News & Events

Upcoming budget cuts the tax levy and mill rate for second year in a row

At their meeting on November 12th , the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors adopted the county’s 2025 budget. For the second year in a row, this budget includes a reduction in both the debt levy and the mill rate. The new countywide mill rate will be $2.8049 per $1,000 of taxable value. That represents an 8.4% decrease over the prior year.

In his comments during the meeting, Finance Committee Chair Richard Jones from Waterloo stated, “I am pleased to present the 2025 budget for approval. We met the needs of our constituents, as demand increases for services we provide. The budget allows for salary and cost-of-living increases which reward our hard-working employees and help with retention and hiring. The budget is based on Jefferson County’s strategic and comprehensive plans. We accomplished all this while fixed costs continue to rise and will present concerns for future budgets. The budget has been transparent, allows all involved their say, respects the value of all programs and departments, and most importantly respects the taxpayers of Jefferson County.”

Total expenditures for all county programs are set at $109,600,674.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Jefferson County.

City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Police Chief’s Report, including public safety referendum update; Closed session, to reconvene for Interview of FTE EMT/Firefighter Candidate(s) and Interview of Patrol Officer Candidate(s).
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room
312 West 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.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/186659989
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 186-659-989
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Resolution Creating The City of Whitewater Trippe and Cravath Lake District, Ordinance 2024-O-26 an Ordinance amending Section 9.12.010 to allow dogs off leash at the Whitewater Bark Park inside the fences; Discussion and Possible Action to recommend approval of WAFC HAVC bid to Southport Engineering in the amount of $276,100 for repairs to Leisure Pool air handler, duct work and control replacement; Discussion and Possible Action regarding WAFC Capital Campaign; Closed session, to reconvene: Development Agreement With Tanis Properties, LLC
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West 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.
Please click the link below to join:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81242575354?pwd=IthBeu1LMggdhKv8EPkyyVJdHFz8So.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 812 4257 5354
Passcode: 767507

City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Wednesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action regarding the Starin Water Tower; Discussion regarding at risk and endangered landmarks in Whitewater.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West 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.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/179347397
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 179-347-397
United States: +1 (224) 501-3412
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

Whitewater storyteller and host of the Wright House Concert series, Sarah Beth Nelson, will be performing in the 2025 Women’s Storytelling Festival. Located in Fairfax, Virginia this festival attracts storytellers and attendees from across the United States and features women and gender nonconforming spoken word artists. The 2025 Women’s Storytelling Festival will take place March 20-23 at the Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax. And if you can’t make it to Virginia in March, don’t worry! There is a virtual only showcase that will premier on March 20 including our local storyteller, Sarah Beth.

Learn more about the Women’s Storytelling Festival on their website: https://bettersaidthandone.org/womens-festival/

The City of Whitewater requested the city attorney to review our current sign ordinance against standards and draft language for sharing with the public. This is the result. The City of Whitewater would like to provide clear guidelines regarding the display of temporary miscellaneous yard signs:

• Election Campaign Period: Residents may display any number of temporary yard signs starting 90 days before and up to 10 days after any local, state, or federal election held in the city.
• Outside the Election Period: At all other times, properties are limited to displaying two temporary yard signs per yard, which may include political or other types of signs.
  
  This policy ensures residents have the opportunity to express themselves throughout the year while maintaining consistency and community standards.
  
  For further information, please contact Becky Magestro.

A total of 1,465 students at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater were recipients of scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year.

