News & Events

Written by Kristine Zaballos | Photos by Craig Schreiner and submitted 

A new public trail that helps parents and other caregivers engage in fun activities when out on a stroll opened last year in Starin Park. The project is a collaboration between the City of Whitewater, the Children’s Center at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the Whitewater Public Library, and several community organizations.

The trail was spearheaded by Jennalee Johnson, a lead teacher in the Children’s Center — an award-winning early childhood education and childcare program on campus. 

“In January 2020, I was getting my National Geographic Educator Certification, and decided with a group of 2- and 3-year-olds that we would study the campus map,” said Johnson. 

Johnson, who earned bachelor’s degrees in early childhood and elementary education as well as a master’s degree in early childhood education and childcare policy at UW-Whitewater, printed and laminated maps and helped her young students learn how to orient themselves on campus using the map and landmarks. As they revisited favorite spots such as the Campus Memory Garden, Johnson imagined ways to create activities that her students and others could enjoy in their favorite locations. Then, just as the idea was taking shape, the pandemic shut their adventures down.

“Later on, as I did research, I learned about the Born Learning Trail, which is all about getting children outside and connected to nature and to early learning activities with their caregivers,” said Johnson.

A collaborative approach to funding the trail

Johnson reached out to the United Way, which sponsors the Born Learning initiative, and found that the trail can be ordered as a kit that includes instructions, hardware, and reinforced, full-color metal signs in both English and Spanish. As she shared the idea, the City of Whitewater committed to working to find the right location and providing city staff labor to install the signposts.

“When Jennalee brought this idea to us, we were immediately excited,” said Kevin Boehm, Whitewater Parks and Recreation Director. “The Born Learning Trail fits perfectly with our mission to enhance the quality of life for everyone who lives, works, and plays in Whitewater. It brings early learning and outdoor fun together in a way that truly strengthens our community. And it wouldn’t be possible without the incredible collaboration between the city, the university, the library, and our community partners. When we work together, great things happen for Whitewater’s families.”

After the project was presented to the Parks and Recreation Board in July 2025, Starin Park was selected as the best location for the trail. The 35-acre park, established in 1888 and located on the north side of the city, borders the university campus and is used by the Children’s Center and other campus groups. 

The sun begins to set as the picnic hosted in Starin Park by the UW-Whitewater Latinos Unidos student organization and Spanish Club to mark the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month begins to wind down on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)

The project was made possible through grants from Whitewater LEADS, the Whitewater Community Foundation, support from the Whitewater Public Library, and CCAMPIS funding meant to enhance inclusive spaces for families, including UW-Whitewater students. As part of the 50th anniversary of the Children’s Center, staff fundraised for the project as well. 

Supporting early literacy

Whitewater LEADS, a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 that works to support literacy in all of its diverse forms within the boundaries of the Whitewater Unified School District, awarded the project a Whitewater LEADS Literacy Grant of $500.

“This project is fully consistent with our mission to support early literacy,” said Larry Kachel, president of Whitewater LEADS, Inc. “We know that if children are not reading proficiently by third grade, there is an extremely high probability they will never become proficient readers. We currently have 375 kids in the program, and hope that this trail will help us reach more families.”

Every month, Whitewater LEADS provides free books to children under the age of five who live in the Whitewater Unified School District through a partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program. Since Whitewater LEADS was founded, over 34,000 books have been distributed at no cost to more than 1,100 Whitewater-area kids. One of every six books is dual-language, which is important in a school district where an estimated 40% of school age children are Hispanic/Latino. 

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Kristen Linzmeier, associate professor of curriculum and instruction at UW-Whitewater, is also a member of Whitewater LEADS. Linzmeier, who teaches courses on early childhood literacy as well as family engagement and empowerment, points to the way the trial empowers caregivers as a child’s first teacher.

“The trail encourages co-play and conversation, which leads to vocabulary development, narrative skills, and the idea of reading and playing as essential pathways to school readiness,” said Linzmeier. “And it’s free and accessible.” 

“I love how public spaces can provide opportunities for a literacy-rich environment and promote early learning — causing us as educators to think outside of the school walls.”

The Whitewater Public Library provided funding to purchase the Spanish-language signs for the trail.

“The Whitewater Public Library is thrilled to sponsor the Spanish-language signs for the Born Learning Trail, which aligns with our mission of supporting early learning and fostering an inclusive community,” said Sarah French, assistant director for the library and a UW-Whitewater alum. 

“We plan on hosting library meetups at the Born Learning Trail to expand its impact and help library users connect to this wonderful outdoor literacy space!”

The trail, which is a third of a mile long, starts at the playground, runs east along Starin Road, winds through ball fields and heads back to the community building, which houses Seniors in the Park.

Upkeep of the path, including freshening the paint on activities painted on the sidewalks and paths, will be supported by UW-Whitewater students participating in the university’s Make a Difference Day each year.

Johnson is happy to see how the trail will connect children to the environment and the caregivers around them.

“How students feel connected impacts their success at school.”

