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Today is Tuesday, May 12, 2026
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According to the Rock County Public Works website, the closure for paving and culvert replacement on County Highway N, which extends from the western end of Walworth Street, is now expected to continue through October 20. Originally this project was planned to be completed by August 31, with the completion date subsequently being delayed to September 29, and most recently, October 13.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation website still projects that the Highway 12 reconstruction between Whitewater and Fort Atkinson is anticipated to be completed on November 3. Originally it was indicated that work might be continuing until sometime in December.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Esmoth from Pixabay.
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team heads to UW-River Falls to take on the league-leader this Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. | Game Notes PDF
IN THE POLLS
UWW: #7 D3football.com (down four spots) / #11 American Football Coaches Association (down eight)
UWRF: #4 D3football.com (up one) / #4 AFCA (up one)
LAST TIME OUT
The Warhawks fell to UW-La Crosse 37-34 on a field goal as time ran out last week. UWW came back from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to knot the game 34-34 with just under six minutes left, but a late drive for the Eagles set up the game-winning field goal.
Alec Ogden (Marshall, Wis./Monona Grove) was 10-16 for 154 yards and a pair of passing touchdowns. He added 72 yards and two more scores on the ground. Alijah Maher-Parr (Wauwatosa, Wis./Arrowhead) was responsible for 177 of the team’s 427 yards of offense. The running back went for 113 yards on seven carries with a rushing touchdown and added a single reception for a 64-yard score.
Defensively, Joey Antonietti (La Grange, Ill./Lyons Township) led the Warhawks for the second consecutive week with 14 tackles including seven solo. Hawk Heffner (Grafton, Wis./Grafton) and Kyle Koelblinger (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) joined Antonietti in double digits with 12 and 11 tackles respectively.
Kamrin Hutt (Schaumburg, Ill./Maine West) had a career game in special teams play. In his first time punting for UWW, Hutt averaged 37.8 yards per punt with a long of 50 yards. He pinned the Eagles inside the 20 on one of his five boots. On the other side of special teams, Hutt got to the Eagles’ punter blocking a kick late in the game to set up UW-Whitewater with a short field.
UW-River Falls scored early and often in a 49-7 win at Eau Claire last week. The Falcons posted 14 points in each of the first three quarters, adding another touchdown in the fourth.
Kaleb Blaha is UWRF’s dominant offensive threat. He was 27-37 for 288 yards and four touchdown passes against the Blugolds. The quarterback added 99 yards on 24 rushing attempts with a TD.
Three Falcon defenders posted six tackles in the contest. Andrew Schumacher posted a solo sack for a loss of 16 yards. Cade Schmidt registered a 53-yard pick-six to lead River Falls.
ON THE AIR
Saturday’s game will air live online on the WIAC Network on the UW-River Falls portal. The contest can be heard on 105.9 FM The Hog in the Whitewater area, or online at www.1059thehog.com.
SERIES
This is the 65th meeting between the Warhawks and Falcons. UWW leads the all-time series by over 20 wins and currently holds a 20-game win streak over the Falcons.
The Whippet Swimmers took on Delavan-Darien on Tuesday, October 10th. The Whippets took home a big win beating the Comets 108 to 56 and placing 1st in every event on the night.
1st place finishes include:
Medley Relay: (Maggie Maas, Emerson Dunham, Makayla Bazeley, Charlotte Hajewski) – 2:15.36
200 FR: Charlotte Hajewski – 2:27.93
200 IM: Makayla Bazeley – 2:18.30
50 FR: Lucy Davis – 33.35
100 FLY: Charlotte Hajewski – 1:21.87
100 FR: Makayla Bazeley – 56.92
500 FR: Emerson Dunham – 6:05.31
200 FR Relay: (Atreya Wilson, Georgia Esch, Payton Peacock, Lucy Davis) – 2:17.44
100 Backstroke: Maggie Maas – 1:18.85
100 Breaststroke: Emerson Dunham – 1:24.29
400 FR Relay: (Makayla Bazeley, Maggie Maas, Charlotte Hajewski, Emerson Dunham) – 4:23.60
Impressive Time Drops Include:
All 500 FR Swimmers went best times on the night. Emerson Dunham (3 second drop), Lucy Davis (16 second drop), Zoe Zei (8 second drop).
All 200 FR Swimmers went best times. Charlotte Hajewski (2 second drop), Atreya Wilson (7 second drop), Payton Peacock (7 second drop)
Georgia Esch went 4 for 4 on best times. She had an impressive 7 second time drop in the 100 Fly and 3 second drop in the 100 Backstroke.
Sanibel Fox-Simes put up a nice relay split in 50 Freestyle.
The Whippets are up again next week Tuesday, October 17 at 5:30 p.m. against Beloit Memorial for their last dual meet of the season. Go Whippets!
