News & Events

On Sunday, December 14th, the LWV Whitewater Area presented its 2025 Making Democracy Work award to community photographer Tom Ganser.  Tom was recognized for his work photographing democracy in action and telling stories with his pictures that focus on civic pride.  

Since 2010, the League’s Making Democracy Work award has annually honored individuals in our community whose work or volunteerism exemplifies the League’s core values of nonpartisanship, diversity, equity and inclusion, and belief in the value of an open and fair democracy.  Tom Ganser is at every civic event with his camera.  He takes pictures at no charge to local civic organizations that represent Democracy in Action; therefore, he Makes Democracy Work.  His pictures are often seen on the front page of the local newspapers, capturing the community at work, play, service, and worship. His images capture multigenerational folk from diverse backgrounds. You might recognize him in action at School Board Meetings, town hall events, local elections, church engagements, Art Alliance exhibits, parades and celebrations, and sporting events. 

Midge Gill, LWV Whitewater President, and Ellen Penwell, League Treasurer, gave tribute to Tom along with community members Margaret Wheeler and Majorie Stoneman, both of whom mentioned the photo documentary services he has generously provided to organizations and events they have organized. 

The LWV Whitewater Area urges all residents of Walworth and Jefferson counties to pay great tribute and respect to Tom Ganser for all he represents and has accomplished on behalf of his fellow citizens.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area. Photos are courtesy of Julia Ross.

Tom Ganser compiled a 20-minute video featuring some of his favorite photos. It may be viewed here: Whitewater is My Kind of Town

Updated 12/18/25 @ 9 a.m. to add information from Whitewater Fire/EMS press release.

On Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, at approximately 6:20 p.m., the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a head-on vehicle crash on County Road A, east of McCabe Road in the Town of Sugar Creek.

Emergency personnel arrived to find two vehicles involved in the crash, with a total of three patients having sustained injuries. Emergency medical care was provided at the scene, with three patients being transported.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a vehicle driven by a 30-year-old male from Algonquin, Illinois, was traveling westbound on County Road A when it crossed the centerline and struck a vehicle traveling eastbound.

The vehicle traveling eastbound was occupied by a 68-year-old female driver from the Town of Lyons and a 74-year-old female passenger from Elkhorn.

Both drivers were transported to hospitals by helicopter. The female passenger was transported by ambulance.

The 68-year-old female driver was pronounced deceased at a local area hospital at 9:24 p.m.

Names are being withheld at this time pending notification of next of kin.

The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the crash. Assisting at the scene were the Whitewater Fire and EMS Department and UW Health Med Flight. County Road A was closed in both directions during the incident and investigation with assistance from the Walworth County Department of Public Works.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office.

The Whitewater Fire/EMS press release included the following information:

Whitewater Fire and EMS were dispatched to the intersection of County A and McCabe Rd for a reported head-on motor vehicle collision with injuries. Upon arrival, crews located the incident in the 7000 block of County A in the Town of Sugar Creek, east of McCabe Rd. One patient had self-extricated from a vehicle prior to arrival. The second vehicle contained two patients who required extrication.

Due to the mechanism of injury, Flight for Life and Med Flight were requested to the scene to transport two
patients. Landing zones were established at the Millard Community [Covenant] Church parking lot and on North Lake Dr. One additional patient was transported by ground to a local hospital.

County A was closed to all traffic during the incident and remained closed following the response to allow
the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department to conduct their investigation.

Whitewater Fire and EMS extend gratitude to Flight for Life, Med Flight and the Walworth Co Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in managing this incident.

Whitewater Leads has over 100 FREE books available at the Whitewater PremierBank lobby through Christmas.  The books are meant for kids, newborn through fifth grade.  They are absolutely free; take as many as you need for Christmas gifts, stocking stuffers, etc.  The books are new and like new.  First come, first served.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Whitewater Leads.”

Editor’s note: The photo on the homepage was not taken of the books that are available.

Update 12/18/25 @ 1:35 p.m. – We Energies reported at approximately 1:20 p.m. that power had been restored, citing the cause of the outage having been “tree contact outside trimming zone.” Any customer who is still without power may call We Energies at 800-662-4797.

At approximately 12:30 pm on Thursday, December 18, many local properties apparently experienced repeated brief power outages, which were ultimately followed by a sustained outage at about 12:40. We Energies indicates that approximately 3900 customers in the area are without power. Crews are being dispatched to determine the cause, and the initial estimate for restoration is shown as 3:30 pm.

