News & Events

AURORA, Ill. (July 13, 2020) – Aurora University has named Cherie Meinen of Whitewater, WI, to the Dean’s List for the spring 2020 semester. Meinen is a Junior majoring in Bachelor of Soc Work. The Dean’s List recognizes full-time undergraduate students who have earned a 3.6 GPA or higher.

Aurora University is a four-year, private, nonprofit, fully accredited higher education institution offering students an excellent education while maintaining one of the lowest private school tuition rates in Illinois. Our campus is nestled in a tree-lined neighborhood in Aurora, the second largest city in Illinois, and located approximately 45 miles from Chicago. The university serves approximately 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 50 majors and programs. AU leadership, faculty, and staff are committed to the success of our students, offering strong academic support programs and learning opportunities that prepare students for success beyond graduation. The university is also committed to giving back to the city we live and work in by offering educational and cultural programming that enriches the larger community. Our dedication to the transformative power of learning inspires all to discover what matters and build a life around it.

The following persons were either recently charged in Walworth County Circuit Court or recently made their initial court appearance.

Melvin B. Brown, Jr., 27, 147 N Fraternity Lane #8, has been charged with strangulation/suffocation, two counts of disorderly conduct, and misdemeanor battery in an alleged domestic violence incident. If convicted, he faces up to seven years and three months in prison and $22,000 in fines.

Adam Isaac Cooper, 37, 340 N Newcomb St # B3, has been charged with bail jumping for allegedly driving a vehicle in violation of a court order. If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Garrett K. Mandel, 39, 257 N Prairie St, has been charged with possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Gerald M. Wilcox, 56, 349 Amber Dr, has been charged with operating under the influence – fourth offense and operating with a prohibited blood alcohol content – fourth offense. If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (July 9, 2020) – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville awarded diplomas to nearly 1,000 students from its three campuses for the spring and summer of 2020.

A total of 942 students from UW-Platteville, UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County and UW-Platteville Richland earned either their bachelor’s or associate degrees. Because of COVID-19, no ceremonies were held in May, but will be rescheduled at a later date.

UW-Platteville, founded in 1866, has been named the best public institution in Wisconsin for annual return on investment for the fifth consecutive year by Payscale and the best value in the state.

For more information on the university, located in Southwest Wisconsin, visit uwplatt.edu.

Students from this area who graduated, with their hometown, major(s), degree and campus, include:

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, DEGREE(S), CAMPUS

Whitewater, WI

 Emily Heckert, Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, UW-Platteville

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner staff
whitewaterbanner.com

The District 2 Court of Appeals on July 8 ordered a new trial for Alan M. Johnson, 35, who was convicted by a jury in November, 2017 of first-degree reckless homicide in the killing of his brother-in-law, Ken Myszkewicz, on October 25, 2016 in Myszkewicz’s home at 911 Peck Street. Johnson had entered the home by an unlocked door around midnight to search for child pornography on Myszkewicz’s computer. Years earlier he had made a police report with that allegation, but police indicated that the alleged evidence was not sufficiently current. After spending some two hours on the computer, Johnson was confronted by Myszkewicz, age 43. A struggle ensued, and ultimately the trespasser shot the homeowner five times.

Walworth County Judge Kristine Drettwan in January, 2018 sentenced Johnson to 25 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision. Lawyers representing Johnson alleged in a May, 2019 filing that Drettwan erred in forcing him to testify and limiting his self-defense claim.

The Court of Appeals found that the circuit court erred in denying Johnson’s request to instruct the jury on “perfect self-defense” and in not offering the jury the option of second-degree reckless homicide. The appeals court also found that Drettwan should have allowed into evidence that child pornography was found on Myszkewicz’s computer, which if proven could have resulted in a prison sentence for Myszkewicz. It was the appelate court’s position that the jury should have been given the opportunity to decide whether “Johnson reasonably believed that K.M. was unlawfully interfering with his person, that he used such force as he reasonably believed he had exhausted every other reasonable means to escape from or to otherwise avoid death or great bodily harm at the hands of K.M.” The “unlawfully interfering” reference was to the possibility that Myszkewicz “wanted to prevent Johnson from reporting his ongoing criminal activity of possession of child pornography.”

Judge Paul Reilly wrote the decision, joined by judges Lisa Neubauer and Jeffrey Davis.

For an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel click here.

For the 28-page decision click here.

We are excited to welcome our members back to the WAFC on Wednesday!
Please see our website for more information and ways to have a safe and successful visit!
https://whitewater.recdesk.com/Community/Page?pageId=10133

Access will be limited at this time to Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center members only. New memberships can be purchased at the WAFC or by calling (262)-473-4900

Facility hours

We will be using door 11 to enter and exit the building during this phase of our reopening process. Patrons will have access to two single person bathroom located by door 11 in the fitness area. We encourage our members to arrive in their swimming or workout attire.

Monday-Friday:6:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m; .Saturday:7:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; Sunday CLOSED

Phase One membership options – Phase 1 Monthly(no commitment)

Youth/Student/Senior$30
Adult$35
Senior Couple$36
Family (2+ people)$43

Reestablishing annual upfront memberships:All annual paid in full memberships will be giving an extended end date reflecting the amount of time the facility was closed. For more information regarding your account please contact Lorelei Bowen at lbowen@whitewater-wi.gov