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The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Friday, June 19, 2026
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The Whitewater Lions would like to congratulate Joe Sherman for being our Grand Marshal for the Fourth of July Parade this year.
Joe Sherman is a lifelong resident of Whitewater living on the family homestead farm. Joe comes from an Air Force family with someone continually serving since 1955. He joined the United States Air Force in 1965. After basic training he went to flight school to be a flight engineer. In 1966 he volunteered to serve in Vietnam and was assigned to the H53 Jolly Green Helicopter Squadron doing 133 air rescue missions in 13 months. He was based at Udorn, Thailand from 1967-68. After his military service Joe went to aircraft flight school in Janesville and flew charter for General Aviation Corporation.
In 2000 he was called to do maintenance at the First United Methodist Church which he continues to do today. He is active in the church and community in many ways. He is always helping others, providing assistance and practicing servant ministry at every opportunity, including delivering food, working with youth ministry, organizing special ministry activities, setting up big events (including organizing the 4 th of July food tent) and assisting with weddings and funerals. He volunteers many hours with Bethel House. In 2020 Joe was honored by Whitewater Unites Lives as a Hometown Hero.
Information and second photo submitted by Donna Segraves.
Updated on 7/28/25 @ 7:30 a.m. to add information regarding Cty Hwy P closure.
Updated on 7/28/25 @ 10 a.m. to add additional information regarding Cty Hwy P closure.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Road construction on US Highway 12 between Elkhorn Road/County Highway P and WIS 20/WIS 67 started in late March and was scheduled to be completed in “late summer.” This project was completed on July 25. Upgraded traffic signal equipment was installed at the US 12 and Elkhorn Road/Cty P intersection. The entire highway was resurfaced, and rumble strips were added to the centerline and the shoulders.
Rumble strips, “known for their auditory and tactile warnings, have proven to be an effective measure in ensuring driver safety. These patterns on the pavement surface alert drivers who have drifted out of their travel lane, whether due to distracted driving or fatigue, providing them with an opportunity to correct their steering. The Federal Highway Administration reports that rumble strips reduce:
- Crossover crashes by 40-60 percent when center line rumble strips are installed
- Single vehicle run-off-road fatal and injury crashes on rural freeways by nearly 29 percent when edge line rumble strips are installed”
The following was provided by Amy Limones, Walworth County Highway Department Operations Support Assistant:
“CTH-A is a closed to all through traffic. Meaning unless a person lives on it or is going to a business located within the work zone, they are to use alternate routes.
The project began after Memorial Day and has always been scheduled for completion the end of September.
They are trying to keep cars off of CTH-A between North/South CTH-P in order to continue with work now that US12 is reopened. They realize the gas station is within that location and there will be vehicles that need to go through.
At this time, milling continues to be done and I believe they are starting to pave. Work was to be done all day this past Saturday but it was cancelled because of the rain Saturday morning.”
Update 7/28/25 @ 8:55 a.m. – The NWS has reduced the predicted heat index for our area from 103 to 101 degrees. Newly added: “A complex of thunderstorms is expected to approach the region late this evening. These storms are expected to be in a weakening phase as they approach, but may still be capable of producing some strong/severe wind gusts, especially over south-central Wisconsin. There is above average uncertainty regarding the track and strength of these storms; some details should become clearer by later this afternoon as storms begin to form over South Dakota.”
The National Weather Service [NWS] Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Heat Advisory all of Southern Wisconsin for Monday from noon to 8 p.m. Our area is predicted to have a heat index of 101 degrees F during the afternoon and early evening. There is a possibility of thunderstorms and/or cloud cover lingering over our area later into the morning than anticipated, in which case the advisory-level heat indices might be delayed until mid-afternoon.
It is recommended to spend as little time as possible outdoors, and if that is necessary, to be certain to hydrate frequently.
Ron Binning shared this photo he took of the Birge Fountain on the beautiful sunny morning of July 21.
A Landmarks Trek video that was produced in 2023, the 120th anniversary year of the fountain, provides interesting information about its history.
Our thanks to Ron Binning for sharing this beautiful photo.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!
To register click here. Registration is preferred but walk-ins are welcome.
City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda has 12 items including Discussion and possible action on a education piece for the Whitewater Banner why the Bradford pear should not be used in plantings and the environmental impact of using them; Discussion and possible action on the use of Tree Sale funds to pay to remove Bradford Pear trees from the city landscape & replace with alternatives.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor, 312 West St Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82152804858?pwd=Dv009gV9zzhbMcLx1Y3zETxLfyz4bD.1
Meeting ID: 821 5280 4858
Passcode: 525352
Dial +1 312 626 6799 US
Whitewater Unified School District School Board – CLOSED SESSION – 6:00 p.m.
Agenda: to discuss Superintendent evaluation process.
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street
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6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85350592490?pwd=3ybp64g4eQNd47eO4jsIvhKy5Ba558.1
– Passcode: 732656
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 853 5059 2490
– Passcode: 732656
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Closed Session
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7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online – OPEN SESSION
Agenda [click on “meetings” in upper right corner] includes High School Scorecard Review
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82666153766?pwd=oPJ4frZLHQ3tar1LzNxcVL2FsjUg8p.1
– Passcode: 597924
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 826 6615 3766
– Passcode: 597924
In a unanimous decision on July 21, the Board of Trustees voted to rename the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library the Whitewater Public Library. This decision included input from community members who attended the last two library board meetings.
