News & Events

Editor’s note: The following press release update was issued by the City of Whitewater Police Department on October 16 at 12:55 p.m.

Whitewater Police Search for Potentially Armed Suspect at Large – SUSPECT IN CUSTODY

On Monday, October 16, 2023, at 11:11 a.m., officers of the Whitewater Police Department took Yefferson Guzman Rodriguez into custody. Officers initially spotted Guzman Rodriguez in the 900 block of Highland St. and he immediately fled on foot. Officers pursued Guzman Rodriguez on foot and took him into custody in the 300 block of S. Prince St. Guzman Rodriguez actively resisted officers’ attempts to take him into custody, and a taser was successfully deployed ending the pursuit.

Whitewater Unified School District staff were notified immediately that the suspect was approaching the area of Lincoln Elementary. The school was placed in a “hold lock” status until officers completed a search of the path Guzman Rodriguez ran to ensure that no weapons were found in the area.

Additional investigation of the incident occurring on the night of October 15th revealed that the victim, an adult female, had been battered and strangled. It was reported that at one point the victim lost consciousness. The suspect will be confined in the Walworth County Jail, and the following charges will be forwarded to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office: Kidnapping (Wis. Stat. 940.31(1)(c)), False Imprisonment (Wis. Stat. 940.30), 1st Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety (Wis. Stat. 941.30(1)), Substantial Battery (Wis. Stat. 940.19(2)), Strangulation (Wis. Stat. 940.235), Disorderly Conduct (Wis. Stat. 947.01), and Resist/Obstruct Officer (Wis. Stat. 946.41(1)).

The Whitewater Police Department thanks those who provided tips and assisted in the investigation. It is noted that this case has not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.

Editor’s note: The following press release was issued by the City of Whitewater Police Department on October 16 at 8:16 a.m.

On Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 10:23 pm, the Whitewater Police Department received a report of a female needing assistance at 363 S. Janesville Street. Officers learned that Yefferson Guzman Rodriguez, 18, of Whitewater, had reportedly held the female, an acquaintance, against her will for multiple days, and at [a] point held a gun against her head. Guzman Rodriguez is described as 5’8” tall, 150 pounds, and he is a Spanish speaker.

It is believed that Guzman Rodriguez fled from the residence upon arrival of officers. It was reported that he was armed at that time, and had potentially barricaded himself in a detached garage or in the basement of the residence. Guzman Rodriguez had made comments to the victim about willingness to harm law enforcement. Officers set a perimeter around the residence and garage. The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and Beloit Police Department SWAT team responded to assist in the search of the property. The suspect was not located on the property during the search. Whitewater Police simultaneously searched multiple residences occupied by individuals known to the suspect without locating him.

At this time Guzman Rodriguez is still at large and is considered to be armed. He reportedly possesses multiple rifles. Guzman Rodriguez is wanted for the following crimes: Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, Recklessly Endangering Safety, Intentionally Point Firearm at Person, and Disorderly Conduct.

Whitewater Police have been in contact with staff from the Whitewater Unified School District as well as UW-Whitewater Police so that appropriate security measures can be put in place. We are asking the public to be vigilant. If you see something suspicious, contact the Whitewater Police Department immediately at 262-473-0555 option #4. Call 911 in an emergency. Anonymous tips may be shared using P3Tips.com. The Whitewater Police Department thanks the assisting law enforcement agencies for sending their staff and resources.

It is noted that this case has not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.

Editor’s note: The following announcement has been released by UW-Whitewater to the campus community.

Campus community,

UW-Whitewater Police are in regular communication with City of Whitewater Police and the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department regarding the ongoing search for a potentially armed suspect wanted for crimes in the city. Because of the information we have, the university remains open and operational and classes are continuing as scheduled.

• As a precaution, campus police have increased foot patrols, mobile patrols and video surveillance.
• Students who live in residence halls should continue to follow good safety practices by not opening the doors for others, and only allowing access via HawkCard.
• As part of our operational procedures, as with any situation, please use your own best judgment and consider your personal safety before deciding to attend classes or work. Students, as always, make sure you communicate with your instructors if you won’t be in class. Employees who cannot make it safely to work should contact their supervisors and request appropriate leave or make arrangements for remote work as their job duties allow.

City of Whitewater Police are asking the public to be vigilant. If you see something suspicious, contact the Whitewater Police Department immediately at 262-473-0555 option #4. Call 911 in an emergency. Anonymous tips may be shared using P3Tips.com. 

Editor’s note: Updated on 10/17 at 5 p.m. to add School District event on Wednesday.

