WHITEWATER RESPONDS
Response to the COVID-19 community impact.  The resources below are available for the community during this time. 

For Individuals needing help:

o   Apply for FoodShare Online or Over the Phone
o   Apply for WIC
o   Tenant Resource Center: https://www.tenantresourcecenter.org/ or 608-257-0006
o   Southern WI: Legal Action of Wisconsin: https://www.legalaction.org/contact-us
o   Northern WI: Judicare: http://www.judicare.org/
o   FAQ’s for Unemployment Claimants and Employers Link
o   Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with COVID-19?

For Families:

o   Caregiver Help Desk: 855-227-3640. Read More
o   Talking to Kids about Covid-19 Read More
o   Mutual Aid groups for seniors More Info
o   Employees in need of child care can submit a request for care through the Department of Children and Families (DCF) updated Child Care Finder or proactively view up-to-date availability across the state using the department’s new child care map.

For Anyone:

o  Call 800-985-5990 to speak to a trained crisis counselor or text TalkWithUS to 66747.
o   Find more resources at Resilient Wisconsin’s page.

Utility Relief Offered to Wisconsinites: Governor Evers has issued an emergency order to suspend several utility-related rules. This has allowed the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to direct regulated utility companies that during this time. Utility companies cannot disconnect utilities for nonpayment, cannot assess late fees, cannot require deposits for reconnection, must allow for deferred payments, and must remove barriers for customer establishing or re-establishing connections. Anyone who has questions on this or is not offered these benefits by their utility companies, is encouraged to contact the PSC at 608.266.5481 or 1.888.816.3831.

COVID-19: RESILIENT WISCONSIN provides information about the pandemic, tips to feel stronger and more connected during the pandemic, support for people in emotional distress or contemplating suicide, and much more.

CHILD CARE FINDER: Essential employees in need of child care can submit a request for care through the Department of Children and Families (DCF) updated Child Care Finder or proactively view up-to-date availability across the state using the department’s new child care map. DCF is working with health care providers, child care centers, community organizations like YMCAs, schools, and other partners to open emergency child care centers for essential workforce families. New centers will be opened as demand for child care increases. DCF has provided guidance and resources for organizations interested in opening child care centers. For any questions regarding this effort, please contact dcfmbcovid19@wisconsin.gov. 

NEED HELP PICKING UP GROCERIES OR RUNNING ERRANDS? If you are in the Whitewater area and would like a volunteer to pick up groceries or run errands for you so you can limit exposure, please let Living Word Fellowship know how we can help. You can call us at 262-458-4580 or email information@living-word-fellowship.com. Stay well!”

WHITEWATER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT MEALS
A week’s worth of meals will be distributed each Monday from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. This includes five breakfasts and five lunches for each child. We will not distribute meals Tuesday through Friday. These meals are available to all children in the community 18 years old and younger. Children do not need to be physically present to receive the meals, but may pick up meals without an adult. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are able to pick-up meal bags for all eligible children in the household. Please practice physical distancing when picking up meals and thorough hand-washing with soap and water before eating the take-home meals.  Anyone with a fever or respiratory symptoms should not be picking up meals. When picking up a meal, you will now need to get out of your vehicle. The meals will be placed on a table to maintain social distancing.

Locations:
– Whitewater High School, in circle drive
– N. Tratt Street, along Garden Apartments
– N. Newcomb Street, along Whitewater Woods
– N. Walton Drive, north of W. Bloomingfield Drive
– N. County Line Road, into Wright’s Mobile Home Park
– Fonda Street, along Washington Elementary
– Lincoln Elementary School

PREPARED, INDIVIDUAL MEALS
Prepared individual meals will be available for take-out Monday through Friday, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., starting on Wednesday, March 18 for community members and UW-Whitewater students. Meals can be picked up at the Prairie Street entrance of First United Methodist Church. This is the same location as Tuesday Free Lunch. Prepackaged, shelf-stable food items are also be available for pickup, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

All are welcome!

