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Today is Tuesday, June 16, 2026
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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.”
The City of Whitewater is excited to invite the entire community to join us for Christmas at Cravath, a month-long celebration of lights, holiday cheer, and family-friendly fun!
From December 5th, 2025 through January 5th, 2026, Cravath Lakefront Park and downtown Whitewater will come alive with festive events for all ages. The season kicks off on Friday, December 5th with the Holiday Market and our dazzling Parade of Lights, followed by the official lighting of the park’s holiday display.
Throughout the month, families can enjoy:
Cookies with Santa
Parents’ Night Out & Kids Pajama Party
Paws and Claus Pet Pictures with Santa
Breakfast-for-Dinner with Santa
Family Painting Projects
Meet the Magic: Real Reindeer for Christmas
Chili Cook-Off
…and so much more!
Whether you’re shopping local, snapping photos with Santa, or simply taking in the sparkling lights, there’s something magical for everyone.
We invite all residents and visitors to celebrate the season with us and make unforgettable memories at Christmas at Cravath.
Join us for a holiday season full of joy, lights, and community spirit!
For full details, visit www.wwparks.org or follow the City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation on social media. Some programs require a registration fee, others are FREE. Please sign up for the free programs as well to help be sure we do not run out of items.
La Ciudad de Whitewater se complace en invitar a toda la comunidad a unirse a nosotros en la Navidad en Cravath, ¡una celebración de un mes llena de luces, alegría navideña y diversión para toda la familia! Desde el 5 de diciembre de 2025 hasta el 5 de enero de 2026, el Parque Cravath Lakefront y el centro de Whitewater se llenarán de eventos festivos para todas las edades. La temporada comienza el viernes 5 de diciembre con el Mercado Navideño y nuestro deslumbrante Desfile de Luces, seguido por la iluminación oficial de la exhibición navideña del parque. A lo largo del mes, las familias podrán disfrutar de: Galletas con Santa Noche de Padres y Fiesta de Pijamas para Niños Fotos de Mascotas con Papá Noel Desayuno para Cena con Santa Proyectos de Pintura Familiar Conoce la Magia: Renos Reales para Navidad Concurso de Chili … ¡y mucho más! Ya sea que estés comprando localmente, tomando fotos con Santa o simplemente disfrutando de las luces brillantes, hay algo mágico para todos.
Invitamos a todos los residentes y visitantes a celebrar la temporada con nosotros y a crear recuerdos inolvidables en la Navidad en Cravath.
¡Únase a nosotros para una temporada navideña llena de alegría, luces y espíritu comunitario!
Para obtener todos los detalles, visite www.wwparks.org o siga a City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation en las redes sociales. Algunos programas requieren una tarifa de inscripción, otros son GRATIS. Por favor, regístrese también en los programas gratuitos para ayudar a asegurarnos de no quedarnos sin artículos.
Jefferson County is providing a brief update regarding ongoing response efforts to minimize the impact of the avian influenza [“bird flu”] outbreak:
- Actions to manage the outbreak are moving forward consistently, with response operations ongoing.
- Additional monitoring and response activities are planned to ensure that the outbreak is fully addressed in a timely manner and that remediation efforts continue effectively and safely.
- County officials are working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), and federal partners to ensure all actions align with state and federal guidance.
- The Jefferson County Health Department continues to monitor the health and safety of personnel and partners involved in the response. It is actively addressing community questions and concerns related to environmental health, water quality, and potential impacts.
- Jefferson County remains fully committed to protecting public health and local agricultural operations through coordinated response, monitoring, and transparent communication.
- Residents and poultry owners should remain vigilant, follow biosecurity protocols, and report any suspected cases. Additional information and guidance can be found at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx. The Jefferson County Health Department Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyHealth/.
Jefferson County sincerely thanks residents, producers, and response partners for their continued cooperation and support as we work together to protect community health, agriculture, and the environment.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Office of the Administrator of Jefferson County.
The UW-W football team will compete in the NCAA Division III Championship for the 20th time in program history. The bracket that was announced on November 16 may be viewed here.
The Warhawks will host DePauw University in the second round. Kickoff is slated for noon on November 29 at Perkins Stadium. Further information regarding this contest will be posted to The Banner when available.
The 2026 Stagg Bowl will be held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio on January 4, 2026. This will be the second consecutive year that the Stagg Bowl is being played in January; previously it has always been in early to mid-December. Also, for the second year in a row, the game will be played on a Sunday night, and on ESPN’s primary network. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST. This event marks the return of the championship to Canton, where it was last played in 2021. Next year’s event will return to the original site of Salem, Virginia, with the following year returning to Canton.
