Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Monday, June 22, 2026
News & Events
To add an event, click here to go to the Community Calendar. Then, click on Submit Event.
Helpful Links
Search our Archives
To search our archives, enter a search term in the search box, then press enter to search.
| Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Former State Rep. James F. Rooney |
| MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #261 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Fri., May 23, 2025, in honor of former Wisconsin State Rep. James F. Rooney, who passed away on Sat., May 3, 2025, at the age of 89. “Former Rep. Rooney led an extraordinary life of selflessness, serving his community and our state with humility, perseverance, and compassion over his decades of dedicated public service,” said Gov. Evers. “Kathy and I extend our deepest condolences to Rep. Rooney’s friends, family, loved ones, and the Racine community as they honor his memory and mourn his passing.” Born in Racine, former Rep. Rooney served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. In 1972, former Rep. Rooney was elected to serve in the Wisconsin State Legislature, where he represented the 61st Assembly District and the 20th Assembly District for more than a decade. During his time in the Assembly, former Rep. Rooney served on various committees, including the committees on elections, financial institutions, government operations, rules, and more, and he was elected as majority caucus chair in 1983. During the legislative session in 1977, former Rep. Rooney aided in the creation of the Wisconsin Waterways Commission and served as chair of the commission for over three decades. In addition to his life of public service, former Rep. Rooney was also deeply committed to the Racine community, serving as a member of the Racine Yacht Club and the Racine Heritage Museum Board, Racine County highway commissioner and director of public works, chairman of both the Racine County Board of Harbor Commissioners and Racine County Board of Supervisors. Services for former Rep. Rooney will be held on Fri., May 23, 2025, in Racine. |
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s image is a walkway through Hillside Cemetery, c. 1900. Historically, Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was known prior to World War I, was a popular day for walking through local cemeteries and laying flowers on loved ones’ graves, particularly the graves of people who died in wars. Today, we still remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(555PC, Whitewater Historical Society)
UW-Whitewater at Rock County recognizes students at award ceremony
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at Rock County recognized more than 60 students at a recent award ceremony to celebrate the 2024-25 academic year.
The following students from your coverage area earned at least one award:
Whitewater, WI: Michelle Abarca, who is enrolled in the Arts and Science degree program and earned the following award(s): First Year Lecture – Promising Students.
Whitewater, WI: Lilith Ashmore, who is enrolled in the Liberal Arts degree program and earned the following award(s): Excellence in Critical Thinking & Engagement in Communication Studies.
Students were recognized by URock faculty and staff members for their work in the classroom and within the campus community.
UW-Whitewater at Rock County held its 2025 spring commencement ceremony for graduates of the College of Integrated Studies on May 20 in the gymnasium of the Wells Cultural Center.
The commencement speaker was Jane Blain Gilbertson, owner and executive chair of Blain’s Farm & Fleet. The company was founded in 1955 and currently employs 5,500 associates in stores throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan. A Janesville native, Blain Gilbertson received her Bachelor of Science in Retailing from Miami University. She currently serves as vice chair of the Wisconsin Manufacturing and Commerce Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce and on the board of the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation, Janesville Performing Arts Center, and the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce.
The student speaker was Gloria Lara, a Delavan resident and mother of three who is earning her Associate of Arts and Sciences. Her academic goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work followed by a dual master’s degree in social work and public health. She eventually hopes to develop a nonprofit community-based program to support first-generation daughters of immigrants.
During the ceremony, the Outstanding Alumni Award will be presented to Aimee Thurner, who attended URock in 1998. She is the president and CEO of the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, where she has worked for more than 20 years, and serves on the board of directors for Visit Beloit and the Greater Beloit Economic Development Corporation.
The Excellence in Teaching Awards will also be announced at the Rock County campus ceremony.
Learn more about UW-Whitewater at Rock County by visiting uww.edu/rock.
Editor’s note: This press release was received from UW-Whitewater.
Updated 5/23/25 @ 5:11 p.m. to correct the day of the first game to Thursday and the second game to Friday.
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Winona, Minn. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team opened the NCAA Division III Winona Super Regional with a 5-3 win over host Saint Mary’s on Thursday. The win marked the 800th on Head Coach Brenda Volk’s career at UWW.
The Warhawks set the tone early. Bella Eggert hit a rocket down the left field line, beating the third baseman for a leadoff single. Kiarra Kostroski laid down a sacrifice bunt to push Eggert to third and Emma Giese followed with a single to center to put runners on the corners. Grace Wickman blasted a deep ball straight back up the middle that even the center fielder turned to watch sail over the fence.
The Cardinals, a small ball style team, plated two in the bottom of the first courtesy of three base knocks.
That score held until the fourth when UWW got the offense going with two outs. Claire Kohnle sparked the bats with a hard single through the left side. JJ Jakosalem followed with a soft liner that fell just inside the foul line in shallow left field. Kaitlyn Weidemann’s single to right field had Kohnle cruising around the bases. Volk sent her and Kohnle slid to the backside of home. The catcher put the tag on, but the umpire was signaling for obstruction. Kohnle’s run counted on the call to give UWW a 4-2 advantage.
