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Korth Park, Lake Mills [The image on the homepage is from Carlin Weld Park, Palmyra.]
The Jefferson County Parks Department has officially launched the public information and engagement phase of its Parks and Outdoor Recreation Plan (PORP) update, marking the fifth comprehensive plan update in the County’s long-standing history of publicly driven parks and recreation planning.
Since the establishment of the Jefferson County Park System, these plans have served as the foundation for nearly all major park improvements, trail development, land acquisitions, and program expansions throughout the County. Each update has built upon previous community input, ensuring that the Park System continues to reflect the needs, values, and priorities of Jefferson County residents.
The Parks Department has launched a dedicated project webpage to serve as the central hub for plan information, public input opportunities, and project updates:
https://snyder-associates.mysocialpinpoint.com/jefferson-county-porp
The webpage includes:
- An online public survey, where residents and park users can share feedback on park use, priorities, and desired improvements
- A project calendar highlighting key milestones, engagement opportunities, and public meetings
- A GIS-based project map that visitors can utilize to suggest project ideas in real time and location
- Background information on the planning process and how public input will be used
Public participation is a critical component of the plan’s success. Feedback gathered through the survey, public meetings, and the project webpage will directly inform future park development, system-wide departmental strategies, and investment decisions across Jefferson County.
“This plan continues a tradition of thoughtful, community-driven planning in Jefferson County,” said Jefferson County Parks Director Kevin Wiesmann. “Every Parks and Outdoor Recreation Plan update has played a key role in shaping the system of parks that residents and visitors enjoy today, and this update will help guide the next generation of improvements.”
We encourage community members to visit the project webpage, complete the online survey, and follow the project calendar for upcoming engagement opportunities. For more information or to get involved, please visit the project webpage or contact the Jefferson County Parks Department.
For more on the Jefferson County Parks System, see https://parks.jeffersoncountywi.gov/.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Jefferson County Parks Department.
Whitewater Unified School District Policy Review Committee – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right corner.
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office
419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion on tree health concerns along Jefferson Street and justification for planned
removals; Discussion on what to do with the wood from the Territorial Oak.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str, Whitewater, WI, 53190
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/28157411477414?p=GAEYN82QyzBrNmCEAO
City of Whitewater Common Council Meeting – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Ordinance 2026-O-03 an ordinance regarding amendment of the Comprehensive Plan
and Future Land Use Map-Community Development; Ordinance 2026-O-04 and ordinance amending the zoning map the zoning classification in regards to certain properties in the City of Whitewater Tax Parcel #’s /A410100001, /A410100002, /A410100003, /A503200001 and /A503200002 on Bluff Road. CLOSED SESSION to be followed by OPEN SESSION: City Manager’s Performance Evaluation and Employment Agreement
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/25142739207755?p=JYio9vudLKHm5TjmpB
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,,903593902# United States,
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 903 593 902#
City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Wednesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Editor’s note: The agenda has not yet been posted as of 2/1/26.
UW-Oshkosh Fall 2025 Dean’s List, Honor Roll released
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh officials have released the names of students who qualified for the Dean’s List and Honor Roll in fall 2025.
The term grade-point average (GPA) requirement for University Honor Roll is 3.3; the term GPA requirement for Dean’s List is 3.75, out of a possible 4.0.
To qualify, a student must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits. There can be no individual grades below a “C” and no incomplete or non-reported grades at the time the process is run.
Whitewater, WI
Quinn Burgess, Dean’s List
Ty Hagedorn, Honor Roll
On Friday night, January 30, the Whitewater Girls’ Wrestling team traveled to Lodi High School to participate in a 5-team tournament and found much success. After a delay in the start of action and much anticipation, the girls hit the mat and wrestled extremely tough on the night coming home with six champions and leading the way in the team score, outdistancing Mukwonago.
