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The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Monday, October 12, 2026
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Very cold temperatures and wind chills will be continuing through Wednesday morning. Buildings such as the library that would normally be open on Monday as a warming shelter are closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Anyone needing a warm place is welcome at First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Contact will be made with outside resources should anyone need a warm place to stay overnight. The Banner published previously a number of warming centers in the area, many of which are unfortunately closed for the holiday.
According to the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office, “Very cold temperatures and wind chills will continue across the region through Wednesday morning. Overnight lows will be in the single digits to teens below zero, with overnight wind chill values between -20 and -30 degrees Monday and Tuesday night, and between -10 and -20 Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. During the day on Monday and Tuesday, wind chills will only recover into the teens below zero.
The coldest temperatures and wind chills are expected late Monday night and Tuesday morning, when wind chills across central Wisconsin may approach -35 degrees.”
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Nina Garman from Pixabay.
Las temperaturas muy frías y los vientos helados continuarán hasta el miércoles por la mañana. Los edificios como la biblioteca, que normalmente estarían abiertos el lunes como refugio para calentarse, están cerrados por el feriado de Martin Luther King, Jr. Cualquiera que necesite un lugar cálido es bienvenido en la Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida, 145 S. Prairie St., entre las 8 a.m. y las 5 p.m. Se establecerá contacto con recursos externos si alguien necesita un lugar cálido para pasar la noche. The Banner publicó anteriormente una serie de centros de calentamiento en el área, muchos de los cuales lamentablemente están cerrados por el feriado.
Según la Oficina de Pronóstico del Tiempo de Milwaukee/Sullivan del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (National Weather Service), “Las temperaturas muy frías y los vientos helados continuarán en toda la región hasta el miércoles por la mañana. Las temperaturas mínimas durante la noche serán de un solo dígito a 10 grados bajo cero (-23.33 grados centígrados/Celsuis), con valores de sensación térmica durante la noche de entre -20 y -30 grados (-28.89 y -34.44 grados centígrados/Celsuis) el lunes y el martes por la noche, y de entre -10 y -20 grados (-23.33 y -28.89 grados centígrados/Celsuis) el martes por la noche y el miércoles por la mañana. Durante el día del lunes y el martes, la sensación térmica solo se recuperará hasta los 10 grados bajo cero (-23.33 grados centígrados/Celsuis).
Las temperaturas más frías y la sensación térmica más fría se esperan a última hora del lunes por la noche y el martes por la mañana, cuando la sensación térmica en el centro de Wisconsin puede llegar a los -35 grados” (-37.22 grados centígrados/Celsuis).
Nota del editor: The Banner agradece tener permiso para utilizar la imagen de la página de inicio de Nina Garman de Pixabay.
Editor’s note: The Banner has been assured that Jefferson County residency is not required in order to participate in their programs.
City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Ordinance 2025-O-4 an ordinance amending the zoning map and the zoning classification
in regard to certain property Tax Parcel at S. Taft St. & E. Clay St., Discussion and Possible Action regarding the award of Contract 7-2024, 2025 Lead Service Line Replacement, and Discussion and Possible Action regarding Approval of Proposed Scope of Services for the development of new Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan with Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
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 click the link below to join:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81459357638?pwd=g2bEmiZsUsVF1vMA66nb9LWQIop6R6.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 814 5935 7638
Passcode: 878627
City of Whitewater Lakes Advisory Committee – Wednesday @ 4:30 p.m.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
*In Person and Virtual
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action on Education of Possible City of Whitewater Trippe and
Cravath Lake District
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84849176846?pwd=nJaa5QtEvl547vHe4gjRVKdHuYIy1U.1
Meeting ID: 848 4917 6846
Passcode: 033141
Dial 312-626 6799
City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Editor’s note: The agenda has not yet been posted as of 1/19/25.
Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Wednesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes building project update, Review and approval of the Home Delivery Service Policy, Adjourn to closed session, not to reconvene: Performance evaluation for the library director
Cravath Lakefront Conference Room
312 W 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 click the link below to join the webinar:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86466506574?pwd=i1cBVjs1Bxve8McDM7lRbvSJd6DoFw.1
Meeting ID: 864 6650 6574
Passcode: 9ecPcctT
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799
Whitewater School Board members and other Whitewater Unified School District officials will be attending the Wisconsin State Education Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 22-24, 2025. A quorum of the School Board may be present; however, the Board will not be conducting any business during the trip or at the convention.
Cultivating Your Farm’s Future: Farm Succession Workshops Start Feb. 6, 2025
Join our UW-Madison Division of Extension Farm Management Specialists, Joy Kirkpatrick, Steph Plaster, Kelly Wilfert, and Kevin Bernhardt as they lead discussions and activities during the Cultivating Your Farm’s Future workshop series. This program will provide tools and resources for farmers who want to start their succession plans.
The program will explore the three-step process of planning your business succession:
- Where are you now?
- Where do you want to be?
- How do you get there?
This workshop series will prepare you to shape and communicate your ideas about the future of the farm and business as well as save time by having these crucial conversations before visiting with professionals.
Who should attend?
This program is for farm businesses and farm families interested in shaping the future ownership of their farm. If you are the owner generation, you may be wondering how to transfer a viable business to the next generation or develop a fair inheritance distribution plan. If you are the next generation, you may have questions or ideas about your future role in the farm business. Multiple farm/family members are encouraged to attend together.
What topics are covered?
- Communication preferences and how to talk about the farm’s future
- Common tensions around farm succession
- Inheritance distributions – Is equal fair?
- Financials for farm succession
- Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats – SWOT analysis
- Business structures for farm succession
- Setting goals and action steps
- Assembling your team for succession planning
When are these classes?
