Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Wednesday, October 7, 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.
“Project Hail Mary” will be shown at Seniors in the Park at 1:00 pm on August 25.
A science teacher wakes up on a spaceship light years from Earth with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to realize his mission in space: to stop our sun from burning out. He also discovers that he is not alone: there is an extraterrestrial on board. Intriguing, fun and poignant!
This is a 2026 film rated PG-13 with a running time of two hours and 36 minutes. It stars Ryan Gosling.
A Big Week of Volunteer Support
Last Tuesday, we welcomed Millennium, celebrating their second year bringing a volunteer group out to a jobsite. They’ve been a dedicated partner of Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County, generously supporting our mission through hands-on volunteering. The group made great progress on the Whitewater twin homes, working on stair treads, decks, closet systems, and more.
This past Wednesday, we welcomed Provisur, a company with a local plant right in Whitewater. The group was enthusiastic and productive on-site! We love seeing local employees roll up their sleeves to volunteer, and we’re hopeful that this new housing could be a real opportunity for local employees looking to put down roots in the community.
Live Where You Work
Could a home in Whitewater be within reach? Four new workforce homes are being built right now, designed for households with stable income who are ready for homeownership but priced out of the market. Take a look at the details below and see if it could be the right fit for someone you know.
The Whitewater Kiwanis Club, longtime sponsors of facilities provided around the “Flowing Well” on Clover Valley Road, is looking for individuals willing to sign-on to provide routine maintenance and an accommodations spruce-up at the heavily used source of spring water located near Whitewater Lake.
Members of existing or disbanded service organizations are encouraged to be a part of this effort.
There are also opportunities for a repainting and touch-up of the Kiwanis Shelters at Starin Park and future activities like a 2027 Pancake Day.
A 2026 Kiwanis Pancake Day will not take place this year in deference to the Whitewater Fire Fighters Pancake Day (scheduled for Sunday, September 13 from 7-11) along with unresolved host site location issues for the annual Kiwanis event.
Please contact Al Stanek @ albert.stanek@gmail.com if interested.
Photo of an early Cravath Lakefront morning courtesy of Steve Watson
Whitewater Unified School District School Board Regular Meeting – Monday 8/24 @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda
Whitewater Middle School Library
401 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
——————————-
6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81486480660?pwd=arVWan00pELU2DK737bCDfiHNjYma1.1
Passcode: 262488
Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 814 8648 0660
City of Whitewater Finance Committee Meeting – Tuesday 8/25 @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor
312 West Whitewater Str, Whitewater, Wisconsin
——————————-
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/294162322884024?p=pQG4R4ET8CvfK59u1N
Meeting ID: 294 162 322 884 024
Passcode: 79Av9HF3
Dial in by phone +1 929-229-5663,,655011133# United States, New York City
Phone conference ID: 655 011 133#
City of Whitewater Aquatic Center Committee Meeting – Tuesday 8/25 @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda
Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center, Large Meeting Room
580 S. Elizabeth St. Whitewater, Wisconsin
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/297508834174260?p=ZcAYS2wyCYG6VfZ4Ta
Twenty Wisconsin schools receive more than $14,500 in funding to support students with diabetes
The Wisconsin Lions Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its inaugural School Technology Grant, developed through the Foundation’s Diabetes Awareness Project to help Wisconsin schools purchase technology to assist in the monitoring of students with diabetes who use continuous glucose monitors during the school day.
In its first year of the School Technology Grant, after receiving 50 applications, awards were given to 20 schools across Wisconsin, totaling more than $14,500. The grants are intended to improve student safety and security while providing schools with important resources and technology to help support students with diabetes throughout the school day.
