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This Week’s City & School District Meetings

August 26, 2023

WUSD Professional Learning Community Presentation – Monday @ 8:00 a.m.Members of the Whitewater School Board will be attending a presentation by Eric Twadell at Whitewater High School. A quorum of the School Board may be present; however, the Board will not be conducting any business during the event.

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 5:30 p.m. (Closed Session) 7:00 p.m. (Open Session)
Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes 2023-24 Budget Hearing
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin

5:30 p.m. via Zoom Online – Closed Session

– Passcode: 308069

  • Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
  • Webinar ID: 851 0780 8798

– Passcode: 308069

Closed Session

7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online

– Passcode: 727968

  • Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
  • Webinar ID: 886 0545 6019

– Passcode: 727968

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda
Community Room – 2nd Floor – 4:30 p.m. In Person and Virtual
312 W. Whitewater St.
Please join meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/280678605
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 280-678-605
United States: +1 (571) 317-3122

WUSD Staff Kick-off – Tuesday @ 7:00 a.m.
Members of the Whitewater School Board will be attending the 2023 WUSD Staff Kick-Off at Whitewater High School. A quorum of the School Board may be present; however, the Board will not be
conducting any business during the event.

  1. 2023 WUSD STAFF KICK-OFF
    A.

Heftys Lead Whippet Harriers at Alumni Meet

August 26, 2023

In the 21st running of the Dirk Seibold Alumni Cross Country Meet on Saturday, August 26, Jack and Mady Hefty led their teams as the top finishers in the first race of the season. The event was contested with good weather and the always challenging 5000m course at UW-Whitewater. Jack cruised to a great first effort with a time of 17:30. Running very poised and together much of the race were Nate Holden and Xavier Zei who placed 2nd and 3rd with times of 18:41 and 18:49. Miles Nickelsburg nabbed a 4th place finish with a sub 20 effort to stop the clock in 19:44. In a bit of a surprise finish, Onyx Thompson and Chad Hein duked it out at the finish to take the 5th and 6th place positions with times of 21:52.3 and 21:52.7. Quincy Boudreau rounded out the top 7th by placing 7th in 22:10. The top alumni finisher was CJ Tomomitsu who placed 8th in 22:16. The current Whippets beat the Alumni with a finishing score of 15-59.

On the girls’ side, Mady Hefty looked under control and accelerated as the race rolled on. She was able to pull into 2nd overall, behind the overall winner of Whitewater Middle School staff member Maddy Blain. Mady Hefty’s time was 22:43. Nola Coburn came in 3rd for the Whippets in 23:28. Athena Soto and Carley Boudreau finished close to each other in 4th and 5th, stopping the clock in 23:21 and 23:57. Lindsey (Shulte) Taylor was the top Alumni finisher in 6th place with a time of 25:07. Isabella Aranda was the team’s 5th runner today and finished in 8th with a time of 26:28. Lauren Buehler and Silvia Harris rounded out the scoring varsity runners by placing 10th and 11th with times of 27:02 and 27:16. The current Whippets defeated the alumni with a score 17-42.

There were numerous friends of the program and alumni who attended the event that did not run. Coach Carstens would like to thank all those who came to the event and keep the running community within the Whippet CC Program strong year after year!

Next up for the Whippets will be the Bulldog Invite in West Allis at McCarty Park on Friday, September 1st. Race times are: 4:00 – Boys JV, 4:35 – Girls Varsity, 5:05 – Boys Varsity, 5:35 – Girls JV

Results: Girls, Boys

Article and Photos Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org

Discover Whitewater Series Opens Fit Kid Shuffle and Kids Korral Registration

August 25, 2023

WHITEWATER –August 22, 2023 –The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon, Half Marathon Team Event, 5k, and W3 Fit Kid Shuffle is excited to announce the registration for the Fit Kid Shuffle and Kids Korral are now live. 

The 11th annual DWS will be held on Sunday, September 17th, 2023. The DWS partners with Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3) to host the Fit Kid Shuffle, a free race for kids. The Fit Kid Shuffle is held on Saturday, September 16th at 10:00 a.m. where kids 10 and under can join in on the fun. This one-mile course includes obstacles and pathways for participants to enjoy. Fit Kid Shufflers are provided with a t-shirt, snacks, and even their very own medal after the race. 