The top of the seventh saw more two-out offense from the Warhawk bats. Eggert singled to center. The speedster was flying around the bases to score on Kostroski’s double that went off the left fielder’s glove near the wall. The run gave UW-Whitewater a three-run cushion heading into the bottom of the seventh.
After a leadoff single down the left field line, Weidemann nearly robbed a second base hit. A blooper just over the infield toward the right field line had the second baseman laying out but it was just out of her reach. Brooke Hock took over for Josie Hammen in the circle and got out of the inning with three consecutive groundouts.
Eggert paced the offense with a 2-3 day at the plate while Wickman tallied three RBI on the bomb.
Hammen got the start and the win tossing six innings to improve to 18-2 on the season. Hock shutout the Cardinals in the final inning for her eighth save of the season.
The Warhawks return to the diamond in Winona tomorrow for game two of the three-game series at 1 PM on Friday. A third game will start at 3:30 Friday if necessary.
Editor’s note: This press release was received from UW-Whitewater.
The City of Whitewater is excited to announce the selected artists for the 2025 Traffic Box Art Project. This initiative aims to transform ordinary traffic control boxes into vibrant public artworks, celebrating creativity and enhancing the streetscape
of our community.
After careful review of numerous inspiring submissions, the following artists have been selected to bring their artistic vision to the city’s traffic boxes:
- Stephanie Krellwitz
- Linda Saumer
- Studio 84 Inc
- Jessica Fuchs
- Judith Perez
- Emma Siskoff (Dolan)
- Kelly Marie Hasknecht
- Kiba Freeman
In addition, the City of Whitewater has designated the following artists as alternates in
the event that additional opportunities become available: - Hollyn Peterson
- HG Little
- James Richter
- Brittany McKenzie
The Traffic Box Art Project is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to public art and community engagement. Artwork installation is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks.
Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the City of Whitewater. The artist applications that were submitted, including examples of their work, may be viewed on this Public Arts Committee agenda.
Moving sale 5/22-24
1672 Mound View Place in Whitewater
Household items, Hide-a-Bed, Lawn chairs, Lawnmower, Drop leaf table and 4 chairs, Dressers, chairs, Holiday decorations and so much more
… You don’t want to miss out on this one. Weather not an issue. Most items will be inside.
Thursday from 12 until 5
Friday 8 until 5
Saturday will be 8 until 12
all remaining items will be half price!
Moving sale
As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, the Banner staff agreed to offer a complimentary “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published by Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property.
Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 6 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address. If desired you can also include a few photos; we prefer the jpg format if possible.
Superintendent Finalists Meet & Greet for Parents and Community Members
As part of the selection process for the new District Superintendent, the three finalists will spend a day in the district on Thursday, May 22. The day will include a tour of the schools and time to meet with staff and students. Parents, families, and community members will also have an opportunity to meet the candidates in a public session that evening.
All interested families, parents, and community members are invited to participate in the session, which will take place on Thursday, May 22 from 5:30 to 8:05 p.m. in the Whitewater High School Auditorium. Each of the finalists will introduce themselves and take questions during their individual 45-minute session.
All district and community participants throughout the day will be able to share their feedback with the board via an online form, available through a link and QR code. The school board will conduct final interviews with each of the candidates that evening.
Bios for the finalists are shown below.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.
Updated on 5/21/25 @ 8:40 p.m. to add the above map.
County Trunk Highway-A (CTH-A) Pavement Rehabilitation Project
Construction Expected shortly after Memorial Day on CTH-A in the Town of Richmond
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will start a pavement rehabilitation project on County Trunk Highway A (CTH-A) from County Line Road (Rock County) and South County Trunk Highway P (CTH-P, Walworth County) in the Town of Richmond. This 5.8 mile project includes the following work:
- Replacement of most highway cross-culverts and driveway culverts
- Asphalt pavement removal / milling
- Construction of a new asphalt pavement surface and gravel shoulders
- Lane and shoulder widths will generally remain unchanged
What to Expect
Starting shortly after Memorial Day, CTH-A will be closed to through traffic from County Line
Road (Rock County) to South CTH-P (Walworth County) but will remain open to local traffic,
businesses and those utilizing the detour for the US12 project.
A posted detour will utilize County Trunk Highway M (CTH-M, Rock County), USH-14/WIS
11 (through City of Delavan), and County Trunk Highway-O (CTH-O, City/Town of Delavan).
The detour will ensure that truck traffic and those who are unfamiliar with the area have a safe
route around the work zone. WIS-89 and other area roads will remain open.
Although open to local traffic, the road surface may vary during construction until paving. Local
Residents are encouraged to seek alternate routes where available. Access will be maintained
for emergency services, postal delivery, garbage collection and school buses.
Watch for message sign boards for more specific information as it becomes available. The project
is scheduled to be completed in late Summer 2025. All work is weather dependent.
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
Other Recent Posts
Click on the title to view the post. To open the post in a new tab, press Ctrl (Cmd on a Mac) while clicking on the title.