The following local students are among the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater scholarship recipients receiving financial awards for the 2024-25 academic year. Editor’s note: Students listed here have registered with Whitewater as being their hometown. It is likely that a number of them did not live here prior to their enrollment, but hopefully they plan to continue to make this their home post-graduation.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Jared Apgar, who is studying Political Science, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Mariana Aranda, who is studying Finance, won the following scholarship(s): Chancellor Scholars, Harold M. and Margaret Perry Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Lilith Ashmore, who is studying Liberal Arts, won the following scholarship(s): Charles & Carolyn Mowbray Scholarship UW-Whitewater at Rock County.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Ethan Barels, who is studying Finance, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship, Maury Greene Business Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Lee Barnes, who is studying Marketing, won the following scholarship(s): Evelyn Bronson Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Thia Benhart, who is studying Undeclared, won the following scholarship(s): Chancellor Scholars.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Emma Bergeson, who is studying Elementary-Middle Education, won the following scholarship(s): Laurie Couzens Swartz Future Educator’s Scholarship, Chancellor Scholars.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Madelynn Buehler, who is studying Finance, won the following scholarship(s): Chancellor Scholars.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Dayna Carlson, who is studying Computer Science, won the following scholarship(s): Chancellor Scholars.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Kacie Carollo, who is studying Integrated Science-Business, won the following scholarship(s): Walter & Louise Buell Scholarship, Prater Family Scholarship, James R & Zoe E Connor Scholarship, Chancellor Scholars.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Christopher Cortes, who is studying Computer Science, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship, Kachel Family Science Scholarship, LS Power Endowed Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Makenna D’Amico, who is studying Biology, won the following scholarship(s): Metcalf Family Endowment, David W Adamany Scholarship, Donald Stevenson Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Jeffrey Dean, who is studying General Business, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Elizabeth Dempich, who is studying Applied Arts and Sciences, won the following scholarship(s): Charles & Carolyn Mowbray Scholarship UW-Whitewater at Rock County.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Gil Dennis, who is studying Undeclared, won the following scholarship(s): Transfer Excellence Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Alexis Faber, who is studying Art Education, won the following scholarship(s): Transfer Excellence Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Jaciel Flores, who is studying Marketing, won the following scholarship(s): Stoughton Trailers Student Scholarship, Millennium Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Michael Fuoco, who is studying Physical Education, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Stephanie Goettl, who is studying Communication, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Kenzie Grabher, who is studying Special Education, won the following scholarship(s): General Merit Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Sydney Groetzinger, who is studying Marketing, won the following scholarship(s): General Merit Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Stephanie Hensel, who is studying Accounting, won the following scholarship(s): James & Patricia Freer Family-College of Business and Economics Scholarship, The Vernon and Sharyn Eulert Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Mia Islas, who is studying Marketing, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship, John Tincher Scholarship, Zoe E. Connor Memorial Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Avery Janovec, who is studying Undeclared, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Sandra Javier Lopez, who is studying Mathematics, won the following scholarship(s): Whitewater Community Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Cody Kastner, who is studying Mathematics, won the following scholarship(s): William L Carter Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Andrea Kuhl, who is studying Biology, won the following scholarship(s): Metcalf Family Endowment, Willard Gross Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Yingxin Lin, who is studying Computer Science, won the following scholarship(s): Luke Veenhuis Computer Science Graduate Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Haley Lindquist, who is studying Geography, won the following scholarship(s): Margery Folkerth Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Payton Lyon, who is studying Human Performance, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Alex Martin, who is studying Music, won the following scholarship(s): Whitewater Community Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Miles McIntosh, who is studying Geography, won the following scholarship(s): Promise Endowment Letters and Sciences.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Joyce Ngwe, who is studying Business Admininistration, won the following scholarship(s): G.M. and Prameela Naidu Graduate Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Brianna Ophime, who is studying History Education, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship, Edann Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Joey Ophime, who is studying Special Education, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship, Irene Krueger Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Lily Padilla, who is studying Sociology, won the following scholarship(s): Transfer Excellence Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Johan Perez, who is studying Business, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship, General Merit Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Natalie Pett, who is studying Biology, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Yovanni Rojas-Reyes, who is studying Human Performance, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Meg Roselle, who is studying Early Childhood Education, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – David Rubio, who is studying Business, won the following scholarship(s): DLK Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Dejaney Valles, who is studying Elementary-Middle Education, won the following scholarship(s): Zoe E. Connor Memorial Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Kaitlyn Van Wyhe, who is studying English, won the following scholarship(s): Chancellor Scholars, Corinne E. Forster Endowment.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Carter Waelchli, who is studying Communication, won the following scholarship(s): Dr Patricia A Townsend Scholarship.

53190 Whitewater, WI – Cameron ZehrGrimm, who is studying Biology, won the following scholarship(s): Chancellor Scholars.

“On behalf of the UW-Whitewater Foundation Board of Directors, I extend heartfelt congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients,” said Katie Kuznacic, president of the UW-Whitewater Foundation. “Since 1962, thousands of individuals, families, friends, and organizations have generously contributed to make these financial awards possible. Their unwavering support plays a vital role in the success of our students and the lasting impact UW-Whitewater alumni have on the economy. Each year, the significance of their contributions is felt through the life-changing scholarships awarded. We are grateful to all of our donors for their continued commitment to UW-Whitewater students.”

The UW-Whitewater Foundation awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to students this academic year. More information can be found at uww.edu/scholarships.

Baha’is and Friends Art-Music-Writing Gathering

Saturday, Dec. 7, 1:30 PM – 5 PM (Join for all or any part)

Historic Nelson Salisbury House, 404 W. North St, Whitewater, WI

It’s time to share our visual art, writing, and musical activities again and give each other support and ideas. These endeavors build our spirit, build communication, and build community. Our gatherings welcome all faiths so be ready to learn about our connections with others. Activities will include pastel drawing sessions, impromptu expressive writing, meditation and snack breaks with music, opportunities to share your creative activities, and a visit to the Whitewater Cultural Arts Gallery right across the street.

We all have art in our souls and the Baha’i Writings encourage everyone to develop themselves artistically. Art is seen by Baha’is as a form of worship and a contribution to the community and the well-being of humankind. So we must all take some time in our lives to create and bring our unique perspectives to others, a time to recognize beauty in unexpected places.

Hosts: Suzanne Popke, son Zachary Popke, and family

suzannepopke.com

Contact them with questions and to RSVP: intsim@idcnet.com

Tickets may be purchased online here. The jazz concert is $7 for adults and $4 for those age 65+ or under age 18. Admission for the gala is $30 for adults, $25 for age 65+ and $20 for under age 18. There is an additional $2 surcharge for tickets purchased at the door.

Link for the fundraiser: https://www.avon.com/fundraiser/Studio84arts?rep=akokan