Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Tuesday, May 6, 2025
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.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Christmas Decorations are up around the town and this week we celebrate with a photo from 2003 of only part of the large “Dickens’ Village” that was on display that year at Fairhaven. This photo is from long time historical society member Dan Sable, who is now a resident at Fairhaven.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(Photo from the Dan Sable Collection, Whitewater Historical Society)
Zachary M. Lemmer, age 34, of 158 W. Whitewater St., B, Whitewater, was charged in Walworth County Circuit Court on November 19 with Child Abuse-Intentionally Cause Harm, a Class H Felony. Bond was set at $5,000. Lemmer remains in custody. Class H felonies carry with them a maximum penalty of 6 years in prison, $10,000.00 in fines, or both.
Travis Arlyn Brown, age 35, of W7209 Kettle Moraine Dr., Whitewater, was charged in Walworth County Circuit Court on November 1 with Hit and Run – Involve Death, a Class D felony. According to Fox6 News, prosecutors say that Brown hit and killed Noe Rendon Jr., age 59, near his Delavan home at about 9:40 p.m. on November 14, 2020. Per Fox6 News, “According to the complaint, Brown reported a crash to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation on Nov. 20, 2020 – six days after Rendon’s death. He said he ‘hit a deer’ in Burnett County – more than 300 miles northwest of Delavan. Insurance records showed where Brown had his truck serviced, and investigators obtained pictures from that business. The pictures showed the damage to Brown’s truck before it was repaired. Investigators showed those pictures to a Wisconsin State Patrol crash reconstruction expert, per the complaint, who determined the damage was “not consistent” with a truck hitting a deer but ‘was consistent’ with the truck hitting a pedestrian.”
“The Delavan police chief told FOX6 News the department referred charges to the district attorney’s office in June 2021. FOX6 reached out to the district attorney’s office about the delay in those charges being filed, but did not hear back by Wednesday’s deadline.”
Brown was released on $100,000 cash bond on November 9. The penalty for a Class D felony is up to 25 years in state prison, a maximum fine of $100,000, or both imprisonment and a fine.
Editor’s note: A charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage from Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The city’s curbside leaf pickup ended on Friday, November 17. If there are still bags at curbside, it is likely because they were put out later, or that they are not in the biobags or clear bags that are required for pickup.
Leaf bags that are left outside for the winter will not be picked up by the city crew in the spring. Residents who have leaves which they still wish to be composted have the option of bringing their leaves to the city garage, 150 E. Starin Rd., where two dumpsters are provided, from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. through Friday, December 1. Although the sign there says that bags must be emptied into the dumpster, biobags do not need to be emptied.
The dumpsters are for leaves and other yard waste only. Yard waste is defined as leaves, weeds, grass clippings, and yard and garden debris. The only bags that may be placed in the dumpster are the biobags or transparent bags. Black bags must be emptied into the dumpster. Brush is not to be placed in the dumpster.
Residents requesting brush collection should call 473-0560 by 5 a.m. on Tuesday to make an appointment for pick up on Tuesdays.
On Sunday, December 17th, the Whitewater High School Music Masters Ensemble will present their Music Masters Showcase. The event will take place in the Whitewater High School MPR and will include solos and small ensemble performances, as well as songs sung by the entire Music Masters Ensemble. The event will begin at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include reserved seating for the performance and refreshments. Advanced ticket purchase is necessary for this event and should be purchased by December 8th. Tickets will not be sold at the door. See any Music Masters Ensemble member, their director Karen Tordera, or the Whitewater High School Office for tickets. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Tordera at ktordera@wwusd.org .
Who doesn’t enjoy seeing the lit-up candles in all of the front windows of the Victoria on Main B&B during Christmas time? This month, Landmark Trek gets inside the beautiful home of Nancy and Jerry Wendt, to explore the nooks and crannies, as well as the many stories this Whitewater Landmark holds. You can access this new episode at:
Landmark Trek will be taking a few months off over the holiday season, but will be back in the early part of next year. The Whitewater Landmark Commission would like to thank all of our viewers for your support, and for all to have a wonderful holiday season!
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team heads to Waverly, Iowa to take on the Wartburg College Knights in NCAA Quarterfinal action this Saturday (December 2). Kickoff at Walston-Hoover Stadium is scheduled for 12 p.m.
UW-Whitewater Game Notes (PDF)
TICKET/PARKING INFORMATION
Tickets will be sold on site on Saturday. Prices are $10 for adults and $7 for senior citizens, students and youth. There is no charge for parking at Wartburg. A designated area in Lot D will be for UW-Whitewater fans to tailgate.
UWW’S PLAYOFF PATH
The Warhawks claimed one of four at-large bids into the 2023 NCAA Division III Playoffs – a 16th appearance in the postseason since 2005. With one of the toughest strengths of schedule in Division III, UWW will face a ranked (includes a team receiving votes) opponent for the eighth time this season on Saturday. UW-Whitewater, a six-time Stagg Bowl winner, is 60-12 in the playoffs in program history.
