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By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The summer of 2023 will be remembered as Whitewater’s Summer of Detours, as three of the primary routes in/out of the city were closed for significant periods of time. Sometime in the middle of the night on November 3, the detour signs for Highway 12 between Buckingham Road and County M (a primary route between Whitewater and Fort Atkinson) were finally taken down. All routes to Whitewater are now open! Actually the Highway 12 project was completed ahead of schedule, as originally it had been indicated that the road might be closed until nearly the end of the year.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from The Whitewater Arts Alliance.
Photos included showcase some of the artwork on display. All photos taken by Whitewater Arts Alliance/Jeff McDonald or used with artist permission.
The Whitewater Arts Alliance invites everyone to attend its 2023 Members’ Show at the Cultural Arts Center in Whitewater. The show, which features 58 works of visual art in various media by 17 Whitewater Arts Alliance member-artists, opens Thursday,
November 2. A reception will be held Saturday, November 4 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. where light refreshments will be served.
Admission to the exhibit and its reception are free of charge, open to the public, and all are invited. The gallery is open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12 p.m. (Noon) to 4pm. The exhibit runs from Thursday, November 2 through Sunday, December17, except for Thanksgiving week. The Cultural Arts Center is located at 402 W. Main Street in Whitewater, on the triangle next to the Birge Fountain.
Jeff McDonald, Whitewater Arts Alliance board member and 2023 Members’ Show CoChair, said “this is a great opportunity to sample the wonderful artwork created by visual artists in our community. The Whitewater area is fortunate to have such an abundance of talent. This is an excellent show!”
The Whitewater Arts Alliance believes art plays a significant role in transforming the cultural fabric. It brings people together, fosters dialogue and reflection, and creates a sense of pride and ownership.
Big thanks to our sponsors!
Lynn & Cheryl Binnie
Carole Scharinger
Kristen Burton
Charles Taggart
Virginia Coburn
Barb & Chuck Taylor
Kay Drexler
Roni & Richard Telfer
H. Gaylon & Hannah Greenhill
Pamela Van Doren
Dawn & Lyle Hunter
And all donors/patrons who wish to remain anonymous!
The mission of the Whitewater Arts Alliance is to support, promote, and develop the
arts as an essential and integral part of our community.
Editor’s note: The following announcement was made by the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).
MADISON, Wis.–University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the two-time defending champion, has been picked to secure the 2024 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s basketball title.
The Warhawks, ranked No. 9 nationally in the D3hoops.com Preseason Poll, have secured 11 regular season titles in program history and captured their third WIAC tournament championship a year ago. UW-Whitewater brings back three starters from last year’s squad that advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Championship. Among the returners is two-time WIAC Player of the Year Aleah Grundahl. She received the honor in 2022 and 2023, after claiming Newcomer of the Year distinction in 2020.
UW-Whitewater is followed in the conference predictions by: UW-Stout; UW-Oshkosh; UW-Eau Claire; UW-La Crosse; UW-River Falls; UW-Platteville; and UW-Stevens Point.
Moran Lonning takes over the head coaching role at UW-La Crosse. She was the head coach at Central College (Iowa) a season ago.
The 14-game conference schedule will begin on Jan. 4. The top-six teams in the league standings will qualify for the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver’s). The event will be held Feb. 19, 21, and 23, with all contests hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic NCAA bid.
2023-24 Preseason Predictions – Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
| 2022-23 Record | |
| 1. UW-Whitewater | (23-7 overall, 10-4 WIAC) |
| 2. UW-Stout | (18-8, 10-4) |
| 3. UW-Oshkosh | (20-9, 8-6) |
| 4. UW-Eau Claire | (20-9, 9-5) |
| 5. UW-La Crosse | (19-7, 8-6) |
| 6. UW-River Falls | (14-11, 4-10) |
| 7. UW-Platteville | (11-15, 4-10) |
| 8. UW-Stevens Point | (11-14, 3-11) |
UW-Whitewater Capsule
Head Coach: Keri Carollo; 22nd season at UWW; 414-167
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 9/11
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Returning All-WIAC: Kacie Carollo, Jr., G (2022-Honorable, 2023-First, 2023-Defensive); Aleah Grundahl, Grad., F (2020-Honorable/Newcomer of the Year, 2021-First, 2022-First/Co-Player of the Year, 2022-Defensive, 2023-First/Player of the Year); Maggie Trautsch, Sr., G (2023-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Mallory Oloffson, Jr., F
Editor’s note: The following announcement was posted on October 26 by Chancellor Corey A. King.
