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Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Walworth County.
In partnership with Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, Walworth County Public Health has launched the Hello Baby program to support families in our communities. This program, designed in coordination with Racine County Public Health and UW-Milwaukee’s Institute of Child and Family Well-Being, offers a Public Health nurse home visit to all caregivers of newborn babies in Walworth County.
As a new parent, caregiver, or family, caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. Hello Baby nurses are equipped to help caregivers tackle their most common challenges, connect them with local resources, and provide support. Nurses provide assessments focused on infant and mother well-being and home safety. The goal of the program is to help caregivers manage the stressors of newborn care while helping them build confidence in asking for support.
“We are incredibly excited to begin offering this program in Walworth County,” says Public Health Nurse Supervisor Holli Wilke. “Welcoming home a new baby is a stressful time. Our nurses are excited to have the opportunity to support families and help them build the healthiest starts for their children.”
Participation is voluntary, free of charge, and open to all Walworth County families who have recently welcomed a newborn. The program is available for both English- and Spanish-speaking participants. Families that deliver at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center will receive program information at the hospital while those who deliver at other healthcare facilities can sign up using the referral form provided at www.co.walworth.wi.us/1145/Home-Visiting-Services
Editor’s note: The image on the homepage is in the public domain, per Pixabay.
At 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 6, Carol McLernon will talk at the Senior Center at 504 W. Starin Road. She is celebrating the 130th anniversary of the World’s Fair in Chicago. Her presentation is entitled, “Wisconsin goes to the Big Fair.” Carol’s interest in the fair began when a relative gave her a doll that came from the Exposition.
Attendees will learn about Wisconsin’s building at the fair, new foods that were introduced and famous people who attended. Those from Wisconsin included Harry Houdini and Frank Lloyd Wright. Before the 6th, attendees may want to see the hundreds of pictures which are available on the Internet. The Field Museum Library has an extensive collection here.
“In the Heart of the Sea”
Tuesday, November 28, 1 p.m.
(Biography/History/Drama/Adventure)
Rated PG-13; 2 hours, 2 minutes (2015).
A dramatization of the true events that inspired Herman Melville’s classic American novel “Moby Dick.” In 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex was assaulted and destroyed by a mammoth great white whale. This film recreates the telling of that tale by a survivor, to an incredulous young Herman Melville. Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, Tom Holland. Directed by Ron Howard. Incredible visual effects!
Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. There is no charge to attend.
Grand Rapids, Mich. — The No. 9 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team topped Calvin University 64-55 on the road Saturday afternoon.
Box Score
The Warhawks came back from an early deficit to take a narrow lead, 32-30 at halftime. The Knights registered the first bucket of the second half, but Aleah Grundahl responded with an old-fashioned three-point play to give UWW a 35-32 lead. A pair of Mallory Oloffson free throws extended the lead to five, but Calvin used a triple and a free throw to pull within one, 37-36, with under four to go in the quarter.
The Knights knotted the game 41-41 with 1:59 on the scoreboard. Kacie Carollo reclaimed the advantage for UW-Whitewater with two more free throws and the Warhawks never trailed the rest of the way. Grundahl dropped in one more free throw before the teams went into the final quarter with UWW leading 44-41.
UW-Whitewater tallied the first six points of the fourth. Grundahl hit a layup and Maggie Trautsch followed with a rare four-point play to widen the margin to 50-41. After a Calvin layin, Grundahl scored the next six points of the game to give UW-Whitewater the largest lead of the game, 56-43, with 6:25 remaining. The lead hovered near double figures the rest of the way.
The Warhawks outscored Calvin 20-14 in the final quarter bolstered by a 9-4 sway in free throws. For the game, UWW was 21-30 compared to 15-20 for the Knights.
Grundahl led all players with 21 points on 7-17 from the field and 7-9 from the free throw line. She added nine rebounds, a block and a pair of steals. Carollo added 19 points on 6-16 from the floor and 6-8 from the charity stripe while adding eight boards and four assists. Oloffson rounded out the double-digit scorers for UWW with 10 points bolstered by a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line.
By Broderick P. Frye
Asst. Sports Information Director
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s basketball team picked up their first road win of the year, improving to 5-0. The Warhawks defeated Ripon 77-56 in the Saturday afternoon match-up.
Straight out of the gates, the Warhawks jumped up to a 7-0 lead before Ripon scored their first basket. The Warhawks led by 11, at 16-5 about halfway through the first, but a string of turnovers led to the Red Hawks tying the game up at 19 a piece at the under eight media.
Ripon used the momentum to put together a 12-0 run and went up by five (24-19), their largest lead of the game, but the Warhawks battled back, regaining the lead and going up by five before the end of the half, 34-29.
