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Today is Friday, June 19, 2026
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The City of Whitewater and the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) visit with leadership from First Citizens State Bank’s Main Office to discuss the bank’s continued role in supporting local economic growth and community development.
The visit was conducted by Mason Becker, Community Development Director for the City of Whitewater, and Karin Silvius, Executive Director of the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce. They met with Jim Caldwell, Chairman of the Board, and Darcy Rallo, Chief Human Resources Officer for First Citizens State Bank.
With a history dating back to 1863 , First Citizens State Bank has maintained a longstanding presence in Whitewater and remains one of the community’s key financial institutions. Over the years, the bank has supported local businesses, homeowners, nonprofit organizations, and economic development initiatives throughout the region.
During the discussion, participants reviewed current economic conditions, workforce and staffing challenges facing employers, opportunities to encourage continued business growth in Whitewater, and the importance of ongoing collaboration among local businesses, educational institutions, municipal leaders, and community organizations.
“First Citizens State Bank has been an important community partner in Whitewater for generations,” said Mason Becker, Community Development Director. “Conversations like these are critical to understanding the needs of our employers and identifying ways we can continue strengthening Whitewater’s business environment and workforce pipeline.”
Karin Silvius emphasized the value of maintaining strong communication between the business community and local leadership.
“Our BRE visits are an important tool for relationship building and problem -solving,” said Silvius. “First Citizens State Bank has a deep commitment to Whitewater, and we appreciate their willingness to share insight on the opportunities and challenges facing employers today.”
Jim Caldwell highlighted the bank’s long -term investment in the community and the importance of collaborative partnerships.
“Whitewater has always been a strong and resilient community,” said Caldwell. “We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside the City and the Chamber to support local businesses, attract talent, and help ensure continued economic vitality. It’s critically important that we all keep working together to move Whitewater forward.”
Darcy Rallo noted that workforce development remains a key topic for employers across industries.
“Like many organizations, we continue to focus on attracting and retaining talented employees,” said Rallo. “It’s encouraging to have proactive discussions with community partners about how we can collectively support workforce development and create opportunities for future growth.”
The City of Whitewater and the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce regularly conduct BRE visits with local employers as part of ongoing efforts to support business retention, expansion, and economic development throughout the community.
For further information on the BRE Program, contact:
City of Whitewater Community Development Department
Attn: Mason Becker, Community Development Director
312 W. Whitewater Street
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: (262) 473 -0148
Email: mbecker@whitewater-wi.gov
Website: www.whitewater-wi.gov
Whitewater YES for Education formed back in 2004 to help support the passage of school district referendums. The group is intentionally and necessarily nonpartisan and not political. Whitewater YES works to keep folks aware of all the positive things happening in our school district. For example, the group maintains a Whitewater YES Facebook Page.
As part of this effort to continue a drumbeat of positivity, this weekend Whitewater YES is putting up bilingual “We Love Whitewater Public Schools” yard signs around the community to celebrate the end of the school year and show support for our teachers, staff, and students. The signs will stay up until Sunday, June 7. The response to this effort during back-to-school time was really positive!
We are hoping this effort brings people together and shows hardworking district staff and proud students that the community cares and supports them.
If you would like to request a yard sign, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/ZqM 5uj ECnCR juNe 9. (There are limited quantities available). If you’ve requested signs in the past, there is no need to complete the form again!
Editor’s Note: The above was provided by Whitewater YES for Education.
Bluff Creek Culvert Project to Begin May 18
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with Walworth County, will remove an abandoned railroad box culvert over Bluff Creek located on the west side of County Highway P, roughly 1.75 miles south of U.S. Highway 12 in the Town of Whitewater.
What to Expect
Beginning May 18, County Highway P will be closed between Kettle Moraine Drive and Reliance Road. The road will be entirely shut down at Bluff Creek for approximately 90 days. Emergency services, postal deliveries, and garbage collection should use local roads and alternate routes.
A signed detour will utilize County Highway O between County Highway A and U.S. Highway 12 for non-local traffic. Local residents are encouraged to use all available alternative routes.
Keep an eye out for message signboards for more specific information as it becomes available. The work is anticipated to be completed by the end of July.
Who to Contact
All questions or concerns can be directed to the Wisconsin DNR’s Project Manager, Mike Stone, at 608-444-3207 or via email at michael.stone@wisconsin.gov.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Walworth County.
CORRECTION: This drive is not being held at the Whitewater Public Library but rather at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center. The library apologized for the mix-up.
The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center on Friday, May 15 between 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. It is open to the public.
Give the gift of life—donate blood and make a real difference in your community. Appointments are encouraged, walk-ins welcome. Appointments may be made here.
The Whitewater High School class of 1981-“ish” is holding a 45th reunion this summer. We also welcome alumni from nearby WHS class years (e.g., ’80, ’81, ’82). Registration is required (details below).
The reunion will be on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 7 PM to close, an informal, come-as-you-are event at Willow Brook Golf Course in Whitewater. We booked the facility with full access to the lounge area and a cash bar. ‘70s & ‘80s music will keep the reunion vibe going throughout the evening. Good news: we are keeping the $40 per-person registration fee (the same as the 40th reunion!), which covers facility costs, staff, appetizers, gratuities, and taxes.
Interested in golfing earlier that day? Contact Cort Hartmann for details (email: cohart1962@gmail.com; text/call: 920-728-5396).
This is a great opportunity to mingle with your fellow Whippets. We hope to see you there!