- The State Building Commission has approved $3 million toward the proposed renovations of Winther Hall and Heide Hall. These funds are intended to complete a majority of the project’s design. This is a major victory, bringing us closer to our goal of authorization for construction in the 2025-2027 budget.
- Nearly $1.5 million has been approved to replace the Laurentide Hall roof.
Both UW-Whitewater and leadership at the Universities of Wisconsin were fully engaged with state legislators to advocate for these projects. I am proud of our team’s effort and can’t wait to see the building and design crews in action.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Although last week’s post was supposed to be the last in our series of historic houses in Whitewater, we can’t help but publish one more. This week’s image is the Bassett House, the home of the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs. Built in 1857, the house was given to the Federation in 1927 by Florence Bassett, daughter of the first owner, Thomas Bassett. It is still being used by the Federation today.
This view is probably from around 1900 and may show Florence Bassett and her mother sitting on the porch. The house has been meticulously cared for by the Federation, making it one of the finest historic homes in the area.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(2659P, Whitewater Historical Society)
Whitewater, WI – WE DID IT!
The Irvin L. Young Library “Promoting Learning; Engaging the Community” Campaign
Leadership Committee is thrilled to announce that it met and exceeded its capital campaign
fundraising goal for a new library.
The Whitewater Common Council presented the library with a challenge in 2021 to raise half of the $6 million needed for a renovation and expansion of the library, with the Council borrowing the other half in January 2024 if the library completed the fundraising in time. The library raised more than $2,300,000 to be added to the library reserves of $840,000.
“We deeply appreciate the Whitewater community’s generosity to help us complete the campaign much sooner than expected; more than 260 people made gifts of all sizes.” said Jim Winship, Campaign Chair. He thanked the Campaign Leadership Committee – Doug Anderson, Brienne Brown, Kelly Davis, Richard Haney, Anne Hartwick, Jon Kachel, Ginger Katzman, Jennifer Motsko, and Gayle Stettler.
“The Whitewater community has come together in a tremendous way to make the new library, which is expected to open in 2025, a reality. The vision that was presented to me by the library board that hired me back in 2001 has finally come to pass.” said Stacey Lunsford, Library Director.
We are also pleased to announce that Fort Community Credit Union made an especially generous gift of $100,000 to help get the campaign ‘over the top.’ As with other businesses and individuals that made significant gifts, they will be prominently recognized in the new building.
There are still recognition opportunities available and gifts are still welcome until the end of the year. These include remembering or honoring someone through 100 Extraordinary Women TM or recognizing your family or business through a wall tile.
The renovated library will add even more value to the Whitewater community. It will offer more space and features where people can connect, read, learn, create and feel welcome. There will be 4,400 square feet of additional space and the current space will be re-designed to be more welcoming and accommodate new features.
For more information contact Stacey Lunsford, Library Director at 262 473-0530.
Editor’s note: The following announcement was received from the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department.
ACCREDITATION ASSESSMENT TEAM INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT
A team of assessors from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group (WILEAG) will arrive on November 14, 2023, to examine all aspects of the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office policy and procedures, management, operation, and support service.
Verification by the team that our agency meets the WILEAG Board’s state of the art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation. Our agency was initially accredited in 2017, and this will be the second reaccreditation process. Reaccreditation occurs every three years.
As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments by telephone. The public may call 262-741-4677 on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Telephone comments are limited to ten minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with WILEAG’s standards. A copy of the standards is available upon request. Please contact Captain Josh Staggs at 262-741-4481 for further information.
Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write to the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group, WILEAG at 7625 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, WI 53214.
Once the WILEAG Board’s assessors complete their review of our agency, they report back to the full WILEAG Board, which will then decide if our agency will be granted accreditation status.
Accreditation status is granted for three years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
For more information regarding the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group, please write to WILEAG at 7525 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, WI 53214 or executive.director@wileag.info
Antonio Jermaine Statam, 36, of 300 block N Tratt St., Whitewater, has been charged with physical abuse of a child, repeater; and two counts of felony domestic battery, domestic abuse assessments, domestic abuse repeater, repeater.
Yefferson Guzman, 18, of 200 block N Fraternity Ln., Whitewater, has been charged with false imprisonment; strangulation and suffocation; misdemeanor battery; and disorderly conduct.
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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