News & Events

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers on July 3 appointed Travis Maze as Jefferson County Sheriff. The appointment fills a vacancy created by Sheriff Paul Milbrath’s retirement, effective August 8, 2024. Maze will complete the remainder of the unexpired term that ends January 2027. “With more than two decades of experience demonstrating his commitment to public service and connection to the local community, Travis Maze brings the necessary qualifications and experience to serve the people of Jefferson County as their new sheriff,” said Gov. Evers. Maze has been with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for over 25 years. After graduating from Waukesha County Technical College with an associate degree in police science, he joined the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office as a correctional officer in 1998. The next year, he joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, where he climbed the ranks from jail deputy, patrol deputy, detective, and patrol sergeant to patrol captain, a position he has held for the past four years. As patrol captain, he is responsible for the patrol and communication divisions, which consist of 50 personnel, and helps set the department’s budget, schedules, policies, and procedures. Maze has also completed numerous additional law enforcement training and leadership certifications. “I am very pleased with Gov. Evers’ selection of Captain Travis Maze to finish my term as sheriff,” said retiring Jefferson County Sheriff Milbrath. “These are challenging times for law enforcement, and Captain Maze has both the skillset and the knowledge to take on these challenges and lead the agency into the future. It is a comfort to me knowing the agency that I have led for 22 years and worked at for over 43 years is in such capable hands.” Maze lives in Jefferson with his family. In his role with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, he has extensive experience working with stakeholders in county government, including supporting crisis intervention training with the Jefferson County Human Services Department and helping to upgrade the county’s communication system. He also served for three years on the Jefferson School Board. “I am so honored and excited to have been chosen by Governor Evers to fill the Jefferson County Sheriff vacancy upon the retirement of Sheriff Paul Milbrath,” said Maze. “In my 25 years of service with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Milbrath has trusted me in several different leadership roles. I appreciate his confidence in supporting me in the position of Sheriff.”

Whitewater Arts Alliance is proud to present the “15th Annual Fran Achen Juried Photography Exhibition” featuring 95 juried works of 39 photographic artists from across the State of Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

The exhibition opens on Friday, July 5th and runs to July 28th, 2024, at the Cultural Arts Center 402 West Main Street, Whitewater. An awards reception will be held Sunday, July 7th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. where light refreshments will be served.
Admission to the exhibition and its reception are free of charge, open to the public, and all are invited. The gallery is open Thursdays through Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Jeff McDonald, the event’s 10-time Chair and president of the Whitewater Arts Alliance, said “This exhibit is an exciting and inspiring visual experience. As we celebrate the 15-year milestone of the Fran Achen Juried Photography Exhibition, it is fitting that the submitted works are so extraordinarily strong and have been submitted in record numbers from such a wide regional area. We hope you will be able to share in the experience. Join us at the awards reception for a surprise announcement!”

The exhibit features work by photographic artists from the local area, as well as from Wausau to Rockford and Madison to Milwaukee.

About Whitewater Arts Alliance:
The Whitewater Arts Alliance, Inc. is dedicated to supporting, promoting, and developing the arts as an essential and integral part of the community.

Whitewater Arts Alliance / Cultural Arts Center
402 West Main Street
Whitewater, WI, 53190
Email: wwartsalliance@gmail.com
Website: whitewaterarts.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wwartsalliance

Gallery Exhibit Hours
Thursdays: 12-4 p.m.
Fridays: 12-4 p.m.
Saturdays: 12-4 p.m.
Sundays: 12-4 p.m.

Note: Gallery is normally closed outside of Exhibit Hours except for special events

The following students from the Whitewater area earned degrees from UW-Whitewater.
Editor’s note: It’s obvious that not all of these graduates have been long-term Whitewater residents. The university includes anyone who indicates that they consider Whitewater to be their home.

Whitewater, WI 53190: Chris Abts graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Management – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jocelin Beecroft graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Physical Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI 53190: Michael Blija graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Psychology – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Gracia Boley graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Journalism – BA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Alondra Buboltz graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI 53190: Riley Burbach graduated with the following degree: Management – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Cody Carlson graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Computer Science – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Brandye Carter graduated with the following degree: Journalism – BA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Juan Cuellar Meza graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Anna Dahl graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Communication – BA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Midalis Delacruz graduated with the following degree: Higher Education Leadership – MSE

