News & Events

William Hofmann of Whitewater has been named to the Deans’ List at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the fall semester of the 2023-24 academic year.

Hofmann, a sophomore majoring in advertising and public relations, was named to the Dean’s List for the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.

More than 6,800 students at Nebraska were named to the Deans’ List for the fall semester.

Qualification for the Deans’ List varies among the eight undergraduate colleges and the Explore Center. Listed below are the minimum requirements for each entity and the name of its respective dean or director. All qualifying grade-point averages are based on a four-point scale and a minimum number of graded semester hours. Students can be on the Deans’ List for more than one college.

• College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 3.75; Dean Tiffany Heng-Moss.
• College of Architecture, 3.75; Dean Kevin G. Van Den Wymelenberg.
• College of Arts and Sciences, 3.7; Dean Mark E. Button.
• College of Business, 3.6; Dean Kathy Farrell.
• College of Education and Human Sciences, 3.75; Acting Dean Nicholas J. Pace.
• College of Engineering, 3.5; Dean Lance C. Perez.
• College of Journalism and Mass Communications, 3.7; Dean Shari Veil.
• Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, 3.7; Dean Andy Belser.
• Explore Center for undeclared, pre-engineering, pre-health and pre-law students, 3.6; Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Undergraduate Education Amy Goodburn.

Ashley K Wasser, 39, of 1226 W Florence St, #13,Whitewater, has been charged with burglary of a building or dwelling, a felony.

Harling Gamez Rodriguez, 24, of 424 W. Forest Avenue, Whitewater, has been charged with possession of narcotic drugs, a felony.

Gage D Fritz, 17, of W9245 Stader Road, Whitewater, has been charged with possession of narcotic drugs, with a modifier of possession of a controlled substance on or near certain places [a felony]; possession of tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), possession of a controlled substance on or near certain places; and possession of drug paraphernalia [misdemeanors.]

Joshua T Hacht, 20, of 1563 W Wildwood Rd, #3, Whitewater, has been charged with possession of narcotic drugs, with a modifier of possession of a controlled substance on or near certain places [a felony]; possession of tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), possession of a controlled substance on or near certain places; and possession of drug paraphernalia [misdemeanors].

Editor’s note: These cases have not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendants are presumed innocent of all charges.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Whitewater Unified School District.

Whitewater High School (WHS) Players will be presenting Thornton Wilder’s American Classic Our Town, February 29 – March 3, 2024 in the newly named James M. Stewart Auditorium. This timeless drama is about life in the small New Hampshire town of Grover’s Corners.   This Pulitzer Prize-winning play is considered by many to be the greatest American play ever written. This show has something for all ages.

As a part of this event, the Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) invites the community to the dedication of the high school’s auditorium to long-time WUSD school board member James (Jim) M. Stewart. The dedication will take place Saturday, March 2, at 5:30 p.m., before the performance. 

Stewart was elected to the WUSD School Board in 1981 and served for [a total of] nearly 27 years. He continued to serve until his passing in November 2021. During his tenure on the board, he served as board president for six years, vice president for two years, and treasurer for six years. Jim’s legacy extends far beyond the boardroom, as he impacted the lives of countless students, parents, and educators alike through his service. 

“Jim left an indelible mark on our community and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of students and families,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent. “Having the community come together in Jim’s honor is a great way to memorialize his legacy and celebrate the time, energy, and passion that he gave to the betterment of our students. It will surely be a special day for our school district community.”

The production of Our Town is being sponsored by a generous contribution from the Coburn family and is under the direction of Jim McCulloch and technical direction of Kat Dunham. Cast members include: Marina Linos, A’lani Ross, Brooke Mason, Payton Bunger, David Enns, Alex Clarksen, Taylor Speerbrecher, Haley Keltesch, Sam Nickelsburg, Hayleigh Pond, Deven Bawden, Chacha Binagi, Ava Van Daele, Ayden Clark, Grace Coleman, Esteban Diaz-Gallegos, Willow Vogelzang and Alex Sullivan.

Students working behind the scenes as stage managers, customers and set builders include: Kara Long, Gabi Kirley, Alexsa Cansino-Pena, Matt Zingsheim, Ace Hudec, Ava Nygren, Lucy Troxel, Miles Nickelsburg, Taiya Kolb, Rae Breisath, Kayla Mikos, Josh Nygren, Payton Peacock and Sami Van Daele.

In the true spirit of Our Town, WHS Players has partnered with the Whitewater Historical Society to present Streets of Whitewater. A detailed collection of historic photographs, rarely-seen artifacts, and stories of the early days of our own town will be on display before each performance. So, come early and experience a bit of our heritage.

Performances of Our Town will be held at Whitewater High School, in the James M. Stewart Auditorium, located at 534 S. Elizabeth Street, on February 29 – March 2 at 7:00 p.m. and March 3 at 2:00 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and can be purchased at the door or by calling the box office at 262-472-8178.  The house will open one hour prior before performance.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. In past years, February posts have often centered around the fire that destroyed Old Main in February of 1970. In thinking about the loss of Old Main, the loss of other historic buildings in Whitewater come to mind. So, this month, we will present “Gone, but not forgotten.”

Our first images are from Old City Hall, built in 1899 on the corner of Center and Whitewater Streets and demolished in August of 1971. The images were taken just before demolition of the building and show the main staircase. The demolition of old city hall was controversial, but many felt the building could not be economically renovated. A new police and fire station was built in the late 1960s and the basement was used for city offices until 1997, when the administrative addition was built.

Join us again next week for more “gone but not forgotten” photos.

(2426P and 2427P, Whitewater Historical Society)

NEWARK, DE — Sophie Olson of Whitewater has been named to the University of Delaware Dean’s List for the Fall 2023 semester.

To meet eligibility requirements for the Dean’s List, a student must be enrolled full-time and earn a GPA of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale) for the semester.

Updated 2/2/24 @ 12:10 a.m.: Per WISN 12 News, “Family identified them [the victims] as 33-year-old Emerson Weingart and 37-year-old Gina Weingart. Relatives told WISN 12 News Gina tended bar there on Wednesday nights, and Emerson would come and sit with her while she worked. Emerson Weingart’s father said the two just got married this summer.”

Updated 2/2/24 @ 12:55 p.m.: Contact information provided for anyone having tips about the case. Also added that the surname of the owner of the establishment is Barr.

According to a press release from the City of Elkhorn Police Department, “On Thursday, February 1, 2024, at approximately 12:11 a.m., the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call for a report of shots fired and a person down inside the Sports Page Barr, located at 29-1/2 S. Wisconsin Street, Elkhorn. Officers from the Elkhorn Police Department and Walworth County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched and upon arrival discovered the bodies of a male and female inside the bar, who had suffered fatal gunshot wounds.

Identities of the victims are being withheld, pending notification of next of kin.

The incident is currently under investigation and there is no further information available at this time.”

Per 620 WTMJ, “Elkhorn Police Chief Joel Christensen says neither of the two victims in the shooting is the suspect.” The perpetrator is reportedly still at large.

Law enforcement are investigating the incident as a homicide and are asking anyone with information to call the Elkhorn Police Department at 262-723-2210, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 262-723-2677, or electronically by using P3 Tips, at www.p3tips.com.

Editor’s note: The Sports Page Barr is located in the same building as the Nickel Plate Hotel, and the establishment’s name does use the name “Barr.” The owner’s surname is Barr.