Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Friday, June 19, 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.
Maggie Trautsch was the leading scorer, with 18 points / Photo by Olivia Zinanni
Correction 2/27/25 @ 2:35 p.m. – The player in the above photo was misidentified. This has now been corrected.
The UW-Whitewater women’s basketball team topped UW-River Falls 66-52 in the first round of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Tuesday in Kachel Gym.
With the victory, the Warhawks advance to play UW-Stout on the road Thursday. The WIAC semifinal game is set for a 7 PM tipoff in Menomonie. The conference
tournament championship will be hosted by the highest remaining seed on Saturday.
Senior guard Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) etched her name atop the WIAC record book in three-pointers Tuesday. Carollo needed just one to break the conference record with her 231st career three-pointer and she got it with the first bucket of the fourth quarter.
The game started on a different note, with the Falcons taking an early 7-3 lead less than four minutes in. UW-Whitewater responded in a big way holding UWRF scoreless the rest of the period while scoring 16 unanswered to take a 19-7 lead into the second quarter.
The Falcons cut the margin to six, 26-20, with just under two to go but the last minute of the first half featured a flurry of action. Maggie Trautsch (Sun Prairie,
Wis./DeForest) knocked down a three off a Carollo assist. Carollo hauled in the defensive board and that led to a Mia Gillis (Mundelein, Ill./Carmel Catholic) layup with 15 seconds remaining. UWRF got down the floor quickly for a buzzer-beater layup to make it 31-22 at the break. The Falcons coach was whistled for a technical following contact on the play. With the choice to shoot the free throws immediately or wait until the other side of the intermission – the Warhawks chose the latter and headed to the locker room.
Carollo went to the line before the start of the third and hit both free throws to push the lead back to double digits. The gap dipped back into single digits just once the rest of the way – on the final bucket of the third.
Trautsch paced the Warhawks with 18 points bolstered by a 3-8 night from downtown. Bri McCurdy (St. Croix Falls, Wis./St. Croix Falls) hit 6-9 from the floor and 5-8 from beyond the arc for 17 points – all career bests for the sophomore. Carollo posted 11 points and added 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals. Gillis registered 10 points on 5-7 shooting from the field with 5 assists in the contest.
Source: UW-W Athletics website
Copyright ©2025 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Athletic
Students across the Whitewater Unified School District showcased their literary knowledge in the district-level Battle of the Books competition last week.
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association, the program challenges students to read and master 20 books from a preselected list. Book lists were published last June, allowing students and staff to begin their reading journey.
Under the leadership of District Library Media Specialist Kathy Retzke, library lessons in November 2024 introduced students to the competition format. Teams of up to four students were formed, and each was responsible for dividing and conquering the reading list. Over the next 10 weeks, weekly meetings led by library staff provided opportunities for collaboration, comprehension exercises, and practice questions.
Originally launched at Lakeview Elementary under the direction of former library paraprofessional Jerre Sveum, the program expanded district-wide three years ago. This year marks the addition of a high school team. Participation has soared, with 89 students across 26 teams competing from 4th to 11th grade.
“The Battle of the Books program is a fantastic example of how reading can bring students together in a fun, competitive, and educational way,” said WUSD Superintendent Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty. “Seeing nearly 90 students from across our district dedicate themselves to reading, teamwork, and critical thinking is truly inspiring. Their hard work and collaboration exemplify the kind of engaged learning we strive for at WUSD. We are incredibly proud of all our participants and look forward to seeing how our teams perform at the state competition.”
The winning teams from each school will advance to the statewide Battle of the Books competition, February 24-28, competing virtually against 250 elementary schools, 160 middle schools, and 70 high schools. Below are the teams that will represent WUSD:
Lakeview Elementary – “Grumpy Monkeys”
● Finley Bunger
● Cecilia Harris
● Madison Loveall
● Chloe Swaney
Lincoln Elementary – “Spicy Chicken Wings”
● Keagan Acker
● Zander Christon
● Keaton Kachel
● Logan Pinterics
Washington Elementary – “Reading Costco Guys”
● Nathan Akosung
● Amaury Garcia-Ostria
● Rusbel Mateo
Whitewater Middle School – “The Red Knights”
● Cam Avilla
● Aurora Gerblick
● Madelyn Taylor
Whitewater High School – “The Final Brain Cell”
● Vivian Harris
● Virginia Nelson
● Letty Trautman
Do you and your young kids love to sing, dance, and play musical instruments? Do you wish you had new parenting strategies to handle stress, meltdowns, and challenging behaviors?
Children ages zero to six and their caregivers are invited to “Sing, Dance, Thrive,” a free class at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center (341 S. Fremont St.) on Saturday, March 1 at 3:30-4:30 p.m. Participants will engage in imaginative music and movement adventures, playfully dance with colorful ribbons and parachutes, and nurture relationships by deepening emotional awareness and learning coping strategies for home and school.
