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WHITEWATER WEATHER

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Winter Weather Advisory Tonight; Wind Chill Advisory Sun. 3 a.m. to Noon

January 12, 2024

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewater banner@gmail.com

The National Weather Service Sullivan/Milwaukee Weather Forecast Office (NWS) has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 5 p.m. Saturday until 3 a.m. on Sunday. A minor amount of snow is expected, but wind gusts as high as 30 mph will cause blowing and drifting.

Bitter cold will be following the unusually high snow event which the NWS says brought Whitewater an estimated 9.6″ between Friday morning and Saturday, though many residents will probably maintain that we got more than that; it seems that 15″ may be more accurate. (Feel free to leave your measurement on our Facebook page.) A Wind Chill Advisory is effective on Sunday from 3 a.m. until noon. Low temperatures for the next several days will be below zero, with wind chills as extreme as -20 to -30F.

In response to a question about when this weather pattern will change, NWS said, “There is hope that it could change in about a week and a half.”

Four to Eight More Inches of Snow Predicted from Fri. 3 p.m. to Sat. noon (Update: 11.1″ reported at 6 p.m.)

January 12, 2024

The Community Space is Closed on Saturday

January 12, 2024

Kay Robers indicates that due to the inclement weather, The Community Space will not be open on Saturday.

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Massive snowbank on First St. circa 1900

January 11, 2024


It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This image is another in our winter series featuring the downtown. It is taken from the corner of Main and First Streets, probably around 1900. Besides the massive snowbank it shows is the three-story Bower’s New Metropolitan Block, a five-storefront block built in 1870 when Joseph Bower’s old Metropolitan Block burned. The building lost its third story in the early 20th century, but the rest of the building is still standing today.

Join us next week for another winter view of downtown Whitewater.

(3162PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

Local Resident Recognized on Troy University Chancellor’s List

January 11, 2024

Abby Grosinske of Whitewater, WI has been named to the Chancellor’s List at Troy University for the Fall Semester/Term 2 of the 2023-2024 academic year.

The Chancellor’s List honors full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who earn a grade point average of 4.0.

About Troy University

Troy University is a public, historic, international university with 22,500 students and 154,000 alumni. Students choose TROY for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty, and flexible in-class and online class offerings. Students on the Troy, Ala. campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City, Ala., as well as at locations around the world and online.

Girls’ Wrestling Places Third at Kenosha Tourney

January 11, 2024

On Saturday, January 6th, the Whippet Girls’ Wrestling Team traveled to Kenosha Bradford High School for a scramble format tournament. The wrestling tournament was made up of 19 different schools. This girls’ tournament doubled in participants from the year before. Our Whitewater Whippets returned to this tournament having placed third last year, and set a goal to finish in the top again this year. With the tournament doubling in size, that was a great goal. Our twelve girls scored a total of 86 team points, which placed them in third at the end of the tournament. 

Marianna Kubicz- Champion at 185 Pounds

As a team, the girls wrestled really well. Out of the twelve athletes, five placed in the top three for their respective weight classes. Leading the way was Marianna Kubicz, as champion at 185 pounds. Marianna pinned her way through the tournament.

Myia Cobb placed 2nd at 138 pounds, also pinning her way to the finals. Myia dropped her first loss of the day to a girl from Burlington.

A’lani Ross also placed 2nd at 126 pounds. A’Lani wrestled really well throughout the tournament, losing her last match in the final to a girl from Milton High School who took 2nd in the state last season.

Ema Aranda, wrestling at 100 pounds, and Lauren Buehler, wrestling at 120 pounds, both placed 3rd in their weight classes. 

Overall, the Whitewater girls improved on Saturday, with some picking up their first win. The team taking third place was a team effort, and everyone who wrestled on Saturday helped solidify that team score. All our girls helped pick each other up and supported each other throughout the day. As a coach, it is nice to see teammates help each other the way these athletes did. This tournament will help them prepare for one of the biggest girls’ wrestling tournaments in the state, in Wausau, on January 20th. 

Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Johnny Gomez

Whippet Girls Defeat Big Foot

January 11, 2024

The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball Team jumped out to an early 12-2 lead on Wednesday, January 10, but Big Foot battled to be within three at halftime. The game was close throughout with Whitewater up four with about four minutes to play. The Whippets eventually secured a 45-38 victory.

Calli Grosinske

Even without shooting the ball well, Whitewater’s defense was able to keep them in the lead for most of the night. Whitewater was able to push it double digits with about three to play, but credit Big Foot’s shooting for keeping them in the game all night.

Calli Grosinske led the Whippets with 24 points, and Leah Paulsen put in 25 for Big Foot.

Whitewater is scheduled to host Edgerton on Friday, January 12 [presumably this game is canceled] and then travels to Evansville next Thursday, January 18.

Article Submitted by Mike Dowden
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
dowmi01@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Friday Closings: Library & Muni. Bldg. (Fri.-Mon.); WUSD Schools; Sr. Dining; Comm. Space (Sat.)

January 11, 2024

Diane Jaroch, interim director of the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, indicates that the library will be closed on Friday and Saturday due to inclement weather. The library will also be closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The library is open today, Thursday, until 8:30 p.m. Online services may be accessed through whitewaterlibrary.org

The City of Whitewater Municipal Building will also be closed Friday through Monday. Citizens who need police assistance may use the after hours call button in the Municipal Building Whitewater Street vestibule, or may call the non-emergency phone number at 262-473-0555 option 4. For all emergencies, please call 9-1-1.

Whitewater Unified School District will be closed on Friday.

With the expected snow forecasted throughout the day on Friday, January 12th, Walworth County’s Senior Nutrition Program will be closed. Meals on Wheels deliveries are canceled and all dining centers will be closed including Brookdale Manor in Whitewater as we continue our efforts to keep all participants and volunteers safe.  Please remember to have someone clear your driveway and sidewalks of snow and ice to ensure meals can be delivered next week. We are expecting much colder temperatures but are hopeful to stay open next week. Thank you for understanding and stay safe.

The Community Space will be closed on Saturday.

Obituaries

Obituary: Janet Irene Heckert, 87

Janet Irene Heckert, age 87, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2024 in Delavan, Wisconsin. Born on November 1, 1936, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Gladys and Henry Jansen. Janet was preceded in death by her loving husband Kenneth Heckert and her brothers Sonny and Paul and sister Darlene. Janet was a graduate of Elkhorn High School in 1955. On October 24, 1957, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Heckert, at Elkhorn Baptist Church in their hometown of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Janet worked for many years as a seamstress, but her true passion was as a … Read more

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Obituary: Fred Chester Traxler, 78

Obituary: Fred Chester Traxler, 78 Fred was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin on October 23, 1945, son of Chester and Elva (Klug) Traxler. He was born to eternal life at Ascension St. Francis Place in Milwaukee on June 1, 2024. Fred was a 1964 graduate of Whitewater High School. In his younger days Fred enjoyed bowling and polka dancing–and was very good at both. He was very competitive, especially when pitching horseshoes with his Dad, brothers, and cousin Sid. He was always ready for a card game, and was also a big fan of the Packers and Brewers. Fred is preceded … Read more

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Obituary: Harry Oliver Dempsey, 80

Harry Oliver Dempsey passed away peacefully and among family in Elkhorn, WI on July 24, 2024 at the age of 80. Born on May 21, 1944 to William and Norma (Shober) Dempsey, Harry grew up on the family farm in Whitewater. In his younger years, Harry enjoyed hunting and fishing, a passion that he later passed on to his own children. All his life he could often be found in his shop, building or fixing something – from a child’s toy to lawn mowers, cars, and tractors. His passion for self-sufficiency extended to his large garden whose abundance he happily … Read more

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Obituary: Shirley A. Knuteson, 85

