Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006

Today is Wednesday, July 24, 2024

News & Events

WHITEWATER WEATHER

To add an event, click here to go to the Community Calendar.  Then, click on Submit Event.

Helpful Links

Search our Archives

To search our archives, enter a search term in the search box, then press enter to search.

Soccer Downs Big Foot 1-0

April 22, 2024

Whitewater hosted Big Foot in a conference game Thursday night, April 18.

Ema Aranda

It was a very exciting game, with Whitewater winning 1-0. Whitewater’s goal was scored by freshman Ema Aranda.

Marina Linos had a huge game in goal for the Whippets, making 6 saves. 

Article submitted by Maddy Blain
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Soccer Coach
mblain@wwusd.org
Photos courtesy of Bob Mischka

Happy Passover to Everyone Who Celebrates

April 22, 2024

[From myjewishlearning.com] The first Passover seder is on the evening of Monday, April 22nd, and the second Passover seder takes place on the evening of Tuesday, April 23rd. Passover 2024 begins at sundown on Monday, April 22nd and ends the evening of Tuesday, April 30th for most Jews in diaspora. Jews in the land of Israel and some Reform Jews in diaspora will end Passover on the evening of Monday, April 29th.

(From Wikipedia) Passover, also called Pesach or Pesakh (/ˈpɛsɑːx, ˈpeɪ-/;[2] Hebrew: פֶּסַח‎ Pesaḥ) is a ritual meal, the Pesach seder, that occurs the night of the paschal full moon after the 14th of Nisan, eve of the 15th, telling the story of the exodus, and remembering how the angel of death “passed over” the houses of the Israelites during the tenth plague on Egypt. It begins Feast of Unleavened Bread that continues through the 22nd of Nisan, and is one of three pilgrimage festivals in which all Jewish males living in the land of Israel are obliged. On the 16th of Nisan, jews begin the counting of the omer, the memorial offering of the firstfruits of the barley harvest. The counting continues for seven weeks until the Feast of Shavuot, also known as Pentecost.

When the Temple in Jerusalem stood, the paschal lamb was offered and eaten on Passover eve, while the wave offering of barley was offered on the second day of the festival. Nowadays, in addition to the biblical prohibition of owning leavened foods for the duration of the holiday, the Passover seder is one of the most widely observed rituals in Judaism. In the Diaspora the unleavened bread is celebrated for 8 days, based on the concept of yom tov sheni shel galuyot.

Public Invited to Housing Roundtable

April 21, 2024

The Community Development Authority of the City of Whitewater is excited to announce the upcoming Housing Roundtable, slated to take place on Thursday, April 25, 2024. This pivotal event aims to foster collaboration among City officials, staff, housing experts, developers, real estate brokers, bankers, members of the building trades, and municipal officials from neighboring communities. Together, these stakeholders will explore strategies to enhance the affordability of market rate housing for our vital workforce.

The Housing Roundtable offers an open forum for dialogue and brainstorming, uniting public and private sectors to address the pressing issue of housing affordability. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the event seeks to identify innovative solutions that can positively impact our community.

Thursday, April 25, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Light refreshments available from 8:30 a.m.)
Whitewater University Innovation Center 1221 Innovation Drive (Located in Whitewater’s Business/Tech Park)

All members of the public are encouraged to attend and contribute their insights to this critical conversation about housing affordability in Whitewater and beyond.

This Week’s City & School Board Meetings

April 21, 2024

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 5:30 – CLOSED SESSION
(Prior to closed session will be Election of School Board Officers: President, Vice President, Clerk, and Treasurer (Action Items) B. Election of School Board Secretary (Action Item) C. Establish Date and Time of Annual Budget Hearing (Action Item) D. 2024-25 School Board Assignments and Committee Appointments)

Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street
———————————————–
5:30 p.m. via Zoom Online
Agenda: discuss and consider a certified staff individual 2024-2025 contract FTE revision, and discuss and consider School Board confidentiality due to employee issues.
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88371283442?pwd=VXRwQ29LdWs2U1RFK3pKbzFmbU5TUT09
– Passcode: 037916
———————————————–
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 883 7128 3442
– Passcode: 037916
———————————————–
Closed Session
———————————————–
7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online – OPEN SESSION
Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes 2024-25 Staffing and Programming Recommendations.
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86989782320?pwd=empnSHpLQjYvajJkY1hqTW5wK3BEdz09
– Passcode: 736330
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 869 8978 2320
– Passcode: 736330

City of Whitewater Finance Committee Meeting Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88210822123?pwd=GaqyBaG9lLahAxtVylS1hl3sYdCcTA._sO5Rd_cPk-9k9kM Passcode: 412904
Or Telephone:
Dial
+1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 882 1082 2123
Passcode: 412904

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority – Housing Roundtable – Thursday @ 9:00 a.m.
This notice is given to inform the Public that the Community Development Authority of the City of Whitewater is hosting a Housing Roundtable on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The intent of the event is to create a forum that brings City officials and staff together with experts on housing, developers, real estate brokers, bankers, members of the building trades, and municipal officials
from surrounding communities to collaborate with public/private stakeholders to make market rate housing more affordable for our workforce. The event is open to the public.
WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Light refreshments will be available prior to the event beginning at 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: Whitewater University Innovation Center
1221 Innovation Drive (Located in Whitewater’s Business/Tech Park)
A quorum of the Common Council, the Community Development Authority and/or the Plan & Architectural Review Commission may be present. This notice is given to inform the public that no formal action will be taken.

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry CommissionFriday @ 10:30 a.m.
The agenda has not been posted as of 4/21/24.


Final League Book Club Discussion on Poverty (Updated)

April 21, 2024

Update 4/22 @ 8:35 a.m.: Correction made to Deb Gamble’s phone number.

League Book Club Discussion on Poverty April 25

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area will hold the last of its three Book Club discussions on Thursday evening, April 25, 6 PM-8 PM, in the Irvin L Young Memorial Library, 431 W Center
St, Whitewater. The conclusion of Poverty, by America, by Pulitzer Prize winning author Matthew Desmond will be discussed.

Desmond draws upon history, research and original reporting to argue that poverty in America persists because the rest of us benefit from it. Please join us to investigate new ways of imagining solutions to a morally urgent problem and engage in how to usher in an age of shared prosperity.

The LWV Book Club was formed to help our members and friends engage in meaningful discussions of current notable books dealing with public policy issues of interest to the League. You do not need to be a member of the League to participate!
Please contact Deb Gamble (262-853-1946 or shebagam@gmail.com) for questions or further information.

Warhawks Give Day – April 23: Soar Together, Give Back Strong!

April 21, 2024

Whitewater Community,

Get ready to rally together for a day of generosity and impact! We are excited to announce that Warhawks Give Day will take place on Tuesday, April 23. This is a wonderful opportunity for us all to come together and make a difference in the lives of UW-Whitewater students, faculty, and campus community.

Warhawks Give Day is more than just a day of giving; it’s a celebration of our shared commitment to excellence and our collective power to make a meaningful difference. By participating and making a gift, no matter the size, you contribute to the success and vitality of UW-Whitewater.

We encourage you to spread the word and rally your colleagues, friends, and family to join in this day of philanthropy. Together, we can make a tremendous impact and ensure that our Warhawk Family continues to thrive.

Let’s embrace the spirit of Warhawk Bold as we soar together and give back strong! Mark your calendars for April 23rd and be a part of something truly special.

Make your gift to the UW-Whitewater Foundation on Tuesday, April 23: https://donate.uww.edu/WarhawksGive

Draw the Circle Wide Lecture Series: Ending the Genocide: Towards a Shared Future for Palestinians & Jews – Sunday

April 19, 2024

The First United Methodist Church of Whitewater is excited to welcome Janan Najeeb and Dr. Rachel Buff to our Draw the Circle Wide Lecture Series.

