News & Events

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.

Brandon M Herdman, 38, of N9123 Connelly Rd, Whitewater, has been charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence—seventh, eighth or ninth offense, a felony.

Alyssa L. Pero, 21, of Cambridge, formerly of 320 N. Tratt St. #5, Whitewater, has been charged with Battery or Threat to Judge, Prosecutor, or Law Enforcement Officer, a felony.

Editor’s notes: The above information is taken from the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website.

It is a cardinal principle of our system of justice that every person accused of a crime is presumed to be innocent unless and until his or her guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt.

On Monday, June 16th, 2025, Whitewater police officers investigated a complaint received from a victim of a financial scam. The scam began when a person called and identified themselves to the victim as being an agent for the Federal Trade Commission. The suspect informed the victim that their bank accounts were compromised and flagged after claiming that the victim’s account was used illegally in a drug trafficking and sex trafficking incident(s). The suspect advised and disclosed many different personal identifiers about the victim, the victim’s assets, and other significant personal information. Ultimately, the suspect was able to fraud the victim out of thousands of dollars.

On June 25th, 2025, the victim called the Whitewater Police Department to report that the same suspect was again contacting the victim, indicating they needed more money, specifically $50,000 in cash. The suspect claimed that the victim’s account was once again compromised. A detective from the Whitewater Police Department met with the victim to investigate, protect the victim, and attempt to apprehend the suspect. The detective worked with the victim and their bank as the detective strategically planned a meeting to intercept the individual coming to pick up the money.

At approximately 2:00 pm, on June 25th, 2025, officers and detectives from the Whitewater Police Department, deputies from the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, and a detective from the UW-Whitewater Police Department assisted in this investigation. At about 5:00 pm, Harshal D. Patel (25 years of age from Hoffman Estates, Illinois), arrived to pick up the predetermined amount of money, $50,000. Patel was taken into custody a short time later and he was later confined in the Jefferson County Jail for Attempted Theft per Wisconsin State Statutes 943.20(1)(d), a class G Felony. This investigation is in the beginning stages, but as of this press release, Patel himself was involved in an intricate scheme with a web of other suspects who focused on elderly victims around the Midwest. Whitewater detectives have identified five different states in the Midwest that Patel himself was collecting US Currency and precious metals (such as gold). Over the last two months alone, Patel himself was [allegedly] involved in the theft of over $2.9 million in US Currency/precious metals.

This investigation is still active and no further information will be released since this is an ongoing investigation. The Whitewater Police Department would like to remind the public that no banks or government agencies will call and ask for large sums of money or other assets to be picked up. Please contact the Whitewater Police Department or your local Law Enforcement agency to report or inquire about a possible scam. If you have been a recent victim of this scam, please report your incident to your local police department.

The Whitewater Police Department would like to thank the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, UW-Whitewater Police Department, and First Citizens State Bank for their assistance in this investigation.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the Whitewater Police Department. Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Join Chrstine Hayes, Fairhaven Staff, and Residents for an exciting afternoon that will leave you feeling upbeat, happy and healthy. No prior experience or musical ability is required….all we ask is you give it a try.

Drum Circles will be held monthly at Fairhaven in their Olm Fellowship Hall. 

Any questions? Reach out to Brian Robinson- Director of Marketing, Community Relations and Leisure Services at Fairhaven- 262-473-2140.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services continues to recommend the current COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy and for every person 6 months and older to protect from serious COVID-19 illness and to prevent spreading it to others. The current COVID-19 vaccine is safe during pregnancy, and vaccination can protect women and their infants after birth. Newborns depend on maternal antibodies from the vaccine for protection.

Wisconsin Medicaid will also continue to cover the current COVID-19 vaccine for eligible Medicaid members, including children and individuals who are pregnant.

“The current COVID-19 vaccine was thoroughly reviewed for safety and effectiveness and continues to be an important tool in preventing severe illness and death,” said Department of Health Services Secretary Kirsten Johnson.

The current COVID-19 vaccine was approved following rigorous testing and safety review processes, including clinical trials and review by medical experts. The vaccine received medical and safety review and authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and the CDC director. The recent changes in CDC guidance were not made based on new data, evidence, or scientific or medical studies, nor was the guidance issued following normal processes. Following national approval, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services independently reviews FDA and CDC recommendations to provide clinical guidance to Wisconsin providers and the public.

COVID-19 continues to cause illness, hospitalization, and death. DHS encourages everyone to stay up to date on all recommended vaccinations to protect themselves and their loved ones from vaccine preventable diseases. Wisconsinites can work with their health care provider to determine which vaccines are needed or find a vaccine provider at Vaccines.gov(opens external link).

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services continues to monitor federal updates for COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and how changes could impact the health and safety of Wisconsinites. We will share any updates to Wisconsin COVID-19 vaccine recommendations with the public and our partners.

Learn more about COVID-19 in Wisconsin on the DHS website.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services.

Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that our second 2025 Cops & Bobbers event will be held on July 14, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at Leonard Leota Park, 5 Antes Drive, Evansville, WI 53536. Youth participants accompanied by Sheriff’s Office staff will fish Lake Leota from shore. Check-in will start at 9:45 a.m.; an adult guardian must be present at check-in.

There are twenty-five (25) spots available for kids ages 7-12. These spots will fill on a first come basis. Guardians can register their kid(s) online at https://www.co.rock.wi.us/departments/sheriffs-office/recreational-patrol/cops-and-bobbers.

Upon submitting the registration form, review the onscreen confirmation message.

Life jackets, fishing gear, and lunch will be provided during the event. Participants will receive a t-shirt.

The Sheriff’s Office is seeking sponsorships for the Cops & Bobbers Program. These events are free to participants due to the generosity of financial and in-kind sponsors. To learn more about sponsorships, email Deputy Trevor Lund at trevor.lund@co.rock.wi.us.

Please direct any questions to Deputy Borgwardt at 608-7578038.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s image is another one taken by historical society member George Scharfenberg of a business change in Whitewater. In this case, it was the “going out of business” of the Clark Office Supply store on North Second Street (you can see the old Armory in the background). An office supply store was advertised as opening in this location (a former laundromat) in June of 1971. It was called the Colony Office Supply and Print Shop. By 1981, the business was a branch of the Clark Office Supply store in Elkhorn and was in business until the summer of 1994, when this photo was taken.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(George Scharfenberg photo collection)