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By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The Thursday, April 8 Whitewater Common Council meeting that was moved because of the previous Tuesday’s election resulted in final clarification of an ordinance on smoking in city parks and the announcement that the City is scheduled to receive $1.48 million of federal assistance as stipulated in the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). The meeting also included recognition of long-time council member Patrick Singer for his 14 years of service.
The issue of smoking in city parks has been confusing to citizens and even some council members for several years. The final resolution of the issue, which was almost not achieved due to one council member’s objections, will focus only on air-quality and health issues within 20 feet of a playground, skate park, or bleacher area as opposed to an earlier ordinance that applied to all city parks.
The issue of the $1.48 million dollars of additional federal funding came in a report from City Manager Cameron Clapper. HR 1319, or the ARP as it is known, was signed into law in mid-March. With a total authorized spending of $1.9 trillion it includes direct aid and economic stimulus funds for local governments. Reimbursed costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic along with economic stimulus funding for allowable “infrastructure improvements” are included.
ARP funding to cities like Whitewater is designated in “Section M” of the bill. That section includes nearly $220 billion of direct state and local government relief and stimulus funding which represents nearly 12% of the ARP’s total budget. More than half that amount ($130.2 billion) is designated specifically for counties, cities and other governments including the City of Whitewater.
City Manager Clapper’s report to the Common Council, based on information provided by the WI League of Municipalities, indicated the funding will be distributed in two different payments which will later be subject to audit. The first payment is expected to arrive by “mid-year.” The “League” cautioned that the US Treasury Department is still developing and issuing guidance on the 242-page legislation which “is expected take several months to complete.”
Eligible uses and restrictions on usage were highlighted in Clapper’s report. Eligible uses included replacement of lost city revenue attributed to COVID-19, reimbursement of premium pay attributed to the pandemic for essential city worker activities, and the cost of city emergency responses to the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. Investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure may also be approved.
Restrictions include the stipulation that funds “cannot be used to directly or indirectly offset tax reductions or delay a new tax or tax increase” and “funds cannot be deposited into any pension fund.”
Clapper cited the negative financial impact to the city-supported Aquatic Center as the best local example of COVID-19 impacts. The facility was closed for a time which impacted revenues and is still operating under a modified schedule and COVID-19 mandated restrictions.
Council member and former multiple-term Council President Patrick Singer was rewarded by a City Proclamation plus praise and applause from council members. He was first elected to the Common Council in April of 2007 and has recently run and been elected as one of the two council members elected by city-wide ballot as opposed to the remaining five who only receive votes from one city ward. Singer declined to run for reelection because of the increasing demands of his young family.
Box Score, Game 1: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/baseball/2021/11.htm
Box Score, Game 2: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/baseball/2021/12.htm
The No. 16 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team completed its four-game Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference road swing Tuesday afternoon, April 6, with a pair of wins at UW-Oshkosh.
The Warhawks (11-2 overall, 5-1 WIAC) took the first game of the doubleheader 6-5 in 11 innings, and finished the twin bill with a 9-5 triumph in Game 2.
The opener went into extra innings thanks to a late rally by the Titans (6-6, 4-2), who scored three times in the bottom of the eighth and once in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 5-5.
Pitcher Connor Moroder left the bases loaded in both the ninth and 10th innings to push the game to the 11th, when shortstop Nick Santoro singled home right fielder Jacob DeMeyer, who doubled down the left field line with two outs.
Moroder (2-0) pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the frame to secure the win.
Santoro collected two hits, one run scored and two runs batted in, while third baseman Sam Vomhof finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs. First baseman Donovan Brandl and catcher Ryan Norton each registered two hits, and Norton added one walk, one run scored and one RBI.
Starting pitcher Westin Muir struck out nine batters and allowed only one run over six innings. Muir, Ben Muscatello and Moroder combined to strand 14 base runners.
In Game 2, UW-Whitewater tallied three runs in the top of the first on an inside-the-park home run by Santoro and never trailed in the contest.
Pitcher Matt O’Sullivan improved to 4-0, surrendering two runs over seven innings with seven strikeouts. Kade Lancour pitched the eighth, and Brandl pitched around a two-out hit for a scoreless ninth.
DeMeyer reached base four times and totaled two hits, two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. Brandl and left fielder Matt Korman also plated runs for the Warhawks, who turned three double plays and didn’t commit an error in the game.
