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Today is Saturday, June 6, 2026
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Ron Binning writes “Yesterday’s back yard was also amazing. We don’t see a Scarlett Tanager very often or a fawn 1 or 2 hours old. It could barely stand or walk.”
Our thanks to Ron Binning for sharing more amazing nature photos.
— 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. Thanks for thinking about this!
Updated 5/28/26 @ 12:15 p.m. to add a Culver’s lemon ice cooler promotion at the bottom of this post.
Written by Chris Lindeke | Photos by Craig Schreiner
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is set to welcome thousands of Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes, volunteers, and fans to the Whitewater campus for the fourth consecutive year.
The State Summer Games are slated for June 4-6 at UW-Whitewater’s indoor and outdoor athletics facilities, including Perkins Stadium, Kachel Fieldhouse, and the university’s intramural fields. Due to construction this summer at Rex Foster Track, track and field events will take place at Palmyra-Eagle Middle / High School, located at 123 Burr Oak St., Palmyra, WI, 53156.
“Accessibility is central to our university mission, and this event gives Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes from around the state an opportunity to compete and have fun in a positive, inclusive environment,” said Chancellor Corey A. King. “We are excited to welcome these athletes and their families and friends to Whitewater. Our staff and volunteers are ready to work with Special Olympics Wisconsin to host a first-class event.”
“We are thrilled to once again partner with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to host our Summer Games, as their commitment to inclusion, excellence, and community creates an outstanding experience for our athletes,” said Chad Hershner, President and CEO of Special Olympics Wisconsin. “This collaboration allows us to deliver a premier event where athletes can compete, connect, and celebrate the power of sport in a truly welcoming environment.”
The three-day event kicks off with the Parade of Athletes and Opening Ceremony on June 4 inside Perkins Stadium. The remainder of the time includes opportunities for Special Olympics athletes to compete in track and field, cornhole, and powerlifting, engage in health and wellness activities and sessions, and participate in social events.
Hundreds of volunteers are needed to run athletics events, serve meals, and assist with other aspects of the Games. Learn more about volunteering »
UW-Whitewater has hosted the State Summer Games each year since 2023. The event is part of the dozens of camps, clinics, and special events hosted every summer by Continuing Education staff.
In 2025, a record 9,041 participants were part of nearly 100 summer events at UW-Whitewater. More than 6,300 were registered for UW-Whitewater camps, which include opportunities in athletics, the arts, music and more.
The Whitewater Culver’s is participating in this promotion.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team was represented on both the D3baseball and American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Region Teams.
Gradin Taschner (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) was selected to the All-Region First Team for both D3baseball and ABCA. The junior right-handed pitcher for the Warhawks highlighted one of the top pitching staffs in the nation. As a team, the Warhawks were 9th in ERA and 9th in WHIP. Taschner himself, ranked 12th in the nation among qualified pitchers with a 0.96 WHIP. In 2026, Taschner was 5-0 with five saves, with just a 1.84 ERA in 49.0 innings pitched.
Joining Taschner on the D3baseball First Team is Evan Olson (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly). Olson was one of the Warhawks’ top bats, hitting a .362 average with an 1.138 OPS. Olson had a team-high .518 on-base percentage, drawing 29 walks and being hit by 26 pitches. The 26 HBP is a single-season record at UWW and ranked 8th most in the nation for 2026. Olson was selected to the All-Region Third Team by the ABCA.
Jackson Spring (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) earned Second Team honors from both D3baseball and ABCA. Spring led the Warhawks with a .373 batting average, starting at shortstop in all 49 games of the 2026 campaign. Spring had a team-high 63 hits, hitting nine doubles, five triples, and five home runs for a 1.067 OPS.
Joining Spring on the D3baseball Second Team, were two of the other standout Warhawk pitchers, Ben Lee (Amherst, Wis./Amherst) and Sam Steuber (Muskego, Wis./Muskego). Lee made 10 starts for the Warhawks with a 5-1 record, with a 2.76 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. Steuber Led the Warhawks with an 8-0 record on the mound, pitching 59.1 innings with a 2.88 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.
In addition to the Second Team D3baseball honors, Lee was selected to the ABCA All-Region Third Team.
Rounding out the All-Region Teams, Andy Thies (Tallahassee, Fla./Lawton Chiles) and Jackson Koenig (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) were both selected to the D3baseball Third Team. Andy Thies (Tallahassee, Fla./Lawton Chiles), the Warhawks starting second baseman, was one of the Warhawks power hitters, helping the team hit the 7th most home runs in the nation with 61 as a team. Thies tallied 13 home runs himself, with a .300 average at the dish. In addition to the athletic accolade, Thies was also named the WIAC Max Sparger Scholar Athlete this season. Read More….
Jackson Koenig (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) was recognized as a two-way played by D3baseball. On the mound for the Warhawks, Koenig went 7-0 with a team-high 64.0 innings pitched. Koenig record a complete game shut-out, going 9.0 innings with only two hits against UW-Stout on April 25th. For that outing, Koenig was named to the D3baseball Team of the Week. At the dish, Koenig had 14 hits in 54 at-bats, with two doubles, two triples, and two home runs in the 2026 season.
