News & Events

UPDATE: This intersection has reopened.

Motorists who expected to traverse the intersection of Fremont Street and Starin Road since Tuesday morning have been surprised to find an unannounced road closure. Brad Marquardt, director of public works, provided the following explanation to The Banner: “The intention early yesterday [Tuesday] morning was to remove the existing pavement and place the first lift of asphalt and then open back up to traffic. Close again today to do surface. They ran into some paver problems and with the hot weather did not get the first lift down. Decision was made to leave it closed overnight. As of 11:30 today [Wednesday] they are currently rolling the surface lift and will be opening up the intersection early this afternoon.”

Update 8/27 @ 9:30 a.m.: Anyone wishing to attend the rescheduled picnic who has not made a reservation is welcome to do so by Thursday, August 29. The same goes for any additional car owners who are willing to display their vehicle in exchange for a free lunch (and appreciation.)

The show must go on: “The Fall Guy” will still be shown at 1 p.m.

Mark Dorn writes, “Despite the rescheduling of the SIP picnic and car show to September 3 due to the extreme hot weather, the show will go on!

We will be showing the film, “The Fall Guy,” tomorrow, Tuesday, August 27, at 1 PM at Seniors in the Park.

Come in and cool off and enjoy the movie!

WHS Class of 1999 celebrated their 25th year reunion on August 24, 2024.

Editor’s note: This submission was provided by Jennifer Zamora.

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman will discuss his 2025-27 budget request and its impact on UW-Whitewater.

Event details: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, in Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall. 

Rothman has emphasized that Wisconsin ranks 43^rd out of 50 states in public support for four-year universities; the budget request is designed to get the state “Up to the Middle” in national rankings.

The budget request:

• Emphasizes talent development through student success services.
• Extends the Wisconsin Tuition Promise to students from families earning up to $71,000 in adjusted gross income.
• Proposes 5 percent and 3 percent general wage increases for staff and faculty, and requests the state fully fund the increases while adding a merit and market pool.
• Invests in innovation, including creation of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub.
• Preserves accessibility while covering inflationary cost increases.

Please join us for this important discussion.

Editor’s note: The following press release on the budget proposal was received last week.

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman introduces budget request to get Wisconsin “Up to the Middle”

MADISON, Wis.—Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman today proposed a 2025-27 budget request that would allow the state’s public universities to shed its ranking of 43^rd of 50 states in public funding and reach the national median.

The two-year request will be presented to the Board of Regents on Thursday. If approved, the request will go to Gov. Tony Evers for consideration in his 2025-27 budget proposal. Editor’s note: The Board of Regents unanimously approved the budget request on August 22.

“It’s time Wisconsin escapes the Bottom 10 in public funding and gets Up to the Middle,” Rothman said. “This budget request will spur innovation in research and teaching, make a degree more affordable for our students most in need, develop talent by focusing on student success, preserve accessibility, and ensure quality.”

Rothman added that under this proposal, he would not recommend tuition increases over the period covered by the biennial budget. Additionally, the funding increase would help preserve branch campus access points for students throughout the state.

Wisconsin ranks 43^rd of 50 states in public funding of four-year higher education, according to the latest State Higher Education Finance report by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO). The figure includes state funding and tuition.

By comparison, surrounding states rank 1 (Illinois), 3 (Michigan), 9 (Iowa), and 10 (Minnesota).

“We won’t win the War for Talent if we don’t get Up to the Middle,” Rothman said. “We’re falling behind after years of neglect, and this budget seeks to address that trend.”

Rothman said it would take an additional $457 million annually to reach the median of states, under the SHEEO report. Among the key features of the proposed budget:

• Emphasizes talent development through student success services.
• Extends the Wisconsin Tuition Promise to students from families earning up to $71,000 in adjusted gross income.
• Proposes 5 percent and 3 percent general wage increases for staff and faculty, and requests the state fully fund the increases while adding a merit and market pool.
• Invests in innovation, including creation of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub.
• Preserves accessibility while covering inflationary cost increases.

—

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Monday from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m. Walworth, Jefferson and Rock Counties are included in the expected hot and humid conditions. Heat and humidity are expected to continue into Tuesday, though perhaps not quite as extreme, with the potential for some cooling if there are storms.

Residents who don’t have air conditioning may wish to seek out a cool place such as the library, which is open until 8:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

City Market Canceled
Lisa Dawsey Smith, Downtown Whitewater Board Chair, stated in a Sunday afternoon announcement, “This is much earlier than I would be considering any weather implications for our upcoming market but given the … message issued by the National Weather service please note that the Tuesday market is Cancelled. Please take care of yourselves and stay safe over the next two days. Thank you all for your efforts in making the market a success week after week, year over year.”

Gwynne Sahyun, from Whitewater, graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in Spring 2024. Sahyun received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering .

Milwaukee School of Engineering (www.msoe.edu) is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 2,800 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, business and nursing. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors, and challenge them to go beyond what’s possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators.