News

On Monday, Sept. 16, the Whitewater Unified School Board appointed Miguel Aranda, 29, of 243 N. Park Street, to fill the school board position previously held by Jean Linos who resigned.  Three other citizens had also applied for the position: Andrew Crone, Maryann Zimmerman, and Nick Baldwin. In a second round of voting, Aranda was selected over Zimmerman by a margin of 5-1.

Miguel is a Senior Financial Specialist in the University Center at UW-W. He graduated from our university with a Bachelor of Business Administration with an International Business major and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Finance and Financial Management Services. Miguel is a lifelong Whitewater resident and was the recipient of the 2018 Making Democracy Work Award from the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area. He has two children, ages 4 and 2.

Aranda, who is fluent in Spanish, mentioned his involvement in Latino outreach to the community. With a teacher Aranda described as an “anchor” to the local Latino community planning to leave, he said he wants to make sure Latino students will still have someone in the district to look up to. He said he had “great mentors” during his schooling in Whitewater. “Education is very important to me,” he said. “I do believe that education is at the forefront of making a better society.”

Aranda will fill the seat until the April election, but he said he does not plan to run for another term on the board. He said he is committed to the civic work he is involved in pertaining to the election, such as increasing voter turnout and working as a poll worker, and that he could not participate in those activities if he was on the ballot. He said, however, that he is open to running for the board someday.
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El Lunes 16 de Septiembre, la Junta Escolar Unificada de Whitewater designó a Miguel Aranda, de 29 años, de 243 N. Park Street, para ocupar el puesto de la junta escolar que anteriormente fue ocupaba por Jean Linos, quien renunció. Miguel es Especialista Financiero Mayor en el Centro Universitario de la Universidad de Wisconsin-Whitewater. Se graduó de nuestra universidad con una Licenciatura en Administración de Empresas con especialización en Negocios Internacionales y actualmente está cursando una maestría en Finanzas y Servicios de Gestión Financiera. Miguel es residente de Whitewater de toda la vida y recibió el Premio Making Democracy Work 2018 de la Liga de Mujeres Votantes – Área de Whitewater. Tiene dos hijos, de 4 y 2 años.

Aranda, que habla español, mencionó su participación en el alcance latino a la comunidad. Con una maestra que Aranda describió como un “ancla” para la comunidad latina local que planea moverse, dijo que quiere asegurarse de que los estudiantes latinos todavía tengan a alguien en el distrito quien les ayude. Dijo que tuvo “grandes mentores” durante su educación en Whitewater. “La educación es muy importante para mí”, dijo. “Creo que la educación es super importante para hacer una sociedad mejor”.

Aranda ocupará el puesto hasta las elecciones de Abril, pero dijo que no planea postularse por la posición. Dijo que está comprometido con el trabajo cívico en el que participa en relación con las elecciones, como aumentar la participación electoral y trabajar como trabajador electoral, y que no podría participar en esas actividades si estuviera en la boleta electoral. Sin embargo, dijo que está abierto a postularse para el consejo algún día.

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On Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 the Whitewater Unified School District will be designated as a Project ADAM HeartSafe district.

This designation has taken over two years to earn with the hard work of the School Health Services Team. Those attending the celebration will include an RN representative for the Project ADAM HeartSafe Schools program from the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin/Hermana Heart Institute as well as the five students in our district with heart conditions and their families.

The ultimate goal of Project ADAM is to provide access to comprehensive and sustained HeartSafe school programming to schools across the entire country. The program has saved 140 lives nationwide.

If you have any questions pertaining to the event, please feel free to contact Jaclyn Tueting at jtueting@wwusd.org or 262-472-8702.

Walworth County Administrator David Bretl has announced his retirement after 18 years as county government’s top staff employee. Bretl said he expects to step down during the first quarter of 2020, after the county board has chosen a successor. Bretl has been on the job since 2001.

“I am grateful for all of the support I have had here,” he said in an email expressing gratitude to county board members, county department heads, county staff and citizens. Bretl also serves as the county’s corporation counsel, or chief attorney —  duties that he said will be reassigned.

Bretl said he announced his retirement plans Aug. 30 to the county board and to county department heads.“I will be working with the board to ensure a smooth transition,” he said.

“Dave has been an excellent County Administrator. Walworth County has been very fortunate to have him. He has worked very hard for us, kept the Board informed of issues facing the county both good and bad. He has totally rearranged the administrative portion of the organization, making it very efficient cost controlled. Walworth County residents should be very proud of our Administrator and Support Staff for the way our County operates,” shared Jerry Grant, Walworth County Supervisor District 4.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY

Remove or hide valuables which are in your automobiles! Lock your automobiles! Secure your homes, apartments and garages! Immediately report activity which appears suspicious or out of place! Community-wide vigilance is essential. We in law enforcement call this target hardening.

Over the past several weeks, numerous home and garage burglaries, auto entries, auto thefts and other thefts have occurred in Dane, Jefferson, Walworth and Waukesha counties. Some of these incidents have occurred in our city. A number of these burglaries across these counties occurred because unlocked vehicles in the driveway or lot of the homes and apartments contained a garage door opener. A mere button push away from full access to a garage or home.

Our agency has altered our focus during patrols in response to these crimes. We, along with our law enforcement partners in other cities and counties, are diligently working to identify, arrest and hold accountable those responsible.

