News

The Whitewater Unified School District is launching a strategic planning process to gather community input and set priorities that will guide the district over the next three to five years.

The process will begin with a brief community survey, open from January 9 through January 30, inviting input from students, families, staff, and community members. Feedback collected through the survey will help inform the district’s strategic direction and ensure future planning reflects the needs and priorities of the broader school community. The survey is available at https://dgsurveys.com/r/Whitewater2026.

Input from the survey will guide the work of a Strategic Planning Workgroup, which will meet several times throughout the process to help shape the district’s vision, core values, and strategic priorities. Additional opportunities for engagement will include focus groups and community engagement sessions designed to gather deeper insight and encourage broad participation.

“We are committed to hearing directly from our students, staff, families, and community as we plan for the future,” said Superintendent Samuel Karns. “This process will help us build on our district’s strengths, address areas for growth, and make sure our strategic priorities reflect the voices of those we serve.”

A guiding theme of the strategic planning is “All Means All,” a commitment to ensuring every student is seen, heard, and supported. The district aims to create an accessible process that reflects the full diversity of the school community and engages participants across all backgrounds and experiences.

Updates and additional information about the strategic planning process will be shared throughout the coming months. For more information, visit www.wwusd.org.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Andreas Breitling from Pixabay.

Marc DeVries

Marc DeVries Honored as a 2026 BizTimes Media Notable CFO

Jefferson County Finance Director Marc DeVries has been named to the 2026 BizTimes Media Notable CFO list. DeVries is one of nine chief financial officers from southeastern Wisconsin to receive the honor, which recognizes finance professionals who demonstrate excellence within the field, effect change within their organization or industry and give back through civic or community service.

“As Finance Director for our county, Marc oversees an annual budget with more than 6,000 accounts and provides excellent leadership for our committee,” said Dick Jones, Jefferson County Supervisor and Chair of the Jefferson County Finance Committee. “Marc ensures that our actions and decisions are in agreement with the county’s financial goals, and he keeps us apprised of future trends that may impact our work.”

DeVries, who has 31 years of financial experience, joined Jefferson County in 2017. In addition to preparing and managing a budget that impacts nearly 700 employees and 85,000 residents, he led a priority-based initiative to align county spending with community priorities and completed a risk-based reserve study to inform implementation of a proactive approach to potential financial risks.

“On behalf of all our employees and everyone who works with him, I am thrilled that Marc has received this award,” said County Administrator Michael Luckey. “He has consistently stewarded our finances to provide a high quality of life for our communities. Under Marc’s fiscal leadership, we are well-positioned to excel at delivering the services our residents need and deserve from their tax dollars.”

To read the full BizTimes profile of Marc DeVries: https://biztimes.com/notable-cfos-marc-devries/

For more about Jefferson County: jeffersoncountywi.gov

W-Eau Claire fall dean’s list announced 

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is proud to recognize the outstanding academic achievements of the Blugolds who have earned a place on the Dean’s List. Their commitment to excellence exemplifies the highest standards of scholarship at UW-Eau Claire. Congratulations on this remarkable accomplishment!

Eligibility Requirements

At the end of each semester, each of UW-Eau Claire’s four colleges recognize excellence in scholastic achievement by publishing the Dean’s List. To be eligible, a student must: – be in good academic standing. – have a minimum semester GPA of 3.70. – have completed at least 12 credits during the semester, with no incompletes, no courses below the 100 level, no repeats, and no Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory registrations (except in degree credit-bearing courses that are offered only on the S/U grading system in which a grade of S has been earned).

The student from your area who was named to the Dean’s List is:

Whitewater, WI

 Alex Meyer, College of Business

Cover for Issue One of “Either/Or”

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will hold an official release party for “Either/Or,” a new national literary journal, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at Roberta’s Gallery on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center.

Produced by faculty and undergraduate students in the university’s Department of Literature, Writing, and Film, the release marks a new chapter for the region’s arts scene by including internationally acclaimed novelists.

While many national journals are housed at the graduate level, “Either/Or” places the editorial, design, and production process in the hands of UW-Whitewater undergraduates. Under the vision and mentorship of UW-Whitewater faculty members Nicholas Gulig, a former Wisconsin Poet Laureate, and Barrett Swanson, an acclaimed essayist, the students involved in “Either/Or” compiled a powerhouse roster of contributors. Lauren Groff, National Book Award finalist, Sheila Heti, acclaimed novelist and Guggenheim Fellow, Claire Vaye Watkins, Story Prize winner, and Becca Rothfeld, non-fiction critic for The Washington Post, are among those featured.

The release party offers the local community a first look at a journal that bridges the gap between UW-Whitewater undergraduate students and the highest tiers of the contemporary literary world.

