News & Events

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NOTICE OF SPRING ELECTION

City of Whitewater – Walworth & Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin.

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that at an election to be held in the City of Whitewater on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, the following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed. The term for council member begins on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. All terms are for two years unless otherwise indicated.

Office Incumbent

Councilmember AD 1 Carol McCormick

Councilmember AD 3 Brienne Diebolt Brown

Councilmember AD 5 Greg Majkrzak

Councilmember at Large Lisa Dawsey Smith

Information concerning aldermanic district boundaries may be obtained from City Clerk Michele Smith, 312 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the first day to circulate nomination papers is December 1, 2022, and the final day for filing nomination papers is 5:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, in the office of the city clerk.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that if a primary is necessary, the primary will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

Acceptable Photo ID will be required to vote at this election. If you do not have a photo ID you may obtain a free ID for voting from the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Done in the City of Whitewater on November 1, 2022.

Michele R. Smith, Clerk

(262) 473-0102

msmith@whitewater-wi.gov

Editor’s note: The photo on the homepage is by Lynn Binnie.

Brian Turley, DDS, of Rock River Community Clinic was chosen as the recipient of the 2022 Wisconsin Dental Association (WDA) Pyramid of Pride Community Outreach award for his exemplary work within the local community dental clinic.

“Brian’s service to the community is embedded within his practice and care, making him an exceptional model for the greater dental community,” states Olivia Nichols, M.S., CEO/Executive Director of Rock River Community Clinic. “For over 15 years, Dr. Turley has been a constant at our dental clinic and a source of mentorship and laughter – for both our staff and patients. He models what it means to walk the talk of service to one’s community.”

The WDA Pyramid of Pride awards are given annually to member dentists, organizations, and others who have demonstrated exemplary commitment, service, and achievement in regard to dentistry and the oral health of Wisconsin residents. The recipients are chosen by the WDA Board of Trustees based on the nominations submitted.

Dr. Turley was nominated by another local dentist, Mike Bender, DDS. Bender submitted a nomination form and letter indicating why Turley was deserving of the honor. Bender’s nomination noted Turley’s commitment to providing equitable dental care to his communities, having served as a key stakeholder in the creation and implementation of the original community dental clinic in 2005. Bender also highlighted the endless hours of donated time and service Turley has contributed to the clinic, as well as his efforts to recruit other providers to support and join the cause.

“Brian has done so much for the people of Jefferson and Rock County ever since he started his practice in Jefferson in the 1990’s,” states Dr. Bender. “To be a father, spouse, grandfather, full time dentist AND to develop a community dental clinic on the side is something one can only do with great passion and desire to serve others.”

Dr. Turley was insistent that the award was a team effort, extending credit to the entire dental team – past and present – at Rock River Community Clinic for their community outreach efforts.

“I am honored to receive this community award from WDA and am humbled by the nomination support from Dr. Bender,” Dr. Turley states. “But the effort, progress, and impact at our dental clinic is accomplished through a team effort. Many people have taken part in building this clinic and each employee/volunteer/organization continues to fulfill their role, and beyond, with a passion and dedication towards helping others in our area. Our team effort is what makes this work possible.”

Dr. Turley is the owner and lead dentist at Smiles by Turley in Jefferson and continues to serve at Rock River Community Clinic every Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“There are an increasing number of families without access to dental care because of insurance rates outside their control. Brian’s commitment to serving these families and providing high quality dental care has persisted through many changes and challenges. His skill, time, and leadership can’t be overstated and has been absolutely instrumental to me and to RRCC,” Nichols adds.

On behalf of Dr. Turley, Nichols received the honor at the WDA House of Delegates awards dinner on Friday, November 11, and presented it to Dr. Turley on Tuesday, November 15 with the full dental team.

For more information about Rock River Community Clinic, please contact 262.472.6839 or visit www.rockrivercommunityclinic.org

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Rock River Community Clinic (RRCC) provides comprehensive and cost-effective health care services to ensure all community members have access to the care they need. Serving families in Jefferson, Dodge, and parts of Walworth County, RRCC includes three medical clinics located in Whitewater, Watertown, and Jefferson, and one dental clinic located in Fort Atkinson. Referrals for behavioral health care services will be available in Whitewater and Watertown locations soon.

At RRCC, all community members are welcome and accepted, regardless of ability to pay, with discounted prices for patients who are uninsured or underinsured (high deductible plans). RRCC also provides care coordination services to help patients overcome barriers to accessing healthcare (e.g., transportation), and helps to coordinate referrals. Bilingual staff (Spanish & English) are available to support patients and their families. By increasing access to health care services, offering care at affordable costs, and assisting with healthcare navigation, RRCC works to create a healthier, more equitable, community. For clinic hours and directions, visit www.rockrivercommunityclinic.org

Carol McCormick writes, “This group must have missed the last southbound flight! Thought Trippe Lake had better accommodations.”

Our thanks to Carol McCormick for sharing yet another interesting nature photo.

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Editor’s note: The following announcement was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

In honor of National Apprenticeship Week, which was last week, November 14th-20th, Whitewater High School wishes to congratulate all of our students who have taken steps into their future by participating in Youth Apprenticeships. Youth Apprenticeship (YA) integrates school-based and work-based learning to instruct students in employability and occupational skills defined by Wisconsin industries. WHS has more than doubled participation in YA over the last few school years and we hope to continue growing opportunities for WHS students. Students wishing to learn more about YA should contact Mr. Baron West.

Editor’s note: The following statement from Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth was published in the UW-W announcements on November 22.

News about UW-Platteville Richland 

Dear faculty, staff and students,

The University of Wisconsin System has announced that UW-Platteville will be transitioning the academic programs at its Richland branch campus to either its main Platteville campus or Baraboo campus next fall. The Richland branch campus enrolls only 60 students, by far the lowest of any of the branch campuses, and this level of enrollment was not sustainable for vibrant academic programs.

I recognize this news may cause some initial concern, given UW-Whitewater also has a branch campus. Please know that the decision on UW-Platteville Richland is specific to that campus, and does not affect other branch campuses. UW-Whitewater at Rock County, which is one of the top-three largest branch campuses in the system with more than 570 students, remains fully committed to providing exceptional and expanding opportunities to students in our region.

I am devoted to ensuring that our branch campus maintains long-term viability and continues to be a dependable cornerstone of the Rock County region.

Examples of this commitment include:

• Building a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree pathway in partnership with Edgewood College. The initial cohort of students is expected to start in fall 2023.
• Launching the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree, a degree completion program for students with applied associate degrees.
• Engaging in strategic discussions about expanding pathways to careers, degrees, and increased opportunities for students.
• Enhancing facilities to ensure our campus is meeting the needs of faculty, staff, students, and the community.
• Growing our existing partnerships with area technical schools, school districts, employers, and community partners.

We know the UW System is wholly committed to providing the broadest access possible, allowing all Wisconsin residents to attend college if they desire and to achieve their goals. Our branch campus provides this region a critical access point to higher education and we will continue to invest in UW-Whitewater at Rock County.

John Chenoweth
Interim Chancellor

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Liberia. It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and of the preceding year. Similarly named festival holidays occur in Germany and Japan. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and around the same part of the year in other places. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated as a secular holiday as well.

Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving ceremonies are common among most religions after harvests and at other times of the year. The Thanksgiving holiday’s history in North America is rooted in English traditions dating from the Protestant Reformation. It also has aspects of a harvest festival, even though the harvest in New England occurs well before the late-November date on which the modern Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated.

[The above information is from Wikipedia.]

The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Sue Junky from Pixabay.