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Whippets Fly at the EagleJay Invite

September 29, 2026

🐾🏊‍♀️ WHIPPETS FLY AT THE EAGLEJAY INVITE! 🔥

The Whippets traveled to Jefferson on Saturday, September 26th to compete at the EagleJay Invite! The girls put together some fantastic races with lots of Top 16 finishes, lifetime bests, and more big-time drops!

200 Medley Relay
🏅 4th — Emma Maas, Maya Davis, Maggie Maas & Grace Smith — 2:18.17
Emma got things started with a strong 35.93 Backstroke split, while Maya threw down a speedy 38.75 Breaststroke split!

10th — Caitlin Alford, Finley De Porter, Storm De Porter & Laken De Porter — 2:43.99
Caitlin improved her 50 Backstroke to 45.13, while Finley continued to chip away at her 50 Breaststroke split!

200 Freestyle
🔥 9th — Grace Smith — 2:37.58
Talk about a tough turnaround! After finishing the Medley Relay, Grace had to get right back on the blocks for the 200 Free. She responded by winning her heat AND swimming a season-best time!

🔥 10th — Storm De Porter — 2:37.89, dropping another 4 seconds!
🐾 12th — Laken De Porter — 2:56.11
🔥 13th — Caitlin Alford — 2:58.98, dropping 3 seconds from her previous time!

50 Freestyle
🏊‍♀️ 7th — Maggie Maas — 29.41
🔥 Finley De Porter continues to find more speed, dropping her time again to 32.85!

100 Butterfly
🐾 11th — Storm De Porter — 1:38.64

100 Freestyle
🔥 7th — Maggie Maas — 1:04.59
🚨 9th — Emma Maas — 1:05.95 — LIFETIME BEST!

500 Freestyle
💪 10th — Maya Davis — 7:23.66, knocking another 8 seconds off her previous time!

200 Freestyle Relay
🐾 9th — Finley De Porter, Caitlin Alford, Laken De Porter & Maya Davis — 2:15.95
Maya brought the relay home with an impressive 31.42 anchor split!

100 Backstroke
🔥 14th — Grace Smith — 1:31.29, dropping 5 seconds!
🚨 15th — Caitlin Alford — 1:31.69, dropping 7 seconds for a LIFETIME BEST!

100 Breaststroke
This group was MOVING! 💨
🏅 6th — Emma Maas — 1:26.16 — LIFETIME BEST!
🏅 8th — Maya Davis — 1:26.23 — LIFETIME BEST!
🔥 14th — Finley De Porter — 1:45.84, dropping another 5 seconds!

400 Freestyle Relay
🏅 6th — Grace Smith, Storm De Porter, Maggie Maas & Emma Maas — 4:35.19

Another meet full of fast racing, Top 16 finishes, lifetime bests, and swimmers continuing to chip away at their times! This group keeps finding ways to get faster, and it’s been a lot of fun watching the progress show up in the pool. 🐾❤️

📣 NEXT UP: BACK HOME!

The Whippets take on Delavan-Darien on Tuesday, September 29th!

📍 HOME
⏰ Swimming starts at 5:30 PM

Come out, get loud, and cheer on your Whippet swimmers! 🐾🔥🏊‍♀️

Article Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Swim Coach
Photos Courtesy of Tom Ganser

Are Dogs Still Man’s Best Friend?

September 28, 2026
This pet rabbit won its owner a $100 Walmart gift card


Early entries into the Whitewater area Top Pet photo contest are in and indications are that dogs may no longer be “man’s best friend.”

Only a little over half of the 30 early entrants included just a dog photo. The top vote recipient is a cat; the second highest is a bird and the winner of a random drawing to award a $100 Walmart gift card to encourage participation was the above photo of a rabbit.

A mini horse, currently ranked #4, has also been entered in the competition to be one of 12 pets prominently featured on a page of a 2027 keepsake calendar.

The contest is being conducted to raise funds for the Whitewater Kiwanis Club’s efforts to improve the lives of children. A special focus this year for the non-profit community service organization is a project to replace porta potties with actual restrooms at an eastside soccer complex that regularly draws nearly 100 kids and family members several times each week.

The competition that features prizes valued at over $1000 for participants is scheduled to run till late October. Information is available at gogophotocontest.com/Whitewater.

Contest organizers have announced a drawing for a $50 gift card from Pet Supplies Plus as an incentive for the next 25 photo entries.

