News & Events

Ron Binning writes, “The Whitewater subdivision off of Indian Mound Parkway is really growing.   At least six units have been sold already, and more are being built.  Attached are two pictures taken November 17.”

Editor’s notes: Our thanks to Ron Binning for sharing these photos.

This nearly 11-acre site was first approved for a single-family development in 2000, with various plans having been discussed, and sometimes approved, since that time. The street and utilities were installed around 2000, and the barely used street was reconstructed before the developer began construction in 2024 of the proposed nineteen two-family home “Residences at Meadowview Court.”

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Edgerton Hospital Expands Access to Advanced Mobile Digital PET/CT Imaging

Edgerton Hospital and Health Services is enhancing its diagnostic imaging capabilities with the addition of a mobile digital PET/CT solution, delivered in partnership with Shared Medical Services. The new system — featuring United Imaging’s uMI 550 — supports Edgerton Hospital’s mission to provide high-quality, accessible imaging technology close to home for the patients and communities it serves.

“This investment reflects our continued commitment to bringing advanced technologies directly to the communities we serve,” said Marc Augsburger (MBA, BSN, RHCEOC), President and CEO at Edgerton Hospital. “By partnering with Shared Medical Services, we’re able to offer digital PET/CT imaging in a mobile format — giving our patients access to accurate, timely diagnostics without the need for long-distance travel.”

The uMI 550 is equipped with advanced features including time-of-flight, point spread function, HYPER Iterative (ROSEM), uAI HYPER DLR (Deep Learning Reconstruction), deviceless gating, motion head correction, and metal artifact correction. This technology enables healthcare providers to expand clinical capacity and deliver precise, low-dose imaging efficiently and reliably.

With a 2.9mm ultra-high NEMA PET resolution and a 24 cm axial field of view, the system supports enhanced lesion detection and faster patient throughput. Built with the same uEXPLORER PET technology that powers United Imaging’s flagship molecular imaging platforms, the uMI 550 enables future-proof flexibility and consistent image quality across a wide range of clinical applications.

“United Imaging designs our technology to support our mission of Equal Healthcare for All,” said Jeffrey M. Bundy, Ph.D., CEO of United Imaging Healthcare Solutions. “This mobile solution empowers organizations like Edgerton Hospital and Shared Medical Services to expand access and bring high-end imaging to both large systems and underserved regions.”

About Shared Medical Services

Shared Medical Services is a national leader in mobile diagnostic imaging solutions, offering PET/CT, MRI, and CT through the largest OEM-serviced and OEM-certified mobile imaging fleet in the nation. With decades of experience and a commitment to excellence, SMS partners with healthcare providers to deliver cutting-edge mobile and in-house imaging equipment and services. Learn more at https://sharedmed.com.

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. Edgerton Hospital has also been recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience by the Women’s Choice Award®. The hospital and its clinics serve Edgerton, Milton, Whitewater, and surrounding communities. Founded in 1923, the facility offers inpatient, outpatient, surgical, diagnostic, emergency, orthopedics, pain management, swing bed, primary care and rehabilitation services. For additional information about Edgerton Hospital, please visit www.edgertonhospital.com.

The final stages of life’s journey are often the most meaningful, yet they can be challenging for families, particularly when a loved one requires specialized care away from home. Traveling to distant places to visit loved ones often consumes precious time when “every moment counts.”

Now, two respected non-profits – Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater and Rainbow Community Care in Jefferson – have partnered to solve this critical local need. The organizations collaborated to open two dedicated hospice suites right on the Fairhaven campus, creating a “sacred space” where local residents and their families can find peace and comfort. The official opening was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 30. Staff, local healthcare professionals, and residents from the wider Whitewater community turned out in strong numbers to get their first look at the dedicated Hospice Suites.

The partnership was born not only out of necessity, but from a long-standing mutual respect and shared belief that compassionate care should be available close to home. “The idea originated when Brian Robinson, (Fairhaven’s Director of Marketing, Community Relations & Leisure Services), simply asked Rainbow staff during a tour, “Hey, is there anything we could ever do to work together?” said Paul Kuenning, President & CEO of Fairhaven Senior Services.

That simple question ignited a project driven by a strong, shared commitment to community and quality. Both organizations recognized they could make a greater impact together, ultimately focusing on one goal which emphasized the partnership’s purpose. “These hospice suites were born out of a shared mission to give families a peaceful, home-like space where they can spend meaningful time together when it matters most,” said Carol Brown, President & CEO of Rainbow Community Care.

