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Posted on the Whitewater Police Department Facebook page:

The police department is actively investigating the distribution of offensive/hate speech contained in plastic bags. The bags were left in various areas around the city on Friday night. Officers are collecting any bags found as they patrol. Anyone with information or surveillance footage identifying those responsible should contact the police department at 262-473-0555 option #4, or submit an anonymous tip at www.p3tips.com. Thank you.

The following response to the Police Department announcement was received from Whitewater Unites Lives:
Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL) denounces hate speech of any kind including that distributed around the city recently. WUL 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.  For more information, please contact co-founders Marjorie Stoneman, Rosalinda Martinez, Mary Sue Reutebuch, or Lauren Smith at whitewateruniteslives@gmail.com 

Since Steve Watson took this photo on December 12, Trippe lake hill had gotten just enough snow to bring out a few sledders on the first day of winter. We could use some more snow for good sledding/tobogganing, and the donation of a few more sleds or saucers would be appreciated.

The shed is conveniently located in the shelter at the bottom of the hill and the sign says:

Sled Shed
Use, Put Back,
Donate

Our thanks to Steve Watson, as always, for generously sharing his photography.

The UW-Whitewater Symphonic Wind Ensemble is making its third trip to New York City in March and needs your financial support to complete their fundraising efforts. Please consider making a gift of any amount to cover transportation which will cost approximately $13,000. 

An online contribution may be made here.

You may also send a check to the UW-Whitewater Foundation, Inc., 800 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190, and list fund 0487 on the check. Any donor who contributes $500 or more will receive a commemorative plaque of the performance. 

Thank you in advance for your support of this amazing group of students!

Editor’s note: The above announcement was received from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Music Department.

The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library closed at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday due to deteriorating road conditions. The library will reopen on Friday at 9:00 a.m.

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order Lowering the Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of the Victims of the Abundant Life Christian School Tragedy Gov. Tony Evers today signed Executive Order #248 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff beginning on Mon., Dec. 16, 2024, in honor of the victims of the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. Yesterday, Gov. Evers released a statement regarding the tragedy and immediately directed flags across Wisconsin to be lowered to half-staff: “There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak we feel today after the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison this morning. “Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin in praying for the families and loved ones of those whose lives were so senselessly taken and for the educators, staff, and the entire Abundant Life school community as they grapple with the grief, trauma, and loss of this gut-wrenching tragedy. We are also praying and hoping all those injured survive and recover. “Kathy and I are also keeping in our hearts the first responders who acted quickly and ran toward danger to help save lives. This day will no doubt weigh heavily on them, and we are grateful for their critical response efforts in answering the call when they were needed most. “As a father, a grandfather, and as governor, it is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up and go to school one morning and never come home. This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it. “Today my focus is on supporting these families and kids and the Abundant Life community, and the state stands ready to support them and the efforts of local law enforcement through what will undoubtedly be difficult days ahead.” The governor’s order is effective immediately and ends at sunset on Sun., Dec. 22, 2024. Executive Order #248 can be found here.

Dairyland Farm Fresh Cream Wine Cocktails: A Taste of Wisconsin in Every Sip
Crafted by Staller Estate Winery and Distillery with Dairy from Wisconsin Family Farms

Staller Estate Winery and Distillery is thrilled to introduce Dairyland Farm Fresh Cream Wine Cocktails, a new line of premium small-batch cream liqueurs made with real Wisconsin dairy. Each bottle celebrates the rich agricultural heritage of Wisconsin’s family farms while offering a luxurious and versatile cocktail experience.

Crafted with all-natural flavors, this artisanal collection includes four indulgent varieties:
● Pecan Pie – A smooth, nutty treat perfect for a cozy evening.
● Cinnabon Bun – Warm cinnamon and creamy sweetness in a glass.
● Lemon Bar – A zesty dessert-inspired delight.
● Old Fashioned Cocktail – A nod to the Wisconsin supper club tradition, reimagined with creamy elegance.

Every sip of Dairyland Farm Fresh Cream Wine Cocktails carries the distinct richness of fresh dairy products sourced exclusively from local Wisconsin family farms. “We’re proud to use dairy products from hardworking farm families to create these truly unique cream wine cocktails,” said Wendy Staller, Owner of Staller Estate Winery and Distillery. “It’s about blending high-quality
ingredients with artisanal craft to honor Wisconsin’s legacy.”

