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“A Haunting in Venice”
Tuesday, January 9, 1 p.m.
(Mystery/Drama) Rated PG-13.
1 hour, 43 minutes (2023)
Agatha Christie’s celebrated sleuth Hercules Poirot, now retired and living in self imposed exile in Venice, reluctantly attends a Halloween séance in a “haunted” palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, Poirot is, once again, on the hunt.
Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh star.
Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
With the 72-hour extension in the filing deadline for Common Council seats having passed at 5 p.m. on Friday, January 5, the April 2 ballot has now been finalized. City Clerk Heather Boehm indicated that the candidates are as follows.
At large seat (Shown here in alphabetical order; the draw for placement on the ballot will be held on Monday, January 8.)
Greg Majkrzak, 1294 Tower Hill Pass
Keith Staebler, 542 E. Clay Street
Aldermanic District 2
Orin Smith, 901 W. Starin Rd., #502A
Aldermanic District 4
Brian Schanen, 441 S. Buckingham Blvd.
There will be no primary election for either the Common Council or the School Board. The general election will be held on April 2. As was previously announced on The Whitewater Banner, there are three candidates for two seats on the Whitewater Unified School District School Board.
The Whitewater Swim Team competed against Jefferson/Cambridge on Thursday, January 4th. The dogs battled their way to a victory by beating the Eagle/Jays. We are excited to get back into competition mode!
Best times of the night include:
Cruz Aranda – 200 freestyle (2:02.41) and the 100 butterfly (1:02.43) which also put him in the Top 10 of all time
Langdon Coburn – 50 freestyle (26.70).
David Enns – 100 breaststroke (1:35.03) and 100 freestyle (1:11.72).
Wyatt Esch – 200 freestyle with a 5 second time drop (2:36.80) and 100 Backstroke with a 11 second time drop (1:27.36). Wyatt gave it his all in the 50 Butterfly in the 200 Medley Relay for the first time.
Jack Hefty – 200 IM (2:28.21) and the 100 Breaststroke with a 3 second time drop (1:14.49).
Angel Kilar – 50 freestyle (36.30) and 100 freestyle (1:25.00).
Myles Morse – 500 freestyle (5:55.15). Myles had an impressive freestyle split in the 200 Medley with a time of 25.35.
Miles Nickelsburg – 200 IM (2:44.36).
Isaac Straight – 50 freestyle with a 4 second drop (42.68). He also competed in the 100 Breaststroke for the first time, and we are excited to see him compete more in this race!
Onyx Thompson – 500 freestyle had a lifetime best swim time of 7:38.72. Onyx had an impressive split in the 200 Medley with a time of 27.99.
The Whippets are up against Elkhorn and PSC at home on Tuesday, January 9. We hope to see you all there!
Article and Team Photo Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org
Action Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Walworth County Public Health. After that article is a press release on the same subject from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Walworth County Public Health Providing $5 Radon Test Kits with a Food Pantry Donation
Sixty Percent of Walworth County Homes Tested for Radon Had Higher Levels than the EPA Deems Safe
The Walworth County Division of Public Health is offering $5 radon test kits throughout Radon Action Month in January to anyone who donates a non-perishable food item. There is a limit of one kit per person. All food donations will go to the Walworth County Food and Diaper Bank.
Radon is an odorless, radioactive gas that is the nation’s second leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for roughly 20,000 deaths each year. Data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services indicates that about 6 in 10 homes in Walworth County have radon levels above the EPA’s recommended action limit. “January is the ideal time to see if your home has elevated radon as houses are closed up for the cold winter weather and we’re spending more time indoors,” said Walworth County Public Health Officer Erica Bergstrom.
Testing is offered locally through the Kenosha/Walworth Radon Information Center, funded through a Wisconsin Department of Health Services grant. Normally, the cost is $15 per kit.
The test kit includes a small vial that must be left open to the air in the lowest livable level of a home — usually the basement — for 48 to 96 hours. The vial is then capped and mailed to Accustar Labs, which generally provides the results via mail, email, or telephone within three days. Shipping and analysis of the kit are included in the $5 price.
Those whose homes test at an elevated level of radon are encouraged to contact the Kenosha/Walworth Radon Information Center for more information about mitigation options.
The reduced-price test kit offer is redeemable January 1 to 31, 2024, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building at 1910 County Rd. NN, Elkhorn. After that date the kits may be purchased at the same location for $15.
Visit the Walworth County Division of Public Health’s website for more information about radon.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
DHS Encourages Homeowners, Property Owners, and Child Care Centers to Test for Radon
Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall and leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers
During National Radon Action Month, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is encouraging home and building owners, along with child care providers, to test their buildings for radon.
Radon, an odorless, radioactive gas naturally present in the ground, is found across Wisconsin, and enters buildings through their foundations. Approximately one in 10 homes in our state have elevated radon levels.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s action level for safety is 4 picocuries per liter (4 pCi/L). Last March, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) enacted rule changes which require licensed family and group child care providers to test for radon and install a mitigation system if radon levels exceed the EPA action level.
