Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Monday, May 11, 2026
News & Events
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.
The City of Whitewater is starting a monthly newsletter! The newsletter will be sent on the first Thursday of each month.
The newsletter content will include:
• What’s new
• Public service announcements & reminders
• Upcoming meetings
• Board, committee, commission, & employment openings
• What’s happening with Parks & Recreation
• What’s happening at the WAFC
• What’s happening at the Library
The City of Whitewater has been improving its communications with the staff, residents, businesses, and other
stakeholders. We actively share updates on our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We realize everyone has
different preferences on how to receive these communications. This newsletter provides another channel for you to stay up to date.
John Weidl, Whitewater city manager, shares, “One of the City’s strategic goals is to increase the type and frequency of our communication with the public. Providing a monthly newsletter is one step of several that we will take an order to deliver on that goal.”
Subscribe to receive the latest news and upcoming events: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/g8U4Af4/whitewater
If you were writing a film about a tennis season, you could not have written a better scenario than the 2023 NCAA Women’s tennis season for Reese Brantmeier of Whitewater, Wisconsin, and the North Carolina tennis team.
After the University of North Carolina team won its first national championship, the two double teams from the school were to compete in a week-long NCAA individual tennis tournament in both singles and doubles.
After four single-elimination rounds, the 2023 NCAA Doubles Championship consisted of both North Carolina doubles teams. In the end, the doubles team of Fiona Crawley and Carson Tanguilig defeated teammates Reese Brantmeier of Whitewater, Wisconsin, and Elizabeth Scotty 6-1, 2-6, 11-9 in the championship match on Saturday afternoon, May 27, in Orlando, Florida.
“Winning the first NCAA outdoor team title was such a high for all of us. I am just really proud of the week we had as doubles teams,“ stated Brantmeier. Reese would also like to thank all the people back in Whitewater for their support.
Reese Brantmeier is the daughter of Scott and Becky Brantmeier and has two older brothers, Justin and Zach. All three attended Whitewater High School.
Article and Photo Submitted by Greg Stewart
Whitewater is home to a culturally rich and diverse population. Whitewater and the surrounding community gathered to celebrate this cultural diversity as the Whitewater Unified School District hosted the first annual Multicultural Heritage Showcase on Saturday, May 6 from 4-6:30 p.m. at Whitewater High School. Over 250 guests attended to celebrate and enjoy art, music, food, and performances that represented a variety of cultures and ethnicities of the community. Over 50 students, staff and community members shared their cultural heritages and traditions and customs from around the world with neighbors and friends through song, dance, poetry, and artwork.
The evening began at 4 p.m. with socializing and sampling food representative of countries and cultures of Asia, Latin America, Europe, and North America. Attendees were invited to view art submitted by local community artists and students of the Whitewater Unified School District. A mural on the wall invited children and adults to “graffiti” words and drawings that represented their cultural histories, heritages, and experiences. During the social time, music was played by the local band, Helia, in their first on-stage performance as an up-and-coming rock band.
Socializing was followed by live entertainment. Masters of Ceremony, WHS students Eduard Jiron Betanco and Alex Vazquez Martinez, welcomed the audience into the auditorium through introductions in both English and Spanish. The ceremony began with the presentation of the flags by the St. John’s Northwestern Academy’s Color Guard followed by two more songs by Helia. Next, the recitation of the well-known Nicaraguan modernismo poem, “A Margarita Debayle,” written by Rubén Darío, was performed in its original language, Spanish. Whitewater Middle School dance group, Pinoleras, made up of students honoring Nicaraguan and Mexican heritages, jointly performed “Polka Cumbia,” a “baile folklórico,” with traditional dance steps and costumes. Three WHS students continued the performance in singing the multicultural and multilingual pieces by Russian, German, and English composers. The dance duo “Nicaragua Mía” then performed a traditional Nicaraguan dance to the song “La Flor de Sacuanjoche.” The Sacuanjoche flower is the national flower of Nicaragua and a symbol of strength, love, and cultural perpetuity.
