Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Sunday, October 11, 2026
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.
Written by Dave Fidlin | Photos by Craig Schreiner
After an intensive three-year review process, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Police Department received accreditation from a national program considered the gold standard within the profession.
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, or CALEA, has officially recognized the UW-Whitewater Police Department with its accreditation. It is one of only four departments in Wisconsin to hold the accreditation, and one of just two within the Universities of Wisconsin — the other being UW-Madison.
While law enforcement agencies have a number of different accreditation options available, UW-Whitewater Police Chief Matt Kiederlen said CALEA is considered the gold standard because of the depths involved in achieving such a certification, which included putting the campus’ law enforcement officers through a battery of tests to ensure policies and procedures are being followed.
Kiederlen said the quest for CALEA accreditation has been years in the making and that credit goes to the department’s small but dedicated command staff who roll up their sleeves each day to ensure UW-Whitewater’s campus is safe, secure and a welcoming place for people from all backgrounds to grow personally and academically.
“Accreditation, in my opinion, sets the department up for success,” Kiederlen said. “It gives us a nationally recognized set of standards that we can comply with and we will strive to uphold. It’s a way for us to test what we’re doing against what is considered the gold standards are, in terms of how you do things. It sets me — or any chief or executive, however you want to look at it — up for success.”
In the world of academia, Kiederlen said accreditation is a concept that is easily understood. The processes and standards the UW-Whitewater Police Department went through are similar to those a college or university undergoes for its academic programs.
“In a higher education environment, every college, everything that is done from setting up the classes to teaching, are evaluated by an outside organization that says, ‘You’re doing this right.’” Kiederlen said. “It’s the same thing for us.”
“The intensive nature of CALEA’s accreditation process is one reason it is considered such a high-caliber standard within law enforcement.
CALEA’s 21-member Board of Commissioners tests command staff on the policies and procedures on the agency’s books and conducts interviews with a sampling of university staff and students, as well as community members, to gauge the department’s effectiveness. Input from other nearby law enforcement agencies also is a part of the review process.
“Each community with CALEA-accredited agencies should feel confident that their public safety organization is going above and beyond and operating under the highest standards in public safety,” CALEA President Marlon Lynch said.
Kiederlen considers achieving the CALEA accreditation to be a professional milestone.
“This is a career goal, and the fact that we achieved this is outstanding,” Kiederlen said. “For me, as the chief, I take a huge amount of pride that we have achieved this, knowing that this little department of 16 sworn officers has put itself in a place where it can deliver the best quality of service that we possibly can.”
“Achieving the accreditation is a worthy moment of celebration for the members of the UW-Whitewater Police Department, but the process of maintaining the designation will be continuous.
“It’s not just, ‘Once, and you’re done.’ They’re looking at those policies, and they’re looking for what are called ‘proofs,’” Kiederlen said. “They want to know that we are abiding by those policies. It’s a complete upgrade. It literally affects the daily processes of the department to ensure that you’re doing it as best as you possibly can.”
Kiederlen said he takes pride in knowing the police department has a strong foundation, heading into the future.
“I wanted to set up the department for continued success.”
City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes addition of definition for family daycare home and addition to that use in most districts, and Discussion and possible recommendation to Common Council update of the Landscaping Guidelines.
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 join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/568749461
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 568-749-461
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install
City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
UW Whitewater, University Center, 190 Hamilton
Green Way, 2nd Floor, RM 259
Agenda includes Swearing In of Newly Elected Council Members. Aldermanic District 1 Michael Smith;
Aldermanic District 3, Steven Sahyun; Aldermanic District 5, Neil Hicks; Councilmember At
Large- Patrick Singer; Presentation by Josh Schoemann, Washington County Executive, about Next Generation
Housing in Washington County, Professor Kurt Paulsen, Professor at UW- Madison, responses to questions during the
housing presentation.; Greg Johnson, Municipal Advisor at Elhers, response to questions had on housing
presentation; first reading of Ordinance 2025-O-11 An Ordinance creating section 2.62.060 Public Comment during
Common Council and Committee Meetings; Discussion and Possible Action regarding Whitewater Solar’s Joint Development
Agreement- City and Townships
*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/87340133072?pwd=4ZtuqDaebM80Sz976LBWtC9BH59iLP.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799
Webinar ID: 873 4013 3072
Passcode:878627
City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action to approve SEWRPC Aquatic Plant Management Plan for
Cravath and Trippe Lakes; Discussion re: parks and open space plan.
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.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82926194352?pwd=FIFh0KXzqzrvJtHx1qd9mLPZwN0Khb.1
Meeting ID: 829 2619 4352
Passcode: 313703
Dial 1 312 626 6799 US
City of Whitewater Community Development Authority – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
The agenda has not yet been posted as of 4/13/25.
The Whitewater Unified School District has been selected for a statewide case study on mentorship programs.
