News & Events

By Al Stanek
Walworth County Board Supervisor District 4

As previously reported in ‘The Banner,’ Walworth County residents will be able to comment on the county’s proposed budget for next year Thursday, October 30. The public hearing will start at 6 pm in the County Board Room of the County Administration Center at 100 W. Walworth Street in downtown Elkhorn. It will be preceded by an announcement of a new name and new features for the county’s shared ride taxi service to be held in the Administration Center parking lot at 5:30.

How property taxes are levied and collected is a little confusing. Each of several governmental units (School District, City, County, Technical College District) project the next year’s revenues and expenditures. Each unit of government then establishes a levy (tax rate or mill rate) needed to provide services which is applied against each $1,000 of property value. Your property’s “assessed value” times the total combined amount of the levies from all of the involved government units determines your tax bill.

Equally confusing is who you get your tax bill from and the options for when you make a payment. The city mails out annual tax bills. The first installment, which is paid to the city, is due by January 31. Some taxpayers choose to pay their entire bill at that time. Otherwise, the second installment, which is due by July 31 is paid to the county.

As the Walworth County Board Supervisor representing most of the City of Whitewater, I’d like to share some information about the county budget and how it compares with other Wisconsin counties. Supervisor Brian Holt represents the southeast portion of the city.

The WI Counties Association issues an annual “Green Book” comparing Wisconsin counties’ financial status and demographics. Walworth County is one of only three of Wisconsin’s 72 counties that have paid off all of their past debt according to the report. Units of government borrow money to build and maintain buildings and infrastructure.

Careful financial planning by past and present administrations and a fiscally conservative County Board have updated or replaced almost all of our county facilities, improved and maintained county roads, and the county has a multi-decade capital plan that hopefully will keep Walworth County debt free for several decades according to the ‘Walworth County Administrator’s 2026 Preliminary Budget Report.’

The “Green Book” estimates that the average county has debt obligations of $539 per county resident. With a county population of just over 100,000 that means that if Walworth County were an average county it would have nearly $54 million of debt. Obviously that debt is paid back over various time frames and at low “Municipal Bond” rates but, not having to ask its county taxpayers for money to pay off present and future debts makes for lower county tax rates.

Half of Wisconsin’s counties had a 2024 per capita county tax levy of more than $3.69 per thousand dollars of property values with the other half with a per capita levy of less than $3.69 according to the “Green Book” report. Walworth County’s 2024 levy was $2.37 per thousand dollars of assessed value. Only six of Wisconsin’s 72 counties had a lower 2024 tax rate according to the “Green Book.”

Walworth County’s levy per thousand dollars of property value for 2026 is projected to be $2.26 according to County Finance Director Jessica Connelly. “That reduction in rate from the previous year would mark at least the tenth consecutive year of Walworth County tax rate decreases,” according to Connelly. Final adoption of the 2026 Walworth County Budget including the tax rate is scheduled for November 10.

Any county budget concerns can be addressed at Thursday’s budget public hearing. The meeting starts at 6 pm. An unveiling of a new name and new features for Walworth County’s shared-ride transportation services starts at 5:30 that same evening in the parking lot of the County Administration building in downtown Elkhorn.

Similar to Whitewater’s shared-ride taxi service, “Walworth County Connect” is available on a reservation basis for trips anywhere in Walworth County with one exception. Because the City of Whitewater offers its own shared-ride service, Whitewater “in-city” trip requests cannot be provided competitively by the county service under State of Wisconsin guidelines.

Service between Whitewater and any other location in Walworth County is available by calling 262-723-4402. One way trip fares are $3 for residents 60+ and $6 for adults. Trips can be for any purpose but should be booked as far in advance as possible. Service is provided seven days per week.

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

A number of communities in south central Wisconsin move trick or treating to a weekend day when October 31 falls on a weekday. Fort Atkinson’s children trick or treated this year on Sunday, October 26, and Palmyra’s was on Saturday, Oct. 25. For at least the past many years, however, Whitewater has always remained traditional with trick or treat on October 31 regardless of the day on which it falls. Again this year the hours will be 4-7 p.m. Jefferson’s is also on Friday, from 5-8 p.m.