145 S. Prairie Street – (262) 473-2131 or  churchoffice@fumcwhitewater.org

THE COMMUNITY SPACE
The Community Space (TCS) is a place where people share food, clothing, furniture, toys and household items for free. TCS also has a Little Free Pantry available 24/7 in the front vestibule. NOTE: Only food is available at this time, except for extenuating circumstances.

834 E. Milwaukee Street – (262) 379-0187 or  roberskay@yahoo.com

Additional information.Facebook

THE BLACK SHEEP
Every Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. until the safer at home is lifted, The Black Sheep is providing breakfast, lunch, snacks, dairy products, and local foods to anyone in need. The items are located at their little “Free Food Truck” that is stationed across from “Me and My Pets” in downtown Whitewater. They believe no one should go hungry. Individuals can take what they need while supplies last. If the truck is empty or you have any questions, their phone number is (262) 613-7119 or you may send them a Facebook message.
Facebook

WHITEWATER RESPONDE
Respuesta al impacto comunitario de COVID-19. Los recursos a continuación están disponibles para la comunidad durante este tiempo.

¿NECESITA AYUDA PARA CONSEGUIR ALIMENTOS O HACER MANDADOS? Si usted 
vive en el área de Whitewater y desea que un voluntario recoja 
alimentos o haga mandados para usted, por favor informe a Living Word 
Fellowship cómo podemos ayudarle. Nuestro número de teléfono es 
262-458-4580 y nuestra dirección de correo electrónico es 
information@living-word-fellowship.com.

“Querido hermano, oro para que te vaya bien en todos tus asuntos y 
goces de buena salud, así como prosperas espiritualmente.” (3 Juan 2)

COMIDAS, INDIVIDUALES PREPARADAS
Las comidas individuales preparadas estarán disponibles para llevar de lunes a viernes de 5:00 a 7:00 p.m., a partir del miércoles 18 de marzo para miembros de la comunidad y estudiantes de UW-Whitewater. Las comidas se pueden recoger en la entrada de Prairie Street de First United Methodist Church. Este es el mismo lugar que el Almuerzo Gratis del Martes.

A partir del lunes 23 de marzo, los alimentos ya empaquetados también estarán disponibles para ser recogidos, de 5:00 a 7:00 p.m.

¡Todos son bienvenidos!

145 S. Prairie Street – (262) 473-2131 o churchoffice@fumcwhitewater.org

EL ESPACIO COMUNITARIO
El Espacio Comunitario (TCS) es un lugar donde las personas comparten comida, ropa, muebles, juguetes y artículos para el hogar de forma gratuita. TCS también tiene un Little Free Pantry (pequeña despensa de comida)  disponible 24/7 en el vestíbulo delantero.

834 E. Milwaukee Street – (262) 379-0187 o roberskay@yahoo.com

Información AdicionalFacebook

THE BLACK SHEEP
A partir del miércoles 18 de marzo y todos los martes a viernes, durante el tiempo que puedan o hasta que las escuelas vuelvan a abrir, puede venir a The Black Sheep entre las 9:30 a.m. y las 10:30 a.m. o entre las 3:30 p.m. a las 9: 00 pm para recibir una comida que puede calentar en casa o una opción de fruta, cereal, yogurt y sándwich. Creemos que nadie debería pasar hambre. Llame o envíe un mensaje de texto para informarles con un día de anticipación cuántas comidas necesitará al día siguiente y a qué hora llegará. El número de teléfono es (262) 613-7119 o puede enviarles un mensaje de Facebook.

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Our Readers Share: Marilyn Fuerstenberg: “Smile”

Marilyn Fuerstenberg writes, “I have been a visual artist painting in watercolor since 1988. I have enjoyed sharing with the community. I enjoyed helping my grandkids learn how use their creativity. My 10 year old great granddaughter was getting bored with not being in school. She said she could only read so much. Not being able to share art supplies with her, I came up with using the natural products that are free. I made a few as samples. All you need are pebbles, glue, a marker, and twigs and a piece of cardboard. I used mat board.