The 2026 School Technology Grant recipients are:
- Superior Middle School, Superior School District
- Cooper Montessori, Burlington Area School District
- School District of Glenwood City
- Rhinelander High School, Rhinelander School District
- Northern Lights Elementary, Superior School District
- Flambeau School, Flambeau School District
- Whitnall High School, Whitnall School District
- Westfield Area Middle/High School, School District of Westfield
- Burlington High School, Burlington Area School District
- Prescott Middle School, Prescott School District
- Cedarburg High School, Cedarburg School District
- Forrest Street Elementary School, School District of Black River Falls
- Gilman Elementary, Gilman School District
- Lincoln Elementary, Whitewater Unified School District
- Superior High School, Superior School District
- Greenwood Elementary, River Falls School District
- Stangel Learning Community, Manitowoc Public School District
- Northwestern Elementary School, Maple School District
- Parkview Elementary, Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District
- Washington Elementary, Merrill Area Public Schools
The School Technology Grant represents a new direction for the Wisconsin Lions Foundation’s Diabetes Awareness Project and expands the Foundation’s efforts to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by diabetes throughout Wisconsin.
“As a former school nurse, I am excited to launch this new grant program and provide resources that can help schools better support students with diabetes,” said Amanda Dehli, Healthcare Supervisor with the Wisconsin Lions Foundation and leader of the Foundation’s Diabetes Awareness Project. “There is a real need for schools to invest in technology to ensure the safety of students using continuous glucose monitors. We are proud to support this effort by offering this grant which will help schools access technology designed to monitor students using continuous glucose monitors. This will help students spend more time in the classroom, and less time going to and from the health office while giving school personnel valuable tools to support them during the school day.”
The Wisconsin Lions Foundation serves communities across the state through five statewide projects: Wisconsin Lions Camp, Eyeglass Recycling, Vision Screening, Hearing, and Diabetes Awareness. Through these projects, the Foundation continues its mission to serve by Reaching, Touching, and Improving Lives.
For more information about the Wisconsin Lions Foundation and its projects, visit www.wisconsinlionsfoundation.org.
Join the League of Women Voters-Whitewater for an insightful three-part community book discussion on Eddie S. Glaude Jr.’s best-selling book, America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation’s Anniversaries. Co-convened by Deb Gamble and Dwight C. Watson, this series explores the deep contradictions embedded within America’s history, examining how major national milestone celebrations often reinforce sugarcoated mythologies rather than face the complex realities of race and democracy.
Irvin L. Young Memorial Public Library
431 W Center St, Whitewater, WI 53190
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Complimentary snacks will be provided for all attendees!
About the Book: In America, U.S.A., celebrated public intellectual Eddie S. Glaude Jr. delivers a powerful, devastatingly candid analysis of the United States’ historic milestone birthdays across 250 years of history. From the Centennial to the Semiquincentennial, Glaude demonstrates how the country turns a blind eye to historical evils during periods of celebration, retreating into comforting national myths instead of executing an honest racial reckoning. Utilizing a rich combination of insights from figures like W.E.B. DuBois, John Dos Passos, and Martin Luther King Jr., the text challenges us to discard false innocence to help achieve a truly just democracy.
About the Author: Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr. is an acclaimed American scholar, author, and political commentator, widely recognized for his incisive analyses of race, religion, and democracy. Born in Moss Point, Mississippi, he is the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. Glaude earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College, a master’s in African American studies from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in religion from Princeton. As an academic, he is a dedicated pragmatist and scholar of religion, exploring the intersection of faith, philosophy, and Black political identity.
Discussion Schedule & Reading Alignment:
- September 9: Part 1 — The Mythologies of the Past
- Focus: We will analyze the early milestone anniversaries outlined in the book’s first section, detailing how the foundational myths of freedom were constructed while simultaneously excluding millions of marginalized Americans.
- Introduction: Bitterness at the Bottom of the Cup — p. 1
- Chapter 1: Freedom Is the White Man’s Gift — p. 23
- Chapter 2: What Is the Fourth of July to Us? — p. 49
- Chapter 3: 1876: Centennial — p. 77
- Focus: We will analyze the early milestone anniversaries outlined in the book’s first section, detailing how the foundational myths of freedom were constructed while simultaneously excluding millions of marginalized Americans.