The class is taught by Noelle Larson, a Board-Certified Music Therapist, graduate of Whitewater High School and Berklee College of Music, and the owner of Circle of Song Music Therapy, LLC. Noelle has a passion for helping clients and participants to “Connect, Thrive, and Come Alive Through Music,” strengthen family relationships, learn adaptive coping strategies, and experience wonder and joy through the delight of participating in live music making.
There is no cost or registration required to attend. While the class is best for ages 6 and under, all ages are welcome to attend. Contact Sarah French with any questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-473-0530.
The UW-Whitewater Symphonic Wind Ensemble conducted by Glenn C. Hayes will be performing their Carnegie Hall program on Sunday, March 2 at 3:00 pm in The Young Performing Arts Center, 930 W. Main Street, on campus. Tickets will be available at the door. The group will be performing by invitation at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, March 11 on an 8:00 pm program. The ensemble is accepting donations for their Bus Fund. If you would like to support the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, you may make a tax-deductible donation by writing a check payable to “UW-Whitewater Foundation, Inc” and indicate FUND 0487 – SWE on the memo line. Checks may be mailed to: UW-Whitewater Foundation, Inc., Alumni Center, 800 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI. 53190.
Tickets for The Young concert may be purchased here. Admission for adults is $7, for those age 65+ or under age 18, $4. Tickets purchased at the door are subject to a $2 service charge.
Update 2/25 @ 3:55 p.m. – The team plays in the first round of the conference championship tonight, Tuesday 2/25 @ 7 p.m. – UW-W (#3) vs. UW-RF (#6)
Unconditional love and basketball: Warhawk Kacie Carollo builds on family legacy
Written by Chris Lindeke
Photos by Craig Schreiner, UW-Whitewater Athletics
The Carollo family name is synonymous with women’s basketball — and winning — at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
For more than two decades the family has been deeply associated with a team that has a strong legacy at the university and is a household name in NCAA Division III women’s basketball.
Keri Carollo was hired as head coach in April 2002. In 2008, her husband, Joe Carollo, joined her on the sidelines to be an assistant coach.
Fast forward to 2025, and their daughter, Kacie, is helping the family build on that exceptional success.
A two-time All-American, Carollo, an integrated science-business major, has been a linchpin in one of the strongest four-year stretches in the program’s history.
The run has included two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, one conference tournament title, and three trips to the NCAA Tournament, including the Final Four in 2022, the Sweet 16 in 2023, and the Elite Eight in 2024.
Carollo has thrived on and off the court — she is a recipient of multiple scholarships and is a five-time member of the Dean’s List — and enjoys the small-town, community-like atmosphere and the caring faculty.
“The professors have been very understanding of our schedules and the demands,” she said. “They understand the time and energy commitment to sports, which I’m very grateful for.”
With just four games remaining in the regular season, Carollo is cherishing every remaining moment as a part of the team.
“It’s basketball, so it’s not the most important thing in the world, but it is to our family, and it is to my teammates,” she said. “Valuing every single day — and the people around me — has been super important for me, because it goes by really fast.”
Carollo’s journey to becoming a Warhawk started more than two decades ago.
Raised to be a Warhawk
Carollo’s first memories of being involved in the program include “picnics” packed by her parents that included snacks, puzzles and games — all things to keep her occupied during the team’s practices and games.
She recalled being pushed around in the ball cart and being on the bus with her “big sisters” on the team.
“She was very outgoing, strong-willed, and personable,” Keri Carollo said. “You could tell she was a lot like me — she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and had a very strong personality but was also very caring and always looking out for everyone else.”
In 2008, when Carollo was just a small child, the Warhawks experienced their first big success under her mother’s leadership. The team made its first-ever trip to the Division III Final Four, where they went on to finish in third place.
More national success followed for UW-Whitewater. The team made back-to-back appearances in the Final Four starting five years later, finishing as national runner-up in 2013 and in third place in 2014.
Recruited to be a Warhawk
A three-sport athlete at Whitewater High School, Carollo worked closely with her parents to explore opportunities to compete in college basketball.
After a trip to St. Louis for a college visit as a high school senior, she realized that her home for the next four years may be right in her backyard.
Carollo was recruited closely by then-assistant coach Kirsten Hammer and then-graduate assistant Brooke Trewyn, who each earned a BSE in physical education and an MSE in professional studies from UW-Whitewater and were members of the Warhawk women’s basketball team as undergraduates.
“They asked me a lot of questions, and I could tell they really cared about me as a person,” she said.
Carollo enrolled at UW-Whitewater in the fall of 2021, joining a veteran-laden team that was poised for a big season after enduring a COVID pandemic-shortened 2021 campaign.
Four years of success
Carollo was an immediate fit with the Warhawks during the 2021-22 season. She played a supporting role in helping UW-Whitewater capture the regular season league championship and make a run through the NCAA Tournament to the championship game.
