Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Friday, October 9, 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.
WMS Teacher John Schimming Honored with Inspiring Educator of the Year Award
At its August 29 All-Staff Kick Off Event, the Whitewater Unified School District recognized John Schimming as this year’s recipient of the WUSD Inspiring Educator of the Year Award.
Schimming is a seventh-grade math teacher at Whitewater Middle School. He is known for his mentorship to his students and the many colleagues, athletes, and community members with whom he interacts. He also has an active role in growing the Whitewater wrestling program, specifically the girls’ division.
“On behalf of our entire school district community, I would like to congratulate John on earning this well-deserved award for the 2023-24 school year,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent. “During his time in our district, John has had an incredible impact on our students, families, and community. He is someone who is dedicated to his craft and who truly cares about ensuring students have the opportunities they need to thrive. A big thank you goes out to John for all he does, each and every day.”
The district considers nominations for the annual award from its teachers and staff. A WUSD Inspiring Educator of the Year is an individual whose work exemplifies the district’s core values and demonstrates best practices in the field of education.
The recipient provides students with exceptional learning experiences and unique opportunities, demonstrating a commitment to helping them achieve their highest potential.
The Whitewater Girls’ Tennis Team moved to 2-0 in conference play on Tuesday after defeating Big Foot at home 7-0.
Singles:
- No. 1 – Emilia Houwers def. Lauren Decker 6-0, 6-0
- No. 2 – Jackie Franco def. Easton Gregory 5-7, 6-4, 14-12
- No. 3 – Liz Servin def. Kara Rees 6-1, 6-3
- No. 4 – Vicki Ramirez def. Gabby Klein 6-1, 6-2
Doubles:
- No. 1 – Isabel Aranda & Stephanie Wence def. Robin Cronin & Hannah Grever 7-6 (4), 6-4
- No. 2 – Vanesa Wence & Leah Newmann def. Addie Larson & Mia Nor 6-1, 6-2
- No. 3 – Lillian Navejas-Ortiz & Ariadna Gonzalez Cervantes def. Ryann Grunow & Mya Gonzalez 6-3, 7-6 (1)
Article and Photo Submitted by Baron West
Whitewater High School Head Tennis Coach
bwest@wwusd.org
The closure for paving and culvert replacement on County Highway N which extends from the western end of Walworth Street was originally projected to be completed by August 31. Now the Rock County Public Works Department indicates that they do not expect this work to be completed until September 29.
Meanwhile, according to reports on social media, some drivers have been ticketed for failing to observe the detour. One person stated that he got a $175 citation for simply driving the very short distance to County Line Road to make a delivery to the mobile home park.
September 19, 2023 is National Voter Registration Day
The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area is a proud supporter of the National Voter Registration Day and will provide Voter Registration education and assistance in Whitewater, Fort Atkinson, and Delavan, in celebration of this nonpartisan civic holiday.
Founded in 2012, National Voter Registration Day was designed to create a day each year when the entire nation focuses on registering Americans to exercise their most basic right – the right to vote.
According to U.S. Census data from 2020, as many as 1 in 4 eligible Americans are not registered to vote. Every year, millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. National Voter Registration Day wants to make sure everyone has the opportunity to vote.
Please tap into the League’s collective expertise with all your voting concerns on this special day. League members will be staffing tables at the following locations and times on Tuesday, September 19th:
10 AM – 2 PM Aram Public Library, 404 E Walworth Ave, Delavan
11 AM – 1 PM Irvin L Young Memorial Library, 431 W Center St, Whitewater
11 AM – 1 PM UW Whitewater University Center, Table A, 190 Hamilton Green Way
3 PM – 5 PM Dwight Foster Public Library, 209 Merchants Ave, Fort Atkinson
4 PM – 7 PM Whitewater City Market, 301 W Whitewater St
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!
Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the League of Women Voters – Whitewater area.
Mary Hardin-Baylor, #3 in D3football.com’s preseason poll, fell to #23 UW-River Falls by a score of 22-45 on September 2 at River Falls. Reportedly MH-B lost many of their leading players and are fielding a younger squad. The team has won three D-III championships, most recently in 2021.
As previously reported, the #11 Warhawks beat #19 John Carroll by 27-23 on September 2. UW-W will face MH-B in week #3 in Texas.