The public is invited to the Draw the Circle Wide Lecture Series to hear Janan Najeeb and Dr. Rachel Buff on Sunday, April 21 at the First United Methodist Church sanctuary, 145 S. Prairie St., Whitewater, WI 53190. From 1:00 – 2:30 adults and youth alike are invited to their presentation, “Ending the Genocide: Towards a Shared Future for Palestinians and Jews,” as they examine the current and historical struggles for hope, healing and justice in Israel and Palestine. Following a question-and-answer opportunity a reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Janan Najeeb is a Palestinian American Muslim and founded the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition in 1994. A well-known tireless justice activist, Najeeb is a noted go-to resource for media, academic institutions, and interfaith organizations. Dr. Buff is Chair of the History Department at UW-Milwaukee and a founding member of Milwaukee Jewish Voice for Peace.

Najeeb is the convener of the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine (which includes more than 60 organizations), of which Dr. Buff is co-chair of its Executive Committee. Together, they will bring us timely insights to educate and enlighten us on the work of diverse communities toward a permanent ceasefire and resolution to years of hostility and occupation.

The First United Methodist Church’s Draw the Circle Wide series works to bring engaging programs focusing on social justice issues of interest to the Whitewater community.

Tree Sale is Making a Big Impact On Our Community’s Tree Canopy!

April 19, 2024

By Sherry Stanek

We are now less than one week away from the Third Whitewater Community Tree Sale to be held at Starin Park from April 26, Arbor Day, through April 28th. We will once again have an assortment of native trees and shrubs that you won’t easily find in one place anywhere nearby. This sale is first come, first served so please go to www.arbatstarin.org and check out what will be available, make your list and get there early. Cash and checks will be accepted at the sale. 

Because of this sale, and all of you, more than 600 trees will have been planted in our community since our first sale in 2022! And that doesn’t count the 200 plus that were planted at the Arboretum at Starin Park! Absolutely AMAZING! Think of that for a minute; that’s more than 800 trees! We need every single one of them to help combat the climate change that we are experiencing!

When emerald ash borer showed up in our town, we lost 600 trees on public land and countless others throughout the city on private land. This sale has helped to replace these lost trees with trees that are native to this area and that will do very well here. Thank you so much for your continued support. It is making a difference!

If you would like to serve on the Urban Forestry Commission, or to volunteer for any of our projects, please contact Kevin Boehm, Whitewater Parks & Recreation Director and let him know. We would love to have you!

Obituaries

Celebration of Life: Dave Triebold

A celebration of life for Dave Triebold will be held July 27 at Triebold Farms, with festivities beginning around 11:30 am. A rememberance service will take place at 12:30 pm. A pig roast will follow, and the pool will be open. The family encourages you to stay through the evening for a bonfire as well. Contact Kris (262)949-5474 or Kath (414)412-4385 with questions.

Read More

Celebration of Life: James Paul Fisher, 86

James Paul Fisher, 86, known by friends as JP or Jay, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at UW Hospital, Madison, with his immediate family by his side. His body finally surrendered to a heart attack after battling heart and kidney ailments for many years. Born in Fond du lac, Wisconsin, on October 25, 1937, to Lorraine and James Fisher, JP was a resident of Elkhorn and then Whitewater, Wisconsin. At age 2 JP was diagnosed with polio. Through daily therapy administered by his mother and grandmother, he overcame this life threatening virus, and with a prognosis of limited … Read more

Read More

Obituary: Shirley M.  Messier, 86

Shirley M. Messier, 86, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on July 8, 2024. Shirley was born to Erwin and Leona Reese on May 20, 1938, in Farmington, Wisconsin. Shirley (“Shirttail”) attended the local country school, then set out on her own, taking a job doing factory work. On August 24, 1957, she married Blaine Messier in Jefferson, Wisconsin. They had three daughters, Michele (Shelly), Terry, and Karen. Shirley spent many years being a working wife and mother, finally retiring from Polymer Technologies / MacLean Fogg in Whitewater. Shirley loved country music and spent her retirement years going to George Jones … Read more