WUSD is one of only eight districts across the state chosen for the initiative, which seeks to explore best practices, successes, and challenges in educator mentorship programs. The district’s team mentorship model will be highlighted as an example of leadership and forward-thinking approaches in professional development.
Dr. Terilyn Robles, Director of Teaching & Learning, and Ashley Deininger, Mentor Lead, are leading the effort, along with the WUSD Mentor Team. The Mentor Team consists of 19 members districtwide who provide mentorship to new staff.
The study is being conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Education Research in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Instruction.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our district to share the progress we have made in mentoring and supporting educators,” said Superintendent Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty. “Our team mentorship model fosters collaboration, professional growth, and a strong sense of community among educators, and we are honored to contribute to this important study.”
The research aims to inform future mentorship initiatives across Wisconsin, strengthening educator support networks and improving student outcomes while also guiding the application and use of the state’s Peer Review and Mentoring Grant. WUSD’s teachers and staff will engage with researchers and their peers statewide to advance mentorship practices in Wisconsin.
Ferradermis, the Whitewater High School robotics team, has received an invitation to compete at the 2025 For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Championships in Houston, Texas, April 16-19.
Earlier this year, the robotics team competed at the Lake Superior Regional in Duluth, Minnesota, where the students won the event and received the Team Sustainability Award. Competing against 754 teams in the first two weeks of regional events, Ferradermis ranked 78th globally. The team’s success earned it valuable points in the global regional rankings, leading to an invitation as one of the top teams in the world.
“We are incredibly proud of our students for their hard work, dedication, and teamwork both on and off the field,” said Laura Masbruch, the team’s advisor. “Earning a spot at the FIRST Championships is a testament to their passion for STEM and commitment to excellence. We are grateful for the support of our mentors, families, and community, and we are excited for the opportunity to compete on the world’s stage.”
Ferradermis aims to raise $30,000 to fund the Houston trip. For more information about how to donate to the cause and the team’s journey to the FIRST Championship, visit www.ferradermis.org or mail a check made out to WHS to Laura Masbruch at Whitewater High School, 534 S Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, WI 53190.
Editor’s note: A previous article that includes further information regarding the upcoming Ferradermis competition may be found here.
Please note that due to construction at the library, this event is being held at the Senior Center.
The National Honor Society will be hosting its annual Spring Silent Auction April 9 – 25, 2025!
Projects up for bid this year include babysitting, yardwork (“Weed Be Glad to Help”), manual labor, personal training, an outdoor field trip for kids (“Fantastic Field Day”), childcare with Spanish lessons, singing telegram (Life Without You Would B Flat”), self-care basket, beautiful handmade items (“Crafting a Smile for You”), a reading night basket, S’mores basket, swimming field trip with certified lifeguards (“Splash-tastic!”), savory baked goods, painting project – to help you get it done, summer fruit basket, cat sitting, dog walking (“Pawsome Walks”), movie night basket, flowers galore basket, and a youth basketball lesson with a high school superstar! Funds raised will be used for scholarships and other worthwhile projects! Simply complete the Bid Project Form below on the NHS website before 3:30 pm on April 25.
https://sites.google.com/wwusd.org/whsnationalhonorsociety/spring-silent-auction-2025
Track the bidding process on the spreadsheet located on the NHS Silent Auction 2025 site too!
National Honor Society members will complete their projects between April 28 and May 16. Email NHS Advisor Pam Sonmor-Wintz (psonmorwintz@wwusd.org) if you have any questions! A great time will be had by all!
Thank you so much for participating!
Whitewater High School Art Student Cassie Bartlett received the Geneva Lake Arts Foundation Award of Recognition. Her submission included a stippling illustration. Stippling is an illustrative technique that involves creating an image using only dots to build up shading and tonal values.
“This piece is a meaningful tribute to my favorite cow I helped raise at my grandparent’s house. This pen stipple project took me 7 weeks to complete, and it’s definitely my favorite piece of art I’ve ever completed.” – Cassie Bartlett
Whitewater High School Art Student Ava Nygren Received the Walworth County Arts Council Visual Arts Scholarship.
The Walworth County Arts Council awards $2,000 scholarships for graduating seniors who are going to study one of the fine arts in college. The applicants must provide a high school transcript, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement of his or her future plans. The student must also perform an audition and participate in a personal interview with professionals/artists in their field of study.
“My goal is to become an art teacher. Fostering a passion for art in young people is becoming increasingly important as the fine arts are often devalued by many. I believe that by encouraging kids and giving them a safe environment to learn artistic skills, they will be more motivated to create. I hope that the skills I learn in university will help me guide a classroom and teach art skills to others.” – Ava Nygren
Article and Photos Submitted by Crystal Gill
Whitewater High School Art Teacher
cgill@wwusd.org
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
Other Recent Posts
Click on the title to view the post. To open the post in a new tab, press Ctrl (Cmd on a Mac) while clicking on the title.