Library Board President, Jennifer Motszko, stated that “the decision to change the name from Irvin L. Young Memorial Library to Whitewater Public Library reflects our commitment to creating a more inclusive and welcoming space for all members of the Whitewater community. This new name better represents the library as a vibrant hub and gathering place for everyone in our town.”
It is important to the library board, library staff, and community that the Young name continues to be honored. A sign over the entrance to the existing library will read “Irvin L. Young Memorial Wing.” The original donor plaque will also be displayed in a prominent location in the library.
Library Director, Diane Jaroch, stated that “the name Whitewater Public Library conveys a sense of community and inclusiveness. We are a public, community space that is free for all to explore. The renaming of the library honors all of the donors who have contributed and all of our community members.”
The library building project is slated to be completed in early November 2025. There is still time to donate to the building project. Donations may be sent to the Whitewater Community Foundation at https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/donate/.
The Whitewater Public Library is located at 431 W. Center Street. More information about the library can be found at whitewaterlibrary.org.
Editor’s note: [Previously published on The Whitewater Banner.] Theological Seminary in Chicago. In 1940 he started the Snow Valley plant of Young Engineering in Palmyra. In 1954 he married Fern Drummond Jones of Chicago and established a home in his farm in the Palmyra area as well as retaining the Chicago home. Per his obituary, “He dedicated his life and income to the Irvin L. Young Foundation, a charitable foundation concerned mainly with the support of medical missionary work in Africa working through the board of 15 different denominations….Untold thousands of lives have been affected by the life and work of this one man.” Fern Young died in 2002. The Irvin L. Young Foundation made donations from its remaining assets of approximately $670,000 in 2019 and it was dissolved effective November 1, 2020.
The Whitewater Banner asked Library Director Diane Jaroch if she knew whether there were any stipulations connected to the foundation’s donation specifying how long the library was required to be named after Young. Jaroch replied, “I did do research before this idea was proposed, and there is nothing in the paperwork stating that we cannot change the name of the library. I also consulted with Stacey Lunsford, the former Director. I plan to present the board with information on the history of the naming rights in their June board packet, so they will have all of the pertinent information they need before the June 16 board meeting.”
Local historian Carol Cartwright indicated that newspaper articles from 1987 and 1989 reported that the Young foundation gave $500,000 toward the library with the stipulation that it be named after Irvin Young. She stated that nothing was said about the duration of the naming. Taking inflation into account, today’s value of that donation would be approximately $1,300,000. The library opened in 1991, so it has carried the Young name for 34 years. The Young Auditorium, which opened on the UW-Whitewater campus in 1993, was also constructed with donations that included significant assistance from the Young foundation.
The approximate $6 million addition and renovation currently underway is being funded by over $2,300,000 in donations, library reserves of $840,000 and a $3,000,000 commitment from the city.
The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) will close the 2025 Fran Achen Photography Exhibition with a special live performance by Pieces of Eight, a semiprofessional woodwind octet from southern Wisconsin.
The concert will take place on Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m. at the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main Street. The octet includes pairs of oboes, clarinets, horns, and bassoons, and will perform works by Mozart, Hidas, Kalinnikov, and a new piece by Wisconsin composer Brian Packham.
Admission is free. A suggested donation of $10 will support WAA’s ongoing arts programming.
“This performance is a great way to wrap up the exhibition,” said Jeff McDonald, chair of the photographic exhibition. “It’s a unique opportunity to bring two art forms together—photography and music—in one shared space.”
The 2025 Fran Achen Juried Photography Exhibition features over 200 photographs in total. About 100 pieces are displayed on the gallery walls as part of the Print Division, and another 100 or so are projected digitally in the new Digital Division.
It’s a remarkable expansion from previous years, showcasing work from 57 photographic artists across six states—Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Florida. Guests are invited to explore the gallery and enjoy light refreshments prior to the performance.
For more information, Contact: Kim Adams, Gallery Director, Whitewater Arts Alliance
Phone: 608-201-2151
Email: wwartsalliance@gmail.com
Website: whitewaterarts.org
Gallery Hours: Thursdays-Sundays, 12 p.m.- 4 p.m.
“20 Years Of Celebrating The Arts And Creating Community!”
Obituaries
Marion Jauch Burrows (Feb. 2, 1930 – June 5, 2026) Her sparkling eyes, warm laugh, and generous ways were gifts Marion brought into this world, touching family members and friends alike over the ninety-six years of her life. She was born and raised in Lombard, IL, and in the course of her life lived with her husband and growing family in Abilene, TX, St. David’s, PA, Arkadelphia, AR, Ada, OK, and Colorado Springs, CO, before settling in Whitewater, WI, in 1965. Generosity of heart, compassion toward those in need in and beyond her community, and an unwavering commitment to fairness … Read more
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
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
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