The 2025 session will be held Thursday evenings in February: Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2025, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.
How is the program delivered?
Four live sessions will be via Zoom, so participants can join from anywhere! Each week participants will receive an email with homework assignments. The homework is designed to help participants gather information and be prepared for the discussions and activities during the live Zoom sessions. The homework will be a mix of short videos, worksheets or reading assignments. The hard copies of the materials for the program will be mailed out before the first week of class. If the farm has participants living at different locations, we will need all the addresses at registration so we can mail materials to the appropriate addresses.
Registration details
Registration Fee: $125/per farm. We encourage farms to sign up multiple farm/family members (all for $125/farm). This fee provides one Cultivating Your Farm’s Future workbook per farm, a participant manual for each person registered, access to course videos that are assigned as homework, and four live zoom classes. The live sessions will not be recorded.
If farms want additional Cultivating Your Farm’s Future workbooks those are $15/additional workbook.
Register online at https://uwmadison.eventsair.com/farm25/reg
The registration deadline is Wednesday, January 29, 2025, to ensure participants receive the mailed materials in time for the first class. Registration is limited to 20 farms.
Even if you have attended other transition, estate, or succession planning classes, consider attending this program to get a START on YOUR succession plan.
This educational program is supported by USDA-NIFA award number 2023-70028-41284.
For more information contact Joy Kirkpatrick, Farm Succession Outreach Specialist, joy.kirkpatrick@wisc.edu, 608.263.3485
Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the University of Wisconsin – Madison / Division of Extension – Walworth County. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay.
Update 1/19 @ 9 a.m. – Advisory has been extended until Tuesday at noon.
The National Weather Service [NWS] Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Cold Weather Advisory beginning at 3 a.m. on Sunday and continuing through 9 p.m. on Monday. Wind chill temperatures of 15 below to 30 below zero are expected.
“Cold Weather Advisory” is the term that NWS now uses instead of Wind Chill Advisory. NWS indicates that they expect that the advisory will be extended through Tuesday or even Wednesday. The coldest periods are anticipated to be the a.m. hours of Monday and Tuesday (from midnight to about 9-10 a.m. each day.)
Encourages everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated against respiratory viruses to avoid serious illness
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has confirmed the first pediatric influenza-associated death in our state for the 2024-2025 season. Nationwide, 16 pediatric influenza-associated deaths have been reported.
“We are saddened to announce the season’s first death of a child from flu in Wisconsin, and our deepest sympathy goes out to this child’s family,” said State Health Officer Paula Tran. “Respiratory viruses remain a significant health concern, especially in children. If you or your loved ones have not received your flu or COVID-19 vaccine yet this season, it’s not too late. Vaccines are safe, effective, and save lives.”
Respiratory illness activity is currently high in Wisconsin. Emergency department visits due to flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have also increased, especially in infants and young children. While getting vaccinated against respiratory viruses is important for everyone, it is especially important for young children, older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and those who are pregnant. Getting vaccinated can help prevent illness or reduce the severity of symptoms and serious complications if someone does get sick.
DHS encourages everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19. Infants 8 months or younger and those 9-19 months with an increased risk of RSV can receive the RSV vaccine. Parents and caregivers can get information about which vaccines are right for their children from their health care provider. It’s recommended those who are between 32 weeks and 36 weeks pregnant get one dose of the maternal RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, administered September through January. Adults 75 and older and those 60-74 who have an increased risk of RSV are also eligible to get vaccinated against RSV.
People can help stop the spread of germs and increase protection against respiratory viruses by:
- Washing their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Avoiding touching their nose, eyes, and mouth.
- Staying home and away from others if they feel sick.
- Avoiding being around others who are sick or have flu symptoms.
- Covering their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze and encouraging children to do the same.
- Wearing a high-quality mask around others to prevent the spread of respiratory illness.
Wisconsinites can get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families by contacting their primary care provider, local or Tribal health department, community clinic, or visiting
Up-to-date information about the current respiratory season can be found in the DHS Weekly Respiratory Report or on the Respiratory Illness Activity webpage.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Got plant problems? Learn plant diagnostics online
Plant Diagnostics: The Step-by-Step Approach to Identifying Plant Problems is an online course offered by the UW-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program. The course, which runs Feb. 1-April 30, 2025, is designed to teach you troubleshooting skills for plant-related problems.
Learn the step-by-step process for identifying plant problems in your yard and garden, and even in houseplants. This course explains the basics of the plant diagnostic process in an easy-to-understand way. Anyone who is interested in becoming a better gardener, regardless of skill level, is invited to register for the course!
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the steps of the diagnostic process
- Identify appropriate resources to use for diagnostics
- Know how to access UW-Madison Extension diagnostic labs and services for additional support
Plant Diagnostics: The Step-by-Step Approach to Identifying Plant Problems is self-paced with 13 modules that include videos, readings, and interactive activities. Course participants are also invited to attend two live webinars, “Putting the Process into Practice: Real World Diagnostics,” led by Extension educators, and “Meet the Labs!”, presented by UW-Madison diagnostic lab directors.
Registration for the general public and commercial professionals is open until Feb. 3, 2025. An Early Bird registration discount is available until January 21, 2025 at a rate of $99. The regular registration rate ($119) is in place Jan. 22-Feb. 3, 2025. Active Wisconsin Extension Master Gardeners are eligible for a special discounted rate of $49.
Find more information about this course and register at: go.wisc.edu/ExtDiagnosticsCourse
Questions? Contact the course moderator, Amy Freidig at gardening.class@extension.wisc.edu.
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
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