News & Events

Gustav Holst’s The Planets is a monument of the early twentieth century, and our March concert includes two orchestras performing at the same time! The LGSO joins forces with the incredibly gifted musicians of the University of Whitewater Symphony Orchestra, and this special collaboration will take place at Young Auditorium in what will be a not-to-be missed event for the entire region. In addition, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Vaughan Williams, will feature the string sections of both orchestras.

Saturday, March 16, 7:30 p.m. – Young Auditorium, 930 W. Main Street, Whitewater
Tickets: Priority reserved $50; General admission $20; High school and university students are free
Tickets may be purchased online here. There is a $2 surcharge for tickets purchased at the door.

Editor’s note: The following notice was provided by the city clerk.

NOTICE VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOT – APRIL 2, 2024

Any qualified elector who is unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place on Election Day may submit a request to
vote an absentee ballot to their municipal clerk. A qualified elector is any U.S. citizen who: will be 18 years of age or
older on Election Day and has resided in the ward or municipality where they wish to vote for at least 28 consecutive
days before the election. The elector must also be registered to vote to receive an absentee ballot. Proof of
identification must be provided before an absentee ballot may be issued.* Refer to www.myvote.wi.gov for more
information

Making application to receive an absentee ballot by mail
Contact your municipal clerk and request that an application for an absentee ballot be sent to you for the primary or
election or both. You may make written application to your municipal clerk for an absentee ballot in person, by mail, by
fax, by email or at MyVote.wi.gov.
Your written request must include: your voting address within the municipality where you wish to vote, the address
where the absentee ballot should be sent, if different from the address above, your signature and copy of your photo
identification*. Refer to www.myvote.wi.gov for more information.

The deadline for making application to receive an absentee ballot by mail is: 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024.

*Voters who are indefinitely confined due to age, illness, infirmity, or disability may not be required to provide photo ID.
If this applies to you, contact the municipal clerk regarding deadlines for requesting and submitting an absentee ballot.

**Special absentee voting application provisions apply to electors who are indefinitely confined, in the military,
hospitalized, or serving as a sequestered juror. If this applies to you, contact the municipal clerk regarding deadlines for
requesting and submitting an absentee ballot.

Voting an absentee ballot in person
You may also request and vote an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office or other specified location during the days and
hours specified for casting an absentee ballot in person. Refer to www.myvote.wi.gov for more information.

Municipality Clerk
City of Whitewater Heather Boehm
262-473-0102
312 W Whitewater St
Whitewater
Mon – Fri 8 am–4:30 pm

The first day to vote an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office is: Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
The last day to vote an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office is: Friday, March 29, 2024
No in-person absentee voting may occur on the day before the election. The municipal clerk will deliver voted ballots returned
on or before Election Day to the proper polling place or counting location before the polls close on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Any
ballots received after the polls close will not be counted. Refer to www.myvote.wi.gov for more information.

Editor’s note: Photos and report courtesy of Tom Ganser

The Whitewater High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) sponsored a donkey basketball night on March 7. There were two games, each having two 8 minute halves.  

Game One 
WHS staff in light blue vs East Troy HS FFA in green.
WHS = 12  East Troy = 8

Game Two 
WHS FFA in purple vs Milton HS FFA in pink
WHS = 6  Milton = 4

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Public Library.

Winter sowing is a way to start flower and vegetable seeds outside during winter using little greenhouses made from milk jugs. It is an easy and inexpensive way to grow many seedlings that can be transplanted into your garden when the weather gets warmer, no hardening off required. You can also use the same technique during Spring and Summer to get even more seedlings to transplant.

In this workshop with Linda Holmes, all the materials will be provided. The community is invited to attend on Tuesday, March 19 at 5:30 p.m. After you make your own little greenhouse, you will fill it with soil, plant the seeds of your choice, water it, and tape it shut. Then you will take it home, leave it outside and wait for the exciting results.

The presentation will be held in the library’s Community Room located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. There is no cost or registration. This program is for adults; teens are welcome with a participating adult. For additional information, visit the library’s website at www.whitewaterlibrary.org or call 262-473-0530.