“Reducing radon exposure is a top environmental health concern,” said Paula Tran, State Health Officer. “DHS applauds DCF for taking this important step toward protecting all Wisconsinites from exposure to radon by putting children, and their caretakers, first.”
This National Radon Action Month, DHS encourages all Wisconsinites to test their homes and business locations for radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and it is estimated to cause over 21,000 deaths each year in the United States. Approximately 962 of these deaths are in Wisconsin. High radon levels are especially dangerous for people who smoke; their risk of lung cancer is 10 times higher than non-smokers.
Fortunately, this cause of lung cancer is largely preventable, and the first step is to test your house, apartment, or business location for radon. The cost of mitigation can be a barrier for some families and businesses; Wisconsin residents can visit lowradon.org to find their Radon Information Centers (RIC) in Wisconsin or speak with local public health department radon experts by calling 888 LOW-RADON to discuss available options. Reduced-cost test kits are available through RICs and test kit promotions are happening throughout January.
Any house or building can be at risk for high radon levels, including apartments and commercial buildings. Landlords have a responsibility to provide safe living and working conditions to their tenants and should work with a certified radon testing and mitigation contractor to get started on addressing the issue for their tenants. DHS maintains a list of certified radon professionals that can provide radon measurement and mitigation, and encourages homeowners and property owners to prioritize using a certified contractor.
More information can be found at lowradon.org.
The image on the homepage “radon” by oparvez is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Editor’s note: The following announcement was provided by Marquette University.
Maddie Arnett of Whitewater, WI, has been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2023 semester at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Arnett is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology.
To make the Dean’s List, students must have earned at least 12 credits for the fall 2023 semester and have no disqualifying grades. The GPA threshold varies by college – for the College of Education and the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, undergraduate students must have at least a 3.7 to be named to the Dean’s List.
The undergraduate GPA requirement is 3.5 for the following colleges: the Diederich College of Communication, the College of Business Administration, the College of Health Sciences, the Opus College of Engineering and the College of Nursing. All other programs have a 3.75 GPA minimum.
Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university that draws over 7,600 undergraduate and 3,700 graduate and professional students from nearly all states and more than 60 countries. In addition to its nationally recognized academic programs, Marquette is known for its service learning programs and internships as students are challenged to use what they learn to make a difference in the world. Find out more about Marquette at marquette.edu.
HAPPY 75TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO RICHARD AND BEVERLY GROSSKREUTZ
They were married January 28th, 1949 in Palmyra, WI. They will be celebrating with family for this historic event. We our wishing them many more years of wedded bliss!
Editor’s note: The above announcement was submitted by Patrice and Steven Grosskreutz.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. We have a tradition of posting winter-related photos in January and here is the first of four featuring the downtown. This image is from a post card, probably from the 1960s before the old city hall was torn down. It is a popular view from across Cravath Lake, possibly taken from Hillside Cemetery. The bare branches make for a very artistic winter view.
Join us next week for another vintage winter scene of downtown Whitewater.
(5090PC, Whitewater Historical Society)
By Broderick P. Frye
Asst. Director of Sports Information
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s basketball team fended off a late push from UW-Oshkosh as they picked up the win in the WIAC opener.
The first half was a defensive battle, with neither team reaching the 30-point mark. The Titans had the lead in the beginning, but the Warhawks quickly bounced back and took the lead at the 17-minute mark and led the rest of the way.
The first half was a game of runs, with each team trying to take ahold of the contest. The Warhawks took an 8-point lead with a minute left, but two Titan field goals brought it within 4 at the break.
After a defensive first half, the offense came alive to start out the second. The Warhawks exploded and quickly gained their biggest lead of the night at the mid-point of the half. With 11-minutes on the clock, UW-Whitewater led 48-31. A few minutes later, Oshkosh closed the game back down after a 9-0 run of their own, making it a six-point game with five minutes left.
In the final minutes of the contest, the Warhawks fended off the Titans, keeping the game in their hands to finish out with their first conference win of the season, 62-53.
Miles Barnstable (Sheboygan, Wis./Howards Grove) led all scorers with 18 points. Barnstable also pulled down a game-high 8 rebounds. Trevon Chislom (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) finished with 14 points, and James Kelley (Milwaukee, WI/St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy) added in 13 of his own and pulled down 7 rebounds. Elijah Lambert (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine’s) (8) and James Barker (7) rounded out the Warhawk scoring. Barker also recorded 7 rebounds and 4 steals.
UW-Oshkosh was led by Will Mahoney with 16 points and 7 rebounds.
The Warhawks will return home for their next contest, taking on UW-Eau Claire on Saturday, January 6th at 5 p.m. The Blugolds fell to #24-ranked UW-Platteville, 74-69 in their WIAC opening game.
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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