Registration & Payment Instructions:
DEADLINE to register and pay ($40 per person): May 30th.
To register, email Whippets1981@gmail.com and provide:
Your full name (include your birth name too, if different), your WHS class year, the number of attendees you are paying for along with their full names (and any connection they may also have with WHS) and indicate the method of payment you will be using.
Payment Options –To pay by check: Make your check payable to “Martha Lundin” and send it to her at 2832 Woodridge Court, Waukesha, WI 53188. To pay using the Venmo app: @Martha-Lundin-2
If you have any questions about payment, text or call Martha at 262-527-5159.
Refund Deadline:
Martha must be notified by July 10th to receive a refund if you need to cancel.
INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA Division III Baseball Committee has announced the 64 teams that will compete in the 2026 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship.
Four teams will compete at each of the 16 regional sites from Friday-Sunday, May 15-17. Regionals will use a double-elimination format. Forty-one conference champions qualified automatically.
Winners of the sixteen regional tournaments will qualify for eight, best-of-three series at the super regionals, Friday-Saturday, May 22-23. The eight super regional winners will then qualify for the pool play double-elimination championship at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake, Ohio, Friday-Thursday, May 29-June 4, 2026.
UW-W is an automatic qualifier after having clinched the WIAC Championship last weekend over La Crosse. That team will be the only other WIAC competitor in the 64-team field. Wisconsin-Whitewater is the reigning DIII baseball champion, after beating Messiah 21-5 in 2025.
UW-Whitewater will host the first round of the competition beginning this Friday, May 15. In the first game UW-W (41-4) will face Macalester (29-15) at 11 a.m. at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium.
UWW defeats UW-La Crosse Twice on Championship Saturday
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team claimed its third straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Championship after defeating UW-La Crosse in back-to-back games on Saturday. The 10th title in program history gives the Warhawks the WIAC automatic qualifier to the NCAA tournament.
The Warhawks needed two wins over the Eagles after battling through the elimination bracket to reach the championship on Saturday.
Jackson Spring (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) got UWW out to a strong start, scoring the first run in game one with an inside-the-park home run. Spring’s hit took a large bounce over the center fielder’s head, allowing the Warhawk shortstop to touch all four with the ball in play.
UW-La Crosse was able to retake the lead in the bottom of the second, with four runs in the frame. But in the top of the third, Leyten Bowers (Mineral Point, Wis./Mineral Point) had the equalizer with a three-run homer to even the score.
The Eagles tacked on another in the 4th, but Spring kicked off another rally for the Warhawks with a 2-RBI single. Keli Grennier (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) followed up with an RBI single of his own to put the Warhawks up 7-5.
The Warhawks kept staying just a run ahead of the Eagles, matching the scores heading into the final innings of play.
With an 8-7 lead heading into the 9th inning, Dominik McVay (Mineral Point, Wis./Mineral Point) came through for the Warhawks with two outs. A 2-RBI single from McVay added on insurance. Wyatt Jensen (Luck, Wis./Luck) added an RBI single to put the Warhawks up 11-7 with just three outs remaining for the Eagles.
Theo Zeidler (Suamico, Wis./Bay Port) pitched the final two innings, collecting three strikeouts on his way to the save. Benjy Tucker (Alpharetta, Ga./Mount Pisgah) picked up the win, going 1.2 innings of relief without allowing a single run.
In the second game, the Warhawks had their work cut out early, with UW-La Crosse taking a 3-0 lead after an inning & a half. Dominik McVay (Mineral Point, Wis./Mineral Point) got the Warhawks on the board with a solo home run in the bottom of the second.
After a scoreless inning, McVay was the hero again, hitting his second home run of the game to knot the game up at 3-a-piece.
Andy Thies (Tallahassee, Fla./Lawton Chiles) hit in a runner from a fielder’s choice, but the Eagles’ error trying to turn the double play allowed Danny Hopper (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) to move up to bases to put the Warhawks up by two.
UW-La Crosse tied the game back up with two runs in the top of the 5th, but the lead didn’t last long, with another two-run inning for the Warhawks. Wyatt Jensen (Luck, Wis./Luck) hit in one run, with another scoring on an error from La Crosse.
Maintaining just a two-run lead, the Warhawks found themselves in a jam with bases loaded & no one out. UWW turned a double-play, but the Eagles scored a run on the play to cut the margin to just a run.
The Warhawks were able to re-extend the margin to three runs in the 7th, with Aaron Holland (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) hitting an RBI single. Evan Olson (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly) cleaned Holland off the bags with a two-out triple to put the Warhawks up 9-6.
In the 8th inning, the Warhawks tacked on two more runs to push the lead to five. Danny Hopper (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) & Aaron Holland (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) rallied back-to-back RBI singles with two outs to give the UWW insurance runs.
In the top of the 9th, UW-La Crosse threatened a comeback with a three-run homer to cut the lead to just two. Jackson Koenig (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) closed the door, striking out the final two batters to clinch the Warhawks’ victory.
Benjy Tucker (Alpharetta, Ga./Mount Pisgah) was also granted the win in the second game, pitching 1.1 innings of relief, allowing just a single hit. Tucker finished the day 2-0 on the mound.
With the two wins, the Warhawks clinch the WIAC AQ bid and will await word from the NCAA on their NCAA Tournament opponent. The selection show is scheduled for Monday, May 11.
Editor’s note: This article was posted to the UW-Whitewater Athletics page.
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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