To complete the triad of traditional latin dances represented in the showcase, the WHS group Alma Pinolera, a Nicaraguan dance group of WHS students, gave a choreographed performance complete with twirling skirts and hats. The dance performed was an homage to Mayan, Mestiza, and Aztec cultures. The outfits donned by the dancers included imagery of Nicaragua, representing Nicaraguan history, legends, and battles. To follow, a group of young performers from Lincoln Elementary School took the stage next to perform a hula hoop dance routine to the song “Try Everything” by Shakira. The group shared with the audience the following message: “Try Everything means making mistakes is a good thing. We try hard things, stand up to our challenges, and don’t give up.” Next to the stage was the Studio 84 Dance Theatre with members from Studio 84 and Dancing for Diversity. Studio 84 is a non-profit community art studio and theater program with a “Creative Focus on the Abilities through the Arts” focused on the creative development of ability-diverse individuals. The group engaged the audience with stories told through dance. The final performance of the evening was a student performance by the Washington Multilingual Singers dedicated to Kelley Marotta, a beloved Kindergarten teacher at Washington Elementary who recently passed away. The group gave a bilingual performance and ended with an enthusiastic dance and uplifting sing-along with the audience.
Themes of cultural diversity, perseverance, and community emerged from the evening. Community members, school district families, and local organizations and leaders came together to celebrate diversity and camaraderie in this first annual event. Whitewater Unified School District’s Superintendent Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty reported of the event, “The Multicultural Heritage Showcase was the first of its kind at WUSD and drew over 250 of our family and community members to celebrate. I could not be more proud of the work that went into the celebration of diversity and inclusion for all of our students.” Organizers of the event, Jim McCulloch, WUSD Theater Director, and Terilyn Robles, WUSD Multilingual Services Coordinator, were also pleased by the audience turnout and community support for the event. “We are grateful for the school and community collaborations to make this event a success. Tonight we were able to experience cultural diversity- and celebrate it- through performance, art, food, and conversation,” said Robles. The district expressed gratitude to the performers, student volunteers, staff, and community, for their support of the event. They look forward to continuing the event and celebrating the community’s diverse heritages, cultures, and languages in next year’s showcase.
The Whitewater Whippets’ Varsity Baseball season comes to an end with a loss 11 to 1 in the regional tournament at McFarland.
The game started off rough with Owen Hicks giving up a home run to the first hitter of the game. From there they struggled to find a rhythm and come back.
The bright spot was a double by TJ Piper, who would end up also scoring later in the inning.
Next up is off-season Summer League, practice, and staying game ready for next year.
Article and Photo Submitted by Neil Hicks
On Tuesday, May 22, the Whippets traveled to Big Foot for the WIAA Regional, the first step in their trek towards the State Meet. The Regional consisted of 8 teams, with the Top 4 place winners in each event moving on to compete at the Sectional meet on Thursday, May 24.
The Whippet Girls’ Team was again led by the sprints crew, who cruised to a total of four first-place finishes between the open events and relays. In the opens, Maddie Buehler continued her stellar 2023 campaign by placing first in the 100-meter dash in a time of 12.70. Evie Troxel also added a 6th place finish in the event. In the 200, Kindyl Kilar placed first with a time of 26.42.
In the girls’ relays, Whitewater added a second-place in the 4×400 meter relay, earning a chance to compete on Thursday. The team of Calli Grosinske, Athena Soto, Cara Yang, and Sydney Schilt ran a season’s best time of 4:17.73. Also advancing to the Sectional meet with a pair of first place finishes were the girls’ 4×200 and 4×100 meter relays. The 4×200 team of Maddie Buehler, Schilt, Emma Weigel, and Kindyl Kilar ran a time of 1:44.78, which is the #2 all-time mark in WHS history. Additionally, the 4×100 relay team of Grosinske, Buehler, Weigel, and Kilar smashed their previous school record time of 50.08, running a new best of 49.17. Their time was good for first place, a new school record, and is currently the only sub-50 second 4×100 relay time in WHS history.
In the distance events on the track, Athena Soto ran a season’s best time of 2:27.52 in the 800-meter run, good for third place. In the 3200-meter run, sophomore Nola Coburn used a strong kick in the final lap of the race to secure 4th place in the event, earning another opportunity to run on Thursday. In the 1600, freshman Mady Hefty narrowly missed the Top 4, placing fifth. Her time of 6:04.42 was a season’s best in the event.
Several girls also contributed in the field events. Evie Troxel placed first in the pole vault with a vault of 10’-0”, and teammate Izzy Dieter also qualified for the Sectional meet by placing third. Dieter also qualified in the Discus throw, as her toss of 109’-6 was good for second place.
