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Editor’s note: The following announcement is from the UW-W Women’s Basketball page.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior forward Aleah Grundahl (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) reached the 1,000-point milestone as the Warhawks topped Millikin University 79-69 Saturday evening in the team’s final game of the UW-Whitewater Tipoff Tournament.
Grundahl became the 18th player in program history to record 1,000 career points. She hit the mark on a jumper with just over six minutes left in the contest. She was named to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the four-game tournament. Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) was voted the UW-Whitewater Tipoff Tournament MVP.
The Warhawks came out on fire hitting 64-percent of their shots in the first quarter but the Big Blue hung in. After an even first quarter, 21-21, the Warhawks broke out in the second. UWW outscored the Big Blue 25-13 in the second to take a 46-34 lead into halftime.
Millikin outscored UWW 15-13 after a third quarter but the Warhawks had ample cushion to seal the win.
UW-Whitewater took advantage of their 19 offensive rebounds outscoring Millikin 22-12 in second chance points. The Warhawks enjoyed a 10-rebound advantage on the glass in the game.
UWW shot 46-percent from the floor and 47-percent from long range in the game. Both teams dropped in 12 free throws.
Grundahl paced the Warhawks with 25 points on 10-15 from the floor adding six boards, three assists, three steals and a pair of blocks. Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) posted a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Renee Rittmeyer (Winnebago, Ill./Winnebago) and Lunden Alexander (Dolton, Ill./Thornwood) rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 and 10 respectively.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Following the 2020 U.S. Census, state redistricting resulted in changes to both the Senate and the Assembly district assignments for the City of Whitewater. In fact, the city was split into two new Assembly districts, being divided by the Jefferson/Walworth County line. This redistricting appears to have played a major role in the city being represented on the state level by only Republican legislators for the first time in a decade. During that time the city was in Assembly District 43, which was served by Democrats Andy Jorgensen (2013-17) and Don Vruwink (2017-23). The city was represented for even a longer consecutive time by Democrats in State Senate District 15, including Judy Robson (1999-2011), Tim Cullen (2011-15), and Janis Ringhand (2015-23.)
Steve Nass (R) will represent Whitewater, which is now in State Senate District 11. Nass defeated Steven J. Doelder (D) by 44,967 to 32,083 votes.
Ellen Schutt (R) will represent the Walworth County portion of Whitewater in the State Assembly, District 31, having garnered 14,704 votes versus the 10,134 favoring Whitewater resident Brienne Brown (D).
Scott Johnson (R) will represent the Jefferson County portion of Whitewater in the State Assembly, District 33, having beaten Don Vruwink (D), who represented the entire city since 2017. Johnson received 13,709 votes vs. Vruwink’s 13,462. Vruwink previously served in District 43, but the redistricting that took place after the 2020 census resulted in his residence being located in District 33 instead of 43.
Bryan Steil (R) will represent the Walworth County portion of Whitewater in the U.S. Congress, District 1, having received 162,562 votes to Ann Roe’s (D) 135,788. The entire city was in District 5 until the recent redistricting.
Scott Fitzgerald (R) will continue to represent the Jefferson County portion of Whitewater in the U.S. Congress, District 5, having received 243,719 votes to Mike Van Someren’s (D) 134,562.
Ron Johnson (R) was reelected to the U.S. Senate by a slim margin, 1,336,873 to Mandela Barnes’ 1,310,451. Effective January, 2023 the only Democrat representing Whitewater in the state or federal legislatures will be Senator Tammy Baldwin.
Whitewater has been a popular target during redistricting. The city had been in the Congressional 1st district and was represented by Les Aspin from 1971-93 until he was appointed Defense Secretary by President Clinton in 1993. The city was moved to the 2nd Congressional district after the 2000 census and represented by Tammy Baldwin. After the 2010 census the city was moved to the 5th Congressional district and represented by Jim Sensenbrenner. The city has now come full circle as most of it is back in the First Congressional district.
Meanwhile, Whitewater resident Dave Gerber (R) was elected Walworth County Sheriff, successfully besting a write-in campaign by his primary opponent, Craig Konopski, by a vote of 34,889 to 3,382.