Another Year of Supporting UWW Students J. Robert’s Menswear ‘Dress for Success Drive’ to Support UW-Whitewater Warhawk Success Closet
Local Fine Menswear Company Encourages Community to Donate Professional Attire to Students in Need
J. Robert’s Menswear, a trusted fine menswear company with locations in Janesville and Elkhorn, is proud to announce the return of its “Dress for Success Drive,” a charitable community initiative benefiting the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Warhawk Success Closet, a collection of gently worn professional attire that students can choose from at no cost. From Monday, November 17, through Monday, December 1, community members are invited to donate gently used professional clothing to help UW-Whitewater students prepare for interviews, internships, and career fairs.
This meaningful initiative continues to be close to the heart of store owner Kyle Deschner, a proud 2022 UW-Whitewater alumni. “Our goal is to give back to the community and support the next generation of professionals,” said Kyle. “We’re thrilled to contribute to the Warhawk Success Closet, providing students with free access to the professional attire they need for interviews, internships, and career fairs.”
Accepted donations include suits, shirts, ties, dress shoes, and other business-appropriate attire for both men and women. All items collected at J. Robert’s Menswear’s Janesville and Elkhorn stores will be personally delivered by Kyle to the UW-Whitewater Warhawk Success Closet.
As a thank-you, customers will receive $2 in-store credit per donated item (up to $50 total), redeemable through March 2026. “This is our way of thanking our community for their generosity and involvement in this important cause” added Kyle. The Dress for Success Drive is more than a clothing donation; it’s an opportunity to help local students gain confidence and succeed in their professional journeys.
For more details on the Dress for Success Drive or to participate, visit J. Robert’s Menswear, 2919 N Lexington Dr., Janesville or 17 S. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn. You may also contact: Kyle at: kyle@jrobertsmenswear.com or Dylan at: dylan@jrobertsmenswear.com
Phone Number: 262-723-2610
The Letters to Santa Mailbox is OPEN!
It’s that magical time of year — the Letters to Santa program starts today!
Bring your little ones to drop off their letters to Santa at City Hall’s south main entrance (open 24/7) and share their wishes, hopes, and holiday cheer with the big guy himself!
Don’t forget to include your return address so Santa can write back before Christmas! His elves will make sure every letter gets a special reply straight from the North Pole.
The mailbox will be accepting letters now through December 8, so get those lists ready and make sure they’re in before Santa takes off on his big night!
¡El Buzón de Cartas a Santa está ABIERTO!
¡Es esa época mágica del año: el programa Cartas a Santa comienza hoy!
Trae a tus pequeños para dejar sus cartas a Santa en la entrada principal sur del Ayuntamiento (abierta 24/7) y compartir sus deseos, esperanzas y alegría navideña con el propio Santa.
¡No olvides incluir tu dirección de regreso para que Santa pueda responder antes de Navidad! Sus elfos se asegurarán de que cada carta reciba una respuesta especial directamente desde el Polo Norte.
El buzón aceptará cartas desde ahora hasta el 8 de diciembre, así que prepara esas listas y asegúrate de entregarlas antes de que Santa salga en su gran noche.
On Saturday, November 15, twenty-one FIRST Lego League (FLL) teams from across southern Wisconsin gathered at Whitewater High School for a full day of fun and competition, hosted by Ferradermis. The Washington Brick Layers, coached by Val Troxel and Chris Nate, the Lincoln Brick Layers, coached by Lisa Kaminski, the Lakeview Brick Layers, coached by Sara Brautigam, and the WMS Iron Dragons Red and WMS Iron Dragons Silver, coached by Kerry Ramsden and Grace Fanshaw, were all able to compete at this event.
The students were busy all day, rehearsing their presentations and doing practice runs with their robots in the pits. Each team spent 30 minutes with a panel of judges, sharing their robot design process and their innovation project. The judges also talked with the students about how their team embodies the FIRST core values of discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork, and fun. In their down time, students took part in an elaborate scavenger hunt designed by Vivian Harris to match the season’s archeologically themed game. They also enjoyed playing catch with the high school team’s robot which was tossing foam rings from the 2024 game high in the air. The middle school FIRST Tech Challenge team added an archeological dig for 3D printed season-themed items.
The Washington team of Damian Ramirez, Clara Meinel, Elizabeth Erdmann, Tanner Marshall, Landon Tranel, Elin Zheng, Everett Taylor, Hazel Gamboeck, Rozina Kejo, and Evan Kaina-Baier (not pictured) became the first ever Whitewater FLL team to advance to the Sectional round. They will now compete at Mukwonago High School on Saturday, December 13, for a chance to advance to State.
Over the course of the season, Ferradermis members volunteered as mentors with various teams including Erison Dreksler at Washington, Vivian Harris at Lakeview, Sam Raupp at Lincoln, and Mason Genung at the middle school. At the event on November 15, thirty-four different high school team members filled volunteer roles from queuers to team escorts, to refs and emcees. The team would like to thank the numerous parents, WUSD Robotics Booster Club members, community members, Ferradermis alumni, and mentors from other high school teams who volunteered throughout the day to make this event possible.
Whitewater High School will next play host to a FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifier with 24 teams, including the WMS Iron Dragons FTC, on Sunday, December 7. The event is free and open to the public.
Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org
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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