News & Events

Join us for free guided tours of the UW-Whitewater Prairie & Nature Preserve, and through historic arboretums and gardens on the Whitewater campus this year! UW-Whitewater Continuing Education is pleased to partner with the UW-Whitewater Sustainability Office to offer these tours throughout the growing season. Wes Enterline, UW-Whitewater’s sustainability coordinator, will lead the tours.

UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve Tours

Over 100 acres on the Whitewater campus’s northeastern border are being restored and actively managed as a native prairie and woodland. You will learn more about native plant species found in prairie and savanna ecosystems as well as the history and future development dreams for the UW- Whitewater Nature Preserve.

 July Blooms in the UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve: Wednesday, July 16, 6:00 – 7: 15 pm
 August Blooms in the UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve: Wednesday, August 20, 6:00 – 7:15 pm
 Seed Collecting in the UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve: Saturday, October 11, 9:00 – 10:15 am

Flowers and Trees of the Whitewater Campus
Explore the many gardens and natural spaces tucked between our campus buildings with UWW horticulture staff. We’ll provide identification of and information about the annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees in our landscape beds around campus and visit the Campus Garden and Upham Greenhouse to learn more about campus sustainability projects. Participants will have an opportunity to ask garden-related questions.

Flowers and Trees of the South Campus Core: Thursday, August 7, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
This tour will focus on trees and landscape beds near Andersen Library, Heide Hall, University Center, the South Wyman Mall, Hyer Hall, Salisbury Arboretum, Roseman Building, and Minnieska Springs.

Flowers and Trees of the North Campus Core: Thursday, August 14, 6:00 – 7:30 pm This tour will explore the campus vegetable garden as well as trees and landscape beds near Moraine Hall, Hyland Hall, Upham Hall, Winther Hall, Minnieska Springs, and White Hall.

History of the Whitewater Normal School Grounds
This tour focuses on the buildings and grounds of College Hill, the glacial drumlin that sits in the heart of the Whitewater campus and the original grounds of Whitewater Normal School. You will hear stories and see photos of the campus through the lens of its original building, Old Main, and some of our earliest faculty, staff, and alumni. Tours will include visits to the Memory Garden, Salisbury and Chopp Historic Arboreta, and a peek inside the Log Cabin and Little Red Schoolhouse. We’ll allow time for participants to share their own stories of their connection to UW-Whitewater’s past.

 History of the Whitewater Normal School Grounds: Wednesday, September 3, 6:00 – 7:15 pm

All tours are free with registration and open to the public. These are walking tours at a slow pace throughout the course of the time allotted, unless otherwise noted in the descriptions. All tours are held rain or shine, unless severe weather watches or warnings are issued the day of the event. Tour participant numbers are limited to make sure everyone has an interactive experience. Walk-up registrations are not accepted and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Puede estar disponible la traducción al español. Contacte a Kari Borne en bornek@uww.edu si necesita servicios de traducción. [Spanish translation may be available. Contact Kari Borne at bornek@uww.edu if you need translation services.]

More information and registration here:
https://www.uww.edu/ce/gardenlandscape/gardenlandscapetours

Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) donated $100,000 to the Rock River Community Clinic in support of their capital expansion project. This significant investment reflects the credit union’s commitment to enhancing community health and well-being in the region.

The Rock River Community Clinic (RRCC), a vital resource for underserved populations, is expanding its facilities to increase access to healthcare services. This expansion will provide a broader range of medical, dental, and mental health services, ensuring that all community members can receive the care they need in a welcoming environment.

“Fort Community Credit Union is deeply committed to supporting the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Our donation to the Rock River Community Clinic reflects our mission of putting people before profit and making a meaningful impact where it’s needed most. We’re proud to partner with an organization that ensures accessible healthcare for all, and we look forward to the positive difference this will create for families across our region,“ said Sue Johnson, President and CEO of Fort Community Credit Union.

The funding from Fort Community Credit Union will assist in several aspects of the project. The opening of a new integrated medical, dental and behavioral clinic site on the first floor of the Fort HealthCare Johnson Creek clinic which will expand and integrate patient care services. The relocation and renovation of the Watertown medical clinic building (pictured below). And the renovation of the existing medical clinic in Whitewater to maximize clinic space for medical and behavioral health services. The clinic’s expansion is expected to increase efficiency and allow for more patients to be served each year.

“We are incredibly grateful for Fort Community Credit Union’s generous support,” said Olivia Nichols, Executive Director of Rock River Community Clinic. “This donation will enable us to expand our services and better meet the growing healthcare needs of our community. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.”

The Rock River Community Clinic is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality healthcare regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The expansion project is currently underway, with plans to open the new facilities in January 2026.

For more information about the Rock River Community Clinic and its capital expansion project, please visit Capital Campaign (2025) | Rock River Community Clinic. For inquiries about Fort Community Credit Union and its community initiatives, please visit FCCU | Invested In You, With You, For You.

