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Today is Wednesday, May 13, 2026
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By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Whitewater police officers are reportedly increasing their enforcement of the “thru traffic” prohibition due to road construction on the entirety of Walworth Avenue. According to Police Chief Dan Meyer, the “bond deposit” portion of a citation can double in a road construction area, which could make for an unusually expensive ticket.
“Closed to thru traffic” means that a road is temporarily not open for people just passing through — it’s blocked off to non-local drivers who don’t need to stop in that area. The main reasons for such a closure are for the safety of the construction workers and to reduce interruptions to their work.
In this case, here are some examples of drivers who are allowed to use Walworth Avenue:
– Residents of Walworth Avenue using the street for a minimal distance to get to/from their home.
– Trucks with deliveries to Walworth Avenue addresses.
– Drivers needing to get to/from the high school or Aquatic/Fitness Center. They may only drive across Walworth at Elizabeth St. (unless they’re Walworth Ave. residents.) Reportedly the west entrance to the high school is currently closed.
– Emergency personnel.
– Construction workers on the project.
Here are examples of illegal uses of Walworth Avenue:
- Anyone turning right onto Walworth Avenue from Indian Mound Parkway. There are no homes or businesses in that section.
- Driving from Highway 12 to Indian Mound Parkway.
- Anyone driving on Walworth Avenue simply to avoid the detour.
Historic Heart Prairie Church, located at W8136 R and W Townline Rd, on Whitewater Lake, is holding its second Oil Lamp Service of the summer. Please join us on Sunday, July 27th, at 7:30 pm for an evening of fellowship and refreshments. At 8:30 pm, the oil lamps inside the church will be lit for Hoisse Masse, our historic Norwegian liturgical service, translated into English.
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has upgraded their Extreme Heat Watch to a Heat Advisory for Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Our area is projected to have a maximum heat index of 106 degrees F. It will be important to remain inside as much as possible and to drink lots of water.
Increased clouds and rain chances on Thursday are expected to moderate the heat index somewhat, but in our area it’s still expected to reach a maximum of 98 degrees.
Anyone who may need to cool off might consider the following locations:
The Community Space, 834 E. Milwaukee St., is open 3:30 – 7:00 p.m.
The UW-W Library, 750 W. Main Street, is open 8 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Parking on campus is not free; however, there is street parking across Main Street.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by cloud_purple from Pixabay.
Update 7/24/25 @ 8:45 a.m. – The National Weather Service [NWS] Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office indicates that they will not be issuing a heat advisory today, as the heat index is not expected to exceed 100 degrees. They downgraded the heat index prediction for the Whitewater area from 99 to 96.
NWS states “The chance for thunderstorms remains conditional today. If there is a long period of sunshine, strong storms are possible within the vicinity of a front that will drop through southern Wisconsin this afternoon. Gusty winds and frequent lightning are the main concerns, but we cannot rule out a severe thunderstorm or two.”
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Francis Liagre from Pixabay.
Yesterday the Milwaukee Brewers won their 11th consecutive game, and tonight at 8:40 CDT they hope to extend their streak to 12 as they play the Seattle Mariners in an away game. They’re currently at the top of the MLB, with a 60-40 record. [The Cubs are at 59-41.] The game is broadcast on Fanduel, TDS channel 252 or Spectrum channel 29.
Today Mark Dorn is wearing the above T-shirt that dates to 1987! He says “I was in line in Milwaukee to get my free George Webb for several hours, back in the day.”
The longest winning streak in Milwaukee Brewers history is 16 games, spanning from October 3, 1986 to April 20, 1987. That run started with a win over the Toronto Blue Jays to close out the ’86 season and continued into the start of the ’87 campaign, famously dubbed “Team Streak.” Then in the 1987 season they had a 13 game streak, and in 2021 (and 2025, thus far) they had 11 game streaks.
