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Today is Monday, June 22, 2026
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https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=50807
US Route 12 extends almost 2500 miles from Detroit, Michigan to Aberdeen, Washington, but it has been largely superseded by Interstates 90 and 94. It’s said that “unlike most U.S. Highways that have been superseded by an Interstate, US 12 remains intact as an important link for local and regional destinations.” [1] That’s certainly the case for the Whitewater area, but most residents are probably unaware that since 1993, per an act of the state legislature, the Wisconsin portion of the highway has been designated the Iron Brigade Memorial Highway. A historical marker [depicted above] in Augusta, Wisconsin in Eau Claire County tells the story, reading as follows:
“Highway 12 is dedicated to the brave soldiers of the Iron Brigade who fought in the Civil War of 1861-1865. Of the 672 infantry brigades in the Union Army, the Iron Brigade, composed of the 2nd, 6th and 7th Wisconsin, 19th Indiana and 24th Michigan Regiments, experienced the highest rate of casualties. Also known as the “Black Hats,” they served in every major battle with President Abraham Lincoln’s Army of the Potomac, from Bull Run to Appomattox.“
Per Wikipedia, “Although it fought entirely in the Eastern Theater, it [the Iron Brigade] was composed of regiments from three Western states that are now within the region of the Midwest. Noted for its excellent discipline, ferocity in battle, and extraordinarily strong morale, the Iron Brigade suffered 1,131 men killed out of 7,257 total enlistments: the highest percentage of loss suffered by any brigade in the United States Army during the war.
The designation “Iron Brigade” is said to have originated during the brigade’s action at Turners Gap, during the Battle of South Mountain, a prelude to the Battle of Antietam in September 1862. Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, commanding I Corps, approached Army of the Potomac commander Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, seeking orders. As the Western men advanced up the National Road, forcing the Confederate line back to the gap, McClellan asked, “What troops are those fighting in the Pike?” Hooker replied, “[Brigadier] General Gibbon’s brigade of Western men.”McClellan stated, “They must be made of iron.”
Hooker said that the brigade had performed even more superbly at Second Bull Run. To this, McClellan said that the brigade consisted of the “best troops in the world.” Hooker supposedly was elated and rode off without his orders. There are a few stories related to the origin, but the men immediately adopted the name, which was quickly used in print after South Mountain.”
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by ErikaWittlieb from Pixabay.
[1] From the Wikipedia article on Highway 12.
By Sherry Stanek
Urban Forestry Commission
City of Whitewater is Awarded High Flyer Bird City Status For 2025
Whitewater’s Urban Forestry Commission [UFC] wants to share with residents that our city has once again been awarded High Flyer Bird City Status! This is a high honor for our city. Each year, UFC holds various educational opportunities for city residents to educate us all on the importance of birds, their roles in the environment and each of our roles in protecting them and helping them to thrive! They are so much more than beautiful!
Be sure to stop by one of the Purple Martin communities at Minieska Park, Clay Street Nature Park or Starin Park and watch these delightful birds swoop and eat insects as they rear their young. And please join us at Whitewater Middle School this fall to watch the Chimney Swifts gang up to migrate south. Help us count the literally hundreds of these birds as they gather at this very important nesting site! Thank you to WMS! Take part in Backyard Bird Counts as citizen scientists and get to know this important part of our world.
The following communication was received from the Bird City Wisconsin program director.
Dear City of Whitewater,
On behalf of myself and Bird City Wisconsin’s Steering Committee, I would like to congratulate the City of Whitewater on achieving High Flyer status in the Bird City Wisconsin program. Bird City communities are at the forefront of efforts to forge a statewide coalition of citizens and public officials who recognize that birds are more than beautiful – they are significant. Bird City
Wisconsin truly appreciates both all that you do to green your community as well as all of the effort that you put into demonstrating all of your community’s actions to us during the renewal process. ~ Kelsey Bell, Program Director
About Bird City
Bird City Wisconsin was created in 2009 and began recognizing communities the following year. The program recognizes municipalities for the conservation and education activities that they undertake to make their communities healthy for birds… and people. Bird City Wisconsin is the first Bird City program and served as the model for the Western Hemisphere-wide Bird City
Network, of which Bird City Wisconsin is a founding member. To be recognized as a Bird City, a community must take actions across four categories (Habitat, Threat Reduction, Education & Engagement, and Sustainability) and officially recognize and celebrate World Migratory Bird Day. Bird City also offers High Flyer recognition for those communities that truly go above and
beyond in their conservation and education programs. To become a High Flyer, a community must meet additional, and more involved, criteria.
