News & Events

DROUGHT INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MILWAUKEE/SULLIVAN WI
200 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2021

...No changes in the drought status across southern WI...

.Synopsis: The latest Drought Monitor did not change from last week
and shows Abnormal Dryness (D0) across northern Marquette, Green
Lake and Fond du lac Counties. Extreme Drought (D3) continues across
Kenosha, southeastern Walworth and extreme southwestern Racine
Counties. Severe Drought (D2) continues across the remainder of
Racine and Walworth Counties as well as southeastern Rock County.
Moderate Drought (D1) continues across the remainder of southern
Wisconsin.

.Precipitation: Precipitation the past week through the early
morning of July 7th was well below normal across much of southern
WI, but rainfall of 1 to 2 inches fell over portions of northern
Marquette, Green Lake, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan Counties. Large
portions of Ozaukee and Milwaukee County had a little over one half
inch of rain on average. Far southeastern Wisconsin in the D2 and D3
areas saw little to no rainfall.

90-Day precipitation deficits across southern Wisconsin south of I-
94 averaged 4-8 inches with the highest departures across Lafayette,
Green, Rock, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha Counties. The highest
departures of 6 to 8 inches represent around 50% of normal. This
includes the Severe Drought (D2) and Extreme Drought (D3) areas.
Much of Sauk, Columbia, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, and the southern
portions of Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, and Marquette
Counties have a 2 to 4 inch deficit, which is 50% to 80% of normal.


Hydrologic Conditions: Streamflows are below normal across much of
Racine, Kenosha, and portions of Walworth County. Otherwise, normal
streamflows are reported across much of southern WI.


.Summary of Impacts: 35% to 50% of topsoil and subsoil moisture
across the drought area of southern Wisconsin is considered short or
very short of moisture. Crops over far southern WI are exhibiting
areas of stress.


.Drought Mitigation Actions: None reported.


.Local Drought Outlook: There are better chances for rain the
remainder of this week into early next week over far southern WI.
One half inch or greater of rainfall is possible south of I-94.

The Climate Prediction Center indicates greater chances for above
normal temperatures and above normal rainfall for the 6 to 14 day
periods. The 3 to 4 week outlook favors equal chances for above or
below normal temperatures and rainfall. This means there is not a
good signal one way or the other. The 3 month outlook through
September indicates better than normal chances for above normal
temperatures, and equal chances for above, below, or normal
precipitation, which means there isn`t a good signal that indicates
one solution over another.

Banner note:  The Weather Service uses the following five levels to categorize a drought.  We are currently in D2 (Severe Drought). Red text color added by the Banner.

Intensity and Impacts
 None
 D0 (Abnormally Dry)
 D1 (Moderate Drought)
 D2 (Severe Drought)
 D3 (Extreme Drought)
 D4 (Exceptional Drought)

In spite of the Independence Day holiday, John’s Disposal indicates that they are following their regular pickup schedule. Consequently Whitewater’s garbage will be picked up on Thursday this week, and those on the south side are also due for their recycling pickup.

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) will be hosting an event to welcome UW-Whitewater Interim Chancellor Dr. Jim Henderson to the Whitewater Community. 

This event will take place on Wednesday, July 7 at 7 a.m. at 841 Brewhouse in Whitewater. 

The meeting is open to the public and acts as a formal meet and greet of the new UW-Whitewater Interim Chancellor. Anyone who would like to attend is requested to RSVP by noon on Tuesday, July 6 to research@knightpublicaffairs.com. 

Per an article in the Banner, Chancellor Dwight C. Watson announced that he was resigning effective June 30 due to health concerns. The GWC indicated that they wish to join the community in wishing Dr. Watson all the best and hoping that his health improves with every day. They encourage all to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

 About the GWC 

The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to working with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies required to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.

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

At its regular meeting on June 28 the Whitewater Unified School Board approved the hiring of Adam Bretl as Principal of Lakeview Elementary School, effective July 1. The position was open due to the resignation at the end of the school year of David Brokopp, who took the position of Superintendent of the Bangor School District.

Bretl was appointed Assistant Principal of the Elkhorn Area Middle School in 2013; currently his title has been Associate Principal. According to his Facebook page he grew up in Sturgeon Bay and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from UW-Oshkosh in 2008, after which he taught 7th and 8th grade science, social studies, and reading in a Janesville middle school. Bretl briefly addressed the board, indicating that he is married and has two children, age 6 and 2. He indicated that he had hoped to work in more of a country setting, so he saw Lakeview as a great fit, and is excited to meet the students and parents.

UPDATE: According to a press release from WUSD, Bretl earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2011. It is indicated that the District Leadership Team selected a slate of eight potential candidates from a field of 47 applicants. Bretl was the administration’s recommendation after two panel interviews, a student tour, and staff presentation. Superintendent Pate-Hefty stated, “Adam brings us a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in school administration. He will be an excellent instructional leader for our Lakeview students, their families and staff.”

