News & Events

Kevin Brunner, a long-time Whitewater resident, recently was honored by the Geneva Lake Conservancy at its summer fundraiser for his six years as Chair of the organization during a time of unprecedented growth. During Brunner’s tenure, the organization received accreditation from the National Land Trust Alliance and protected an additional 1,500 acres in Walworth, Racine and Kenosha counties. In 2020, the Conservancy was also named Land Trust of the Year, by Gathering Waters, Wisconsin’s state land trust organization.

The GLC board and staff honored Brunner for his “good judgement, leadership skills, financial support, steadfastness and dedication to our conservation mission.” Brunner was instrumental in the purchase of Bromley Woods, an 83 acre oak forest and kettle pond, in LaGrange from the Bromley family who had owned the property since 1844. Today, the Conservancy owns Bromley Woods as a public nature preserve with more than three miles of hiking trails.

In addition, under Brunner’s tenure, the organization’s annual donations increased from $250,000 to more than $1 million and the Conservancy began working with the DNR Knowles Nelson staff and Ducks Unlimited to obtain grants for the purchase of land with high conservation value.

“I am grateful to our partners and the Conservancy’s board and staff for allowing us to open three new nature preserves in the last five years as well as to complete more than 10 conservation easements,” said Brunner. “We have a very talented board and staff and I am excited to see what can be accomplished in the years ahead.”

The mission of the Geneva Lake Conservancy is to protect and restore the land and lakes of Walworth County and beyond. It owns 13 properties with high conservation value and has completed 37 conservation easements, which protect more than 3,000 acres.

In addition to protecting land, the Conservancy also offers its Conservation@Home and Keep It Blue program to Walworth County residents. With Conservation@Home, a Conservancy staff member will meet at a landowner’s property and educate them on how to make the land more ecological healthy by planting native plants, improving wildlife habitat, managing storm water and removing invasive species. The Keep It Blue program asks residents to minimize the use of fertilizers and other chemicals to protect our lakes and waterways.

For more information on the Conservancy go to its Website at genevalakeconservancy.org.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Geneva Lake Conservancy.

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh celebrated the achievements of more than 1,300 students in two ceremonies May 18 inside Kolf Sports Center. The 150th spring commencement included the recognition of candidates for doctoral, master’s degree, bachelor’s degree and associate degree students. 

Students from this area who graduated include:

Fabian Gonzalez, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Lizbeth Rodriguez, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Dalia Velazquez, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Editor’s note: This announcement was published by City Clerk Heather Boehm.

All Absentee Ballots will now be processed at a Central Count location. That means that Absentee Ballots will no longer be processed at the corresponding polling place on Election Day. All Absentee Ballots will now be processed at the Municipal Building, Community Room (Council Chambers), 312 W Whitewater St, Whitewater, 53190 between the same polling hours of 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

If you are retuning your Absentee Ballot in person on Election Day, please return to the Municipal Building not the Armory. The same polling place rules and standards will apply to Central Count as they do for any other polling place. The difference is you can not vote at the Municipal Building, we will only be processing Absentee Ballots.

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Heather Boehm, Whitewater City Clerk at 262-473-0102.

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review for a multifamily development located on vacant land at the corner of Moraine View Parkway and Jakes Way Tax Parcel # /WPB 00044, Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a New Wireless Telecommunication Facility and 195 foot Free Standing Tower to be located at 1002 S Janesville Street Tax Parcel # /WUP 00341 for LCC Telecom Services, Consideration to Approve and Recommend to Common Council a change to the City of Whitewater Municipal Code Chapter 19, Specifically Repeal Section 19.51.180 Truck, Trailer, Mobile Home and Equipment Parking Restrictions.
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 join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/358427877
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 358-427-877
United States: +1 (224) 501-3412
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

Board of Absentee Canvassers – Tuesday 7 a.m. to at least 8 p.m.
This notice is given to inform the Public that the City of Whitewater is hosting Board of Absentee Canvassers for the August 13, 2024 Partisan Primary. The information follows:
When: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 from 7:00AM to at least 8:00 PM
Where: City of Whitewater Municipal Building, Community Room, 312 W. Whitewater St.,
Whitewater, WI 53190.
All Absentee Ballots will be processed at this Central Location. If you are returning your Absentee Ballot on Election Day, the ballot must be returned to the Municipal Building, Community Room, 312 W Whitewater St, Whitewater, WI 53190 by 8:00 pm on August 13, 2024, Election Day. Absentee Ballots will no longer be processed at any other Polling location in the City of Whitewater. The event is open to the public.