The entire city ordinance regarding removal of snow/ice on city sidewalks is printed below, but the bottom line is that snow and ice must be removed within 24 hours after a snow/ice event. When ice is so formed that it cannot be removed, the sidewalk must be kept sprinkled with salt or sand. There’s a minimum cost of $100 if the city has to have snow/ice removed from a property owner’s sidewalk.
12.20.020 Snow and Ice Removal Required.
The owner, occupant, and person in charge of any building or lot fronting upon or adjoining any sidewalk shall
remove all snow and ice from the sidewalk no later than twenty-four hours after a snow or ice event. When any
ice is so formed on any sidewalk that it cannot be removed, then the responsible party shall keep the same
sprinkled with salt or sand. If any such owner, occupant, or person in charge refuses or fails to comply with the
provisions of this section within the time aforesaid, the city manager or an appointed representative may
remove such snow or ice and the cost thereof shall be charged at a rate of one hundred dollars per hour, with
a minimum charge of one hundred dollars. Work lasting more than one hour will be billed an additional twenty-five dollars. Any subsequent snow removal, which takes place within six months of the prior removal, will be
charged at a rate of one hundred fifty dollars per hour, with a minimum charge of one hundred fifty dollars.
Work lasting more than one hour will be billed an additional twenty-five dollars. If the city contracts the service
out for snow and ice removal, the city shall bill back to the property owner the cost, for any labor, equipment,
and material necessary to remove the snow and ice from the public sidewalk the rate of the cost of the
contracted service, plus a ten percent administrative cost fee, or, at the city’s discretion, the street
department’s going rate for time, materials and equipment. The cost of such removal shall be reported to the
city clerk in writing with a description of the premises, and such costs shall be and become a special tax and
lien against the premises, and if not previously paid shall be inserted by the city clerk in the next ensuing tax
roll as a special tax against such premises; and such costs may, in the discretion of the common council, be
collected by suit against the owner or occupant of the premises.
Editor’s note: The following announcement was received from UW-Whitewater.
Mark Zimmermann, from Whitewater, who is majoring in history at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, has won the Outstanding Nontraditional Student Award for 2022-2023.
There are approximately 900 nontraditional students (ages 25 and older) at UW-Whitewater. These students’ drive and intellectual engagement is impressive as they work to juggle school, work, family and other obligations to accomplish their educational goals.
Each year, faculty and staff are asked to nominate individuals who have made notable contributions in the classroom and to campus, and they are recognized during National Nontraditional Student week (Nov. 7-11). This is a time to recognize and celebrate the many accomplishments and contributions that our adult students bring to our campuses.
The Adult Student Outreach, which offers resources to adult students at UW-Whitewater – whether they are returning students or are attending for the first time – coordinates the awards program. In addition to student awards, faculty and staff members are eligible for the CARE (Concern for Adults Returning to Education) Award. These faculty and staff members have provided extraordinary support and encouragement to returning adult students. This year’s CARE recipients are Teri Alder in the Department of Mathematics and Karl Brown in Department of History.
Editor’s note: The following was prepared by the National Weather Service – Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office as of 3:50 p.m. on Monday, November 14.
Here’s an update regarding wet, slushy snow for Tuesday into Wednesday.
Bottom Line Up Front:
- Accumulating wet, slushy snow is expected to start during the Tuesday morning commute, continuing through Tuesday night, with light snow showers lingering on Wednesday.
- Highest snowfall amounts & increased impacts look to occur across east-central Wisconsin, due to lake enhancement.
- There is high uncertainty with snowfall amounts in far southeast Wisconsin, mainly around and south of Milwaukee, due to milder temperatures and some rain mixing in.
- With this being the first widespread accumulating snowfall of the season, expect some travel impacts.
Timing of snow:
- Snow begins 5-7 a.m. Tuesday morning, becoming widespread with a quick inch of snow accumulation by 9 a.m.
- Peak snowfall is expected mid-morning Tuesday through Tuesday evening.
- Light snow lingers through Wednesday.
What has changed?
- A quick inch of wet, slushy snow is expected to occur during the Tuesday morning commute, which may cause reduced visibility and slippery roads.
- There is high uncertainty with snow amounts in far southeast Wisconsin, mainly around and south of Milwaukee.
Editor’s note: The image on the homepage is by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.
