News & Events

The “For Sale” sign finally came down several months ago at the former Saxes’ Lonestar Inn, and there have been rumors that remodeling was taking place in preparation for a new restaurant. Sure enough, Binggs Farmstead Restaurant has announced that it will be opening on Sat., 2/8 at 5 p.m. Business hours, per their website, will be: Mon-Thurs. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Fri/Sat 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The location is N416 Twinkling Star Road (at Highway 12).

You may get a peek at their menu at their website: click here.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (January 28, 2020) – Allison Sedmak of Whitewater, WI, has been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2019 semester at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sedmak is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences.

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university that draws its more than 11,500 students from all 50 states and more than 75 different countries. In addition to its nationally recognized academic programs, Marquette is known for its service learning programs and internships as students are challenged to use what they learn to make a difference in the world. Find out more about Marquette at marquette.edu.

Contact Abby Cole in the Office of Marketing and Communication at (414) 288-6195 with questions.

The Jefferson County Snowmobile Trails reopened at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2020.

Some trails may be closed due to open water.
Plowed fields may be rough.
Please ride safely.

Landowners make the trail system possible, please stay on the marked trails and obey all signage.

Please call the Snowmobile Alliance 24-hour Hotline at 920-699-SNOW (7669) daily for current information. Snowmobile trails in adjoining counties may be closed. Trail users should check with each county to determine trail status.

On July 15, 2019 Walmart sued the City of Whitewater, alleging that its property had been inappropriately assessed for 2019 at $5,970,000. Walmart claimed that the assessed value should have been $4,500,000. If it had been granted that reduction, Walmart would have been entitled to a refund of approximately $30,884, of which $9,830 would have been the city’s share after charging back the school district, the county, and the technical college for their share.

The city’s legal counsel engaged in negotiations with Walmart’s counsel in an effort to reach a settlement that would avoid the substantial appraisal and legal fees that would be required for a trial.

At the Common Council meeting on January 21, City Attorney Wallace McDonell recommended that the city settle for an assessed value of $5,657,300, which had been accepted by Walmart. This reduction in assessment would result in a refund of $6,576, with the city’s portion being $2,093.

The Council voted unanimously to accept this settlement.

FORT ATKINSON – Fort HealthCare is offering scholarships totaling over $25,000 for the 2019-20 academic year to students pursuing careers in healthcare. Scholarships are being offered by the Fort HealthCare Partners, Fort HealthCare Medical Staff and Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Students interested in applying can complete an application online at www.FortHealthCare.com/scholarships. Applications are due by March 2, 2020. Completing one application makes you eligible for each scholarship applicable to the degree you are pursuing.  

Applicants must be residents, high school graduates from Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Helenville, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Sullivan, or Whitewater, or employees at Fort HealthCare. While grade point average is important, it is not always the primary consideration. Information about your community involvement/volunteer work is also requested. Additional criteria specific to each scholarship are listed below.

Fort HealthCare Partners Scholarships

Health Career Advancing Scholarships 

Health Careers Advancing Education Scholarships are awarded to candidates who currently hold a degree or certification in a healthcare field and are now enrolled in a course of study that leads to an advanced degree in a healthcare field.

High School Student Applications

Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school students pursuing a career in the healthcare field.

Woody Finn Memorial Scholarship

In memory of Woody Finn, a long-time dedicated volunteer of Fort Memorial Hospital, a scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a career in health care who serves regularly in a volunteer role.

For more information about the Partners scholarships call (920) 568-5276.

Fort Memorial Hospital Medical Staff Scholarship

The Fort Memorial Hospital Medical Staff sponsors several $1,000 to $3,000 scholarships totaling $10,000 in memory of Dr. Robert Handeyside. Graduating seniors, who reside or attend school in the Fort HealthCare service area (Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Helenville, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Sullivan, and Whitewater) and have chosen a career in the health field, are eligible for this scholarship.

For more information about Medical Staff Scholarships, call (920) 568-5194.

Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation Scholarships

Scott W. Hulstein Scholarship

The Scott W. Hulstein Scholarship was set up by his parents, Gerrit and Rebecca Hulstein, in his memory.  A scholarship is awarded to a high school senior or an undergraduate currently enrolled at a college or technical school pursuing a degree in the health care field.

Cynthia McKinley Kolasinski Scholarship

Cynthia McKinley Kolasinski Scholarships will be awarded to students studying medicine or nursing at an accredited institution of higher learning. Per the trust established by Ms. Kolasinski, preference will be given to medical students beyond their second year and nursing students beyond their first year.

Estelle Stinson Chase & Peter A. Chase Scholarship

The Estelle Stinson Chase & Peter A. Chase Scholarship awards Fort HealthCare employees who are studying nursing (LPN, ADN, BSN Completion, MSN) at an accredited college or university. Consideration is given to the applicant’s service and involvement in the community and Fort HealthCare, excluding job related activities.  

Dr. Donald and Barbara Williams Scholarship

This Scholarship was established by Dr. Donald and Barbara Williams in recognition of the important role Fort HealthCare employees play in providing excellent care for the people we serve. Applicants must be an employee in good standing at Fort HealthCare and pursuing education in a health care field. The financial need of each applicant will be taken into consideration.

Wanda L. Draeger Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship was established in memory of Wanda L. Draeger, RN, who was an OB nurse at Fort HealthCare for 45 years.  Applicants must be currently enrolled and have completed at least one year in an accredited nursing school.

Arthur and Nancy Nesbitt Nursing Scholarship 

This scholarship was established by Mr. and Mrs. Nesbitt in appreciation for the excellent care provided by Fort HealthCare’s nurses.  Applicants must be employees of Fort HealthCare in good standing and enrolled in an accredited nursing program during the 2019-2020 school year.

Dr. Tom and Mary Nordland Scholarship

Established by Dr. Tom and Mary Nordland established this scholarship to recognize Fort HealthCare employees who are advancing their careers through education.  Applicants must be an employee in good standing at Fort HealthCare and pursuing education in preparation for advancing their careers in the healthcare industry.

For more information about Foundation scholarships call (920) 568-5404 or email foundaiton@forthc.com.

LA CROSSE, Wis. (January 14, 2020) – The following area students have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for the fall semester of the 2019-20 academic year, ending December 2019.
      
Qualification for the Dean’s List is limited to students who have attained outstanding academic achievement. To be eligible, students must have earned not less than a 3.5 semester grade point average and carried a minimum of 12 credits.
 
UW-La Crosse, founded in 1909, is one of the 13 four-year institutions in the University of Wisconsin System. UWL has more than 10,500 full and part-time students enrolled in 101 undergraduate, 28 graduate and two doctoral academic programs.
      
UW-La Crosse – www.uwlax.edu – is the state’s top-ranked public or private higher education institution by U.S. News & World Reports for master’s degree institutions and has been ranked among the top four Midwestern public institutions for more than a decade. UW-La Crosse remains one of only two Wisconsin colleges to make Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s list of the top 100 best values nationwide in public colleges.
      
Students on the Dean’s List from this area include:

Whitewater, WI

Tom Duval, Public Health and Community Health Education Major
Andi Markham, Exercise and Sport Science Major: Exercise Science – Pre-professional Track
Devin McCord, Political Science Major
Peter McCrea, Psychology Major
Thomas McManaway, Recreation Management Major: Generalist Emphasis
Brady Meudt, Biology Major
Jacob Riemer, Public Health and Community Health Education Major

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (January 13, 2020) – The University of Wisconsin-River Falls fall semester Dean’s List honoring 1,755 students has been released by Registrar Kelly Browning.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a full-time undergraduate must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0, or midway between an “A” and “B” average. Area students are listed below by hometown, name, and major.

Whitewater, WI:

Anna Lucht, Animal Science
Paige Prager, Animal Science