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Monday @ 3:30 p.m.
Agenda = 2024 draft budget review
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/948159733
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code:
948-159-733
United States:
1 (646) 749-3122
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
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City of Whitewater Alcohol Licensing Committee – Monday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda = hearing of appeals of denial of beverage operator’s licenses
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82447418895?pwd=dJ6v-OyVrHFuwS5CZ49PsKnv84MpLQ.F6-
YzgoxtRCBwY7C
Telephone: 1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 824 4741 8895
Passcode: 645273

Irvin L. Young Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Library Community Room 431 West Center,
*In Person and Virtual
Agenda includes Discussion of the library director position description and next steps for the search committee, followed by executive session to discuss appointment of an interim library director effective November 27. The board will reconvene after the executive session.
Please click the link below to join the meeting:
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 899 2965 6951
Passcode: EzXQ7vJz
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 899 2965 6951
Passcode: 50657151

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Agenda includes Discussion with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater regarding the Innovation Center, Presentation and Overview of Draft 2024 Budget, first reading of an ordinance to amend Mobile Homes & Mobile Home Parks, first reading of an ordinance regarding licensing of short-term rentals, Discussion and possible action regarding an RFP for legal services to retain an outside law firm to advise the Common Council on employee discipline and personnel matters not to exceed $10,000, Closed session (to reconvene) to discuss MOU/MSP with UWW concerning the Innovation Center Item to be discussed: 1)Discussion regarding complaints received by the Human Resources Department.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81116772484?pwd=Ro9fjhHaRgRt8uAknylwyVHynNdqkw.MBXVHonVB6IBB
WoL
Telephone: 1 312 626 6799 US
Webinar ID: 811 1677 2484
Passcode: 451871
Please click the link below to join the webinar (after the closed session):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88581189176?pwd=5rPzHrk3EGefCMhJg0YXrqPw9rAT_A.51Y8m4GYM7XSH
vAv
Telephone: 1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 885 8118 9176
Passcode: 173751

Parks & Recreation Board Public Notice – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West
Whitewater Str *In Person
Meet and greet of new Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Boehm

Members of the Whitewater School Board will be attending the WUSD Unplugged session at the Central Office on
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 beginning at 6:00 p.m. A quorum of the School Board may be present; however, the
Board will not be conducting any business during the event.

Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
(In Person & Virtual)
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action regarding acceptance of proposed Real Estate Listing Contract for brokerage services for sale of City-owned properties, and discussion regarding housing strategy going forward.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89101540851?pwd=uXqfKM9W-Lvfes5y64AlhkFxIZ4AoQ.yK18q4rsbLfScFxW
Passcode: 207682
Or Telephone: 1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 891 0154 0851
Passcode: 207682

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.

Kathy Ross is a WUL Hometown Hero, and has been nominated by Suzanne Chenoweth at Lincoln Elementary School and by Fairhaven “For all she does for our community at Lincoln Elementary School, Whitewater Middle School and Fairhaven.”

Suzanne Chenoweth says, “She helps sort through old and new books, reshelves them, boxes them, or finds new homes for them.  She is a joy to be around.  We enjoy her southern accent and sharing books we’ve read.  The Lincoln reading team would be LOST without her help.  She also helps with other areas of need at our school, selflessly giving of her time. We appreciate her immensely at Lincoln Elementary School. She also keeps many of the Little Free Libraries in town stocked with books.  And, Kathy volunteers her time at the middle school library as needed.”

Fairhaven shares, “While the list of what Kathy volunteers with/for is too long to write up, the one thing we can say about her is that she gives her HEART to anything and everything.  Kathy provides countless hours each week helping on projects, tasks and social visits that not only impact the staff but also that of the residents.  Her care, compassion and energy is like none other and we are so grateful to have Kathy as a member of the Fairhaven Family.”

Kathy is also a dedicated volunteer at Prairie Village, the Whitewater Public Library and the Whitewater Senior Center. 

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com 

On Saturday, October 14, twenty-one members of Ferradermis, multiple Ferradermis alumni, and the Washington Bricklayers FIRST LEGO League (FLL) team traveled to Lake Denoon Middle School in Muskego for the inaugural TWIST Off-Season Event hosted by the WarriorBots FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team from Muskego High School. Eighteen FRC robots, representing nineteen schools from Wisconsin and Illinois, took the field in competition beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at approximately 5 p.m. Eight FLL teams rotated through two two-hour scrimmages that allowed them to try out their new robots in a first-ever pre-season event for FLL.