After the team punched its ticket to the Final Four with a victory over conference rival UW-Oshkosh, Carollo embraced her mother and coach with tears in her eyes.
“Everything happened so fast, and none of it was expected,” Carollo said. “It was just so huge for everybody in that moment … I know how hard my parents have worked, so it was cool for me to be an actual, tangible piece of it rather than just supporting them.”
Most importantly, she showed her ability to blend in both on and off the court — a characteristic that’s stuck with her over the last three-plus seasons even with her parents as coaches.
“I have to give Kacie a lot of credit — she’s made it easy — and I would also give credit to the teams she’s played with,” Coach Carollo said. “They have been very understanding of that dynamic, and we’ve never had teams that Kacie’s played with give us any pushback.”
Carollo evolved into a central leader on the team starting with the 2022-23 season. The team captured its second straight conference title, won the WIAC Tournament and reached the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
In 2023-24, UW-Whitewater, led by Carollo and another All-American — 2024 Jostens Trophy (National Player of the Year) recipient Aleah Grundahl — made a second straight run to the second weekend of the national tournament. The Warhawks finished one game away from a trip to the Final Four.
This year’s team is currently ranked #25 in the nation. The postseason begins the week of February 24, and the Warhawks are hopeful for another deep run.
“We value opportunity,” Coach Carollo said. “When you’re gifted an opportunity — not everybody gets to play college basketball — you make the most of that opportunity and try to get the most out of that experience. That goes for academics and social life, too, as not everyone gets to go to college. A lot of people take it for granted.”
Looking back (and ahead)
The Carollos have grown closer because of their basketball experiences inside of Kachel Gymnasium and around the country.
“We’ve always been close, but I think this has brought us closer, just seeing her go through the highs and lows and challenges of being a student-athlete and a woman,” Coach Carollo said.
The couple are also firmly embedded as leaders in other spaces around the Williams Center. Keri Carollo serves Warhawk athletics as senior woman administrator and assistant athletic director for compliance, while Joe Carollo is an assistant director for business affairs and event operations and a lecturer of kinesiology, teaching classes in the sport management minor.
“I know how much they care and how involved they are — it is literally their life,” Kacie Carollo said. “When they get after me or someone else, I know at the end of the day, it’s not personal — it’s just because they care.”
Carollo is on track to graduate in May 2025. She plans to remain in the area and pursue a career in health care administration.
Carollo’s focus remains on basketball as she hopes to help extend the season deep into March. She has already etched her name into the program record book, currently ranking second in both career points and rebounds, and now looks to add even more team success to an already sterling career ledger.
No result will break a mother and daughter bond that has only grown stronger after more than 20 years of bleeding purple together.
“I tell her at the start of every year that no matter what happens — wins, losses, whatever — I’m always going to be proud of you and love you unconditionally,” the coach (and mom) said.
Tom Ganser writes, “A 16 inch icicle hanging from our gas grill. Enough winter!”
Our thanks to Tom Ganser for sharing another interesting photo, which was submitted on February 21. One would guess that the icicle is probably not 16″ anymore.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!
Hello, I am Nick Baldwin, a husband, father, and educator running for school board. My wife, Heather, and I have 2 children, 13 and 9, both of whom have attended school in the district since kindergarten. In our free time our family enjoys camping, fishing, building projects in the shop and cheering on the kids in their many sports, clubs and activities.
I graduated from Whitewater High School in 2000 and attended UW-Platteville from 2001 to 2005. In the Fall of 2005 I student-taught under Mike Wintz at Whitewater High School. In the Spring of 2006, I was hired at Waterford High School where I taught the remainder of that school year and all of the next. In the Fall of 2007, I started at Union Grove High School where I work to this day. In 2015, I became an adjunct professor at Gateway Technical College, teaching their dual-credit automotive and small engine classes at the high school level. I have a B.S. in Technology Education from UW-Platteville, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from National Louis University. I also hold automotive certifications from ASE, and a general-class amateur radio license from the FCC.
I’ve always worked to help our district in the best ways I knew how. In the past, I have served on the Whitewater High School Technology Education Advisory Board. During that time, another member of that board and I were able to crowd-source thousands of dollars of funding for a new CNC router and power miter saw to be donated to the high school shops. The tools are now an integral part of the curriculum and are used by clubs such as Ferradermis. Those tools are a testament to the wonderful support that our community has for our schools when they are in need.
I believe that the Whitewater community is unique in its ability and desire to support our schools. In the past several years I have witnessed an outpouring of support for our students and staff at monthly school board meetings. I know that we can come together to help our district raise our test scores, improve staff and student morale, provide parents and community members with clear, concise, and transparent communications, and grow the necessary curricula to best prepare our students for life after high school. Please consider voting for me, Nick Baldwin, April 1.
Editor’s note: The Whitewater Banner offered the School Board candidates the opportunity to introduce themselves to our readers. Responses will be published in the order they are received.
Please click here to access further information about the flower sale.
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.