After the break, UW-Whitewater outpaced the Red Hawks, putting together a string of runs to go ahead by double digits. The Red Hawks tried closing the gap hitting three-pointers, but the Warhawk lead never dropped below double-digits, cruising to the 77-56 victory.
Trevon Chislom (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) led the way with scoring, putting up 20 points and also pulling down 8 rebounds. James Kelley (Milwaukee, WI/St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy) added 12 points of his own, with Miles Barnstable (Sheboygan, Wis./Howards Grove) chipping in 11. Carter Capstran (Franklin, Wis./Franklin) nearly had a double-double, with 10 points and a team-high 9 rebounds.
As a team, the Warhawks shot 50.9% (28-for-55) from the floor with an impressive second half (53.8% from the floor). Ripon only shot 32.7% from the floor (18-for-55). UW-Whitewater heavily outrebounded the Red Hawks, pulling down 40 rebounds to Ripon’s 24.
Next for men’s basketball is another road game, heading to Kenosha to take on Carthage on November 28th at 7:00 p.m. The Firebirds are ranked 18th in the D3hoops.com preseason poll, but a new poll comes out on November 27th, the day before the matchup.
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team defeated Wheaton College 49-42 in the second round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs Saturday at Perkins Stadium. The Warhawks advance to face Wartburg in the quarterfinals Saturday, December 2 – location of the game has yet to be announced by the NCAA.
Box Score
UW-Whitewater will compete in the quarterfinals for the 14th time since 2005 — the Warhawks are 13-1 in quarterfinal games in that span. Wartburg advanced with a 42-20 win over Whitworth Saturday. The other three quarterfinal matchups feature North Central and UW-La Crosse, Alma and Cortland and Johns Hopkins and Randolph-Macon.
Editor’s note: Virtually all of the crowd stayed through the entire cold game. At kickoff the temperature was 28 degrees with a cloudy sky and southwest winds at 6 mph.
Saturday’s game at Perkins Stadium was a back-and-forth affair that ended with a number of career highs for Warhawks in all facets of the game. Offensively, Tommy Coates had a phenomenal outing with a career-best 169 yards bolstered by a career long 56-yard reception. Quarterback Alec Ogden registered four passing touchdowns, matching his career high, for the second straight week. Tamir Thomas posted career highs in rushing attempts (28), rushing yards (224) and receiving touchdowns (2).
Defensively, Ethan Gallagher improved his career high for tackles in a game to nine. In special teams play, Kamrin Hutt added a career-long 57-yard punt in the contest.
It all started on the Warhawks’ first drive of the game. Similar to last week, UWW got on the board early. This time, Thomas capitalized on the good field position after a short Wheaton punt with a 56-yard run on the second play of the game for the Warhawk offense. Jeff Isotalo-McGuire split the uprights and the scoreboard read 7-0 in favor of UWW less than three minutes into the game.
The Thunder responded with a 13-play, 73-yard touchdown drive as Wheaton punched it in from a yard out to knot the game 7-7.
UW-Whitewater marched down the field on the next drive as Thomas had a pair of big plays to open the possession. He registered an 11-yard scamper on the first play and hauled in a 29-yard catch to set up UWW at the Wheaton 29. A couple of 13-yard gains on a Coates reception and Alijah Maher-Parr run had the Warhawks enjoying first and goal from the two. Ogden crossed the line with a big push from the offensive line for a 14-7 UWW lead.
Wheaton continued the scoring flurry with a 55-yard touchdown pass to tie the game once again before the end of the quarter. The Thunder owned the second quarter adding two more scores while the Wheaton defense held the Warhawks off the board. WC scored on a 44-yard and 18-yard receptions to take a 28-14 lead at the intermission.
UW-Whitewater came out of the locker room determined. The Warhawks needed just four plays to narrow the gap with Ogden hitting Coates for a 50-yard score on the first drive.
The UWW defense held, and Mason Stepanski burst around the end of the line to block the punt on fourth-and-nine. The kick caromed out of bounds just four yards from the line of scrimmage after Stepanski got a piece of it to bring the Warhawk offense back out at the UWW 43. The Thunder defense held forcing a three-and-out, but the Warhawk coaching staff had a nifty play call on fourth. The punt team initially lined up but sprinted off the field as the offense came on forcing the Thunder to call a timeout early in the half. Hutt came on to punt after the brief break in play and his 29-yard punt hit the back of a Thunder special teams player. Karsten Libby jumped on the live ball and out came the Warhawk offense with fantastic field possession at the Wheaton 23.
This time, UW-Whitewater capitalized as Ogden hit Tyler Vasey for 14 yards. Thomas took the handoff up the middle for five yards before hauling in a dart from Ogden from the four-yard line to tie the game 28-28.
