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Have You Received Your Second Economic Impact (“Stimulus”) Payment Yet? Believe it or not, it might be coming by prepaid debit card! (Or it might not be coming at all)

(Provided by the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Jefferson County via Deb Weberpal)

Have you received your stimulus check yet? Most people received their stimulus check by direct deposit in their bank or by check in the mail, but did you know that millions of individuals are going to receive their stimulus check by prepaid debit card? DON’T THROW THEM AWAY!! The IRS states that the debit cards are arriving in a white envelope that displays the U.S. Department of Treasury seal on them. The debit card is called an Economic Impact Payment Card.

Per the IRS website, the cards can be used to make purchases online or in stores where Visa Debit Cards are accepted. You may also transfer your funds into your personal bank account; please check with your bank on how to complete this action.

Please check the website below for more information or to have your specific stimulus questions answered.

IRS Electronic Impact Payment Card website: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/millions-of-taxpayers-will-receive-their-second-economic-impact-payments-by-debit-card

Banner note: Not all citizens are receiving $600; in fact, due to an income limit, some will not receive a payment at all. This article from Kiplinger answers sixteen FAQ’s about the “stimulus” payment.

First Installment of Property Tax is Due by Monday, February 1

Per Steve Hatton, City of Whitewater Finance Director, since the first installment of 2020 property taxes is due on Sunday, January 31, payments will be considered timely if received by next Monday, February 1. Checks should be made payable to City of Whitewater. They may be mailed to P. O. Box 690, Whitewater, 53190, paid in person at the Municipal Building Finance counter (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), or left in the 24-hour drop box at the Whitewater Street entrance to the building.

The second payment is due to the county on July 31, though property owners may choose to pay the entire tax through the city at this time.

Local UW-Stevens Point undergraduates honored for scholastic achievement

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (January 13, 2021) – The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored more than 2,600 undergraduate students for attaining high grade point averages during the fall semester of the 2020-2021 academic year.

Full-time undergraduates who earned grade points of 3.90 to 4.0 (4.0 equals straight A) are given the highest honors designation.  High honor citations go to those with grade point averages from 3.75 to 3.89 and honor recognition is accorded to those with grade point averages from 3.50 to 3.74.

Personalized certificates of scholastic achievement are being sent to those who earned highest honors distinction.

Students who received honors include:

Whitewater, WI

 Sage Babcock, Senior, High Honors
 Allison Ceranske, First-year, Highest Honors
 Kathryn Schramm, Post-Bacc, Honors

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order calling Special Session on Policing Accountability and Transparency

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order Calling Special Session on Policing Accountability and Transparency; See below for Wisconsin National Guard to Support Law Enforcement in Kenosha
 
MADISON, August 24 — Gov. Tony Evers and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes today announced Executive Order #84, calling the Wisconsin State Legislature into a Special Session on policing accountability and transparency convening at noon on Aug. 31, 2020. The announcement comes after Jacob Blake, a Black man, was shot repeatedly in the back by a law enforcement officer in Kenosha.   

“Today I am calling for a Special Session of the Legislature to take up the package of legislation we announced earlier this year,” said Gov. Evers. “We must begin the long but important path toward ensuring our state and our country start to live up to our promises of equity and justice. I am urging the Legislature to rise to this occasion and give this special session the urgent and productive effort this moment demands and that the people of Wisconsin deserve.”   
On June 19, 2020, in the wake of widespread pleas for justice following the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, Gov. Evers called for the legislature to take up a series of policing accountability and transparency measures. As of August 24, 2020, more than 130 days since the Wisconsin State Legislature last passed a bill, the Legislature has not convened to take up the measures.   

In a letter then to the legislature, the governor indicated the Legislature’s failure to take up these measures would prompt executive action, stating, “As we move forward, if there is an unwillingness to do this important work, conversations with legislative leaders break down, or there are talks of delays until the next legislative session, as governor, I am ready and willing to use my power to call on the Legislature into special session to act.”    