Meanwhile, the Kids Korral, free childcare for children ages 1-10 is available for parents, guardians, or caregivers who are participating in the race. In previous years, the Kids Korral has been a great success for the DWS, as well as an important feature for runners with children.

The DWS partners with UW-Whitewater’s College of Educational and Professional Studies to make the Kids Korral possible. Members of the University’s student organization: Creative and Resourceful Educators (CARE) plan to dedicate their time to making the Kids Korral as safe and beneficial as possible. 

The Kids Korral is scheduled to open at 7:00 a.m. on race day, where kids have the opportunity to play games, arts and crafts and much more. The Kids Korral will offer child supervision until noon. Parents and caregivers can pick up their kids whenever they are finished, and can continue the festivities at the DWS’ post-race celebration. 

The DWS Team is excited to offer the Fit Kid Shuffle and Kids Korral once again. To register to run or volunteer, visit https://RunWhitewater.com/.

For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight, Executive Director at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.

About the DWS
The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features, while keeping everyone in the community active. All the proceeds from the race are donated to local non-profit partners: Bethel House (which provides interim housing for homeless families), Whitewater LEADS, Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3), and the J-Hawk Aquatic Club. The DWS partners with the city, business community, and university to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit www.runwhitewater.com.

UW-W Selected to Win WIAC Football Title

August 25, 2023

MADISON, Wis.–University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the defending conference co-champion, and winner of 14 of the last 17 titles, has been picked to secure the 2023 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) football championship, according to a preseason poll conducted by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

The Warhawks, who have posted 39 first-place finishes in program history, enter the 2023 campaign ranked ninth in the Lindy’s Sports NCAA Division III Preseason Poll and No. 11 by D3football.com. UW-Whitewater has secured four consecutive NCAA postseason bids. Jace Rindahl takes over the head coaching duties after serving as an assistant coach with the program for the last eight seasons. He played for the Warhawks from 2005-08, helping the program to its first NCAA Division III title in 2007.

UW-La Crosse, ranked fifth by Lindy’s Sports and No. 12 by D3football.com, is pegged for second in the conference standings. The Eagles shared the WIAC title with UW-Whitewater a season ago and appeared in the NCAA Division III tournament for the second straight season – and 13th time in program archives. UW-La Crosse has compiled 18 wins in the last two seasons, matching its best two-year stretch since 1996-97.

UW-Oshkosh begins the 2023 season ranked No. 21 by D3football.com and is predicted to finish third in the WIAC. The Titans have secured 11 conference titles, with the most recent in 2019.

UW-River Falls, selected fourth in the conference race, has represented the WIAC in the Culver’s Isthmus Bowl the past two seasons. The Falcons have totaled 16 victories in 2021 and 2022, for their best two-year stint since 1995-96 (17 wins). UW-River Falls is ranked No. 23 by D3football.com.

The remaining order in the conference predictions feature: UW-Platteville; UW-Stout; UW-Eau Claire; and UW-Stevens Point.

Rob Erickson is the new head coach at UW-Eau Claire. A UW-Platteville alum (1996-99), he most recently served as an assistant coach at South Dakota State University since 2020. Erickson has also been an assistant coach at UW-Whitewater, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point and Aurora University (Ill.).

The 2023 season is set to begin Aug. 31, with the conference slate kicking-off Sept. 30.

The WIAC will be represented in the Culver’s Isthmus Bowl for the third consecutive season against an opponent from the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin – the highest-placing team in each conference’s standings that isn’t selected for the NCAA Division III Championship. This year’s event will be held at Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium in Sun Prairie, Wis., Nov. 18.