UW-Whitewater hosts UW-Oshkosh this Friday at 1 p.m. for a WIAC doubleheader at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium.
| Monday, April 5 at 3:00 pm Displacement, Nostalgia, and Hmong Homeland Politics: Hidden Legacies of America’s Secret War in Laos Nengher Vang, associate professor, History Join us via WebEx: https://uww.webex.com/uww/onstage/g.php?MTID=ee7dddf19ba5b8eee98315f27017ef7bc |
| After the Vietnam War, more than 100,000 Hmong have fled Laos to escape torture and persecution because of their role as America’s secret armies in its Cold War efforts in Laos from the early 1960s to 1975. Today, the United States is home to 300,000 Hmong Americans, 56,000 of whom are in Wisconsin. A conspicuous legacy, perhaps the most obvious, of the secret war in Laos is the resettlement of several hundred thousand Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic minorities as refugees to the United States after the Communist takeover in 1975. This, however, is not the only legacy of this war. In this talk, Dr. Vang will explore other hidden legacies of this war and show how, while most Hmong refugees have accepted America as their new home, many others, who have continued to feel displaced or alienated in America and to long for a return to the homeland, have continued to engage in homeland politics. Their homeland politics, in turn, has kept the fire of the secret war raging and led to a persistent but ultimately contradictory relationship between Hmong Americans and the U.S. government in the past five decades. |
Packersnews.com has an article about Rodgers’ preparation for his guest host role on Jeopardy: ‘A Once-in-a-Lifetime-Opportunity:’ 5 things to know ahead of Aaron Rodgers’ two-week run as Jeopardy host.
Jacob DeMeyer’s Highlight-Reel Catch (second inning of Game 1)
The No. 16 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team extended its win streak to eight games Wednesday with back-to-back victories over UW-La Crosse in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium.
The Warhawks (8-1 overall, 2-0 WIAC) claimed the opener by a 9-2 score before posting an 8-3 triumph in Game 2.
In Game 1, UW-Whitewater totaled 13 hits offensively and crossed the plate five times in the bottom of the first inning, and pitchers Westin Muir and Connor Spear combined to strand nine Eagle runners. Muir (3-0) scattered eight hits over seven innings, striking out six, and Spear tossed two scoreless innings in relief.
Right fielder Jacob DeMeyer finished 3-for-4 at the plate with one run scored and one run batted in and made a spectacular catch in foul territory to end the top of the second inning. He chased down a pop up near the Warhawk bullpen and, running full speed, crashed into and tumbled over the fence, hanging on for a highlight-reel play and the final out of the frame.
Left fielder Matt Korman tallied two hits and two RBIs, and third baseman Tucker Criswell reached base four times with two hits and two walks while scoring a pair of runs. Centerfielder Zach Campbell and first baseman Donovan Brandl collected two hits apiece.
Brandl, designated hitter Connor Moroder, shortstop Nick Santoro and catcher Ryan Norton also plated runs for UW-Whitewater.
In the nightcap, the UW-La Crosse (5-3, 0-2) took a 2-0 advantage through 2 1/2 innings before the Warhawks plated four runs in the bottom of the third, including a two-run home run by Korman, an RBI groundout by designated hitter Ian Drays and a run-scoring single by second baseman Sam Vomhof.
Vomhof drove home Santoro with another base hit in the bottom of the fifth, and Korman added two more insurance runs with another two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. In the eighth, third baseman Ben Wilkins plated Vomhof, who tripled to lead off the frame, on a sacrifice fly.
Korman and Vomhof combined for five of UW-Whitewater’s seven hits in the contest.
Matt O’Sullivan didn’t allow a run on the mound after the third, finishing with seven strikeouts in his seven innings pitched to improve to 3-0 on the year. Connor Moroder tossed the eighth and the ninth in relief.
The Warhawks visit UW-La Crosse for two more conference games this Friday starting at 1 p.m.
WHITEWATER, WI (03/31/2021)– Olivia Kraft, a native of Whitewater, WI, and student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, was one of seven Warhawks who were named Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Kwik Trip Athletes of the Week for their performances from March 22-28, 2021.
Matt O’Sullivan (Sugar Grove, Ill./Kaneland) of the baseball team is now a three-time WIAC Pitcher of the Week for his career. Paige Nierman (Hawthorn Woods, Ill./Stevenson) and Olivia Kraft (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community) are each two-time winners of the WIAC Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week in doubles. Nierman is a first-time honoree in singles.