JACKSON, MS — Congratulations to Justin Kilchenmann, on their recent graduation from Belhaven University. Kilchenmann, from Whitewater, WI, graduated with a Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies degree.
Kilchenmann was among more than 400 students who received degrees from Belhaven University during the Spring 2025 commencement.
Belhaven University is a private Christian university with over 4000 students, located in Jackson, Mississippi. For more information, visit www.belhaven.edu.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Belhaven University.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Names Rainbow Community Care a Winner of The Southeast Wisconsin Top Workplaces 2025 Award
Rainbow Community Care is pleased to announce that its organization has been honored with a prestigious Southeastern Wisconsin 2025 Top Workplaces Award by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“Earning a Top Workplaces Award is a significant achievement for a local, independent, and non-profit organization like Rainbow, especially since it reflects genuine input from our employees,” said Carol Brown, RN, Rainbow Community Care President & CEO. “Our ability to serve the rural areas of Dodge and Jefferson counties so effectively for many years has only been possible because of our amazing team. The fact that 90 of our 116 staff took the time to tell us how we’re doing is quite humbling, and I’m thankful.”
Winners are determined based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by Energage, LLC, an employee engagement technology company. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and
various themes, including feelings of respect and support, opportunities for growth/development, and empowerment to take initiative, to name a few.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re
allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
Top Workplaces celebrate companies and organizations across three categories: small, mid-size, and large, employing as few as 50 to over 500 individuals, that foster positive work cultures.
ABOUT RAINBOW COMMUNITY CARE
Founded by volunteers in 1990, Rainbow Community Care is a local, independent, and non-profit provider of services that supports patients and families throughout the entire journey with aging and serious illness. Highly regarded for excellence in hospice care, palliative care, advance care planning, grief support, parish nursing, and volunteer programs, we care for people living in their homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes in rural South-Central Wisconsin as well as the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek.
Final arrangements have been made for Memorial Day activities to be held on Monday, May 26th in Whitewater and hosted by American Legion Post 173 and VFW Post 5470.
At 6:00 AM members of the American Legion and anyone who wants to help will gather at the American Legion, 292 S. Wisconsin St., Whitewater to place American Flags along Main Street.
The parade will form at the Hearthstone Memory Care at Fairhaven parking lot [426 W. North Street] at 10:00 AM and will march off promptly at 10:30 AM concluding at the Downtown Whitewater Armory.
In case of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled but the program will be held at the Armory beginning at 11:00 AM.
Leading the parade will be the color guard of William Graham Post 173 American Legion.
The Whitewater High School Band and the Whitewater Middle School Band will provide music for the parade.
Featured in the parade will be guest speaker Air Force Senior Master Sergeant and American Legion Post 173 Vice-Commander Jessica Kienbaum. Also participating will be American Legion and VFW scholarship winners, Badger Boys and Girls State attendees, the American Legion Americanism award and the American Legion Outstanding Athlete award recipient. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Whitewater Youth Soccer, and other youth organizations are invited to participate.
Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by Steve Smith.
| Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff for Memorial Day |
| MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #263 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Mon., May 26, 2025, as the state and nation recognize Memorial Day to honor and remember the nation’s fallen heroes, as well as the family members and loved ones they left behind. “As we honor Memorial Day, we solemnly pay tribute to service members throughout our nation’s history who have given their lives in service of the freedoms, principles, and values we hold dear,” said Gov. Evers. “These service members selflessly sacrificed their lives for this country, and we share a duty and a responsibility to protect and defend all those who have protected and defended us. On Memorial Day, in Wisconsin and across America, we are called upon to remember, reflect on, and honor our nation’s fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price and the loved ones, friends, and colleagues who miss them and cherish their memory every day.” Executive Order #263 will be in effect from sunrise to 12 p.m., as is customary, on Mon., May 26, 2025, and is available here. |
NOTICE: John’s Disposal will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day.
