Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006

Today is Monday, October 12, 2026

News & Events

WHITEWATER WEATHER

To add an event, click here to go to the Community Calendar.  Then, click on Submit Event.

Helpful Links

Search our Archives

To search our archives, enter a search term in the search box, then press enter to search.

Seniors in the Park Presents The Magic Flute

November 22, 2024

“The Magic Flute”

Tuesday, November 26, 1 pm

(Opera/Mozart/Musical) Rated PG

1 hour, 55 minutes (2022).

Now for something completely different!

A modern retelling of Mozart’s world famous opera, featuring F. Murray Abraham. 

Come for the music, stay for the story, costumes and The Magic Flute. A quietly beautiful, fantasy of a film! 

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

Share This

Girls’ Basketball Battles Fort Atkinson

November 22, 2024

Fort Atkinson beat Whitewater 46-38 in non-conference girls’ basketball action on Thursday night, November 21. Both teams were looking for the season’s first win, and Whitewater jumped out to an early 14-4 lead. By halftime, Fort Atkinson was back to within one point and started to pull away with a few minutes remaining in the game. Whitewater had a chance to cut it to three with just over two minutes remaining but could not take advantage, and Fort was able to seal the win.

Calli Grosinske led the Whippet scoring with 13 points

Article Submitted by Mike Dowden
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
dowmi01@wwusd.org
Photo courtesy of Bob and Peter Mischka.

Person Found Deceased in Local House Fire

November 22, 2024

According to a press release from Chief Kelly Freeman of the Whitewater Fire and EMS Department, a person was found deceased in a house where a fire had taken place on Ventura Lane on the city’s west side on November 21. The department responded in just over four minutes from the time of dispatch to a report of smoke, finding an odor of smoke about the property and heavily soot stained windows.

Per the release, “Whitewater Engine 121 made entry into the single-family home and reported smoke conditions inside. An area of the home containing general household goods and materials was found burned and charred, but had almost completely self-extinguished prior to the arrival of firefighters. Engine 121 initiated a rapid primary search and located one person deceased in the home. Walworth County Fire Investigation was called to assist with a fire origin and cause investigation, which is ongoing. Whitewater Police Department is handling the death investigation in conjunction with the Walworth Country Medical Examiner. This investigation is also ongoing. Whitewater Fire/EMS will not be releasing any further details due to the ongoing investigation, and notification of next of kin.”

Whitewater Fire and EMS extended gratitude to the Walworth County Fire Investigation Team and Whitewater Police Department for their assistance.

UW-W Volleyball Sweeps OWU, Advances in NCAA Regional

November 21, 2024

By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information

The Warhawks celebrate a point against Ohio Wesleyan Thursday (Olivia Zinanni)

The No. 6 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team swept Ohio Wesleyan 28-26, 25-14, 25-15 to open NCAA Regional action Thursday night in Whitewater. The Warhawk win sets up a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup in the next round as UWW will take on UW-Eau Claire at 7 PM Friday in Russell Arena. 

Regional Webpage (Click there for the bracket and other information. Single game tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior adults and students, $5 for children ages 3-12, children under 3 are free. All day tickets are also available.) The game may be viewed on uwwtv.org or, presumably, on Spectrum cable.

The Warhawks found a way to take the early lead in the match despite a shaky start in set one. The teams traded small runs throughout the set with UWW grabbing the first set point, 24-23. The Battling Bishops responded with the next two points to force another set point. Alayna Jansky hammered down a kill to tie the game, but OWU responded once more for a third set point. Jansky pounded down back-to-back kills and Hannah Proctor put the finishing touches on the set to make it three straight Warhawk kills and hand UWW the 1-0 lead in the match. 

The final two sets were all UW-Whitewater. The Warhawks jumped out to an 8-3 advantage in set two. OWU whittled away at the margin, but another big run extended the lead to seven, 17-10. A six-point sway late in the set gave UWW set point, and a Battling Bishop miscue handed the Warhawks a 2-0 lead in the match. 

A few small runs added up to a big lead in set three. The Warhawks quickly built a 19-10 advantage and cruised to the finish line. Chloe Werner hammered down a kill and then teamed up with Abbie Dix on a block for the final two points of the match. 

Dix paced the Warhawks offensive with 13 kills hitting .458 in the match. Werner was the most efficient with 11 kills in 19 attempts while committing just one attack error on the evening – a hitting percentage of .526. Jansky joined her teammates in double digits with 10 kills. 

Defensively at the net, UW-Whitewater showcased why they are the best blocking team in the nation. Proctor and Dix posted seven blocks each while Jenna Weinfurt and Werner had four a piece and Aubrie Krzus added three. 

Krzus tallied 33 assists in the match while Jaedynn Evans led UWW with 10 digs. 

The Warhawks are competing in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 35th time in program history and 18th under head coach Stacy Boudreau. UW-Whitewater is now 72-5 in matches played in Russell Arena in the last five seasons. 

UWW swept UW-Eau Claire during the conference slate this season. The Warhawks won 25-17, 25-22 and 25-11 in that match that was held October 4 in Russell Arena. Since 1995, UWW is 34-13 against the Blugolds.

Local Resident Crowned United States of America’s Miss Wisconsin 2025

November 21, 2024

Sage Spear

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PAGEANTS is proud to announce Sage Spear of Whitewater has been crowned as United States of America’s Miss Wisconsin 2025 and will represent the great state of Wisconsin at the 2025 national competition.

Sage, a Whitewater native, has made significant strides in both volunteerism and scoliosis awareness. She received the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award for completing over 250 hours of community service within the past year. She actively works to raise awareness and provide support for those affected by scoliosis—a condition she personally faces after being diagnosed at age 11. Sage’s passion for advocacy inspired her to create Every Stem Has a Story, a platform dedicated to funding scoliosis research and spreading awareness. Through her initiative, she illustrated and self-published a coloring book and designed a sweatshirt to promote her cause.