Other prizes range in value from $300 to no less than $50. The list includes a UW Warhawk Football season ticket package with parking, a $250 reduced price on a Wisconsin lake Airbnb stay, a cat and a dog wellness checkup with distemper treatment from the Animal Medical Center, a month-long family membership at the Whitewater Aquatic Center, a free round of golf with four carts at Willowbrook Golf Course, malts and burgers for four at the Brain Freeze Malt Shop, gift cards from Floral Villa and The Fuzzy Pig and a six-pack of donuts every week for an entire month from Dunkin’ in Whitewater.

WHS Class of 1951 Celebrated Their 75th Reunion

September 28, 2026


The WHS Class of 1951 celebrated their 75th reunion at The Real MacCoys on September 19. Dick Trewyn, Lucille Wieman, Mary Peiffer, Genevieve Thompson and Ray Walton enjoyed their memories.

Submitted by Mary Peiffer

Certified Nurse Midwife Joins SSM Health in Janesville

September 28, 2026
Emily Walden, APRN

Community members seeking personalized, compassionate women’s health care now have expanded access to midwifery services at SSM Health Dean Medical Group – Janesville East with the addition of Emily Walden, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

Walden brings extensive nursing and midwifery experience to the SSM Health Women’s Health team. She earned her midwifery certification from Case Western Reserve University and is dedicated to helping women make informed decisions about their health.

Walden provides care throughout all stages of reproductive health, including family planning, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. She also supports patients with a wide range of women’s health needs – from preventive and primary care services to guidance through menopause.

As an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Walden helps families navigate both common and complex breastfeeding and lactation challenges.

“I believe that early, individualized and nonjudgmental support can prevent small concerns from becoming larger issues,” she said. “I strive to help families meet their breastfeeding goals.”

Outside of work, Walden enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, traveling, playing Mahjong, and knitting. She is the proud mother of three daughters and shares her home with two fur babies.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Walden, visit her website profile https://www.getcare.ssmhealth.com/find-a-doctor/doctor-details/emily-b-walden-aprn-cnm or call 608-294-6246.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by SSM Health Dean Medical Group.

WHS Welcomes International Students

September 28, 2026

The Whitewater High School National Honor Society, along with the Model United Nations organization, hosted a fun “Meet the International Students” Pizza Party on Friday, September 25th, in the MPR, before a home football game with Big Foot. Students met the exchange students, enjoyed some pizza and went to the football game right after the event.

Students heard from our current exchange student, Lea Hobbach of Germany and last year’s Rotary exchange student, Lili Cichon, who just returned from a school year in Spain.

Last year’s Rotary exchange student, Lili Cichon

Ms. Liberty Cunningham (NHS advisor) and Ms. Madeleine Blain organized the event.

Article and photos submitted by Greg Stewart

LWV Presents “Our Polarized Politics & a Path Back to Civility” with Dr. Carolyn Long

September 28, 2026


The public is welcome to attend.

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area.

COME CELEBRATE COMMUNITY PRIDE AT WHITEWATER’S 6TH ANNUAL PRIDE RALLY OCT. 3

September 27, 2026

Whitewater’s 6th Annual Pride Rally is a free, family-friendly celebration that takes place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Cravath Lakefront Park in downtown Whitewater.

Whitewater City Manager, John Weidl, said, “Whitewater is at its best when everyone who lives here knows they belong here. That’s not a slogan, people and employers choose communities where their families will be welcomed, and that’s good for all of us. The City is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the 6th Annual Whitewater Pride Rally, and as a Warhawk married to a Warhawk alum, I’m proud of what this college town shows the world. Thank you to the organizers and volunteers. See you at Cravath Lakefront Park on October 3rd.”

Whitewater Pride is dedicated to bringing the LGBTQ+ community and Allies together. Their mission is to foster diversity, inclusion, and pride in the Whitewater community. Their vision is to create an open, affirmative, and accepting environment for all people, with a focus on celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

Malayna Oswald, AFSP Wisconsin Chapter Board Member, said, “The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Wisconsin Chapter has been excited to engage with the Whitewater community through our yearly Out of the Darkness walk for suicide prevention every spring at UW-Whitewater, and we are very excited to be invited back to Whitewater to participate in the 6th Annual Whitewater Pride Rally. We are deeply committed to fostering supportive spaces for the LGBTQ+ community, with one example being our new Pride Pathways: Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Communities and Allies program being offered for free to communities. We look forward to coming together to promote mental health and suicide prevention, and we want to thank Whitewater Pride for the work they do every day and for inviting us to such a meaningful event.”

