News & Events

The Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club is selling florist-quality, red poinsettia plants for $20. Orders are due the second week of November, and the plants will be delivered December 5 and 6.

Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club Co-President Corey Davis said, “We are delighted to be able to sell florist-quality poinsettias again this year, with the funds helping children in our community and the world as well as brightening your holidays.” 

If you would like a plant, please contact any Kiwanian or contact Al Stanek at albertstanek@gmail.com

Whitewater Kiwanis is a group of dedicated volunteers who help both children of the Whitewater community and the world. Over the past several years the club raised funds to make possible the installation of the city’s first piece of inclusive playground equipment, a We-Go-Round, in Starin Park.  Annual donations are also made to provide shoes and winter clothes for students, as well as support for organizations such as the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, The Community Space, and the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club.

If you have an interest in helping youth in Whitewater, you can check out Whitewater Kiwanis on Facebook and join the Club by contacting Corey Davis at davisc@uww.edu.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis Club.

DHS Reminds Wisconsinites to Take Action Against Mosquito Bites

Continued protection recommended after a horse in Wisconsin tests positive for Eastern equine encephalitis

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) encourages Wisconsinites to continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites after the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) reported a horse in Marathon County tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus. A horse with EEE virus means that there are mosquitoes still present in Wisconsin that can spread EEE virus and possibly other illnesses to people and animals. DHS urges people, especially those who spend time working or playing outdoors, to continue to take steps throughout the fall season to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes.

EEE is a rare but serious disease. No human cases of EEE have been reported in the state so far this year. Since 2011, three of the seven human cases of EEE disease in Wisconsin occurred during the month of October, a time of year when many people think mosquitoes are no longer active. EEE virus spreads to humans, horses, and other animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes acquire EEE virus by feeding on infected birds. The virus is not spread person to person, directly between animals, or between animals and humans.

Some people with EEE may develop fever, headache, chills, and vomiting. The illness may become severe resulting in encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), disorientation, seizures, coma, or death. Approximately 30% of people who develop severe EEE disease will die, and those who do survive often have long-term neurologic problems. Adults over 50 and children under 15 are at the greatest risk for developing severe EEE disease. There is no specific vaccine or treatment for EEE illness available for people.

Wisconsin residents and visitors should take steps to reduce exposure to mosquitoes when spending time outdoors. Mosquito activity and the risk of EEE, West Nile virus, and other diseases spread by mosquitoes will continue during the fall until there is a hard frost (temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit for at least four straight hours). DHS offers these tips to protect against mosquito bites:

• Apply an insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 to exposed skin and clothing.
• Before heading outdoors, treat clothing with permethrin; do not apply permethrin directly to skin.
• Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning hours, when certain mosquitoes that can spread illness are most active.
• Wear long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Find more information on illnesses spread by mosquitoes and additional ways to Fight the Bite on the DHS website.

Edgerton Hospital Celebrates Launch of X-Ray Services and Ribbon Cutting at Whitewater Urgent Care

Edgerton Hospital and Health Services proudly celebrated the official launch of X-ray services at its Whitewater Urgent Care location on Monday, October 20. The milestone was marked with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted in partnership with the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce, welcoming community members, ambassadors, and local business leaders.

Located at 757 E. Milwaukee St., Whitewater, Urgent Care is open seven days a week [from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.] and provides accessible, walk-in care for patients with non-emergency medical needs. With the addition of on-site X-ray, the facility now offers enhanced diagnostic capabilities to help patients receive quick, comprehensive care close to home.

“We’re thrilled to officially offer X-ray services in Whitewater,” said Marc Augsburger, MBA, BSN, RHCEOC, President & CEO of Edgerton Hospital and Health Services. “Our goal is to make healthcare as convenient and accessible as possible for our surrounding communities. By adding X-ray and maintaining extended urgent care hours, we’re ensuring that patients can get the care they need without having to travel far.”

Edgerton Hospital Urgent Care treats a wide range of conditions, including sprains, minor fractures, cuts, infections, and other urgent, non-life-threatening concerns. The clinic’s walk-in model eliminates the need for appointments and supports patients with busy schedules or unexpected healthcare needs.

The launch of X-ray services marks another step in Edgerton Hospital’s ongoing commitment to expanding local healthcare access throughout southern Wisconsin.

