News & Events

Seventeen members of Ferradermis headed to Eau Claire on August 16 and 17 for the inaugural Leviathans Robotics Rampage held at the Pablo Center at the Confluence. What made this event so unique? The competition field was on a theater stage! This allowed for some creative uses of lighting to highlight wins by the red and blue alliances as well as many other theater amenities, such as a superb sound system and comfortable seats. Spectators were also able to get an eye-level view of the robots competing on the field. Wisconsin is testing out new venues for events as they prepare for a possible move to a district competition system, which would look more like a high school athletic playoff system and crown a state champion.

Ferradermis team members had been working diligently prior to the competition to manufacture, assemble, wire, and program their second robot for the year, a robot affectionately named Creamsicle because of the many pastel colors of its 3D printed parts. Creamsicle took the field wearing the official Ferradermis team number of 6574, and the team’s regular season bot, Chief Lee the Tangerine switched to wearing number 9996 for the competition. The two bots were able to play against each other in one match and together on the same alliance in another. Fielding two robots also allowed for twice as many students to get drive team experience.

Since many teams arrived on Friday afternoon to set up, students from various teams were able to spend some social time together, including a huge 3-team game of Marco Polo in the hotel pool. Ferradermis members also had time to explore the trails and outdoor art exhibits along the Chippewa River and the Eau Claire River, which meet just outside the Pablo Center.

On the field, Creamsicle struggled, but hung in there and made it to all of its matches. Tangerine had a much better day, ranking 6th out of the 14 bots at the end of the qualification round. Tangerine (#9996) was selected as the first pick of the fourth seed for the playoffs. That alliance captain was the second robot fielded by Team 930 The Mukwonago Bears with a robot nicknamed “Baby Bear.” Baby Bear and Tangerine then invited Team 6381 Red Raider Robotics from Sheboygan North High School to join the alliance. The alliance played well together but finished the event in fourth place.

Students representing Ferradermis in Eau Claire included recent graduates Kay Mikos and Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman, incoming seniors Andrew O’Toole, Andrew Zimmermann, and Maddison LaHaie, incoming juniors Rae Breisath, Chacha Binagi, Ace Hudec, Margaret Brown, Nina Heim, Erison Dreksler, and Georgia Esch, incoming sophomores Carson Miller, Preston Miller, and Cyrus Hudec, and incoming freshmen Vivian Harris and Cooper O’Neal.

Ferradermis will take a short break before starting up again in September. Any Whitewater High School student interested in joining the team (veterans and new members alike) should attend the annual parent meeting with at least one parent or guardian at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 11 in the high school library.

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

The Town of Richmond will conduct a treasurer recall election on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Richmond Town Hall, W9046 County Road A, Delavan, WI.

Candidates for treasurer are:

Emmily Taylor

Ann Seaver

Editor’s note: Ann Seaver is the incumbent.

The City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the School Supply
Festival, held at the Armory, where 100 pre-packed backpacks were distributed to local students in preparation for the upcoming school year. [The event was originally planned to be held at the Cravath Lakefront but was moved inside due to the forecast for rain.]

In a spirited community effort that underscored collaboration and generosity, the School Supply Festival united individuals and businesses to support the educational journey of many young residents. The backpacks, filled with essential school supplies, were meticulously prepared by the seniors at the Whitewater Senior Center, demonstrating their dedication to the younger generation.

This year’s event was made possible through the generous contributions of local businesses and organizations. Generac, Pumpers & Mitchell, and Reynolds Heating and Cooling provided crucial monetary and supply donations that helped purchase the school supplies.

As the new academic year approaches, the City of Whitewater remains committed to fostering educational initiatives and supporting the youth in our community.

Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

The UW-Whitewater IT Services Technology Surplus Sale will be held at the Community Engagement Center (CEC) on October 1 and 2. Take advantage of great pricing on used equipment like Macs and PCs, monitors, projectors, cameras, hard drives, and more for your home or personal use.  

For details, please go to our Technology Surplus information page. There will be a purchase limit of 1 Apple computer (either laptop or desktop) and 1 Windows laptop.

Sale Location: Community Engagement Center (CEC) Room 108/109 1260 W. Main Street (next to Walmart) Whitewater, WI 53190

Sale Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.* Editor’s note: At the last sale there was a very long line already at 9 a.m.

Witness an impactful textile collection that celebrates the beauty of Indigenous peoples at Roberta’s Art Gallery with “Unbreakable Strength: Exploring Indigenous Resistance and Healing Through Textiles,” by visiting artist, Agnes Yellow Bear. This exhibit showcases Indigenous applique and textiles celebrating Indigenous culture and identity while raising awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR) and the harmful legacy of Indian Residential Schools. Yellow Bear’s work will be on display from August 19 to September 18.

“Unbreakable Strength” is a powerful look into Indigenous history, present, and future. “Ribbon skirts carry stories of survival, resilience, love, and sacredness. As survivors of genocide, we wear our ribbon skirts to stay grounded in our teachings, remind us of our values, and how to carry ourselves. They allow us to stay connected to the earth and to our ancestors,” says Yellow Bear. In addition to textile works, this exhibit will also feature an interactive poem written by Danielle Ewenin, Yellow Bear’s mother, titled “Give Us Our Land,” which inspired a number of Yellow Bear’s works. “My art is a reflection of my love for my people and a tribute to their resilience,” says Yellow Bear. “I hope that this exhibit will inspire others to learn more about the challenges facing Indigenous communities and to stand in solidarity with us in our fight for justice and healing.”