2023 Preseason Predictions–Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors

2022 Record
1.  UW-Whitewater(8-3 overall, 6-1 WIAC)
2.  UW-La Crosse(9-2, 6-1)
3.  UW-Oshkosh(6-4, 4-3)
4.  UW-River Falls(7-4, 4-3)
5.  UW-Platteville(5-5, 4-3)
6.  UW-Stout(5-5, 3-4)
7.  UW-Eau Claire(2-8, 1-6)
8.  UW-Stevens Point(1-9, 0-7)
Team Capsule

UW-Whitewater
Head Coach:  Jace Rindahl; 1st season at UWW
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  31/20
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  32/18
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  3/0
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  4/7
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  7/4
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/0

Returning All-WIAC:  Reed Farrington, Jr., DL (2021-Honorable, 2022-Second); Egon Hein, Sr., DB (2021-First, 2022-First); Jeffery Isotalo-McGuire, So., K (2022-Honorable/Newcomer of the Year); Drake Martin, Jr., RB (2022-First); Zach Sherman, Sr., TE (2022-Second); Tamir Thomas, Jr., RB (2022-Second)

Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Tommy Coates, Jr., WR; Addison DeShambo, Jr., OL; Steven Hein, Jr., WR; John Pekar, Jr., OL

Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Parker Breunig, Jr., DB; Matt Burba, Jr., DL; Hawk Heffner, Sr., LB; Kyle Koelblinger, Jr., DB

Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Nate Custer, Sr., K/P

Editor’s note: The above information was posted to the WIAC website.

ADRC of Walworth County Offers Program to Reduce Falls in Older Adults

August 25, 2023

(ELKHORN, WI): According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four older adults has a fall each year and Wisconsin leads the nation in fall-related deaths for people 60 and older. But the good news is that falls are not a normal part of aging and can be prevented. The Stepping On program offered by the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) has been researched and proven to reduce falls by 31 percent.

Stepping On gives participants strategies for avoiding falls in just seven weekly sessions, including balance and strength exercises, home safety check suggestions, medication review, and more. Local experts, including a physical therapist and pharmacist, visit over the course of the seven sessions to provide fall-prevention information and strategies. The workshop is designed specifically for people aged 60 or older who have fallen and/or have a fear of falling.  Participants can expect to leave with improved strength, better balance, and a feeling of confidence and independence.

Stepping On will be held in the Stratford Community Room on Thursdays, September 21 through November 2, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Westshire Farms at the Lakes, 5680 Parliament Lane, in Delavan. The workshop has a suggested contribution of $10. 

For questions or to register for the program, contact Chetney Blaszczyk RDN, CD at (262) 741-3309.

About the ADRC of Walworth County: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your personal situation.

Attorney Michael E. Grubb is Now Affiliated with Olm & Associates [Ad]

August 25, 2023

                                               

Attorney Michael E. Grubb (formerly with Brennan Steil S.C. in Janesville) is now affiliated with Olm & Associates in Whitewater. Mr. Grubb’s law practice is concentrated in the areas of real estate, estate planning and general business matters.

He can be reached at:
Attorney Michael E. Grubb
Olm & Associates
522 W Main Street
P.O. Box 37
Whitewater, WI 53190-0037
608-743-2930
262-473-1819 (General Office)
Fax: 262-473-1977
mike@olmandassociates.com

UW-W’s Fairhaven Lecture Series Celebrates 40 Years of Community Conversations

August 24, 2023

UW-Whitewater’s Fairhaven Lecture Series Celebrates 40 Years of Community Conversations

UW-Whitewater’s Office of Continuing Education and Fairhaven Senior Services are recognizing “A Legacy of Lifelong Learning: Celebrating 40 years of Community Conversations” through the Fairhaven Lecture Series. Since 1983, UW-Whitewater faculty and staff and community and business leaders have offered free presentations on topics ranging from art and literature to history and politics.  

This fall, we celebrate four decades of timely and relevant presentations by showcasing the University’s award-winning faculty and staff who are committed to providing exceptional educational experiences for all. Once dubbed “one of Whitewater’s best kept secrets,” the Series has become a well-known tradition, engaging our community and transforming lives. Join us in celebrating 40 years of conversations, won’t you?

Lectures in the Fall Fairhaven Lecture Series, “A Legacy of Lifelong Learning: Celebrating 40 Years of Community Conversations” are free and open to the public. They are held on Mondays at 3:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at Fairhaven Senior Services, 435 West Starin Road, Whitewater. Lectures will be recorded and posted to our website and YouTube channel. Videos of lectures from this and previous series can be accessed for free any time after they are posted.

Visit www.uww.edu/ce/fairhaven and www.facebook.com/UWWFairhavenLecture/ for videos, descriptions of each lecture, and updates on the status of each lecture.  Contact Kari Borne at bornek@uww.edu or 262-472-1003 for further information or to request accommodations.   