Starting the championship trend was Isabelle Cantu (100) going 3-0 on the evening with a pin and a couple very well wrestled matches on her way to the championship. Next up was Ema Aranda (107) who was 4-0 on the night with all pins. Storm De Porter (126) finished 3-0 on the night with 2 pins and a great championship match outconditioning her opponent to bring home her first high school championship. Next up for the champions was Berma Vubumu (145) who also brought home her first high school wrestling championship going 3-0 with 2 pins along the way. Payton Taylor (165) finished the evening 3-0 with two pins along the way, defeating a strong girl by pin in the championship match. Finally, closing out the evening of championships for the Whippets was Marianna Kubicz (185) who had two pins. She weathered the storm in a very physical match in the opening round. She remained calm, got to her position on her feet, and ended up taking the girl down to pin.
Just missing out on the gold medal was Atreya Wilson (138) who was 3-1 on the night. Atreya had a tough loss but came back from it by going back to her basics, securing two pins along the way. Aubrey Fuoco (145) continues to improve each time she is on the mat proving that showing up to practice, listening, and doing really pays off as she had two pins on her way to the championship before falling to her teammate. This is the highest place that Aubrey has had in any tournament in high school.
Coming in 5th place, yet going 3-1, was Emma Maas (114) with two pins. Kora Davis (120) also took 5th place in what I would say was the most competitive weight class in the tournament with a couple of state ranked girls in the bracket. Kora wrestled her heart out and did not back down to any of the girls.
Also wrestling very tough on the night were Silvia Harris (120) and Amanda Pena-Ramirez (145) who battled every match but were unable to reach top 5.
The girls are next in action on Friday night, February 6, when they travel to Edgerton High School to participate in the Rock Valley Conference Tournament. Wrestling begins at 5:00.
Article and Photos Courtesy of John Schimming
Whitewater High School Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
The Whippet Boys Swim Team had a strong showing at the Battle on the Rock Invite at Beloit Memorial on Saturday, January 31st, finishing 8th overall out of 17 teams! The boys put together an excellent day of racing with multiple Top 10 finishes and a ton of personal bests as we head into championship season.
Top 10 Finishes:
• 4th – 200 Freestyle Relay (Cruz Aranda, Caleb Kluck, Langdon Coburn, Mateo Bazeley) – 1:35.97
• 4th – Langdon Coburn, 100 Butterfly – 56.58 (PR)
• 4th – Cruz Aranda, 200 IM – 2:12.06
• 5th – Mateo Bazeley, 50 Freestyle – 23.20 (PR)
• 6th – Cruz Aranda, 100 Freestyle – 51.42
• 6th – 400 Freestyle Relay (Langdon Coburn, Mateo Bazeley, Wyatt Esch, Cruz Aranda) – 3:33.70
• 7th – Mateo Bazeley, 100 Freestyle – 51.86
• 7th – Langdon Coburn, 200 IM – 2:14.79 (PR)
Additional PR Highlights:
• Hunter Runnoe had a great day with a 5-second drop in the 200 Free (2:39.18), an 18-second drop in the 100 Back (1:16.64), and a 4-second PR in the 100 Free (1:04.59) leading off the 400 Free Relay
• Cooper Housel dropped 4 seconds in the 200 Free (2:47.05) and 10 seconds in the 500 Free
• Langdon Coburn led off the 400 Free Relay with a 52.64, placing him 9th all-time on the Whippet Top 10 List
• Ian Agen dropped a massive 15 seconds in the 200 IM
• ChaCha Binagi broke 30 seconds in the 50 Free (28.50), had a strong relay split of 27.25, and dropped 10 seconds in the 100 Free (1:05.72)
• Wyatt Esch improved his 100 Fly to 1:10.49
• Eloy Rodriguez knocked 3 seconds off his 100 Free (1:10.24)
• Carson Miller continues to improve, dropping time in both the 100 Breaststroke (1:35.42) and 100 Freestyle (1:16.31)
• Angel Kilar shaved off more time in the 500 Freestyle
• David Enns posted a new best in the 100 Breaststroke (1:22.11)
Up Next:
• JV Conferenceday, February 3rd @ Elkhorn | 6:00 PM
• Varsity Conference – Saturday, February 7th @ Jefferson | 11:00 AM
Come out and cheer on the Whippet Swim Team!
Article and Photo Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Swim Coach
ReynoldsSM07@uww.edu
Whitewater High School Players – “Radium Girls”
The Whitewater High School Players will be performing “Radium Girls” Feb. 26-28 at 7 p.m. and Mar. 1 at 2 p.m. in the James M. Stewart Auditorium at WHS.
