Ashley K Wasser, 39, of 1226 W Florence St, #13,Whitewater, has been charged with burglary of a building or dwelling, a felony.
Harling Gamez Rodriguez, 24, of 424 W. Forest Avenue, Whitewater, has been charged with possession of narcotic drugs, a felony.
Gage D Fritz, 17, of W9245 Stader Road, Whitewater, has been charged with possession of narcotic drugs, with a modifier of possession of a controlled substance on or near certain places [a felony]; possession of tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), possession of a controlled substance on or near certain places; and possession of drug paraphernalia [misdemeanors.]
Joshua T Hacht, 20, of 1563 W Wildwood Rd, #3, Whitewater, has been charged with possession of narcotic drugs, with a modifier of possession of a controlled substance on or near certain places [a felony]; possession of tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), possession of a controlled substance on or near certain places; and possession of drug paraphernalia [misdemeanors].
Editor’s note: These cases have not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendants are presumed innocent of all charges.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Whitewater Unified School District.
Whitewater High School (WHS) Players will be presenting Thornton Wilder’s American Classic Our Town, February 29 – March 3, 2024 in the newly named James M. Stewart Auditorium. This timeless drama is about life in the small New Hampshire town of Grover’s Corners. This Pulitzer Prize-winning play is considered by many to be the greatest American play ever written. This show has something for all ages.
As a part of this event, the Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) invites the community to the dedication of the high school’s auditorium to long-time WUSD school board member James (Jim) M. Stewart. The dedication will take place Saturday, March 2, at 5:30 p.m., before the performance.
Stewart was elected to the WUSD School Board in 1981 and served for [a total of] nearly 27 years. He continued to serve until his passing in November 2021. During his tenure on the board, he served as board president for six years, vice president for two years, and treasurer for six years. Jim’s legacy extends far beyond the boardroom, as he impacted the lives of countless students, parents, and educators alike through his service.
“Jim left an indelible mark on our community and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of students and families,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent. “Having the community come together in Jim’s honor is a great way to memorialize his legacy and celebrate the time, energy, and passion that he gave to the betterment of our students. It will surely be a special day for our school district community.”
The production of Our Town is being sponsored by a generous contribution from the Coburn family and is under the direction of Jim McCulloch and technical direction of Kat Dunham. Cast members include: Marina Linos, A’lani Ross, Brooke Mason, Payton Bunger, David Enns, Alex Clarksen, Taylor Speerbrecher, Haley Keltesch, Sam Nickelsburg, Hayleigh Pond, Deven Bawden, Chacha Binagi, Ava Van Daele, Ayden Clark, Grace Coleman, Esteban Diaz-Gallegos, Willow Vogelzang and Alex Sullivan.
Students working behind the scenes as stage managers, customers and set builders include: Kara Long, Gabi Kirley, Alexsa Cansino-Pena, Matt Zingsheim, Ace Hudec, Ava Nygren, Lucy Troxel, Miles Nickelsburg, Taiya Kolb, Rae Breisath, Kayla Mikos, Josh Nygren, Payton Peacock and Sami Van Daele.
In the true spirit of Our Town, WHS Players has partnered with the Whitewater Historical Society to present Streets of Whitewater. A detailed collection of historic photographs, rarely-seen artifacts, and stories of the early days of our own town will be on display before each performance. So, come early and experience a bit of our heritage.
Performances of Our Town will be held at Whitewater High School, in the James M. Stewart Auditorium, located at 534 S. Elizabeth Street, on February 29 – March 2 at 7:00 p.m. and March 3 at 2:00 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and can be purchased at the door or by calling the box office at 262-472-8178. The house will open one hour prior before performance.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. In past years, February posts have often centered around the fire that destroyed Old Main in February of 1970. In thinking about the loss of Old Main, the loss of other historic buildings in Whitewater come to mind. So, this month, we will present “Gone, but not forgotten.”
Our first images are from Old City Hall, built in 1899 on the corner of Center and Whitewater Streets and demolished in August of 1971. The images were taken just before demolition of the building and show the main staircase. The demolition of old city hall was controversial, but many felt the building could not be economically renovated. A new police and fire station was built in the late 1960s and the basement was used for city offices until 1997, when the administrative addition was built.
Join us again next week for more “gone but not forgotten” photos.
NEWARK, DE — Sophie Olson of Whitewater has been named to the University of Delaware Dean’s List for the Fall 2023 semester.
To meet eligibility requirements for the Dean’s List, a student must be enrolled full-time and earn a GPA of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale) for the semester.
Updated 2/2/24 @ 12:10 a.m.: Per WISN 12 News, “Family identified them [the victims] as 33-year-old Emerson Weingart and 37-year-old Gina Weingart. Relatives told WISN 12 News Gina tended bar there on Wednesday nights, and Emerson would come and sit with her while she worked. Emerson Weingart’s father said the two just got married this summer.”
