News

The following student from the area has been named to the University of Wisconsin-Stout Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester.

The award is presented to students who have a grade point average of 3.5 or above. 

UW-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, offers more than 70 industry-aligned undergraduate and graduate degrees and 40 professional certificate programs. Established in 1891, the university prides itself on the success of its students in the workplace, with more than 1,000 national internship placements and an employment rate of 99% for recent graduates. UW-Stout is a top-rated Military Friendly and Best for Vets institution, a DOE Green Ribbon recipient for sustainability, and the only four-year institution in the U.S. to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

University of Wisconsin-Stout offers a polytechnic education distinguished by applied learning and research, business and industry collaboration, and career-focused experiences to prepare students for success in engineering, technology, design, management and other fields. It is one of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin.

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Whitewater, WI

 Michael Olszewski, BS cybersecurity

On Sunday, January 25, two teams from Whitewater High School competed in the 2nd Annual Culinary Showdown, and WHS was well represented.

The WHS girls’ team was made up of Payton Brautigam, Kiana Aranda, Jazlin Rios, and Natalia Casillas. They were assigned the country of Italy and paired with Chef Stephan from the Delavan Yacht Club. These girls put together a beautiful dish of Braciole with Pappardelle noodles in a homemade ragu sauce. It was amazing. 

The WHS guys’ team consisted of Oz Navejas, David Enns, and Alex Huicochea Balderrama. They were paired with Chef Nic from Lake Lawn Resort, and their assigned country was Germany. They prepared Obatzda Pretzel Sliders. The Whitewater Germany Team won the German title!

We are extremely proud of both teams and very grateful to our chefs for helping and guiding our students. The teams are coached by Ms. Lynn Weilbrenner. 

Article and Photos Submitted by Lynn Weilbrenner
Whitewater High School Family and Consumer Education Teacher
lweilbrenner@wwusd.org

The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee of the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area will hold the first of three Book Club discussions on our spring book selection, An Eye for an I: Growing Up with Blindness, Bigotry, and Family Mental Illness by James Bonilla, on Monday evening, February 9th, 6:15 PM-8:00 PM, at The Whitewater Public Library, 431 W Center St, in Whitewater.

This powerful narrative offers an intersectional analysis of disability, racism, and mental illness, inviting readers to empathize, be inspired, and consider their own potential for social change. Our discussion on February 9th will cover the introduction through Chapter 15. SAVE THE DATES – additional discussions will be held on March 9 (Chapters 16-30) and April 13 (Chapters 31-42) at the same time and location.

ACQUIRE THE BOOK TODAY! A limited supply of books is available at The Book Teller (call 262-269-9109 to hold a copy to purchase) and local libraries. You can also order the book from Amazon.

The LWV Book Club was formed to help our members and friends engage in meaningful discussions of current notable books dealing with public policy issues of interest to the League. You do not need to be a member of the League to participate and refreshments will be served. For questions or further information please contact Dwight C. Watson, dwight.watsondcw@gmail.com, or Deb Gamble, 23debg@gmail.com

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!

Per the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office, a Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for all of southern Wisconsin midnight to noon Monday. Wind chills of -20 to -25 with temperatures of 0 to -10 degrees are expected. The coldest conditions will be near sunrise.

Is there anything about a muskrat seeing its shadow?

Frozen mill pond and steamy dam

Spillway also putting out steam

Ice art by nature

 Dam icing over

Frosty selfie

Steve Watson writes “These photos were taken on my daily walkabout, 1/23 & 1/24. I go out so you don’t have to. Stay warm.”

Our thanks to Steve Watson for going out so we don’t have to, taking beautiful pictures in the process.

— 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. Thanks for thinking about this!

Updated 1/26/26 @ 7:40 p.m. to correct link for the WUSD Board meeting.

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda [Click on “meetings” in upper right corner] includes Recognition of Lee Loveall for “All Means All” Award, Recognition of the Coburn Company for the All Means All award, All Star Staff of the month recognitions, Referendum update, Open enrollment space limitations, WHS ’26-’27 new course proposals, and 4K programming proposal
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
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6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86988418385?pwd=jbMIwWFPaX5WaO7LKPF8lgF7eWNigG.1
– Passcode: 311715
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 869 8841 8385
– Passcode: 311715

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Seeking Common Council approval of the Vendor Remote Access Policy to establish
standardized security requirements for vendor remote access to City systems, including
critical infrastructure.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West 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.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/22124084500683?p=0Fcek1QwNGmETIpkmh
Meeting ID: 221 240 845 006 83
Passcode: b2wu6oe9
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663, 159481450# United States
Phone conference ID: 159 481 450#

University of Dubuque Fall Semester 2025 Academic Dean’s List

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque congratulates the following students on being appointed to the Fall Semester 2025 Academic Dean’s List.

Full-time students in good academic standing (registered for and having earned 12 or more letter grade credits for the term) who earn a term grade point average of 3.5 or above and who do not have any grades of Incomplete for the term are named to the Dean’s List. Once grades have been submitted for any Incompletes, the Office of Academic Affairs will review eligibility again for possible placement on the Dean’s List for the given term. 

Dean’s List is awarded for the fall and spring semesters only and may be awarded retroactively.

