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WHITEWATER WEATHER

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Four to Eight More Inches of Snow Predicted from Fri. 3 p.m. to Sat. noon (Update: 11.1″ reported at 6 p.m.)

January 12, 2024

The Community Space is Closed on Saturday

January 12, 2024

Kay Robers indicates that due to the inclement weather, The Community Space will not be open on Saturday.

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Massive snowbank on First St. circa 1900

January 11, 2024


It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This image is another in our winter series featuring the downtown. It is taken from the corner of Main and First Streets, probably around 1900. Besides the massive snowbank it shows is the three-story Bower’s New Metropolitan Block, a five-storefront block built in 1870 when Joseph Bower’s old Metropolitan Block burned. The building lost its third story in the early 20th century, but the rest of the building is still standing today.

Join us next week for another winter view of downtown Whitewater.

(3162PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

Local Resident Recognized on Troy University Chancellor’s List

January 11, 2024

Abby Grosinske of Whitewater, WI has been named to the Chancellor’s List at Troy University for the Fall Semester/Term 2 of the 2023-2024 academic year.

The Chancellor’s List honors full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who earn a grade point average of 4.0.

About Troy University

Troy University is a public, historic, international university with 22,500 students and 154,000 alumni. Students choose TROY for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty, and flexible in-class and online class offerings. Students on the Troy, Ala. campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City, Ala., as well as at locations around the world and online.

Girls’ Wrestling Places Third at Kenosha Tourney

January 11, 2024

On Saturday, January 6th, the Whippet Girls’ Wrestling Team traveled to Kenosha Bradford High School for a scramble format tournament. The wrestling tournament was made up of 19 different schools. This girls’ tournament doubled in participants from the year before. Our Whitewater Whippets returned to this tournament having placed third last year, and set a goal to finish in the top again this year. With the tournament doubling in size, that was a great goal. Our twelve girls scored a total of 86 team points, which placed them in third at the end of the tournament. 

Marianna Kubicz- Champion at 185 Pounds

As a team, the girls wrestled really well. Out of the twelve athletes, five placed in the top three for their respective weight classes. Leading the way was Marianna Kubicz, as champion at 185 pounds. Marianna pinned her way through the tournament.

Myia Cobb placed 2nd at 138 pounds, also pinning her way to the finals. Myia dropped her first loss of the day to a girl from Burlington.

A’lani Ross also placed 2nd at 126 pounds. A’Lani wrestled really well throughout the tournament, losing her last match in the final to a girl from Milton High School who took 2nd in the state last season.

Ema Aranda, wrestling at 100 pounds, and Lauren Buehler, wrestling at 120 pounds, both placed 3rd in their weight classes. 

Overall, the Whitewater girls improved on Saturday, with some picking up their first win. The team taking third place was a team effort, and everyone who wrestled on Saturday helped solidify that team score. All our girls helped pick each other up and supported each other throughout the day. As a coach, it is nice to see teammates help each other the way these athletes did. This tournament will help them prepare for one of the biggest girls’ wrestling tournaments in the state, in Wausau, on January 20th. 

Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Johnny Gomez

Whippet Girls Defeat Big Foot

January 11, 2024

The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball Team jumped out to an early 12-2 lead on Wednesday, January 10, but Big Foot battled to be within three at halftime. The game was close throughout with Whitewater up four with about four minutes to play. The Whippets eventually secured a 45-38 victory.

Calli Grosinske

Even without shooting the ball well, Whitewater’s defense was able to keep them in the lead for most of the night. Whitewater was able to push it double digits with about three to play, but credit Big Foot’s shooting for keeping them in the game all night.

Calli Grosinske led the Whippets with 24 points, and Leah Paulsen put in 25 for Big Foot.

Whitewater is scheduled to host Edgerton on Friday, January 12 [presumably this game is canceled] and then travels to Evansville next Thursday, January 18.

Article Submitted by Mike Dowden
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
dowmi01@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Friday Closings: Library & Muni. Bldg. (Fri.-Mon.); WUSD Schools; Sr. Dining; Comm. Space (Sat.)

January 11, 2024

Diane Jaroch, interim director of the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, indicates that the library will be closed on Friday and Saturday due to inclement weather. The library will also be closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The library is open today, Thursday, until 8:30 p.m. Online services may be accessed through whitewaterlibrary.org

The City of Whitewater Municipal Building will also be closed Friday through Monday. Citizens who need police assistance may use the after hours call button in the Municipal Building Whitewater Street vestibule, or may call the non-emergency phone number at 262-473-0555 option 4. For all emergencies, please call 9-1-1.

Whitewater Unified School District will be closed on Friday.

With the expected snow forecasted throughout the day on Friday, January 12th, Walworth County’s Senior Nutrition Program will be closed. Meals on Wheels deliveries are canceled and all dining centers will be closed including Brookdale Manor in Whitewater as we continue our efforts to keep all participants and volunteers safe.  Please remember to have someone clear your driveway and sidewalks of snow and ice to ensure meals can be delivered next week. We are expecting much colder temperatures but are hopeful to stay open next week. Thank you for understanding and stay safe.

The Community Space will be closed on Saturday.

Weinfurt Earns CSC Academic All-America Honors

January 11, 2024

By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior outside hitter Jenna Weinfurt (Waukesha, Wis./Catholic Memorial) has been named a Third Team Academic All-American by College Sports Communicators.

Weinfurt holds a 3.88 grade point average with a major in digital marketing. The 2023 CSC Academic All-America Teams for volleyball feature 83 student-athletes across three divisions of the NCAA and NAIA including 24 that compete in Division III. 

The 2023 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Weinfurt also garnered Second Team All-America honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She ranked among the top 30 nationally in kills per set (4.03) and total kills (463) this season. The senior reached the 1,000 career kill milestone this season and currently ranks 14th in the program record book with 1,150 kills. 

Academic All-America Teams are voted on and selected by CSC members. Student-athletes must earn All-District honors to be considered for All-America recognition. To be eligible for Academic All-District honors, student-athletes must be of at least sophomore status, hold a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 and have competed in 90-percent or started in 66-percent of sets played this season. 

Obituaries

Obituary: Marion Jauch Burrows, 96

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

Obituary: Patricia “Pat” Bailey, 70, of Woodbury, MN

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

Obituary: Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83

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

Obituary: Mary Ann Warner, 86, of Dodgeville

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

Obituary: Patricia Jacobson, 81

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

Obituary: Lois Lauritzen, 92, of Brookfield

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

Obituary: Donald Walter Triebold, 91

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

Obituary: William Kincaid Davis, 84, of Evansville

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

Obituary: Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79

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

Obituary: Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, 76, of Fort Atkinson

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