— Our thanks to Ms. Fuerstenberg for demonstrating what beautiful artwork can be created with free materials and a lot of creativity.

— 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 or click on “submit a story” near the top right of our homepage.  Thanks for thinking about this!

The Whitewater High School class of 1965’s 55th reunion, originally scheduled for June 26-27, 2020, has been postponed and rescheduled for June 25-26, 2021 due to the COVID-19 virus.  The reunion committee wants all classmates and their families to stay safe and be able to attend the reunion next year. Additional information and details will be sent to classmates after January 2021.

Classmates, please contact any reunion committee member with any question.

– Chris Thompson Pitterle

On Wednesday, May 13, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down the state’s stay at home order by a 4-3 vote. It is the first time that such an order in any state has been overruled by a state supreme court. Although the Republican-controlled legislature, which filed the suit, had asked for a six day stay to the ruling, that did not occur. The Governor stated in an MSNBC interview that he will meet with legislative leaders on Thursday, but indicated that the rule-making process that would now be required in order to impose any restrictions takes a minimum of two weeks. Currently businesses of any type could open unless prohibited by county or municipal ordinance.

Click here for an article in the Wisconsin State Journal.

Click here for the Supreme Court opinion.

For a statement by Governor Evers click here.

The Whitewater Police Department shared this memo:
TO: Walworth County Law Enforcement
FROM: Zeke Wiedenfeld, Walworth County District Attorney
RE: Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules “Safer at Home” Unenforceable

I am writing this memorandum in response to questions law enforcement is likely receiving from citizens and businesses about the Safer at Home Order and the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision that was issued today. The Supreme Court held that the “Safer at Home” Order is unenforceable. The Supreme Court’s decision is effective immediately, which means that businesses can immediately open and people can immediately travel and gather in large groups, until the Department of Health Services, legislature, or local government passes laws, orders, or rules stating otherwise….

The Department of Health Services, State Legislature, the County Board, or your local municipality, would still have the power to act and pass legislation or ordinances similar to the safer at home order. It appears that Dane County and the City of Madison have already passed legislation similar to the safer at home order. The Supreme Court held that the Department of Health Services does have the ability to pass some orders related to public safety, so it is possible that there could be new, but more limited, DHS orders signed by the Secretary in the near future.

As I explained above, there is still the potential (and it is very likely) that some restrictions will be put in place by the State and/or local government in the near future, so please keep in mind that the law could change very quickly. Private businesses still have the right to impose Safer at Home restrictions on their customers and employees. It is expected that the public will use its own good judgment in taking necessary precautions to keep themselves and other citizens safe….

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After initially asking its residents to voluntarily continue to follow the Safer at Home orders, the Rock County Public Health Department late on Wednesday evening issued an order extending “Safer at Home” until May 26, unless rescinded earlier. Since the beginning of the May, Rock County has seen its total number of COVID-19 cases rise more than 50 percent from 222 reported by the Department of Health Services on May 1, to 380 on Wednesday.
For the latest information about COVID-19 in Rock County, visit the Rock County Public
Health Department’s website, www.co.rock.wi.us/publichealth

This year twenty-one Lincoln Pandas braved the new world of online math competitions by participating in the Noetic Learning Math Contest.

This contest is a semiannual problem-solving contest for elementary and middle school students that is normally given in school as a paper and pencil test.  The goal of the competition is to encourage students’ interest in math, to develop their problem-solving skills, and to inspire them to excel in math.

The Team Winner (the top scorer of each grade-level team) will receive a medal and a certificate.  Students who qualify for the National Honor Roll (the top 10% of students in the nation) will receive medals, web recognition, and certificates.  Students who qualify for the National Honorable Mention (the top 50% of students) will receive ribbons, web recognition, and certificates.  Ribbons and certificates will also be awarded to participants who placed in 1st through 6th place. Due to this year’s move to online schooling, students will receive their certificates and medals at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year.