According to a press release from UW-Milwaukee dated March 11, “The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee announced today that its UWM at Waukesha campus will close after the Spring 2025 semester in response to a directive from the Universities of Wisconsin. [This follows the news last fall that UW-Milwaukee at Washington County and UW-Oshkosh, Fond du Lac campuses would end in-person instruction by June 2024. Another campus, UW-Platteville-Richland had previously suspended in-person classes and will close.] This also means closing the College of General Studies and ending its associate degree offerings at that time. Declining enrollment, shifting demographics and budgetary constraints led UWM to re-evaluate the best pathway for delivering higher education in Waukesha County.

As part of this transition, UWM and Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) jointly announced plans to develop the UWM University Center at WCTC. The University Center model ensures that students in Waukesha County can obtain a high-quality associate degree from WCTC at a low cost and then seamlessly continue a four-year degree with UWM. It also allows UWM to continue offering affordable higher education in Waukesha County through bachelor’s degree completion and graduate-level offerings.”

In response to the above news, UW-W Chancellor Corey A. King issued the following statement:

UW-Whitewater community,

Today, UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone announced the university’s branch campus in Waukesha will close after the spring 2025 semester. This news naturally raised questions about other branch campuses in Wisconsin.

Earlier this academic year, I composed a message that detailed the multiple successes we’ve achieved, as well as our plan to drive growth and evolve UW-Whitewater at Rock County.

I want to reassure our entire Warhawk community — and especially our students and colleagues at the Rock County campus — our plan has not changed.

The positive enrollment trajectory, vibrancy of academic and co-curricular programs, and strong ties to the community of the Rock County campus make it not only viable, but integral to the region.

I’ll conclude by reaffirming our commitment to investing in our branch campus. The future of URock is bright. And we will continue to provide transformational educational experiences in the Rock County region.

Sincerely,
Corey A. King
Chancellor

Whitewater Fire and EMS, in conjunction with the City of Whitewater Parks and Public Works Departments, will be conducting a controlled burn of several sub units inside the Effigy Mounds Preserve Property on Wednesday, March 13th 2024.

This training opportunity is a dual-purpose event. Conducting live fire exercises in a controlled environment gives our firefighters the experience needed to perform their job functions safely and efficiently when called to an emergency. All of the tools, strategies, and tactics used in a prescribed fire can be applied to suppression activities when we are called to duty in an emergency. Moreover,
the application of prescribed fire will help control invasive plant species and reduce timber litter. Not only does this make the park a pleasant spot for everyone to enjoy, it also reduces the amount of dead vegetation/fuel load to help reduce the chance of a significant fire occurring on the property.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a mild east wind, which should minimize impact to surrounding homes and ensure the fire is kept under control. However, there will be visible smoke/odor in the area. Conditions will be monitored throughout the burn to ensure safety for the surrounding properties and homes. While the road will remain open, please avoid the area on Indian Mound Parkway if possible, as we will have apparatus parked on the road, and firefighters operating about the area. The park will be closed to the public during the burn.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the City of Whitewater Fire & EMS. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the photo on the homepage by M Barnett from Pixabay. The controlled burn shown is not in Whitewater.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Khalil King, 19, was charged on March 12 with armed robbery with threat of force, a Class C felony, in connection with a police report from the BP Station on February 20 at 9:06 p.m. It was indicated that a male entered the gas station, located at 1138 W. Main Street, displayed a facsimile (replica) firearm, and demanded a pack of cigars. The suspect fled in a vehicle. Just over an hour later, officers took King into custody without incident at Knilans Hall on the UW-Whitewater campus. He was released on a $10,000 signature bond with a cash payment of $2000.

According to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, King’s residence is in Madison. However, on February 22 a search warrant was issued for a room at Knilans Hall. As of March 12, per the UW-W directory, Khalil King was enrolled as a freshman student majoring in psychology.

Upon conviction, a Class C felony is punishable by up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, or both.

Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.

The highly anticipated Fremont St/Rd reconstruction project is set to begin in April, with private utilities currently relocating in preparation for the project. As part of the preparations, WE Energies is installing a new gas main along the route. It is important to note that although private utility construction has commenced, street construction has not yet begun. The street will remain open to traffic during this phase of the project.

As shown above, the section of Fremont Street from Starin Road to Lauderdale Drive will be reconstructed. Fremont Road from Lauderdale Drive to Whitewater Creek will be pulverized and repaved.

Local residents and commuters are advised to stay tuned for further details as the project gets underway. The Fremont St reconstruction project aims to improve infrastructure and enhance the safety and efficiency of the roadway for all users.

For more information and updates on the Fremont St reconstruction project, please visit www.whitewaterwi.gov or contact 262-473-0101.