Please note the following route change:
- Thursday’s route is delayed to Friday
Residents may contact John’s Disposal directly by calling (262) 473-4700 or by emailing
office@johnsdisposal.com. You may also view their website at
https://www.johnsdisposal.com.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the City of Whitewater.
Return to Eastlake: Warhawk Baseball Advances to NCAA World Series after Decisive Game against UW-Oshkosh
Titans force third game, but UWW answers back with a 10-0 shutout to clinch their spot in the DIII World Series for the second consecutive season
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team will make their return to Eastlake, Ohio after an all-around showcase in a decisive third game against UW-Oshkosh in the NCAA Division III Super Regional in Whitewater, Wisconsin.
The Titans (35-16) forced a decisive third game, after opening the day with a 5-2 victory, but the Warhawks shut-out the Titans in the decision, allowing their bats to get to work with 10 runs on 17 hits.
To open the day, it was a must win for the Titans in the best-of-three series as the Warhawks took the opening game with a dominant 14-1 win, yesterday. Read more…
The Titans got out to an early start on defense, stranding the Warhawks on the corners at the top of the first. UW-Oshkosh was the designated home team per NCAA policy in both games of the day. The momentum shifted into the bottom of the frame as UWO took an early 3-0 lead with an RBI-single and 2-run homer in the first inning.
Eli Frank (Bayport, Wis./Bay Port) closed the gap with a 2-out RBI single in the third, but UW-Oshkosh would make back up the run immediately with a sacrifice in the bottom of the inning.
The Warhawks had eight hits in the early game, but nothing was together. That changed in the 6th, when three consecutive singles ended with an RBI for Darryl Jackson (Milwaukee, Wis./Rufus King). That run cut the lead to just two, where it held until the bottom 8th.
UW-Oshkosh added an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th with a small ball rally. UW-Whitewater couldn’t make up the deficit with their last three outs, setting the stage for the decisive third game at Prucha Field.
The Warhawks batted first again in the third game, and it didn’t take long to get the bats going. The second inning began with three straight singles to load the bases for UWW. However, UW-Oshkosh managed to escape only allowing one run on a sacrifice fly from Jackson.
Andy Thies (Tallahassee, Fla./Lawton Chiles) tacked on another run, hitting his first home run of the day in the top of the 3rd. Dominik McVay (Mineral Point, Wis./Mineral Point) followed it up in the next frame, with his own no-doubter to left field. McVay’s jack scored two, but the Warhawks continued to rally in the top of the fourth. Thies and Frank each hit doubles that bounced high off the outfield wall to score two more as the UWW lead increased to 6-0.
Logan Eisenbarth (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) continued to deal on the mound, putting down nine batters straight. The offense added on two more to help him and the defense out, a sacrifice fly from Matt Scolan (Downers Grove, Ill./South) in the 5th and Andy Thies’s (Tallahassee, Fla./Lawton Chiles) second home run of the game in the 6th.
In the top of the 7th, the Titans got through three outs without allowing a run for the first time since the first inning. Eli Frank (Bayport, Wis./Bay Port) changed that in the top of the 8th with just one swing, hitting the 100th home run of the season for the Warhawk crew.
Eisenbarth was relieved in the eighth and made his way to the dugout under a standing ovation from the Warhawk faithful. Jack Hagen (San Clemente, Cal./San Clemente) picked up where he left off, keeping the Titans shut out in the final two innings of work.
Thies added an insurance run in the top of the ninth, going from second to home on a dropped-third-strike wild pitch.
UW-Oshkosh grabbed their only extra-base-hit of the game in the bottom of the ninth, but a fly out to Scolan in left field secured the Warhawks’ spot in the NCAA Division III World Series for the second consecutive season.
Eisenbarth earned the win on the mound, going 7.0 innings without allowing a run and only three hits. The junior fanned six batters on the way to his 8th victory of the season.
The Warhawks will await word from the NCAA on the seeding for the NCAA World Series. Information will be released via www.ncaa.com/sports/baseball/d3 in the coming days. For the most up-to-date news and stories, visit uwwsports.com or download the Warhawk Athletics App.
Editor’s note: The above article was posted to the UW-Whitewater website.
For tryout registration please visit whitewatersoccer.com
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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