News & Events

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s 151st spring commencement celebrated the achievements of 1,250 students in two ceremonies May 17 inside Kolf Sports Center. Recognized for earning doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s or associate degrees, the new graduates joined the ranks of more than 100,000 UWO alumni.

Whitewater, WI

 Martin Gonzalez, Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice
 Allison Martens, Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing
 Jazmine Peterson, Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice
 Jazmine Peterson, Bachelor of Science, Psychology

Lois Mast writes “This beautiful bird loves to hang out in Whitewater Creek and can be seen from the wooden walkway leading to the Trippe Lake pavilion.

Our thanks to Lois Mast for sharing this beautiful photo.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!

Everyone is invited to the 39th Annual Lutherdale Fest Quilt Auction on Saturday, August 9, 2025. This outdoor event runs from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. or until all the quilts are sold. The live quilt auction, conducted by professional auctioneer Gary Finley, starts at 10 a.m.

The auction features more than 300 donated quilts of all sizes, from baby to king size, plus wall hangings and table runners. The quilts are handmade by hundreds of quilters from Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Texas, South Carolina, and Florida.

View the quilts online at www.lutherdale.org/quilt-auction. There will also be many quilts featured in this year’s online auction that will allow bidders to join the fun without being at camp. This can all be found on Lutherdale’s website.

Friday’s Quilt Preview will be held on Friday, August 8th from 4 pm – 7 pm with silent bids accepted on both quilts and Silent Auction items. Our Wisconsin Fish Fry will be available for inside & outside dining or carryout. Meal tickets are $18/adults and $10/youth 10 & under. Proxy silent bidding for quilts ends Friday, August 8 at 10:00 p.m. On Saturday, our Chef is serving a delicious lunch menu. There will also be an ala carte menu of bakery items, snacks, and beverages from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. All food will be served near the auction area.

Free admission. Free parking. For more information, call Lutherdale at 262-742-2352 or visit website at www.lutherdale.org

Lutherdale Bible Camp is a not-for-profit organization, accredited by the American Camp Association, serves all denominations, non-profits, school groups, and more.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

It’s also time for produce stands. This image is from 1994 of a produce stand located along East Main Street. The man is not identified, but I am sure some of you may know who this is. The historical society hopes everyone enjoys the fresh produce of the season.

(George Scharfenberg collection)

“Black Bag”

Tuesday, July 29, 1 p.m.

(Spy thriller/Mystery/Romance)

Rated R (language). 1 hour, 33 minutes (2025).

The tale of a British spy (Michael Fassbender) who must ferret out a traitor in their midst amongst five potential suspects… one of which is his wife (Cate Blanchett). Also stars Pierce Brosnan.  An erudite, clever, well-acted cat-and-mouse cloak-and-dagger spy mystery!

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes out of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

Governor Tony Evers, whose second term will end in January, 2027, announced on July 24, 2025 that he will not be running for another term. Governors in the state are elected to four-year terms and they have no term limits. Evers will turn 74 in November.

The governor’s video message is available here. A transcript of the video message is provided below.

Hey, Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers here.

You know, I was a scrawny kid with glasses who grew up scraping mold off of cheese. I never dreamed I’d end up governor of Wisconsin. But here I am.

For the last six years, you’ve welcomed me into your churches, businesses, classrooms, farms, hospitals, and communities. I cherish every moment—every tour, visit, high five, question, and selfie. It’s the honor of my life to be able to give back to the state that raised me.

I promised you when I ran for this office that I’d always work to do the right thing, that I’d always give it to you straight, and that I’d always try to be a governor for all of Wisconsin. And I work every day to keep those promises. That’ll never change.

I began my run for governor as a proud Plymouth Progressive, and that’s still who I am today. I’m a science teacher at heart who ended up running for office and winning five straight statewide elections. 

So, would I win if I ran a sixth time? Of course. No question about that. But whether I’d win or not has never been part of my calculus about running again.

Here’s the truth: Wisconsin, the only thing I love more than being your governor is being a husband, a dad, and a grandpa.

I’ve spent 50 years in public service. I’m damn proud I devoted my entire career—and most of my life—to working for you. And from Plymouth to Baraboo, Tomah to Oshkosh, Verona to Madison, and everywhere in between, Kathy and my family supported me all the way.

