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The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Sunday, October 11, 2026
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John Wilberding kindly shared the following news: “Over the years Gulf Shores [Alabama] has been a point of destination for many Whitewater residents. It was announced recently that Allegiant will begin nonstop flights from Appleton to Gulf Shores beginning in October. A drive to Appleton is a bit shorter than the 1,065-mile drive to GS.”
Departures from Appleton and from Gulf Shores will normally be on Thursday and Sunday, starting on October 2, with occasional changes during holiday weeks. Fares vary considerably from one date to another. Currently there are one-way fares as low as $54.50 and as high as $224.
Allegiant is described as a low fare carrier; however, they have some “optional” fees that are similar, for example, to those of Spirit Airlines. Seat selection at the time of reservation can range from $0 to $80. It appears that there are no free beverages; the charge for drinks and snacks is $2-7. Booking travel through the call center incurs an additional fee of $19.99. One personal item, defined as follows, is free: “8 in. x 14 in. x 18 in. (20 cm x 35 cm x 45 cm) maximum -A purse, briefcase, laptop computer, small backpack, small camera or food container. The item must be stored completely underneath the seat in front of you.”
Baggage fees apply to carry-on and checked bags and vary depending on route and when the bag is added to your itinerary. Below are shown the fees that are quoted for a trip on October 2. A carry-on costs $1 more than a checked bag when paid for at booking!
According to gulfshores.com, Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF) is just three miles from the beach. “From the airport, guests can call shuttles, taxis, or ride-share services like Lyft or Uber to take them to their accommodation. We suggest arranging transportation in advance to secure a ride. If you prefer to have a vehicle for your entire trip, book a rental car so you can easily get around the destination.”
Our thanks to John Wilberding for discovering and sharing this news.
Editor’s note: Minor corrections/changes were made shortly after this was posted on May 26.
University of Dubuque Spring Semester 2025 Academic Dean’s List
DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque congratulates the following students on being appointed to the Spring Semester 2025 Academic Dean’s List.
Full-time students in good academic standing (registered for and having earned 12 or more letter grade credits for the term) who earn a term grade point average of 3.5 or above and who do not have any grades of Incomplete for the term are named to the Dean’s List. Once grades have been submitted for any Incompletes, the Office of Academic Affairs will review eligibility again for possible placement on the Dean’s List for the given term.
Dean’s List is awarded for the fall and spring semesters only and may be awarded retroactively.
About the University of Dubuque
The University of Dubuque (UD) is a private, coed university founded in 1852 that offers undergraduate, graduate, and theological seminary degrees as well as other educational opportunities with the intention of educating and forming the whole person. Here, the value of an education is measured in helping our students find their calling in life through academics, community, character, vocation, and stewardship. Our approach to learning is based on professional programs with a liberal arts core, and we prepare students to find their purpose and make meaningful contributions to the world. https://www.dbq.edu/
Whitewater, WI
Halee Peters
https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=50807
US Route 12 extends almost 2500 miles from Detroit, Michigan to Aberdeen, Washington, but it has been largely superseded by Interstates 90 and 94. It’s said that “unlike most U.S. Highways that have been superseded by an Interstate, US 12 remains intact as an important link for local and regional destinations.” [1] That’s certainly the case for the Whitewater area, but most residents are probably unaware that since 1993, per an act of the state legislature, the Wisconsin portion of the highway has been designated the Iron Brigade Memorial Highway. A historical marker [depicted above] in Augusta, Wisconsin in Eau Claire County tells the story, reading as follows:
“Highway 12 is dedicated to the brave soldiers of the Iron Brigade who fought in the Civil War of 1861-1865. Of the 672 infantry brigades in the Union Army, the Iron Brigade, composed of the 2nd, 6th and 7th Wisconsin, 19th Indiana and 24th Michigan Regiments, experienced the highest rate of casualties. Also known as the “Black Hats,” they served in every major battle with President Abraham Lincoln’s Army of the Potomac, from Bull Run to Appomattox.“
Per Wikipedia, “Although it fought entirely in the Eastern Theater, it [the Iron Brigade] was composed of regiments from three Western states that are now within the region of the Midwest. Noted for its excellent discipline, ferocity in battle, and extraordinarily strong morale, the Iron Brigade suffered 1,131 men killed out of 7,257 total enlistments: the highest percentage of loss suffered by any brigade in the United States Army during the war.
The designation “Iron Brigade” is said to have originated during the brigade’s action at Turners Gap, during the Battle of South Mountain, a prelude to the Battle of Antietam in September 1862. Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, commanding I Corps, approached Army of the Potomac commander Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, seeking orders. As the Western men advanced up the National Road, forcing the Confederate line back to the gap, McClellan asked, “What troops are those fighting in the Pike?” Hooker replied, “[Brigadier] General Gibbon’s brigade of Western men.”McClellan stated, “They must be made of iron.”
Hooker said that the brigade had performed even more superbly at Second Bull Run. To this, McClellan said that the brigade consisted of the “best troops in the world.” Hooker supposedly was elated and rode off without his orders. There are a few stories related to the origin, but the men immediately adopted the name, which was quickly used in print after South Mountain.”
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by ErikaWittlieb from Pixabay.
[1] From the Wikipedia article on Highway 12.
By Sherry Stanek
Urban Forestry Commission
City of Whitewater is Awarded High Flyer Bird City Status For 2025
Whitewater’s Urban Forestry Commission [UFC] wants to share with residents that our city has once again been awarded High Flyer Bird City Status! This is a high honor for our city. Each year, UFC holds various educational opportunities for city residents to educate us all on the importance of birds, their roles in the environment and each of our roles in protecting them and helping them to thrive! They are so much more than beautiful!
