News

The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area co-sponsored a public Fair Maps Community Hearing Tour event at the Community Engagement Center on November 11. Activists across the state are educating the public and looking for input on an Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) for drawing Wisconsin legislative voting districts in the future. Bill language for an IRC has been drafted, and multiple nonpartisan organizations are working together to gather public feedback. 

Wisconsin has fair maps now, but they’re only temporary. Without lasting legislation ahead of the 2030 Census, Wisconsinites risk going back to a system where politicians pick their voters—and ignore the will of the people. That’s why the Fair Maps Coalition has written a draft proposal and is looking for public input. 

The community hearing included a presentation on fair maps in Wisconsin and a breakdown of the draft Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) proposal. Attendees then engaged in a lively exchange of questions and answers with the presenters.

Comprehensive information regarding the IRC proposal may be found on the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition website. Photos of the meeting, courtesy of Tom Ganser, are shown below. Whitewater Community TV provided a recording of the meeting, which may be viewed here.

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday on New Year’s Day from the Whitewater Historical Society.

The Whitewater Historical Society would like to extend “A hearty wish for the New Year” with this post card from 1908. It is from our collection of holiday post cards from the early 20th century.

Have a Happy New Year and join us for special celebrations in this 250th year of the Declaration of Independence.

Wishing you good health and happiness in the new year!

The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage and above by Waseem Ahmad from Pixabay.

Mark Dorn writes “Some hearty souls!”

Thanks to Mark Dorn for sharing this chilly holiday photo.

— 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 1/2/26 @ 9:30 p.m. with up-to-date information about Council candidates.

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

Anyone wishing to run for city, state or federal office must complete the necessary steps by Tuesday, January 6 at 5 p.m. For Common Council, nomination papers with at least 25 signatures must be submitted for a district seat, or 50 signatures for an at-large position. The clerk’s office at the municipal building is closed on New Year’s Eve and Day. It will be open on January 2 and January 5 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on January 6 until 5:00 p.m.

City of Whitewater Common Council

Three City of Whitewater Common Council seats are up for election on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. If there are more than two candidates in any race there will be a primary on February 17, 2026. Per City Clerk Heather Boehm, the following is the status of the nomination filings, which are listed in alphabetical order.

District 2 (Currently represented by Orin Smith, who has filed a noncandidacy statement)
Gavin Kelleher, 451 Warhawk Drive – campaign registration is complete.
Sean Liebherr, 771 W. Lauderdale Drive, campaign registration is complete.

District 4 (Currently represented by Brian Schanen)
One other person has indicated an interest in running but has not yet completed any papers.
Brian Schanen, 441 S. Buckingham Blvd., campaign registration is complete.

At-large (Currently represented by Greg Majkrzak, who has filed a noncandidacy statement)
Teresa Golembiewski, 1180 Bloomingfield Drive, campaign registration is complete.
Orin Smith, 329 N. Tratt St., campaign registration is complete.
Aubrey Thompson has submitted her campaign registration forms but has not yet submitted her nomination signatures.

Whitewater Unified School District

Information regarding the School Board election may be found here.

Walworth County Supervisor, District 4

District 4 represents the western portion of the city; a map may be found here.
Incumbent Al Stanek has indicated that he is not running for re-election.
Tyler Schneider has announced that he is a candidate.
The Banner has not sought an update from the county, but understands that no one else had filed as of December 31.

Walworth County Supervisor, District 3

Incumbent Brian Holt has not filed a noncandidacy statement.

_______________________________________________________________________________

U.S. House of Representatives

The general election for this position is not until November 3. It is very likely that a primary will be held on August 11, as the following candidates have already been announced:

Bryan Steil  (Incumbent) (Republican Party)

Miguel Aranda  (Democratic Party)

Mitchell Berman  (Democratic Party)

Randy Bryce  (Democratic Party)

Enrique Casiano  (Democratic Party)

Gage Stills  (Democratic Party)

Connor Walleck  (Republican Party) 

Adam Follmer  (Independent)

State offices – November election

Walworth County Sheriff – November election

Incumbent sheriff Dave Gerber has filed a noncandidacy statement.

John’s Disposal will be closed on:
New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026 – Collection will be delayed by one day.

Residents may contact John’s Disposal directly by calling (262) 473-4700 or by emailing
office@johnsdisposal.com. You may also view their website at https://www.johnsdisposal.com.

Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works
262-473-0139
bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov
For other requests, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/RequestTracker.aspx.

Penny Ardelt has been part of the First Citizens State Bank family for nearly 27 years and has had the opportunity to work with many community members through her roles in New Accounts/Relationship Banking and Business Development. Please join First Citizens State Bank in wishing Penny all the best as she begins her retirement journey! An open house will be held at the bank’s main office at 207 W. Main Street in Whitewater on Friday, January 2nd from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Stop in, have some cake, and share stories and well wishes for Penny’s next adventures.

Dawn Hunter writes, “Ice Discs or Ice Pancakes: This rarely seen formation was spotted on the spillway near the Trippe Lake Park just before Christmas. These discs need the right air and water temperatures, plus the right amount of swirling water motion to form. Mother Nature’s holiday gift to the viewer.”

Our thanks to Dawn Hunter for sharing her rarely seen experience through these photos.

— 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!