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Today is Sunday, May 10, 2026
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Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Negotiation of sale of properties at 413 West Center Street, 414A/B Forest Avenue, 424 Forest
Avenue, Whitewater; Complete a 360 review of the changing needs of the library (print vs digital
expenditures, staffing, workflow) and update the library’s budget; Approval Of The Draft Revision Of The Collection Development Policy.
Community Room
431 W. Center Street
This will be an in-person/virtual hybrid meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85040365333?pwd=Z1JieVMvN1lnUllYU2pIaGpDVnNCUT09
Meeting ID: 850 4036 5333
Passcode: fdh3VE6t
or dial 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 850 4036 5333
Passcode: 76285245
Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:00 p.m. (Closed session); 7:00 p.m. (Open session)
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
6:00 p.m.
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6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89106332735?pwd=YlJmZDYxQ0JyWlJpdVdvSE11Tlg4QT09
– Passcode: 177861
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 891 0633 2735
– Passcode: 177861
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Closed Session
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Open Session
Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes 2023-24 High School Curriculum Changes/Course Proposals and Review of 2021-22 Financial Audit.
7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82553957313?pwd=aHkrekg3a1NLaFprM0h0OGpFYkFOUT09
– Passcode: 827459
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 825 5395 7313
– Passcode: 827459
City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes adoption of 2023 salary resolution, SEWRPC report on housing in Whitewater, discussion regarding honoring Martin Luther King day as a holiday for city employees, and update regarding CDA Director position.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building – Community Room
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be an in person AND a virtual meeting.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88045220373?pwd=MFhZSGFpTkJmV3pNRFZtcHRob09SUT0
9
Passcode: 096103
Or Telephone:
1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 880 4522 0373
Passcode: 096103
Editor’s note: The following was submitted by Pamela Sonmor-Wintz, WHS Counselor.
National Honor Society members at Whitewater High School purchased Holiday presents for ten WUSD children in need through the United Way Gift Giving Program in December! Money spent was from funds raised through the Spring Silent Auction. Thank you, Evelyn Troxel, Allison Alvarado & her sister Ava for purchasing the gifts, and to Evelyn, Allison & Caleigh Yang & Kayla Mikos for wrapping the gifts! A great time was had by all! Here is a photo story of pictures taken during this project!
A YouTube video depicting the project may be viewed here.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The First United Methodist Church choir, together with additional singers from other Whitewater Area Regional Ministry congregations and other community members, presented a Christmas cantata titled “Little Lion, Little Lamb” by Heather Sorenson on December 11 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A 22-piece orchestra accompanied the choir, as did James R. Athas on piano. Christine Hayes directed, while Pastor Dan Fahs narrated. Vocal soloists were Barb Athas, Benjamin Crone, Jen Crone, Charlie Fortney, Katie Fortney, Nathan Roley, and Barb Taylor. The concert was dedicated to the late Marge Triebold, who sang in the choir for over 65 years. All photos are courtesy of Tom Ganser.
Versiti is the primary blood supplier for Southeastern Wisconsin, as well as Lakeland and Fort Hospitals. Donations have been down and there is definitely a need for more volunteers. Please consider making an appointment by clicking here today. Save time by answering the questionnaire at home; this cannot be done before Monday.
Please click on this link to make an appointment.
The Whitewater Unified School District 5th Grade Choirs presented a concert on December 13 at the high school auditorium. Directors are Justin Kamp (Lakeview), Christine Hayes (Lincoln), and Val Troxel (Washington). Barb Taylor accompanied on the piano. All photos are courtesy of Tom Ganser.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth recently announced that Associate Vice Chancellor Kenny Yarbrough will be leaving UW-Whitewater in January. Yarbrough has served as the inaugural Associate Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Support Programs (EDIS) for the past four years. This week Lawrence University in Appleton announced that Yarbrough will soon be assuming a similar position there.
Chenoweth also announced that Vanessa Perez will lead the EDIS programs “for the foreseeable future,” while also indicating that Perez has been appointed as the permanent Assistant Vice Chancellor for the division.
Per the chancellor, “This fall the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater was once again named a College of Distinction for Equity and Inclusion. This designation was only possible thanks to the genuine commitment of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community. Our work in this space is important and recognized, but we realize we have much more to do.”
The following quotes are from an article, “Next Level: After redshirt year, Whitewater High grad Emme Bullis breaks into Cal Poly’s Volleyball Starting lineup,” in The Gazette on December 15 by Tom Miller. Please click here to read the complete article, which is considerably longer. It appears that a subscription may not be required.
Next Level: After redshirt year, Whitewater High grad Emme Bullis breaks into Cal Poly’s volleyball starting lineup
“Emme Bullis’ parents were both teachers and coaches.
That partially explains the Whitewater High graduate’s success as a redshirt freshman [on] the Cal Poly volleyball team this season.
Bullis finished the season as the Mustangs leader in assists (1,105) and digs (26) and third in service aces with 18…..
Her first season in the Big West impressed her head coach Caroline Walters. “She’s a leader,” Walters told The Mustang News, the school’s publication. “She is consistently saying the right things and doing the right things.”
That is nothing new for people who watched Bullis star four years for the Whippets. A three-time Rock Valley Conference first-team selection and a first-team all-state pick her senior year, Bullis had a solid upbringing both in the classroom and on the volleyball court.
Her father, Kevin, was the UW-Whitewater head football coach from 2015 until the end of this past season when he announced his retirement.
Emme’s mother, Kathy, coached her throughout her high school career. Kathy retired after the 2021 season as the Whippets’ head coach.
Kevin and Kathy are in the process of moving to California. Kevin is pursuing a job in education, while Kathy already has been working in California….
They will have more opportunities to watch Emme play in her three remaining seasons.
She beat out a senior who was second in assists in the Big West last season for the starting setter job….
The drive and her competitiveness are illustrated by her success in the classroom, as well. A high honor roll student all four years at Whitewater High, Bullis is majoring in child development and wants to teach at the elementary school level when she graduates.
That is three volleyball seasons—and many more successes—away.”
The Whippet Girls’ Basketball Team took on Edgerton Thursday night, December 15, for a conference game at home.
We started the game with great intensity on defense, keeping the score within five with just over seven minutes left in the first half. Edgerton pulled away, outscoring us 24-3 as we struggled to connect on our shots from outside, ending the first half 13-39.
The second half matched the first in scoring as we continued to struggle to hit our shots.
Statistical leaders for the Whippets were Kindyl Kilar and Calli Grosinske with 7 points and 2 rebounds each. Zoe Kohl added 4 points.
The Whippets travel to Brodhead for another conference game Tuesday night, December 20.
Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Peter and Bob Mischka
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
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