News & Events

On Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM, the Bassett House will host a concert that promises fun for the whole family. The talented Rock River Woodwind Quintet will be performing a piece based on Winnie the Pooh, a musical tribute to an unhappy aardvark, and Sergei Prokofiev’s beloved “Peter and the Wolf.” Complimentary refreshments will follow the performance. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for students (14 years and older), and $10 for children (13 years and younger). You may buy tickets in advance by mailing a check made out to WFWC to Linda Robinson/ 957 W. Highland Street/ Whitewater, WI 53190 or via Paypal. On Paypal, click on “Send Money” and enter Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs as the recipient. Please indicate how many adult, student, and/or children tickets you are purchasing. Your tickets will be waiting for you at “Will Call.” Alternatively, you may buy tickets at the door. The Bassett House, located at 708 W. Main Street, is a beautiful, historic home in the heart of Whitewater. And hearing music at the Bassett House is an experience unlike any other. This is the way music was meant to be shared: In an enchanting, intimate setting, within arm’s length of the music makers. Your children will delight in sharing the experience of live music this way, and so will you! This concert is the first in the 2026 Bassett House Spring Concert Series. The second concert in the series will feature the talented students of Rachel Woods Voice Studio on Sunday, April 12, 2026. For our third concert, we are pleased to offer our first all-piano recital, featuring the exceptional students of Diana Shapiro’s Piano Studio on Sunday, May 13, 2026. Tickets to these two concerts will be available for purchase at the Bassett House on March 15. All proceeds from all three concerts will go to the Bassett House Preservation Fund, which the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs will use to ensure the long-term preservation of the Bassett House, one of Whitewater’s oldest homes. For more information, visit our website at bassetthousewww.org or contact Linda Robinson at linrob73@gmail.com

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Editor’s note: The following recommendations are provided by the city’s Urban Forestry Commission.

Bradford pear trees are often planted for their rapid growth and showy white spring flowers, but research and local experience have shown they are a poor choice for Walworth County and the City of Whitewater. Although once widely recommended as an ornamental tree, Bradford pears have significant structural and environmental drawbacks. They are short-lived, prone to severe branch breakage during storms and winter weather and frequently fail just as they reach maturity. Their weak branch structure results in higher maintenance costs and increased risk to property and public safety.

In addition to structural issues, Bradford pear trees are widely known for the unpleasant odor produced by their spring blossoms. While visually striking, the flowers emit a strong smell that many residents find offensive, particularly when trees are planted near homes, sidewalks, parks, or downtown areas. This odor, often compared to rotting fish or other decaying organic matter, can linger for days during peak bloom and significantly detracts from the perceived benefit of the tree’s short-lived floral display.

Beyond these concerns, Bradford pear trees pose a serious environmental threat. While individual Bradford Pear trees are often marketed as sterile, they readily cross-pollinate with other pear varieties, producing viable seed. These seeds spread into natural areas, parks, roadsides, and woodland edges, where they establish aggressively. Once established, Bradford pears form dense stands that displace native plants, reduce plant diversity, and degrade habitat. The loss of native vegetation directly affects insects, birds, and pollinators that depend on specific native plants for food, reproduction, and shelter. For these reasons, they are now considered highly invasive.

Fortunately, there are many native tree species well suited to Whitewater’s climate and soils that provide spring interest while supporting local ecosystems. These native trees offer attractive blooms, early foliage, and habitat benefits without the long-term problems associated with Bradford pears.

Native trees evolved alongside Wisconsin’s wildlife and climate, making them far more beneficial than non-native ornamentals. Native insects rely on native plants to complete their life cycles, and birds depend on those insects to feed their young. A single native oak can support hundreds of insect species, while non-native trees often support very few. Native trees are also better adapted to local soils and weather patterns, meaning they typically require less maintenance, are more resilient to pests and disease, and contribute to a stronger, more sustainable urban forest over time.

Residents interested in planting native trees will have an opportunity to do so through the City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission Tree Sale. The sale begins the last Friday in April at Starin Park and offers a selection of native, regionally appropriate trees while supplies last. Choosing native trees helps strengthen Whitewater’s urban forest, protect nearby natural areas, and ensure that spring beauty enhances the community without unintended environmental or quality-of-life impacts.

Congratulations to the WHS Forensics team for placing 4th overall in the Rock Valley Conference competition on March 4, in Brodhead. All members placed in each of their categories. Their next competition will be held in Lake Mills. This event will determine who moves on to the state competition in April.

Pictured are:  Lucy Davis 1st place Poetry, Peyton Comfort 1st place Solo Serious Acting, Sophia Noonan 3rd place Solo Serious Acting, Camdyn Avila 3rd place Special Occasion Speech, Maya Davis 3rd place Oratory Speech, Grace Coleman 1st place Oratory Speech, and Atreya Wilson 3rd place Impromptu Speaking.