Grade 4 Results

1st place, Team Winner, and National Honorable Mention:  Jayden Kehrer

2nd place:    Israel Wence

3rd place: Alexander Morales Alonso

4th place: Evan Leising and Virginia Nelson

5th place: Ben Ehrmann

6th place: Cristian Aranda, Laith Bergstrand, Tyler Babcock, Alondra Verduzco, Kaitlin Fuller, and Alyna Miranda

Grade 5 Results

Of note:  Three of our 4th grade students (Ben Crone, Eli Kuzoff, and James Grabinski) participated at the 5th grade level.

1st place, Team Winner, and National Honor Roll:  Eli Kuzoff

2nd place and National Honorable Mention:  Ben Crone and James Grabinski

3rd Place:  Jacek Egnoski and Xavier Ortiz

4th Place:  Evelyn Alcala and Tylen Bucholtz

5th Place:  Genesis De Jesús Zamora and Malcolm Baker

Congratulations to our Lincoln Pandas!

Lisa Griep, Food Services Supervisor for the Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) and her team, the “WUSD COVID-19 Lunch Squad,” were awarded the WUL Hometown Hero Award on Monday “For their dedication, talents and caring each week as they plan, prepare and pack thousands of meals for students during the COVID-19 Crisis.” Lisa’s team members are:  Tootie Behrens, Cindy Ziebarth, Pam Duerst, Elizabeth Dempich, Julie Dempich, Patty Germundson, Lisa Hough, Joyce Leverenz, Carol Kuchan, Storm Langhoff, John Meyer, Susan Stone and Josie Czerpak.  As of last week, they have served 54,695 meals (Breakfast and Lunch) to students in our community. 

The Prep Team of Tootie Behrens, Cindy Ziebarth and Pam Duerst work an additional 3-4 days a week preparing and portioning the next week’s distribution.  Joyce Leverenz and Patty Germundson have secured several bag donations to place the meals in for distribution.  

Nelson Bus is providing transportation to four distribution sites.

Meals are distributed to any student under age 18 on Mondays from 11 a.m.-Noon at the following seven sites: 

Washington Elementary

Whitewater Woods, Newcomb Street

Whitewater High School

Twin Oaks Mobile Home Park, N. Walton Drive

Wright’s Mobile Home Park, N. County Line Rd

Garden Apartments, N. Tratt Street

Lincoln Elementary

Following is a message from Lisa Griep, who leads the WUSD Food Services:

 “To the untrained eye, packing a lunch does not seem to take much effort.  However, planning, preparing and packing a week’s worth of meals for hundreds of students requires exceptional staff to utilize and demonstrate their many talents. We could not complete this daunting task without the pure determination, dedication and talent demonstrated by my ‘COVID-19 Lunch Squad.’ 

I’m blessed and honored to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of individuals who put students and their families above their own needs and personal safety. The WUSD COVID-19 Lunch Squad simply ROCKS!!!  They all deserve a ‘Virtual High Five’!!”

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

 Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com 

There are a number of places where you can get a COVID-19 test, but before you go looking for one you should discuss your symptoms with a doctor. You may contact your own primary provider, or you may take a self-assessment that is offered online by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. They state that you can expect a call back from a medical provider within an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you have been told that you need to be tested, your test may be covered by insurance if you have a “comprehensive health insurance plan.” All comprehensive health insurance plans must pick up 100% of the cost of coronavirus testing, as well as any visit to the emergency room, doctor’s office or urgent care center that may have led to that testing. That includes any COVID-19 test deemed appropriate by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Comprehensive health plans are individual, employer-sponsored or exchange plans that meet the coverage requirements spelled out in the Affordable Care Act. If you’re insured by a short-term plan or another plan that isn’t ACA-compliant, your insurer may not cover the costs associated with your test. Be careful, though, as shown by this NPR article, there can be unexpected costs.

There is one provider in the general area, “The Doctor’s Office” in Darien and Janesville, that is advertising a cost of $130 for a test. They do not accept insurance, and they recommend calling ahead to inquire about doctor availability. Fort Memorial Hospital is offering drive through testing by appointment, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. Saturday & Sunday, but you should check with them at (920) 648-7696 regarding costs and insurance coverage.