The event this year includes the community and statewide speakers, engaging performances by Cynthia Mooseknuckle, Jessabelle, Lavender Jones, Pony Boy, Miss Cowphusia, Ellah Maeaux, and Angel Voyer, music by DJ Femme Noir, the UWW Marching Band, and Jonah Hirst, story-telling by Tim Mumm, an open mic, 30+ inclusive vendors, and multiple food trucks, including Sampa’s Tacos and Rocky Rococo’s. Speakers include UWW Chancellor Corey King, WUSD Superintendent Samuel Karns, Whitewater City Manager John Weidl, AFSP-WI Board Member Malayna Oswald, and Kim Valenta from Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. A children’s area includes face painting, activities, and story time with a selection of LGBTQ+ children’s books. Leashed pets are also invited to attend and participate in our Pride Pet Costume Contest, sponsored by Pet Supplies Plus of Whitewater.

Reverend Joseph O’Donnell said, “The best part of the Whitewater Pride Rally is seeing people, businesses, churches, and groups coming together and creating a community of welcome, a space where people are valued, and where the authentic spirit of each person (and pet) is loved and celebrated. I look forward to these opportunities every year to participate in and support an event that encourages us to come together as a community from so many different aspects and quarters of our city and the surrounding community.” Reverend O’Donnell serves First English Lutheran Church.

This year’s Pride Rally sponsors include: Whitewater Unites Lives, Coburn Company, City of Whitewater, Starbucks Foundation, First English Lutheran Church, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Fort HealthCare, First Weber Real Estate, Fort Community Credit Union, Tim Mumm, The Family of Paul and Helen Pelnar in Memoriam, LGBTQ+ Walworth County, and Pet Supplies Plus of Whitewater.

There will be a 50/50 raffle and basket raffle. If you would like to make a donation to the basket raffle, for more information, or to support Whitewater Pride as Sponsor or Donor, please visit www.whitewaterpride.org, Instagram @whitewaterpride, or Facebook at Whitewater Pride.

This Week’s School Board Meeting

September 27, 2026

Whitewater School Board – Regular Meeting – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda [click on “meetings” in upper right corner] includes capital referendum update; Adjourn into closed session, (Action Item) pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(c), considering employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility to specifically discuss personnel update. (May reconvene to open session.)

Whitewater Middle School Library
401 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
———————————————–
6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89508429492?pwd=I5K7t5XV6vYxoWajLT1ieIxXBNf1hL.1
– Passcode: 776337
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 895 0842 9492
– Passcode: 776337

Obituaries

Obituary: Sally A. Schutte, 73

Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003. Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally … Read more

Obituary: Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41

Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.  He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly … Read more

Obituary: Carla Winn, 82, of Kansas

Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel. She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, … Read more

Celebration of Life: Susan K. Miller

Susan Miller Celebration of Life There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin

Obituary: JoAnn E Harrop, 95, of AL

Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck).  She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November … Read more

Obituary: Russell O. “Russ” Johnson, 88

Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working … Read more

Obituary: Marcia Zingg, 75

Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life. Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and … Read more

Obituary: Amanda Jean Hunter, 49

Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a … Read more

Obituary: Ellen Eichmiller, 82

Ellen Eichmiller, 82, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Ellen was born on September 10, 1943, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Chester “Guy” and Irene (née Holmen) Steig. She married the love of her life, Paul Eichmiller, on December 7, 1963, and together they made their home in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ellen spent much of her working life as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she formed many lasting friendships and memories. Ellen cherished her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with those closest to her. She was known for her love of … Read more

Obituary: Janet Quinn, 71, Jefferson

Janet Quinn, age 71, of Jefferson passed away on Thursday, August 20th. Janet was born on December 22nd, 1954 in St. Joseph, MI to Robert Mounsey and Edith Christison Mounsey. She was a granddaughter to Herbert Bragg Mounsey, Charlotte Mounsey, and Ester Christison West. She married Michael Durden in 1979 and later married Eury Quinn Jr. (J.R.) in 1988. Janet grew up in Benton Harbor, MI, and subsequently lived in New York and Arkansas before moving to Wisconsin in 2016. She was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled Mother, and worked as a custodian for various employers over the years. … Read more