Did you know that more than half of women over age 50 experience issues with bladder or bowel control? These problems can be slightly bothersome or totally debilitating. For some women, the chance of embarrassment keeps them from enjoying many activities and can take control of their life.
A popular workshop in Rock County can help! “Mind Over Matter: Healthy Bowels, Healthy Bladder” is a workshop designed to give women, age 60 and older, the tools they need to take control of their bladder and bowel symptoms. The workshop provides information, group activities, and simple exercises and dietary changes to practice at home. The workshop consists of three, 2-hour sessions over the course of a month.
Dedication to the series of three classes is required. This is a workshop for females, taught by a female.
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Rock County invite women to join them for a “Mind Over Matter” series at the Daniel Williams Resource Center (where the ADRC is located) at 1717 Center Avenue in Janesville, Wisconsin. The series will occur on three Monday mornings from 10:00 am -12 pm on: September 11, 25 & October 9, 2023. Suggested donation is $10 to cover cost of materials. Space is limited, so register early to reserve a spot! Registration deadline is September 6th !
To learn more, or to register for the series, contact Health Promotion
Coordinator, Lisa Messer, of the ADRC of Rock County at: 608-757-5309 or email: lisa.messer@co.rock.wi.us.
Editor’s note: Although first priority is given to Rock County residents, the ADRC staff has indicated to the Banner that residents of other counties are welcome to participate when space is available. Interested women living in Jefferson or Walworth county should contact Lisa to confirm whether space is available.
Former UW-W Head Football Coach Lance Leipold joined the University of Kansas as head coach in May 2021. Bret Bielema, former UW Head Football Coach, hired on in the same position at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in December 2020. The teams coached by the two men will meet for the first time on September 8 in Lawrence, Kansas.
This article titled “Leipold and Bielema’s shared history informs KU’s approach to Week 2” in kusports.com may be of interest to readers.
Friday night, September 1, saw a closely contested and hard-fought game for Whippet Soccer’s 1st annual youth night. Your Whippets never gave up after going down 2-0 and fighting back through a sensational hat trick from Sebastian Cuellar Meza to see things tied at 3 with 10 minutes remaining. Another comeback was necessary when in the 76’ minute Rosenberg Escobar tied things up for Whitewater again at 4-4.
Two minutes from full time, Living Word Lutheran scored the final goal of the contest, thus sealing their chances for victory. It was a tough loss but you can bet that we will be ready for another hard-fought match on Tuesday when we host Racine Park.
Whitewater:
- 27’ goal by Sebastian Cuellar Meza assisted by Sebastian Alvarez
- 41’ goal by Sebastian Cuellar Meza assisted by Rosenberg Escobar
- 70’ goal by Sebastian Cuellar Meza assisted by Chris Cortes\
- 76’ goal by Rosenberg Escobar assisted by Ethan Dugan
- Casey Schlicher 3 saves
- Phoenix Jones 2 saves
Living Word Lutheran:
- 14’ goal by Denny Oechsner
- 26’ goal by Ethan Breckenfelder
- 66’ goal by Timmy Bagin
- 72’ goal by Ethan Breckenfelder
- 78’ goal by Timmy Bagin
Article Submitted by Sam Burns
Whitewater High School Head Boys’ Soccer Coach
dburns@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
Obituaries
Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003. Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally … Read more
Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly … Read more
Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel. She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, … Read more
Susan Miller Celebration of Life There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin
Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck). She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November … Read more
Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working … Read more
Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life. Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and … Read more
Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a … Read more
Ellen Eichmiller, 82, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Ellen was born on September 10, 1943, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Chester “Guy” and Irene (née Holmen) Steig. She married the love of her life, Paul Eichmiller, on December 7, 1963, and together they made their home in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ellen spent much of her working life as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she formed many lasting friendships and memories. Ellen cherished her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with those closest to her. She was known for her love of … Read more
Janet Quinn, age 71, of Jefferson passed away on Thursday, August 20th. Janet was born on December 22nd, 1954 in St. Joseph, MI to Robert Mounsey and Edith Christison Mounsey. She was a granddaughter to Herbert Bragg Mounsey, Charlotte Mounsey, and Ester Christison West. She married Michael Durden in 1979 and later married Eury Quinn Jr. (J.R.) in 1988. Janet grew up in Benton Harbor, MI, and subsequently lived in New York and Arkansas before moving to Wisconsin in 2016. She was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled Mother, and worked as a custodian for various employers over the years. … 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.