TWIST was an event with a twist – all members of the high school drive teams needed to be female or non-binary. TWIST (Together, Women in STEM Thrive) was an event meant to highlight the role of women in STEM and encourage female team members to take on roles that they normally don’t do within the team. For Whitewater High School, sophomore Programming Lead Ace Hudec and sophomore Electro-Mechanical Lead Erison Dreksler had already been members of the Ferradermis drive team for the 2023 season, but Ace took on a new role as Driver on Saturday; Erison remained in the role of Human Player. They were joined on the drive team for Saturday by Robot Operator junior Outreach Lead Maddison LaHaie, Drive Coach junior Game Strategy Lead Emerson Dunham, and Technician senior Administrative Team Member Ghati Binagi. In regular season competition, the role of Drive Coach is filled by an adult, the team’s Head Coach and alum Jacob Lee. Coach Lee took on an advisory only role on Saturday, consulting with the drive team between matches.

Ferradermis is currently 61% female, which is highly unique in the robotics world. What did this mean for TWIST? It meant that some of our team members were able to step into roles on other drive teams for teams that didn’t have enough female members! Administrative Team Captain senior Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman served as Technician for FRC Team #8701 Graffiti from Greendale High School where she was joined by Electrical Team Member sophomore Belle Cohen who served as Graffiti’s Human Player. Sophomore Nina Heim stepped in at the last minute to fill out the drive team for FRC Team #930 from Mukwonago High School, serving as their Technician. This would lead to a very unique situation at the end of the day, when the Ferradermis alliance and the alliance containing Greendale and Mukwonago faced off in the event finals!

CAD Team Lead junior Zoe Olson took on the role of Head Scout, representing the team on the field for Alliance Selections while Safety Captain sophomore Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman spent most of the day watching over the team’s pit. Sophomore Margaret Brown continued to film matches for the team, bringing the footage to the drive team for analysis after every match. Robot Team Captain Andrew O’Toole and Business Team Lead Andrew Zimmermann worked with the scouting data being gathered in order to prepare a “pick list” for alliance selections. Scouts included sophomores Chacha Binagi and Rae Breisath who helped support freshmen Toby Kapfer, Ian Kowalkiewicz, Carson Miller, Preston Miller, Kai Peterson, and Ava Van Daele.

Ferradermis ranked #3 out of 18 robots after going 5-3 in the qualification round where robots are randomly assigned to play three-on-three matches. Ranking is based not only on overall match results but on specific tasks robots can accomplish during the matches. The top seed, the host WarriorBots, then asked Ferradermis to join their alliance for the elimination round, a double-elimination playoff tournament. Warrior and Ferradermis invited FRC Team #5125 Hawks on the Horizon from McKinley Park, Illinois to join them to round out their playoff alliance.

The #1 alliance received a bye in the first round of the playoffs and then defeated the #4 seeded alliance 106-103 and the #3 seeded alliance 113-95 to move undefeated into the finals. The #6 seeded alliance made up of Greendale, Mukwonago, and Roaring Robotics from Naperville, Illinois worked their way through the bottom half of the playoff bracket, defeating the #2, #3, and #4-seeded alliances to meet Ferradermis in the finals. In the finals, the champion is declared after a best-of-three series of matches. Ferradermis and Warrior fought hard, with their third teammate unable to move for much of one match, and lost 115-89 and 112-102. The difference in each of the finals matches was the ability of the robots to balance the charging station platform in the final 30 seconds of the match.

A highlight of the day for Ferradermis was their receipt of the “TWIST Ties” Award, which celebrated the team that was the most fun to play with and best embodied the values of Gracious Professionalism. This award was selected based on peer nominations and was a direct reflection of the team’s willingness to support other teams who were short-handed. Gracious Professionalism is a trait highly valued in FIRST Robotics and was a phrase coined by the late Woodie Flowers, co-founder of the program. According to FIRST, “Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process.”

Ferradermis was thrilled to see so many of its alumni involved and giving back to the program throughout the day. In addition to Ferradermis head coach Jacob Lee who works as an engineer in Menomonee Falls, Ferradermis founding member Wesley Salverson, a new MSOE grad working as an engineer in Fond du Lac, was on hand as a mentor for FRC Team Fondy Fire. Alum Rosie Aschenbrener volunteered as a judge, while alum Reilly Aschenbrener worked field-side for the entire tournament. Daniel Portwine, a 2023 graduate who will soon be mentoring FRC Team UPS in Milwaukee on behalf of MSOE, was there to support Ferradermis. It was also great to see alum Andrew Rollette there to support his little sister who is a member of the Washington FLL team.