Whitewater, WI 53190: Brian Duncan graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Kennedi Finley graduated with the following degree: Psychology – BA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Griffin Gerber graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Marketing – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jacob Godden graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Reilly Grasso graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Management – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Nathan Gross graduated with the following degree: Supply Chain Management – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Josie Hammes graduated with the following degree: Social Work – MSW

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jack Hanlon graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Finance – BBA

Greendale, WI 53190: Megan Haskins graduated with the following degree: Special Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI 53190: Joshua Hetz graduated with the following degree: Journalism – BA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Gaby Islas graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Finance – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Talba Kabore graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Teagan Kane graduated with the following degree: Marketing – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Michael Kelley graduated with the following degree: General Business – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: David Kneiser graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: General Business – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Sarah Lalasz graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Special Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI 53190: Earl Lewis graduated with the following degree: Management – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Yingxin Lin graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Mathematics – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jack Lind graduated with the following degree: Marketing – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Parker Louden graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Finance – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Isaac Lytle graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Joey Maffiola graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Natalie Mayer graduated with the following degree: Marketing – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Danielle McCauley graduated with the following degree: Social Work – MSW

Whitewater, WI 53190: Janessa Norvell graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Social Work – BA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Katie Oehm graduated with the following degree: Marketing – MS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Annabelle Olson graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Criminology – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Kaitlyn Partoll graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: General Business – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Montana Petersen graduated with the following degree: Sociology – BA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Brodie Peyer graduated with the following degree: Cybersecurity – MS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Aeron Polley graduated with the following degree: Social Studies – BSE

Whitewater, WI 53190: Jenna Prock graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Psychology – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Hayden Radloff graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Media Arts and Game Development – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Sandra Rasmussen graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Emma Reineking graduated with the following degree: School Psychology – MSE

Whitewater, WI 53190: Melanie Reyes graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Human Resource Management – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Yacouba Soire graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Ashlee Steed graduated with the following degree: Biology – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Keagan Stoltz graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Lili Templeman graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Art Education – BSE

Whitewater, WI 53190: Krystalyn Terski graduated with the following degree: School Psychology – MSE

Whitewater, WI 53190: Mason Thompson graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Journalism – BA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Sebastian Van Wyhe graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Management – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Zach Wagner graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Environmental Science – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Joel Watter graduated with the following degree: Human Performance – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Carolyn Watts graduated with the following degree: School Psychology – MSE

Whitewater, WI 53190: Mackenzie Wesoloski graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Biology – BS

Whitewater, WI 53190: Trenten Zahn graduated with the following degree: General Business – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Brianna Zimdars graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: General Business – BBA

Whitewater, WI 53190: Elizabeth Zinda graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Marketing – BBA

Approximately 1,500 students crossed the stage to receive their degrees at the ceremony, held at Kachel Fieldhouse in the Williams Center.

The graduating class included nine international students, 102 military veterans and 200 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 187 self-identified students with disabilities received degrees.

A total of 231 students participated in the university’s Hired Before Graduation campaign, which celebrates students who landed a job, were promoted in their current job, earned acceptance to graduate school or started their own business before commencement.

John’s Disposal is celebrating Independence Day as a holiday, and consequently the city trash pickup that normally occurs on Thursday will be on Friday.

4th of July Festival Quick Tips from the questions I answer often:

– Festival opens Wednesday. Full schedule on website – whitewater4th.com

– Festival is cash only. Yup it’s true, plan ahead.

– Wrist band sessions [unlimited rides for $25] are on the festival schedule and only at specific times not throughout the entire event.

– All food vendors south of the railroad tracks are local organizations – this is a fundraiser for them. Please support them as much and as often as you can. [These vendors do not accept cash; purchase your tickets at the festival booths.]

– Fireworks are 10 p.m. 7/4, 7/6. If for any reason there are weather changes the ONLY place to stay informed is the Whitewater 4th of July Festival Facebook page; we are a water launch and a metal platform + explosives + lightning don’t mix.

– The festival (outside of family owned and operated carnival) is volunteer run; please be kind and thankful for the tremendous amount of time these folks invest in this event to celebrate with their friends and neighbors.

– The parade is 7/4 at 10 a.m. Preceded by the Whippet City Mile at 9:45. Road closure is a firm 9:30 am.

– Road closures around the festival on Whitewater St begin today and run through 7/8. Thanks for your patience.

– Helping hands make light work. The festival is always seeking volunteers and donor support. Connect with us down at the ticket booths or by email whitewater4th@gmail.com

– Thank the city streets crews when you see them. They are also working as hard as our volunteers and we are so thankful for their partnership. City of Whitewater

Last but not least, be patient with our social media page; we try to answer comments but once we’re on-site that is our primary focus.

