News & Events

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire extends congratulations to the students named to the fall 2024 dean’s list. Their academic performance has been outstanding, and we recognize these students with pride.

Congratulations, Blugolds!

Dean’s list eligibility requirements:

At the end of each semester, each of UW-Eau Claires four colleges recognizes excellence in scholastic achievement by publishing the dean’s list.

To be eligible, a student must:

– Be in good academic standing.

– Have a minimum semester GPA of 3.70.

– Have completed at least 12 credits during the semester, with no incompletes, no courses below the 100 level, no repeats and no Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory registrations (except in degree credit-bearing courses that are offered only on the S/U grading system in which a grade of S has been earned).

Students from your area who were named to the Dean’s List are:

Whitewater, WI

 Quincy Boudreau, College of Arts and Sciences
 Alex Meyer, College of Business

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) will be hosting its annual meeting where the GWC elects its Board of Directors and adopts the new budget. After the GWC annual meeting, the GWC will be hosting this year’s civic event, where the public is welcome to attend, featuring the Superintendent of the School District, Dr. Caroline-Pate-Hefty, City Manager John Weidl and Police Chief Dan Meyer presenting their agency’s respective referendums for the April Ballot.

This event will take place on Thursday, February 13th at 5:00 p.m. at the banquet hall at 841 Brewhouse: 841 E Milwaukee St., Whitewater, WI 53190. 

Historically, after the annual GWC meeting, the GWC invites the community to attend a civic event. Each year the GWC has a speaker from either the state or federal government. This year the GWC members asked the school district and the city to discuss their referendums for the April ballot. The GWC members thought it would be beneficial to share both the city and the school district plans with the community. The agenda will start with a social hour beginning at 5:00 p.m.; there will be hors d’oeuvres and sodas for everyone to enjoy. School District Superintendent Dr. Caroline-Pate-Hefty and a School Board member will present from approximately 5:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., and following the presentation there will be questions from the public until about 7:15 p.m. The second presentation will be by City Manager John Weidl and Police Chief Dan Meyer, beginning at 7:15 p.m., or earlier if we are ahead of schedule with questions starting at approximately 8:00 p.m. We ask the public to write their questions on a question card. The questions from the community will be presented by a moderator provided by the Greater Whitewater Committee.

Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty has been the WUSD Superintendent since July 2020. Previously, Caroline served as executive director of student services in Maywood, Melrose Park, and Broadview Public Schools in Cook County, IL for more than eight years. Pate-Hefty brings experience in supporting campus security, special education, discipline, climate/culture, and district-wide social and emotional learning models. Caroline holds a Doctor of Education degree from National Louis University, a Master of Arts degree from Concordia University, and a Bachelor of Education degree from UW-Whitewater.

City Manager John Weidl is a public-sector leader, economic development expert, and military combat veteran with 14+ years of experience developing teams of 150+ throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. He is also a decorated United States Air Force (USAF) Combat Veteran with tours of duty in Europe and the Middle East, including joint combat service with the United States Army. John’s role on the team typically involves balancing long-term and short-term expectations, developing and implementing growth strategy, managing the competing interests of stakeholders, delegating authority wisely, forging a culture of empowerment, and developing future leaders from within the organization. As the city manager John successfully converted a part-time, paid-on-call fire and EMS service into a full-time paramedic-certified department, in addition to implementing programs and projects that bring affordable housing and economic development to the community, over the last 18 months. 

Police Chief Dan Meyer graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with an undergraduate degree in criminal justice. He completed the police academy class at MATC in 2010, at which time he landed his first law enforcement job as a Whitewater patrol officer. Meyer rose through the ranks as a detective, detective sergeant, detective lieutenant, captain, and deputy chief. Meyer earned an M.S. in Public Administration, with a criminology and criminal justice specialization from University of Nebraska – Omaha in 2019.   He assumed the position of interim police chief in December 2021 and was hired as police chief in August 2022. 

“We are happy the city and school district were available to present their cases of their respective referendums for the April ballot,” said GWC President Jeffery Knight.

 For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.

 About the GWC

The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to collaborating with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies needed to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.

     

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Loras College has announced the names of students who achieved Dean’s List status for the 2024 fall semester. A student must earn a 3.5 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours to be recognized.

-Whitewater, WI

 Mayte Navejas

While some Dollar Tree fans had hoped that the new Whitewater store at 1139 W. Main Street [just west of Indian Mound Parkway] would be open in time for Christmas decorations, it turns out that the store will open on Sunday, February 2. A manager from the Delavan store who was helping stock the shelves confirmed the opening date to the Banner, together with the regular store hours: Sunday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Local residents who are customers of other Dollar Tree stores have commented that some of their product lines are considerably different from those of Dollar General, which operates a store on Whitewater’s east side. Some have indicated that they purchase items such as greeting cards, holiday, seasonal and celebration decorations, and teacher-oriented items such as bulletin board borders.

Dollar Tree kept its prices at $1 for thirty years but raised their minimum price to $1.25 in 2021 and to $1.50 in 2024. Some items may be priced as high as $7. In a December earnings call executives warned that if new tariffs are imposed on imported goods, they may have to raise prices, seek distributors from alternative nations, and/or stop selling some product lines entirely.

WUSD Invites Families to January 28 ‘Middle School Matters’ Event

The Whitewater Unified School District invites all middle school families to the next Middle School Matters engagement session, which will take place Tuesday, January 28, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

As part of an ongoing family engagement initiative, the event will provide parents and caregivers with valuable information, tools, and resources to help navigate the middle school years. Topics in the upcoming session include an overview of course options for seventh and eighth graders in the 2025-26 school year, a review of Whitewater Middle School procedures, and strategies to help students stay motivated during the winter months.

Families are encouraged to bring their own mobile devices to access the digital resources reviewed during the session. Middle School staff will be available to answer questions and discuss topics relevant to the middle school experience.

Families with questions about the Middle School Matters program are asked to contact Stacey Joseph, a music teacher at sJoseph@wwusd.org. WUSD is proud and honored by her efforts in coordinating the program and family engagement initiative.

Editor’s note: This press release was received from the school district on January 27.

Whitewater senior Molly Donner and junior Kevin Gonzalez, culinary students of Ms. Lynn Weilbrenner, had the awesome opportunity to compete Sunday, January 26, in the 1st Annual Walworth County Culinary Showdown. They worked with Chef Noah and Chef Aaron from The Abbey to create two wonderful and creative dishes.

We didn’t come home with the top prize, but the skills Molly and Kevin learned were invaluable. Way to represent WHS! We are proud of you! 

Article and Photos Submitted by Lynn Weilbrenner
Whitewater High School FACE [Family & Consumer Education] Teacher
lweilbrenner@wwusd.org