- October 7: Part 2 — The Cycle of Inaction and Erasure
- Focus: Our second session covers the middle section of the book, focusing on the historical “double consciousness” of a country that envisions itself as a beacon of liberty while legally and socially operating as a white republic.
- Interlude: The Plague Years — p. 103
- Chapter 4 / Interlude: 1926: Sesquicentennial / The American Century — p. 137
- Chapter 5: 1976: Bicentennial — p. 151
- Focus: Our second session covers the middle section of the book, focusing on the historical “double consciousness” of a country that envisions itself as a beacon of liberty while legally and socially operating as a white republic.
- November 11: Part 3 — Reckoning for the Future
- Focus: In our final gathering, we will cover the concluding portion of the book. We will discuss our tenuous present day and the upcoming 250th national anniversary, examining how we can break the vicious cycles of history to strive for a better future.
- Interlude: The After Times — p. 185
- Chapter 6: 2026: Semiquincentennial — p. 199
- Conclusion: Love and Country — p. 227
- Notes, Bibliography, and Index –- pp. 241 to 288
- Focus: In our final gathering, we will cover the concluding portion of the book. We will discuss our tenuous present day and the upcoming 250th national anniversary, examining how we can break the vicious cycles of history to strive for a better future.
No registration is required to attend, and books can be sourced locally or borrowed through the library catalog system.
Discussion Leaders:
- Deb Gamble (262-853-1946)/ 23debg@gmail.com
- Dwight C. Watson (920-542-8601)/ dwight.watsondcw@gmail.com
ALL ARE WELCOME • NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Books can be sourced through the local library catalog system or favorite book retailers.
The Annual Rock County Senior Fair will take place at the Woodman’s Sports and Conference Center (2510 Milton Avenue, Janesville, WI) on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 9 AM-1PM. Excitement builds for the 2026 Rock County Senior Fair as we get ready for our new venue with more parking, more space and more vendors. Our theme this year is “Just for the Sport of It.”
Join us for the opportunity to participate in practical, informative offerings, such as flu shots, details on the latest types of scams targeting seniors, and many other local resources. Vendors will share their information about their agencies, products and services with no cost to the attendees.
Medication disposal and free personal shredding drop off also will be provided throughout the day. Additionally, if desired bring unexpired, non-perishable food for the Echo Food Pantry or unneeded eyeglasses to share with the local Lions Club.
Participants will have the opportunity to participate in a game, vote on their favorite booth and enter a chance to win door prizes. (Winners will be announced after the fair)
The Rock County Senior Fair is open to the public at no charge.
Contact: Cori Marsh, Aging Programs Supervisor, ADRC of Rock County
608.757.5416 or cori.marsh@co.rock.wi.us
Obituaries
Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003. Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally … Read more
Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly … Read more
Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel. She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, … Read more
Susan Miller Celebration of Life There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin
Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck). She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November … Read more
Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working … Read more
Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life. Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and … Read more
Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a … Read more
Ellen Eichmiller, 82, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Ellen was born on September 10, 1943, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Chester “Guy” and Irene (née Holmen) Steig. She married the love of her life, Paul Eichmiller, on December 7, 1963, and together they made their home in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ellen spent much of her working life as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she formed many lasting friendships and memories. Ellen cherished her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with those closest to her. She was known for her love of … Read more
Janet Quinn, age 71, of Jefferson passed away on Thursday, August 20th. Janet was born on December 22nd, 1954 in St. Joseph, MI to Robert Mounsey and Edith Christison Mounsey. She was a granddaughter to Herbert Bragg Mounsey, Charlotte Mounsey, and Ester Christison West. She married Michael Durden in 1979 and later married Eury Quinn Jr. (J.R.) in 1988. Janet grew up in Benton Harbor, MI, and subsequently lived in New York and Arkansas before moving to Wisconsin in 2016. She was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled Mother, and worked as a custodian for various employers over the years. … 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.