Yellow Bear, a co-owner and ribbon skirt designer of ReeCreeations, is a proud Néhiyaw from Treaty 4 Territory and a member of Kawacatoose First Nations. She is a distinguished 2023 Bush Foundation Fellow, dedicated to centering the voices and experiences of families directly impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR). Yellow Bear leverages her personal experiences and artistic talents to amplify Indigenous voices, empower Indigenous communities, and encourage healing, visibility, and connection to Indigenous identity. One of her many great achievements includes being requested to make a ribbon skirt by Deb Haaland, the first Indigenous cabinet secretary, for her swearing-in ceremony. Additionally, Yellow Bear’s textile artistry has been showcased in Vogue and CBC, as well as at the 2024 Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival held at Toronto’s Eaton Centre.

The exhibit reception will be held on September 17 from 6 to 8 p.m., starting in Summers Auditorium. Whirlwind Bull, of Arikara and Dakota heritage from the MHA Nation, will deliver an opening prayer and song, followed by an artist talk and an audience Q&A. The event will then move to Roberta’s Art Gallery for an open house with refreshments from 7 to 8 p.m.

Roberta’s Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center at 190 Hamilton Green Way, Whitewater, Wis. The gallery collaborates with campus departments, student organizations, and community artists in coordinating and sponsoring exhibits. Roberta’s Art Gallery’s summer hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Beginning Tuesday, September 3, the gallery will transition to its academic hours, operating Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The gallery is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

At Roberta’s Art Gallery, we pride ourselves in providing free and open exhibits to the public, and attending certain events can earn students class credit. If you are interested in being featured in the gallery, please contact us for a proposal request. Reach us at ucart@uww.edu or 262-472-3193. Visit our website for any questions or inquiries, and follow our Instagram @uww_rag. For anyone interested in learning more about Yellow Bear’s artwork, her Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/ReeCreeations, and her Instagram handle is @ReeCreeations.

DHS urges everyone to protect themselves against mosquito bites

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announces the first West Nile virus (WNV) infections in Wisconsin this year in a healthy blood donor from Washington County, whose blood screened positive for WNV, and in a dead bird from Chippewa County that tested positive for the virus. The positive blood donor is not considered a human case because they never developed any symptoms of WNV, which is required to be a probable or confirmed case. The infections confirm that there are mosquitoes infected with WNV in the state that can transmit the virus to other people and animals.

“The first activity of West Nile virus this year in Wisconsin is a reminder that we still need to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites even as summer winds down, as the risk of West Nile virus continues until the first frost. While West Nile virus and other viruses spread by mosquitoes pose a risk to all Wisconsinites, people who have weakened immune systems are at higher risk for significant illness,” said State Health Officer Paula Tran.

WNV is spread to humans, birds, and other animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes acquire WNV by feeding on infected birds. The virus is not spread directly from person to person, animal to animal, or animal to person.

Most people (80%) who are infected with WNV do not have symptoms, so occasionally healthy blood donors may unknowingly donate blood while infected with WNV. To prevent spread of WNV through blood transfusions, all donated blood in the U.S. is tested for the virus. Any blood product that tests positive is removed from the blood supply.

DHS has monitored the spread of WNV since 2001. An average of 18 cases of WNV illness are reported among Wisconsin residents each year. WNV cases in humans have been reported from June through October; however, most people with WNV report becoming ill in August and September.

Those who become ill with WNV usually experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle ache, rash, and fatigue. However, some people (less than 1%) who become infected with the virus get seriously ill with symptoms that include high fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, disorientation, mental confusion, tremors, confusion, paralysis, and coma. Older adults and those with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of developing severe illness that can be fatal. It is important people contact a health care provider if they suspect they have WNV illness.

The best way to avoid illnesses spread by mosquitoes is to reduce exposure to mosquitoes and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Mosquito activity and the risk of WNV will continue through the rest of the summer until there is a hard frost (temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit for at least four straight hours). DHS offers these tips to protect yourself and your family against mosquito bites:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Apply an insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 to exposed skin and clothing.
• Prior to heading outdoors, treat clothing with permethrin; do not apply permethrin directly to skin.
• Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning hours, when mosquitoes that spread WNV are most active.
• Wear long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

• Prevent mosquitoes from breeding around your home by removing stagnant water from items around your property.
• Empty standing water that has collected in tin cans, plastic containers, flower pots, discarded tires, roof gutters, and downspouts.
• Turn over wheelbarrows, kiddie pools, buckets, and small boats such as canoes and kayaks when not in use.
• Change the water in bird baths and pet dishes at least every three days.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs; drain water from pool covers.
• Make sure window and door screens are intact and tightly-fitted to prevent mosquitoes from getting into your home.
• Trim or mow tall grass, weeds, and vines since mosquitoes use these areas to rest during hot daylight hours.

Find more information on illnesses spread by mosquitoes and additional ways to Fight The Bite on the DHS website.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by FRANCO PATRIZIA from Pixabay.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.