Updated 2/2/24 @ 12:55 p.m.: Contact information provided for anyone having tips about the case. Also added that the surname of the owner of the establishment is Barr.
According to a press release from the City of Elkhorn Police Department, “On Thursday, February 1, 2024, at approximately 12:11 a.m., the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call for a report of shots fired and a person down inside the Sports Page Barr, located at 29-1/2 S. Wisconsin Street, Elkhorn. Officers from the Elkhorn Police Department and Walworth County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched and upon arrival discovered the bodies of a male and female inside the bar, who had suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
Identities of the victims are being withheld, pending notification of next of kin.
The incident is currently under investigation and there is no further information available at this time.”
Per 620 WTMJ, “Elkhorn Police Chief Joel Christensen says neither of the two victims in the shooting is the suspect.” The perpetrator is reportedly still at large.
Law enforcement are investigating the incident as a homicide and are asking anyone with information to call the Elkhorn Police Department at 262-723-2210, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 262-723-2677, or electronically by using P3 Tips, at www.p3tips.com.
Editor’s note: The Sports Page Barr is located in the same building as the Nickel Plate Hotel, and the establishment’s name does use the name “Barr.” The owner’s surname is Barr.
The World of the Arts Explored through UW-Whitewater Lectures in Whitewater and Janesville
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Continuing Education announces free lectures in Whitewater and Janesville this spring. Thirteen lectures offered from January through April will focus on The World of the Arts and are open to all.
For over 40 years, UWW has hosted lectures in the Fairhaven Lecture Series in Whitewater, and began a similar tradition in Janesville in 2020 with the Cedar Crest Lecture Series. From music to literature, film to poetry, the world of the arts will be explored in both series.
Lectures scheduled for 3 p.m. at Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater include:
January 29
Manufacturing “Talent”: How I Teach the Art of Performing
Benjamin Whitcomb, professor, music
Editor’s note: This lecture was already presented. The video is available here.
February 5
Connections Between Art-making, Research and Education
Verónica Soria Martínez, assistant professor, Curriculum and Instruction
February 12
Tragicomedy in the 20th Century
Michael Y. Bennett, associate professor, Literature, Writing and Film
February 26
Chimes at Midnight: Shakespearean Adaptations and the Late Career of Orson Welles
Erica Moulton, assistant professor, Literature, Writing, and Film
March 4
Kaftans, Carpets, and the Kaaba: Textiles in the Islamic World
Ashley Dimmig, director, Crossman Gallery
March 11
D.H. Lawrence and the Question of American Literature
Jonathan Ivry, associate professor and chair, Literature, Writing, and Film
March 18
The Handmaiden and the Historical Context of the Japanese Occupation of Korea
Donald Jellerson, associate professor, Literature, Writing, and Film
April 22
Nice Poets. Rude Poets: Satire and Obscenity in Arabic Political Poetry
Asmahan Sallah, associate professor, Literature, Writing, and Film
April 29
Is the Golden-Age of the Broadway Musical Still Golden?
Bruce Cohen, associate professor, Theatre & Dance
Lectures in the Fairhaven Lecture Series are held in Olm Fellowship Hall at Fairhaven Senior Services, 435 West Starin Road, Whitewater. They will be recorded and posted to our website and YouTube channel. Videos of lectures from this and previous series can be accessed for free any time after they are posted. Visit https://www.uww.edu/ce/fairhaven for more information and descriptions of each lecture.
Lectures scheduled for 2 p.m. at Cedar Crest Retirement Community in Janesville include:
February 22
The Films of Max Ophuls and the Intersection of European and Classical Hollywood Cinema
Donald Jellerson, associate professor, Literature, Writing, and Film
February 29
American Pop Culture Through the Lens of Music
Jeff Suarez, associate professor, Music
Thursday, March 7
Kaftans, Carpets, and the Kaaba: Textiles in the Islamic World
Ashley Dimmig, director, Crossman Gallery
March 13
An Overview of the Profession of Art Therapy
Anna Banwell, lecturer, Integrated Studies
Public lectures held in the Cedar Crest Lecture Series will take place in the Gathering Place at Cedar Crest, Inc., 1702 South River Road, Janesville. Free parking is available and registration is not required. Visit our website at https://www.uww.edu/ce/cedar-crest for lecture descriptions and updates.
If you have a disability and require accommodations, please advise us as soon as possible. Requests are confidential. UW-Whitewater provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA. Please contact Kari Borne at bornek@uww.edu or 262-472-1003 for further information.
About UW-Whitewater
At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater we inspire, engage and transform lives. Our higher education mission began more than 150 years ago — and we now serve more than 11,000 students at our Whitewater and Rock County campuses, 90% of whom stay in the region after earning their degree. The Warhawk family — led by caring faculty and staff — is devoted to student success within a broad range of academic programs. One of only four Public Colleges of Distinction in the state, the University boasts small class sizes (20:1 ratio), is ranked one of the top 10 public colleges by the U.S. New & World Report, and is the top-ranked college in the state for serving students with disabilities. Continuing Education is committed to meeting the lifelong learning needs of the residents of our region in offering a variety of classes, workshops and trainings that respond to the changing personal and professional interests of adult learners by connecting the University and community.