City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action regarding the turning movement at the southeast corner
of Franklin Street and W. Main Street, Discussion and Possible Action regarding mandatory lead service line replacement
ordinance, Discussion and Possible Action regarding changing downtown parking from 2-hour
parking to 4-hour parking after 4:00 pm.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor
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:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83743613748?pwd=UA8KHaO0l5KLOkDqWEqEx5lTusKp6H.1
Telephone: +1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 837 4361 3748
Passcode: 204975

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action regarding the 108 West Main Street Property (EDD Zeinert),Discussion and possible action with regard to status of CDA Loan to Recruitchute, Inc. in the amount of $50,000.00. (Finance Director Blitch), Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Potential WindUp 2025 (EDD Zeinert), Consideration and possible action with regard to Affordable Housing Fund Down Payment Assistance Loan Application No. 2024-002 for the purchase of 371 S. Janesville
Street. (EDD Zeinert), Consideration and possible action with regard to Affordable Housing Fund Down Payment
Assistance Loan Application No. 2024-003 for the purchase of 303 South Whiton Street. (EDD Zeinert)
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 the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85405680665?pwd=u4lflrOVZyE6w0cHHUDLyN4UjJGJwg.qoJNuDF_vWGO_e2b
Or Telephone: 1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 854 0568 0665
Passcode: 711528

Join us Saturday, August 17 – 12-4 p.m. Day of Family Fun
All proceeds will benefit Alzheimer’s Association

Pony rides/Carnival games/Face painting
Sampa Tacos Truck
Raffles-Games-Prizes

Questions?
Contact Gina at 262-473-9876 or email gcrown@capricommunities.com.

Richard Ehrenberg writes, “Native, Summer, prairie flowers are in bloom and they put on a good show this time of year in my back yard. The flowers include Brown-Eyed Susan, Purple Cone flowers, Woodland Sunflowers, Cut-Leaved Coneflowers, Daisy Fleabane, Ox-Eyed False Sunflowers, Beebalm, and Summer Garden Phlox. In addition, Fireflies are still lighting up the backyard evenings, although in reduced numbers as they come to the end of this stage of life. They will now begin laying their eggs on the undisturbed soil of the prairie, under leaf and plant mulch in order to begin the next stage of their life cycle.

I invite Whitewater residents to stop by and take a self-guided tour of our back yard so you too can enjoy these wildflowers of Southeastern Wisconsin. The address is 505 East Clay St. on the East side of town. A sign to that affect will be posted by the city sidewalk.

The Jefferson County Fair Park Committee is asking interested community members to apply for a position on the Fair Advisory Board. This body, created last year, serves in a purely advisory capacity. Its purpose is to preserve and improve the annual Jefferson County Fair by reviewing related policies and making recommendations to the Jefferson County Fair Park Committee to enhance the planning, development, and execution of the County Fair.

In its first year, the Fair Advisory Board was invaluable in gathering community feedback to put on a successful 2024 County Fair. The Board meets between 10 and 15 times per year, with two-year terms that expire on August 31st. The Board can have a maximum of 20 members, with its membership currently sitting at 13. The Fair Park Committee will make the final selection at its September 12th meeting based on relevant experience, with every effort made to find individuals who represent a cross-
section of local stakeholders.

Applications can be found on www.jcfairpark.com in the “About Us” section of the Fair Park. https://cdn.saffire.com/files.ashx?t=fg&rid=JeffersonCountyWI&f=Fair_Advisory_Board_Application_-_Printable.pdf

Completed applications are due to RRoberts@jeffersoncountywi.gov by September 6th.

Editor’s note: The following individuals have been charged with one or more felonies in Walworth County Court. Please note that these charges, which are still open, have been filed between February and July, 2024. Typically the Banner has posted such charges on a more timely basis. These cases have not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendants are presumed innocent of all charges.

Brian L Jaskolski, 58, W6628 Hwy 12, Whitewater, has been charged with misappropriate ID Info – Obtain Money.

Amanda T McCracken, 36, N7554 Ridge Rd, Whitewater, has been charged with Bribery of Public Official.

Gage D. Fritz, 18, of W9245 Stader Road, has been charged with two counts of felony bail jumping.

Abraham Cervantes Vasquez, 38, of 1227 E Bluff Rd, #102, Whitewater, has been charged with six counts of manufacturing/delivering cocaine; one count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine; and one count possession with intent to deliver Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC).

Rafael R Mendoza-Ramirez, 39, of 903 E. Clay St., Whitewater, has been charged with two counts of felony bail jumping.

Alan H Bauer, 47, of 170 N. Esterly Ave., Whitewater, has been charged with possession of narcotic drugs, second and subsequent offense.

Robert L. Duclos, 48, of 400 S Rice St, #28, Whitewater, has been charged with retail theft – alter price, repeater; felony bail jumping, repeater.

Rosa H Agurcia Calderon, 39, of 127 S. Cottage St., #B, Whitewater, has been charged with Misappropriate ID Info – Obtain Money.

Marco A Avila, 19, of 755 N. Tratt Street #124, Whitewater, has been charged with Vehicle Operator Flee/Elude Officer.

Matthew Robert Escamilla, 25, of 557 W Whitewater St., Whitewater, has been charged with three counts of felony bail jumping, repeater.

Herti Nadir Martinez Quintanilla, 20, of 291 N Fraternity Ln #219, Whitewater, has been charged with possession of child pornography and three counts of bail jumping – felony.

Melvin B Brown, 31, of 147 N Fraternity La, #1,  Whitewater, has been charged with Substantial Battery-Intend Bodily Harm.

Maycoll J Molina Fernandez, 29, of 734 E. Main St., Whitewater, has been charged with Misappropriate ID Info – Obtain Money and bail jumping – felony.