A pair of punts wrapped up the third quarter, but the Warhawks added on the first play of the fourth. Ogden dropped back and went deep down the middle hitting Coates in stride as two defenders upended each other leaving Coates with a wide-open view of the endzone. The 56-yard touchdown gave UWW a 35-28 lead.
The Thunder responded with a huge 48-yard run off the right side of the line to open their next drive. A few plays later, Wheaton receiver Ben Bonga made a great diving catch in the endzone from 14-yards out to even the game, 35-35, with 12:27 to go.
UWW went 65-yards in 10 plays to reclaim the lead as Thomas tallied his second receiving touchdown of the game, this one from six yards out. Egon Hein brought the offense right back onto the field with an interception on Wheaton’s next play. His 20-yard return set up UWW at the Wheaton 20. The handoff went to Thomas and he burst through the line and up the middle for a 20-yard score on the very next play to give UW-Whitewater a two-touchdown lead, 49-35.
Wheaton did not fold – marching 67-yards on 10 plays to pull within seven with less than four minutes left.
The Warhawks top hands crew went out for the probably onside kick. The call was right and Vasey reined in the bouncing kick at the Wheaton 47-yard line. A few plays later, facing third-and-four, a facemask penalty on Wheaton extended the Warhawk drive. UWW ended up turning the ball over on downs despite a personal foul call on the fourth down play giving Wheaton 21 seconds to drive 96 yards.
On the first play, a short completion was followed by a series of laterals for a 41-yard gain leaving enough time for one last play. Gallagher broke up the deep ball to seal the win.
Ogden was 15-25 for 239 yards and four passing touchdowns. He added 73 rushing yards and another touchdown. Coates led the receiving corps with 169 yards on eight catches including a pair of scores. Thomas averaged eight-yards a carry with 224 on 28 attempts.
Joey Antonietti led the defense with 11 tackles. Cole Yocum had UWW’s lone sack of the day. Gallagher ended up with three passes broken up and a quarterback hurry to go along with nine tackles.
Update 11/25 @ 6:45 p.m.: The men took the gold medal vs. Columbia, 81-45.
Editor’s note: The following press release was issued on Wednesday, November 22. The following is the status of the competition since that date:
Men’s: On Wednesday the team defeated Chile by a score of 88 to 14 in the quarterfinal. On Friday they defeated Argentina in the semifinal, 88 to 54. The team will compete versus Columbia at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the gold medal match.
Women’s: On Thursday in the semifinal the team defeated Brazil by a score of 60 to 30. In the gold medal match versus Canada on Friday, USA took home the gold by a score of 62 to 56.
By the way, the image on the homepage is from a competition in 2021.
By Chris Lindeke
University Marketing and Communications
Five members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater family continue competition on a world stage this week as they represent Team USA wheelchair basketball at the Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile.
AJ Fitzpatrick and Talen Jourdan, current members of the Warhawk men’s wheelchair basketball team, and Jake Williams, a former Warhawk and current head coach of the men’s team, are members of the men’s team.
The Team USA men are 3-0 after group stage games and will play in a quarterfinal against Chile today [November 22] at 2:30 p.m. Central Time.
Williams, who earned a BSE in physical education in 2015, was a member of the gold medal winning Team USA at the 2022 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) World Championships and claimed gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and 2016 Rio Paralympics. He was a member of the 2019 team that won gold at the Parapan Games in Lima, Peru.
Jourdan is a senior studying general business, while Fitzpatrick is a sophomore majoring in human performance. Like Williams, Jourdan was a member of the 2022 IWBF World Championships gold medal team. Fitzpatrick is competing internationally for the first time after earning a spot on the Intercollegiate Division All-Rookie Team as a freshman at UW-Whitewater in 2022-23.
Josie DeHart and Rebecca Murray, who attended UW-Whitewater and competed for the Warhawk women’s wheelchair basketball team, will play for the women’s team. The U.S. women are also 3-0 after group play and will play in a semifinal against Brazil on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Central Time.
DeHart, who is originally from Fruita, Colorado, attended the university from 2018 to 2022 and earned a BSE in physical education.
Murray graduated in 2014 with a BSE in special education and has enjoyed a successful career in wheelchair basketball, having previously won Parapan medals in 2007 and 2011. In 2021, the Germantown native earned an ESPY Award for Best Athlete with a Disability in Women’s Sports.
All five athletes were selected to their teams by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee following selection camps over the summer in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
View the entire competition schedule here.
Fans can follow the games live by visiting the Parapan American Games webpage.
UW-Whitewater is recognized consistently for exceptional programming and outcomes for students with disabilities. The Warhawk men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams are club sports that compete nationally.
The Warhawk men’s team has won 13 national championships since 1982, while the women have claimed three national titles. Several of each program’s alums are Paralympic medalists.