Article and Photo Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org
During the first portion of the school year, the WHS Choirs have been singing about and thinking about the idea of community. We are thinking about the community that is our choir, our school, our city, our state, our nation, and our world. The songs featured at our Fall Concert are songs we sing as a community or are about the communities in which we live.
A part of living in a community is helping others. In order to do that, the WHS Choirs will be holding a Community Baby Shower. Donations of diapers and wipes will be accepted between now and next Wednesday, October 18th. All donations will be given to The Community Space in Whitewater.
Students, WUSD staff, and community members can drop off donations at the WHS Choir room or the WHS main office.
We will continue the collection at our Fall Concert on Wednesday, October 18th when we will have boxes ready for donations at the concert. The concert will be held at Whitewater High School in the auditorium at 7:00 pm.
Thank you in advance for any support you can give to this project. We truly live in a special place!
Article Submitted by Karen Tordera
Whitewater High School Vocal Music Instructor
ktordera@wwusd.org
This is a huge estate sale! It will be two weekends, with the first half this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It is the entire main floor of the home! We may even have the garage ready by then!! (We don’t have the garage pictured yet, so it would be a SURPRISE! It is FULL!!!!)
N7545 Esker Ct
Whitewater, WI 53190
Thurs., Oct. 12 10-4.
Fri. & Sat., Oct. 13 & 14 9-4 both days
And Thurs., Oct. 19 10-4,
Fri. & Sat., Oct. 20 and 21 9-4 both days
Same address both weekends.
See pictures at http://shestatesales.com/sales. There really is too much to list.
Versiti is the primary blood supplier for Southeastern Wisconsin, as well as Lakeland and Fort Hospitals. Donations have been down and there is definitely a need for more volunteers. Please consider making an appointment by clicking here today. Save time by answering the questionnaire at home; this cannot be done before Friday.
Editor’s note: The following announcement was provided by John Weidl on October 11.
Dear Whitewater Community,
I trust this message finds you in good health and spirits.
Recently, I explored a professional opportunity in Salem Lakes, WI, making it to the final rounds of consideration. However, the overwhelming support I received from you – including residents, elected officials, staff, committee members, business owners, and other developers still looking to start projects in Whitewater – has profoundly influenced my decision to withdraw my candidacy and continue serving as your City Manager in Whitewater.
Your encouragement and the collective achievements we’ve celebrated in affordable housing policy, Fire and EMS response times, staff recruitment and retention, and strategic planning have not only positively impacted our community but have also deeply affected me as a public servant.
I am invigorated by the recent renewed public participation in local government and the support for our staff and Strategic Plan. Rest assured, my dedication to advancing single family-style housing, commercial development, enhancing communication, supporting our local businesses, refining recruitment and retention strategies, and prudent management of our resources remains steadfast.
Whitewater’s encouragement, support, and vibrant, community-focused spirit are truly inspiring. Together, let’s continue to forge a path of growth and success for our beloved City of Whitewater.
With heartfelt gratitude, I am eager to get back to work.
Warmly,
John S. Weidl
City Manager, City of Whitewater
The Whippet Volleyball Team traveled to East Troy on Tuesday, October 10, and battled the Trojans (22-25, 21-25, 13-25).
Coach Mary Kilar commented, “I felt we came out on fire in sets 1 and 2! We surprised some people as we have improved so much over the course of this season. Our struggles always come in unforced errors whether in serve receive or behind the service line. Unfortunately, we racked up 14 service errors, and when we do the math, that gifted the other team roughly 5 points a set. Had we corrected that stat, we would be on the winning side of the sets.”
“Calli Grosinske played the best offensive sets I have seen this season in sets 1 and 2. She saw the court so well and was bettering the balls she needed to, and crushed some great sets from Marina Linos.” Calli finished with 18 kills (hitting a .196) and 7 digs.
Manny Mbifi and Meg Roselle keep improving their game in the middle, their volleyball IQ is developing and we see it in both their blocking and running of offensive routes. Manny and Meg finished with 1 kill a piece.
Falyn Krahn was aggressive defensively. Falyn had some digs no one thought she could get to; that was a spark we needed! Falyn finished with 11 digs and 2 kills.
Ella Spear finished with 1 kill, 1 ace, and 6 digs. Zoe Kohl finished the night with 3 digs. Sydney Schilt passed a 2.0 in serve receive and added 1 dig.
Marina Linos was a force behind the service line. She served under pressure and delivered a solid comeback in set 2! She had 2 aces and 19 assists on the night.
“To see this fight early in the match was how I knew we could play! We have Johnson Creek on Thursday in a non-conference match and then head into regionals, playing Stoughton on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in Stoughton.” Let’s go, Whippets!
Article Submitted by Mary Kilar
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
mkilar@wwusd.org
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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