The two renovated suites are located on Fairhaven’s Advanced Assisted Living Wing (2nd Floor) and were specifically designed to offer compassionate and expert care in a peaceful, home-like setting. This option is vital for those who cannot or do not want to remain at home near the end of life.

Rainbow Community Care staff – experts in providing end-of-life comfort – were integral to the rapid renovation process. They chose the specific units and took the time to “really make them shine.” The suites are furnished with a blend of Fairhaven pieces and new, custom furnishings from Rainbow Community Care. The result is an environment that feels welcoming and comfortable instantly when you walk through the doors.

To create the feeling of peace and dignity required of a “sacred space,” the design team chose neutral colors with a warm tone, soft, gentle fabrics, and swapped all primary lighting for soft options, including flameless candles and twinkle lights. The design details extended to sensory comfort, providing visitors with ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ books and the option to turn on a sound machine for the peaceful sounds of a thunderstorm or waves crashing in the ocean.

“Since patient comfort is the priority and often requires a hospital bed, our philosophy was simple: Every detail surrounding the bed—from the quilt to the soft throw blankets—was chosen to provide warmth and create a truly comfortable, inviting space,” said Angie Zastrow, Rainbow’s Senior Director of Hospice Services. “That’s the peace we were hoping for as we created this space—the peace you get when you sit back in the recliner, close your eyes for a moment and just take in the moment, knowing your loved one is safe and well-cared for.”

“The word sacred means a lot to many,” Kuenning stated. “It really takes away a lot of the business stuff and gets right down to the heart of what we’re there for and why we’re there. You walk in and you just feel at home and comfortable instantly.”

The community reaction has been extremely positive, with visitors moved by the beautiful, non-institutional design. Visitors who have experienced hospice services previously have also been moved by suites.

“We’ve had folks who have been served by us previously or have had loved ones in hospice services and that have walked in the room and said I wish we would have had something like this when my family member was passing away.” Kuenning said.

The design of the new suites deliberately emphasizes a comfortable, residential atmosphere, drawing a parallel to the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek. This ensures the space is a beautiful, home-like, and state-of-the-art environment. The Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center, an 8-bed facility in Johnson Creek, has served over 2,500 patients since 2011, providing care for those experiencing a significant medical crisis or offering families a break from the rigors of caregiving at home. The suites offer families peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are surrounded by compassionate and expert care in a serene, home-like setting.

This partnership is about more than just physical space. It’s about a shared vision for community health. The collaboration will extend into educational programming and learning opportunities, helping families and community members “better understand how to live well as we age and become seriously ill.”

Rainbow Community Care, which rebranded in 2024 with a mission of “Enriching Lives Throughout Aging, Illness, and Loss,” offers a broad range of programs like Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Community Grief Support, Advance Care Planning, Friends in Action, and Community Healthy Ministry. This makes them an ideal partner for Fairhaven to enhance local resources.

“For more than 35 years, Rainbow has cared for local families facing serious illness and Fairhaven has long been a trusted home for seniors in this region. We both believe that compassionate care should be available close to home, provided by people who live and serve right here.” Brown said.

Looking ahead, Fairhaven and Rainbow hope to continue strengthening this relationship, potentially utilizing additional suites in the future if the opportunity arises “to serve more people in our community, even better.” Rainbow Community Care also hopes to invest in similar suites with other trusted partners throughout their service area to ensure local access to quality options. The launch of the suites has already piqued significant curiosity, setting the stage for more conversations about compassionate, local care.

ABOUT RAINBOW COMMUNITY CARE
Founded by volunteers in 1990, Rainbow Community Care is a local, independent, and non-profit provider of services that supports patients and families throughout the entire journey with aging and serious illness. Highly regarded for excellence in hospice care, palliative care, advance care planning, grief support, parish nursing, and volunteer programs, we care for people living in their homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes in rural South-Central Wisconsin as well as the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek.

ABOUT FAIRHAVEN
Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater, WI is a non-profit Life Plan community founded in 1962. Their goal is to help their residents be as independent and active as possible through safety, conveniences, and amenities of a retirement community while also offering the full range of excellent health care services to support one’s health care needs. Their residents value friendship, independence, quality care, and a healthy, active lifestyle.