Gov. Evers Announces Wisconsin’s Veteran Employment Services Rank Top Five in the U.S. for Third Consecutive Year

Governor celebrates Evers Administration’s continued success in supporting Wisconsin’s veterans find employment and job opportunities statewide

Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), announced [on July 24] that in 2025, Wisconsin retained its top five national ranking for successfully helping veterans find employment for the third year in a row. Once again, Wisconsin was ranked fourth in the nation for these efforts, underscoring Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration’s continued commitment to supporting Wisconsin’s approximately 300,000 veterans and connecting them with available jobs to ensure they have the resources and tools needed to thrive in their civilian lives.  “Our veterans often face unique hurdles in their civilian lives, but the skills and training they’ve received through their service make them invaluable assets to our workforce,” said Gov. Evers. “Whether it’s getting folks connected to available jobs, expanding opportunities for education and job training, or ensuring they have the healthcare, housing, and supports they need to thrive, supporting our veterans has been a cornerstone priority of my administration since Day One. I’m incredibly proud of our work over the last seven years to support Wisconsin’s veterans, and the proof of that good work is clear as we continue to lead the nation in providing the critical tools our veterans need to live their best, fullest lives and support their families.” Wisconsin has been ranked fourth in the nation every year since 2023 in the Uniform National Threshold Entered Employment Rate (UNTEER) for veterans and eligible persons, a standard created by the U.S. Department of Labor to measure how effective states are in providing employment services to veterans. The standard covers state service delivery systems, including programs administered by DWD’s Office of Veterans Employment Services (OVES), the Jobs for Veterans State Grants program, and the Wagner-Peyser-funded Employment Service.  “With continued low unemployment rates in our state, employers are looking to fill high-skill job openings across many industries,” said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. “Veterans bring invaluable experience and skills to the workforce, but they often face unique challenges in finding family-supporting employment when they return to civilian life. DWD’s OVES provides individualized services to veterans and partners with Wisconsin companies to help them build their workforces.” OVES assists veterans through the entire employment process, from developing a resume and translating military experience into civilian job qualifications to making connections with employers for available jobs. Employers can also work with OVES to access funding for on-the-job training, offer subsidized transitional employment, and build a diverse workforce from a broad pool of skilled candidates. In the program year that ended June 2025, the Veterans’ Entered Employment Rate in Wisconsin exceeded the national threshold, with over 62 percent of participating veterans securing employment after using DWD’s services. DWD’s Veterans Employment Services website outlines the agency’s additional veteran employment programs like the Vets Ready Employer Initiative, Hire Heroes program, and other resources available to veterans and employers. Under Gov. Evers’ leadership, OVES has continued to advance employment opportunities for Wisconsin veterans through targeted efforts, including: The Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP), which works to provide individualized career services to a targeted population of veterans who have significant barriers to employment and who are economically or educationally disadvantaged in competing in today’s labor market. DVOP specialists assist veterans in overcoming barriers to employment, coordinate community resources, and gain access to education and job training opportunities; Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER), who conduct outreach to employers to promote the advantages of hiring veterans. LVER staff also plan and participate in job fairs, conduct job clubs, and coordinate with apprenticeship and internship programs, business organizations, and unions in promoting and advocating the benefits of training programs for veterans; The Vets Ready Employer Initiative, which encourages and recognizes employers that go above and beyond for Wisconsin’s veteran workforce. The recognition honors those employers that hire and retain veterans, build veteran support systems, and connect with veterans in the community while assisting employers in attracting and retaining veteran talent. Winners will be announced in November on Veterans Day. The number of employers recognized as Vets Ready Employers reached a record high in 2025, including eight first-time recipients, reflecting the growing commitment of employers to hiring and supporting veterans in the workforce. Employers earning the Vets Ready recognition are highlighted on the Job Center of Wisconsin, where job seekers can search for jobs posted by Vets Ready employers; The Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment, which allows veterans who have served in the Armed Forces, who have a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more, and are not currently employed in a permanent position with Wisconsin State Government, to be considered for jobs in state agencies without having to compete or take a civil service assessment; and The Military Career Crosswalk Reference, offering veterans a reference to help translate their military skills into civilian job categories.“Wisconsin’s veterans bring discipline, leadership, and hard-earned skills to our workforce, and this ranking reflects what happens when state agencies work together on their behalf,” said DVA Secretary James Bond. “WDVA is part of a larger effort to make sure Wisconsin is delivering on its commitment to those who have served in the armed forces. We are grateful to have dedicated partners in our mission from the local level all the way to the governor’s office.”

Universities of Wisconsin Regent President Kyle Weatherly, UWs Interim President Renée Wachter, and several university leaders announced [on August 12] budget proposals focused on building Wisconsin’s workforce and next generation of businesses.

The Tech for Tomorrow and Accelerate Wisconsin proposals represent new initiatives from the UWs’ 2027-29 budget request proposal. The goal is to create 300,000 career-ready workers, upskill 1 million workers for better jobs, and create 2,500 new businesses over a decade.