About UW-Whitewater

At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater we inspire, engage and transform lives. Our higher education mission began more than 150 years ago — and we now serve more than 11,000 students at our Whitewater and Rock County campuses, 90% of whom stay in the region after earning their degree.  Offering more than 170 undergraduate and graduate majors and minors as well as an education specialist and a doctoral degree. The Warhawk family — led by caring faculty and staff — is devoted to student success within a broad range of academic programs. One of only four Public Colleges of Distinction in the state, the university boasts small class sizes (20:1 ratio), is ranked one of the top 10 public colleges by the U.S. New & World Report, and is the top-ranked college in the state for serving students with disabilities.

Local Tax Preparer Accused of Filing 340 False Returns

August 24, 2023

Editor’s note: The following press release was issued by the State of Wisconsin Department of Revenue on August 24, 2023.

Whitewater Tax Preparer Charged with Tax Crimes Filed 340
False Returns


Mauricio Castaneda, a Whitewater tax preparer, was charged with theft, five counts of filing false Wisconsin income tax returns and five counts of filing false claims for credit. Castaneda was charged in Walworth County on August 21, 2023.

According to the criminal complaint, Castaneda allegedly filed returns for customers at El Nevado Taxes [239 E. Milwaukee St.] in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Some customers filed under Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) which are issued and used by individuals who are required to have a tax identification number but do not have a Social
Security number. Customers received refunds for Wisconsin income taxes withheld. Later, Castaneda allegedly filed fraudulent returns that used different identification numbers, but the customers’ same W-2 wage
statements that were previously used to receive refunds. Castaneda also allegedly added fictitious spouses and claimed credits to increase the tax refunds. Castaneda received the refund checks in the mail and deposited
them into his bank account. Castaneda allegedly filed 340 false returns attempting to defraud the state of Wisconsin of approximately $331,656.

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue prevented refunds from being issued for 307 fraudulent returns. However, Castaneda received refunds on 33 returns, for a loss of $33,356. If convicted on all counts, Castaneda may be imprisoned up to 70 years, face fines up to $125,000, or both, and
assessed the cost of prosecution. An assistant attorney general from the Criminal Litigation Unit in the Wisconsin Department of Justice is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Office of Criminal Investigation.

Castaneda is presumed innocent. An initial appearance is scheduled in Walworth County Circuit Court for September 19, 2023, at 1:15 p.m.

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue Office of Criminal Investigation investigates individuals and businesses suspected of committing tax crimes and seeks criminal prosecution for those crimes.

To report tax fraud, go to www.revenue.wi.gov and click the “Report tax fraud” link under Quick Links.

Obituaries

Obituary: Harry Oliver Dempsey, 80

Harry Oliver Dempsey passed away peacefully and among family in Elkhorn, WI on July 24, 2024 at the age of 80. Born on May 21, 1944 to William and Norma (Shober) Dempsey, Harry grew up on the family farm in Whitewater. In his younger years, Harry enjoyed hunting and fishing, a passion that he later passed on to his own children. All his life he could often be found in his shop, building or fixing something – from a child’s toy to lawn mowers, cars, and tractors. His passion for self-sufficiency extended to his large garden whose abundance he happily … Read more

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Obituary: Shirley A. Knuteson, 85

SHIRLEY A. KNUTESON, age 85, of Whitewater, died Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Glenwood at Mulberry Campus in Whitewater. She was born to Hugo and Helen (Wilson) Ferge of Elkhorn, WI. She attended school in Walworth High School, graduating in 1956. Shirley worked at Sterlingworth in Elkhorn and then Fairhaven Nursing Home prior to retirement.  As a young woman, she loved roller skating, had a love for animals, especially her dogs and horses on the farm. She was a loyal Brewer and Packer fan. Her diverse family was her pride and joy.  Shirley is survived by her six children Jerry … Read more

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Celebration of Life: Dave Triebold

A celebration of life for Dave Triebold will be held July 27 at Triebold Farms, with festivities beginning around 11:30 am. A rememberance service will take place at 12:30 pm. A pig roast will follow, and the pool will be open. The family encourages you to stay through the evening for a bonfire as well. Contact Kris (262)949-5474 or Kath (414)412-4385 with questions.