SHIRLEY A. KNUTESON, age 85, of Whitewater, died Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Glenwood at Mulberry Campus in Whitewater. She was born to Hugo and Helen (Wilson) Ferge of Elkhorn, WI. She attended school in Walworth High School, graduating in 1956. Shirley worked at Sterlingworth in Elkhorn and then Fairhaven Nursing Home prior to retirement.  As a young woman, she loved roller skating, had a love for animals, especially her dogs and horses on the farm. She was a loyal Brewer and Packer fan. Her diverse family was her pride and joy.  Shirley is survived by her six children Jerry … Read more

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Celebration of Life: Dave Triebold

A celebration of life for Dave Triebold will be held July 27 at Triebold Farms, with festivities beginning around 11:30 am. A rememberance service will take place at 12:30 pm. A pig roast will follow, and the pool will be open. The family encourages you to stay through the evening for a bonfire as well. Contact Kris (262)949-5474 or Kath (414)412-4385 with questions.

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Celebration of Life: James Paul Fisher, 86

James Paul Fisher, 86, known by friends as JP or Jay, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at UW Hospital, Madison, with his immediate family by his side. His body finally surrendered to a heart attack after battling heart and kidney ailments for many years. Born in Fond du lac, Wisconsin, on October 25, 1937, to Lorraine and James Fisher, JP was a resident of Elkhorn and then Whitewater, Wisconsin. At age 2 JP was diagnosed with polio. Through daily therapy administered by his mother and grandmother, he overcame this life threatening virus, and with a prognosis of limited … Read more

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Obituary: Shirley M.  Messier, 86

Shirley M. Messier, 86, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on July 8, 2024. Shirley was born to Erwin and Leona Reese on May 20, 1938, in Farmington, Wisconsin. Shirley (“Shirttail”) attended the local country school, then set out on her own, taking a job doing factory work. On August 24, 1957, she married Blaine Messier in Jefferson, Wisconsin. They had three daughters, Michele (Shelly), Terry, and Karen. Shirley spent many years being a working wife and mother, finally retiring from Polymer Technologies / MacLean Fogg in Whitewater. Shirley loved country music and spent her retirement years going to George Jones … Read more

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Celebration of Life: Patricia Parr

Patricia Ann ParrBorn 7/20/42Departed to Heaven 5/10/23 About herself, Patricia often said “I love life, I love God, He always has taken care of me, and He always will”. Patricia died peacefully at Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, after a long and courageously fought season of declining health. Patricia was born in Beaver Dam, to a lovely family, which included her older brother Dennis and not too long after, her lifetime best friend and little sister Mary. They grew up on an idyllic “Gentlemen’s Farm” outside of Jefferson, with horses and many animals. Her parents, Floyd and Kathryn owned the … Read more

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Obituary: Margorie Alice “GG” Roloff, 89

Marjorie Alice “GG” Roloff, 89, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Golden Years in Lake Geneva, WI. She was born July 31, 1934, to Fred and Martha (Arndt) Papcke, in Whitewater, WI, the fifth of eleven children. GG attended South Heart Prairie School, across the road from the family’s home farm. She is a Whitewater High School graduate. On April 19, 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, Eric. She worked a variety of jobs over the years. Her most memorable of those being the local canning factory and as a crossing guard. After retiring, she and Eric would … Read more

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Obituary: Marilyn Mae Fuerstenberg, 81 (UPDATED)

Marilyn Mae Fuerstenberg, 81 of Whitewater, WI., passed away on June 27, 2024, at Agrace Hospice in Janesville, WI. Marilyn was born May 27, 1943, in Geneva Township, to Raymond and Doris Kilpin. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her two younger brothers, Mike and Donny Kilpin. Marilyn married William (Bill) Fuerstenberg on September 21, 1963. Bill and Marilyn lived in Whitewater. Together they raised three children, taking the family on yearly vacations and camping trips throughout the years. Marilyn worked for Walworth County Health and Social Services as a Child Protection Social Worker. She dedicated 25 years … Read more

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