We are asking all homeowners, renters and property owners to do the following:

1. Valuables kept in your vehicle should be stored out of sight or removed from your vehicle altogether.
2. Lock those auto doors.
3. Consider removing your garage door opener from your vehicle while it’s parked overnight in your driveway or lot or, at a minimum, put it in an out of sight location in your auto. We recognize that some openers are programmed into the auto.
4. Lock your home, apartment and garage.
5. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
Immediately report suspicious activity to us.

The men and women of the Whitewater Police Department refuse to allow these criminals to view our city as an easy target for repeat victimization! With your assistance we will send that message loudly and clearly. Our partnership is the key to success.

Please share this post with your neighbors, family, friends, co-workers and fellow students.

Chief Aaron M. Raap

The Town of Whitewater is hiring a part-time seasonal snow plow driver.

Current CDL required; experience preferred. 

Pays $18 per hour.

Applications available at www.townofwhitewater.org or call 262-473-4639. 

Apply by October 31.

Whitewater High School, 534 South Elizabeth Street:

• Six weeks
• Begins 25 September – 30 October
• Wednesdays
• 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm  
• Childcare is provided

To Register:

262-949-1408 Sarah Linn (Instructor)

414-418-8424 Jorge Islas Martínez

Sponsored by the Whitewater Unified School District

• Seis semanas
• Empieza 25 Septiembre  –  30 Octubre
• Miércoles
• 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Se ofrece cuidado para niños.

Para Registrarse:

262-949-1408 Sarah Linn (Instructor)

414-418-8424 Jorge Islas Martínez

Las clases son patrocinadas por el Distrito Educacional de Whitewater

Whitewater students in 4th and 5th grade have the opportunity to register for beginning orchestra at 6:30 Tuesday night, Sept. 17 at the Lincoln Elementary Cafeteria.   Families will be able to have their student measured for instrument rental. For more information come to the meeting or contact Mrs. Christine Hayes at chayes@wwusd.org.

On Sept. 22, 2019 race participants of all ages will take off from the starting line of the seventh annual DWS in Whitewater.

“DWS is made possible from the help of our generous sponsors and volunteers.” DWS Executive Director Jeffery Knight said. “It is amazing to see the community come together to provide the best experience possible for the runners.”

Below is a list describing everything to expect race day weekend.

• Pre-race dinner: DWS provides a complimentary pre-race dinner for race participants on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. The dinner is in the Hamilton Room of the University Center on the UW-Whitewater campus and is provided by A’viands. On-site registration will be made available during the dinner.

• Race day activities: The activities start at 6 a.m. with on-site registration and free to participants, the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at 6:30 a.m. For a full schedule of the day, visit: http://runwhitewater.com
  • Wheelchair Division start is 7:55 a.m.
  • Half marathon/half marathon relay start is 8 a.m.
  • 5K start is 8:15 a.m.

• Additional pacers added: This year we have added an additional eight pacers to the half marathon. There will be a total of 16 pacers running the course in bright green shirts, so they’re easy to spot. Participants can run with pacers to keep a steady pace during the 13.1 miles.

• FREE childcare: DWS offers Kids Korral, a free childcare service, from 7 – 11 a.m. for racers and volunteers during race day. The Kids Korral is possible due to the combined effort of the UW-W’s College of Education & Professional Studies and the student organization Creative and Resourceful Educators (CARE). Kids Korral is for children six months old to 10 years old, and the staff strives to provide fun activities in a safe environment. All children must be registered, and this can be done at http://runwhitewater.com.

• W3 Fit Kid Shuffle: Every year DWS partners with Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3) to host the Fit Kid Shuffle. Fit Kid Shuffle is a one-mile fun run for children 10 years old and younger. This year the Fit Kid Shuffle will have a superhero theme, and all children are encouraged to come wearing their favorite superhero attire. The Fit Kid Shuffle will begin at 9:15 a.m.

• Awards Ceremony: The awards ceremony is split up between the half marathon, half marathon relay and 5K. First, second and third (men and women) place finishers of the half marathon will receive a cash prize, $50 gift certificate to The Black Sheep in Whitewater and a trophy. All finishers of the half marathon, half marathon relay and 5k will receive a medal. This year, upon crossing the finish line, race participants can pick up their award once the times are certified and posted. Awards will be recycled if they are not picked up by the end of the awards ceremony.
  • 5K awards start at 9:45 a.m.
  • Half marathon and half marathon relay awards start at 10 a.m.

• Dry Needling and massages: This year, Mercyhealth Hospital is providing a booth that offers runners and spectators a complementary dry needling and a 5-10 minute massage. The Mercyhealth tent will be located next to the Whitewater High School’s football field bleachers.

• Post-race party: This year’s post-race celebration will again take place at 841 Brewhouse, located at 841 E Milwaukee St in Whitewater. Participants can come to get one free glass of either beer, wine or soda. The party is 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center: Race participants will be given a free day pass to the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 580 South Elizabeth Street, attached to the high school.

“Our team does its best to make every race day an event the whole family will enjoy and remember,” DWS Race Director Dawson Miller said. “By providing things like the Fit Kid Shuffle, Kids Korral and the Aquatic Center day pass, there’s something for everyone.”

Monthly newsletters are emailed to participants and volunteers of the race. Message the DWS team on Facebook or email us at info@runwhitewater.com to receive the newsletter and stay up to date on all things involving the race.

For more information about the DWS contact Jeffery Knight by email, jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or by phone, 920.728.0662.

About the DWS
The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features. All the proceeds from the race are donated to five local non-profit partners: Bethel House (which provides interim housing for homeless families), Working for Whitewater’s Wellness, Whitewater Unified School District, Whitewater LEADS 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 runwhitewater.com. For general race inquires email info@runwhitewater.com.