Monday, December 15, 2025

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Regular Meeting – Monday @ 6:00 p.m
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes Secondary Scorecard Presentations and Referendum Update

Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street
via Zoom Online

• URL: https: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82643445762?
  pwd=7eWsKZahRbq4nUbpMuMH7jSoYHQv1O.1

– Passcode: 933474

• Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
• Webinar ID: 826 4344 5762
• Passcode: 933474

City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission Meeting – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes closed session, to be followed by open session: Interview of FTE EMT/Firefighter Candidates and Interview of Detective Candidate
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Please click the link below to join the meeting:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24822211517601?p=Di6yB28m9jQgAZJ9yx
You can also dial in using your phone:
Phone Number: 1-929-229-5663 Phone Conference ID: 869 381 618#

Whitewater Public Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Library Building Project general update and tour of the new building
Whitewater Public Library, Meeting Room 2, 431 West Center St.
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:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82207120174?pwd=4C7sbktQhBHg7pbRC34mUUUNeNa0gv.1
Meeting ID: 822 0712 0174
Passcode: 4gcinkcJ
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes TIF Impact Analysis, Mill Rate Impact of the Voter-Approved Referendum, Memo response to concerns raised at the 2026 Budget Hearing, and Information for Community Groups Regarding the Referendum’s Impact on Property Taxes.
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.
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/26464103859139?p=yG89m9foipW712S1h2
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663 United States,
Phone conference ID: 971 378 892#

City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
*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/24791106156233?p=a0gAAOF3vPn68hOXiZ
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,,894626294# United States
Phone conference ID: 894 626 294#

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Update on the WindUp Program.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
*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/23214476546387?p=oQMMwiq5sb2v8HqRBg
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,,129564377# United States, New York City
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 129 564 377#

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee holds commencement ceremony in December.

The following individuals from the Whitewater area are among the more than 1,300 prospective candidates for degrees attending University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement exercises Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Milwaukee.

UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with over 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

 Kristina McCullough, Sheldon B. Lubar College of Business, Master of Business Administration
 Thomas Utynek, College of Engineering and Applied Science, Bachelor of Science in Engineering
 Wendy Villegas, School of Education, Bachelor of Science

The Whitewater Common Sense Citizens are urging community members to attend a free public meeting to discuss the significant property tax increases reflected in the recently mailed 2026 tax bills.

Meeting Details:

• Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
• Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM
• Location: 841 Brewhouse, 841 Milwaukee Street, Whitewater

The latest tax bills have left many residents shocked, with the city portion of many tax bills increasing by 25% or more compared to last year. Since 2021, some taxpayers have experienced increases exceeding 60%. These tax hikes are well above recent inflation rates and are deemed neither fair nor sustainable by community leaders.

“Out-of-control property taxes hurt everyone in our community,” said a spokesperson for the Whitewater Common Sense Citizens. “This includes people on fixed incomes, homeowners, renters, property owners, and business owners. We must come together to discuss these concerns and find solutions.”

The meeting aims to provide a platform for residents to voice their concerns and collaborate on potential actions to address these excessive tax increases.

Community members are encouraged to attend and engage in this important discussion. Together, we can work towards making Whitewater a more affordable place to live for all.

For more information contact: 

Andrea M Svec

President 

Whitewater Common Sense Citizens 

whitewatercsc@gmail.com

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Andrea Svec.

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.

Hanukkah begins this year at nightfall on December 14, 2025 and ends with nightfall on December 22, 2025, beginning on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, and lasting for eight days. It is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah. One branch is typically placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles. This unique candle is called the shamash (Hebrew: שַׁמָּשׁ‎, “attendant”). Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shamash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Other Hanukkah festivities include singing Hanukkah songs, playing the game of dreidel and eating oil-based foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods. Since the 1970s, the worldwide Chabad Hasidic movement has initiated public menorah lightings in open public places in many countries.

Although a relatively minor holiday in strictly religious terms, Hanukkah has attained major cultural significance in North America and elsewhere, especially among secular Jews, due to its occurring around the same time as Christmas during the holiday season.

How to wish happy Hanukkah? The traditional greeting for observing Hanukkah is “Hanukkah sameach!” which means “Happy Hanukkah!” or “Chag urim sameach” which means “Happy Festival of Lights”.

Source: Wikipedia