Bretl was quoted as saying, “It is a great honor to be selected as the Principal of Lakeview Elementary. My priority has always been and will continue to be providing the best educational experience for all students. The Lakeview community is a unique piece of paradise that offers so much to its students. I’m excited for many years of learning and growing together to ensure Lakeview students continue to grow and achieve at exceptional levels.”

Lakeview families will be able to meet Mr. Bretl on August 10 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Lakeview Elementary, during Back-to-School Day.

In other business:

• Superintendent Caroline Pate-Hefty reported that after considerable research with other districts that directly provide virtual education, the district decided not to move forward with instituting such a program at this time. The agreement with JEDI will continue. The organization was paid $430,000 for this past year, much more than usual.
• Mary Kilar, Lincoln Elementary principal and Tom Grosinske, Washington Elementary principal, reported on the achievement of reading and math goals for the past school year. At both schools there was a goal that 85% of the students would make a year’s worth of growth in instructional reading level. At Lincoln, 86% of the students made one or more years’ growth in reading. Many made 1.5 to 3 years of progress. At Washington the percentage making at least a year’s growth was 30% in kindergarten, 72% in first grade, 79% in second and fifth grade, and 88% in 3rd and 4th grade. For math there was a goal of 60% against a national average; 47.2% of students at Lincoln met the goal. Washington reported that the average student levels were very close to the national grade level scores.
• There were 144 graduates from the high school, and the weather was beautiful. Moving next year’s graduation to Friday evening may be considered.
• Pate-Hefty stated that summer school “is fun in Wisconsin,” not as in Illinois. 609 students are enrolled this year, versus 239 last year and 629 in 2019.
• Matthew Sylvester-Knudtson, Director of Business Services, reported that he expects approximately a $150,000 general fund balance as of the end of the school year. The fund balance is currently at 18.1% of budget, and should rise slightly after a small contribution.
• Nelson Bus was granted a 2.5% increase for ’20-21 and 2.0% for ’21-22.
• The district’s annual contribution to the Aquatic & Fitness Center’s budget has been $128,000 since 2016. A new five year agreement was approved, with a $153,000 expense in the upcoming year and $178,000 per year for the following four years.
• The purchase of 35 classroom projectors was approved, as was the purchase of new wrestling mats for both the middle and high school.
• Heard of the plans for donor level recognitions for synthetic turf and other improvements to the football field at the high school.
• Discussed hard-to-fill positions, including EL (English learner) and special education teachers. Currently there are four open EL positions. It was agreed to offer to pay the cost of the CESA 2 EL licensure course for existing employees with an emergency license, and to offer a $3,000 “signing bonus” for a new employee who is already licensed, with a two year employment commitment.

The meeting ended at 10:30 p.m.

Juan Cuellar Meza has been appointed to the Dean’s List at The University of Dubuque, and Naomi Allen, of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, has been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

 

The image, “First Day of Summer” by dangaken is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Summer 2021 in Northern Hemisphere will begin on Sunday, June 20 and ends on Wednesday, September 22.

THE JUNE SOLSTICE

In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice (aka summer solstice) occurs when the Sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky. This marks the astronomical start of summer in the northern half of the globe. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite: the June solstice marks the astronomical start of winter, when the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky.)

WHEN IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE?

The June solstice occurs on Sunday, June 20, 2021, at 11:32 P.M. EDT.  In 2021, it so happens that the solstice falls on the same day as Father’s Day!

The solstice marks the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring when Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt (about 23.5 degrees) toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year. (By longest “day,” we mean the longest period of sunlight hours.) On the day of the June solstice, the Northern Hemisphere receives sunlight at the most direct angle of the year.

Year	Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)
2021	Sunday, June 20, at 11:32 P.M. EDT
2022	Tuesday, June 21, at 5:14 A.M. EDT
2023	Wednesday, June 21, at 10:58 A.M. EDT
2024	Thursday, June 20, at 4:51 P.M. EDT

Note: In the Southern Hemisphere, the June solstice marks the beginning of winter.

Source: https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-summer-summer-solstice

Sheriff Knudson is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office is offering a
Boater Safety Education Course on July 18, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the
Edgerton Conservation Club located in the back of Race Track Park, 900 Stoughton Road,
Edgerton, WI 53534.

The Rock County Sheriff’s Office strongly encourages all boaters to take a boater safety
course. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1989, is required to complete a boater safety
course to legally operate a motorboat or personal watercraft (PWC) on Wisconsin waters.

Participants will learn safe boating techniques and gain knowledge that can keep them
safe on the water. It is recommended that participants be at least 12 years of age or turn
12 shortly following completion of the class. There is a class fee of $10.00 per student,
due at registration. Class size is limited to thirty (30) students with enrollment on a first
come basis. Reserve a spot online at https://www.co.rock.wi.us/sheriff-boater-education.

After submitting the online enrollment form, participants will receive a confirmation email
with information on the mandatory registration meeting. Underage participants must have
a parent or guardian attend the registration meeting with them.

Source: Rock County Sheriff’s Department press release

The image on the homepage, “Boating safety – Caution when Crossing Paths with Other Boaters” by State Farm is licensed under CC BY 2.0