News & Events

Tune Into This!

Seniors in the Park will be showing a foreign caper film about a talented piano tuner who suffers from hyperacusis (an increased sensitivity to sound),  inadvertently discovering he has an aptitude for cracking safes. 

The 2025 film features rising star Leo Woodall and the iconic Dustin Hoffman, and is rated R (language), with a running time of 1 hour, 47 minutes.

Due to the uncertainty of storms in the forecast, tonight’s Kids to Kids Rummage has been postponed until Tuesday, August 25th from 6:00–7:00 PM at Cravath Lakefront Park.

We want to make sure our young sellers, their families, and all of the toys, books, games, and other treasures they bring stay safe and dry. With the possibility of storms, postponing gives everyone the best chance to enjoy a fun evening without worrying about the weather.

New Date:
Tuesday, August 25th
6:00–7:00 PM
Cravath Lakefront Park

Thank you for understanding, and we hope to see everyone next Tuesday for a great night of buying, selling, and finding new treasures! 

Michelle Dujardin, CPRP  | Assistant Parks, Recreation, Community Events Director
(262) 473-0121 | (262) 903-9532 | mdujardin@whitewater-wi.gov

The BECI Project is an approximately 190-mile, 765-kilovolt (kV) project in Wisconsin connecting electric facilities in Crawford County with facilities in Walworth County before continuing to the state line.

According to information on the project website at https://www.mgs-projects.com/BECI, “The project is in its early stages, and we are evaluating the study area. No final route has been selected at this time. We are hosting our first round of open houses in August to share project information and gather valuable routing input for study segments. Following the open houses and public comment period, our team will continue to evaluate information, review public feedback and identify preliminary routes to share at future public open houses later this fall.

MGS plans to file an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) in early 2027. Following the filing, the PSCW’s review process is expected to take approximately 12–18 months and will include additional opportunities for public input. Once a final route is approved by the PSCW, we will move into land acquisition, final design, and construction. We currently anticipate the line being placed into service in 2033. Dates are approximate and subject to change.”

Area open house schedule:

Jefferson County
Wednesday, August 26, 10 AM-1 PM
County Fairgrounds Activity Center: 503 N Jackson Ave., Jefferson, WI 53549

Walworth County
Thursday, August 27, 10 AM-1 PM
Lake Lawn Resort: 2400 E Geneva St., Delavan, WI 53115

Rock County
Thursday, August 27, 4-7 PM
Woodman’s Center: 2510 Milton Ave., Janesville, WI 53545

A virtual open house is also available. Detailed maps of the proposed routes can be found on the project website at https://www.mgs-projects.com/BECI.

Walworth County Treasurer Valerie Etzel announces the sale of county-owned properties. Sealed bids are invited and will be accepted by the Walworth County Treasurer’s Office, 100 W. Walworth, Room 103, PO Box 1001, Elkhorn, WI 53121, until 10:00 a.m., August 25, 2026. Please visit the Walworth County website at www.co.walworth.wi.us and under the Treasurer’s Department page, click on “Treasurer In Rem Tax Foreclosures” for instructions, a complete property listing, and the official bid form. Properties are in the towns of East Troy, Geneva, Richmond, and Sugar Creek; city of Lake Geneva. Specific questions may be directed to the Walworth County Treasurer’s Office at (262) 741-4251 or by email at treasurer@co.walworth.wi.us.

City of Whitewater proudly celebrated the individuals and families whose service, leadership, generosity, and dedication continue to strengthen the community during the 2026 Community Stars Gala this past Friday, held at the newly renovated Whitewater Public Library.

The Community Stars Gala recognizes those who go above and beyond to make Whitewater a better place to live, work, learn, and grow. This year’s honorees represent a wide range of contributions, from historic preservation and volunteerism to youth advocacy, community development, philanthropy, and lifelong public service. 2026

Community Stars Award Recipients

Preservation Protector Award – James “Jim” Olm. Recognized for his work preserving and sharing Whitewater’s history, including creating engaging educational videos highlighting the community’s historic landmarks.

