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Today is Friday, June 19, 2026
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Congratulations to the following students on their academic achievements.
The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area is pleased to sponsor a public program on Homelessness in Fort Atkinson on Thursday, February 20, 6:30 PM – 8 PM. The program will be held in the Dwight Foster Library Community Room, located at 209 Merchants Avenue in Fort Atkinson.
The program will be presented by Jerry Mitchell, President of the Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson, and HCFA Executive Director Sheri Bronstad. Kathleen Townsend, a member of HCFA, will moderate.
The Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides transitional housing and emergency assistance to families and individuals in need in the Fort Atkinson area. It held its first meeting in January 2019 after the death of Keith Lueloff in November 2018. He was found in a park after a very cold night. A group of concerned citizens from churches, organizations and businesses in the city gathered to discuss options to coordinate support.
Please join us to learn more about the Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson, what services it provides, how it functions and how you can help support its mission to “Enhance the quality of life for persons and families who need a place to live.” Light refreshments will be served.
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!
Clearing Snow from Fire Hydrants can Save Lives…
A clearly visible, accessible fire hydrant could save your home – or even your life. If a fire hydrant is buried in snow, firefighters can lose valuable time trying to locate it when they arrive at a fire. You can perform a valuable public service and protect yourself, your family and your neighbors by taking on the responsibility of shoveling out and clearing a fire hydrant near your home during and after a snowstorm. Here are a few suggestions:
Know the location of the nearest fire hydrants
Make sure they are shoveled after each snowfall
Clear the snow three feet around the hydrant so firefighters have enough room to use the hydrant
Taking the time to remove the snow from around a hydrant near you can save precious minutes in case of a fire. The City of Whitewater appreciates community members who take the time to shovel out hydrants.
Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works
(262) 473-0560
bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov
Whitewater beat Monroe 55-26 on Senior Night for girls’ basketball.
Whitewater jumped out to an early lead but Monroe made a push to cut the Whippets’ lead to 24-20 at halftime. Whitewater’s defense took over as the Whippets outscored the Cheesemakers 31-6 in the second half.
All four seniors combined for 42 of Whitewater’s 55 points.
Whitewater closes the regular season at East Troy (on Monday) and at Jefferson (next Thursday). Seeding information for the WIAA tournament will be posted Sunday afternoon.
Article Submitted by Mike Dowden
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
dowmi01@wwusd.org
Editor’s Note: The following interview was done by Marjorie Stoneman on behalf of Whitewater Unites Lives.
Fabian Lopez, owner of Five Star Lopez, has lived in Whitewater for 32 years and said, “I love this place. I love the U.S.A.”
Born in Mexico, he came to the United States for a better life. He enjoys the fresh air, which is a refreshing change from the pollution in Mexico. “You can breathe like you are in the woods,” he said.
Before he came to the U.S. Fabian took English classes in Mexico. He then continued to learn English through the ESL program taught by Jorge Islas-Martinez.
He worked for a while at Generac while he was building his car repair business. He worked all day, and often until 10 p.m., to support his family and build up his business, Five Star Lopez.
He owns Five Star Lopez on 113 East Main Street in Whitewater, where they service car motors, transmissions, electrical, tires, brakes, mufflers and suspension. “We do everything,” he said.
“It is important to me to make customers happy. I like my customers,” said Lopez.
He says some customers just tell him to do whatever needs to be done, because they have a lot of trust in him. He always wants to make sure to provide quotes and make sure that customers are aware of the cost and details. “We have good customers so we want to do it the right way. We help people when they need it,” he said.
Fabian’s son Darryl is opening another car repair location on 265 South Wisconsin Street in Whitewater. Fabian is also considering opening a shop in a nearby town in order to help more people.
“We are lucky because we have good customers who put good reviews on Google,” he said.
Registration for the annual FBLA Royal Ball is open!
Royal Ball is a semi-formal dance for 4K through 5th graders to be held on Friday, March 7 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. The cost is $15, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Use this link to register.
Information Submitted by Baron West
Whitewater High School FBLA Advisor
bwest@wwusd.org
Placing second in the Prepared FFA Speaking competition held recently at Whitewater High School is Whitewater FFA member, Emily Schmidt. Emily is receiving her plaque from Section 10 State FFA Sentinel, Allyssa Schauer.
Emily will go on to compete at the Sectional competition on April 2nd at East Troy High School for the chance to compete at the State level in June.
Article and Photo Submitted by Paul Majors
Whitewater High School FFA Advisor
pmajors@wwusd.org
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
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