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Today is Friday, June 19, 2026
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By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Whitewater police officers are reportedly increasing their enforcement of the “thru traffic” prohibition due to road construction on the entirety of Walworth Avenue. According to Police Chief Dan Meyer, the “bond deposit” portion of a citation can double in a road construction area, which could make for an unusually expensive ticket.
“Closed to thru traffic” means that a road is temporarily not open for people just passing through — it’s blocked off to non-local drivers who don’t need to stop in that area. The main reasons for such a closure are for the safety of the construction workers and to reduce interruptions to their work.
In this case, here are some examples of drivers who are allowed to use Walworth Avenue:
– Residents of Walworth Avenue using the street for a minimal distance to get to/from their home.
– Trucks with deliveries to Walworth Avenue addresses.
– Drivers needing to get to/from the high school or Aquatic/Fitness Center. They may only drive across Walworth at Elizabeth St. (unless they’re Walworth Ave. residents.) Reportedly the west entrance to the high school is currently closed.
– Emergency personnel.
– Construction workers on the project.
Here are examples of illegal uses of Walworth Avenue:
- Anyone turning right onto Walworth Avenue from Indian Mound Parkway. There are no homes or businesses in that section.
- Driving from Highway 12 to Indian Mound Parkway.
- Anyone driving on Walworth Avenue simply to avoid the detour.
Historic Heart Prairie Church, located at W8136 R and W Townline Rd, on Whitewater Lake, is holding its second Oil Lamp Service of the summer. Please join us on Sunday, July 27th, at 7:30 pm for an evening of fellowship and refreshments. At 8:30 pm, the oil lamps inside the church will be lit for Hoisse Masse, our historic Norwegian liturgical service, translated into English.
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has upgraded their Extreme Heat Watch to a Heat Advisory for Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Our area is projected to have a maximum heat index of 106 degrees F. It will be important to remain inside as much as possible and to drink lots of water.
Increased clouds and rain chances on Thursday are expected to moderate the heat index somewhat, but in our area it’s still expected to reach a maximum of 98 degrees.
Anyone who may need to cool off might consider the following locations:
The Community Space, 834 E. Milwaukee St., is open 3:30 – 7:00 p.m.
The UW-W Library, 750 W. Main Street, is open 8 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Parking on campus is not free; however, there is street parking across Main Street.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by cloud_purple from Pixabay.
Update 7/24/25 @ 8:45 a.m. – The National Weather Service [NWS] Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office indicates that they will not be issuing a heat advisory today, as the heat index is not expected to exceed 100 degrees. They downgraded the heat index prediction for the Whitewater area from 99 to 96.
NWS states “The chance for thunderstorms remains conditional today. If there is a long period of sunshine, strong storms are possible within the vicinity of a front that will drop through southern Wisconsin this afternoon. Gusty winds and frequent lightning are the main concerns, but we cannot rule out a severe thunderstorm or two.”
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Francis Liagre from Pixabay.
Yesterday the Milwaukee Brewers won their 11th consecutive game, and tonight at 8:40 CDT they hope to extend their streak to 12 as they play the Seattle Mariners in an away game. They’re currently at the top of the MLB, with a 60-40 record. [The Cubs are at 59-41.] The game is broadcast on Fanduel, TDS channel 252 or Spectrum channel 29.
Today Mark Dorn is wearing the above T-shirt that dates to 1987! He says “I was in line in Milwaukee to get my free George Webb for several hours, back in the day.”
The longest winning streak in Milwaukee Brewers history is 16 games, spanning from October 3, 1986 to April 20, 1987. That run started with a win over the Toronto Blue Jays to close out the ’86 season and continued into the start of the ’87 campaign, famously dubbed “Team Streak.” Then in the 1987 season they had a 13 game streak, and in 2021 (and 2025, thus far) they had 11 game streaks.
The 1987 streak triggered Milwaukee’s legendary George Webb burger giveaway, a quirky local tradition that promises free burgers if the Brewers win 12 straight.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has published the article at the following link. George Webb ready to give 100,000 free burgers if Brewers win tonight. Ryan Stamm, vice president of George Webb, describes in the article the many contacts he’s had in recent days with vendors, distributors and franchise owners to ensure that they’ll be ready to keep their promise. He indicates that “If the Brewers do beat the Mariners, George Webb will announce the date of the giveaway, something that Stamm said will have been decided in a meeting hours before the game’s first pitch. And while it won’t happen the next day, Stamm said the goal is to get burgers in hands as fast as possible.”
The tradition began in the 1940s, when George Webb predicted the [minor league] Brewers would win 12 straight games. It became official in 1987, when the Brewers hit that mark and George Webb handed out over 168,000 burgers. The only other time it happened was in 2018, when fans received 90,000 burgers and 100,000 vouchers.
Our thanks to Mark Dorn for sharing this photo of his priceless T-shirt.
Celebrate community, canines, and cold drinks on August 3.
Rotary Botanical Gardens is excited to host the first ever Dog Days of Summer on Sunday, August 3, 2025, from 11 AM to 2 PM. This new dog-friendly event invites guests of all ages two and four-legged to enjoy a lively day of outdoor fun, food, music, and community.
Held on the scenic 20-acre garden grounds at 1455 Palmer Drive, Dog Days of Summer will feature food trucks, vendors, a pet photo booth, lawn games, dog cooling stations, and goodie bags for the first 100 guests. Attendees can shop at the local pet vendor marketplace, enjoy live entertainment, and take part in interactive dog-friendly games like bobbing for tennis balls and a dog/owner look-a-like contest.
Adding to the festivities is a custom beer release by Good Works Brewing Co., specially crafted and labeled for the event. This exclusive Dog Days of Summer brew will be available during the event alongside non-alcoholic options and treats from participating vendors.
Admission is $10 per person and includes full access to the gardens and all events. Children 6 and under enter free, and dogs are welcome at no additional cost (must remain leashed and follow posted guidelines).
“This event is all about enjoying the gardens in a new, playful way,” said Laura Kenyon, Community Engagement Manager. “We’re excited to bring the community together for something fresh, fun, and dog friendly.”
For full event details, visit:
https://rotarybotanicalgardens.org/event/dog-days-of-summer/
About Rotary Botanical Gardens
Rotary Botanical Gardens is a 20-acre non-profit botanical garden featuring 20 unique garden styles and over 4,000 plant varieties. Located in Janesville, WI, the Gardens provide a serene and inspiring space for visitors to connect with nature, engage in educational programs, and support conservation efforts. The Gardens rely on community support, donations, and events like Dog Days of Summer to continue their mission of horticultural excellence.
The following area student completed degree requirements at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in May.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, founded in 1909, is one of 13 four-year institutions comprising the Universities of Wisconsin. UWL offers 130-plus degree programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels in arts, social sciences and humanities; science and health; business; and education. UW-La Crosse – www.uwlax.edu – is a top-ranked university. It is the No. 1 public university in Wisconsin with fewer than 25,000 students, according to Niche’s Best Colleges ranking.
Students earning degrees in May include:
Whitewater, WI
Catherine Skindingsrude, Bachelor of Science, Biology Major, Highest Honors
LOUISVILLE, Ky.–All eight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s volleyball teams have collected the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT, for the 2024-25 season.
The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, recognizes teams that displayed excellence in the classroom by maintaining a year-long grade point average of 3.30 or better on a 4.00 scale or 4.10 on a 5.00 scale.
UW-Eau Claire and UW-River Falls were cited for Team Academic Honor Roll recognition by representing the top 20 percent of team grade point averages in NCAA Division III.
Editor’s note: This announcement was published on the WIAC website.
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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