News & Events

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

A press release dated August 28 from the Marcus & Millichap commercial real estate brokerage firm indicates that the Whitewater Plaza retail strip property at 1139 W. Main Street has sold for $3,615,000. M&M’s Chicago Oak Brook office had the exclusive listing to market the 1.88 acre property with a 24,211 square foot building. It was indicated that the property is currently 94% occupied, with tenants such as Jimmy John’s, Anytime Fitness, Cozumel Restaurant and Beijing Buffet. Sarah Grace Pugh, public relations specialist for Marcus & Millichap, told The Banner that she was unable to disclose the name of the buyer.

According to the Walworth County website, the tax bill for 2023 was sent to PNL WHITEWATER LLC in Dallas, TX. The estimated fair market value was $2,847,400.

Gov. Evers Order Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Former State Rep. James Soletski

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #237 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Thurs., Aug. 29, 2024, in honor of former Wisconsin State Rep. James Soletski, who passed away on Tues., Aug. 20, 2024, at the age of 75. “A lifelong Wisconsinite, Representative Soletski was dedicated to serving others and the greater Green Bay area,” said Gov. Evers. “Kathy and I send our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and neighbors during this time of mourning.” Former Rep. Soletski grew up in New Franken and was a graduate of Preble High School and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. In 2006, after a career of more than 20 years in the energy industry, Rep. Soletski was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, where he served for two terms representing the 88th Assembly District. During his time in the Wisconsin State Assembly, Rep. Soletski served as chairperson of the Energy and Utilities Committee, as well as vice-chairperson of the Elections and Campaign Reform Committee and the Consumer Protection Committee. Services for former Rep. Soletski will be held on Thurs., Aug. 29, 2024, in Green Bay.

UPDATE: This intersection has reopened.

Motorists who expected to traverse the intersection of Fremont Street and Starin Road since Tuesday morning have been surprised to find an unannounced road closure. Brad Marquardt, director of public works, provided the following explanation to The Banner: “The intention early yesterday [Tuesday] morning was to remove the existing pavement and place the first lift of asphalt and then open back up to traffic. Close again today to do surface. They ran into some paver problems and with the hot weather did not get the first lift down. Decision was made to leave it closed overnight. As of 11:30 today [Wednesday] they are currently rolling the surface lift and will be opening up the intersection early this afternoon.”

Update 8/27 @ 9:30 a.m.: Anyone wishing to attend the rescheduled picnic who has not made a reservation is welcome to do so by Thursday, August 29. The same goes for any additional car owners who are willing to display their vehicle in exchange for a free lunch (and appreciation.)

The show must go on: “The Fall Guy” will still be shown at 1 p.m.

Mark Dorn writes, “Despite the rescheduling of the SIP picnic and car show to September 3 due to the extreme hot weather, the show will go on!

We will be showing the film, “The Fall Guy,” tomorrow, Tuesday, August 27, at 1 PM at Seniors in the Park.

Come in and cool off and enjoy the movie!

WHS Class of 1999 celebrated their 25th year reunion on August 24, 2024.

Editor’s note: This submission was provided by Jennifer Zamora.

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman will discuss his 2025-27 budget request and its impact on UW-Whitewater.

Event details: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, in Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall. 

Rothman has emphasized that Wisconsin ranks 43^rd out of 50 states in public support for four-year universities; the budget request is designed to get the state “Up to the Middle” in national rankings.

The budget request:

• Emphasizes talent development through student success services.
• Extends the Wisconsin Tuition Promise to students from families earning up to $71,000 in adjusted gross income.
• Proposes 5 percent and 3 percent general wage increases for staff and faculty, and requests the state fully fund the increases while adding a merit and market pool.
• Invests in innovation, including creation of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub.
• Preserves accessibility while covering inflationary cost increases.

Please join us for this important discussion.

Editor’s note: The following press release on the budget proposal was received last week.

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman introduces budget request to get Wisconsin “Up to the Middle”

MADISON, Wis.—Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman today proposed a 2025-27 budget request that would allow the state’s public universities to shed its ranking of 43^rd of 50 states in public funding and reach the national median.

The two-year request will be presented to the Board of Regents on Thursday. If approved, the request will go to Gov. Tony Evers for consideration in his 2025-27 budget proposal. Editor’s note: The Board of Regents unanimously approved the budget request on August 22.

“It’s time Wisconsin escapes the Bottom 10 in public funding and gets Up to the Middle,” Rothman said. “This budget request will spur innovation in research and teaching, make a degree more affordable for our students most in need, develop talent by focusing on student success, preserve accessibility, and ensure quality.”

Rothman added that under this proposal, he would not recommend tuition increases over the period covered by the biennial budget. Additionally, the funding increase would help preserve branch campus access points for students throughout the state.

Wisconsin ranks 43^rd of 50 states in public funding of four-year higher education, according to the latest State Higher Education Finance report by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO). The figure includes state funding and tuition.

By comparison, surrounding states rank 1 (Illinois), 3 (Michigan), 9 (Iowa), and 10 (Minnesota).

“We won’t win the War for Talent if we don’t get Up to the Middle,” Rothman said. “We’re falling behind after years of neglect, and this budget seeks to address that trend.”

Rothman said it would take an additional $457 million annually to reach the median of states, under the SHEEO report. Among the key features of the proposed budget:

• Emphasizes talent development through student success services.
• Extends the Wisconsin Tuition Promise to students from families earning up to $71,000 in adjusted gross income.
• Proposes 5 percent and 3 percent general wage increases for staff and faculty, and requests the state fully fund the increases while adding a merit and market pool.
• Invests in innovation, including creation of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub.
• Preserves accessibility while covering inflationary cost increases.

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