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Today is Wednesday, May 13, 2026
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The Greater Whitewater Committee is set to host Whitewater Unified School District’s newly named Superintendent, Samuel Karns, as a guest speaker at the upcoming July GWC meeting.
The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) is set to host Whitewater Unified School District’s (WUSD) newly named Superintendent, Samuel Karns, as a guest speaker at the upcoming July GWC meeting. Karns will be presenting on the values and goals he brings to the WUSD and the greater Whitewater community.
This event will take place on Thursday, July 10th at 7:00 a.m. at the Community Engagement Center: 1260 W Main St.
Samuel Karns has assumed the role of Superintendent of Whitewater Unified School District. He expressed his honor and excitement about joining the Leadership Team at WUSD, with a primary focus on keeping students as the #1 priority. Karns is dedicated to fostering an equitable environment where high expectations for academic achievement and continuous improvement are upheld for every student, every day, in a unified way.
Before joining WUSD, Karns served as the principal at Todd Elementary in Beloit, WI, for the past three years. He recently received the Herb Kohl Leadership Award and was named Wisconsin’s 2025 Elementary Principal of the Year by the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA) for his leadership at Todd Elementary; he is honored for promoting a collaborative culture, engaging the diverse needs of students, and raising the school and surrounding community to a higher standard than ever before. Karns is also committed to the Whole Child approach, actively promoting the Whole School Whole Community Whole Child framework from ASCD [fomerly known as the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development] by speaking on it at national and state level conferences.
Samuel completed his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2007 and obtained a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University in 2013. He recently finished his superintendent licensure program at Concordia University in December 2024 and is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree.
Outside of his professional commitments, Samuel enjoys exercising, playing golf, and spending time with his wife, Jamie, and their four children: Jackson, Tanner, Milo, and Danbi.
The GWC’s upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 10th at 7 a.m. at the Community Engagement Center: 1260 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190. The public is more than welcome to attend this meeting to learn more about the new superintendent. If you are interested in attending, you must RSVP. To reserve your spot, contact Jeff Knight at jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662 by Wednesday, July 9th.
“We are very excited to have Samuel Karns at our next meeting,” said GWC President, Jeffery Knight. “We are happy to have the chance to get to know him and welcome him to Whitewater.”
For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.
About the GWC
The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to collaborating with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies needed to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
Happy 4th of July! Here is a photo from 2005 of the 4th grounds at Lakefront Park. The 4th grounds were moved to Lakefront Park in 2001, so this will be the 24th year the festivities have been held here. Previously, the grounds were at Starin Park.
The historical society hopes everyone has a safe and fun 4th!
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(Photo from the Dan Sable Collection)
Updated 7/2/25 @ 8:45 p.m. to add the push-in for the new fire truck on Friday.
Join us for Whitewater’s Annual 4th of July Celebration — happening July 3rd–6th at the Cravath Lakefront!
It’s a tradition generations strong — where family, friends, and neighbors come together to celebrate Independence Day with:
TWO nights of fireworks
A family-owned carnival with rides, games, funnel cakes, & more!
Food & beer served up by local churches and civic groups
Live music at the Frawley Ampitheatre
A massive 4th of July parade full of hometown spirit
And don’t forget there’s also: Miss Whitewater Pageant, Karaoke, Car Show, AND family day complete with camel rides!
There’s something for everyone, and **you’re invited** to be part of the celebration!
4th of July Festival Quick Tips from the questions we get most often:
– Festival opens Thursday. Full schedule on Website – www.whitewater4th.com or at the bottom of this article
– Festival is cash only. Yup it’s true, plan ahead.
– Wrist band sessions are on the festival schedule and only at specific times not throughout the entire event.
– All food vendors south of the railroad tracks are local organizations – this is a fundraiser for them. Please support them as much and as often as you can. [Food and beverages from the community groups require tickets that are purchased from the festival booths. Those tickets may not be used for the carnival rides and food.]
– Fireworks are 10 pm 7/4, 7/5. If for any reason there are weather changes the ONLY place to stay informed is the Whitewater 4th of July Festival Facebook page, we are a water launch and a metal platform + explosives + lightning don’t mix.