Team #1 from Whitewater that will be competing in the 2nd Annual Walworth County Pro/Am Culinary Showdown in January had the opportunity to work with talented Chef Nico from Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan. They prepared food, learned new techniques, and expanded their culinary skills. Thank you to Chef Nico for providing this opportunity.

Team #2 from Whitewater created culinary art with Chef Stephen from the Delavan Yacht Club on Tuesday, December 16. A huge thank you to Chef Stephen for taking time out of his day to work with our team and teach them culinary tips and tricks. It was a great experience for them.

We can’t wait to see how both teams from Whitewater will do. Tickets are still available for purchase for this event being held at Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Pre-purchase of tickets is required and they may be obtained at https://www.chamberorganizer.com/members/evr/reg_event.php?evid=90052525&orgcode=WCED

Teams are students of Ms. Lynn Weilbrenner. 

Article and Photos Submitted by Lynn Weilbrenner
Whitewater High School FACE [Family and Consumer Education] Teacher
lweilbrenner@wwusd.org

Today, Dr. Paul J. McGraw announces his candidacy for the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing District 43. McGraw, a veterinarian with over 35 years’ experience in practice, with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection as the Assistant and then State Veterinarian, as Manager of Medical clinics and as a small business owner is running to bring principled, common-sense leadership to Madison.

“I am proud to call Wisconsin home and am excited to serve the people of the 43rd District by working to ensure a brighter future for our communities,” said McGraw. “I believe that fiscal responsibility, accountability of our schools and government, along with public and neighborhood safety are key to keeping the 43rd Assembly District as well as Wisconsin strong.”

“With high cost of living and economic uncertainty, we must ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely,” continued McGraw. “I will fight for hardworking families, support policies that encourage economic growth, and stand up for limited, responsive government in Madison and the 43rd District.

“I look forward to traveling the district, listening to voters, and learning more about the challenges and opportunities facing families, businesses, and communities across this district,” said McGraw.

McGraw has lived in the Town of Richmond, Walworth County, Wisconsin, for 29 years, where he resides with his wife.

To learn more about Dr. Paul J. McGraw’s campaign for Wisconsin’s State Assembly District 43, please visit www.votePaulMcGraw.com

Editor’s note: This press release was submitted by McGraw4Assembly. The 43rd District includes the City of Whitewater and most of our nearby towns, with the exception of LaGrange.

Editor’s note: A press release from the Walworth County Clerk on December 15 announced that Sheriff David Gerber [a City of Whitewater resident] had filed non-candidacy papers indicating that it is not his intention to run for the Sheriff’s Office in the November 3, 2026 election. The release concluded, “Those interested in running for County offices may contact the Walworth County Clerk’s Office. The deadline for filing the Campaign Registration Statement, Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination papers [for Sheriff] is 5:00 p.m., June 1, 2026.”

In response to The Banner’s inquiry as to whether he would care to make a statement related to this decision, Sheriff Gerber provided the following.

“It has been an honor to serve as the Walworth County Sheriff over the past 3 years. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity.  We have a great team here at the Sheriff’s Office, and I am proud to serve with each of them.  We honor our mission statement daily to protect and serve the citizens of Walworth County.  Throughout my tenure, I have remained committed to my oath and worked diligently to ensure our County remains a safe place to live and work.  Over the past three years, our agency has accomplished a great deal, and we take pride in the high level of service we provide.  Cooperatively, all law enforcement and first responders in Walworth County dedicate themselves daily in service to our communities.  Our first Sheriff took office in 1839, and last year was our 185th anniversary.  I am proud to be a part of our agency’s legacy as your 44th Sheriff; however, I will not be seeking re-election next year.  I plan to retire at the end of this term, having served the citizens of Walworth County for nearly 32 years throughout my career.”

The Banner asked Sheriff Gerber what accomplishments he is most proud of thus far in his tenure, and he gave this response: “Accomplishments have been the work our team has done on many significant projects, such as the completion of the deputy assigned squad program, the completion of the new digital radio system for dispatch, police, fire, EMS, and DPW throughout the whole County, PEER support for our staff, and filling many vacancies in all areas of the Sheriff’s Office.”