Washington teacher Chris Nate led the Washington Bricklayers FLL team through three robot runs during the first-ever FLL pre-season scrimmage. The team was able to show great improvement, increasing their score from 100 to 155 from their first to second run. They were also able to showcase their Innovation Project publicly for the first time. The team now has until mid-November to take what they learned and make improvements before taking the field in competition. Catch FLL teams from all of our district elementary schools and the middle school in action at Mukwonago High School for a Regional event on Saturday, November 18. Like all FIRST events, this is free and open to the public.

As for Ferradermis, they will continue to meet and train in preparation for the reveal of their new season’s game during the kickoff event on January 6 before taking the field with a new robot for the 2024 competition in Duluth, Minnesota on February 29. Watch for them downtown on Ghoul’s Night Out and in the Whitewater Holiday Parade of Lights.

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor and Banner Volunteer
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

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

On October 9 the Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission unanimously granted conditional approval to the site plan which was submitted for a free-standing Dollar Tree store at the corner of Main Street and Indian Mound Parkway.

There was no public comment. While recognizing that the commission’s role does not include evaluation of the viability of a planned business, commissioner Carol McCormick inquired as to whether the applicants are aware that there is already a Dollar General on the east side of town. Brad Marquardt, public works director, indicated that originally Dollar Tree had considered a property across the street from Dollar General, but the site was not found to be satisfactory for the construction. Marquardt remarked that the Dollar Tree representative stated that they’re like Walgreens and CVS, in that they like to be located close to a competitor’s building. A Dollar Tree store was located in the strip mall on Main Street a number of years ago. Their previous location is now leased by Anytime Fitness.

The only conditions the commission placed on the approval was that the landscaping plan be submitted and approved by the Urban Forestry Commission, that the lighting plan be submitted and approved by the city staff, and that the driveway on Main Street be reduced, per code, to 35 feet instead of 37 feet.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Community Foundation.

The Whitewater Community Foundation is now accepting applications for Fall Community Action Grants.  Grants will be awarded to local non-profit organizations actively working to support the greater Whitewater community. 

Qualified projects should be intended for educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent purposes that will benefit and improve the greater Whitewater community.  Consideration will also be made based on the results of the 2023 Civic Summit, when more than 30 community members, business leaders, educators, nonprofit organizers, and others determined key areas for improvement in Whitewater:

• Communicating to Whitewater’s diverse population in English and Spanish, making signage bilingual, coordinating communication to all groups, and providing opportunities for people of different backgrounds, age groups, etc. to integrate to help meet community needs;
• Housing assistance, affordability and accessibility for families and professionals seeking to purchase homes;  
• Marketing Whitewater by coordinating and cross-pollinating events, calendars and volunteer opportunities.

Projects are expected to be accomplished within a specific period of time (generally not more than one year) and should be creative, innovative and address community needs.  Interested organizations can find more information and fill out an application at WCFGrantApplication.pdf   The deadline for submitting applications is October 31, 2023.

Kat Mawhinney, WCF Board Member who chairs the Community Action Grant Selection Committee, said, “We are pleased to be able to offer these grants to organizations helping to make the Whitewater community stronger.”

Organizations interested in pursuing a Whitewater Community Foundation Action Grant should check out the Whitewater Community Foundation web site https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/community-action-grants/ or contact Kat at 262-473-1403.

The Foundation continues to provide and host scholarships for Whitewater High School students and also offers fiscal sponsorship to organizations that are seeking 501(c) (3) status or require temporary pass-through funds for worthy community projects.

More information about the Whitewater Community Foundation can be found at whitewatercommunityfoundation.org and on Facebook. 

The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to “enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.”

Editor’s note: The following report was provided courtesy of Marilyn Fuerstenberg.

Whitewater High School classes of 1960, 1961 and 1962 celebrated their 63, 62, and 61 Reunion on Sept. 7,8,9. A welcome party at the Willow Brook Golf Course, a matinee lunch and play at the Fireside, and a dinner with an Elvis Tribute show by Logan Ramey and door prizes at The Evergreen Golf Club. It was a fun time reconnecting with our friends from years ago.

A “little video montage” of the event may be viewed here.

Classmates came from Oregon, Arizona, Kansas, Florida, Iowa, North
Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, North Dakota, and more.

Due to the closure of the Hawk Apartments, DLK is accepting $25 donations to the Whitewater Food Pantry for working 15 and 16 cu. ft. refrigerators that work well in garage settings. There also are a number of 220 volt, 20″ electric ranges available on a donation basis. Interested parties may call 262-473-5321 for details.

By the way, in response to a question that was passed on by The Banner, Mike Kachel indicates that they will try to have a sale of Hawk Bowl memorabilia sometime in the near future.

Editor’s note: The refrigerator photo on the homepage is not representative of the available appliances.