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Today is Tuesday, June 23, 2026
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The City of Whitewater is sad to share the resignation of Judge Patrick Taylor. Judge Taylor has served the community with distinction, dedicating five years to upholding justice as a municipal judge. We thank him for his service and are excited for him on his new adventure.
In light of this resignation, the City of Whitewater is actively seeking qualified candidates to fill the vacant position of judge. Applications are now being accepted and will remain open until April 26th. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit their letter of intent, resume, and three references promptly to be considered for this vital role in our community.
Following the application deadline, candidates selected for consideration must attend a special council meeting scheduled for May 1st at 6:00 p.m. At this meeting, candidates will have the opportunity to participate in interviews conducted by the Common Council and the Council will appoint a judge that night. Our intent is that the newly appointed judge will have the opportunity to attend New Municipal Judge Orientation, May 7-10, 2024 in Appleton.
A special election for the municipal judge will be held on November 5 together with the Presidential Election. The successful candidate will be expected to complete the unexpired term which ends in April, 2026.
Qualified individuals interested in applying for the position of Judge in the City of Whitewater must submit their application to the Chief of Staff, Becky Magestro at bmagestro@whitewater-wi.gov Any questions, please call at 262-473-0101.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the city of Whitewater. Per state statute, a qualified candidate must be an elector in the city. Although municipal judges are generally attorneys, it is not a legal requirement of the city.
A previous post regarding the resignation of Patrick Taylor may be viewed here.
Landmark Trek has found out, through its own investigation, that our Whitewater Landmarks were not originally delivered to the city of Whitewater by the stork. On the contrary, there is an organization in Whitewater that actually takes care of this work. The details are in the new Landmark Trek video below – take a gander!
Reynolds’ Rummage Sale
12240 E. Bradley Road
Whitewater, WI
Friday April 19th. 9-6pm. Sat. April 20th. 9-2pm
Rain or shine!
A lot of like new/new in the box Baby gear, 2-12” girl’s bikes, Lg. galvanized outdoor pots, adult clothes, dishwasher, household items and decorations!
A Banner Service: Garage Sale Ads
As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, the Banner staff agreed to begin a complimentary “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published by Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property.
Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 6 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address. A few photos may also be included if desired; we prefer jpg format if possible.
Update at 12:30 p.m. on 4/18: On April 18 the Rock County Sheriff’s Office reported that one of the adult female passengers of the van who was medically transported from the crash had succumbed to her injuries in the early morning hours of that day. The identity of this victim will be released later. The investigation is still ongoing.
On April 17 the Rock County Medical Examiner’s Office released the names of the persons who were pronounced deceased on the scene of a crash involving three motor vehicles on April 13, 2024. The crash occurred at the intersection of US Highway 12 and East County Line Road. Further details about the incident may be found in this article on the Whitewater Banner.
Preliminary results of the forensic examinations found that the following people died from injuries sustained in the crash:
Jeffrey Turnipseed, 67, Whitewater
Ericka Berg, 38, Whitewater
Jamie Ranguette, 39, Whitewater
It was indicated that additional testing is underway and that the incident is still under investigation by the Rock County Sheriff’s Department and the Rock County Medical Examiner’s Department.
“The Sweet Science of Bruising” by Joy Wilkinson, directed by Sara J. Griffin, brings you into the world of women’s underground boxing in London, 1865.
Follow the lives of four courageous women as they step into the ring to fight for their independence, dignity, and empowerment. With heart-pounding action, compelling characters, and a thrilling blend of athleticism and drama, this extraordinary production puts the fight for equality center stage. Don’t miss your chance to witness the raw power of resilience and the triumph of the human spirit in this knockout theatrical event!
This play contains scenes depicting domestic violence and discussion of female circumcision that some may find troubling. It is intended for adult audiences and mature sensibilities.
Friday, April 19 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, April 20-21 – 2:00 p.m.
Thurs., Fri., & Saturday, April 25, 26 & 27 – 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available in advance through Ticket Services. Adults – $17, Age 65+ – $15, Under 18 – $12. There is a $2.00 surcharge for tickets purchased at the event.