The community is invited to the free, family-friendly program, James the Magician, sponsored by the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library and the Bridges Library System. Join us on Monday, July 14 at 4:30 p.m.

This magic show includes comedy and storytelling to help enhance the magic. All of the comedy is family-friendly! The stories also include sprinkles of prosocial behavior messaging including why not to tell a lie and the importance of trying to stay in the moment.

For all ages! Note that due to library construction, this event will take place at the Frawley Family Amphitheater at Cravath Lakefront Park. Bring a blanket and/or chair, if desired. There is no cost or registration. 

For complete information and the full lineup of all events during the Summer Reading Program, visit whitewaterlibrary.org or connect with the library on Facebook and Instagram.

The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. The library building is closed due to construction, but curbside pickup services are available. Contact the library at 262-473-0530 with questions or visit whitewaterlibrary.or

“Flow”

Wednesday, July 16, 1 pm

(Animated film/Family/Adventure)

Rated PG; 1 hour, 25 minutes. (2024). 

Golden Globe and Oscar winner for Best Animated Film. Latvian: no narration!  It plays like a silent movie. You must pay attention to the entire film! In a post-human world, animals lead the way. Engrossing. Haunting. Beautiful. 

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/

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Milwaukee Police Department Officer Kendall Corder

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff across the state from sunrise until sunset on Fri., July 11, 2025, in honor of Officer Kendall Corder, who was killed in the line of duty on Sun., June 29, 2025, at the age of 32. Last week, Gov. Evers released a statement regarding Officer Corder’s passing and announced the flags would be lowered to half-staff immediately across Wisconsin until sunset on Tues., July 1, 2025, and again on the date of Officer Corder’s interment, which was later scheduled for this upcoming Friday:   “Officer Corder was responding to a shots fired call last week and ran toward danger when he was shot in the line of duty and ultimately passed away from his injuries. Our hearts break for Officer Corder, his family, loved ones, colleagues at the Milwaukee Police Department, and the greater Milwaukee community, and we join Milwaukeeans and Wisconsinites in honoring the life of this dedicated public servant,” said Gov. Evers. “Kathy and I will continue to keep his family and loved ones and all those who knew Officer Corder in our thoughts and our prayers as they mourn his loss and this merciless tragedy.”

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

As was previously stated in the Whitewater Banner, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission [PSC] held a public hearing at the Community Engagement Center on July 9 regarding Whitewater Solar’s proposed project. The 6 p.m. hearing was somewhat better attended than the 2 p.m. hearing, with a total of approximately 100 people. It appeared that nearly all of the audience was composed of rural residents. A large portion could be considered to be senior adults; one of the commenters said that he was afraid that many of them would have to be looking at this project for the rest of their lives.

The hearing was conducted by PSC Administrative Law Judge Michael Newmark, who indicated that a person couldn’t be a party (an “intervenor”) and make a public comment. The hearing for those individuals, of which there were an unusually high 45, was the previous week, and Newmark stated that two-day hearing lasted 21 hours. Though a Spanish language translator was present on July 9, that service was not needed. The applicant is Whitewater Solar LLC, and Ranger Power owns that entity.

Newmark mentioned that the PSC has three commissioners who are appointed by the governor and approved by the Senate. The commissioners will review all of the comments that are made in the public hearings as well as all of the written comments that were submitted beginning May 14 and through Friday, July 11. The commissioners may only use the record for the decision. They can approve the application, approve it with conditions, or deny it. One of the public commenters claimed that if this application is denied, it would be the first such occurrence. Anyone wishing to make a comment, for or against the project, has until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 11 to do so. The link is provided here.

Each of the public hearings lasted approximately an hour. Twenty-seven individuals testified. Some came with well-crafted, rather lengthy statements, whereas a few indicated that they hadn’t planned to testify until the last minute. There was not a single commenter who spoke in favor of the project. A number of the individuals stated that they support the implementation of solar power generally, but no one had anything positive to say about the Whitewater Solar project.

Many of the comments touched on concerns that were mentioned in the previous Banner article. Here we will provide just a sampling of the concerns that were raised. Apologies to those individuals whose names are misspelled. We will be glad to make a correction if you write to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com.

Whitewater Fire Department Assistant Chief Ryan Dion indicated that should there be battery storage included in the project, his department does not have provisions to fight hazardous chemical fires. There are other agencies in the area who would provide mutual aid, but it would take a while for them to arrive.

Jerry Callwelter expressed concern regarding stray voltage, indicating that with the water table being only 3-4′ underground in many cases, the water can conduct electricity. He stated that in the late 70’s he accidentally hit a wire in his building, and every time his neighbors took a drink of water, they got a shock. There have been three hailstorms recently. What happens if such a storm hits all the solar panels? What happens to the soil?