First-time selections include Dwayne Ford (Racine, Wis./Case), the WIAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week, Kaleigh O’Brien (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge), the WIAC Softball Position Player of the Week, Kate Cleveland (DePere, Wis./Ashwaubenon), the WIAC Softball Pitcher of the Week, and Morgan McEntire (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral), the WIAC Gymnastics Specialist of the Week.
Baseball – Pitcher
Matt O’Sullivan (Sugar Grove, Ill./Kaneland), Senior
O’Sullivan tallied 17 strikeouts, tied for the second-most in one game in program history, and retired the first 13 hitters of the game via strikeout during the Warhawks’ 10-0 victory over Finlandia (Mich.) in seven innings on Friday at Prucha Field at Miller Stadium. He allowed only one hit in the contest, was perfect through 6 1/3 innings and faced the minimum number of batters (21) after UW-Whitewater turned a double play to end the seventh. He induced three groundouts and no flyouts, and did not allow a ball in play until there was one out in the top of the sixth inning. O’Sullivan’s performance helped the 18th-ranked Warhawks complete a 4-0 week.
Gymnastics – Specialist
Morgan McEntire (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral), Sophomore
McEntire tied for first on vault with a personal-record score of 9.550 to help UW-Whitewater to a 188.675-187.075 win at UW-La Crosse last Tuesday. Her new vault included a Yurchenko full, which she taught herself over the summer in the middle of the pandemic. Determined to learn the new vault and perform it this year, McEntire worked on the vault with only 20 days of team practice in the fall and over Thanksgiving and Christmas break in a new gym with no coaching due to capacity restrictions at her facility. She won the event Tuesday performing that vault for the first time this year.
Softball – Pitcher
Kate Cleveland (DePere, Wis./Ashwaubenon), Freshman
In three appearances last week, Cleveland posted a 2-0 record with a 0.93 earned run average and five strikeouts to help the Warhawks finish the week with a 6-0 record. She started the week Monday with a complete-game, 3-1 victory over nationally-ranked Carroll, allowing only one run on five hits without a walk. On Sunday, Cleveland allowed only one earned run on five hits and one walk in a complete-game, 8-2 triumph over Wisconsin Lutheran. She added a scoreless inning of relief in UW-Whitewater’s first game of a doubleheader on Saturday against Chicago.
Softball – Position Player
Kaleigh O’Brien (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge), Senior, First Base
O’Brien batted .867 (13-of-15) with four doubles, two home runs, an on-base percentage of .889 and a slugging percentage of 1.533 last week to help the Warhawks to a 6-0 record. She also didn’t commit an error in the field and tallied 55 putouts. In the team’s first game of the week, a 3-1 win over nationally-ranked Carroll on Monday, O’Brien finished 3-for-3 with one double and two runs scored. She finished the doubleheader with two more hits and one run scored in the nightcap. In UW-Whitewater’s doubleheader sweep over Chicago on Saturday, O’Brien finished 6-for-6 at the plate with three doubles, two homers, one walk, two runs scored and four runs batted in. One day later, she registered two more hits in UW-W’s 8-2 victory over Wisconsin Lutheran, and drew two walks and scored a run in the second game of the twin bill, a 17-0 Warhawk win in five innings.
Women’s Tennis – Singles
Paige Nierman (Hawthorn Woods, Ill./Stevenson), Senior, and Olivia Kraft (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community), Junior
Nierman and Kraft paired for an 8-2 triumph over Mackenzie Novak and Sydney Rott at No. 2 doubles to help the Warhawks to a 5-4 win over Bethel (Minn.) in a dual on Sunday in Eau Claire. The duo’s win was especially timely as UW-Whitewater dropped its other two doubles matches. Nierman and Kraft have combined for a 2-2 record so far this spring.
Women’s Tennis – Doubles
Paige Nierman (Hawthorn Woods, Ill./Stevenson), Senior, and Olivia Kraft (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community), Junior
Nierman and Kraft paired for an 8-2 triumph over Mackenzie Novak and Sydney Rott at No. 2 doubles to help the Warhawks to a 5-4 win over Bethel (Minn.) in a dual on Sunday in Eau Claire. The duo’s win was especially timely as UW-Whitewater dropped its other two doubles matches. Nierman and Kraft have combined for a 2-2 record so far this spring.