Purchase Tickets Online
Students at WHS achieve the school’s highest ACT scores since 2018-2019
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.
Whitewater High School juniors have achieved the highest composite ACT score the school has reached since 2018-2019. They achieved an average composite score of 19.1 as compared to a composite average score of 17.2 last year, an 11% increase year over year. The 2024 state average composite score is 19.4. 27% of the WHS students met or exceeded three or more college readiness benchmark scores—an 8% increase from the previous year.
This celebration did not come without work and a plan. This year, the WHS staff implemented a three-pronged campaign with students to address skill development, attendance improvement, and test preparation tools. Utilizing a College Equipped Readiness Tool (CERT) program, which took the guesswork out of establishing benchmark scores, it allowed staff to focus on areas of improvement to set student improvement goals, and gave students individualized assessment practice where they needed it. WHS also emphasized the importance of attendance, working with families to eliminate barriers in getting to school, and implemented an exam exemption incentive plan that students could achieve by setting personal improvement goals.
“Our students’ outstanding performance on the 2024 ACT is a testament to the innovative spirit around success that we have at the high school; our educators are committed to continuous improvement,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent of the Whitewater Unified School District. “We proudly celebrate their academic success and commitment to reaching their full potential.”
The ACT is an in-person assessment designed to measure the academic readiness of 11th-grade students in English, math, reading, science, and writing. The ACT provides benchmarks to categorize students as college-ready or below college-ready. Students can use their ACT scores for various purposes, including college admission, scholarships, course placement, and even NCAA eligibility.
More information about the ACT in Wisconsin is available at https://dpi.wi.gov/assessment/act.
Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.
The Whitewater community has the opportunity to help fill the shelves of local food pantries to serve those in need on Saturday, May 11. There are two ways to donate food and help our hungry neighbors.
– For more than 30 years, USPS has conducted an annual nationwide food drive on the second Saturday of May- the largest one-day food drive in the country. In Whitewater, the food drive is supported by the Hunger Task Force to help the Whitewater Food Pantry. Residents will be receiving postcards and/or plastic bags in the mail as a reminder of the food drive. Just put your nonperishable contribution in or near your mailbox on Saturday, May 11, and your mail carrier will take the food to the Whitewater Food Pantry. Questions? Laurie Giorno, lead volunteer in Whitewater, can be reached at 262-903-9416.
– The Community Space in Whitewater has been in operation for just five years, but has already ramped up to give out more than 300,000 pounds of food a year through its collaboration with Feeding America and other organizations and its dozens of volunteers. Whitewater Unites Lives is hosting the food drive at the Community Space this year to help meet the increased demand TCS has experienced. To help, bring your nonperishable donations to TCS on 834 East Milwaukee St., drive around the back, and WUL volunteers will happily collect your donation from your car between 8:30 and 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, May 11. Questions? WUL co-founder Rosalinda Martinez can be reached at 920-222-0749 and co-founder Marjorie Stoneman can be reached at 414-861-4126.
Suggested donations to both pantries include peanut butter, jelly, individual packets of oatmeal, canned tuna, dried cereal, canned fruits and canned vegetables.
Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.
For more information about The Community Space, visit their website at communityspacewhitewater.com/
For more information about Whitewater Community Food Pantry, visit facebook.com/WhitewaterFoodPantry/
Obituaries
Marion Jauch Burrows (Feb. 2, 1930 – June 5, 2026) Her sparkling eyes, warm laugh, and generous ways were gifts Marion brought into this world, touching family members and friends alike over the ninety-six years of her life. She was born and raised in Lombard, IL, and in the course of her life lived with her husband and growing family in Abilene, TX, St. David’s, PA, Arkadelphia, AR, Ada, OK, and Colorado Springs, CO, before settling in Whitewater, WI, in 1965. Generosity of heart, compassion toward those in need in and beyond her community, and an unwavering commitment to fairness … Read more
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
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