“We know we cannot remedy the systemic racism built into all of our systems with just this package of bills, but that does not mean we should stand still,” said Lt. Gov. Barnes. “For over two months, our legislative leaders have ignored the calls for change from people in every part of our state, and now another Black man is fighting for his life due to the actions of law enforcement. The people of our state are done waiting for the Legislature to act, and so are we.”  

“I know folks across our state will be making their voices heard in communities across Wisconsin. Every person should be able to make their voices heard and report on these calls to action without any fear of being unsafe. If you are exercising that right today and in the days ahead, please do so peacefully, and please wear your masks and keep physical distance as best as you can,” Gov. Evers concluded.  The package of legislation included in the governor’s special session call includes: 

LRB 6273/LRB 6424: Establishes statewide use of force standards for all law enforcement agencies that includes that the primary duty of law enforcement is to preserve the life of all individuals; that deadly force is to be used only as the last resort; that officers should use skills and tactics that minimize the likelihood that force will become necessary; that, if officers must use physical force, it should be the least amount of force necessary to safely address the threat; and that law enforcement officers must take reasonable action to stop or prevent any unreasonable use of force by their colleagues;Prohibits discipline of a law enforcement officer for reporting a violation of a law enforcement agency’s use of force policy; andRequires the Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB) to develop a model use of force policy for law enforcement agencies.
LRB 6274/ LRB 6425:​Requires each law enforcement officer to annually complete at least eight hours of training on use of force options and de-escalation techniques.
LRB 6275/LRB 6426: Creates a $1,000,000 grant program, administered by the Department of Justice, to fund community organizations that are utilizing evidence-based outreach and violence interruption strategies to mediate conflicts, prevent retaliation and other potentially violent situations, and connect individuals to community supports.
LRB 6276/LRB 6427: Requires law enforcement agencies to develop policies prohibiting the use of chokeholds.
LRB 6277/LRB 6428:Requires each law enforcement agency to not only prepare a policy regarding the use of force by its law enforcement officers, but to make it available publicly online.
LRB 6281/LRB 6429: Creates a civil cause of action for unnecessarily summoning a law enforcement officer with intent to infringe upon a right of the person under the Wisconsin Constitution or the U.S. Constitution; unlawfully discriminate against the person; cause the person to feel harassed, humiliated, or embarrassed; cause the person to be expelled from a place in which the person is lawfully located; damage the person’s reputation or standing within the community; or damage the person’s financial, economic, consumer, or business prospects or interests.
LRB 6283/LRB 6430: Requires that the Department of Justice publish an annual report on use of force incidents, including incidents where there was a shooting, where a firearm was discharged in the direction of a person (even if there was no injury), and where other serious bodily harm resulted from the incident; andRequires certain demographic information to be collected about each incident and reported annually by DOJ on its website. 
LRB 6289/LRB 6431: Prohibits no-knock search warrants.
LRB 6292/LRB 6432:Makes certain changes to the responsibilities of the LESB, including requiring LESB to also regulate jail and juvenile detention officer training standards and regulate recruitment standards for the recruiting of new law enforcement, jail, and juvenile detention officers;Requires each law enforcement agency to maintain an employment file for each employee; andRequires each potential candidate for a position in an agency, jail, or facility that is or has been employed by a different agency, jail, or facility to authorize their previous employer to disclose his or her employment files to the hiring entity.

 Wisconsin National Guard to Support Local Law Enforcement in Kenosha
 
MADISON, Aug. 24 — Gov. Tony Evers today, at the request of local officials, authorized the Wisconsin National Guard to support local law enforcement in Kenosha County to help protect critical infrastructure and assist in maintaining public safety and the ability of individuals to peacefully protest.

“I know folks across our state will be making their voices heard in Kenosha and in communities across Wisconsin. Every person should be able to express their anger and frustration by exercising their First Amendment rights and report on these calls to action without any fear of being unsafe,” said Gov. Evers. “This is a limited mobilization of the National Guard focused on supporting the needs of local first responders to protect critical infrastructure, such as utilities and fire stations, and to ensure Kenoshians are able to assemble safely.”