These versatile cream liqueurs can be enjoyed in a variety of ways:
● Serve neat over ice for a simple, refined experience.
● Add to ice cream for a decadent dessert twist.
● Elevate your craft coffee with a splash of creamy flavor.
● Incorporate into your favorite cream liquor cocktail for endless creativity.

Dairyland Farm Fresh Cream Wine Cocktails are available now at Staller Estate Winery and Distillery and select retailers. Each bottle is a testament to Staller Estate’s commitment to small-batch craftsmanship and its passion for creating memorable flavor experiences.

About Staller Estate Winery and Distillery
Located in the heart of Wisconsin, Staller Estate Winery and Distillery is a family-owned business dedicated to producing high-quality wines and spirits that celebrate the flavors of Wisconsin. Known for its emphasis on hospitality and small-batch production, Staller Estate continues to push boundaries while staying true to its roots.

Joe and Wendy Staller
Staller Estate Winery and Distillery
608-883-2100
www.stallerestate.com

Gov. Evers Order Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser

Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #247 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Dec. 14, 2024, in honor of Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser, who passed away on Sun., Dec. 1, 2024, at the age of 81. “Justice Prosser devoted his career to public service, from working for a congressman and his local community to serving as a legislator and his nearly two decades as a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice,” said Gov. Evers. “His career was unique—he did a little bit of everything—and he spent much of his life seeking new and more impactful ways that he could make a difference in our state. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends, staff, and former colleagues as they mourn his passing.” Former Justice Prosser was raised in Appleton and attended the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he received his law degree in 1968. Former Justice Prosser first entered public service as an attorney for the United States Department of Justice and then as a staff member for United States Representative Harold Froehlich (R-Wisconsin). In 1976, he was elected to serve as Outagamie County District Attorney. In 1978, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly and represented the 42nd Assembly District from 1979 to 1983, the 79th Assembly District from 1983 to 1985, and the 57th Assembly District from 1985 to 1997. While in the State Assembly, former Justice Prosser served as minority leader for six years and as the 72nd Speaker of the Assembly from 1995 to 1997. After his time in the Legislature, former Justice Prosser was appointed to the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission in 1997 and served there until he was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court by former Gov. Tommy Thompson in 1998, where he served for 18 years before retiring in 2016. Former Justice Prosser also served on various commissions, committees, and councils, including the Uniform Law Commission, the Wisconsin Supreme Court Planning and Policy Advisory Committee, and the Wisconsin Judicial Council. Services for former Justice Prosser will held on Sat., Dec. 14, 2024, in Appleton.

An online version of this release is available here.

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Office of the Governor • 115 East Capitol, Madison, WI 53702

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that over 200,000 people in Wisconsin care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in their homes.  These caregivers provide millions of hours of unpaid care each year valued at $7 billion. This care allows older Wisconsinites to stay in their homes, where costs are lower and both parties are more comfortable. 

Dementia caregiving can be physically demanding and time-consuming, and caregivers often experience high levels of stress.  With numbers rising, Wisconsin recognizes a public health emergency.   A long-range plan has been created which stresses the importance of community support.   The Alzheimer’s Association has responded to the health care emergency with a program called the Healthy Brain Initiative, a large component of which is educating, engaging and mobilizing the community.   Whitewater’s volunteer group called Dementia Friendly Community Initiative (DFIC) strives to do just that.  Here are some services we offer:

• Rockin’ Respite     Twice a month, caregivers can drop off their loved ones for a day of activities, socializing, snacks and one-on-one time with a volunteer.  The caregiver is free to do errands, make appointments for themselves, see friends or family or just take a nap.
• Purple Angel     The PA program offers training to employees in stores, restaurants, and offices of all kinds on how to understand and respond to persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) who may be having difficulty navigating places of business.
• Dementia Friends     A one-hour small group meeting is offered to answer the question “What is dementia?”  A sample of what you will learn is the Bookcase Analogy which explains how the brain loses ability to perform logical and sequential activities while the emotional responsive part of the brain is still fully functional.
• Thanks You Gifts     Caregivers are honored and thanked for all they do for their loved ones with a gift of appreciation during Caregivers Month in November.

