News

The February 8 tornado that caused the sirens to sound in Whitewater terminated just three miles west of Fort Atkinson.

NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan completed the tornado damage survey. Results are posted below.

Following further evaluation of damage on the northeast side of Evansville, we have determined that the Evansville-Lake Koshkonong tornado had peak winds of 130 MPH. This confirms the preliminary rating of EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Please refer to our weather story for additional information on Thursday’s tornado, including photos of damage from the event https://www.weather.gov/mkx/FebruarySevereWeather

 

Prior to 2024, the state of Wisconsin had never seen a tornado in the month of February. On the evening of February 8th, 2024, a rare, impressive setup for severe weather came together across southern Wisconsin. As a dynamic low tracked northeast across the Upper Mississippi Valley, the warm sector spread across the state of Wisconsin. Within the warm sector, afternoon sunshine allowed surface- based instability to develop, ~500 J/Kg. Along with the increasing instability, the dynamic system brought a plethora of deep-layer and low-level shear. The impressive shear profiles led to concerns for the development of rotating storms that would be capable of producing all hazards – but especially large hail and a few tornadoes. 

Here are a few stats about this severe weather event, dating back to 1986. Prior to the evening of February 8th, 2024: 

• Zero Tornado Warnings had been issued in the state of Wisconsin during the month of February. NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan issued 5 Tornado Warnings during this event.
• 17 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings had been issued in the state of Wisconsin during the month of February (9 in 1999, 4 in 2008, 3 in 2017). NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan issued 8 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings during this event.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library.

Old World Wisconsin is going on the road to bring their hands-on history experience to you! Community members of all ages are invited to a presentation by Old World Wisconsin at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library on Tuesday, February 13 at 5:30 p.m. Step into the past and engage with real immigrant collections and objects in this facilitator-led program.

For all ages. There is no cost or registration to attend. The library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact the library at 262-473-0530 with questions.

City of Whitewater Equal Opportunities Commission – Monday @ 5:00 p.m. – Virtual only
Agenda includes Update on Walworth County Transitional Housing, iscussion and Possible actions regarding activities to promote a welcoming and educational environment for new immigrants, and Discussion and Possible regarding Proactive approaches to address potential NeoNazi activities in the city or on campus.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smartphone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
EOC Meeting
Feb 12, 2024, 5:00 – 6:30 PM (America/Chicago)
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/275909109
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States:
+1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code:
275-909-109
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

City of Whitewater Alcohol Licensing Committee – Monday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda is hearing of appeal of denial of beverage operators licenses.
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/87640525572?pwd=naG3hZcM5hdIOBd1ZNbavs18Z_70jQ.jYlf3r370xSFkR-l
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 876 4052 5572
Passcode: 151151

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a proposed arcade and
lounge and sale of alcohol by the drink located at 141 W Whitewater Avenue #B, Parcel #
/TR00008 for DLK Enterprise, Inc d/b/a Hawk’s Arcade & Lounge.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
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 join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/622071581
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 622-071-581
United States: +1 (872) 240-3412
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action regarding awarding Contract 1-2024, Ann Street and Fremont Street Reconstruction, Discussion and Possible Action regarding awarding Contract 2-2024, Forest Avenue Reconstruction, Discussion and Possible Action regarding awarding Contract 3-2024, North Fremont Street Reconstruction.
Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater Street
*In Person

Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes several closed session items, followed by return to open session.
In-person & virtual Community Development Authority Board of Directors Meeting (In-Person & Virtual) Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87688580790?pwd=uSsREcRQQG1Hcv8PCZkzdspb94Rf1w.HStrGsutcrrv8Szp

Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799

Webinar ID: 876 8858 0790

Passcode: 082260

The following individuals from your area have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Fall 2023 semester. UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with more than 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Whitewater

 Skylar Staebler, School of the Arts-Undergrad
 Emma Van Daele, Rehab Sci & Tech Undergraduate

Emerson Ellenwood, a senior at Whitewater High School, has been awarded a Prestigious National Honor Society Scholarship.  

Since 1946, more than $25 million in scholarships have been awarded to outstanding NHS senior members to support college access and student success.  The scholarship program is supported by the parent organization of NHS, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

In the 100+ years since NHS was founded in 1921, members have been making a difference in their schools and communities.  The NHS Scholarship is NASSP’s way of recognizing the most exceptional of these student leaders.  Recipients are chosen based on their demonstrated work to support the four pillars of NHS: Leadership, Character, Scholarship & Service.

Emerson is the President of the National Honor Society & French National Honor Society at Whitewater High School and is the Captain of the Varsity Soccer, Basketball & Tennis Teams.  He has been on the high honor roll throughout his high school career and won many academic awards for his achievement in school.  Emerson earned the distinction of AP Scholar with Honor, became a University of Chicago Voltage Scholar, was a Badger Boys State Primary Delegate in 2023, Wisconsin Second Alternate at Boys Nation, and earned the Whitewater High School Rising Whippet Award in 2022. He also won an award for the Best Position Paper for SOCHUM at MADMUN XII – an organization through Model United Nations (UN) whose top priority is to enforce social, cultural and humanitarian freedoms internationally. Emerson has helped many younger students work through challenges as a Peer Mentor and encouraged many students to take advantage of opportunities as a member of the Lead Dog Program. He also inspired many students as a Basketball Coach for the Whitewater Parks & Recreation Program.  

Whitewater High School NHS Advisor, Pamela Sonmor-Wintz proudly remarked, “Emerson has been an amazing National Honor Society President this year and is so deserving of this honor and recognition!  He is an outstanding student, leader and exceptional human being.  His character is always at the highest level and he makes decisions that have a positive impact on his peers. Emerson has empathy for others and a sense of humility that helps him recognize and acknowledge the strengths of others.  He is an inspiration to everyone who has had the privilege of working with him. Congratulations Emerson for receiving this most honorable and prestigious award!” 

Emerson is the son of Christian Ellenwood and Elisabeth Deussen.

It’s movie awards season and Seniors in the Park will be presenting many nominated and winning films over the coming months!

“The Holdovers”

Tuesday, February 13, 1 p.m. 

(Drama/Comedy) Rated R (language)

2 hours, 13 minutes (2023).

A cranky history teacher (Paul Giammati) at an obscure Eastern prep school is forced to stay on campus over the Holidays with the few students and staff  (DaVine Joy Randolph) that have no place to go. Golden Globes were awarded for Best Actor; Supporting Actress. 

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

Updated Feb. 10 @ 10 p.m.: Per historian Carol Cartwright:”The mill was located next to the old Baker’s garage.” (Jefferson & Main)

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

The second in our series “Gone but not Forgotten,” is the old stone mill. This image, taken in January of 1970, shows the demolition of the frame portion of the mill, also the oldest portion, built in 1839 and the first industry in Whitewater. In 1860, the large stone addition was completed and the mill operated well into the 20th century.

It was two more years (November of 1972) before the rest of the building was demolished, after the owner could not find a way to renovate and reuse the building.

Join us next week for more “Gone but not Forgotten” images.

(2595P, Whitewater Historical Society)

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from UW-Stout.

The following student from the area graduated on Dec. 16, 2023, from University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wis. The university graduated 526 students, with 440 undergraduate and 86 Graduate School students this fall.

UW-Stout has more than 45 undergraduate programs and more than 20 graduate programs, including one doctoral degree. UW-Stout, established in 1891, prides itself on the success of its students in the workplace, with an employment rate of 99.4% for recent graduates. The university was awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2001. 

UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.

Whitewater, WI

 Cassandra Hoxie, BS Computer and Electrical Engineering