In last week’s second round matchup against Wheaton, the Warhawks came back from a 14-point deficit to defeat the Thunder 49-42. The Warhawks scored 21 consecutive points to reclaim the lead 35-28 before adding two scores just 21 seconds apart in the fourth to widen the gap to 49-35. In that burst of scores, Tamir Thomas (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) hauled in a six-yard touchdown. Egon Hein (St. Charles, Ill./North) intercepted a pass on Wheaton’s first play and Thomas followed with a 20-yard run on the very next snap for the quick 14-point swing.
Alec Ogden (Marshall, Wis./Monona Grove) was 15-25 for 239 yards and four touchdown passes. He added 73 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Tommy Coates (Chicago, Ill./De La Salle Institute) had a phenomenal outing with 169 yards on eight receptions including a pair of scores while Thomas registered 224 yards on 28 carries with two rushing TDs.
Defensively, Joey Antonietti (La Grange, Ill./Lyons Township) posted 11 tackles while Ethan Gallagher (Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport Township) added nine with three passes broken up and a QB hurry.
HOW WARTBURG GOT HERE
The Knights rolled through the American Rivers Conference (8-0) to claim the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Playoffs. Wartburg is making its 16th, and second consecutive, appearance in the postseason.
Last week, Wartburg scored 35 consecutive points to build a 42-6 lead over Whitworth heading into the fourth quarter. Quarterback Nile McLaughlin was 25-31 for 352 yards and four passing touchdowns in the win. Drake George was his favorite target with 124 yards on nine catches including a pair of TDs. On the ground, Hunter Clasen posted 82 yards on 18 carries.
Defensively, Owen Grover had eight tackles and two quarterback hurries while Preston Rochford hauled in an interception and added a pass break up.
ON THE AIR
Saturday’s game will air live online on Wartburg’s Knight Vision. The contest can be heard on 105.9 FM The Hog in the Whitewater area, or online at www.1059thehog.com.
SERIES
This is the third meeting between the Warhawks and Knights and the first host by Wartburg College. UWW is 3-0 in the series that features only postseason matchups.
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
The No. 6 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team cruised to a 79-33 win over Concordia Wisconsin Wednesday night in Kachel Gym. The Warhawks remain undefeated on the season, 7-0.
Following a rough first quarter for both offenses – UWW shot just 15.8 percent and CUW hit 23.1-percent from the field – the Warhawks turned it on for the rest of the game shooting above 45-percent from the floor and a blistering 70.6-percent (12-17) from three-point range in each quarter.
Bri McCurdy sparked the offense with a three-pointer 15 seconds into the period. After a Falcon layin, Aleah Grundahl got it done on the offensive glass with a put back that started a 10-point Warhawk run. Grundahl hit another layup while Katie Hildebrandt nailed a triple and McCurdy dropped in another from long range in the scoring burst.
Concordia Wisconsin narrowed the gap to seven, 23-16, with just under two minutes to go before the break. The Warhawks closed the half with a Kacie Carollo layup and a Maggie Trautsch three-pointer to take a 28-16 lead into the locker room.
UW-Whitewater’s offense continued to surge outscoring the Falcons 25-10 in the third quarter to open up a 53-26 lead heading into the final quarter. The margin was extended further as UWW outpaced CUW 26-7 in the fourth.
The Warhawks were phenomenal from the floor in the final three quarters shooting 57.1, 46.7 and 64.3-percent from the field in the last 30 minutes of action. In that span, UWW hit 12-17 from three-point range.
UWW shot 43.5-percent from the floor and 48-percent from downtown in the game while hitting 13-14 from the free throw line. The Warhawk defense held the Falcons to 29.5-percent from the floor, 18.2-percent from deep and just 5-10 from the charity stripe.
Hildebrandt led all players with 18 points bolstered by 4-7 from three-point range. She added four assists and two blocks. Grundahl added 14 points and hauled in seven boards adding a game-high four steals. Trautsch hit 3-5 from beyond the arc for 11 points adding seven rebounds and three steals. Carollo wrapped up the double-digit scorers with 10 while notching a game-high seven assists.
