News & Events

Misc furniture items, two window air conditioners, tools, two patio sets, shelving, wheel barrel, snow shoes, PVC animals, etc. Saturday, Sept 13 and Sunday, Sept 14, 8 to 5
201 N Esterly Ave in Whitewater

Join PBS Wisconsin and the Hoard Historical Museum for the premiere screening of “Welcome Poets,” a new film exploring the lives, poetry, and connections between Fort Atkinson residents’ own Lorine Niedecker and former Wisconsin Poet Laureate Nick Gulig. Screening is free and open to attend. Please RSVP by calling the Hoard Museum at 920-397-9914.

Fri 9/12 5-7 pm

Welcome Poets premieres its first two episodes for streaming Friday, September 12, with subsequent episodes released each Friday thereafter. Find them here and on our PBS Wisconsin YouTube Channel.

                            

The Whitewater Community Foundation is now accepting applications for Fall Community Action Grants.  Grants will be awarded to local non-profit organizations actively working to support the greater Whitewater community with educational, cultural, charitable and benevolent projects that will benefit and improve the community. 

Projects are expected to be accomplished within a specific period of time (generally not more than one year) and should be creative, innovative and address community needs.  Organizations interested in pursuing a Whitewater Community Foundation Action Grant should check out the Foundation web site at https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/community-action-grants/ or contact Ginny Coburn at virginiacoburn@coburn.com for more information.  The deadline for submitting applications is October 31, 2025.

Virginia Coburn, WCF Board Member who chairs the Community Action Grant Selection Committee, said, “I’m inspired by the number of local organizations sponsoring programs and projects to benefit the community.  The Foundation has given grants to Fairhaven, The Community Space, Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, Whitewater Youth Soccer, the Whitewater Public Library, and much more. I invite you to read the pages on our website to see if one of your projects is eligible for an action grant.”

The Foundation continues to provide and host scholarships for Whitewater High School students and also offers fiscal sponsorship to organizations that are seeking 501(c) (3) status or require temporary pass-through funds for worthy community projects.

More information about the Whitewater Community Foundation can be found at https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/ and on Facebook. 

The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.

Editor’s Note: The above was provided by the Whitewater Community Foundation. 

As students, faculty and staff begin a new academic year, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater continues to see steady enrollment growth across both of its campuses.

According to projections released Tuesday by the Universities of Wisconsin, 12,075 students are enrolled at UW-Whitewater for the fall 2025 semester. This is a nearly 3% increase from the final fall 2024 enrollment of 11,752.

At the Whitewater campus, 11,303 students are enrolled, compared to 11,042 last year. At the Rock County campus, 772 students are enrolled, compared to 710.

The freshman class is the largest in a decade — 2,459 new freshmen are enrolled. 

“At UW-Whitewater, we are marking three consecutive years of enrollment growth,” said Chancellor Corey King. “We are thrilled to welcome new students, both first-year and transfers, to the Warhawk family and excited for those who are continuing their college journey with us. Our commitment to student success aligns with our institutional mission of academic excellence, inclusivity, access, and affordability which continues to resonate with students and their families.” 

“In addition to our increase in new freshmen, another area we are seeing growth is in the number of college students transferring to UW-Whitewater,” said Jackie Briggs, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment and retention. “About 660 students transferred to UW-Whitewater from other institutions this fall, compared to 540 last year. Data shows they experience strong outcomes after becoming members of the Warhawk family. We have one of the top retention rates in Wisconsin for transfer students at 84.6%.”

Briggs said UW-Whitewater has an exceptional reputation across the state and new programs like Direct Admit Wisconsin allow the university to reach an even wider audience.

UW-Whitewater is home to Wisconsin’s largest accredited school of business and licenses more new teachers than any other university in Wisconsin. More than 80 undergraduate majors — including newer programs like cybersecurity and health and leadership studies — and 24 graduate programs are now offered at UW-Whitewater.

On the Rock County campus, three bachelor’s degree programs are driving increases in enrollment — the online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, which offers a flexible degree completion pathway for students who hold an applied associate degree from a technical college; the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a collaborative degree program in partnership with Edgewood College; and the Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences, which offers emphases in diagnostic sonography and radiologic technology.

Students enrolled in programs on the Rock County campus have the option to live in university housing on the Whitewater campus.

“This is a unique opportunity that sets UW-Whitewater apart and draws students from a larger geographic area than in the past. Nearly 180 Rock County students are living in Whitewater campus housing this fall, compared to about 140 last year,” said Tricia Clasen, assistant vice chancellor of the Rock County campus and dean of the College of Integrated Studies.

The figures released by the Universities of Wisconsin represent projected enrollment based on data from the first day of classes. The university’s official census will take place on the 10th day of instruction (Sept.15).

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by UW-Whitewater.

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Preliminary enrollment up at eight of the Universities of Wisconsin while holding steady overall

MADISON, Wis.—Enrollment at eight of the Universities of Wisconsin this fall increased, according to preliminary estimates based on Day One student counts as overall enrollment held steady.

New freshman enrollment is up three percent, or nearly 900 students, according to the preliminary estimates — with eight universities showing new freshman enrollment increases of five percent or more.

However, significant declines in international students are a likely reason overall enrollment remained steady and did not increase. International enrollment could drop as much as 15 percent at U.S. colleges nationwide, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators and JB International.

“We are seeing positive signs on enrollment for the third straight year,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. “New freshman enrollment is particularly promising. It’s a win when our state’s public universities continue to attract and retain talent Wisconsin will need to prosper.”