– The festival (outside of family owned and operated carnival) is volunteer run; please be kind and thankful for the tremendous amount of time these folks invest in this event to celebrate with their friends and neighbors.
– The parade is 7/4 at 10 am. Preceded by the Whippet City Mile at 9:45. Road closure is a firm 9:30 am.
– Road closures around the festival on Whitewater St run through 7/7. Thanks for your patience.
– Helping hands make light work. The festival is always seeking volunteers and donor support. Connect with us down at the ticket booths or by email whitewater4th@gmail.com
– Thank the city streets crews when you see them. They are also working as hard as our volunteers, and we are so thankful for their partnership.
Last but not least, be patient with our social media page, we try to answer comments but once we’re on-site that is our primary focus.
Have an absolutely amazing holiday week, be safe, hydrate, and have fun! PS we really won’t mind if you share this post to help remind your friends!
Festival Schedule
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Christman Family Amusements Wrist Band Session: 5-9 PM, $25 each wrist band
Family Day Sponsored by Generac 4-7 PM
Karaoke at Frawley Ampitheater: 4-6 PM
Miss Whitewater Pageant at Frawley Ampitheater: 6:30 PM
Civic Organization Food Vendors: 4-11 PM
Friday, July 4
Whippet City Mile: 9:45 AM along parade route
4th of July Parade: 10 AM
Civic Organization Food Vendors: 10 AM to 11 PM
Push-in ceremony for new fire engine – Noon at the Fire Department (holding off till 12:30 if the parade is still underway)
Christman Family Amusements: 12-4 PM Wrist band Session
Live Music at Frawley Amphitheater:
After the Parade – enjoy one of the bands in the parade on stage!
2 PM Jeff Winard Polka Party
5 PM Rural Route 3
8 PM Stetsin and Lace
Fireworks: 10 PM
Saturday, July 5
Christman Family Amusements Wrist Band Sessions: 12-4 pm, 5-9 pm – $25
40th Annual Car Show 2-6 PM
Civic Organization Food Vendors: Noon to 11 PM
Live Music at the Frawley Ampitheater:
12-1:30 PM Brian Matteson
2 PM Sawyer Road
5 PM Gebel Girls
8 PM Brightside
Fireworks 10 PM
Sunday, July 6
Carnival Only – Last chance for rides and a wrist band session!
Christman Family Amusements Wrist Band Special: 12 to 4 PM, $25 each
Editor’s note: This article is based on the festival’s Facebook page and website.
The editor was on vacation for ten days recently, and the Banner is most appreciative of our longtime volunteer staffers keeping the “presses” running so capably during this time. Laura Masbruch had her eye on the very active inbox while formatting and publishing the posts. Dee Hoglund provided support. Thank you, Laura and Dee, for your dedicated work throughout the years, and especially for taking on this additional responsibility.
Lisa Dawsey Smith, Whitewater 4th of July Festival Event Organizer, told The Whitewater Banner that due to the forecast of possible storms this evening, the fireworks show may begin earlier than the 10 p.m. scheduled time. “If there’s lightning in the area, and we get a break in the weather, the show might be launched as early as 9 p.m. I’d recommend that spectators arrive by 9 to ensure that they don’t miss the show.” By the way, one person who saw last night’s show said that she has seen many of our shows, and this was “the best I’ve ever seen here.”
More than 2,000 students graduated from the Spring Semester from Des Moines Area Community College’s (DMACC’s) Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Newton, Urban and West Campuses.
Those recognized from your area include:
–Brian Coffey, Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding and Production MIG Welding, Whitewater
About DMACC
DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College) is one of America’s top-rated two-year institutions of higher learning. DMACC is dedicated to changing lives by offering an accessible, affordable and outstanding educational experience to students from across Iowa and the nation. Situated in one of the country’s most vibrant regions, DMACC is proud to welcome students of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs to a welcoming and friendly College community. DMACC offers 10 career pathways, which encompass more than 220 credit and non-credit programs, degrees and certificates available to students. Each year, DMACC serves more than 55,000 students, annually across the College’s six campuses and seven learning centers and through DMACC Online. Students from every state in the nation and 41 countries now attend DMACC. DMACC’s talented graduates excel in the workforce and in life.
