News

Jefferson County is providing a brief update regarding ongoing response efforts to minimize the impact of the avian influenza [“bird flu”] outbreak:

• Actions to manage the outbreak are moving forward consistently, with response operations ongoing.
• Additional monitoring and response activities are planned to ensure that the outbreak is fully addressed in a timely manner and that remediation efforts continue effectively and safely.
• County officials are working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), and federal partners to ensure all actions align with state and federal guidance.
• The Jefferson County Health Department continues to monitor the health and safety of personnel and partners involved in the response. It is actively addressing community questions and concerns related to environmental health, water quality, and potential impacts.
• Jefferson County remains fully committed to protecting public health and local agricultural operations through coordinated response, monitoring, and transparent communication.
• Residents and poultry owners should remain vigilant, follow biosecurity protocols, and report any suspected cases. Additional information and guidance can be found at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx. The Jefferson County Health Department Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyHealth/.

Jefferson County sincerely thanks residents, producers, and response partners for their continued cooperation and support as we work together to protect community health, agriculture, and the environment.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Office of the Administrator of Jefferson County.

The UW-W football team will compete in the NCAA Division III Championship for the 20th time in program history. The bracket that was announced on November 16 may be viewed here.

The Warhawks will host DePauw University in the second round. Kickoff is slated for noon on November 29 at Perkins Stadium.  Further information regarding this contest will be posted to The Banner when available.

The 2026 Stagg Bowl will be held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio on January 4, 2026. This will be the second consecutive year that the Stagg Bowl is being played in January; previously it has always been in early to mid-December. Also, for the second year in a row, the game will be played on a Sunday night, and on ESPN’s primary network.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST. This event marks the return of the championship to Canton, where it was last played in 2021. Next year’s event will return to the original site of Salem, Virginia, with the following year returning to Canton.

Another Year of Supporting UWW Students J. Robert’s Menswear ‘Dress for Success Drive’ to Support UW-Whitewater Warhawk Success Closet

Local Fine Menswear Company Encourages Community to Donate Professional Attire to Students in Need

J. Robert’s Menswear, a trusted fine menswear company with locations in Janesville and Elkhorn, is proud to announce the return of its “Dress for Success Drive,” a charitable community initiative benefiting the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Warhawk Success Closet, a collection of gently worn professional attire that students can choose from at no cost. From Monday, November 17, through Monday, December 1, community members are invited to donate gently used professional clothing to help UW-Whitewater students prepare for interviews, internships, and career fairs.

This meaningful initiative continues to be close to the heart of store owner Kyle Deschner, a proud 2022 UW-Whitewater alumni. “Our goal is to give back to the community and support the next generation of professionals,” said Kyle. “We’re thrilled to contribute to the Warhawk Success Closet, providing students with free access to the professional attire they need for interviews, internships, and career fairs.”

Accepted donations include suits, shirts, ties, dress shoes, and other business-appropriate attire for both men and women. All items collected at J. Robert’s Menswear’s Janesville and Elkhorn stores will be personally delivered by Kyle to the UW-Whitewater Warhawk Success Closet.

As a thank-you, customers will receive $2 in-store credit per donated item (up to $50 total), redeemable through March 2026. “This is our way of thanking our community for their generosity and involvement in this important cause” added Kyle. The Dress for Success Drive is more than a clothing donation; it’s an opportunity to help local students gain confidence and succeed in their professional journeys.

For more details on the Dress for Success Drive or to participate, visit J. Robert’s Menswear, 2919 N Lexington Dr., Janesville or 17 S. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn. You may also contact: Kyle at: kyle@jrobertsmenswear.com or Dylan at: dylan@jrobertsmenswear.com
Phone Number: 262-723-2610

The Letters to Santa Mailbox is OPEN!

It’s that magical time of year — the Letters to Santa program starts today!

Bring your little ones to drop off their letters to Santa at City Hall’s south main entrance (open 24/7) and share their wishes, hopes, and holiday cheer with the big guy himself!

Don’t forget to include your return address so Santa can write back before Christmas! His elves will make sure every letter gets a special reply straight from the North Pole.

The mailbox will be accepting letters now through December 8, so get those lists ready and make sure they’re in before Santa takes off on his big night!

¡El Buzón de Cartas a Santa está ABIERTO!

¡Es esa época mágica del año: el programa Cartas a Santa comienza hoy!

Trae a tus pequeños para dejar sus cartas a Santa en la entrada principal sur del Ayuntamiento (abierta 24/7) y compartir sus deseos, esperanzas y alegría navideña con el propio Santa.

¡No olvides incluir tu dirección de regreso para que Santa pueda responder antes de Navidad! Sus elfos se asegurarán de que cada carta reciba una respuesta especial directamente desde el Polo Norte.

El buzón aceptará cartas desde ahora hasta el 8 de diciembre, así que prepara esas listas y asegúrate de entregarlas antes de que Santa salga en su gran noche.