Be sure to stop by one of the Purple Martin communities at Minieska Park, Clay Street Nature Park or Starin Park and watch these delightful birds swoop and eat insects as they rear their young. And please join us at Whitewater Middle School this fall to watch the Chimney Swifts gang up to migrate south. Help us count the literally hundreds of these birds as they gather at this very important nesting site! Thank you to WMS! Take part in Backyard Bird Counts as citizen scientists and get to know this important part of our world.
The following communication was received from the Bird City Wisconsin program director.
Dear City of Whitewater,
On behalf of myself and Bird City Wisconsin’s Steering Committee, I would like to congratulate the City of Whitewater on achieving High Flyer status in the Bird City Wisconsin program. Bird City communities are at the forefront of efforts to forge a statewide coalition of citizens and public officials who recognize that birds are more than beautiful – they are significant. Bird City
Wisconsin truly appreciates both all that you do to green your community as well as all of the effort that you put into demonstrating all of your community’s actions to us during the renewal process. ~ Kelsey Bell, Program Director
About Bird City
Bird City Wisconsin was created in 2009 and began recognizing communities the following year. The program recognizes municipalities for the conservation and education activities that they undertake to make their communities healthy for birds… and people. Bird City Wisconsin is the first Bird City program and served as the model for the Western Hemisphere-wide Bird City
Network, of which Bird City Wisconsin is a founding member. To be recognized as a Bird City, a community must take actions across four categories (Habitat, Threat Reduction, Education & Engagement, and Sustainability) and officially recognize and celebrate World Migratory Bird Day. Bird City also offers High Flyer recognition for those communities that truly go above and
beyond in their conservation and education programs. To become a High Flyer, a community must meet additional, and more involved, criteria.
JACKSON, MS — Congratulations to Justin Kilchenmann, on their recent graduation from Belhaven University. Kilchenmann, from Whitewater, WI, graduated with a Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies degree.
Kilchenmann was among more than 400 students who received degrees from Belhaven University during the Spring 2025 commencement.
Belhaven University is a private Christian university with over 4000 students, located in Jackson, Mississippi. For more information, visit www.belhaven.edu.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Belhaven University.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Names Rainbow Community Care a Winner of The Southeast Wisconsin Top Workplaces 2025 Award
Rainbow Community Care is pleased to announce that its organization has been honored with a prestigious Southeastern Wisconsin 2025 Top Workplaces Award by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“Earning a Top Workplaces Award is a significant achievement for a local, independent, and non-profit organization like Rainbow, especially since it reflects genuine input from our employees,” said Carol Brown, RN, Rainbow Community Care President & CEO. “Our ability to serve the rural areas of Dodge and Jefferson counties so effectively for many years has only been possible because of our amazing team. The fact that 90 of our 116 staff took the time to tell us how we’re doing is quite humbling, and I’m thankful.”
Winners are determined based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by Energage, LLC, an employee engagement technology company. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and
various themes, including feelings of respect and support, opportunities for growth/development, and empowerment to take initiative, to name a few.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re
allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
Top Workplaces celebrate companies and organizations across three categories: small, mid-size, and large, employing as few as 50 to over 500 individuals, that foster positive work cultures.
ABOUT RAINBOW COMMUNITY CARE
Founded by volunteers in 1990, Rainbow Community Care is a local, independent, and non-profit provider of services that supports patients and families throughout the entire journey with aging and serious illness. Highly regarded for excellence in hospice care, palliative care, advance care planning, grief support, parish nursing, and volunteer programs, we care for people living in their homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes in rural South-Central Wisconsin as well as the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek.
Final arrangements have been made for Memorial Day activities to be held on Monday, May 26th in Whitewater and hosted by American Legion Post 173 and VFW Post 5470.
At 6:00 AM members of the American Legion and anyone who wants to help will gather at the American Legion, 292 S. Wisconsin St., Whitewater to place American Flags along Main Street.
The parade will form at the Hearthstone Memory Care at Fairhaven parking lot [426 W. North Street] at 10:00 AM and will march off promptly at 10:30 AM concluding at the Downtown Whitewater Armory.
In case of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled but the program will be held at the Armory beginning at 11:00 AM.
Leading the parade will be the color guard of William Graham Post 173 American Legion.
The Whitewater High School Band and the Whitewater Middle School Band will provide music for the parade.
Featured in the parade will be guest speaker Air Force Senior Master Sergeant and American Legion Post 173 Vice-Commander Jessica Kienbaum. Also participating will be American Legion and VFW scholarship winners, Badger Boys and Girls State attendees, the American Legion Americanism award and the American Legion Outstanding Athlete award recipient. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Whitewater Youth Soccer, and other youth organizations are invited to participate.
Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by Steve Smith.
| Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff for Memorial Day |
| MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #263 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Mon., May 26, 2025, as the state and nation recognize Memorial Day to honor and remember the nation’s fallen heroes, as well as the family members and loved ones they left behind. “As we honor Memorial Day, we solemnly pay tribute to service members throughout our nation’s history who have given their lives in service of the freedoms, principles, and values we hold dear,” said Gov. Evers. “These service members selflessly sacrificed their lives for this country, and we share a duty and a responsibility to protect and defend all those who have protected and defended us. On Memorial Day, in Wisconsin and across America, we are called upon to remember, reflect on, and honor our nation’s fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price and the loved ones, friends, and colleagues who miss them and cherish their memory every day.” Executive Order #263 will be in effect from sunrise to 12 p.m., as is customary, on Mon., May 26, 2025, and is available here. |
NOTICE: John’s Disposal will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day.
Please note the following route change:
- Thursday’s route is delayed to Friday
Residents may contact John’s Disposal directly by calling (262) 473-4700 or by emailing
office@johnsdisposal.com. You may also view their website at
https://www.johnsdisposal.com.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the City of Whitewater.
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
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