Marrying Kathy is the greatest accomplishment of my life because it gave me a lifetime with her, three amazing kids, and nine incredible grandkids. For five decades, my family has sacrificed to give me the gift of service. They’re my world. And I owe it to them to focus on doing all the things we enjoy and love doing together.

It’s why, Wisconsin, I’m announcing that I will not be running for a third term.

I’m so humbled to be your governor. This is the best job I’ve ever had. And folks, we are not done yet.

There is, as always, much work to do. And, Wisconsin, I’ll be working just as hard as I have for the last six years to keep doing the right thing and deliver for you.

So, let’s get back to work. Forward, for you and for Wisconsin, always.

Thank you.

Due to the ongoing heat, the Whitewater Arts Alliance [WAA] has decided to move the Savory Sounds mariachi band concert inside the Cultural Arts Center on Thursday, July 24 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. WAA wishes for everyone to enjoy the concert without concern about being negatively affected by the heat.

July 24  – Mariachi Nuevo Mexico

:: Mariachi : A high-energy mariachi band from the Chicago area. There will be a special children’s workshop, offering fun, hands-on activities inspired by the day’s music.

:: Sponsored by The Coburn Company

:: Food Vendor: Taqueria la Estrella 2

Savory Sounds 2025 Concert Series

• Concert Times: All concerts are held on Thursdays from 11:30 am – 12:45 pm.
• Location: Inside the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W Main St, Whitewater.
• Food & Refreshments: Food and other refreshments will be available from the food vendor or bring your own lunch.
• Parking: CAC lot and city street parking is available with additional parking available at First English Lutheran Church.

Savory Sounds Sponsors:

• Anonymous Donor
• Coburn Company
• Culver’s of Whitewater
• D.L.K. Enterprises
• Fairhaven Senior Services
• Harbor Homes
• TDS

The Walworth County Drug Enforcement Unit, with the assistance of the City of
Whitewater Police Department and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Police Department, conducted an investigation that involved the sale of illegal
controlled substances and fraudulent identification documents in the City of
Whitewater. The investigation included controlled buy(s) of fraudulent documents, [and] illegal controlled substances and culminated with a search warrant.

On July 17, 2025, at approximately 7:19 a.m., the Walworth County Drug
Enforcement Unit, assisted by the City of Whitewater Police Department, the
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Police Department, Homeland Security
Investigations (HSI), United States Marshal Service (USMS), Federal Bureau of
Investigations (FBI), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed
a drug search warrant at the residence of 645 E. North Street, in the City of
Whitewater.

While searching the residence, cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and one firearm was
located and seized. Also located was a computer and printers used to manufacture fraudulent photo identification cards and Social Security cards. Additional fraudulent documents were also located during the search.

Two residents were arrested during the search warrant and transported to the
Walworth County Jail:

Freddys Manual Gaitan Ruiz, DOB:12/26/2000 (AKA Freddys M. Moreno
Ruiz) and Anner Amilkar Bustamante Talavera, DOB: 11/28/1994.

Gaitan Ruiz was arrested on the following charges:
Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place – 961.42(1)
Delivery of Cocaine – 961.41(1)(cm)1g
-Within 1000 feet of a School – 961.49(1m)(b)6
Delivery of Cocaine – 961.41(1)(cm)1r
-Party To A Crime 939.05
Possession With Intent To Deliver Cocaine – 961.41(1m)(cm)2
– Within 1000 feet of a School – 961.49(1m)(b)6
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – 961.573(1)
Child Neglect – 948.21(2)

Bustamante Talavera was arrested on the following charges:
Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place – 961.42(1)
-Party To A Crime 939.05
Delivery of Cocaine – 961.41(1)(cm)1r
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – 961.573(1)
Misdemeanor Bail Jumping – 946.49(1)(a)

Bustamante Talavera also had active warrants and had been out on bond in the
following criminal cases: Fond du Lac County 24CT122 and Walworth County
Cases 2023CT000689, 2024CT000211, 2024CT000228, and 2024CM000202. [All of which are traffic or bail jumping offenses.] Information is being provided to Walworth County District Attorney’s Office and federal authorities for consideration of additional charges.

Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme
Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an
accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proved guilty.

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