Pursuant to Section 321.39(1)(a) of the Wisconsin Statutes, the governor ordered into state active duty members of the Wisconsin National Guard deemed necessary to support to local law enforcement and first responders in Kenosha. Any Guard members called to active duty may only be used to provide support to local law enforcement and to protect critical infrastructure and cultural institutions necessary for the well-being of the community, and to provide support to first responders such as the Kenosha Fire Department. The National Guard may not be used to impede the ability of people to peacefully protest or impede the ability of the media to report on this situation.

“Serving our fellow Wisconsin citizens and assisting civil authorities during times of need is one of core missions in the National Guard,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin’s adjutant general. “Our Citizen Soldiers and Airmen are well-trained and prepared to assist in any way we can in an effort to preserve public safety.” 

A New Banner Service – Garage Sale Ads

As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, the Banner staff has agreed to begin a “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published each Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property. Although we may eventually make a small charge for this service, initially it will be complimentary.

Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 6 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address.

Our thanks to Ellie Wilson for the suggestion that we add this service to the Banner’s features.

City of Whitewater Introduces New Portal Website Page

The City of Whitewater has introduced a new landing page for their website to help citizens navigate to many organizations within the city. After receiving feedback from a community civic summit in 2019, the city worked with their website vendor, Civic Plus, to help create a new landing page. When citizens are searching for the city of Whitewater or visit the city’s original website, https://www.whitewater-wi.gov, they will now be directed to this landing page. On this page, they will have access to view the city’s website; a link to view Discover Whitewater’s site that includes the Chamber of Commerce, the Whitewater Community Foundation, Downtown Whitewater Inc., and the Whitewater Tourism Council; the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s website; the Whitewater Unified School District website; the city’s Aquatic and Fitness Center website; a newly designed Economic Development page on the city website; a listing of local organizations along with a listing of local news and media outlets.

The City of Whitewater is happy to offer this new opportunity to reach many avenues in which residents and out of town citizens can find many of the resources they are interested in finding, all in one place.

The City of Whitewater provides efficient and high-quality services which support living, learning, playing and working in an exceptional community. Visit www.whitewater-wi.gov for community information and updates.

Little Dribblers and Shooting Stars Basketball Program

Another Successful Season for Little Dribblers and Shooting Stars Basketball Program
The future basketball program is in good hands as our newest recruits are progressing nicely.  Little Dribblers (ages 4-6) and Shooting Stars (ages 7-8) practiced skills such as dribbling, shooting, passing, defense and listening.   The last four weeks of the season the participants played competitive basketball games providing them the opportunity to show off their new skills and abilities.

We wish the older players the best as they sign up for traveling basketball next season.  We look forward to all younger players registering for the program next year.

Little Dribblers (Ages 4-6)

Shooting Stars (Ages 7-8)

Have a Happy Holiday Season and keep practicing!

Submitted by: Coaches Colton, Zander, Adam and Bob

UW-Whitewater Department of Music Presents Ticketed Events for November Concerts at Greenhill Center for the Arts

Throughout the month of November, the UW-Whitewater Department of Music will present faculty and student ensemble concerts. Faculty chamber groups include: Whitewater Faculty Brass Quintet, faculty artist, Rachel Wood and friends, and student ensembles Chamber Singers and Vocal Jazz Ensemble, The University Community Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling 262-472-2222, online at tickets.uww.edu, or by visiting the Greenhill Center Box Office or Information Services Desk in the University Center.

The University Community Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble directed by Glenn Hayes will perform in Young Auditorium on November 10th at 3:00 pm. This performance will be the premiere of the Concerto for Horn and Wind Orchestra by Hirokazu Fukushima, featuring UW-Whitewater Horn instructor, Dafydd Bevil. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble will also perform American Overture for Band by Jenkins in honor of the upcoming return to Carnegie Hall. Tickets for this performance are $10.50 general public, $8.50 Over 65, / Under 18, and $6.00 UW-W students.