###

About Edgerton Hospital and Health Services

Edgerton Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital. It merited a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital Best Practices in Patient Satisfaction designation, in 2024 and 2025, from the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). The hospital serves the communities of Edgerton, Milton, Whitewater, and surrounding communities. Founded in 1923, the facility offers inpatient, outpatient, surgical, diagnostic, emergency, orthopedics, pain management, swing bed, and rehabilitation services. For additional information about Edgerton Hospital, please visit www.edgertonhospital.com.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from Edgerton Hospital and Health Services.

Authors, storytellers, and other guests are often invited to visit Whitewater’s Book Buddies program to share their unique insights on the importance of reading. This year, we have learned a lot about animal characters in stories and books. On October 6, Book Buddies welcomed Gayle Stettler who spoke about Wisconsin author Sterling North and his pet raccoon, the experience of which North formed the basis of his popular book, Rascal.

On Monday, October 13, Tammy Tomomitsu visited Book Buddies with her mini-donkey Otis and goat pal Geoffrey. The children were allowed to pet the animals while they asked a lot of questions and used their imagination to develop stories about Otis.

Book Buddies is a free, community after-school literacy program that pairs caring adult volunteers with children in grades Kindergarten through Grade 5. Volunteers read with their younger book buddies, thereby stimulating the child’s love of reading and hopefully improving reading skills. Guests who visit Book Buddies further demonstrate how enjoyable reading can be!

For more information contact Barb Penington at bookbuds1@gmail.com.

Editor’s note: This submission was provided by Barb Penington. Photos courtesy of Janie Anderson and Barb Penington.

Whitewater Unified School District Superintendent Samuel L. Karns is one of 43 principals [in his case, former principal] from across the nation being honored in Washington, D.C. ceremony.

Alexandria, VA, – Samuel L. Karns, [former] principal of Todd Elementary School [of Beloit], has been named as one of 43 exemplary elementary and middle-level principals from across the nation to receive the award of 2025 NAESP National Distinguished Principal (NDP) by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). The pre-K-8 principals travel to the nation’s capital from Oct. 23 – 24, to participate in two days of events that culminate in an awards banquet to honor their accomplishments. The program is held at The Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C. [The following statement regarding Karns appears on the NAESP website: In his three years as principal of Todd Elementary School, Samuel Karns has helped transform school culture, restore academic achievement, and expand equitable access to health and wellness. At the start of his tenure, Todd Elementary was rated a one-star school for “failing to meet expectations.” Just three years later, the school has progressed to three-star status, exhibiting year-over-year growth in reading and math. To get there, Karns assembled a cross-disciplinary leadership team to synergize and clarify campus improvement goals, reorienting the school’s culture to embrace collective ownership of school improvement. By leading 100-day improvement cycles emphasizing inquiry, planning, action, monitoring, and reflection, Karns has supported staff in advancing consistent, data-based strategies while invigorating professional collaboration and shared leadership. Karns has also reached beyond the school to eliminate barriers to learning and advance whole-child initiatives at Todd. Under his leadership, the school’s PTO relaunched as “E3”–Engage, Educate, Empower–generating a variety of new initiatives to support parents and students, including a popular mothers’ support group. Karns also launched the Back to School Community Health Fair, which has served over 1,700 people in two years with free immunizations, vision screenings, and other health services. Karns holds a Superintendent Licensure from Concordia University, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University, and a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at San Antonio.] “School principals continue to show exceptional adaptability and creativity in meeting the changing needs of students and staff,” said NAESP Executive Director L. Earl Franks, Ed.D., CAE. “The 2025 NAESP NDPs exemplify this resilience and leadership well beyond the status quo. Congratulations to this outstanding class of deserving school leaders.” Since 1984, the NDP program has recognized public and private school principals who make superior contributions to their schools and communities and has given them the opportunity to share best practices with each other. NAESP state affiliates selected these 43 principal honorees, who join 2,364 principals before them who have also been recognized as NAESP NDPs. It is particularly fitting to acknowledge the work of principals in October because it is National Principals Month, which was established to recognize and honor the contributions of school principals toward the success of the nation’s students and encourage awareness of their significance. Criteria for selection of the principals require that the honorees are active principals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations.

About NAESP – Principals are the primary catalysts for creating lasting foundations for learning. Since 1921, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) has been the leading advocate for elementary and middle level principals in the United States and worldwide. NAESP advances the profession by developing policy, professional learning, and resources for instructional leadership including specialized support and mentoring for early career principals. Key focus areas include pre-K-3 education, school safety, technology and digital learning, and effective educator evaluation. For more information about NAESP, visit naesp.org. Editor’s note: The photo on the homepage is courtesy of Tom Ganser.

Click here to register.