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The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Monday, May 11, 2026
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City of Whitewater Equal Opportunities Commission – Monday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
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Access Code: 510-303-125
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
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City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion And Possible Action Regarding Installation Of “No Stopping, Standing Or Parking” Areas Along The East Side Of Elizabeth Street Across From Laurel And Court Streets, Discussion And Possible Action Regarding Sidewalk Replacement Program, Discussion And Possible Action Regarding Amending Municipal Code, Chapter
11.16.040 – Forty-Eight Hour On Street Parking Limit, and Discussion And Possible Action Regarding Amending Municipal Code, Chapter
19.51.180 – Truck, Trailer, Mobile Home And Equipment Parking Restrictions.
Cravath Conference Room
Municipal Building – 2 Floor
312 W. Whitewater St
Editor’s note: The below press release was received from State Representative Ellen Schutt.
County Land Conservation Committee Membership Bill Signed into Law
State law will now guarantee that farmers are represented on county land
conservation committees following the August 4 signing of a bill authored by Representative Ellen Schutt (R-Clinton).
“Farmers are our land’s greatest stewards,” said Schutt. “It was essential to ensure Wisconsin farmers have a seat at the table when important policy decisions relating to water and land conservation and use are being decided.”
In November 2021, a USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) attorney made a determination that FSA county commission members in Wisconsin cannot represent the FSA in any official capacity in any “outside groups,” including the county land conservation committee. This bill removes the
FSA requirement and instead, allows a county board to appoint any person who is engaged in an agricultural use.
“As a person that grew up on a farm, and continues to be involved in agriculture related activities, and as a representative of a largely rural district, I understood the need for eliminating this uncertainty, and allowing for real representation from the agriculture community.”
This is Representative Schutt’s first bill to be signed into law since taking office in January.
Landmark Trek, sponsored by the City of Whitewater’s Landmark Commission has finished its third episode, focusing on the Whitewater Passenger Depot. Now they also have started a major collaboration in producing the series with the Whitewater TV Access Station. James Olm, the host, writer of the series, and Landmark Commission member noted, “The people of the Whitewater region will notice a more polished, well-edited, and faster paced show this time around. Zach Popke does a fantastic job with the television camera work and editing to really give this series a new look and feel.” Episode Three on the Whitewater Depot is only Part 1 of a two-part series. “There’s so much train and depot history, that I felt this landmark deserved two episodes. This episode will cover why the train-line was built through Whitewater, and the next will be on the depot from the ending of the train era to the present, including an interview with local historian, Carol Cartwright.” You’ll be able to access the series on this YouTube address, or on the Whitewater Public Access station, Spectrum Channel 990, when functional.
Fort HealthCare Reminds Patients of BadgerCare Plus & Medicaid Renewals
Fort HealthCare wants to remind patients under BadgerCare Plus or Wisconsin Medicaid to submit their renewals in time to maintain coverage. The state of Wisconsin renews healthcare benefits between June 2023 and May 2024. If you have an assigned renewal date of August 2023, you must renew by August 17, 2023. If you have a renewal date of September, you can renew your benefits from August 14, 2023, through September 15, 2023. It is important to renew your benefits as soon as possible to avoid any delays in coverage or gaps.
What is a renewal?
When you apply for benefits, you give details to the state of Wisconsin, such as your household income, insurance, and financial assets, to qualify for coverage. To maintain your benefits, you must update your information every year.
There are three ways to find your renewal month:
- Through the letter received from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
- Through the access.wi.gov website. If you do not have an account, you can create one to view your “Benefits Renewal Overview.”
- Through the MyACCESS app, use the same username and password for access.wi.gov, or you can create an account through the app.
How do I complete my renewal?
You can complete your renewal in several ways, such as online, through the mail, or by phone. If you are renewing your benefits online, you can log into access.wi.gov and click “Benefit Renewals Due For.” If you do not have an account, you can create one. If you are renewing by mail, fill out the form that was sent to you in the mail and return it. If you are renewing by phone, keep in mind that wait times may be long, but there is an option to ask for a call back, so you don’t have to wait in line. Once you renew your benefits, you can keep them until the next renewal date. If you do not renew your benefits in your assigned month, your benefits will come to an end. You have 90 days to submit a late renewal; however, you might have a gap in coverage and will need to reapply four months after your renewal month. To avoid gaps in coverage and delays, renew your coverage as soon as you are able to. For more information on renewals and renewal dates, visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forwardhealth/renewalstatus.htm.
“Book Club: The Next Chapter”
Tuesday, August 8, 1 p.m.
(Comedy) Rated PG-13; 1 hour, 47 minutes. (2023)
A sequel to the 2015 hit: follow the four book club best friends as they venture to Italy for sightseeing, adventures and romance. Returning cast includes Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenbergen, Andy Garcia, Don Johnson and Craig Nelson.
Saturday – August 5th
Registration – 8:00 a.m. at Badger Bob’s Bar & Grill, W8497 County Rd A, Delavan.
Ride start time – 9:00 a.m.
Bring a tractor to drive or just come along for the ride. Entry fees of $10 per rider and $20 per tractor include a lunch wristband for the approximate 12:00 p.m. lunch stop at Rick’s Eastside Pub & Grill, 561 E Milwaukee St., Whitewater. The antique tractors return to Badger Bob’s around 4:00 p.m. for raffles, live auction, food and fun!
Funds raised go to support youth in agriculture through scholarships and educational opportunities.
The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Franz W. from Pixabay.
Obituaries
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
Carol Ann Seebruch, 88 of Whitewater passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, April 3, 2026. Carol was born July 12, 1937 in Chicago IL to William and Ann Borovec. She married Marvin Seebruch on June 9, 1984. Carol and Marvin enjoyed traveling the United States making it to 48 of the 50 states. She also enjoyed her time with the Red Hat Ladies. She loved taking pictures of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Carol is survived by her three children; Bill Anderson of Fort Atkinson, WI, Terri Laban of Whitewater, WI, and Donna (Mike) Jones of Crivitz, WI. She … Read more
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