News & Events

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff on Anniversary of 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade Tragedy

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Thurs., Nov. 21, 2024, in recognition of the 3rd anniversary of the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy and to honor the six individuals who were senselessly and tragically killed in the attack: Tamara Durand, 52; Wilhelm Hospel, 81; Jane Kulich, 52; Leanna Owen, 71; Virginia Sorenson, 79; and Jackson Sparks, 8. “The Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy three years ago shook the Waukesha community and folks across our state and country. On this anniversary, we honor Tamara, Wilhelm, Jane, Leanna, Virginia, Jackson, their loved ones, the dozens of people who were injured that day, and the many whose lives were forever changed by this senseless act of violence. Kathy and I keep them in our hearts today and every day,” said Gov. Evers. “Today, we also remember and recognize the strength and the spirit of the Waukesha community, their resilience, and their generosity and compassion in the wake of an unspeakable tragedy. Waukesha and Wisconsin remain ‘Waukesha Strong.’”

Per the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office, the Whitewater area is likely to get 1-2″ of heavy, wet, slushy snow between 6 a.m. to noon on Thursday morning.

• A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for east central and southeast Wisconsin from 6 AM to Noon CST Thursday.
• A burst of moderate to heavy, wet, slushy snow and west northwest wind gusts of 35 to 45 MPH are expected for the Thursday morning commute, mixing with and changing to rain by midday into early afternoon. 
• Wet, slushy snow accumulations of 2-4 inches are forecast including on roadways with eastern Wisconsin having the greatest travel impacts. 
• Although windy conditions will be occurring, the snow will be wet, which will greatly limit the blowing, but still contribute to lower visibility with sideways falling snow.
• Temperatures will warm to near 40 degrees Fahrenheit for the afternoon and evening commute, with much better road conditions anticipated at that time.

Photos from dress rehearsal on November 18 and story courtesy of Tom Ganser

CORRECTION: Sunday’s performance is at 1 p.m. (Previously it was shown as 2 p.m.)

Kick-start your holiday season by taking in a performance of the Whitewater High School Players sparkling production of Irving Berlin’s classic “White Christmas” Nov. 21-23 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. in the James M. Stewart Auditorium at Whitewater High School.

Better yet … treat someone to seeing a performance as an early holiday gift.

General tickets ($7 for students and $10 for adults) are available at the box office one hour before the performance.

The WHS Players production showcases the talents of a cast of 30, a crew of 18, and a live band of 11.

Before the curtain opening, Tom Ganser’s photos of the WHS Players productions of “Footloose” (2021), “Beauty and the Beast” (2022), and “Mean Girls” (2023) will be shown.

Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander.

With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial title song, “White Christmas” is an uplifting, wholesome musical that will delight audiences of all ages.

Paramount Pictures released the movie musical “White Christmas” in 1954. The film starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen, and featured 17 songs by Irving Berlin. The top moneymaker of 1954, White Christmas set a new record as Hollywood’s all-time highest-grossing musical.

As we move into the holidays there always seems to be a drop in blood donations, so your gift will be especially appreciated. To make an appointment please click here or call Lynn at 262-473-2997.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

City of Whitewater voters were asked on the November 5 ballot whether they felt that the city should use tax dollars to repair and maintain the Starin Park Water Tower, a Local Landmark which is no longer in use. 56% of those responding to the non-binding referendum expressed the view that tax dollars should not be used for this purpose. The vote was 2209 in favor and 2836 opposed. If the votes cast at the university polling place, where nearly all the voters were students, are not counted, the negative percentage reaches 57.7%.

The Common Council at its regular meeting on November 19 will begin discussing the results of the referendum and the path forward. City Manager John Weidl, in a memo to the Council, indicates that the water tower is not quickly deteriorating, and consequently there is no immediate need to act. He recommends, “eventually referring the referendum results to the Landmarks Commission with a directive to develop, by June of 2025, a range of options that fall between full demolition and permanent restoration, including the possibility of repurposing the tower on-site.” Among the possibilities that the commission might consider could be “relocation efforts, such as lowering or showcasing parts of the tower in a museum.” Weidl also suggests that the Council ask the commission to propose fundraising efforts that could offset a significant part of any restoration or preservation expenses.

The Whitewater Banner provided background regarding the historical significance and structural assessment of the tower in the following articles: https://whitewaterbanner.com/starin-park-water-tower-non-binding-referendum-on-nov-5-ballot/ and https://whitewaterbanner.com/the-whitewater-water-tower/

The text of the non-binding referendum was as follows: “The City of Whitewater Water Utility has decommissioned the Starin Park Water Tower, meaning it is no longer part of the water system. The Water Utility can spend up to $600,000 (the cost of demolition) to maintain it as a City-owned Historical Landmark. The remaining costs, approximately $1,000,000 for repairs and $250,000 every 10 years for maintenance would need to come from City tax dollars or donations. Should the City of Whitewater use tax dollars to repair and maintain the Starin Park Water Tower?”

Editor’s note: The sunrise photo on the homepage was taken in 2023 by UW-W Police Officer Ryan Dewing using a drone.

The City of Whitewater is thrilled to announce the launch of Christmas at Cravath, a month-long holiday celebration that promises to fill the season with joy, wonder, and community spirit. From December 6, 2024, through January 6, 2025, Cravath Lakefront Park will be transformed into a winter wonderland, featuring festive lights, activities, and events for the whole family to enjoy.

Friday, December 6th

• Parade of Lights: Begins at 6:00 p.m., downtown Whitewater and ends at Cravath
  Lakefront Park. The park will be officially lit at the end of the parade.
• Holiday Market: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Cravath Lakefront Building. Local vendors
  offering holiday gifts, treats, and crafts.
  
  Saturday, December 14th
• Family Fun with Santa: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Cravath Lakefront Building. Meet Santa,
  enjoy seasonal crafts, and participate in festive activities.
  
  Friday, December 20th
• Chili Cook-Off: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Cravath Lakefront Building. Register now to
  compete by emailing jjackson@whitewater-wi.gov.

There is a new Artist in TeaLux for November/ December.  Get your Holiday gifts.  Leah Jurgens 

The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area is honored to announce that Whitewater resident Camden Harlan has been selected to receive the League’s 2024 Making Democracy Work award for her outstanding leadership as President of Whitewater Pride for the last five years, working to create civil discourse in our community. The Whitewater Pride Rally that she organizes is a seminal event that brings our community together to support LGBTQ+ values of peace, love, and understanding. The League’s Making Democracy Work Award recognizes citizens who strive to make their community a safer and fairer place in which to live. 

A public reception celebrating Camden’s advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion with an emphasis on engaging youth and the community in social justice action will be held Sunday, December 1, 2 PM – 4 PM, at the Prairie Village Community Center, located at Prairie Village on County U and Fremont Street in Whitewater.  Refreshments will be served. 

Please join us on December 1st in honoring Camden. Camden has worked in the field of education for 22 years: first in Woodstock, IL for 18 years, and then Greenfield High School, and at Whitewater High School, where she served as the faculty advisor for the Whitewater Gay-Straight Alliance. She is now a member of the  Academic Instructional Staff in the Department of Communication at UW-Whitewater. In addition to volunteering her time as President of Whitewater Pride, Camden also serves as the Recording Secretary of the Whitewater Arts Alliance (effective in January), a Board of Trustees member for the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, and on the steering committee member for Be Kind Whitewater.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!