News & Events

MADISON — As previously announced, on Sat., Oct. 7, 2023, and Sat., Oct. 14, 2023, the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin will be flown at half-staff coinciding with the Final Alarm Ceremony and Silent Procession at the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial Park in Wisconsin Rapids, which is hosted by the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial, and in honor of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. In May, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #197 ordering the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 7, 2023, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, on Sat., Oct. 7, 2023, in recognition of the Final Alarm Ceremony at the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial, and again on Sat., Oct. 14, 2023, as required by state statute in observance of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day during Fire Prevention Week, October 8 through October 14.

“Each and every day, Wisconsin firefighters risk their own health and safety in order to serve their neighbors in their greatest time of need, and we owe them an incredible debt of gratitude for keeping our communities safe,” said Gov. Evers. “On Firefighters Memorial Day and throughout the year, we honor their immense sacrifice and remember the selflessness and bravery of those firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.”

Previously, National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend had been held in October, but beginning in 2023, was moved from October to May by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation. However, in Wisconsin, Wis. Stat. 995.225(1) still designates each week annually during which October 9 falls as Fire Prevention Week and designates the Saturday at the end of Fire Prevention Week as Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. 

Executive Order #197 subsequently orders the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Oct. 7, 2023, in recognition of the Final Alarm Ceremony at the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial, and on Sat., Oct. 14, 2023, in honor of Fire Prevention Week, which features observances, ceremonies, exercises, and activities related to fire safety education, and culminates with the observance of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day in recognition of the firefighters of this state who made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties over the course of the year. A copy of the governor’s Fire Prevention Week proclamation is available here.

The City of Whitewater – Department of Public Works will collect leaf and yard waste during the established dates in October and November with no appointment needed.

• Residents may place their bagged yard waste on the curb no earlier than Saturday, October 21, for collection during the week of October 23 – October 27, 2023.

• Residents may place their bagged yard waste on the curb no earlier than Saturday, November 4, for collection during the week of: November 6 – November 10, 2023 and November 13 – November 17, 2023.

However, all bags must be brought to the curb for final collection by Wednesday, November 15. Bio-Bags left outside in the elements during the winter months will NOT be collected during the spring collection.

*Dates may be subject to change in the event we experience accumulating snow during this time.

For residents who miss the collection deadline of November 17, a dumpster will be available at the City garage (150 E. Starin Rd.) between November 20 – December 1, between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. *Please note the facility will be closed on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24.

Spring collection will be dependent on weather conditions.

Yard waste is defined as leaves, weeds, grass clippings, and yard and garden debris. Yard waste must be bagged in 30 gallon or smaller biodegradable, clear or transparent bags only. Yard waste will not be collected if not properly bagged or placed in non-transparent or black bags. The City offers Bio-Bags, in the fall only, at the Finance Department. Residents may also use the compost site to dispose of leaf and yard waste. The compost site is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. The compost site will close for the season at 6:00 p.m., on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.

Residents requesting brush collection should call 473-0560 to make an appointment for pick up on Tuesdays.

NOTICE: City Ordinance Chapter 12.08 – Street Obstructions, Section: 12.08.010 – Residents are prohibited from depositing any yard waste debris on city streets or right of ways other than City of Whitewater designated days.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week we are responding to a request from September for a view of the outside of the old Esterly School once located at the west end of Center Street. This building was constructed around 1860 and used as the spacious home of George Esterly, Whitewater’s most prominent industrialist in the 19th century. When the Esterly company left Whitewater in 1892 and George Esterly died in 1893, the house became available. At the same time, the nearby Union School (Big Brick, corner of Center and Prairie Streets) was being taken over by Whitewater’s new high school program so elementary school children were moved from the Union School to this building beginning in 1894. The Esterly School was used until 1927, when it was razed for the new Whitewater High School building (old Franklin Junior High School, not extant).

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

(4458PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

On Behalf of the U W Whitewater Community Optimist Club Al Hutchison, President, hands check over of $2000 to the WUSD Emergency Fund to Lanora Heim (right) and Jaclyn Tueting Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent & School Board Secretary.

These funds came from our trivia night which we would like to thank the community for their support.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Public Library.

Community members are invited to attend a free screening of the film “Wisconsin Pride” at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library on Monday, October 9 at 5:30 p.m. See Wisconsin history through a new lens in this PBS Wisconsin documentary which brings hidden LGBTQ+ stories forward, and reconsiders our state’s history in that light. LGBTQ+ history is Wisconsin history. Learn about trailblazing Wisconsinites who, when faced with intolerance, responded by creating community, living authentically, fighting for rights and having pride in themselves.   

The two-hour documentary is a collaboration between PBS Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Historical Society and will be presented in two parts with a short intermission in between each hour. An informal community discussion will follow the film. The screening is cosponsored by The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area and Whitewater Pride.  

Ellen Penwell, President of the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area states that, “the League is proud to partner with the Irvin L Young Memorial Library in support of programming that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, which align with the League’s policy and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in principle and practice.”

There is no cost or registration to attend. The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact the library at 262-473-0530 with questions.  

The Whitewater Arts Alliance is extending its Hallow’s Gala Call for Art in October 2023. The non-profit organization wants to amass a bigger presence towards this event and open the door for more artists. The exhibition is open to Halloween and fantasy enthusiasts of all mediums (2D and/or 3D). The new application submission deadline is Sunday, October 8, 2023.

Applicants can register online at https://www.whitewaterarts.org/…/2023-hallows-gala… or mail their forms to Whitewater Arts Alliance, P.O. Box 311, Whitewater, WI 53190. Forms can be downloaded from https://www.whitewaterarts.org/hallows-gala-2023

The new duration for the Hallow’s Gala will run from October 13 to 29, 2023. The closing reception will still be on October 29 at 6:00 p.m. The virtual show will also open on October 30, 2023. Visitors can view the show at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190, Thursdays through Sundays from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Questions can be directed towards the Whitewater Arts Alliance, wwartsalliance@gmail.com or 262-472-0204. The co-chairs of the show are current board member Christine Hayes and former manager Ashley McDarison.