The release party is open and free to the public. Appetizers and light refreshments will be served. Registration is not required, but it is encouraged at this link. “Either/Or” is available for purchase at www.eitherormagazine.com.

The Department of Literature, Writing, and Film at UW-Whitewater offers a robust Creative Writing program alongside majors in Literature, English Education, Professional Writing and Publishing, and Film Studies.

On Monday, January 26, WHS students were selected and performed with the Rock Valley Conference Honors Band. These students were selected because of their hard work and dedication to music at WHS. They spent all day working with renowned conductor and educator Carrie Backman and performed a concert in the evening! Congratulations to these exceptional students!

Article and Photos Courtesy of Sam Averill
Whitewater High School Band Director
saverill@wwusd.org

FREE FINANCIAL FREEDOM WORKSHOP

WHITEWATER, WI—Community members are invited to a free Financial Freedom workshop with Denise Maple of Live Life Spiritual Direction. The event will take place at the Whitewater Public Library in Meeting Room 1 on Tuesday, February 3 at 5:30-7:00 p.m. 

Prosperity and wealth are possible for everyone. Often, our conditioning growing up or past experiences tell us the lie that abundance is not for us. Learn how to overcome these false beliefs to live a life of prosperity in your finances, relationships, and more.

Please join us for an enlightening and transformative gathering aimed at helping individuals harness the power of their mindset and actions to manifest abundance and prosperity in their financial lives. This workshop offers mind shifting exercises and practical strategies to enhance one’s relationship with money and create a positive money mindset.

During the workshop, participants engage in various activities and teachings that guide them toward a deeper understanding of their beliefs, attitudes, and habits around money. 

Through guided meditations, visualization exercises, and introspective discussions, participants learn to identify and release any limiting beliefs or negative patterns that may be blocking their financial success. They discover how to cultivate a positive and empowered mindset, aligning their thoughts, emotions, and actions with the abundance they desire.

The workshop offers practical tools and strategies to help individuals set clear financial goals, create effective action plans, and cultivate healthy financial habits. It also fosters a supportive and nurturing environment where individuals can connect with like-minded individuals who are also on a journey of spiritual and financial growth.

This workshop is for adults. Registration is requested but not required. Please register in advance at whitewaterlibrary.org/events or by contacting the library.

You can learn more about the facilitator, Denise Maple, at livelifespiritual.com.

The Whitewater Public Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. For more information, visit whitewaterlibrary.org, email library@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0530.

Jim Caldwell is a WUL Hometown Hero, and has been nominated by Jim Winship, “For all that he has contributed and continues to contribute to Whitewater’s growth and well-being.”

Winship said, “Since becoming President and Chief Executive Officer of First Citizens State Bank of Whitewater in 1979, Jim has been deeply involved with supporting both economic development and civic life in Whitewater.”

He was one of the prime movers in the development of the Whitewater Business and Industrial Park, established in 1986, which is one of the largest office and industrial developments in Southeastern Wisconsin. He has worked with the City of Whitewater’s Community Development Authority on multiple projects and has been a mentor to startup businesses at the Whitewater University Innovation Center.

His community involvement includes serving as the Chairman of the Board of the Fairhaven Foundation, Board Member for 30 years and Former Chair of the UW-Whitewater Foundation, serving as Kiwanis Foundation Treasurer, Whitewater Library Association Vice-President and Treasurer, as well as informal service to Habitat for Humanity and other organizations.

Jim and his wife Julie have supported Whitewater through their philanthropy. A longtime strong supporter of Bethel House, Jim and Julie Caldwell were major donors in Whitewater Public Library’s Capital Campaign.

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 

Editor’s Note: The above was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL).

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The first installment of property taxes is due this Saturday, January 31, but if you assume that depositing your check in your mailbox or a postal box on Saturday will ensure that your tax is paid timely, you will be mistaken. As The Banner announced in June, 2024, first-class mail is no longer postmarked on the same day that it is mailed. Instead, it sits in Whitewater overnight until it is picked up at 6 a.m. the next postal working day on its way to the Oak Creek Distribution Center. So, for example, if you mail your payment this Saturday it will not be postmarked until Monday. In reality there could be a delay in the automated sorting machine processing and postmarking the envelope. If the first installment is not paid on time, the second payment becomes immediately due, and a 1% penalty per month [or fraction of a month] is assessed. [A notice on the back of the Walworth County bill appears to allow a grace period of five days for the payment to be received before this penalty is assessed.]s

How to ensure your payment is made on time?

• If you’re a city of Whitewater property owner, you may pay your bill in person at the Finance Department at the Municipal Building, 312 W. Whitewater Street, by 4:30 p.m. on Friday.
• If you’re a city of Whitewater property owner, you may pay your bill online by January 31. There is a 3% convenience fee for using a credit card, but there is no fee for paying from a checking or savings account.
• Mail your payment at the Whitewater Post Office counter before noon on Saturday, requesting a local postmark.
• Place your payment in the mail as soon as possible but not later than Friday.