Jeff Simes asked what happens if the money runs out. [Afterwards someone stated that under the recent “big, beautiful bill,” subsidies will be discontinued for any project that is not started by 2026.] Who’s going to pay if the construction damages the rural roads?

Holly Neault loves to hike and bike on the trail system. Thousands of people travel here related to races on the Ice Age Trails. The second oldest ultra marathon in the country is held here, but Holly feels it will not continue if the project is built. The area is also a hub of road biking activity – one of the best in the country. “We see deer, fox, pileated woodpeckers two feet tall, egrets, river otters, bald eagles, bobcats, badgers, bears, and mountain lions. What will happen to them when all this area is fenced in? It will be a hazard to cars. We’ll need an animal lane instead of a bike lane.”

Newmark asked Cheryl Wagner if her husband is an intervenor. She confirmed that he is, but stated she’s been married 43 years but “not today.” She wished to make her own statement. She spoke of the terrible stress that she and her husband have been under from a head-on collision three years ago. Her stress level is now through the roof. “No one from the project visited me,” she said, a comment that others made. She also anticipated that her pets would be severely affected by the construction noise, and that neighbors’ horses would be spooked.

Michael P. Pope stated that the money offered for solar is high, yet many of the people who’ve signed on never farmed the land; for example, they married into ownership and the spouse died. Now it’s all about the money.

Andy Ascher was concerned about the potential impacts of chemicals to the drinking water. 980 acres of solar panels will also result in increased heat, he said.

Dawn Rocha stated that she received the postcard announcing the project not one week before the first meeting. Bluff Road residents have been in turmoil since last August. “We’ve been in the dark for years. Why were we not made aware when leases started being offered in 2021 or earlier? Why do we have to obtain permits, but a utility can take their proposal to the state level without going to the town or county?”

Pam Collins lives in the Darien area, where a huge “solar farm” was recently constructed. It is not producing enough electricity and now they’re putting in a natural gas plant.

Molly Hinderer is expecting her first child and is overcome with anxiety and fear. At the minimum, she felt they should require an environmental impact statement or at least provide an extension for public comment. There were significant changes to the project proposal in June and people haven’t had a chance to review it.

Joe Vultaggio lives on SR 89 and will be completely surrounded by the project. “Is the power going to Milwaukee, not even benefitting our area?”

Lorie Hoyt spoke of national security concerns. “The panels are made in China; is there a possibility that they could shut the system down? At the intervenors’ hearing, five community members, who are heroes, were up against five lawyers.”

John Stuckowski is concerned about real estate values. “Ranger Power commissioned a study, but just because properties didn’t sell, it said there was no effect on property values.”

Rebecca Fredricks said there’s a time and a place for solar, but not here. The applicants have been negligent, or even dishonest at worst. The Southeast Planning Commission’s priority is maintaining farmland. She’s an RN and has seen plenty of suffering. She’s seen people here suffering due to what’s going to happen to their lifestyle. They’re not sure they can have confidence in the PSC. There’s a way to minimize the harm by moving to the alternative locations. [After the meeting this reader was told by Yvette Loiselle that one of the alternate locations would impact only two homes rather than 25.]

Peter Gilregal helped to install the solar farm in Jefferson. “It was the worst working conditions of my life,” he stated.

Editor’s note: The Whitewater Banner does not have a position on this project; however, we encourage all area residents who have comments for/against the project, to submit their comments on the PSC website by Friday evening. One of the comments that was made in the meeting was that many of the online comments have been made by people who live in Milwaukee and other areas of the state.

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

On July 4 the Whitewater Fire Department had a ceremonial “push-in” for a new fire truck, a tradition that dates to the 19th century when horse-drawn equipment needed to be literally pushed into the fire house. Here is a photo of Whitewater’s 19th century horse-drawn hose cart that needed a real “push-in.” The photo is from the 1920s when the Whitewater Fire Department was posing with its mechanized trucks alongside this old equipment.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(#3814P, Whitewater Historical Society)

TODAY IS THE DAY!

Join us today, July 12 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at Washington Elementary (506 E Main St, Whitewater) for a celebration three years in the making — the grand opening of the newly reconstructed tennis courts, envisioned by Reese Brantmeier!

This isn’t just a ribbon cutting — it’s a community block party with games, music, food trucks, and fun for all ages. Reese’s dream was to build a welcoming, healthy space for neighbors to connect, and we’re thrilled to bring it to life together.

Rain or shine — we’ve got a plan either way!

Ribbon cutting at 1:00 PM

Live entertainment, interactive booths & more

Food trucks on-site

School restrooms available

In case of rain, everything moves inside the school gym.

Volunteers: Please arrive by 12:00 PM.

Questions? Contact Becky Brantmeier at (414) 520-8914.

Let’s celebrate community, connection, and the power of a shared vision. We can’t wait to see you there!

Editor’s note: This announcement is from the city Facebook page. Previous articles about this event and about Reese’s accomplishments in the tennis world may be found here and here.