A total of 3,757 students earned a spot on the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for the 2023 fall semester.
The following students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Dean’s List for the 2023 fall semester:
Whitewater
Marijke Arreola
Stephanie Hensel
Tj Kaczkowski
Devon Knowles
Raquel Ortiz
These students have demonstrated their academic abilities by receiving a grade point average of 3.4 or above in a single semester.
“Making the Dean’s List is a tremendous honor. It is a recognition of our students’ hard work and commitment to success,” said John Chenoweth, who serves as UW-Whitewater’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “We are proud of our students and hope to see their names on the list again. Congratulations to all who were recognized!”
More than 11,500 students are currently enrolled at the university’s Whitewater and Rock County campuses.
The Fort Atkinson Club Hosts Wellness Day on Saturday, February 3
Saturday, February 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Fort Atkinson Club (FAC), in partnership with Fort Healthcare, invites area residents to this free event focusing on community health and wellness. There will be over 12 experts sharing information on nutrition and fitness, healthy cooking, CPR/AED information, fall prevention and community health as well as preventative screenings, financial and environmental health and more. There will also be chair massage sessions available along with healthy snacks and a variety of other presentations. The FAC, along with Fort Healthcare, is pleased to host this event for the first year.
Wellness Day starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. and will take place on all three levels of the historic Fort Atkinson Club Community Center, which offers a beautiful setting in a historic building overlooking the Rock River. The FAC community center is located at 211 South Water Street East, and visitors can use the front entrance or drop off at our side entrance with elevator, for folks with mobility issues.
“This is going to be a wonderful, fun event and we are thrilled to serve as a venue for many presentations, workshops and informational opportunities that focus on the health and wellness of our community, ” says Executive Director Lawan Glasscock. “There will definitely be something for everyone, from healthy cooking to Zumba demos, wellness screenings and opportunities to connect with those who are anxious to share their knowledge and passion for healthy living.” Everyone is welcome! For more information, you may contact the Fort Atkinson Club at 920-568-1720.
The Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra’s annual Gala is set for Sat., Feb. 10, 2024, at the Abbey Resort in Fontana. The event includes cocktails, an elegant dinner and dessert, orchestra concert, auction items, and dancing the night away to the LGSO Swing Band featuring award-winning vocalist Maureen Christine.
The evening starts at 6:00 with cocktails and live music by small ensembles, followed by dinner. Enjoy a fun evening of music and dancing while supporting a wonderful cause as LGSO leads the audience “Around the World.”
In addition to being the major fundraiser for the year, the Gala is the best way for the orchestra and audience to mingle and get to know each other. It starts with the fact the orchestra isn’t on a stage. Orchestra members and the audience are side by side as they enjoy the evening’s festivities.
Looking ahead, on Mar. 16 at 7:30 p.m., the LGSO will forces with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Symphony Orchestra at the Young Auditorium in a not-to-be-missed performance of Gustav Holst’s monumental orchestral suite, “The Planets,” along with “Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis” by Vaughan Williams.
For more information and tickets ($100 plus fees), visit www.LakeGenevaOrchestra.org or call 262-359-9072. The deadline is Sunday, February 4.
Whitewater community members Jerome and Barbara Converse receive information on their tax return from a volunteer preparer, UW-Whitewater accounting major Jose Pincheira, at Hyland Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
The Community Engagement Center is located behind the Fairfield Inn, next to Walmart [Lynn Binnie photo]
Qualifying taxpayers are invited to receive free tax preparation and electronic filing of their 2023 federal and state income tax returns at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Volunteer Income Tax Assistance clinic. This IRS-sponsored program is available for low and moderate-income taxpayers at no cost, and no appointments are needed.
The UW-Whitewater VITA clinic will be located in the UW-W Community Engagement Center, 1260 W Main Street, Whitewater (next to Walmart). There is plenty of free parking in front of the UW-W Community Engagement Center for VITA participants. Clinic hours are from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays from January 31 through April 10. Clients will be served on a first-come, first-served basis and they should arrive at least one hour before closing.
The VITA clinic is staffed by certified student preparers and supervised by faculty in the College of Business and Economics Department of Accounting. In addition to providing hands-on experience for graduate and undergraduate accounting students, the free VITA clinic helps residents of Whitewater and surrounding communities.
“We have many long-time clients who return for assistance each spring,” said Robert Meyers, accounting department lecturer and VITA program co-director. “The opportunity to apply training while working with real people is an invaluable experience for our students.”
Important information, including a location map, program limitations and required supporting documentation, can be found at https://www.uww.edu/cobe/vita. For additional information, email the VITA Site Coordinator at vita@uww.edu or leave a message at 262-472-5452.