Overall, enrollment is 164,340 in fall 2025, according to the preliminary estimates, down 96 students from the final 2024 fall enrollment counts.

Eight of 13 universities showed increases under the preliminary enrollments. The Universities of Wisconsin have been providing enrollment estimates based on Day One counts since fall 2020. Official enrollment counts will be released later this fall based on the 10^th day of enrollment.

Rothman said the numbers are a positive sign that Direct Admit Wisconsin is attracting new students to the universities. The program’s first cohort of students enrolled this fall. Direct Admit Wisconsin offers automatic admission to qualified high school students without requiring an application.

The Wisconsin Tuition Promise also appears to be making an impact, Rothman said. The program for the fall 2025 cohort provides tuition and fees for students from families earning less than $55,000 after scholarships and other financial aid is considered.

The preliminary headcount enrollments for fall 2025 are:

• UW-Eau Claire: 9,498
• UW-Green Bay: 11,500
• UW-La Crosse: 10,627
• UW-Madison: 51,550
• UW-Milwaukee: 22,613
• UW-Oshkosh: 12,457
• UW-Parkside: 3,895
• UW-Platteville: 6,406
• UW-River Falls: 5,275
• UW-Stevens Point: 8,538
• UW-Stout: 7,047
• UW-Superior: 2,859
• UW-Whitewater: 12,075
• Total: 164,340

The Universities of Wisconsin serve approximately 164,400 students. Awarding nearly 36,000 degrees annually, these 13 public universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy. Learn more at wisconsin.edu.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Universities of Wisconsin.

On Monday, September 8, 2025, at approximately 5:01 pm, the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center was notified of a two-vehicle crash on US Highway 12 and County Highway P in the Town of Whitewater, County of Walworth, Wisconsin. The Communications Center sent law enforcement and Fire/EMS units to the scene.

On arrival units found a crash occurred in the intersection between a 2007 Peterbilt dump truck and a 1959 Ford Ranchero. To secure the scene and ensure safety, the roadway was closed in all four directions for the duration of the initial investigation.

The passenger from the Ranchero, Sherry Grossman, 56-year-old female, was flown from the scene by medical helicopter to a Wisconsin hospital. The driver of the Ranchero, Peter Grossman, 61-year-old male, was transported to a local hospital by ground ambulance. The driver of the Peterbilt, Colton Bentheimer, 27-year-old male, was treated by EMS and released on scene.

The initial investigation found the Peterbilt was making a left turn at the intersection and turned in front of oncoming traffic. The Ranchero was continuing straight with the right of way. No fatalities have resulted from this crash. The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office Crash Investigation Unit was requested to respond to the scene and will continue to investigate this crash.

The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office thanks those who assisted us with this crash including; Whitewater Fire/EMS Department, La Grange Fire/EMS, Med Flight medical helicopter, Whitewater Police Department, Whitewater Public Works Department, and the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Army Private First Class Leon R. Karwacki Who Lost His Life in World War II

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #273 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Wed., Sept. 10, 2025, in honor of U.S. Army Private First Class Leon R. Karwacki, who lost his life in World War II at the age of 27 and whose remains have been identified and returned to Wisconsin for burial.  “Private First Class Leon R. Karwacki was a hero who selflessly answered the call to serve and gave his life defending the values and freedoms we hold most dear,” said Gov. Evers. “We are forever grateful for his service and sacrifice, and it is an honor to welcome Private First Class Karwacki back to his home state so that he may be finally laid to rest.”  From Milwaukee, Private First Class Karwacki was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 36th Armored Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, and in September 1944, his battalion advanced against enemy forces near Stolberg, Germany. On Sept. 17, 1944, Private First Class Karwacki was killed during an attack, and due to the intensity of enemy fire, his body could not be recovered. Having made the ultimate sacrifice, Private First Class Karwacki was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and other campaign honors recognizing his brave service. In 1945, American graves registration personnel recovered a set of unidentified remains and subsequently interred them at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium. In June 2024, the U.S. Department of Defense and American Battle Monuments Commission exhumed the remains and sent them to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency laboratory for analysis. Using dental, anthropological, and circumstantial evidence, the remains of Private First Class Karwacki were positively identified.   Private First Class Karwacki will be buried with full military honors on Wed., Sept. 10, 2025, in Milwaukee.

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Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of 9/11 and State Day of Service and Remembrance

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #274 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Thurs., Sept. 11, 2025, and declaring a state Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the nearly 3,000 individuals who lost their lives in the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. As Wisconsinites reflect and remember, Gov. Evers is encouraging folks to participate in a day of service to give back to their neighbors and local communities. Gov. Evers and members of the Evers Administration will be participating in service events on Thurs., Sep. 11, 2025, as part of the state Day of Service and Remembrance. “Today, we take time to remember all those who lost their lives in the attacks on 9/11, their families, loved ones, and survivors, including the countless brave first responders, volunteers, and neighbors who ran towards danger to help those in need, some of whom are still suffering from the health effects to this day,” said Gov. Evers. “As we reflect on that fateful day and how our nation was forever changed, we are also called upon to remember the spirit of unity and service that guided us in the days following to come together and help support each other during a time of great need. I encourage Wisconsinites to join in honoring this solemn day through acts of kindness to their neighbors and acts service in our local communities. We will never forget.” A list of potential volunteer opportunities, including virtual options, can be found on the Volunteer Wisconsin website here. Wisconsinites can also participate in other ways, including by engaging with their neighborhoods and communities, performing acts of kindness, or taking the time to reflect on the significance of the day.