News & Events

Governor Tony Evers, whose second term will end in January, 2027, announced on July 24, 2025 that he will not be running for another term. Governors in the state are elected to four-year terms and they have no term limits. Evers will turn 74 in November.

The governor’s video message is available here. A transcript of the video message is provided below.

Hey, Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers here.

You know, I was a scrawny kid with glasses who grew up scraping mold off of cheese. I never dreamed I’d end up governor of Wisconsin. But here I am.

For the last six years, you’ve welcomed me into your churches, businesses, classrooms, farms, hospitals, and communities. I cherish every moment—every tour, visit, high five, question, and selfie. It’s the honor of my life to be able to give back to the state that raised me.

I promised you when I ran for this office that I’d always work to do the right thing, that I’d always give it to you straight, and that I’d always try to be a governor for all of Wisconsin. And I work every day to keep those promises. That’ll never change.

I began my run for governor as a proud Plymouth Progressive, and that’s still who I am today. I’m a science teacher at heart who ended up running for office and winning five straight statewide elections. 

So, would I win if I ran a sixth time? Of course. No question about that. But whether I’d win or not has never been part of my calculus about running again.

Here’s the truth: Wisconsin, the only thing I love more than being your governor is being a husband, a dad, and a grandpa.

I’ve spent 50 years in public service. I’m damn proud I devoted my entire career—and most of my life—to working for you. And from Plymouth to Baraboo, Tomah to Oshkosh, Verona to Madison, and everywhere in between, Kathy and my family supported me all the way.

Marrying Kathy is the greatest accomplishment of my life because it gave me a lifetime with her, three amazing kids, and nine incredible grandkids. For five decades, my family has sacrificed to give me the gift of service. They’re my world. And I owe it to them to focus on doing all the things we enjoy and love doing together.

It’s why, Wisconsin, I’m announcing that I will not be running for a third term.

I’m so humbled to be your governor. This is the best job I’ve ever had. And folks, we are not done yet.

There is, as always, much work to do. And, Wisconsin, I’ll be working just as hard as I have for the last six years to keep doing the right thing and deliver for you.

So, let’s get back to work. Forward, for you and for Wisconsin, always.

Thank you.

Due to the ongoing heat, the Whitewater Arts Alliance [WAA] has decided to move the Savory Sounds mariachi band concert inside the Cultural Arts Center on Thursday, July 24 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. WAA wishes for everyone to enjoy the concert without concern about being negatively affected by the heat.

July 24  – Mariachi Nuevo Mexico

:: Mariachi : A high-energy mariachi band from the Chicago area. There will be a special children’s workshop, offering fun, hands-on activities inspired by the day’s music.

:: Sponsored by The Coburn Company

:: Food Vendor: Taqueria la Estrella 2

Savory Sounds 2025 Concert Series

• Concert Times: All concerts are held on Thursdays from 11:30 am – 12:45 pm.
• Location: Inside the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W Main St, Whitewater.
• Food & Refreshments: Food and other refreshments will be available from the food vendor or bring your own lunch.
• Parking: CAC lot and city street parking is available with additional parking available at First English Lutheran Church.

Savory Sounds Sponsors:

• Anonymous Donor
• Coburn Company
• Culver’s of Whitewater
• D.L.K. Enterprises
• Fairhaven Senior Services
• Harbor Homes
• TDS

The Walworth County Drug Enforcement Unit, with the assistance of the City of
Whitewater Police Department and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Police Department, conducted an investigation that involved the sale of illegal
controlled substances and fraudulent identification documents in the City of
Whitewater. The investigation included controlled buy(s) of fraudulent documents, [and] illegal controlled substances and culminated with a search warrant.

On July 17, 2025, at approximately 7:19 a.m., the Walworth County Drug
Enforcement Unit, assisted by the City of Whitewater Police Department, the
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Police Department, Homeland Security
Investigations (HSI), United States Marshal Service (USMS), Federal Bureau of
Investigations (FBI), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed
a drug search warrant at the residence of 645 E. North Street, in the City of
Whitewater.

While searching the residence, cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and one firearm was
located and seized. Also located was a computer and printers used to manufacture fraudulent photo identification cards and Social Security cards. Additional fraudulent documents were also located during the search.

Two residents were arrested during the search warrant and transported to the
Walworth County Jail:

Freddys Manual Gaitan Ruiz, DOB:12/26/2000 (AKA Freddys M. Moreno
Ruiz) and Anner Amilkar Bustamante Talavera, DOB: 11/28/1994.

Gaitan Ruiz was arrested on the following charges:
Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place – 961.42(1)
Delivery of Cocaine – 961.41(1)(cm)1g
-Within 1000 feet of a School – 961.49(1m)(b)6
Delivery of Cocaine – 961.41(1)(cm)1r
-Party To A Crime 939.05
Possession With Intent To Deliver Cocaine – 961.41(1m)(cm)2
– Within 1000 feet of a School – 961.49(1m)(b)6
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – 961.573(1)
Child Neglect – 948.21(2)

Bustamante Talavera was arrested on the following charges:
Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place – 961.42(1)
-Party To A Crime 939.05
Delivery of Cocaine – 961.41(1)(cm)1r
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – 961.573(1)
Misdemeanor Bail Jumping – 946.49(1)(a)

Bustamante Talavera also had active warrants and had been out on bond in the
following criminal cases: Fond du Lac County 24CT122 and Walworth County
Cases 2023CT000689, 2024CT000211, 2024CT000228, and 2024CM000202. [All of which are traffic or bail jumping offenses.] Information is being provided to Walworth County District Attorney’s Office and federal authorities for consideration of additional charges.

Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme
Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an
accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proved guilty.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department.

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.