The only way to get a free test without insurance is to go to one of the mobile clinics that the State is setting up, generally operated by the National Guard. Unfortunately there are none nearby currently, and be advised that sometimes people report having to wait for hours to get tested. Before going be certain that you have been told by the online assessment or by a physician that you need to be tested. Current locations are listed below, but we suggest that you consult this page. Those tested should bring their own pen and tissues.

Burlington High School, drive through – May 13-15, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Telfer Park, 2101 Cranston Road, Beloit, drive through – May 14-21, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Krueger Park, Moore & House Streets, Beloit, drive through – May 14-21, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Alliant Energy Center, Madison, drive through – May 14 – “ongoing,” 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Carlo Nevicosi, Deputy Director, Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services, told the Banner that his office has been attempting to have a mobile clinic in the county, but there are no plans yet. Of course a person who believes that they may have an active case would not want to wait for a clinic to be set up.

All fourth graders in the Whitewater Unified School District are connecting by doing a big read of the book Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead. Bob is the story of a girl named Livy and the friendship she has with a green creature she discovered in a closet at her grandmother’s house. Livy tries to help Bob figure out who he is and get him home to his family.

Each fourth grader was given a copy of the book to read independently or listen in Google Meets as guest readers throughout the district read it out loud. Students also meet together to talk about the book and to share projects they have created. One activity they are participating in is “Where in Whitewater is Bob?” Pictures of Bob, created by Lincoln paraprofessional Lori Hintz, have been placed around the community. Students have been given a map and clues to try to find Bob. Then they share selfies of themselves with Bob. If you see Bob around the community, please say hello, but do not disturb him.

UW-Whitewater’s Media Arts and Game Development (MAGD) program has a student group GAMED (Game and Media Entertainment Developers) that held their first-ever virtual Game Jam on April 24-26, 2020. During this 48 hour period from Friday at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday at 5:00 p.m., three groups of students (13 total participants) created three different video games. Here are links to the three games created: https://engineereddreams.itch.io/i-know-you-are-what , https://lebrra.itch.io/indiana-duck, https://zaidisx.itch.io/the-watcher

The student organization GAMED has been in existence since 2012. The organization has grown from about 10 members a few years ago to over 30 motivated and talented students. The Watcher, one of the games that was developed during the weekend of April 24-26 is quite popular and has been downloaded over 600 times; the group that created this game plans to make a sequel this summer. GAMED hosts Game Jams approximately three times per semester for students in the club and on campus.  This organization has greatly increased the student experience in game development which offers real world experience and will help students as they pursue a career in game development. Students also participate in the Global Game Jam once a year that is a much larger scale and involves people from all over the country that work to develop a game with the same topic in 48 hours.

Game Jams help game developers learn what it takes to build a video game from start to finish. They build skills in learning how to work in a very limited time frame. Since Game Jams are often 48 hours it really forces prioritizing what needs to get done to achieve a minimum viable product and to build problem solving skills to overcome any errors that appear during the short development time frame.

Normally Game Jams have been held on the UW-Whitewater campus in person, with the exception of a Community Game Jam held in August of 2019. That was a week-long Jam that created a single player puzzle game that week. Here is the link to the game created. https://wesmcw.itch.io/cave-of-uncertainty

GAMED (Game And Media Entertainment Developers) is a student organization which gives creative students of all areas and skills a central place to make games. Whether you’re a developer, designer, programmer, artist, musician, audio technician, or are just interested in getting behind the scenes of video games – this is the place! We build up teams to collaborate on projects, help and support each other grow in personal endeavors, and put on periodic events such as game jams and charity gaming marathons to give members opportunities to add to their resumé and pursue their gaming goals. Whether you’re a seasoned vet or completely new to the scene, come have some fun, meet new friends, get some experience, and develop fun video games with us! For information, contact Jake – kleinja25@uww.edu or Wes – McWhorteWT14@uww.edu.