News & Events

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office’s 8 p.m. update indicates that “The greatest severe weather risk is becoming focused across west central and northern Wisconsin this evening, as a line of thunderstorms advances eastward from Minnesota and northern Iowa. Strong winds, a few brief tornadoes, and large hail will be possible with these storms. 

This line is expected to expand southward, but it’s unclear how far south that development will take place. Overall, the higher probabilities for thunderstorms and any severe weather will be along and north of I-94/US 18, mainly after midnight. Uncertainty remains above average with this severe weather event.

The overall severe weather risk for southern Wisconsin has decreased but still continues.  Forecast confidence remains below average for this event.”

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay.

Editor’s note: Parking violation 12 is for parking without a permit in a space that is designated for use by persons with a disability. The following comments were provided by Police Chief Dan Meyer.

Whitewater Community,

We’ve heard your questions and concerns regarding the recent changes to parking violation fees, and I want to take a moment to explain why these changes were made.

The decision to adjust our parking fee structure was not made lightly—nor was it made unilaterally by the Police Department. In fact, the revised fee schedule was proposed and approved by the Common Council earlier this year as part of a broader financial strategy to address structural funding challenges facing the City. At that time, it was still unclear whether the operational referendum would pass, so a number of proactive measures were explored.

One key principle behind the parking fee increase is fairness. Instead of shifting more financial burden onto all taxpayers through higher property taxes, this approach better aligns the cost with those responsible for the infraction. In other words, rather than having the entire community shoulder the cost of parking enforcement and maintenance, revenue is generated directly from those who violate the rules.

This adjustment was part of a more comprehensive effort to diversify the City’s revenue streams in a fiscally responsible way. In addition to parking fees, the City also adopted modest cost-recovery charges for open records requests and video redactions—steps that help ensure essential services can continue without further strain on the general fund.

We recognize the timing of the fee implementation may be frustrating to some. Please know it was carefully considered within a larger context, and always with the intent of ensuring fairness and long-term fiscal sustainability.

Respectfully,

Dan Meyer

Chief of Police

By Dr. John Frye and Andrew Courtney to The Whitewater Banner

Dr. John Frye, Associate Professor of Geography with a focus in meteorology and climatology of extreme weather events at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, storm chaser with 25 years of experience. Dr. Frye can be contacted at fryej@uww.edu.

Andrew Courtney holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography with a research focus in severe weather, storm chaser with 12 years of experience.

As of 3 pm Sunday, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC, www.spc.noaa.gov) has most of Wisconsin under an enhanced risk of severe weather from Monday 7 a.m. until Tuesday at 7 a.m. An enhanced risk is a level 3 out 5. A powerful storm system is moving across the country today and into our region tomorrow. This system is bringing together the ingredients to produce a wide-spread and powerful outbreak of severe weather.

For Whitewater, the SPC has the greatest threat being hail and tornadoes. At this time, it is difficult to predict exactly where storm cells will form and track; that will become clearer as the event nears. Off to Whitewater’s northwest in western Wisconsin the threat level is a 4 out of 5.

The timing of this event looks to be after sunset tomorrow night for the eastern part of the state. Given the time and the increased threat, now is the time to start preparing for where you would shelter and how will you receive warning notifications in the case of a storm tracking near Whitewater. Here are some steps to help prepare yourself and your family:

 Make sure everyone is aware of where you would shelter in the event of a tornado
 Check back often on forecasts; as the event nears more precise information can be obtained. Follow the Storm Prediction Center and/or our Local National Weather Service out of Milwaukee/Sullivan on social media accounts.
o www.spc.noaa.gov
o https://www.facebook.com/NWSSPC
o https://www.weather.gov/mkx/
o https://www.facebook.com/NWSMilwaukee
 Make sure to have multiple ways to receive a warning if issued by our local National Weather Service office.
 Turn the Wireless Emergency Alerts feature to active on your cell phone
 If you have a weather radio, make sure it is plugged in, tuned to the closest station to receive the best signal, and, if possible, put fresh batteries in it in case power goes out.
 Download an alert app on your phone, like the Red Cross Emergency app. In this app you can turn on to have it track your position and you can also set a home location and boundary for that. This app is also useful if you have friends and/or family scattered around; you can track their locations too by adding more spots for the app to monitor.