Obituaries
Janice Kay Brokmeier of Fort Atkinson, formerly of Whitewater, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025, at Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek. Jan was born on June 7, 1942, in Stanford, Illinois to James Lloyd Smith and Eithel Amelia Ingram Smith. Jan moved to Wisconsin in December of 1955 with her parents and three of her brothers. She graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1960. Jan met Robert Joseph Brokmeier on March 13, 1958. Shortly after they met, they were married on August 26, 1961, at the First United Methodist Church in Whitewater. They had three children and resided … Read more
Read More
Dean Chris Dunne, 69, Fort Atkinson, formerly of Whitewater passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at Alden Estates in Jefferson, WI. Dean was born on May 4, 1955 in Chicago, IL to Chris and Ann (Wagner) Dunne. He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1973. Dean enjoyed fishing, camping and was a good water-skier in the day. He and his family moved to Las Vegas in 1980. Dean worked in property maintenance in Las Vegas for over 20 years. He is survived by his children Nicholas (Amber) Dunne, Fort Atkinson, Linsey (Scott) Angione, Las Vegas, Chris (Kristyn) Dunne, Las … Read more
Read More
Kenneth Dale Semrau, 74, of Whitewater, passed away April 26, 2025, in Winterhaven, Fl. Kenneth was born to Donna and Garhart Semrau on February 6th, 1951, in Marinette, WI. Kenneth married Kristy Pfeifer on May 6, 1972. They had two beautiful children Chad and Nicole and five wonderful grandchildren and lots of fur-babies. That made his world complete. Ken retired from Nestle in 2012 and enjoyed retirement by spending his summers at Riverbend Resort in Watertown, WI and the winter in Winterhaven, FL. “Kenny G.” was known for his loving and playful personality. His family was always first and foremost. … Read more
Read More
Bruce E. LaBansky, 75, Whitewater died on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Alden Estates in Jefferson, WI. Bruce was born on November 28, 1949 in Sauk County, WI to Clarence and Velma (Nelson) LaBansky. He graduated from Mount Horeb High School and received his bachelor’s degree from UW Stevens Point. Faith, family and friends were very important to him. Bruce moved to Whitewater in 1980 where he raised his 3 sons Nelsen, Nathanial, and Nicholas. Bruce was an avid golfer, an outdoorsman with an impressive knowledge of all things nature, a sports fan (particularly the Bucks, Brewers and Packers). Family … Read more
Read More
Dr. Holly J. Humphrey November 28, 1956 – April 17, 2025 Holly J. Humphrey, MD, MACP, led the Pritzker School of Medicine through a period of transformative growth that saw the school rise to a place among the nation’s elite institutions of medical education, emerge as a powerhouse of scholarship and discovery, and become a pioneer in efforts to diversify the field of medicine. One of the nation’s most prominent and innovative leaders in medical education, her voice and influence made an immeasurable impact on the field and countless mentees throughout her career. Dr. Humphrey, who served for 15 years as Pritzker’s … Read more
Read More
John Rivers, 61, of Whitewater, WI, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at his home after a short battle with cancer, with his wife by his side. Born on March 10, 1964, in Milwaukee, WI, to Bernie and MaryAnne (Sommers) Rivers Jr., John lived a life defined by perseverance and purpose. A 1982 graduate of East Troy High School, John spent more than 30 years as a dedicated truck driver. One of his proudest accomplishments came later in life when, at the age of 50, he returned to school and earned his bachelor’s degree while continuing to work full … Read more
Read More
John J Liss, 54, of Whitewater passed away Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, at home surrounded by his family and special pets at his feet. John graduated from Whitewater High School. John married his best friend of 18 years on August 17, 2024. He worked factory jobs and decided to go back to school for HVAC in 2009. In 2010 John became disabled due to his health. John is survived by his wife Lacey Liss, daughter Mackenzie Liss, son Gabe (Hunter) Black, stepson William (Erika) Beaudin, bonus daughter Cassie, mother Judy Liss, brothers Joseph 3rd, Jesse, and Jason Liss, sister-in-law Cora … Read more
Read More
Robert Andrae Mischka October 31, 1934 – April 13, 2025 Robert of Whitewater died at home April 13, 2025. He was born in Milwaukee on October 31, 1934 to Zaner and Helen (Burrill) Mischka. He attended Burlington High School and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1956 with a BBA degree in accounting. Robert married his high school sweetheart, Mary Margaret Wanasek of Burlington in 1954. Together they had 7 sons, two of which died as infants. After college they moved to Pittsburgh, Pa. where Robert spent 7 years working as an accountant for the U S … Read more
Read More
Amy L Hookstead age 40 of Genoa City, WI died April 20, 2025. She was born in Burlington, WI on September 6, 1984, the daughter of Raymond Ghislain and Tina Kjellander. On May 24, 2015, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Slades Corners, WI she was united in marriage to Michael Hookstead. She worked for Randall Township as the Treasurer. Amy’s motto in life was family first and her life revolved around her kids and family and she would do anything to make them happy. She was an avid Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers fan. In her younger years she … Read more
Read More
Waverly Ann Miles passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at the age of 90. She was born in Whitewater, WI on June 17, 1934, to Kenneth and Edna (Krahn) Sutherland and graduated in 1951 from Whitewater College High School. She married Raymond Miles on June 18, 1955, in Whitewater, WI. Waverly worked for the First Citizens State Bank from the time she was in High School until her retirement. She enjoyed watching the Packers, Badgers, reading and most of all spending time with her family. She is survived by sons Eddie of Madison, WI and Todd (Barbara) Miles … Read more
Read More