Article and Photos Courtesy of Jim McCulloch
Whitewater High School Head Forensics Coach
jMcCulloch@wwusd.org

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
*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.
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21694566555242?p=6pWoXRcdeOAXew7VrM
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,,951041352# United States
Phone conference ID: 951 041 352#

Whitewater Unified School District Calendar Committee – Tuesday @ 4:00 p.m.
Agenda: Review 26-27 school year calendar
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office
419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin

City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 5:15 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action regarding Starin Road traffic and pedestrians between
Prince Street and Prairie Street, Discussion and Possible Action regarding parking on Dann Street north of Milwaukee
Street, Discussion and Possible Action regarding stop sign control at Moraine View Parkway and Jakes Way.
Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
Whitewater, WI 53190
*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 meeting:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2129290142349?p=f7BVeDTWDqasH5fMXp
Telephone:
Meeting ID:
Passcode:
+1 929-229-5663,,384089465#
212 929 014 234 9
oV2tz2hR
Phone conference ID: 384 089 465#

City of Whitewater Comprehensive Plan Advisory Work Group – Wednesday @ 4:00 p.m.
Comprehensive Plan Advisory Work Group
Whitewater Municipal Building 2nd Floor Cravath
Lakefront Conference Room, 312 West Whitewater
St., Whitewater, WI 53190 *In Person and Virtual
Virtually
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/29991707162241?p=0E4RR9eNExxIe5jWG1
Dial in by phone
+1 929-229-5663,,665229827# United States, New York City
Phone conference ID: 665 229 827#

Whitewater Unified School District School Boad Strategic Planning Work Group – Wednesday @ 4:30 p.m.
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
No action will be taken.

City of Whitewater detectives have completed a complex Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation that involved widespread illegal activity on the dark web. During the lengthy investigation, multiple suspects were identified, with one living in the City of Whitewater. A search warrant was requested and approved for the suspect’s residence. The Whitewater Search Warrant Response Team executed the search warrant and the suspect, Cody J. Pierson, 39, was taken into custody without incident.

Whitewater detectives collected a massive amount of digital evidence in the execution of the search warrant that took weeks to fully extract and analyze. Ultimately, Whitewater detectives recovered the following digital evidence:

• 114,847 images and recordings of child pornography
• A total of 4,726 identified victims portrayed in these images and video recordings

Cody Pierson was confined in the Walworth County Jail and ultimately charged by the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office with the following:

• Possession of Child Pornography (20 counts)
• Child Sexual Exploitation – Produce, Perform, etc. (20 counts)

The Whitewater Police Department would like to thank the City of Janesville Police Department (K9 Maui and handler), Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (K9 Kingston and handler), along with the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation Digital Forensic Unit for their assistance with the investigation.

It is noted that this case has not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the arrestee/defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.

Editor’s note: This press release was received from the Whitewater Police Department. According to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, Pierson’s address is 1254 Satinwood Ln., Whitewater.

The Whitewater Public Library will be closed on Friday, March 13 for their annual staff in-service day. Staff will not be available via phone or email. However, online resources may be accessed 24/7/365 via the library’s website at whitewaterlibrary.org.

The library will return to normal operating hours on Saturday, March 14 at 9:00 a.m.

The Whitewater Public Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. For more information, visit whitewaterlibrary.org, email library@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0530.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Whitewater Public Library.

Remember to “spring forward” this Sunday morning. Once again in the past year there have been calls for eliminating daylight savings time. A 2025 survey by Stetson University, conducted nationally with a representative sample of 1006 U.S. adults, found that 75% supported the idea to stop changing their clocks twice a year. When asked which system they preferred, 54% favored year-round Daylight Saving Time, which would result in later sunrises and more sunlight in the evening. Another 21% supported a permanent switch to standard time, meaning earlier sunrises but less daylight in the evening. Only 18% preferred keeping the current system of changing clocks twice per year, while 7% were unsure.

For a number of years bills have been introduced in Congress that would eliminate Daylight Savings Time. In 2023 a bill that would make DST permanent passed the Senate but was not acted on in the House. There has been ongoing debate about whether it would be best to make savings time or standard time permanent. In February 2026 U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) introduced a bill with a new creative approach that calls for the time to be moved permanently by 30 minutes. As of this writing there has been no action on the bill.

Canada also observes DST, but their legislators have also debated the possibility of eliminating the practice. Some parts of their country have already discontinued changing their clocks.

The site called savestandardtime.com promotes making standard time permanent. It states, “Permanent Standard Time is the hon­est, nat­u­ral clock, set to the sun. Day­light Sav­ing Time is a false clock, designed to wake us an hour ear­lier than Stand­ard Time eve­ry day. Da­ta and his­to­ry show per­ma­nent Stand­ard Time is best for health, mood, safe­ty, ed­u­ca­tion, pro­duc­tiv­i­ty, wages, en­vi­ron­ment, and civ­il lib­er­ties. Ditch DST! Save Stand­ard Time!“

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As Daylight Savings begins, it is a perfect time to “spring ahead to safety” and tackle a few critical emergency preparedness updates for the coming spring season.

• Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: All residences are required to have both types of detectors on every level, including the basement, but not the attic or storage areas. Now is a good time to replace the batteries in your detectors and push the test buttons to be sure they’re working properly. Replace your detectors every five years.
• Emergency Go Bags: Be sure to have a basic emergency kit in your home with supplies, food and water to last you and your family for at least three days. Other items like a battery powered radio, flashlights, additional batteries, and first aid kit should also be included. For more information, please visit https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
• Emergency NOAA Weather Radio: Spring brings the threat of tornadoes. Make sure you have an emergency weather radio. It’s like having a tornado siren in your home. When it goes off, go to a safe place. Remember, the outdoor warning sirens are only intended for people to hear outdoors.
• National Weather Service Wireless Emergency Alerts: Wireless Emergency Alerts are emergency messages sent by authorized government alerting authorities through your mobile carrier. Government partners include local and state public safety agencies, FEMA, the FCC, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Weather Service. No signup is required. Alerts are sent automatically to WEA-capable phones during an emergency. For more information, please visit https://www.weather.gov/wrn/wea