Editor’s note: The below press release on this subject was provided by the Walworth County Treasurer. Though it references a Postal Service change effective in December, 2025, in reality, as indicated above, this change was effective here in June, 2024.

Contact: Valerie Etzel
County Treasurer
(262) 741-4251
treasurer@co.walworth.wi.us

County Treasurer advises USPS postmark change may affect tax payments

(ELKHORN, WI): Walworth County Treasurer Valerie Etzel is encouraging residents who pay their property tax bills by mail to be aware of a recent U.S. Postal Service policy change that may affect when envelopes are postmarked.

Effective December 24, 2025, the Postal Service will institute a nationwide change as to when a postmark is affixed to incoming mail, Etzel said. Instead of postmarks being affixed when the Postal Service first touches the item, postmarks are now stamped at regional sorting centers. “That means your postmark could be several days after you put it in your mailbox,” Etzel said. “In other
words, if you plan to pay your property taxes by mail, don’t wait until right before the deadline to put it in the mail.”

Etzel noted that many federal and state laws define timely payment based on the USPS postmark, meaning payments may be considered delinquent if they are mailed too close to the deadline — even if they were, in fact, placed in a mailbox before the deadline.

To avoid this issue, Etzel encourages Walworth County property taxpayers to contact their municipality about the online E-check option, other online payment options, or mail payments earlier to avoid becoming delinquent and accruing substantial late fees. Municipal contacts can be found on the County’s website at https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/216/Municipality-Directory
Etzel cautioned taxpayers against sending tax payments through their personal bank’s online bill payment option, as those payments are often processed in bulk with many other customers’ payments, which can delay their arrival and cause them to become delinquent. This type of payment has become even more problematic in recent years, as the time it takes for USPS items to reach their destination after mailing has increased, Etzel added. Another option could be to bring your payment to the post office in person and have them postmark it in front of you or send it by certified mail, Etzel said.

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City of Whitewater Conducts Business Retention & Expansion Visit with Edgerton Hospital Focusing on Local Urgent Care and Upcoming Pain & Spine Center Clinic

As part of the City of Whitewater’s ongoing Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) program, City and Chamber staff recently met with Jason Hafeman, Director of Marketing and Communications for Edgerton Hospital, to discuss the continued growth and impact of Edgerton Hospital’s Urgent Care Clinic located at 757 E Main St in the City of Whitewater.

The Urgent Care Clinic opened in September 2025 and has quickly become an important healthcare resource for the Whitewater community. The clinic currently employs five full-time employees, along with additional support staff, and continues to expand services to meet local demand.

A major focus of the meeting was the announcement of a new Pain & Spine Center Clinic, scheduled to open before the end of February, further enhancing healthcare options available in Whitewater. The Pain & Spine Center Clinic will feature Carmen Bills, APNP-BC, who will be on-site by appointment, supported by dedicated staff. This new clinic will be located immediately adjacent to the existing Urgent Care.

“This expansion reflects the strength of our local healthcare partners and their commitment to investing in Whitewater,” said Mason Becker, Community Development Director for the City of Whitewater. “Edgerton Hospital has been very intentional about meeting community needs, and the addition of a pain clinic is a meaningful step that improves access to specialized care while supporting local employment.”

During the visit, Hafeman emphasized Edgerton Hospital’s commitment to quality and community-based care, stating, “We want to be a top-notch standards of care provider.” He also highlighted that Edgerton Hospital operates as a private, independent, local health system, and continues to accept all previous insurance providers, ensuring continuity of care for patients.

The Urgent Care Clinic is equipped with on-site diagnostic capabilities, including an X-ray machine, which Hafeman noted, “would not have been possible without the Community Development Authority’s Action Fund loan.” The investment underscores the role of strategic local financing tools in supporting essential services and infrastructure.

Edgerton Hospital also noted its strong workforce ties to the region, employing many University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and Blackhawk Technical College alumni.

“Healthcare access is a critical component of a strong business climate,” said Karin Silvius, Executive Director of the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce. “Edgerton Hospital’s continued investment in Whitewater not only supports residents but also strengthens our community’s ability to attract and retain both employers and talent.”

The City of Whitewater’s BRE program focuses on supporting existing employers, understanding business needs, and identifying opportunities for expansion and long-term success. Healthcare providers remain a key sector in Whitewater’s economic development strategy due to their role in employment, quality of life, and regional service delivery. Businesses interested in participating in the BRE program can contact Ashwini Rao, Economic Development Coordinator, at arao@whitewater-wi.gov