As a team, the girls placed fourth with 90 points. Brodhead-Juda were the girls’ Regional team champions.
The boys used a balanced attack of sprints, distance, and field events to propel themselves to a spectacular performance that concluded with them as Regional Champions! Overall, the boys scored 123 points, ahead of second place Edgerton.
The boys had two Sectional qualifiers in open sprint events from first-place winners Traysen Thomason and Ethan Dugan in the 100- and 400-meter dashes, respectively. Akamion McHenry also added to the team total with a 6th place finish in the 200-meter dash. In the 110-meter hurdles, Avi Kalra and David Enns placed 7th and 8th, adding to the team score.
The boys distance events saw two Sectional qualifying marks in the 1600-meter run, as Jack Hefty and Nate Holden placed first and second. In the 800, Miles Nickelsburg ran a personal best time of 2:08.65 for fifth, while Holden was 6th in 2:09. Xavier Zei added another fifth-place finish in the 3200-meter run, with a personal best time of 10:48.
The boys had two Sectional qualifying relays, as the 4×400 meter relay team of Quincy Boudreau, Jack Hefty, Ethan Dugan, and Traysen Thomason placed first in a season’s best time of 3:30.70. Additionally, the 4×200 relay of Curtis Rossmiller, Nate Black, Boudreau, and Thomason placed second in the event with a time of 1:33.70.
The boys’ team continued their strong performances in the field events. In the throws, Connor Raupp earned two first place finishes in the Discus and Shot Put, with tosses of 154’-2” and 46’-10”. Jake Kuhlow was third in Discus with a 130’-10” and fifth in the Shot. In the vertical jumps, Jaylyn Ewing placed 4th in High Jump with a jump of 5’-10”, and CJ Tomomitsu equaled his personal best of 12’-6” in the Pole Vault, good for second place. In the horizontals, Nate Black placed 6th in the Long Jump with a leap of 19’-2”.
The Whippets will head to McFarland on Thursday for the Sectional competition, where again the Top 4 place-winners will advance, this time to the State Meet in La Crosse.
Article and Team Photo Submitted by Matt Green
Whitewater High School Head Track and Field Coach
mgreen2@wwusd.org
Action Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka
Whitewater Soccer traveled to Evansville for the first round of the Rock Valley Conference tournament on Monday, May 22.
Both teams played hard in an exciting game that ended 3-0 to Evansville. The goals were scored by Jaden LeRoy (32’, 39’), and Hanna Johnson (49’).
Marina Linos played in goal for Whitewater; Kennedy Dobbs played in goal for Evansville.
Article Submitted by Maddy Blain
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Soccer Coach
mblain@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
What a year it has been for 2022 Whitewater High School graduate Reese Brantmeier at the University of North Carolina!
On Saturday, May 20, the North Carolina women’s tennis team won its first NCAA championship in program history, defeating N.C. State 4-1 in Orlando, Florida.
The UNC tennis player in her first year is part of the 2023 National Championship team at UNC. During the 2023 NCAA tournament, Reese won the #1 Singles position against Old Dominion, Florida, Texas, and Georgia before falling to N.C. State in a hard-fought match at #1 Singles. Reese lost that match to a player who advanced in the 2nd round of the Australian Open a year ago.
Reese and her doubles partner Reilly Tran won a pivotal doubles match against N.C. State in the team championship match that gave the team a win, leading to their first women’s tennis championship.
Reese will be playing in this year’s NCAA singles and doubles championships that will also take place in Orlando, beginning on Monday and running through Saturday.
Reese Brantmeier is the daughter of Scott and Becky Brantmeier and has two older brothers, Justin and Zach. All three attended Whitewater High School.
Article and Photos Submitted by Greg Stewart
gstewart@wwusd.org
Obituaries
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
Entered God’s Kingdom on Friday, April 3, 2026, age 65. Donna is survived by her cousins, other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents James and Lois (Michels) Lyons. Donna was raised in the Church of Nazarene, with her father being the assistant pastor. Religion was very important to Donna. Donna enjoyed working with the students of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, where she resided. Donna also loved to travel, visiting France, Italy, and all around the United States. She also loved to paint, cross-stitch, knit, and crochet. She also loved collecting recipes and trying … Read more
Other Recent Posts
Click on the title to view the post. To open the post in a new tab, press Ctrl (Cmd on a Mac) while clicking on the title.