Throughout her life as First Lady of Georgia and First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn Carter exemplified hope, warmth, and a steadfast commitment to doing all she could to address many of our society’s greatest needs. She was a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and wellness for all; and a supporter of the often unseen and uncompensated caregivers of our children, aging loved ones, and people with disabilities. Above all, the deep love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership, and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.
As a mark of respect for the memory of Rosalynn Carter, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions from November 25, 2023, until sunset, on the day of interment. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
Obituaries
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
Leo E. Wurzer, 65, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at his home. Leo was born on April 15, 1961 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Cyril and Shirley (McNeil) Wurzer. He grew up between Pleasant Prairie and Antigo, spending his childhood summers on his uncle’s farm where he discovered his love for all things tractors. Although he never had a farm of his own, he was able to partially fulfill his dream by working as a driver for Robin’s Trucking in Whitewater, WI in his last days and collecting miniature Tonka toys. He began his career … Read more
Lois Cummings, 99, of Fond du Lac, WI (formerly of Janesville, WI, Fort Atkinson, WI, Fountain Hills, AZ, and Green Valley, AZ) passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026 at the Meadows Senior Residence in Fond du Lac surrounded by family. Lois was born on February 17, 1927 in Fort Atkinson to Edward and Clarice (Roseth) Stevens. The middle child of 9 children, she attended Fort Atkinson schools and graduated in 1944. On September 11, 1948 Lois married Grant Cummings at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Delavan, WI. Together they had 3 children, Gary, Colleen (Tom) Sabel, and Patty (Paul) … Read more
Come celebrate William Kincaid’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30th at 1 pm at Trippe Lake Park Pavillion in Whitewater. He truly enjoyed gatherings where his favorite foods and music could be enjoyed with some of his closest friends and family. We will honor him by carrying on one of his favorite traditions. Please bring your own beverages and chairs. There is limited seating. See you all there!
Gladys Jean (Riley) Hildebrandt, age 89, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. Gladys was born on December 26, 1936, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Theresa Egnoski Riley. She was married to Walter Sobolik Sr., and later married James A. Hildebrandt in 1976. Gladys was a hardworking woman who spent her life caring for others. She worked in school kitchens, restaurants, factories, and cleaning services. She concluded her working career as a full-time nanny. In that role, she lovingly cared for Andrew, Daniel, and Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, who became part of her chosen family. Gladys is survived by her sons, Wally … Read more
WHITEWATER – Nan Rowley died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on September 4, 1935, in a little house on the prairie in the Town of Johnstown, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wayne L. Wilbur and Florence (McQuillen) Wilbur. Nan attended primary schools in the towns of Johnstown and Richmond and in the City of Whitewater. Nan graduated with honors from Whitewater City High School. On June 19, 1954, Nancy and Ken Rowley were united in marriage in Whitewater and went to live on the Rowley family farm in Richmond. Over the years, Nan served … Read more
Marion H. Gorniak (nee Pfeiffer), 74, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born on October 24, 1951, to the late Harvey and Loraine (nee Drifke) Pfeiffer in Fort Atkinson, WI. On June 2, 1969, she was united in marriage to Alan Gorniak. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and cooking, especially her rhubarb pies. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her. Those Marion leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Alan Gorniak; stepson, Alan Bauer; sister, Sue Ann Schultz, other relatives and friends. … Read more
Ruth Irene (Phelps) Justis, 88, of Appleton City, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, with her family by her side. Ruth was born June 3, 1937 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Charles and Ada Mae (Maly) Phelps. She joined the Marine Corps in 1956. During her time there, she met and married her husband, Forest Wayne “Wayne” Justis in 1957. They shared 62 years of marriage and to this union, 2 children, Charles and Dorene, were born. Ruth grew up in Whitewater, WI., the oldest of three children. Ruth graduated from … Read more
Dorothy C. Kau, age 101, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Fort Memorial Hospital. Dorothy was born on March 18, 1925 in Eagle on the family farm, the daughter of John and Katherine (Faestel) VonRueden. Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Palmyra High School. On May 21, 1949, Dorothy was united in marriage to Alvin E. Kau at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle and the Lord blessed their union with 8 children. Alvin and Dorothy enjoyed 50 years of marriage together until Alvin’s death in the year 2000. Dorothy enjoyed being a farm … Read more
Dorothy E. McCracken, 95, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Born on April 14, 1930, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Carl and Joyce Meyer, Dorothy grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School. She then worked for a photographer and hand painted his first colored portraits, until she got married. She and her first husband, Bernard Wafle, owned and operated a 179-acre dairy farm in Helenville, Wisconsin, for 25 years before relocating to Ocala, Florida, in 1979. Dorothy later married Earl McCracken, in Ocala, Fl. She also shared a special companionship later in life with … Read more
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