Men’s Track
Dwayne Ford (Racine, Wis./Case), Junior
In the team’s first outdoor meet of the season, Ford posted a personal-record 10.63 seconds in the 100-meter dash to win the event Saturday at the Warhawks’ Spring Opener at Rex Foster Track. His time currently leads NCAA Division III by seven-hundredths of a second and topped his previous career best of 10.67 set at the 2019 WIAC Outdoor Championships. Ford also helped UW-Whitewater’s 4×100-meter relay team tally the nation’s No. 3 time of 42.12 seconds. He is a two-time All-American in the relay event.
For more than 150 years, UW-Whitewater has provided students with the education and training to begin their careers with a solid foundation behind them. The UW-Whitewater is committed to the development of the individual, the growth of personal and professional integrity and respect for diversity and global perspectives. These are met by providing academic and co-curricular programs that emphasize the pursuit of knowledge and understanding and a commitment to service within a safe and secure environment.
A reader who suggested not to use their name shared this photo of crocuses (alternatively, croci) which was taken on March 28. They titled it, “Surprised by Spring on Main Street,” and said the sight “totally surprised” them while walking their dog.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com or click on “submit a story” near the top right of our homepage. Thanks for thinking about this!
Game 1 Box Score: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/softball/2021/sb13.htm
Game 2 Box Score: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/softball/2021/sb14.htm
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team extended its win streak to seven games Sunday afternoon with consecutive victories over Wisconsin Lutheran in a non-conference doubleheader at van Steenderen Softball Complex.
The Warhawks (10-4 overall) took the opener, 8-2, before ending the second game by run rule after five innings by a 17-0 score.
In Game 1, pitcher Kate Cleveland allowed only one earned run in her complete-game win, scattering five hits over seven innings with three strikeouts to improve to 4-2 on the season.
UW-Whitewater broke a 2-2 tie with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to a solo home run by centerfielder Meghan Dunning and a two-run single up the middle by shortstop Sophia Kinjerski.
The Warhawks plated two more in the fifth on a run-scoring double to right center by Dunning and a Warrior error. Pinch hitter Kendall Klatt knocked a solo homer down the left field line with one out in the sixth to add to the lead.
Kinjerski finished 2-for-4 in the game with three runs batted in, and Dunning posted two hits, two runs scored and two RBIs. First baseman Kaleigh O’Brien continued her success at the plate with two hits.
In the second game, UW-Whitewater totaled 12 hits and took advantage of four errors by Wisconisn Lutheran (6-8).
The Warhawks plated eight runs in the bottom of the second inning to break the game open, punctuated by a three-run homer to left center by Dunning. Right fielder Taylor Briehl also homered for UW-W, sending a two-run shot out to left field in the third inning and finishing 2-for-2 with two runs scored and three RBIs.
Right fielder Vera Pflugradt posted two hits, two runs scored and one RBI, and Dunning collected two hits, two runs scored and three RBIs. Left fielder Krista Sbarra registered one hit, one walk, two runs scored and one RBI.
Kathryn Kinsella tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing four hits and a pair of walks while striking out three. She earned her first career win with the performance.
UW-Whitewater begins Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition April 8 at UW-Stevens Point. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 2 p.m.
