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Today is Monday, June 22, 2026
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The Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS] is offering discounted private well water sample kits for the entire month of July to help residents protect their health and ensure the safety of their drinking water.
Well owners can purchase individual test kits at the following reduced prices:
- Bacteria: $10 per sample
- Nitrate: $10 per sample
Arsenic and lead water tests may also be purchased for the regular rate of $20 per sample. Well water test kits may be purchased and dropped off during regular business hours at Walworth County Health and Human Services. Only cash or check payments will be accepted.
Unlike municipal water systems, private wells are not regularly monitored, which means it’s the responsibility of the homeowner to test their water. Contaminants like bacteria, nitrate, lead, and arsenic are often invisible, tasteless, and odorless—but they can pose serious health risks, especially for infants, children, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.
DHHS hours are: Mon/Wed/Thurs/Fri 8-4:30, Tues 8-6
The office is located at 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn.
Visit www.co.walworth.wi.us/430/Well-Water-Testing for water-laboratory hours or call (262) 741-3200 for more information.
Carol McCormick writes, “Had to look this one up! It is an immature double-crested cormorant. Surveyed Trippe Lake for a few minutes, then took off.”
Our thanks to Carol McCormick for sharing another nature 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!
Written by Chris Lindeke | Photos Submitted
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Enactus team, an organization that uses business as a force of good to improve people’s lives and their communities, was named the 2025 Enactus USA champion in late May at the Enactus United States Expo in Kansas City, Missouri.
This group of Warhawks will now represent the country as Team USA at the Enactus World Cup, set for this September in Bangkok, Thailand. They’ll compete alongside the top teams from more than 30 countries around the world.
UW-Whitewater last claimed the Enactus national title in 2021. The team is supported by the College of Business and Economics and advised by Choton Basu, professor of information technology and supply chain management.
Basu said the chapter’s two primary collaborations — an existing international project that empowers women, and a new project focused on supporting rural America — set the UW-Whitewater Enactus team apart from others in the nation and propelled it to win the 2025 national championship.
ProChapina
Students and faculty have been working with ProChapina, a nonprofit organization that serves to support, educate, uplift, and empower women in Guatemala through professional training programs and other services, since 2019.
Last year, Enactus teamed with UW-Whitewater’s American Marketing Association chapter — the 2025 International Chapter of the Year — to build a sustainable business plan with marketing and fundraising services for ProChapina. Two students from each group, along with AMA faculty advisor Lauren Drury, visited Antigua, Guatemala, for one week last summer to discuss product development and sales and to immerse themselves in Guatemalan culture.
The team turned its focus to marketing this past year, working with the university and businesses in the area to gauge interest in selling ProChapina products, which include hand-crafted goods and other services.
RenewTowns
Over the last year, UW-Whitewater students and faculty have worked with three Wisconsin cities as part of Enactus’ RenewTowns project.
The goal of the project is to drive sustainable economic growth and revitalization in communities. Enactus has teamed with organizations and business leaders in Fort Atkinson, Cambridge, and Wauwatosa to build business pitch competitions that offer free rent and other incentives to small businesses who set up in the downtown areas of those communities.
For example, Enactus worked with Collaborative 532 on the Cambridge Storefront Competition to bring a small business to one of the vacant spaces in downtown Cambridge. In Fort Atkinson, the latest winner of the RenewTowns storefront competition was Tidy Tails, a dog grooming business that captured the community’s heart.
As with other participating towns, the winning entrepreneur received a year of free rent — a powerful incentive designed to jumpstart small business growth on Main Streets across rural America.
The student-led initiative is more than just the prize. RenewTowns is sparking a movement that unites community members, unlocks local resources, and creates a ripple effect of sustainable growth by bringing life back to vacant storefronts. It’s an economic — and emotional — revival.
“What’s unique about this project — and what continues to impress the Enactus judges — is its unwavering focus on rural America,” Basu said. “The direct beneficiaries are the small towns, the mom-and-pop stores, and the wonderful communities that are the country’s beating heart. We’re using cutting-edge business tools to support the places and people we care about. We’re working to uplift the folks you hear about in a Springsteen or Mellencamp song.”
Ripon College has announced its Dean’s List for the Spring 2025 semester recognizing academic excellence. To qualify for the Dean’s List at Ripon College, students must achieve a 3.40 grade point average or higher on a 4.00 scale and complete at least 12 credits of regular letter-graded works.
Heather Charter, a Senior from Whitewater, WI was named to the Spring 2025 Dean’s List. Charter’s majors are Business Management, Economics. Minor, Philosophy
Founded in 1851, Ripon College is a private liberal arts and science institution nestled in Ripon, Wisconsin. Ripon College is dedicated to delivering personalized education through a diverse array of undergraduate programs and extracurricular opportunities, ensuring students enjoy a well- rounded college experience. Ripon College enrolls more than 700 students with a student- to-faculty ratio of 12:1. The college’s picturesque, historic campus and vibrant community provide a supportive environment where students can thrive academically and personally.
City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Wednesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Update on Starin Park Water Tower and Update on the historical gardens that were found next to Effigy Mounds.
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/979719725
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 979-719-725
United States: +1 (571) 317-3112
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install
The Whitewater City Market will not take place on July 1 as setup continues for the Whitewater 4th of July Festival.
The following student from the area has been named to the University of Wisconsin-Stout Dean’s List for the spring 2025 semester.
The award is presented to students who have a grade point average of 3.5 or above.
UW-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, offers more than 70 industry-aligned undergraduate and graduate degrees and 40 professional certificate programs. Established in 1891, the university prides itself on the success of its students in the workplace, with nearly 1,000 national internship placements and an employment rate of 99% for recent graduates. UW-Stout is a top-rated Military Friendly and Best for Vets institution, a DOE Green Ribbon recipient for sustainability, and the only four-year institution in the U.S. to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
University of Wisconsin-Stout offers a polytechnic education distinguished by applied learning and research, business and industry collaboration, and career-focused experiences to prepare students for success in engineering, technology, design, management and other fields. It is one of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin.
Whitewater, WI
Michael Olszewski, BS Cybersecurity
Cameron ZehrGrimm, a Biology major from Whitewater, is engaging in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Summer Undergraduate Research (SURF) program.
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship is a faculty-mentored summer research grant. Students must apply for the highly-competitive program, which includes a stipend and an expense budget for supplies, travel, or publication costs. Participating students are paired with a UW-Whitewater faculty mentor.
After participating in the summer program, students will present at UW-Whitewater’s Fall and Spring Undergraduate Research Days and at either the national Conference on Undergraduate Research or the Universities of Wisconsin Symposium.
Students who participate in undergraduate research – a staple of the Warhawk experience – are exposed to hands-on learning opportunities, relationship building and networking, presenting at state and national conferences, and being published in prestigious journals.
To learn more about the SURF program, visit uww.edu/urp.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by UW-Whitewater.
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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