By Laura Masbruch
Math and Computer Science Teacher
Team Administrator FRC Team #6574
Whitewater High School
During the 2024-2025 school year, Whitewater High School is proud to announce that 61 students earned a total of 64 industry certifications in various areas of career and technical education. This group included 3 freshmen, 12 sophomores, 21 juniors, and 25 members of the Class of 2025. Congratulations to Aylin Acevedo Cuevas, Payton Brautigam, and Alexa Wildenberg for each earning 2 certifications. The number of students earning certifications through Whitewater High School coursework is up from 4 in 2021-2022, 36 in 2022-2023, and 40 in 2023-2024.
Certifications Earned in 2024-2025:
- ASE – Automotive Service Excellence – 14 students
- Westley Carlson, Liam Evans, Ethan Gillihan, Logan Kienbaum, Jimmy Kinson, Anakin Knudsen, Zoe Olson, Isaac Straight, Josmar Zuniga Ortiz, Edrick Camacho Rivera, Kevin Gonzalez, Lawson Reynolds, Edward Rohloff, Casey Schlicher
- ITS – Information Technology Specialist: HTML/CSS – 1 student, Java – 5 students, Python – 1 student
- Lucinda DiFiore, Ace Hudec, Matthew Carollo, Colby Long, Silas Long, Joshua Nygren, Emilie Bruns
- CNA – Certified Nurse Aide – 14 students
- Payton Brautigam, Adalynn Frye, Ariadna Gonzalez Cervantes, Charlotte Hajewski, Delaney Hammack, Alexandria Kaczoroski, Gabrielle Kirley, Savannah O’Neal, Odette Romero Bustos, Aimee Servin, Rebecca Sortino, Athena Soto Olmos, Stephanie Walters, Alexa Wildenberg
- ACCT – Assistant Childcare Teacher – 16 students
- Aylin Acevedo Cuevas, Hailee Ambrose, Kiani Aranda, Payton Brautigam, Lucy Davis, Jackie Franco, Ella Gennetta, Jennifer Gosh, Emily Henderson, Kaia Jones, Zoe Kohl, Mia Mendez Espineira, Amun Norris, Gisselle Perez, Ontaya Shepard, Brianna Valdez
- Childcare Group Essentials – 3 students
- Aylin Acevedo Cuevas, Nina Heim, Alexandra Valadez
- MOS – Microsoft Office Specialist – 10 students earned at least 2 of these certifications
- Isabel Aranda, Tyler Babcock, Liliana Cichon, Brooklyn Griswold, Maddison LaHaie, Ruth Lopez Lopez, Emily Schmidt, Lucille Troxel, Alexa Wildenberg, Andrew Zimmermann
The Career and Technical Education Incentive Grant program incentivizes Wisconsin school districts to offer high-quality career and technical education programs to meet workforce needs in key industries facing shortages of qualified entry level workers. District incentive grants provide up to $1,000 per recent graduate earning a certification from the approved certifications list. Student completion awards of $500 per eligible certification are available for students earning specific certifications. Students receive their financial awards from the state within a year after graduation.
With great pride, the Whitewater Unified School District celebrates the incredible opportunities our students have and the outstanding achievements they continue to reach. Through innovative programs focused on career awareness, exploration, and preparation, we’re empowering the leaders of tomorrow. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated WUSD staff, community members, and business partners for your unwavering support in shaping the future workforce.
For questions about Career and Technical Education [CTE] programs at Whitewater High School, reach out to new CTE Coordinator Michael Rick at ricmi01@wwusd.org.
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office is predicting that rain and storms will develop and move through our area starting tonight and ending late Friday morning. Tonight, isolated strong storms are possible with main hazards of small hail and gusty wind. Friday morning, heavy rain and lightning will be the main concerns.
Hot and humid conditions are anticipated through the weekend with high temperatures and high indices in the upper 80s to upper 90s. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
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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