On Saturday, November 15, twenty-one FIRST Lego League (FLL) teams from across southern Wisconsin gathered at Whitewater High School for a full day of fun and competition, hosted by Ferradermis. The Washington Brick Layers, coached by Val Troxel and Chris Nate, the Lincoln Brick Layers, coached by Lisa Kaminski, the Lakeview Brick Layers, coached by Sara Brautigam, and the WMS Iron Dragons Red and WMS Iron Dragons Silver, coached by Kerry Ramsden and Grace Fanshaw, were all able to compete at this event.

The students were busy all day, rehearsing their presentations and doing practice runs with their robots in the pits. Each team spent 30 minutes with a panel of judges, sharing their robot design process and their innovation project. The judges also talked with the students about how their team embodies the FIRST core values of discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork, and fun. In their down time, students took part in an elaborate scavenger hunt designed by Vivian Harris to match the season’s archeologically themed game. They also enjoyed playing catch with the high school team’s robot which was tossing foam rings from the 2024 game high in the air. The middle school FIRST Tech Challenge team added an archeological dig for 3D printed season-themed items.

The Washington team of Damian Ramirez, Clara Meinel, Elizabeth Erdmann, Tanner Marshall, Landon Tranel, Elin Zheng, Everett Taylor, Hazel Gamboeck, Rozina Kejo, and Evan Kaina-Baier (not pictured) became the first ever Whitewater FLL team to advance to the Sectional round. They will now compete at Mukwonago High School on Saturday, December 13, for a chance to advance to State.

Over the course of the season, Ferradermis members volunteered as mentors with various teams including Erison Dreksler at Washington, Vivian Harris at Lakeview, Sam Raupp at Lincoln, and Mason Genung at the middle school. At the event on November 15, thirty-four different high school team members filled volunteer roles from queuers to team escorts, to refs and emcees. The team would like to thank the numerous parents, WUSD Robotics Booster Club members, community members, Ferradermis alumni, and mentors from other high school teams who volunteered throughout the day to make this event possible.

Whitewater High School will next play host to a FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifier with 24 teams, including the WMS Iron Dragons FTC, on Sunday, December 7. The event is free and open to the public.

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

The Whitewater High School Student Council is proud to announce our first-ever Whitewater Cares Community Food Drive! The Whitewater community has a long-standing tradition of coming together to support one another in times of need, and this event embodies that spirit of generosity and care. All event details can be found on the attached flyer, and a link to sign up is also included below. Please sign up by Thursday afternoon, November 20. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact cluebke@wwusd.org. We appreciate your support and look forward to making a positive impact together!

Sign-up link

Information provided by Chelsea Luebke
Whitewater High School Student Council Advisor
cluebke@wwusd.org

𝗝𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟴:𝟬𝟬 𝗮.𝗺. 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟮:𝟬𝟬 𝗽.𝗺.

The Jefferson County Courthouse will be closed to the public on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to allow all employees to participate in a building-wide safety training.

During this time, courthouse doors will be locked and no public entry will be permitted. The courthouse will reopen promptly at 12:00 p.m. and resume normal business operations for the remainder of the day.

“This training reflects Jefferson County’s commitment to maintaining a safe and prepared workplace for both our employees and the public we serve,” said Michael Luckey, Jefferson County Administrator. “We appreciate the community’s understanding as we dedicate this time to ensuring that our staff are fully equipped to respond to emergencies and keep our courthouse a safe place.”

Residents are encouraged to plan ahead for any in-person courthouse business and to make necessary arrangements outside of the training window. Information on county services may be found online at www.jeffersoncountywi.gov.

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

• Saturdays: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Wednesdays (starting September 10): 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  
  Seasonal Closure
• Last Wednesday open: November 19, 2025 (closes at 6:00 p.m.)
• Final Saturdays open (weather permitting):
  o November 22
  o November 29
  o December 6
  
  Important Notes
• Whitewater residents only.
• Yard waste must be emptied from containers; containers must be taken home.
• Residents may take compost or wood chips (self-load).
• A loader is available for wood chips on the first Saturday of each month.
• Arrive early enough to unload—the site closes promptly at posted times.
  
  🚫Reminder:
  Per City Ordinance 12.08.010, depositing yard waste on city streets or right-of-ways is prohibited, except on
  designated days. Editor’s note; There are no designated days for depositing yard waste on those areas except for brush and leaf pickup days.
  
  📍Location: 599 N. Jefferson St. 📞Questions? Call Public Works at 262-473-0560

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Aviso: Sitio de Compostaje Otoño de 2025 ~ Cambio de Horario los Miércoles
Horario regular de Atención

• Sábados: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Miércoles (a partir del 10 de septiembre): 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  
  Cierre de Temporada
• Último miércoles abierto: 19 de noviembre de 2025 (cierra a las 6:00 p.m.)
• Últimos sábados abiertos (si el clima lo permite):
  o 22 de noviembre
  o 29 de noviembre
  o 6 de diciembre
  Notas importantes
• Solo residentes de Whitewater.
• Los desechos de jardín deben vaciarse de los contenedores; Los contenedores deben llevarse a casa.
• Los residentes pueden tomar abono o astillas de madera (autocarga).
• Un cargador está disponible para astillas de madera el primer sábado de cada mes.
• Llegue lo suficientemente temprano para descargar: el sitio cierra puntualmente a las horas publicadas.
  🚫Recordatorio:
  Según la Ordenanza de la Ciudad 12.08.010, está prohibido depositar desechos de jardín en las calles de la ciudad o
  en los derechos de paso, excepto en los días designados.
  📍Ubicación: 599 N. Jefferson St. 📞¿Preguntas? Llame a Obras Públicas al 262-473-0560