The Warhawks finished the 2026 season with a 43-6 record, reaching the NCAA Tournament for the 27th time in program history. UW-Whitewater also put together a school-record 36-game winning streak, finishing the WIAC season with a perfect 28-0 record on their way to the second-highest winning percentage in school history.
D3baseball All-Region IX
First Team
- Evan Olson (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly)
- Gradin Taschner (Neenah, Wis./Neenah)
Second Team
- Jackson Spring (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North)
- Ben Lee (Amherst, Wis./Amherst)
- Sam Steuber (Muskego, Wis./Muskego)
Third Team
- Andy Thies (Tallahassee, Fla./Lawton Chiles)
- Jackson Koenig (Blaine, Minn./Blaine)
ABCA All-Region IX
First Team
- Gradin Taschner (Neenah, Wis./Neenah)
Second Team
- Jackson Spring (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North)
Third Team
- Evan Olson (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly)
- Ben Lee (Amherst, Wis./Amherst)
John’s Disposal was closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. As a result, Thursday’s route is delayed to Friday.
The 17th annual VetsRoll trip took place, May 17-20, 2026, taking nearly 200 American Veterans, Rosie the Riveters and 125 volunteers on a free four-day trip to Washington, D.C. VetsRoll honors America’s Senior Veterans.
Ron Slapinski, Whitewater, was selected as one of the nationwide honored Veterans to take part in this 14-bus caravan on Badger Coaches, that departed Machesney Park, Illinois in the early morning of May 17, 2026.
Ron served from 1970-1974. He was an Air Force Sergeant E4. His service was spent at:
*Lackland Air Force Base, Texas for Basic Training
*Lowery Air Force Base, Colorado, Tech School Training
*KI Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan, General Duties
*RAF Bentwaters, Woodbridge, England Flight Line, Various Duties
The Veterans were escorted to Washington D.C. and back with 35 motorcycles and various police, first responders and fire departments.
During their travels, the Veterans toured all the Major American Military Memorials:
*National Museum of the USAF at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio
*U.S. Marine Corp Memorial, Washington, D.C.
*WWII Memorial, Washington, D.C.
*Vietnam Memorial, Washington, DC.
*Korean Memorial, Washington, DC.
*Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC.
*Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC.
The convoy left Washington D.C. Early on Wednesday, May 20, for a long trip home. They were greeted by thousands of community members, supporters, a parade, and a large fireworks display.
If you are interested in volunteering, donating or applying as a veteran for next year‘s trip, you can find more information on the VetsRoll homepage. VetsRoll.org
Editor’s Note: Submitted by Ron Slapinski’s PROUD Air Force wife, Sharon Reigstad.
Pre-register at: whitewaterunitedfc.com
As was previously reported on The Whitewater Banner, a Whitewater resident was pronounced deceased at a hospital following a single vehicle crash in the Town of Newark in Rock County on May 18, 2026. On May 26 the Rock County Medical Examiner’s Department [RCME] released the identity of the victim as being Erik G. Gonzalez Machuca, age 33.
The RCME indicated that “A forensic examination was completed on May 19, 2026. Preliminary results of the examination confirm that Mr. Gonzalez Machuca died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Additional testing is underway at this time. This incident remains under investigation by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office and the Rock County Medical Examiner’s Department.”
Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026
Place: Downtown Clinton, WI from 208 Allen St. to 260 Allen St.
Time: 9 am to 2 pm
Cost: Free to visitors and drivers
Website: http://www.rockfordas.org
Facebook: Rock-Ford A’s
Info about the event:
One of the Midwest’s largest Ford Model A events, hosted by the village of Clinton, WI on Sunday, June 7, 2026 from 9 AM – 2 PM. C’mon over and bring your friends and family!
This is a free event and our 38th Annual Model A Day! You’ll have a chance to talk to the owners and get an up-close look at these beautiful old Fords from 1927-1932. If you are the proud owner of a Ford Model A, this is a great time to meet other owners from around the Midwest. Guests and villagers are welcome to dress in period apparel. There will be a balloon artist, vendors, music, great food from Pat’s Brew & Que and Pop’N Delites Kettle Korn, Myrt’s Ice Cream, door prizes, silent auction, raffles, grand prize drawing and more! Step back in time to the 1920’s and 30’s! Come to this annual unique event and wander through downtown streets, enjoying over 100 beautiful antique Ford Model A vehicles, and eight local restaurants. For more information or to be a vendor, send an email to: rockfordas.modela.club@gmail.com or call/text Sue: 608-295-2590. Plenty of parking ~ mark your calendar! FREE Admission! FREE Registration! Free dash plaque to registered drivers!
Plenty of food and area restaurants available. All proceeds will be donated to the Clinton Public Library and to the Clinton Community Outreach Program Food Bank!
Lodging – 10+ major hotels in nearby Beloit, WI
Directions: WI Hwy. 140 & County Hwy. X
Obituaries
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
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!
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