News & Events

In the history of Jazz music, there is only one bandleader that has the distinction of having his orchestra still performing sold out concerts all over the world, with members personally chosen by him, for over 30 years after his passing. Pianist and bandleader William James “Count” Basie was and still is an American institution that personifies the grandeur and excellence of Jazz. The Count Basie Orchestra, today directed by Scotty Barnhart, has won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, won 18 Grammy Awards, performed for kings, queens, and other world royalty, appeared in several movies, television shows, at every major jazz festival and major concert hall in the world.

Thursday, February 22, 7:30 p.m., Young Auditorium, 930 W. Main Street, Whitewater

Tickets are $45 and may be ordered here. There is an additional $2 per ticket fee at the door.

Hawk Bowl Demolition for Aldi

The City of Whitewater is delighted to announce the commencement of a pivotal development project, following the recent demolition start at the site of the former Hawk Bowl and Hawk Bowl Apartments. This marks a significant advancement in the city’s growth, with the construction of a new ALDI grocery store already receiving site plan approval.

The ALDI store, set to be located at 1380 and 1398 West Main St. on the city’s west side, will occupy a 20,000- square-foot area. This project, managed by Pinnacle Engineering Group on behalf of ALDI, not only introduces a much-needed grocery option for residents but also signifies a broader development initiative. The project includes a pad ready for development adjacent to the new ALDI and adjacent to Culver’s, effectively transforming the ALDI development into a dual-project venture for the community.

City Manager, John Weidl, shared his excitement about the project’s progress: “The approval of the ALDI site plan is a major milestone for Whitewater. We are not only looking forward to the benefits the ALDI store will bring but are also thrilled about the additional development opportunities this project will unlock. We are particularly excited about the additional pad ready site for development between the new ALDI and Culver’s. This means our community can look forward to not just one, but two new projects that will drive economic growth and vitality in the city.” Council President Neil Hicks shares similar excitement, “Great collaboration has brought great results to the residents in and around the City of Whitewater. Whether it’s good jobs, good food
or a sense of community belonging, this is a great step forward for our city.” From CDA Chair* Patrick Singer: “The ALDI project is a clear signal of progress. It shows we’re not just planning for a better Whitewater; we’re actively building it, starting with essential services like this grocery store.”

With the project’s value estimated between $3.2 and $3.5 million, it is expected to generate substantial tax revenue for the city, ranging between $700,000 and $1.1 million over the next 15 years. Moreover, this development is particularly significant as it addresses Whitewater’s designation by the USDA as a food desert, promising enhanced access to fresh and affordable food.

The City of Whitewater extends our sincere thanks to everyone who played a pivotal role in making this transformative project possible. Our gratitude goes to the Whitewater Community Development Authority (CDA) and the Whitewater Common Council for their unwavering support and dedication to the city’s growth. A special acknowledgment is due to DLK Enterprises for their continued commitment and partnership with the city, which has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. Additionally, we pay tribute to the late Council President Jim Allen, whose tireless advocacy for a grocery store during his tenure on both the CDA and Common Council has been a driving force behind this achievement. His dedication to Whitewater’s welfare has laid the groundwork for this and many other community enhancements.

As Whitewater moves forward with these promising developments, city officials remain committed to ensuring that all aspects of the project align with the city’s strategic goals and community needs.

• Singer recently vacated his role as CDA Chair to accept an appointment to the common council through April 2025.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the City of Whitewater. The photo on the homepage is by Lynn Binnie.

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area will hold the first of three Book Club discussions on Thursday evening, February 22, 6PM-8PM, in the Irvin L Young Memorial Library, 431 W Center St, Whitewater. The first three chapters of Poverty, by America, by Pulitzer Prize winning author Matthew Desmond, will be discussed.

Desmond draws upon history, research and original reporting to argue that poverty in America persists because the rest of us benefit from it. Please join us to investigate new ways of imagining solutions to a morally urgent problem and engage in how to usher in an age of shared prosperity.

Books have been reserved at Irvin L Young Memorial Library for the group’s use during the study. Please ask at the front desk for a copy. Additional discussions will be held on March 21 and April 18 at the same time and location.

The LWV Book Club was formed to help our members and friends engage in meaningful discussions of current notable books dealing with public policy issues of interest to the League. You do not need to be a member of the League to participate! Please contact Deb Gamble (262-583-1946 or shebagam@gmail.com) for questions or further information.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!

Editor’s note: The following press release was issued by the City of Elkhorn Police Department on February 16.

Thomas Allen Routt, Jr., 57-years old, Elkhorn, has been arrested in connection with the early morning shooting on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at the Sports Page Barr in downtown Elkhorn, which claimed the lives of Emerson and Gina Weingart.

Initial investigation focused on eyewitness evidence, including an eyewitness that was inside the bar at the time of the shooting. That eyewitness said a male, now believed by law enforcement to be Routt, came into the bar and began playing the gaming machines. After approximately 30 minutes, the eyewitness said it was just the eyewitness, Emerson, Gina, and Routt in the bar. The eyewitness said Routt brandished a handgun and pointed it at Gina, the bartender, and ordered them not to move. The eyewitness said they instinctively got up off their barstool and Routt pointed the gun at the eyewitness and ordered the eyewitness not to move. The eyewitness said they sat back down and said Routt subsequently fired the gun at Gina and the eyewitness immediately fled out the door, calling 9-1-1 after distancing themself from the scene.

Routt was taken into custody without incident by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 3:40 AM on a Department of Corrections hold as Routt was on parole for arson.

Routt subsequently admitted to shooting both Emerson and Gina Weingart and following the eyewitness out the back door and shooting at the eyewitness as they fled. Routt indicated that his motive was robbery and said after chasing and shooting at the eyewitness, he returned to the bar and took $120 – $140 from the open cash drawer and fled in his vehicle to his residence in Elkhorn. Routt said the next morning he discarded the weapon and ammunition in a trash receptacle at the Handi-Mart in Lake Como. Officers subsequently retrieved a 9mm handgun and ammunition from the trash at the Handi-Mart.

Routt has been charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon, one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, and felon in possession of a firearm.

The investigation is on-going, however there is no indication that anyone other than Routt was directly involved in the crime.

The Elkhorn Police Department was assisted by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, Walworth County Medical Examiner’s Office, Delavan Police Department, Town of Delavan Police Department, Lake Geneva Police Department, Town of Geneva Police Department, Kenosha Police Department, Milwaukee Police Department, Wauwatosa Police Department, Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory, Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.