News & Events

The Whitewater Historical Society’s Whitewater Collects event is being held this Sunday, March 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center, 341 S. Fremont Street, (Whitewater Street behind the arch.) Over a dozen Whitewater area collectors will be displaying collections that range from Native American Copper Artifacts to Pez Dispensers to Doc Martin shoes and many more antiques and collectibles. This is an annual event, but every year there are new and different collections on display. And, Carol Miller of Bailey’s Honor Auctions and Estate Services, LLC, will provide evaluations of up to two items to the public.

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Wind Advisory from 7 p.m. on Wednesday until 7 a.m. on Thursday. There is also chance of 1-2″ of snow.

Carol McCormick writes, “Juvenile bald eagle on the left while mom takes the lower branch. Ice is leaving the lake on Trippe so there might be scouting for early fish meals. Always a sight to see!”
[Submitted by Carol McCormick on March 13.]

Our thanks to Carol McCormick for yet another wonderful wildlife photo.

— 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!

In Person Absentee Early Voting!

Whitewater residents, make your voices heard! Early voting for the upcoming election will be available at the City of Whitewater Municipal Building from Tuesday, March 18, 2025 through Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Location:

Office of the Municipal Clerk (2nd Floor)

312 W Whitewater St, Whitewater, WI 53190

Early Voting Times:

Tuesday, March 18 – 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Wednesday, March 19 – 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Thursday, March 20 – 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Friday, March 21 – 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Monday, March 24 – 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Tuesday, March 25 – 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Wednesday, March 26 – 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Thursday, March 27 – 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Friday, March 28 – 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Saturday, March 29 – 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Avoid the lines on Election Day and vote early! Spread the word and ensure your vote counts! #EarlyVote#WhitewaterWI#YourVoiceMatters

Editor’s note: The above announcement was made on the City of Whitewater Facebook page. Be certain to bring your photo ID. Same day registration is also available for those who will have resided at their address for at least 28 days by Election Day.

The City of Whitewater Fire Department (WFD) received a report of smoke in the area of Fremont Street and North Street on March 17 at 3:12 p.m. WFD Personnel arrived on scene two minutes from the time of dispatch and reported a working fire in a detached garage at 234 W. North Street. The press release indicates that the “aggressive offensive attack…limited the damage to the building of origin, preventing the fire from spreading to three nearby dwellings. The cause of the fire was found to be maintenance being conducted on one of the vehicles in the garage. A battery charger connected to a vehicle is suspected to have contributed to the initial vehicle fire. The fire spread to another vehicle in the garage, and the structural components of the garage itself.”

There were no injuries. The residents of the home were not there at the time. A vigilant neighbor placed the 911 call.

Per the press release, the Lauderdale-LaGrange Fire Department and the City of Whitewater Police Department assisted WFD.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.

Suzanne Chenoweth is a WUL Hometown Hero, and was nominated by both Lisa Huempfner and DeAnna Brunner “For the work Suzanne does as an unsung hero to help the community, whether it be mentoring and assisting a family in need, reading for Book Buddies, serving on the board of Bethel House, volunteering at Lincoln School in the garden, or serving on her church council and playing in the handbell choir.”

Both Lisa and DeAnna are grateful for her work and dedication to helping people in Whitewater.

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com 

Photo credit

Dear Whitewater constituents – family and friends,

I grew up attending the Whitewater Unified School District, as have several of my close and extended family members. Their children, and my three children, continue the same path. I have family who attend ALL academic buildings of the school district. Family employed by the district and family without children who take pride in contributing to the district and being part of the Whippet culture. As a University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Warhawk, I am the associate director of pre-college programs – working with college, high school, and middle school students as a supervisor, administrator, and instructor.

On safety, since day one of my first term, I have advocated for increased safety in our schools to multiple school board members over the years. With your support, the board overwhelmingly agreed to approve the upcoming facilities referendum which includes measures in securing the lives of our children. I am proud and grateful of the Board’s leadership – pursuing to improve a safe learning environment for our teachers to teach, and for our children to learn.

My first Whitewater memories were of living with multiple family members and then moving to a mobile home in Twin Oaks. I clearly remember sleeping on the floor early on. The majority of years I grew up in the Town of Lima, and I now have my own five bedroom home.

I always strive to guarantee opportunity and more for our youth, as what has ensured my continuing success. I do this by using my personal and vacation days to go advocate and/or securing more funding from our State and Federal legislators, such as the $300,000 Department of Justice grant for the City of Whitewater, supporting the expansion of the Trades, applying for Statewide and international recognitions, and helping to lead the annual International Children’s Day which is on its fourth year due to the commitment and support of the community and local organizations.

As a candidate, it is my principle to run as myself and not under a campaign entity. As an individual, we are limited to an aggregate amount of $2,500 to utilize in campaign activity which includes the sum of contributions and expenditures. I will not be
influenced by outside money or large self-interest groups who may not always have the best intentions.

If given the opportunity to continue serving on the board, as the youngest candidate, I promise to reject board member compensation again and happily serve. With pending work, continuing in this position will allow me to secure more funding for Whitewater. The place that has allowed my family and I to live the American Dream.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you.

Education:
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Bachelor of Business Administration
International Emphasis
Economics Minor
Cum Laude

University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Master of Business Administration
Finance Emphasis
GPA: 3.908 / 4.0

Board Accomplishments:
Started the International Children’s Day event through the City of Whitewater, and I have been on the planning committee since (one year was pre-Board).

Secured two visits from the Mexican Consulate in Milwaukee to serve a Mobile Consul at the Whitewater High School (one year was pre-Board).

Assisted securing $2,000 grant funding from the Mexican government through scholarship.

Invited Governor Evers to visit one of our schools for him to see first-hand the contributions of our teachers and staff; he listened to feedback and was impressed with the integration of the multilingual and science of reading curriculum.

Offered lobbying consultation on approaching the Office of U.S. Senator Baldwin, who advocated for grant funding for the City of Whitewater.

Nominated the school district for a Wisconsin Policy Forum Award and won. Reference: https://wispolicyforum.org/2024-salute-to-local-government-award-winners/

Spearheaded the creation of the Whitewater Unified School District Finance Committee

Building community trust through my reputation, between city staff and the Latino population.

Honorable Mention:
Honored to help advocate for the Reese Brantmeier Project where possible, in revitalizing the tennis courts at Washington Elementary. Reference: https://www.reesebrantmeierproject.com/supporters

Local Community Service:
League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area Member
Kiwanis Breakfast Club Member
Conexiones Latinas Social Media Coordinator, supported by Fort Healthcare
Polar Plunge Participant, raising more than $1,000 twice

Professional Accomplishments, A Few:
2015 Recipient of the University Staff Excellence Award, as Program Manager of the
Undergraduate Research and University Honors Programs. [LINK:
https://www.uww.edu/usc/awards#:~:text=These%20awards%20recognize%20UW%2D
W,nominees%20during%20the%20spring%20semester.]

As a Senior Financial Specialist, helped secure close to 2 million dollars for the University and the creation of a financial form when submitting to the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Associate Director of Pre-College Programs, collaborated and continue to converse with representatives of Foxconn to better connect and prepare our Wisconsin students for a successful future.