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Obituary: Roger Frank Krance Sr., 85, of Fort Atkinson

Roger Frank Krance Sr., age 85, of Fort Atkinson passed away unexpectedly at Alden Estates on April 3, 2024. 

He was born on May 18, 1938 in Lima Center, WI to Edna (Smith) and Frank Krance. Roger graduated from Whitewater High School in 1956.

He was employed at Thomas Industries in Fort Atkinson and American Farm in Janesville. Roger enjoyed time with his family and watching his favorite shows on TV. He was an avid Packer and Badger fan.

He will be deeply missed by his family, wife Donna; sons, Roger Jr. (Annette), Michael (Tess), and Tyrone; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings, Terry (Rosie), Kay Jean (Bill); nephews and their families. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edna and Frank Krance; and in-laws, John and Rose Johnson.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at Faith Community Church.  A memorial visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Hawk Bowl & Apts. Demolition: Not Much Left

Photos Courtesy of Tom Ganser: These were taken on March 13. There will be two building pads constructed, one of which will be for Aldi, with the other business not yet identified.

Tom Ganser: “I’m pretty sure this was the last wall standing. It was down the next day.”

Taken by Tom Ganser on March 24

The machine that grinds / recycles

Police Chief & City Manager Grateful for Increased ’24 Funding for Police Dept.

To the Members of the Whitewater Community,

We, Chief of Police Dan Meyer and City Manager John Weidl, are jointly writing to express our deep gratitude to the elected officials of the Whitewater Common Council and the larger Whitewater community for the recent decision to invest an additional $120,000 in the Whitewater Police Department for the year 2024. This specific investment is earmarked to fully fund our staffing study strategy and make immediate technological improvements that seek to alleviate pressure on our existing workforce until we can thoroughly assess the staffing needs of the entire police department next year.

This investment comes at a critical juncture, as we are witnessing significant demographic changes within our city, alongside escalating pressures on our existing law enforcement resources. We want to assure you that this augmentation of resources is not something we take lightly. Together, we are committed to ensuring that these resources are utilized strategically and effectively to address these emerging challenges.

One of our primary objectives is to enhance our department’s ability to proactively police and adapt to changes in our community. We are dedicated to achieving this in a manner that is objective, measurable, and sustainable over the long term. Nothing is more important to us than the safety and welfare of the residents, students, businesses, employees, and visitors in our community. In line with this, we are introducing new levels of accountability, objectivity, and follow-through in our operational planning.

Part of our strategy includes improving our technological capabilities. We have already invested in three Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, which are proving to be invaluable investigative tools. With the additional funding, we plan to add nine more cameras, ensuring comprehensive coverage throughout the city. Additionally, future investments will include advancements in language translation, mental health, and new arrival-related services, enhancing our ability to communicate and effectively serve all community members. This is a critical step in ensuring inclusivity and accessibility in our law enforcement efforts, matching the diversity in needs of the community.

Furthermore, we are taking steps to bridge the gap created by reduced revenues coming from the State of Wisconsin and University in relation to the police and dispatch services we provide (reductions totaling over $400,000 in 2024). This is an essential part of our strategy to maintain high-quality services without compromising our commitment to community safety or reducing our ability to serve and protect State owned property and the University population.

Understanding the necessity of proper staffing, we have initiated the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for a law enforcement staffing study with an outside firm, funded in advance by the Common Council. The findings of this study, expected by the first quarter of 2024, will guide our future steps, including the possibility of a referendum for law enforcement services. We are also financially prepared to go through the referendum process if the recommended staffing measures exceed the governing body’s ability to implement solutions. This demonstrates our strategic foresight and readiness to follow through with the likely outcomes as well as our commitment to engage the taxpayers of the community in the process.

Bottom line: our staff remains dedicated to providing proactive and efficient law enforcement services based on objectively assessed needs and embracing the diversity of services required across the City of Whitewater. We are thankful for the Common Council’s support in this endeavor and deeply appreciate the ongoing support from our residents as we strive to meet the evolving needs of our community. We ask for your patience and understanding as we work to build a Whitewater that everyone is proud to call home.

Most importantly, together, we pledge to bring about a safer, more secure Whitewater.

Respectfully,
Dan Meyer, Chief of Police
John S. Weidl, City Manager

Winter Parking Hours Are Now in Effect

Editor’s note: The following press release was provided by the City of Whitewater Department of Public Works. November 1 begins at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday.

The City of Whitewater would like to remind everyone that winter parking hours go into effect on November 1, 2023.

It is unlawful for the operator or owner of any vehicle to park the vehicle on any street in the City between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. on any day from November 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024, except as hereinafter provided:

  • Physicians and surgeons shall be permitted to park vehicles at any time when the physician is on emergency call.
  • Parking shall be permitted in the downtown parking area after 5 a.m. of such period.
  • By special advance arrangement with the Public Works Director.

    Any person who violates the provisions of this ordinance shall be subject to the penalties and provisions set forth in Sections 11.56.010(4) and 11.56.010(5) of the Municipal Code.

Water Utility Personnel Working on Valves on Far West Side

Valve Opening💦

Residents of Whitewater, we’re informing you that the Water Utility has begun operating distribution valves and fire hydrant auxiliary valves across the City. This is in order to comply with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Public Service Commission regulations. Please be aware of crew members in the road while driving in certain areas between Walworth and West Main Streets, Indian Mound Parkway, and Elizabeth St. If you experience discoloration with your water after the operation, let it run until it clears. 

Editor’s note: The above announcement was posted to the city Facebook page.

