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This Week’s City & School Board Meetings

May 4, 2025

City of Whitewater Open Book with the Assessor – Monday from 1-5 p.m.
Municipal Building, 312 W. Whitewater Street
Instructional material will be provided at the open book to persons who wish to object to valuations under Wis. Stat. § 70.47.
The book may also be viewed here.

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Special Meeting – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street
Agenda: Open session: HYA presentation of Superintendent search survey results and district profile report.
Closed session @ 6:50 p.m.: Review Superintendent applications

City of Whitewater Open Book with the Assessor – Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Municipal Building, 312 W. Whitewater Street
Instructional material will be provided at the open book to persons who wish to object to valuations under Wis. Stat. § 70.47.
The book may also be viewed here.

Whitewater Unified School District Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 12:00 p.m.
Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes referendum update: finance timeline and options
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office
419 South Elizabeth Street
12:00 p.m.

City of Whitewater Alcohol Licensing Committee – Tuesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Hearing of appeal of Ethan Ticcioni for denial of Beverage Operator’s License.
Whitewater Municipal Building
Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd Floor, 312 West Whitewater St.,
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82898021981?pwd=DfEf6YqUxMBtTMGYnJ9gEXEPHvr8f1.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 828 9802 1981
Passcode: 913030

City of Whitewater Common Council Meeting – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes guest speaker Brian Doudna, Sheboygan County Economic Development Director; Public Hearing for the SEWRPC Aquatic Plant Management Plan for Cravath and Trippe Lakes, Staff report regarding School Resource Officer Q & A and Proposed School Resource Officer Contract; Resolution to Create Lakes District in the City of Whitewater.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86948306764?pwd=9DPzXEoebe0s5Lw3JZ4YLT3zLECNqC.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 869 4830 6764 Passcode: 470858

City of Whitewater Starin Park Water Tower Committee – Wednesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/386576861
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 386-576-861
United States: +1 (571) 317-3122
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission = Wednesday @ 7:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Consideration to Approve and Recommend to Common Council recommendations
regarding the Starin Park Water Tower.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or
telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/624830285
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 624-830-285
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

Our Readers Share: Mark Dorn – “Students Study Hearty”

May 3, 2025


Mark Dorn came across this novel “Spring Splash” scene at the corner of Main and Prairie Streets on May 3. When he sent the photo to the Banner, in addition to “Students study hearty,” Mark added “Boys just wanna have fun.”

Mark gave the following account of his experience catching the photo: “I drove past before Noon and was amused by their sign.  I turned around and parked on Cottage and walked over.  I asked them if I could take a pic, and they said “Yes.” One young man asked me who I was with, and I told him I’d like to share it with The Whitewater Banner. He asked if it was a paper. Replied it was a website that is considered Whitewater’s daily online paper.  He asked the other guys, and they were OK with it.  After I took the pic, I thanked them, and we shook hands. I was happy and they..umm..were already feeling happy.”

A few hours later a huge crowd of “honorees” was spotted on the fraternity lawn.

Our thanks to Mark Dorn for this fun photo and commentary!

— 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!

Good Neighbor Car Seat Event Coming to Whitewater – Wednesday

May 3, 2025

Editor’s note: It appears that a few appointments are still remaining. See below to view the appointment schedule.

Walworth County Health and Human Services, along with State Farm® and Safe Kids Worldwide, invite families to a free Car Seat Check-Up Event on Wednesday, May 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. at The Community Space in Whitewater. Car seats may be available at no cost for families in need.

This appointment-only event is part of the Good Neighbor Car Seat Safety Program, an initiative aimed at ensuring that children are buckled up safely for every ride. Studies indicate that more than half of child car seats are misused or incorrectly installed, yet a correctly used and installed child safety seat can reduce the risk of injury by as much as 71 percent. To schedule an appointment for this event, visit https://bit.ly/May7seatcheck (click on “get tickets”) or call 262-741-3200. If you can’t make it, families can still have their car seats checked by calling Walworth County Health and Human Services at 262-741-3200 to arrange an appointment.

Arts Alliance Presents WRAP Regional Art Exhibition

May 3, 2025

The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) is proud to announce the 2025 Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) Exhibition, running from May 1-31, 2025, at the Cultural Arts Center, located at 402 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI. This exhibition provides artists from across Wisconsin with a platform to showcase their creativity, enhance their skills, and connect with others in the arts community.

WRAP offers a welcoming environment where artists can learn, share ideas, and find inspiration. Regional winners will advance to a statewide exhibit, giving them an even greater opportunity to showcase their talent. The exhibition will feature a variety of artwork, including 3D sculptures, acrylics, oils, and collages. Supporting local artists through programs like WRAP is central to WAA’s mission to foster a thriving arts community.

Also in the gallery at the same time:

About Whitewater Arts Alliance:

The Whitewater Arts Alliance, Inc. is dedicated to supporting, promoting, and developing the arts as an essential and integral part of the community.

Whitewater Arts Alliance / Cultural Arts Center
402 West Main Street
Whitewater, WI, 53190
Phone: 608-201-2151
Email: wwartsalliance@gmail.com Website: whitewaterarts.org
Facebook: facebook.com/wwartsalliance

Gallery Exhibit Hours
Thursdays: 12-4 pm
Fridays: 12-4 pm
Saturdays: 12-4 pm
Sundays: 12-4 pm

Please Note: The gallery is closed outside of Gallery Exhibit Hours except for special events and is also closed when no show is currently running.