The 1987 streak triggered Milwaukee’s legendary George Webb burger giveaway, a quirky local tradition that promises free burgers if the Brewers win 12 straight.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has published the article at the following link. George Webb ready to give 100,000 free burgers if Brewers win tonight. Ryan Stamm, vice president of George Webb, describes in the article the many contacts he’s had in recent days with vendors, distributors and franchise owners to ensure that they’ll be ready to keep their promise. He indicates that “If the Brewers do beat the Mariners, George Webb will announce the date of the giveaway, something that Stamm said will have been decided in a meeting hours before the game’s first pitch. And while it won’t happen the next day, Stamm said the goal is to get burgers in hands as fast as possible.”
The tradition began in the 1940s, when George Webb predicted the [minor league] Brewers would win 12 straight games. It became official in 1987, when the Brewers hit that mark and George Webb handed out over 168,000 burgers. The only other time it happened was in 2018, when fans received 90,000 burgers and 100,000 vouchers.
Our thanks to Mark Dorn for sharing this photo of his priceless T-shirt.
Celebrate community, canines, and cold drinks on August 3.
Rotary Botanical Gardens is excited to host the first ever Dog Days of Summer on Sunday, August 3, 2025, from 11 AM to 2 PM. This new dog-friendly event invites guests of all ages two and four-legged to enjoy a lively day of outdoor fun, food, music, and community.
Held on the scenic 20-acre garden grounds at 1455 Palmer Drive, Dog Days of Summer will feature food trucks, vendors, a pet photo booth, lawn games, dog cooling stations, and goodie bags for the first 100 guests. Attendees can shop at the local pet vendor marketplace, enjoy live entertainment, and take part in interactive dog-friendly games like bobbing for tennis balls and a dog/owner look-a-like contest.
Adding to the festivities is a custom beer release by Good Works Brewing Co., specially crafted and labeled for the event. This exclusive Dog Days of Summer brew will be available during the event alongside non-alcoholic options and treats from participating vendors.
Admission is $10 per person and includes full access to the gardens and all events. Children 6 and under enter free, and dogs are welcome at no additional cost (must remain leashed and follow posted guidelines).
“This event is all about enjoying the gardens in a new, playful way,” said Laura Kenyon, Community Engagement Manager. “We’re excited to bring the community together for something fresh, fun, and dog friendly.”
For full event details, visit:
https://rotarybotanicalgardens.org/event/dog-days-of-summer/
About Rotary Botanical Gardens
Rotary Botanical Gardens is a 20-acre non-profit botanical garden featuring 20 unique garden styles and over 4,000 plant varieties. Located in Janesville, WI, the Gardens provide a serene and inspiring space for visitors to connect with nature, engage in educational programs, and support conservation efforts. The Gardens rely on community support, donations, and events like Dog Days of Summer to continue their mission of horticultural excellence.
The following area student completed degree requirements at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in May.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, founded in 1909, is one of 13 four-year institutions comprising the Universities of Wisconsin. UWL offers 130-plus degree programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels in arts, social sciences and humanities; science and health; business; and education. UW-La Crosse – www.uwlax.edu – is a top-ranked university. It is the No. 1 public university in Wisconsin with fewer than 25,000 students, according to Niche’s Best Colleges ranking.
Students earning degrees in May include:
Whitewater, WI
Catherine Skindingsrude, Bachelor of Science, Biology Major, Highest Honors
LOUISVILLE, Ky.–All eight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s volleyball teams have collected the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT, for the 2024-25 season.
The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, recognizes teams that displayed excellence in the classroom by maintaining a year-long grade point average of 3.30 or better on a 4.00 scale or 4.10 on a 5.00 scale.
UW-Eau Claire and UW-River Falls were cited for Team Academic Honor Roll recognition by representing the top 20 percent of team grade point averages in NCAA Division III.
Editor’s note: This announcement was published on the WIAC website.