Whitewater’s DFIC would like to offer more activities such as twice a year outings to museums, galleries, workshops etc. for caregivers and their loved ones.  With more volunteers committing only three hours twice a month, we could offer Respite to more people and give more caregivers a break.  Volunteers find that by giving a little of their time, they gain an understanding of Alzheimer’s and related dementias which might affect you or me when we least expect it.  

Please contact Seniors in the Park to learn more about our work.  Learn if you might want to be part of that essential community support for persons with dementia and their caregivers.  Call or email Jennifer, director of  Seniors in the Park, at 262 473 0535 or  Jackson@whitewater-wi.gov

For more information:    https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/non-dhs/dph/dementia-plan-2024-2028.pdf
https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/273/Seniors-In-the-Park

This article is submitted by Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, a program of Whitewater Seniors in the Park to help educate the community about dementia and to support patients and caregivers.  More committee members are needed!  Contact Jackson@whitewater-wi.gov or call Jennifer at 262 473 0535.  

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UW-Whitewater staff has recently considered various approaches that might improve pedestrian safety on Starin Road. Per their recommendation, the Common Council approved closing Starin Road to traffic on a trial basis, Monday – Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from October 7 to October 18. The city Public Works Committee will receive a data-intensive report on this project at their meeting on Tuesday, December 10 at 5 p.m. in the Cravath Lakefront Room on second floor of the municipal building. University personnel will also be present. In their report on the trial, city staff recommended against further implementation of the partial closure. It is expected that after discussion the Public Works Committee will make a recommendation to the Common Council.

The report showed that during the hours of the trial period there was an average increase of 541 more vehicles per day on Main Street and 838 more vehicles on Schwager Drive, representing an increase of 6.3% and 68.2% respectively. The report may be viewed as part of the agenda packet on the city website, beginning on page eight.

A number of city staff submitted comments on the proposed weekday closure. Rationale given for leaving Starin Road open included reduced police/fire/EMS response times, additional traffic being added to busy Main Street, the temporary closure not including all of the busy crosswalks on Starin Road, and anticipated challenges with snow plowing. Additionally, it was noted that in the past five years there have been five pedestrian crashes on Main Street versus none on Starin Road.

Suggestions that were offered by city staff and residents for approaches that might be taken to improve pedestrian safety without road closure included:

• Student education on “defensive walking.”
• Annually in August, have reminders for drivers about the return of students and the resulting need to “up the awareness of more foot traffic” in the Banner and on social media.
• Additional signage at Prince Street (eastbound) and Graham Avenue (westbound) with suggested wording: ENTERING STUDENT CROSSING ZONES — USE CAUTION and BE PREPARED TO STOP FOR CROSSING STUDENTS.

Citing the lack of pedestrian involved crashes on Starin Road as opposed to the frequency on Main Street, Police Chief Dan Meyer opined, “I believe closing Starin Road would increase the chance of vehicle/pedestrian crashes on Main St. and would only serve to reduce the perceived safety concern on Starin Rd. that is not currently supported by the data.”

Citizen comments are always welcome at Public Works Committee and other city meetings, whether in person, via email or online/phone participation.

Written by Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by wal_172619 from Pixabay.

The person who was found deceased in a home where a fire had been reported on November 21 has been identified as Indumathi Chilukuri, a 71-year-old female Whitewater resident, Whitewater Police Chief Dan Meyer told The Whitewater Banner. Meyer indicated that no other person of interest has been identified. Per Ryan Dion, assistant fire/EMS chief, the origin and cause of the fire, which had nearly self-extinguished upon the department’s arrival, is being investigated by the Walworth County Fire Investigation Team as a possible arson. If it is determined that there is a potential that a crime occurred, the investigation will be turned over to the police department. The Walworth County Medical Examiner’s Office declined to provide the Banner with any information regarding the decedent, including the cause of death. A previous Banner article provides further details from the initial reports.

The incident occurred at 505 Ventura Lane on the city’s west side. According to the recently issued 2024 Walworth County property tax bill, the property is in the names of Chilukuri Rao and Chilukuri Indumathi. It is unclear as to why the reported first and last names of the decedent are reversed from those on this document.

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