Volunteer of the Year – Ginny Coburn. Honored for her extensive volunteer service with the Senior Center Respite Program, Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, Lakes Advisory Committee, Whitewater Community Foundation, Senior Center programs, and other community efforts.

Community Champion Award – Rick and Jeanine Fassl. Recognized for their generous and consistent support of community events, recreation programs, fundraisers, and special projects, often working quietly behind the scenes to make Whitewater a stronger and more welcoming community.

Youth Champion Award – The Fuller Family. Honored for their commitment to Whitewater’s young people and families through Run for Trey, youth athletics, Parks & Recreation, early literacy initiatives, and numerous volunteer efforts.

Difference Maker Award – Jon Tanis. Recognized for his leadership and commitment to expanding quality, affordable housing opportunities through the Stonehaven Development project, Habitat for Humanity, and other efforts that strengthen Whitewater.

James D. Allen Service Award – Jim Caldwell and The Kachel Family. This year, the City presented the James D. Allen Service Award to two recipients in recognition of their exceptional and lasting contributions to Whitewater.

Jim Caldwell was recognized for his many years of dedicated service to the Whitewater community, including his role as a founding member and former chairman of the Community Development Authority (CDA). His leadership, willingness to serve, and commitment to helping others have made a lasting impact on the community and reflect the spirit of service represented by the James D. Allen Award.

The Kachel Family was honored for generations of philanthropy, public service, and investment in Whitewater. Their generous support of education, public safety, community facilities, human services, local organizations, and economic development has made a lasting impact and helped shape Whitewater for generations.

The City of Whitewater is honored to recognize both Jim Caldwell and The Kachel Family for legacies of service that will continue to benefit Whitewater for generations to come. Whitewater City Manager, John Weidl, reflected on these awards saying, “Presenting two James D. Allen Service Awards was the right decision, because two distinct forms of legacy came before the committee and neither could stand in for the other. Jim Caldwell has given this community more than fifty years of leadership, including founding the Community Development Authority and serving as its first chairman, work that still shapes how Whitewater approaches economic development. The Kachel Family’s generosity is built into this city: the Aquatic Center, our Fire and EMS service, the library we gathered in on Friday night, the Food Pantry, Bethel House, and our schools. Both legacies will outlast all of us.”

“A community is not something that simply happens,” said City Manager John Weidl. “It is built by people who choose to give their time, share what they have, and work toward something larger than themselves. That is what every one of our twelve nominees do es, and this year’s recipients show the full range of it from preserving our history, to expanding access to housing, to simply showing up year after year wherever help was needed.”

The City thanks everyone who submitted nominations and helped recognize those making a difference in Whitewater. We also extend our appreciation to the Gala Committee, City staff, sponsors, community partners, volunteers, elected officials, and board and committee members who made the 2026 celebration possible. The City of Whitewater provides efficient and high-quality services that support living, learning, playing and working in an exceptional community. Visit www. whitewater -wi.gov for community information and updates.

Article Submitted by Becky Magestro
Phone: (262) 473-0101
Email: bmagestro@whitewater-wi.gov

The Whitewater High School Cross Country Team is selling water softener salt delivered to your HOME by CC athletes as a way to raise money for the program. Orders and payment are due on Friday, August 28, with a two-bag minimum. Orders can be dropped off at Whitewater High School or given to any cross country athlete. Delivery will be done by athletes per your specific instructions on Friday, September 11, between 3:30 and 6:00 pm.

Printable Order Form

Information Provided by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
cCarstens@wwusd.org

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) and Rooster Milling will host the first-ever Midwest Kernza Harvest Field Day on Friday, Aug. 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m in SE Wisconsin. The day will begin at Rooster Milling, W1684 Honey Creek Road, East Troy, before moving to the Kernza fields at MFAI’s New Farm nearby. The free event will give farmers, researchers, and alternative grain enthusiasts a look at three different Kernza harvesting techniques, along with grain cleaning and post-harvest handling. Kernza intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) is a perennial grain with conservation value and value-added uses in baking, brewing and distilling. Free lunch will be provided by Mama Bear Catering of Mukwonago. 