The Whitewater Faculty Brass Quintet will perform in Light Recital Hall on November 17th at 3:00 pm. This year, Professor Chris Ramaekers will make his debut with the quintet on trumpet. The group also features esteemed faculty members; Jessica Jensen, trumpet, Dafydd Bevil, horn, Mike Dugan, trombone, and John Tuinstra, tuba. The quintet will perform pieces by Shostakovich, Bach, and Edward Gregson to name a few. Tickets for this recital are $10.50 general public, $8.50 Over 65/Under 18, – and $6.00 -UW-W students.

The faculty concert of Rachel Wood, mezzo soprano, will be held in Light Recital Hall on November 23rd at 3:00 pm. The recital is titled, A Clara Schumann Celebration, as this year is her bicentenary. Rachel will perform various lieder by Clara Schumann. She will be joined by other members of the voice faculty, as well as The Whitewater Piano Trio with MyungHee Chung, piano, Benjamin Whitcomb, cello, and Leanne League, violin. Tickets are $10.50 general public, $8.50 Over 65 /Under 18, and $6.00 UW-W students.

Chamber Singers, and Vocal Jazz will perform in Light Recital Hall on November 10th at 7:30 pm. Chamber Singers will be directed by Jon Arnold, and Vocal Jazz by Sharri VanAlstine. This will be their first concert back after their international tour of Germany and Poland. The concert will feature songs such as, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, and a Pentatonix arrangement of I Can’t Help Falling in Love. Tickets are $10.50  General Public, $8.50 Over 65/ Under 18, and $6.00 UW-W students.

Tickets for both Young Auditorium and Light Recital Hall can be purchased by calling 262-472-2222, online at tickets.uww.edu or by visiting the Greenhill Center Box Office Monday-Friday from 8:30 am- 4:00 pm.

Washington School Parent Group Hosts “Pick a Day Come Play” with Whitewater Police, UW-Whitewater Warhawks, UW-W Wheelchair Athletics and Whitewater Fire Department

Washington School PATT hosted Pick a Day Come and Play the Week of September 23rd. During Lunch recess students had the opportunity to play with different community members.

Washington PATT would like to thank the Whitewater Police Department, UW-Whitewater Warhawk Football Team, UW- Whitewater Wheelchair Athletics, and Whitewater Fire Department for coming to play! It is hard to tell if the students or these awesome community members had more fun!

They wrapped up the week with Walk 4 Washington, a classroom fundraiser. Washington students raised over $5200 for their own classrooms. This was Walk for Washington’s 9th year; Washington students have raised over $45,000! Way to go Eagles!

Public Meeting: Highway 12 CTH N Intersection – TODAY at 5 p.m.

Highway 12 CTH N Intersection

Wisconsin lawmakers and DOT representatives will hold a public meeting to further discuss the Highway 12/CTH N intersection in Whitewater Monday, September 30 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room.

A group of lawmakers including Representative Don Vruwink, State Senator Janis Ringhand and State Senator Steve Nass will be in attendance with DOT representatives. They will meet from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. to discuss technical details and will then open the meeting up to the public at 5 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting and share their thoughts and opinions. Light refreshments will be available.

The original meeting was held in Madison on August 20th to discuss issues involving the Highway 12/CTH N intersection. After that meeting, Wisconsin DOT had flashing yellow turn lights placed in this location in hopes to lessen confusion of when it may be safe for drivers to turn onto Highway 12. The follow-up meeting will discuss how this has affected driving in the area and if there are additional items that can be done for the safety of all commuters.

Whitewater Municipal Building
312 W. Whitewater Street
Whitewater, WI 53190

The City of Whitewater provides efficient and high-quality services which support living, learning, playing and working in an exceptional community. Visit www.whitewater-wi.gov for community information and updates.