About the University of Dubuque

The University of Dubuque (UD) is a private, coed university founded in 1852 that offers undergraduate, graduate, and theological seminary degrees as well as other educational opportunities with the intention of educating and forming the whole person. Here, the value of an education is measured in helping our students find their calling in life through academics, community, character, vocation, and stewardship. Our approach to learning is based on professional programs with a liberal arts core, and we prepare students to find their purpose and make meaningful contributions to the world. https://www.dbq.edu/

Whitewater, WI

 Halee Peters

Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer our final 2026 ATV/UTV Safety Education Course on February 11, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., and February 21, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, 200 East U.S. Highway 14, Janesville, WI 53545. Students must attend both sessions to graduate. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, is required to complete an ATV Safety Education Course to legally operate an ATV or UTV in areas open to the public within Wisconsin. Students should be at least 12 years of age or turn 12 shortly after the class. [Adult ATV riders are welcome and encouraged to attend.]

ATV/UTV Safety Education Course

Session 1: February 11, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. @ Rock County Sheriff’s Office
Session 2: February 21, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. @ Rock County Sheriff’s Office

Registration is now open. Complete the online enrollment form to reserve a seat.
https://www.co.rock.wi.us/departments/sheriff-s-office/recreational-patrol/atv-education

Class size is limited to thirty (30) students. Upon submission of the registration form, the submitter will see an onscreen confirmation message with course information. The course fee of $10.00 per student will be collected at the first session. If the student is under 18 years old, a parent/guardian will need to attend the first session with the student. Students will receive course materials at the first session. Please direct any questions to Deputy Michael Borgwardt at michael.borgwardt@co.rock.wi.us.

CURTIS N. FELL
SHERIFF

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. It has previously been indicated to The Banner that Rock County residency is not required in order to register for their classes.

Ready to start your farm succession planning? Virtual workshop series to connect you and your family wherever you are.

Join UW-Madison Extension Farm Management Outreach Specialists Joy Kirkpatrick, Steph Plaster, Kelly Wilfert, and Kevin Bernhardt as they lead important discussions and helpful activities in the Cultivating Your Farm’s Future workshop series. This series provides tools and resources for farmers who are ready to start their succession plans. 
Cultivating Your Farm’s Future explores the three-step process of planning your business succession:

• Where are you now?
• Where do you want to be?
• How do you get there?
  The workshops prepare you to shape and communicate your ideas about the future of the farm and business and also save time by having crucial conversations before visiting with professionals. 
  Who should attend? 
  This series is for farm businesses and farm families ready to shape the future ownership of their farm. If you are the owner generation, you may be wondering how to transfer to the next generation or develop a fair inheritance distribution plan. If you are the next generation, you may have questions or ideas about your future role in the farm business or how to make it financially feasible and realistic for your goals. Multiple farm/family members are encouraged to attend together.
  What topics are covered?
  ● Communication preferences and how to talk about the farm’s future
  ● Common tensions around farm succession 
  ● Inheritance distributions – Is equal fair?
  ● Financials for farm succession
  ● Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats – SWOT analysis
  ● Estate planning including probate and estate tax
  ● Wills, trusts, and business entities
  ● Setting goals and action steps
  
  When are these workshops?
  February 2026
  Thursday evenings, 6:30–8 p.m., February 5, 12, 19, 26, 2026. This series also offers an optional action-planning session on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
  
  Where are the workshops held? 
  All sessions are held live via Zoom, so participants can join from anywhere! Each week participants will receive an email with homework assignments. The homework is designed to help gather information and prepare for the discussions and activities during the live Zoom sessions. The homework is a mix of short videos, worksheets or reading assignments. Hard copies of program materials will be mailed to each participant before the first class.
• Registration details
• The cost to register is $150/per farm. Multiple farm/family members are encouraged to participate—all for $150/farm. The registration fee covers one Cultivating Your Farm’s Future workbook and one Cultivating Continuity book per farm, a participant manual for each person registered, access to digital course materials, and four (with an optional fifth) live zoom classes.
• Additional Cultivating Your Farm’s Future workbooks can be purchased for $15/each and Cultivating Continuity books for $25/each.
• Register online at https://uwmadison.eventsair.com/farm2526/reg/Site/Register
• The registration deadline is January 16, 2026, to ensure participants receive the mailed materials in time for the first class. Registration is limited to 20 farms.
• Even if you have attended other transition, estate, or succession planning classes, consider attending this program to get a START on YOUR succession plan.
• For more information contact Joy Kirkpatrick, Farm Succession Outreach Specialist, joy.kirkpatrick@wisc.edu, 608.263.3485

The Whitewater Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Freddy from Pixabay.

“After the Hunt”

(Psychological Drama/Thriller)

Tuesday, January 27, 1 pm

Rated R (Language; moderate sexual content).

2 hours, 18 minutes (2025). 

A college professor (Julia Roberts) finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads when a star pupil levels an accusation against one of her colleagues, and a dark secret from her own past threatens to come to light. Also stars Andrew Garfield. An AARP 2026 Movies for Grown Ups Award nomination for Julia Roberts. 

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 $15 and non-residents is $20. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes out 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/