How many readers remember growing up in a community where you wouldn’t have dreamt of going out trick or treating till it was nearly dark? (Was that ever the case in Whitewater?) This writer’s trick or treating curfew was 9 p.m., and the last doorbell was rung at about 8:55. Our city didn’t ever have to tell us when to trick or treat; Halloween was October 31, we started out when it was dusk, got home when our parents told us to, and a few mischievous kids took soap along!

Ghoul’s Night Out is Thursday, October 30.

The event is sponsored by Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce, Pro Landscape Supply, Whitewater Family Dentistry, Whitewater City Market, the Ice Age Trail Alliance – Walworth, Botanica Beauty Parlor, First Citizens State Bank, Olive the Journey Travel Company, and Studio 84, Inc.

Trunk or Treat will be at 402 W. Main Street [the Cultural Arts Center, and also the new location for the Chamber,] and Associated Bank is hosting the costume contest. There’s also a scavenger hunt for participating businesses that have a symbol. Kids can go to those businesses through this week and find the symbol. If they go to every stop, they win a small goodie bag.

Please see below for participating businesses!
– Mulberry Glen
– Pro Landscape Supply (Trunk-or-Treat)
– Associated Bank (Location of costume contest)
– Whitewater City Market (Trunk-or-Treat)
– Olive the Journey (Trunk-or-Treat)
– Revamp Nutrition
– Whitewater Unified School District
– Studio 84
– Cost Cutters
– FCCU
– Fairfield Inn & Suites Whitewater
– State Farm – Jennifer Visser
– Whitewater Parks & Recreation (Trunk-or-Treat)
– Whitewater Family Dentistry (Trunk-or-Treat)
– First Citizens State Bank (Main & West offices)
– Burtness Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
– Underground Cutz
– Edgerton Hospital Whitewater Urgent Care
– SSM Health Dean Medical Group – Whitewater
– Protect Wisconsin Waterways (Trunk-or-Treat)
– Toppers Pizza
– Cozumel Mexican Restaurant
– Walworth Jefferson County Ice Age Trail
– QPS Employment Group
– McCullough’s LTC Pharmacy
– Botanica Beauty Parlour
– The Dentist – Whitewater
– Culver’s
– Whitewater High School Key Club (Trunk-or-Treat)
– Warhawk Alley
– UW-Whitewater Camps and Conferences
– PremierBank
– Burtness Chevrolet, Buick, GMC
– SteveO’s
– Fort HealthCare (Trunk-or-Treat)
– Starbucks
– Sampa-Tacos LLC (will be located at 239 E Milwaukee Ave) 

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All aboard, sisters! The hysterical sequel to the smash-hit Menopause The Musical^® is finally here! Five years after their chance encounter in a department store, we set sail with our beloved ladies for more high jinks on the high seas. Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change’^® is a hilarious and heartfelt look at the joys of menopause and friendship — plus hot flashes, mood swings, and memory lapses! Join us on a trip of self-discovery, backed by a new soundtrack of toe-tapping parodied hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s. For these four ladies, menopause was not the end, but the beginning of a beautiful friendship where love conquers all, and friendships never fail.

Editor’s note: This article, Menopause the Musical 2 Review: A Gynecologist’s Perspective on Humor, Healing, and Hormonal Harmony, might help undecided readers to decide whether to attend.

The Young Performing Arts Center at UW-Whitewater, 930 W. Main Street
Thursday, October 30 – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets, available here, start at $38.
Parking is free; lot 2 off Prince Street provides the best access to the auditorium.

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“Ofrenda de Dia de Muertos” is an exhibit dedicated to honor and remember the family and friends who have passed. It will feature an interactive altar, or ofrenda, where members of the Whitewater campus and community can honor loved ones who have passed by writing their names and leaving meaningful items in remembrance.

.A FREE public reception will be held on October 28, 2025, from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by an open house from 7 to 8 p.m. Traditional Mexican beverages and conchas (sweet bread) will be served. 