“The Universities of Wisconsin have long helped Wisconsin address some of its biggest challenges,” Wachter said. “Our budget will offer opportunities to invest in people and education that will help Wisconsin meet its workforce challenges, while providing targeted funds to help grow the next generation of businesses.”

At UW-Milwaukee, Weatherly and Wachter were joined by UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Thomas Gibson, UW-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank, and UW-Parkside Chancellor Lynn Akey to announce the two initiatives. Tech for Tomorrow, Accelerate Wisconsin, and other workforce-oriented proposals seek state investment to allow the UWs to help build Wisconsin’s workforce and next generation of businesses.

Tech for Tomorrow would speed new technologies from the research lab to commercialization while Accelerate Wisconsin would help entrepreneurs create and expand businesses and develop new products and markets. The other proposals include UW for U, which supports continuing education, online learning, and competency-based education, and U Succeed, which provides student supports such as academic and career advising.

“The Universities of Wisconsin play a critical role in developing talent, spurring innovation, and sparking entrepreneurship,” Weatherly said. “This proposal will generate career-ready graduates, speed new technologies to market, and support state entrepreneurs.”

The UW Board of Regents will vote on the full 2027-29 budget proposal next week.

About the Universities of Wisconsin

The Universities of Wisconsin serve more than 164,600 students. Awarding more than 37,000 degrees annually, these 13 public universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy. Learn more at wisconsin.edu.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Universities of Wisconsin.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Continuing our series of vacation postcards that might have been sent from Whitewater is this one, a pretty modern one dating to c.2000. We can date it to around 2000 because Cravath Park was not developed until 1998-1999. Sites around Whitewater feature in this postcard, including the Kettle Moraine State Forest and Old World Wisconsin. The theme “Greetings from Whitewater Wisconsin” is still popular in postcards at this time.

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

(5494PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

Whitewater Fire/EMS would like to extend an invite to the community to come see our new fire training facility located at 1220 Innovation Drive in the industrial park. The open house will commence with ribbon cutting, followed by tours of the facility. This facility was made possible through funding from the Whitewater Community Foundation’s Chief C.G. Hickey Fund.

There will be fire department staff on hand to answer questions, and demonstrate some of the capabilities and building features of this new training center.

There will be some parking spaces available on the training grounds. There is public parking across the street near the soccer fields, and spots available at the Innovation Center.

On August 17th, the Whitewater Unified School District School Board will continue their considerations on whether to place an operational referendum question on the November 3rd ballot.

The board is proactively considering options as the district’s current $4,400,000 operational referendum authority to exceed the revenue limit will expire at the end of the 2026-27 school year.

The board has discussed the possibility of renewing the operational referendum during public meetings over the past several months, including a June 22nd meeting focused on the district’s financial outlook and a special meeting on August 10th to review potential referendum scenarios. At its August 10th meeting, the board reviewed four potential operational referendum scenarios, each covering four years beginning with the 2027-28 school year:

1. Renewing the current $4.4 million authority,
2. A $5 million per year request, an increase of $600,000 over the current authority.
3. A $6 million per year request, $1,600,000 over current authority, and
4. A $7 million per year request, representing an increase of $2,600,000 over current
   authority.
   
   The board also reviewed budget forecasts, planned expenditure reductions, and estimated
   property tax impacts associated with each scenario. To date, no final decision has been made
   about whether a referendum will appear on the November ballot or, if so, the amount of the
   proposed referendum.
   
   In the absence of additional operating referendum support, current budget forecasts represent
   an approximate $6,900,000 deficit in the 2027-28 school year with the current $4,400,000
   authority expiring.
   
   The discussion comes as WUSD faces rising operating costs and state revenue that has not
   kept pace with those expenses.
   
   At the same time, the district is planning additional spending reductions as part of its efforts to
   manage its financial outlook. Current budget assumptions include $500,000 in reductions for
   2026-27 and another $500,000 in 2027-28, totaling $1 million in reductions over two years.
   

“We have been discussing our financial situation and the possibility of an operational referendum publicly for several months, and there is still an important decision for the school board to make,” said Superintendent Samuel Karns. “Our goal throughout this process is to provide clear, factual information about the district’s financial needs, the options being considered, and their potential impact. If the board decides to move forward with a referendum, we will continue providing information and hold informational sessions for community members to ask questions.”

The board also reviewed the estimated property tax impact associated with each scenario, which is listed below in the table.

The board will give further consideration of the financial position of the district and potential operating referendum scenarios at their special meeting on August 17th. If the school board finds consensus regarding their position on this matter, district administration will work with the district’s legal counsel to prepare the respective resolutions for board consideration and action at their regular meeting on August 24th. Any such adopted operating referendum would then be advanced to the November 3rd election ballot.

If the board approves a referendum question for the November ballot, WUSD will provide additional information about the proposal and its financial impact. The district also plans to offer opportunities for residents to ask questions and participate in discussions in the months leading up to the election.