Have an absolutely amazing holiday week, be safe, please keep your teens off the railroad tracks [the trains do run during the festival], hydrate, and have fun!

Editor’s note: Lisa Dawsey Smith posted this message on Facebook and gave the Banner permission to post it.

Editor’s note: The following was posted to the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network on Monday, July 2 at 11:00 p.m.

On Saturday, 6/29/2024, at 7:38 PM, Officers responded to Soup’s On Bar, 1125 Whitewater Ave in the City of Fort Atkinson for a report of a male subject dragging a female into a black sedan, possibly a Pontiac Firebird T top. The vehicle left at a high rate of speed traveling southbound on Highway 12 out of the city. Witnesses heard screaming and said the female was not moving and was possibly unconscious. Suspect was described as a skinny white male wearing a hat and the female was described as having long hair.

No plate was obtained. If anyone has similar contacts or can identify the vehicle or subjects involved, please contact our department: Fort Atkinson Police Dept., Officer Adsit, aadsit@fortatkinsonwi.gov, 920-397-9905.

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

Six teams of Prairie Village residents fanned out over their entire community on Wednesday, June 26 to install nearly 400 American flags in honor of the celebration of Independence Day. It’s the second year for their patriotic display; last year they put out 144 flags, but according to Curt McCulley, “We were so pleased with how it looked and the community response that we are putting even more out  this year.”

Beth McCulley, pictured above, wielded a battery operated drill to make the holes in the ground for Susan Schilt to place the flags in their assigned section. The drill was a much better approach than last year’s hammer and rod, Beth had determined. Originally the project had been planned for Friday the 28th, but at coffee on the 26th concern was expressed that rain was forecast for Friday. Could they move the project to Thursday? No, too many of the busy residents already had plans for that day, so the plan was put into motion the very afternoon of the coffee klatch.

Barbara Dosemagen invited city residents to “Come and enjoy viewing flags on our streets. It started with our neighbor Lee Murray donating flags and soon others were donating . We work as a community of loving, caring for others and our country. Many are involved with donating time to Whitewater’s library, food pantry and feeding University students with a church.”

Prairie Village by Fairhaven is a community for people age 55+, and it was reported that several who were on the teams placing flags were over 80, including one who is 98.

The following press release was received from Lakeside Fire Department and Rock County Emergency Management.

Lakeside Fire Rescue, a part of the Edgerton Fire Protection District, was alerted by the Rock County 9-1-1 Center at 5:19 a.m. on Monday, July 1 for a report of an LP gas leak at Milton Propane, 3992 Vincent Street, on the southwest side of the City of Milton.

First arriving units from Lakeside Fire-Rescue Station 3 (Milton Station) observed an LP vapor cloud in the area being driven to the south by the prevailing winds. Lakeside crews working closely with Milton Police and Rock County Sheriff’s Office quickly closed off John Paul Road, Vincent Street, and the surrounding area.

It was determined the leak was coming from a valve on the bottom of an approximately 60,000 gallon liquid propane tank, and fire crews in concert with employees of Milton Propane began to assess the best way to safely access the area of the leak when the leak “froze over” due to the temperature of the leaking propane.

This stopped the immediate flow, but then presented a challenge as to how to safely off-load the contents of the storage tank to prevent additional releases of propane gas.

Rock County Emergency Management and the Rock County Hazardous Materials Response Team were requested to assist in coordinating and mitigating the situation. The City of Madison Hazardous Materials Response Team was also requested for additional air monitoring equipment.

Off-loading of the leaking 60,000 gallon tank began at approximately 1:53 p.m., and was complete by 4:10 p.m.

In all firefighters from Lakeside, Janesville, Evansville and Madison Fire departments were involved, along with personnel from Rock County Emergency Management, and law enforcement units from the City of Milton Police Department and the Rock County Sheriff’s Office who coordinated evacuation and securing a safe area around the facility during the incident. Additional agencies that supported Incident Command during the incident included City of Milton Dept. of Public Works, Rock County Dept. of Public Works, Alliant Energy, Rock Energy Cooperative, Rock County Communications Center, City of Beloit Police Department and SWEPT.

Roads in the area, an estimated three homes, and three businesses were evacuated for approximately 10 hours; there were no injuries. Officials want to express their appreciation for the public’s cooperation and patience during the incident.

Editor’s note: The image on the homepage is from Milton Propane’s Facebook page.