Whippet Volleyball Senior Kindyl Kilar was selected by the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association (WVCA) as a First Team All-State selection. Kindyl played a 6 rotation outside for the Whippets and ended her career as a Whippet on top of the leaderboard.
Kindyl was selected as the RVC first team All-Conference, AVCA Best and Brightest First Team, Team Offensive Player of the Year, Team Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Team MVP and Captain, and now 1st team all-state.
Kindyl averaged 6.3 kills per set, with 564 kills this season, which placed her number one in the Whippet record book, and number one in Division 2 for the state. Her season stats include .322 hitting percentage, 62 Aces (99.2%, 1 error), 25 total Blocks, and 314 Digs.
Even more impressive are her career stats, which she accomplished in only 2 ½ years. Her time as a Whippet was shortened due to a knee surgery her freshman year, and a shortened COVID year playing only in the Spring her sophomore year. Career stats include; 1172 Kills (1st in school history), 147 Aces (4th in school history), 50 blocks, 727 Digs (5th in school history).
Kindyl will be signing her National Letter of Intent to play at Florida International University (FIU) on November 30th.
Coach Kilar commented, “Kindyl was a great leader for this Whippet Program. Her presence will be missed, but we know she left her teammates with an example of what it means to be a team leader that will not soon be forgotten. Kindyl is a special player, and FIU is getting a great one!”
Article and Photos Submitted by Mary Kilar
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
mkilar@wwusd.org
Action Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library
Check Out Wisconsin’s State Parks At Your Library
Pilot Program Plans To Increase Park Access
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Irvin L. Young
Memorial Library have announced a pilot program to make state park and forest vehicle admission day
passes available to library card holders at Irvin L. Young Memorial Library.
Starting Tuesday, Nov. 10th, library card holders at 20 libraries across Wisconsin can check out a pass
for free admission for one vehicle at any state park, forest or recreation area where admission is
required. The pilot program ends March 1, 2023.
“The DNR is continually looking for innovative opportunities to bring more people to state parks and
forests and to ensure everyone in Wisconsin has access to our incredible natural resources,” said
Steve Schmelzer, Director of the DNR Bureau of Parks and Recreation. “By partnering with Wisconsin’s
library system, we can reach households who may not be as familiar with the wide array of
opportunities Wisconsin’s state parks and forests offer.”
The pilot program, Check Out Wisconsin’s State Parks at Your Library, is a collaborative effort between
the DNR, Wisconsin Library Association’s Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries and Wisconsin
Department of Public Instruction. Nicolet Federated Library System and Southwest Wisconsin Library
System underwrote the day passes cost.
“Our library provides resources for everyone of all ages and backgrounds about a broad range of
topics, so adding access to our state park system is a natural fit. We are excited to participate as a pilot
library, and we hope to see this program flourish in our community. Anyone with questions about the
program should stop by the library,” said Diane Jaroch, Assistant Library Director.
Along with the day pass, the cardholder will receive an informational kit of state park system materials
and maps, a Wisconsin Explorer Program book, stickers, accessibility information and more. The
program’s goal is to expand access to the Wisconsin state park system to new park visitors. Irvin L.
Young Memorial Library received 50 passes, each with a one-time use.
Based on participant feedback and funding, the DNR plans to continue the program in 2023. Each pass
includes a survey link so the DNR can gather information about who used the passes and how they
enjoyed their park experience. After using the pass, participants who complete the survey will be
eligible to win one of ten 2023 annual state park and forest vehicle admission stickers paid for by the
Friends of Wisconsin State Parks.
Learn more about Irvin L. Young Memorial Library and how to get a library card at
www.whitewaterlibrary.org. For more information about the pilot program, visit the DNR website at
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/outwigo.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
According to an announcement on November 13 from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), UW-Whitewater (8-2) will host Aurora University (Ill.) (9-1) in the first round of the NCAA Division III Football Championship. The game will be played on Saturday, November 19, with kickoff at noon. UW-W received the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) automatic bid. UW-LaCrosse (9-1) will also participate in the championship, having secured one of five at-large bids into the 32-team field.
The Warhawks hold six national championships (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014) in 18 NCAA appearances.
All contests through the national semifinals will be conducted on campus sites, while the national championship Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl will be held December 16, at Navy Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, Md. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU at 6 p.m. CST.
Obituaries
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
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
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