Obituary: Richard Reinhold Glombowski, 81, Milton

Richard Reinhold Glombowski, 81, Milton, passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at Sienna Crest Memory Care in Fort Atkinson, WI.

Richard was born on December 12, 1941, in Canada to Rudolph and Ida (Somerfeld) Glombowski. He received his education in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. On May 28, 1966, Richard married Ruth Blager in Moose Jaw. Together they traveled the world with his careers, working for the Canadian Government in the North Pole, missionary work in Brazil and then for the Ottawa, Ontario government. His hobbies and experiences were just as expansive as an airplane pilot, designing and building homes, college teacher, electronics engineering technologist, ran the heart machine during open heart surgery, and taught electronics in Moose Jaw, SK. Richard and Ruth have lived in Milton since 2019, Whitewater for 14 years prior and various cities all over the world before that. They were members of Faith Community Church in Fort Atkinson.

He is survived by his wife Ruth, Milton; daughters Michele Unger, Milton, and Jaclyn Engele, Whitewater; grandchildren Bree and Emma Unger, Holland and Anais Engele. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ewald and sister Erna.

There will be no services at this time. Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family.

Palmyra-Eagle School District Opening a Montessori School

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Palmyra-Eagle Area School District.

Palmyra-Eagle Area School District is very excited to be opening up a Montessori School and Daycare in the Palmyra Elementary building this fall. We are looking forward to providing this educational option, along with offering a daycare for younger children and wrap-around care for students. Montessori Schooling is a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play.

Palmyra-Eagle Montessori School will have a classroom for students in 3K-5K and also one for 1st-3rd grade. The Montessori School calendar will run the same timeline as the whole district, and the daycare will run year round. There is no cost for school-aged students to attend the Montessori School. Daycare will be $56 for a full day, and $29 for half of a day. Wraparound Care will be $11 per day for just AM or PM and $14 for both AM and PM. Families who enroll more than one child will be eligible to receive a 5% discount as well.

More information is to come in the very near future, follow Palmyra-Eagle Area School District on Facebook or visit www.peasd.org to stay up to date!

WHS Players Presents Beauty & the Beast – Thurs. – Sun.

There’s no better way to start the holiday season than by taking in a performance of the Whitewater High School Players production of the beloved Disney classic, “Beauty and the Beast,” that showcases the talents of nearly 70 actors, stage crew members, and musicians. 

Jim McCulloch and Liz Elliot serve as Directors, Kat Dunham is the Scenery Construction Coordinator, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Theatre major Taytum Adkins is the Choreographer, and Justin Kamp is Conductor of the pit band.

Performances in the Whitewater High School Auditorium will be Nov. 17, 18, and 19 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 19 and 20 at 2:00 p.m.

General admission tickets ($7 for students and $10 for adults) can be reserved by calling 262-472-8178 or in person at the Book Teller in downtown Whitewater.  Tickets also are available an hour before the performances.

“Beauty and the Beast” tells the story of a “beast” who captures a young woman, Belle, in an attempt to gain her love, so he can shed his monstrous form. It’s filled with lovable characters and singalong songs.

“Beauty and the Beast” (“La Belle et la Bête”) was written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in 1740 in “La Jeune Américaine et les contes marins” (“The Young American and Marine Tales”).  It has been prominent in books, on the stage, and in movies ever since.

About thirty minutes before the curtain rises, there will be a “pre-show” of Tom Ganser’s photos from WHS Players productions of “The Little Mermaid” (2019), “Summer Shorts” (2021), and “Footloose” (2021).

In addition to the regular performances, there will be a special “Be Our Guest” Tea Party on November 19th at 12:30 p.m.  Come dressed as your favorite Disney character, enjoy some sweets and treats in the enchanted castle, get your picture taken with some of the cast, and take home a souvenir teacup. Tickets are $10 per child. Adult chaperones are free. Seating is limited and reservations for this event are required by calling 262-472-8178.

This production of “Beauty and the Beast” will participate in the Madison Overture Center’s Jerry Awards program that encourages, recognizes, and honors excellence in high school musical theater.

Hayleigh Pond is an 8th grader at Whitewater Middle School and takes to the stage as a villager and as a piece of silverware in “Be Our Guest.”  She said, “Even a spoon is important, so that means even if you are not popular or known, you are still a big part of life.”

Skylar Staebler, a senior at WHS, has been in many productions throughout her years in Whitewater.  In “Beauty and the Beast,” she takes on one of the leading roles as Belle.

“I love the resilience and strong, independent nature of Belle. I am a very independent person and think that I can connect well to Belle’s standards. I am not as proper or ‘princess’ like Belle, but I think my hard work and love of stories make up for it. I often find myself daydreaming and living in the world of music like Belle’s love of books.”

Staebler concludes, “I’ve truly loved bringing the world of Belle to life and can’t wait for an audience to see all the hard work the cast and crew have done.”

Joshua Kirley, also a WHS senior who has been in many theatrical productions, is cast in a leading role as the Beast.  He shared that a challenge for him as the Beast is “portraying my emotions in the songs I sing.”

Asked to compare the Beast to a flavor of ice cream, Kirley said, “I think that Rocky Road suits the Beast, because he’s mean at first but as soon as you get to know him you’ll learn to love him.”

Seniors in the Park Presents Elvis

“Elvis”

Tuesday, September 27, 1 p.m. 

(Biography/Drama/Music)

Rated PG-13; 2 hours, 39 minutes (2022)

The life of music icon Elvis Presley (Austin Butler), his relationship with manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), and Elvis’ love affair with eventual wife, Priscilla.