Obituaries
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
Leo E. Wurzer, 65, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at his home. Leo was born on April 15, 1961 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Cyril and Shirley (McNeil) Wurzer. He grew up between Pleasant Prairie and Antigo, spending his childhood summers on his uncle’s farm where he discovered his love for all things tractors. Although he never had a farm of his own, he was able to partially fulfill his dream by working as a driver for Robin’s Trucking in Whitewater, WI in his last days and collecting miniature Tonka toys. He began his career … Read more
Lois Cummings, 99, of Fond du Lac, WI (formerly of Janesville, WI, Fort Atkinson, WI, Fountain Hills, AZ, and Green Valley, AZ) passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026 at the Meadows Senior Residence in Fond du Lac surrounded by family. Lois was born on February 17, 1927 in Fort Atkinson to Edward and Clarice (Roseth) Stevens. The middle child of 9 children, she attended Fort Atkinson schools and graduated in 1944. On September 11, 1948 Lois married Grant Cummings at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Delavan, WI. Together they had 3 children, Gary, Colleen (Tom) Sabel, and Patty (Paul) … Read more
Come celebrate William Kincaid’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30th at 1 pm at Trippe Lake Park Pavillion in Whitewater. He truly enjoyed gatherings where his favorite foods and music could be enjoyed with some of his closest friends and family. We will honor him by carrying on one of his favorite traditions. Please bring your own beverages and chairs. There is limited seating. See you all there!
Gladys Jean (Riley) Hildebrandt, age 89, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. Gladys was born on December 26, 1936, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Theresa Egnoski Riley. She was married to Walter Sobolik Sr., and later married James A. Hildebrandt in 1976. Gladys was a hardworking woman who spent her life caring for others. She worked in school kitchens, restaurants, factories, and cleaning services. She concluded her working career as a full-time nanny. In that role, she lovingly cared for Andrew, Daniel, and Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, who became part of her chosen family. Gladys is survived by her sons, Wally … Read more
WHITEWATER – Nan Rowley died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on September 4, 1935, in a little house on the prairie in the Town of Johnstown, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wayne L. Wilbur and Florence (McQuillen) Wilbur. Nan attended primary schools in the towns of Johnstown and Richmond and in the City of Whitewater. Nan graduated with honors from Whitewater City High School. On June 19, 1954, Nancy and Ken Rowley were united in marriage in Whitewater and went to live on the Rowley family farm in Richmond. Over the years, Nan served … Read more
Marion H. Gorniak (nee Pfeiffer), 74, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born on October 24, 1951, to the late Harvey and Loraine (nee Drifke) Pfeiffer in Fort Atkinson, WI. On June 2, 1969, she was united in marriage to Alan Gorniak. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and cooking, especially her rhubarb pies. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her. Those Marion leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Alan Gorniak; stepson, Alan Bauer; sister, Sue Ann Schultz, other relatives and friends. … Read more
Ruth Irene (Phelps) Justis, 88, of Appleton City, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, with her family by her side. Ruth was born June 3, 1937 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Charles and Ada Mae (Maly) Phelps. She joined the Marine Corps in 1956. During her time there, she met and married her husband, Forest Wayne “Wayne” Justis in 1957. They shared 62 years of marriage and to this union, 2 children, Charles and Dorene, were born. Ruth grew up in Whitewater, WI., the oldest of three children. Ruth graduated from … Read more
Dorothy C. Kau, age 101, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Fort Memorial Hospital. Dorothy was born on March 18, 1925 in Eagle on the family farm, the daughter of John and Katherine (Faestel) VonRueden. Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Palmyra High School. On May 21, 1949, Dorothy was united in marriage to Alvin E. Kau at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle and the Lord blessed their union with 8 children. Alvin and Dorothy enjoyed 50 years of marriage together until Alvin’s death in the year 2000. Dorothy enjoyed being a farm … Read more
Dorothy E. McCracken, 95, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Born on April 14, 1930, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Carl and Joyce Meyer, Dorothy grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School. She then worked for a photographer and hand painted his first colored portraits, until she got married. She and her first husband, Bernard Wafle, owned and operated a 179-acre dairy farm in Helenville, Wisconsin, for 25 years before relocating to Ocala, Florida, in 1979. Dorothy later married Earl McCracken, in Ocala, Fl. She also shared a special companionship later in life with … Read more
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