The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon, 5k, Half Marathon Teams, and Kids Korral held their 13th annual race banquet on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Willow Brook Golf Course. Race sponsors, team leaders, volunteers, and four local charities came together for an evening to celebrate the accomplishments of the 13th Annual DWS race.

During the banquet, the DWS presented $5,000 to each of the four charity partners to total $20,000 distributed. The four charities include: Bethel House, Whitewater LEADS, the J-Hawk Aquatic Club, and UW-Whitewater Foundation-Athletics. In addition, $381 was donated directly from anonymous individuals to the charities of their choosing on the DWS website. Throughout the past thirteen years, the DWS has raised a total of $314,881 for the local charities of Whitewater.

“I loved this year’s event. The coming together and interaction of the runners with the volunteers was incredible. We could not have done it without the strong partnership of the University, the city, the school district, and the business community who made the 13th annual run a huge success. I’d like to thank the sponsors who have made this event a financial success that allows us to invest in these four amazing charities,” said Executive Director, Jeffrey Knight.

“This is now our thirteenth annual banquet. I always look forward to this wonderful night to honor everyone’s accomplishments, I can’t wait for next year’s race,” said Greater Whitewater Committee Chairman, Russ Walton

“It is great to see the results from race day and how everyone’s hard work paid off – each sponsor, volunteer, and community member. It is what makes the DWS such an incredible community event,” said Race Director, Dawson Miller.

The DWS Team would like to thank everyone who came together to make the 13th Annual race an amazing success. The banquet celebrated everyone’s hard work and dedication that was put forth by our incredible sponsors, volunteers, charity partners, and team leaders who make the DWS an event to remember each year.

For further details, please contact Executive Director, Jeffery Knight, at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.

About the DWS

The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features, while keeping everyone in the community active. All the proceeds from the race are donated to four local non-profit partners: Bethel House (which provides interim housing for homeless families), Whitewater LEADS, UW-Whitewater Foundation-Athletics, and the J-Hawk Aquatic Club. The DWS partners with the city, business community, university, and the school district to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit www.runwhitewater.com.

Lakes Advisory Committee Meeting – Monday @ 4:00 p.m.
Agenda includes City Attorney’s Memo on Advisory Committee Authority; Consideration of prioritizing cattail management and eradication in response to the continued spread and adverse ecological impacts resulting from the lake
drawdown; Discussion of current and proposed lake capital improvement projects and related lake initiatives.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
*In Person and Virtual
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 884 4127 2691
Passcode: 794965

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City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda – closed session (followed by open session) for Interview of FTE EMT/Firefighter Candidate(s); Interview of Patrol Officer Candidates;Interview of Detective Lieutenant Candidate
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our meeting via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
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You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 414-605-453
United States: +1 (571) 317-3122

Whitewater Public Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Building construction update; Update, discussion and possible action concerning a new Strategic Plan; approval of 2026-27 budget.
Cravath Lakefront Conference Room
312 W 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:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82194573151?pwd=kzh0dwYfkwisZYgNaGGbb1XX5QQ8KK.1
Meeting ID: 821 9457 3151
Passcode: stUx6tyY
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US

City of Whitewater Alcohol Licensing Commission – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda: hearing of appeal for beverage operator’s license.
Alcohol Licensing Committee Meeting
Whitewater Municipal Building, Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd Floor, 312 West Whitewater St.,

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/j/88205492506?pwd=ULkhLYOm0eEscTHWlfU44SUtnHfQHA.1

Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US

Webinar ID: 882 0549 2506

Passcode: 315937

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m
Agenda includes presentation of draft budget, resolution regarding storm water rates, proposal to combine Economic Development and Neighborhood Development Departments into Community Development Department.

Common Council Meeting

Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,

312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190

*In Person and Virtual

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – 6:00 PM

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/j/82071826949?pwd=wpTE4SnHsm8waXIybH3FXcjDEVfZDA.1

Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US

Webinar ID: 820 7182 6949

Passcode: 167777

Please note that although every effort will be made to provide for

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.

Community Development Authority

Board of Directors

Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,

312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190

*In Person and Virtual

Thursday, November 20, 2025 – 5:30 PM

Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or

telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar!

When: Nov 20, 2025 05:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Topic: CDA

Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89426541134?pwd=qMq4Q8cvWIhs43tCZkRvsNFy2YBgUA.CJHQoNVgpKzQ1

_wD

Passcode:647974

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Due to technical issues we are currently unable to post the information for this meeting at this time. Please check the city website or return to this page later. Apologies for the inconvenience.

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