In addition to her advocacy work, Sage serves as an AmeriCorps member with the United Way of Jefferson & N. Walworth Counties. In this role, she recently organized a free community baby shower, providing over 8,000 essential items to families in need. Alongside her service work, Sage is the office manager at her family’s local business, Aropa Designs. In her free time, she enjoys watching football, spending time outdoors, and listening to true crime podcasts. Her family is proud to support her as she competes against inspiring women from across the nation, striving to bring home the title of United States of America’s Miss 2026!

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PAGEANTS is the fastest growing pageant system in the nation and was named in the TOP 10 BEST National Pageants of 2019, 2020, 2021, & 2022 by the Pageant Planet! The pageant is designed to encourage women to strive to achieve their hopes, dreams, goals, and aspirations, while making them feel confident and beautiful inside and out! Our motto is to EMPOWER women, INSPIRE others, & UPLIFT everyone! We focus on women empowerment, promoting positive self-image and advocating a platform of community service, which allows our contestants to rise by lifting others. Additionally, we award thousands of dollars in prizes and provide countless opportunities to achieve success including an opportunity to be considered for a modeling contract with MMG!

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Sawing wood to prepare for winter

November 21, 2024

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Two weeks ago, we featured a horse-powered sorghum press. This week we are showing a horse-powered saw with men doing a late fall/winter chore, sawing wood for wood stoves. This view from the Scholl collection of glass plate negatives from the turn of the 20th century, shows piles of wood ready for cutting and a draft horse providing the power for the saw. With winter near, we are very lucky that most of us only have to turn on a switch to get heat today!

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society

(3766GP, Whitewater Historical Society)

No. 3 Warhawk Women’s Basketball Downs CUW on the Road

November 20, 2024
Kacie Carollo goes up for a layup in a game earlier this season (Tim Kruse)

Mequon, Wis. — The No. 3 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team was impressive on both ends of the floor in an 80-37 win at Concordia Wisconsin [CUW] Wednesday night. 

The Warhawks held the Falcons scoreless for nearly eight minutes after CUW scored the opening bucket, allowing Wis.-Whitewater to lead 19-7 at the end of the first quarter. They capitalized on Concordia’s 10 turnovers while committing only two themselves. UWW was efficient from the free-throw line, making 7 of 8 attempts, and outscored the Falcons 8-3 on points from turnovers. Kacie Carollo contributed significantly for UWW, scoring a team-high with two 3-pointers and a total of 10 points in the quarter.

In the second quarter, UWW extended their lead over CUW with a 21-6 run. UWW held CUW scoreless for over seven minutes to start the period. The Warhawks dominated in the paint, scoring 12 points while also capitalizing on the Falcons’ turnovers with 5 points. The visiting team shot an efficient 9-for-17 from the field, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, while CUW struggled offensively, making only 2 of 12 shots and committing 7 turnovers. UWW’s defense was active, recording 5 steals and limiting CUW’s second-chance opportunities.

The second half was more of the same with UW-Whitewater holding the advantage on both sides of the ball, extending the lead down the stretch. 

The Warhawk offense was stellar Wednesday as UWW shot 54-percent from the floor (30-56) and 73-percent from three-point range (8-11). Their efficiency from deep is tied for the fourth-best three-point percentage in a single game in program history. 

Carollo led the way with 21 points hitting 7-10 from the floor, 4-5 from deep and 3-3 from the charity stripe. She added nine boards and eight assists in the contest. Mia Gillis knocked down 6 of her 8 shots for 13 points. Defensively, Logan Lowry registered four blocks in the game while Bri McCurdy added three steals. 

UW-Whitewater returns to the court Tuesday as they host Illinois Wesleyan at 6 PM in Kachel. 

UW-W to Host NCAA Volleyball Regional Beginning Thursday (Updated)

November 20, 2024

Updated 11/21/24 @ 8:10 p.m. to provide availability of television broadcast.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will host a NCAA Division III Volleyball Regional beginning Thursday, November 21. 

Where: Russell Arena, Williams Center, Whitewater, WI

When: Thursday, November 21-Saturday, November 23

Regional Webpage (Click there for the bracket and other information. Single game tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior adults and students, $5 for children ages 3-12, children under 3 are free. All day tickets are also available.)

The Warhawks, ranked 6th nationally, are making their 35th NCAA appearance in program history and 18th under Head Coach Stacy Boudreau. Coach Boudreau was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association Region 8 Coach of the Year earlier today. 

UW-Whitewater will open play in the regional against Ohio Wesleyan Thursday. The match is slated for a 7 pm start.  The game may be viewed on uwwtv.org or, presumably, on Spectrum cable.

The Whitewater, Wis. Regional features two other Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams – UW-Eau Claire and UW-Platteville, as well as Washington University in St. Louis, Edgewood College, Saint Benedict and Northwestern-St. Paul.

Obituaries

Obituary: Sally A. Schutte, 73

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

Obituary: Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41

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

Obituary: Carla Winn, 82, of Kansas

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

Celebration of Life: Susan K. Miller

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

Obituary: JoAnn E Harrop, 95, of AL

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

Obituary: Russell O. “Russ” Johnson, 88

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

Obituary: Marcia Zingg, 75

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

Obituary: Amanda Jean Hunter, 49

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

Obituary: Ellen Eichmiller, 82

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

Obituary: Janet Quinn, 71, Jefferson

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

Other Recent Posts

Click on the title to view the post.  To open the post in a new tab, press Ctrl (Cmd on a Mac) while clicking on the title.