Read More

Celebration of Life: Patricia Parr

Patricia Ann ParrBorn 7/20/42Departed to Heaven 5/10/23 About herself, Patricia often said “I love life, I love God, He always has taken care of me, and He always will”. Patricia died peacefully at Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, after a long and courageously fought season of declining health. Patricia was born in Beaver Dam, to a lovely family, which included her older brother Dennis and not too long after, her lifetime best friend and little sister Mary. They grew up on an idyllic “Gentlemen’s Farm” outside of Jefferson, with horses and many animals. Her parents, Floyd and Kathryn owned the … Read more

Read More

Obituary: Margorie Alice “GG” Roloff, 89

Marjorie Alice “GG” Roloff, 89, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Golden Years in Lake Geneva, WI. She was born July 31, 1934, to Fred and Martha (Arndt) Papcke, in Whitewater, WI, the fifth of eleven children. GG attended South Heart Prairie School, across the road from the family’s home farm. She is a Whitewater High School graduate. On April 19, 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, Eric. She worked a variety of jobs over the years. Her most memorable of those being the local canning factory and as a crossing guard. After retiring, she and Eric would … Read more

Read More

Obituary: Marilyn Mae Fuerstenberg, 81 (UPDATED)

Marilyn Mae Fuerstenberg, 81 of Whitewater, WI., passed away on June 27, 2024, at Agrace Hospice in Janesville, WI. Marilyn was born May 27, 1943, in Geneva Township, to Raymond and Doris Kilpin. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her two younger brothers, Mike and Donny Kilpin. Marilyn married William (Bill) Fuerstenberg on September 21, 1963. Bill and Marilyn lived in Whitewater. Together they raised three children, taking the family on yearly vacations and camping trips throughout the years. Marilyn worked for Walworth County Health and Social Services as a Child Protection Social Worker. She dedicated 25 years … Read more

Read More

Obituary: Jerome Francis Burke, 76

Jerome Francis Burke, age 76, of Whitewater, WI, passed away unexpectedly following a brief illness on June 27, 2024. Jerry was born in Evanston, IL on May 13, 1948 to Stephen and Catherine Burke. He grew up in Glenview, IL, where he graduated from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grade School and then Loyola Academy (Wilmette). Those early days spawned treasured, lifelong friendships. He went on to graduate from St. Joseph’s College (IN) with a BA in Economics, and it was there thathe met his beloved wife, Eileen. They married shortly after graduation and were blessed to share their lives … Read more

Read More

Obituary: Angelica E. Vicente Santa Cruz, 59, of Delaware / Obituario

Angelica E. Vicente Santa Cruz passed away Sunday, June 30th in home beside family and friends in Milford, Delaware from a long battle with cancer. Angelica E. Vicente Santa Cruz was born on February 24, 1965. She was the daughter of Doña Carmen Santa Cruz Valdez and Don Luis Vicente León, who allowed her to share a life of family union with her four brothers: Braulio, Carmen Rosa, Edgar and Juan. She was born in Lima-Peru and grew up in the Ventanilla district of the constitutional province of Callao of Peru. She completed her primary studies at the La Merced … Read more

Read More

Obituary: Lowell V. Youngs, 87

Lowell V. Youngs, 87, of Whitewater passed away on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Madison. Lowell was born on September 4, 1936 in Wyoming to Isaac and Violet (Doble) Youngs.  He grew up in the very small town of Veteran, Wyoming, where he was one of nine students in his graduating class.  After graduating, Lowell attended the University of Colorado, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 1958.  Lowell was drafted into the US Army in 1960 and selected to be in the Army Band, where he gladly carried a clarinet instead of a gun.  He was … Read more

Read More

Obituary: Robert Karl Webb, 97

Robert Karl Webb passed away peacefully with his loving wife Adrienne by his side on June 14, 2024, at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater, WI.  Dr. Webb was born in Trenton, Missouri on September 29, 1926, to parents Karl and Esther (Kull) Webb. During World War II, he served in the Navy aboard the USS Pennsylvania and was honorably discharged in 1946. He received his undergraduate and doctorate degrees in music from the University of Illinois in Urbana. Dr. Webb was a composer and taught in the public schools of Moberly, Missouri, and was the director of the Hobart, Indiana … Read more

Read More