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Today is Tuesday, June 16, 2026
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The UW-Whitewater men’s wheelchair basketball team welcomes the top teams from around the nation this weekend for its annual home tournament this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21-22, at the Williams Center Fieldhouse, 907 Schwager Drive. The Warhawks host games Friday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Saturday at 8 a.m. and noon. [The public is welcome. There was no admission charge on Friday, so it appears that the same would apply on Saturday.]
Editor’s note: This announcement is from the UW-Whitewater Facebook page.
Bloomington, Ill. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team swept Coe 3-0(25-21, 25-11, 25-15) in the First Round of the NCAA Division III Championship Thursday morning. With the win, the Warhawks advance to face either Hanover or Calvin in the NCAA Regional Semifinal scheduled for Friday at 4:30 PM at the Shirk Center.
UW-Whitewater led the majority of the first set using a four-point, mid-set run to take a 15-11 lead. Emma Bludgen assisted on a pair of blocks while Abbie Dix hammered down a kill to bolster the run. The Warhawks held at least a two-point advantage the rest of the way.
Emily Lego and Dix had a phenomenal start to the match. The right side – middle duo each hit .417 to combine for 11 of UWW’s 14 kills in set one. Lego led the way with six while Dix added a pair of blocks.
UWW ran away with set two 25-11 paced by an efficient offensive attack — UW-Whitewater hit .464 as a team in the set. This time it was the outsides, Bludgen and Gaby DiMotto, with half of the Warhawk kills in the set. Delaney Ward came in late in the set and pounded down a pair of kills for the Warhawks’ final points of the set.
Five consecutive kills for UWW in set three opened up a 15-10 Warhawk lead and forced a Kohawk timeout. After another run of kills from Dix, Aubrie Krzus and Amanda Hillmann, UWW’s lead grew to 21-12 as Coe called their final timeout of the match. UW-Whitewater never looked back, closing out the set and the match to punch their ticket to the semifinal.
UW-Whitewater’s offense was efficient hitting .371 bolstered by a .500 attack percentage in the third set. UWW tallied just eight attack errors in the entire match. Lego hit .417 in the match with 12 kills. Dix had her way at the net hammering down 11 kills without a single attack error (.524 attack percentage) while adding five blocks.
Krzus ran the offense setting up Warhawk hitters for 33 assists, adding five kills and four blocks. Defensively, Kylee Altendorf and Natalie Lawton shared team-high dig honors with 11 each.
Friday’s semifinal match marks the fifth consecutive NCAA Second Round appearance for the Warhawks.
Columbus beat Whitewater 63-24 in a non-conference girls’ basketball game on Thursday, November 20. Whitewater was led by Paige Kollwelter with seven points, while Emery Kachel and Alondra Verduzco had six each. Columbus was led by three girls in double digits. The Whippets will travel to Orfordville to play a varsity only game against the Parkview Vikings at 6:30 pm Friday night.
Information Submitted by Mike Dowden
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
dowmi01@wwusd.org
Hundreds of trick or treaters came out for Ghoul’s Night Out on October 30. It was a beautiful night to visit businesses and organizations. Photos are courtesy of Tom Ganser.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This weekend begins the gun-deer season, a popular hunting season in Wisconsin. Hunters in the mid-20th century may have stopped by at the Whitewater Sports and Tackle store for last minute needs. Before the sports store, this building, on 2nd Street, was the long-time location of Pete Johnson’s meat market. Johnson retired in 1964 and this photo was probably taken in the 1970s. The building is also of interest because it was built around 1915-1920 from rusticated concrete blocks, an unusual material for a downtown building.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(5709 P, Whitewater Historical Society)
| Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff on Anniversary of 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade Tragedy |
| Gov. Tony Evers on Nov. 19 ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Fri., Nov. 21, 2025, in recognition of the fourth anniversary of the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy and to honor the six individuals who were senselessly and tragically killed in the attack: Tamara Durand, 52; Wilhelm Hospel, 81; Jane Kulich, 52; Leanna Owen, 71; Virginia Sorenson, 79; and Jackson Sparks, 8. “Four years ago, six of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones were senselessly killed in the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy, forever changing the lives of folks and families in the community and across our state, and each year since, we’ve come together to honor them, their loved ones who carry on their memory, and all those who were affected by this horrific and tragic act of violence,” said Gov. Evers. “The memory of those we lost that tragic day lives on through the strength, resilience, generosity, and compassion we have seen exemplified by the entire Waukesha community over the past several years. We will never forget Tamara, Wilhelm, Jane, Leanna, Virginia, and Jackson, and today, the state stands with the Waukesha community in remembering, honoring, and mourning.” |
Holiday Helpers connects community donations, sponsors, and resources directly to families in need to ensure every child experiences joy, dignity, and care during the holidays. The deadline for families to register their children, ages 0-17, is Sunday, November 23. The form is accessible through the QR code above or on the United Way website.
“Our community always steps up in big ways — and this is one of the most meaningful examples of neighbors helping neighbors,” said Elizabeth Bols, United Way’s CEO. “Holiday Helpers ensures children don’t feel forgotten during the holidays, and for many families, this relief makes an enormous difference.”
More information, registration details, and ways to get involved will be shared at: www.uwjnwc.com
Holiday Helpers conecta las donaciones comunitarias, patrocinadores y recursos directamente con familias necesitadas para garantizar que cada niño experimente alegría, dignidad y cuidado durante las fiestas. La fecha límite para que las familias registren a sus hijos, de 0 a 17 años, es el domingo 23 de noviembre. El formulario está disponible a través del código QR arriba o en el sitio web de United Way.
“Nuestra comunidad siempre responde de manera extraordinaria, y este es uno de los ejemplos más significativos de vecinos ayudando a vecinos”, dijo Elizabeth Bols, CEO de United Way. “Holiday Helpers garantiza que los niños no se sientan olvidados durante las fiestas, y para muchas familias, este alivio marca una diferencia enorme.”
Más información, detalles de registro y formas de involucrarse se compartirán en: www.uwjnwc.com
Final boarding call on the ocean liner S. S. American for the WHS Players production of the truly classic American musical “Anything Goes” Nov. 20-22 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. in the James M. Stewart Auditorium at Whitewater High School.
Tickets available an hour before performance at the box office (adults $12, students $5).
For fun, about 30 minutes before the curtain opens Tom Ganser’s photos from three previous WHS Players musicals will be shown: “Beauty & the Beast,” “Mean Girls,” and “White Christmas.”
Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes” debuted on Broadway in 1934, featuring a mix of romance, comedy, and memorable songs, and can in many ways be classified as the most remarkable musical to ever surface in the canon of American theatre.
No better way to get into the holiday spirit than by joining the cast, crew, and live pit band of the WHS Players in a memorable performance of “Anything Goes.”
Obituaries
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
Leo E. Wurzer, 65, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at his home. Leo was born on April 15, 1961 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Cyril and Shirley (McNeil) Wurzer. He grew up between Pleasant Prairie and Antigo, spending his childhood summers on his uncle’s farm where he discovered his love for all things tractors. Although he never had a farm of his own, he was able to partially fulfill his dream by working as a driver for Robin’s Trucking in Whitewater, WI in his last days and collecting miniature Tonka toys. He began his career … Read more
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