This is a FREE exhibit, and all are welcome! For guest parking on campus, please reach out to ucart@uww.edu with your name and email.

The 5th Annual Pride Rally was held at Cravath Lakefront Park on October 4. Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

The Wisconsin Department of Justice issued the following press release on October 27.

“The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is conducting an officer involved death investigation in the City of Fort Atkinson that occurred on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025.

At approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26, officers with the Fort Atkinson Police Department were dispatched to a residence located in the 600 block of Washington Street in Fort Atkinson to respond to a report of a disturbance with shots fired. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers surrounded the residence. During the encounter, an officer with the Fort Atkinson Police Department discharged their weapon, striking the subject. A rifle not belonging to law enforcement was later recovered from the scene.

Aid was immediately rendered to the subject, who was flown to a hospital in Madison, where the subject was later pronounced deceased.

No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.

The involved law enforcement officer was wearing a body camera during the incident and will be placed on administrative leave, per the agency’s policies.

DCI is leading this investigation and is assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, the Jefferson County Medical Examiner, the Dane County Medical Examiner, and a DCI crime response specialist.

DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over the investigative reports to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office when the investigation concludes.”

Editor’s note: A post, since deleted, on the City of Fort Atkinson website indicated that the police department was responding to a domestic disturbance.

Ferradermis wrapped up its 2025 offseason when 27 team members traveled to Roboteer Rumble in Tremont, Illinois from October 24-25. Team 2481, the Roboteers, hosts this event each fall featuring 36 high-caliber teams from across the Midwest. This year, teams traveled from Illinois, four Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri for some tough competition. Wisconsin had four teams represented. Included in the event were four teams who finished in the top 30 of the worldwide regional pool during the regular season, the Indiana District State Champion, and Team 4272 Maverick Robotics from Lafayette, Indiana who are a member of the reigning World Championship Alliance crowned in Houston in April.

Ferradermis more than held its own against this elite competition, ending qualifications with a 4-1 record and a #6 ranking. The robot was led onto the field by Drive Coach Erison Dreskler, Driver Margaret Brown, Operator Mason Genung, Human Player Vivian Harris, and Technician Paxton Wilson.

The Ferradermis robot Chief of the Reef experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure during the final qualification match. The arm which holds the end effector used to grab the game pieces was in bad shape going into the match, and the end effector ended up dragging on the ground, exposing it to accidental damage from other robots. By the time the match ended, the end effector had been literally destroyed and laid in pieces on the field.

With alliance selections for the playoffs happening immediately after that fateful match, Ferradermis had to make a quick decision about whether to withdraw from the playoffs before alliances were selected. Putting their trust in the pit crew led by Preston Miller and Owen Taylor, the team of Erison Dreksler, Rae Breisath, and Cam Avila moved onto the field and accepted the position of #5 alliance captain. They invited Team 1736 Robot Casserole from Peoria, Illinois and Team 3596 Rocket Robotics from South Milwaukee to join the alliance. They also selected Team 8430 The Hatch Batch from Washington, Indiana to join the alliance as a backup bot.

With the end effector rebuilt to be functional just in time for the first playoff match, the Ferradermis alliance fell to the eventual champion alliance led by Team 1706 Ratchet Rockers who set an event high score of 272 points during the match. A second playoff loss ended the day for Ferradermis, but the team enjoyed watching some intense high-caliber competition for the remainder of the day.

Other Ferradermis travelers supporting the team in the pit, as scouts in the stands, or filming matches included Zoey Ambrose, Chacha Binagi, Emilie Bruns, Frankie DiFiore, Asher Downs, Alex Fletcher, Eli Gonsior, Cooper Housel, Jayden Kehrer, Colby Long, Wyatt Meyers, Shae Onstott, Alex Perez-Aguilar, Sam Raupp, Julian Rennells, Johan Servin, Letty Trautman, and Mily Zeferino-Hernandez.

Team 6574 was 34-19-1 in official season play and 55-34-2 overall in 2025. The team will now focus on outreach events and training for the remainder of the fall until the new season kicks off in January.

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org