Blowing or Leaving Grass Clippings in Street is Prohibited

May 3, 2025


This public service announcement serves as a reminder that blowing or depositing grass clippings into any City street is prohibited. Reasons this is not permitted include: 1) Grass clippings, leaves, and other lawn debris can clog storm drains, resulting in street and private property flooding. 2) Storm drains flow directly to local lakes untreated. Grass clippings add unnecessary nutrients, which help feed harmful algae blooms. 3) Clippings can make the street slippery and hazardous for bicyclists and motorcyclists.

Using a mulching mower puts clippings back into the turf and keeps the nutrients where they belong. Should you choose to use a discharging mower, please be sure to point the blower toward your property (away from the street) to prevent clippings from leaving your lawn.

When finished mowing, be sure to use a blower, broom, or rake to clean up any grass clippings or debris that have inadvertently made their way into the street, sidewalk, or storm drain. Mowers may also choose to bag clippings, but they may not be disposed of in the garbage totes. City residents are encouraged to compost clippings on their property or take them to the City’s compost site.

City Code – Chapter 12.08 – STREET OBSTRUCTIONS
Sections:
12.08.010 – Prohibited.
(a) No person, except as provided in Section 12.08.020, shall place, deposit, keep, or cause to be placed,
deposited or kept in or upon any street, alley, gutter, sidewalk or public ground within the limits of this city any
stone, brick, timber, lumber, iron, wood or other material for building, or any wood, snow, rubbish, earth, grass
clippings or lawn debris, or anything or substance whatever; nor shall any person burn or cause to be burned any
such substance in any public street or alley; nor shall any person leave any automobile, truck, trailer, equipment or
other vehicle standing or parked in or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, or public ground so as to encumber the
same, or so as to obstruct, impede, or hinder travel thereon; nor shall any person leave, or cause to suffer any box,
barrel, crate, cask, bale, package, merchandise, or other thing to stand, be or remain upon any street, alley,
sidewalk, gutter, or public ground longer than may be actually necessary for the act of delivering or receiving the
same.

(b) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall forfeit and pay a penalty of not less than twenty-
five dollars not more than two hundred fifty dollars, together with the costs of prosecution.

(Ord. 983 §51, 1982; prior code §6.01(1))
(Ord. No. 1759A, § 1, 2-16-2010)

Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works
bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov

Annual Whitewater FFA Plant Sale

May 3, 2025

The Annual Whitewater FFA Plant Sale, featuring bedding plants, hanging baskets, and vegetables, will be held May 5th – 10th. The hours Monday through Friday will be from 8 am – 4 pm. On Saturday the hours are 9 am – 12 pm. This is a good event to support our local FFA chapter for the many events that they sponsor. The plant sale will be at the Whitewater High School, at door 32 behind the shop at the green house. The address is 534 S Elizabeth St.

Thank You For Making 2025 Tree Sale A Success!

May 2, 2025

By Sherry Stanek
Member, Urban Forestry Commission

The 4th Annual Community Tree Sale was held Arbor Day weekend as in past years, and for a change, we didn’t have a Nor’easter or any blizzards! The weather was seasonal and hundreds of people came to browse and buy native trees and shrubs that can’t be found easily in the area and were grateful to find them in Whitewater! Many of the buyers have been to one or more of our earlier sales and several said they’d see us again next year!

This year more than 350 native trees and shrubs were purchased! Several people asked why Whitewater’s Urban Forestry Commission holds this sale, and we explained that local pollinators and birds need native plants, shrubs and trees to survive, and we all need pollinators and birds! This is our effort to increase awareness of this fact and to make it easier for people to find native plants that they often aren’t able to find at big box stores and outlets nearby so that they can add native plants to their landscapes. The few that don’t sell each year are planted at Starin Park as we work to expand the Arboretum there. Thanks to these sales, more than a thousand native trees and shrubs have been added to our area on private land! Thanks to our City Foresters for increasing the numbers of native trees planted on city streets and in our parks each year. Because of their work and dedication, Whitewater is one of the MOST diverse Tree Cities in the entire state of Wisconsin! And that’s a big deal! If another pest like Emerald Ash Borer shows up here like it did a few years ago, we won’t lose so many of our city street and park trees because of the wide variety of trees in our urban forest!

Thank you to all of the many volunteers, city staff and, of course, our customers, who make this possible. It couldn’t happen without all of you!! And a special thank you to the Whitewater Middle School Show Choir members who helped us celebrate another year of being a Wisconsin Tree City!

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: May Day pageant c.1920

May 2, 2025

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. In honor of May Day (OK, it was yesterday), here is a photo of some Whitewater Normal School (UWW) students participating in a May Day pageant around 1920. A few years ago we posted a photo of these same students around a May pole, so we know that this photo is related to that celebration. During the twentieth century, May Day was celebrated as a spring festival by many young people. Happy Spring!

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(5394PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

Obituaries

Obituary: Sally A. Schutte, 73

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

Obituary: Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41

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

Obituary: Carla Winn, 82, of Kansas

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

Celebration of Life: Susan K. Miller

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

Obituary: JoAnn E Harrop, 95, of AL

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

Obituary: Russell O. “Russ” Johnson, 88

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

Obituary: Marcia Zingg, 75

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

Obituary: Amanda Jean Hunter, 49

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

Obituary: Ellen Eichmiller, 82

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

Obituary: Janet Quinn, 71, Jefferson

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