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Celebration of Life: James Paul Fisher, 86

James Paul Fisher, 86, known by friends as JP or Jay, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at UW Hospital, Madison, with his immediate family by his side. His body finally surrendered to a heart attack after battling heart and kidney ailments for many years. Born in Fond du lac, Wisconsin, on October 25, 1937, to Lorraine and James Fisher, JP was a resident of Elkhorn and then Whitewater, Wisconsin. At age 2 JP was diagnosed with polio. Through daily therapy administered by his mother and grandmother, he overcame this life threatening virus, and with a prognosis of limited … Read more

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Obituary: Shirley M.  Messier, 86

Shirley M. Messier, 86, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on July 8, 2024. Shirley was born to Erwin and Leona Reese on May 20, 1938, in Farmington, Wisconsin. Shirley (“Shirttail”) attended the local country school, then set out on her own, taking a job doing factory work. On August 24, 1957, she married Blaine Messier in Jefferson, Wisconsin. They had three daughters, Michele (Shelly), Terry, and Karen. Shirley spent many years being a working wife and mother, finally retiring from Polymer Technologies / MacLean Fogg in Whitewater. Shirley loved country music and spent her retirement years going to George Jones … Read more

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Celebration of Life: Patricia Parr

Patricia Ann ParrBorn 7/20/42Departed to Heaven 5/10/23 About herself, Patricia often said “I love life, I love God, He always has taken care of me, and He always will”. Patricia died peacefully at Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, after a long and courageously fought season of declining health. Patricia was born in Beaver Dam, to a lovely family, which included her older brother Dennis and not too long after, her lifetime best friend and little sister Mary. They grew up on an idyllic “Gentlemen’s Farm” outside of Jefferson, with horses and many animals. Her parents, Floyd and Kathryn owned the … Read more

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Obituary: Margorie Alice “GG” Roloff, 89

Marjorie Alice “GG” Roloff, 89, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Golden Years in Lake Geneva, WI. She was born July 31, 1934, to Fred and Martha (Arndt) Papcke, in Whitewater, WI, the fifth of eleven children. GG attended South Heart Prairie School, across the road from the family’s home farm. She is a Whitewater High School graduate. On April 19, 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, Eric. She worked a variety of jobs over the years. Her most memorable of those being the local canning factory and as a crossing guard. After retiring, she and Eric would … Read more

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Obituary: Marilyn Mae Fuerstenberg, 81 (UPDATED)

Marilyn Mae Fuerstenberg, 81 of Whitewater, WI., passed away on June 27, 2024, at Agrace Hospice in Janesville, WI. Marilyn was born May 27, 1943, in Geneva Township, to Raymond and Doris Kilpin. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her two younger brothers, Mike and Donny Kilpin. Marilyn married William (Bill) Fuerstenberg on September 21, 1963. Bill and Marilyn lived in Whitewater. Together they raised three children, taking the family on yearly vacations and camping trips throughout the years. Marilyn worked for Walworth County Health and Social Services as a Child Protection Social Worker. She dedicated 25 years … Read more

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Obituary: Jerome Francis Burke, 76

Jerome Francis Burke, age 76, of Whitewater, WI, passed away unexpectedly following a brief illness on June 27, 2024. Jerry was born in Evanston, IL on May 13, 1948 to Stephen and Catherine Burke. He grew up in Glenview, IL, where he graduated from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grade School and then Loyola Academy (Wilmette). Those early days spawned treasured, lifelong friendships. He went on to graduate from St. Joseph’s College (IN) with a BA in Economics, and it was there thathe met his beloved wife, Eileen. They married shortly after graduation and were blessed to share their lives … Read more

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Obituary: Angelica E. Vicente Santa Cruz, 59, of Delaware / Obituario

Angelica E. Vicente Santa Cruz passed away Sunday, June 30th in home beside family and friends in Milford, Delaware from a long battle with cancer. Angelica E. Vicente Santa Cruz was born on February 24, 1965. She was the daughter of Doña Carmen Santa Cruz Valdez and Don Luis Vicente León, who allowed her to share a life of family union with her four brothers: Braulio, Carmen Rosa, Edgar and Juan. She was born in Lima-Peru and grew up in the Ventanilla district of the constitutional province of Callao of Peru. She completed her primary studies at the La Merced … Read more

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