Obituaries
Michael “Mike” J. Higgins, age 69, a lifelong resident of Whitewater, passed away May 13, 2025, at home. He was born May 15, 1955, in Fort Atkinson, the son of Merwyn “Mert” and Mary Ann (Krause) Higgins. He attended Whitewater schools and was a long-time mechanic at Fero’s Auto Repair, enjoying lunches at Rick’s at his reserved table. He retired after many years of service of the Whitewater Fire and Rescue Departments as Chief. He enjoyed spending time up north at his property hunting. He leaves behind long-time love of his life, Jody Buckingham and kids, Sherry (Al Jr.) Lemke … Read more
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Susan (Sue) Rhoda Schlough (nee Smith) was born August 11, 1936, in Barron, WI to Daniel and Ella Smith. The second of six siblings born during the Depression years, family-life was a meager and frugal experience, where Sue gained first-hand experience in making best use of all resources to meet the needs of a large family, which served her well in other life endeavors. During Sue’s teenage years, three significant events occurred that would become the foundation of her life’s work and dedication. The first of these events was choosing to become a Methodist, joining her local First United Methodist … Read more
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Jerry Wayne “Gorbs” GorbyDecember 8, 1942 – May 4, 2025 Jerry Wayne Gorby, affectionately known as “Gorbs,” passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 8, 1942, in Washington, Pennsylvania, Jerry brought joy, humor, and boundless energy to all who knew him. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Carolyn Gorby, his daughters Tricia Gorby and Tina Jones (Paul Jones), and his treasured grandchildren: Ciara, Sydney, and Donovan Jones, and Aysha and Kai Knoot. He was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Harold Gorby, and his brother, Douglas … Read more
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Mary Karen Erikson, 83, of Eagle, WI passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at her home. Karen was born on February 10, 1942 in Lafayette, Indiana the daughter of Richard and Neta (McGuire) Stockholm. She moved to Wisconsin with her family and graduated from Whitewater High School. Karen continued her schooling at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater where she obtained a degree in Education. After undergraduate school, Karen obtained her Master’s in Education from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Karen worked at Mukwonago High School for over 30 years as a math teacher, retiring in 1998. … Read more
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Janice Kay Brokmeier of Fort Atkinson, formerly of Whitewater, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025, at Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek. Jan was born on June 7, 1942, in Stanford, Illinois to James Lloyd Smith and Eithel Amelia Ingram Smith. Jan moved to Wisconsin in December of 1955 with her parents and three of her brothers. She graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1960. Jan met Robert Joseph Brokmeier on March 13, 1958. Shortly after they met, they were married on August 26, 1961, at the First United Methodist Church in Whitewater. They had three children and resided … Read more
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Dean Chris Dunne, 69, Fort Atkinson, formerly of Whitewater passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at Alden Estates in Jefferson, WI. Dean was born on May 4, 1955 in Chicago, IL to Chris and Ann (Wagner) Dunne. He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1973. Dean enjoyed fishing, camping and was a good water-skier in the day. He and his family moved to Las Vegas in 1980. Dean worked in property maintenance in Las Vegas for over 20 years. He is survived by his children Nicholas (Amber) Dunne, Fort Atkinson, Linsey (Scott) Angione, Las Vegas, Chris (Kristyn) Dunne, Las … Read more
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Kenneth Dale Semrau, 74, of Whitewater, passed away April 26, 2025, in Winterhaven, Fl. Kenneth was born to Donna and Garhart Semrau on February 6th, 1951, in Marinette, WI. Kenneth married Kristy Pfeifer on May 6, 1972. They had two beautiful children Chad and Nicole and five wonderful grandchildren and lots of fur-babies. That made his world complete. Ken retired from Nestle in 2012 and enjoyed retirement by spending his summers at Riverbend Resort in Watertown, WI and the winter in Winterhaven, FL. “Kenny G.” was known for his loving and playful personality. His family was always first and foremost. … Read more
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Bruce E. LaBansky, 75, Whitewater died on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Alden Estates in Jefferson, WI. Bruce was born on November 28, 1949 in Sauk County, WI to Clarence and Velma (Nelson) LaBansky. He graduated from Mount Horeb High School and received his bachelor’s degree from UW Stevens Point. Faith, family and friends were very important to him. Bruce moved to Whitewater in 1980 where he raised his 3 sons Nelsen, Nathanial, and Nicholas. Bruce was an avid golfer, an outdoorsman with an impressive knowledge of all things nature, a sports fan (particularly the Bucks, Brewers and Packers). Family … Read more
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Dr. Holly J. Humphrey November 28, 1956 – April 17, 2025 Holly J. Humphrey, MD, MACP, led the Pritzker School of Medicine through a period of transformative growth that saw the school rise to a place among the nation’s elite institutions of medical education, emerge as a powerhouse of scholarship and discovery, and become a pioneer in efforts to diversify the field of medicine. One of the nation’s most prominent and innovative leaders in medical education, her voice and influence made an immeasurable impact on the field and countless mentees throughout her career. Dr. Humphrey, who served for 15 years as Pritzker’s … Read more
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John Rivers, 61, of Whitewater, WI, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at his home after a short battle with cancer, with his wife by his side. Born on March 10, 1964, in Milwaukee, WI, to Bernie and MaryAnne (Sommers) Rivers Jr., John lived a life defined by perseverance and purpose. A 1982 graduate of East Troy High School, John spent more than 30 years as a dedicated truck driver. One of his proudest accomplishments came later in life when, at the age of 50, he returned to school and earned his bachelor’s degree while continuing to work full … Read more
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