This free event is hosted by The Forever Green Initiative at University of Minnesota, along with Graham Adsit and Andy Rowntree of Rooster Milling and Whitewater High School Alum Dr. Nicole Tautges, Research Director at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. More information and directions are available at michaelfields.org. Registration is requested to help with food planning.

“Does swathing it result in a better yield? Is it worth the extra trips across the field? These are questions Kernza farmers, including us, often encounter,” Tautges said. “The demonstration of the different harvest methods is going to be a unique aspect of this field day, allowing growers to compare the results of three harvesting options for Kernza in person and discuss those results with other growers as well. This will be a can’t-miss event.”

Dr. Nicole Tautges is Research Director at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute and a nationally recognized Kernza researcher. She earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Ph.D. from Washington State University, where her research focused on soil fertility, weed management and soil microbial management in semiarid organic wheat production systems. She later conducted Kernza research at the University of Minnesota and soil health research at the University of California, Davis. Her current research at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute focuses on organic production methods, biological nutrient cycling and post-harvest quality in Kernza, oat and buckwheat systems.

Unlike annual grains that must be replanted each year, Kernza is a perennial grain that can remain in production for three years after planting. Its deep, living root system allows the crop to provide continuous ground cover while producing grain that can be used in products ranging from baked goods and flour to beer and distilled spirits.

Because Kernza is a relatively new small grain crop, optimal harvest methods are still being developed. The field day will focus on important decisions facing Kernza growers, including how to harvest the crop to maximize marketable yield and how to properly clean and process the grain after harvest. Attendees will see three harvest methods demonstrated side by side: direct combining, swathing and harvesting with a stripper header.

Rooster Milling will demonstrate grain cleaning and post-harvest handling. Operated by Adsit and Rowntree, Rooster Milling was established to clean, process and market food-grade grains grown on their farm while also providing processing opportunities for other growers. The mill sells processed grains to bakeries, distilleries and other food businesses, as well as flour for home bakers.

The demonstrations will be followed by networking and knowledge sharing among farmers, researchers, perennial-grain growers and other partners. This event is free and open to the public  and will also feature presenters from the Forever Green Initiative, The Land Institute, The Nature Conservancy, Clean Wisconsin, and the Artisan Grain Collaborative.

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a non-profit organization that has been cultivating resiliency through research, education, and policy work since 1984. With a broad coalition of public and private partners, The Institute supports regenerative farmers, food systems and communities in the Upper Midwest and beyond through a range of programs and initiatives.

It’s been another great week at Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County — a corporate volunteer team put in a full day of work, new kitchens will soon be coming together for our Whitewater homes, and we’ve got two Women Build Days on the calendar this September. 

This past week, a team from Generac joined us at the Whitewater build and tackled the flooring and egress windows in one of the buildings — and it is looking great! Generac provides its employees with 8 hours of paid volunteer time off, and this group chose to spend theirs with us. It’s a fantastic example of a company giving employees the opportunity to give back to their community, and we hope to see them again soon.

Mark your calendars! We’re hosting Women Build Days in Whitewater on September 9 and 16. Women Build Days are about creating opportunity. They provide a welcoming space for women to work together, learn hands-on construction skills, build confidence, and make a meaningful contribution to affordable housing in their community. Women are encouraged to organize teams, invite others to participate, and learn alongside experienced Habitat volunteers and site leaders.

Interested in helping as an individual or bringing a team? Reach out to get signed up!

Volunteer Interest Form

In the coming weeks, kitchen cabinets and interior doors will be delivered to the Whitewater homes! We’ve worked hard to source quality, affordable products for our homeowners, and this kitchen is a great example of that effort.

Article and Photos Submitted by John Dawson
Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County