An important reminder for Monday is the definitions of a watch and warning. A watch is usually issued before any storms start and it is telling us that the ingredients for severe weather or tornado, depending on the watch type, have come together in the
atmosphere and thus the event is likely. A warning means that a storm has begun and/or is showing on radar that it is producing wind, hail, or a tornado.

Figures below are the categorical and probability forecast from the Storm Prediction Center out of Norman, Oklahoma.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates Dr. John Frye and Andrew Courtney’s input regarding the incoming storm system.

Per the 5:15 a.m. update from the National Weather Service on Monday, the following is the projected sequence of severe storm potential this afternoon and evening:

• Isolated to scattered storms now through 12 PM, with small hail possible.

• Scattered severe storms developing this afternoon and evening.
  • Window of greatest severe potential 4 PM to 11 PM.
  • All hazards expected with any storms that develop (damaging wind, large hail, and tornadoes).
• Storm formation this afternoon and evening is dependent on placement of upstream thunderstorms this morning. Timing and placement remains in question.
• A cold front with a line of associated thunderstorms will move west to east late tonight into early Tuesday morning.
  • Large hail and damaging winds are the main threats with this line, mainly in western areas.

Preliminary ACT results for Whitewater High School show significant academic growth, with all subject areas demonstrating improvement from 9th-grade PreACT through 11th-grade ACT assessments for the Class of 2026.

The cohort’s composite score rose from 15.6 in 9th grade to 18.4 in 11th grade, reflecting an 18% increase. The most notable gains occurred between the 10th and 11th grade, where targeted instructional efforts and academic supports were emphasized.

“This year’s ACT data tells a powerful story,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, WUSD Superintendent. “The Class of 2026 has shown incredible determination and perseverance, and their growth demonstrates the impact of our focused support.”

Compared to prior WHS cohorts, the Class of 2026’s composite ACT score of 18.4 is higher than the Class of 2024’s score of 17.2 and nearing the Class of 2025’s score of 19.1. The greatest two-year gains were seen in Science (23.87%) and English (25.0%).

“This cohort has made measurable progress, particularly between the 10th and 11th grade assessments,” said Dr. Terilyn Robles, WUSD Director of Teaching & Learning. “The data shows that the instructional strategies and interventions our staff implemented have effectively supported academic achievement.” The composite scores grew 12.20% between 10th and 11th grade.

Whitewater High School continues to promote growth-oriented learning strategies and collaborative supports across grade levels. School leadership also praised the high school instructional team for their role in supporting student development throughout the testing timeline.

These results will guide future planning and support strategies as the Class of 2026 prepares for senior year and post-secondary pathways.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

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Registration is available on the Parks & Recreation site (click on “special events.”) Deadline is Monday, May 5.

Updated on 4/27/25 @ 1:30 p.m. to add photos of Show Choir. Apologies that they had been accidentally omitted.

Article and photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

The 23rd annual Whitewater Middle School Jazz Band and Show Choir concert was presented on April 22 in the WMS cafeteria.

Under the direction of Stacey Joseph, the WMS Show Choir wowed the audience of at least 120 with two numbers featuring solos by Aurora Gerblick, Felicity Volbright, Serina Soto, Amelia Lefaive, Lucy Baldwin, Lily Tranel, and Eleanor Wilt.

The WMS Jazz Band, under the direction of Justin Kamp, entertained the audience with six selections. The soloists included Raya Fajardo, Melody Smith, Karlee Luna, Liam Egnoski, Liam Springer, Alex Perez-Aguila, and Jacob Christensen.

According to the program, there are 24 students in the Jazz Band and 20 students in Show Choir. It is important to note that the students rehearse and prepare for performance before the start of the school day.

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