1301 Craig Ave, Janesville, WI 53545. Students will need to attend both sessions to graduate.

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1989, is required to complete a Boater Safety Education Course to legally operate a motorized boat or personal watercraft (PWC) on Wisconsin waters. It is recommended that participants are at least 12 years of age or turn
12 shortly after the class.

Session 1: April 30, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. @ Rock Co. Fairgrounds – Craig Center
Session 2: May 11, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. @ Rock Co. Fairgrounds – Craig Center

Registration is now open. Complete the online enrollment form to reserve a seat.
https://www.co.rock.wi.us/departments/sheriff-s-office/recreational-patrol/boater-education

Class size is limited to 30 students. Upon submission of the registration form, the submitter will see an onscreen confirmation message with course information. The course fee of $10 per student will be collected at the first session. If the student is under 18 years old, a parent/guardian will need to attend the first session with the student. Students will receive course materials at the first session. Please direct any questions to Deputy Trevor Lund at trevor.lund@co.rock.wi.us.

Update 4/15 @ 9:15 a.m.: In a press release on this date the Whitewater Fire/EMS Department included the following statement: “Whitewater Fire and EMS would like to extend a thank you to the numerous bystanders and witnesses that offered assistance and first aid during the initial moments of this mass casualty event.”

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Rock County Sheriff’s Department.

On 4/13/2024 at approximately 1204 hours Rock County Deputies, Jefferson County Deputies, Whitewater Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol along with several fire/EMS agencies responded to a three-vehicle crash at HWY 12 and E County Line Rd in Lima Township, Rock County. [City residents may know this intersection as HWY 12 and Business HWY 12/Main St.] Through investigation this is believed to be what occurred:

A passenger van was eastbound on E County Line Rd approaching HWY 12. The driver of the passenger van did not adhere to the stop sign entering the intersection. There was a passenger SUV, with the right of way, southbound on HWY 12. The front of the SUV collided with the driver side of the van in the intersection. As they collided a truck pulling a fifth wheel trailer hauling hay was northbound on HWY 12. The driver side of the trailer collided with the front of the van. During the crash two adult females and one adult male were ejected from the van. Those three subjects were later declared deceased on scene.

The female adult driver of the van sustained non-life-threatening injuries as did the adult male driver of the SUV. The driver of the truck was uninjured. There were four additional passengers from the van that were transported to nearby hospitals. One of them, an adult female, was transported via Med Flight with life threatening injuries. The other three, two adult males and an adult female, have severe but non-life-threatening injuries.

The Rock County Sheriff’s Office will be the primary investigating agency for the crash. At this time no criminal charges have been filed as a result of the crash and the investigation is ongoing. The names of the deceased will be later released by the Medical Examiner’s Office.