“Radium Girls” is based on a true and tragic story that defined American labor history in the 1920’s. The Radium Girls were factory workers who painted dials with radium-based paint and mysteriously started dying. The “ghost girls” were instructed to finely point their brushes by molding the bristles with their mouths, but this process ultimately poisoned the laborers themselves. As doctors began to discover radium’s devastating harm, five women in New Jersey sued their employers but reached a settlement outside the court in 1928. Both topics of workplace hazards and corporate accountability are explored throughout the play. The legacy of the Radium Girls can’t be understated — even today. Their case was among the first in which a company was held responsible for the health and safety of its employees, and it led to a variety of reforms and to the creation of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
General admission tickets ($12 for adults, $7 for students) are available beginning one hour before the performances.
Under the direction of Jim McCulloch, the cast includes Ian Agen, Camdyn Avila, Isabella Cohen, Peyton Comfort, Esteban Diaz-Gallegos, Joseph Falcon-Kienbaum, Aurora Gerblick, Vivian Harris, Ameera Lin, Sam Nickelsburg, Sophia Noonan, Kia Peterson, and Lia Ramirez. Josie Davis and Jesus Ramirez support the production in their important role as stage manager.
Kat Dunham guides the backstage crew that includes Caitlin Alford, Sidney Block, Georgia Esch, Ace Hudec, Hadley Huebner, Joshua Nygren, and Jesus Ramirez.
For additional information about the history of Radium Girls, go to https://www.britannica.com/story/radium-girls-the-women-who-fought-for-their-lives-in-a-killer-workplace
Grief rarely follows a straight line. For many, the experience of losing a loved one feels complex, non-linear, and composed of many layers. To help community members navigate these fluctuating emotions, Rainbow Community Care is hosting its unique, hands-on workshop: “Broken Pots: Exploring Our Beautiful Brokenness Through Art.”
Led by the experienced bereavement team of Laura Wessels, Hilary Furnish, and Terry Hein, the workshop is inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi—the practice of repairing broken pottery to highlight the fractures as part of the object’s history. This approach views the cracks not as flaws that need to be fixed, but as a unique part of the story. “In the breaking and reconstructing of these pots, space is made to acknowledge both the pain of loss and the enduring love that remains,” says Rainbow Bereavement Counselor Hilary Furnish. “It becomes a tangible way to see your own experience and realize that while you are changed by loss, you are still whole and there is a different kind of beauty in that.”
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center (Community Room) 1225 Remmel Dr., Johnson Creek, WI
Cost: Free and open to the public
Rainbow Community Care remains committed to supporting the community long after a loved one has passed. Through its 13-month bereavement program, the organization offers the counseling and community connection necessary to help individuals process their grief and find a path forward. This workshop provides a safe, creative environment to put feelings into motion and discover a new perspective on the healing journey.
Registration: Space is limited for this hands-on experience. To reserve your spot, please call (920) 674-6255 today.
Obituaries
Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003. Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally … Read more
Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly … Read more
Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel. She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, … Read more
Susan Miller Celebration of Life There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin
Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck). She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November … Read more
Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working … Read more
Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life. Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and … Read more
Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a … Read more
Ellen Eichmiller, 82, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Ellen was born on September 10, 1943, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Chester “Guy” and Irene (née Holmen) Steig. She married the love of her life, Paul Eichmiller, on December 7, 1963, and together they made their home in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ellen spent much of her working life as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she formed many lasting friendships and memories. Ellen cherished her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with those closest to her. She was known for her love of … Read more
Janet Quinn, age 71, of Jefferson passed away on Thursday, August 20th. Janet was born on December 22nd, 1954 in St. Joseph, MI to Robert Mounsey and Edith Christison Mounsey. She was a granddaughter to Herbert Bragg Mounsey, Charlotte Mounsey, and Ester Christison West. She married Michael Durden in 1979 and later married Eury Quinn Jr. (J.R.) in 1988. Janet grew up in Benton Harbor, MI, and subsequently lived in New York and Arkansas before moving to Wisconsin in 2016. She was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled Mother, and worked as a custodian for various employers over the years. … Read more
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