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Today is Sunday, May 10, 2026
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These are the vaccines that will be available: Dtap, Hep B, MMR, Polio, Tdap, and Varicella – first come, first served until vaccine supply runs out. The vaccines clinic is for individuals 18 years of age and younger. Adults can make appointments with the Rock River Clinic in Whitewater who will be there to promote services and make appointments for families.
The image on the homepage “IPV vaccination” by Sanofi Pasteur is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Editor’s note: This is a paid advertisement by the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Residents who were in the general area of Main & Whiton Streets in the late evening on Monday, August 1 may have noticed a large police presence including county sheriffs and police from other communities. Interim Police Chief Dan Meyer told the Banner that the Whitewater Police Department “received a report [at 8:46 p.m.] that a male wearing a ski mask and carrying a rifle had pointed the rifle at a passerby in a vehicle near that location. When officers arrived they could not confirm if a male that was running was the suspect or not. A perimeter was set up as we attempted to locate the individual and confirm the legitimacy of the report.”
Update, 8/2 @ 9 a.m.: On Tuesday morning, Meyer indicated that upon further investigation there was less clarity regarding exactly what had been seen, and the search was completed without having identified a subject or a weapon.
Editor’s note: On July 25 the Police & Fire Commission conditionally approved the appointment of Dan Meyer to be the police chief, subject to negotiation of salary and benefits with city staff and approval of Common Council. This process has not yet been completed.
Over the weekend of July 30, the Whitewater High School Boys’ and Girls’ Tennis Program sponsored the first annual Tim Nelson Doubles Tournament. It was a blast! Over 24 alumni participated in the inaugural event. The proceeds from the alumni tournament will go to the WHS Tennis Program.
The Whitewater community had the opportunity to watch some outstanding tennis. Congratulations to John Chenoweth and Tim Nelson, who won the event. A solid 2nd place finish went to the doubles team of Jim and Gina Foucault. Medalists include Elijah Grall, Colin Chenoweth, Sydney Treder, Hannah Delaney, Emilia Houwers, and Mariana Cano.
WHS Tennis Coach Baron West would like to thank all who attended and participated. He would also like everyone to know a date for next year’s alumni tournament. It will take place on July 22, 2023. All alumni and members of the WHS tennis community are welcome.
Article and Photos Submitted by Greg Stewart
WHS Staff Member and Former WHS Tennis Coach
gstewart@wwusd.org
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire awarded 1,400 degrees in May. Of the degrees awarded, 1,387 were received by students attending the Eau Claire campus and 13 were received by students attending UW-Eau Claire – Barron County. Local students who received degrees and their fields of study are shown below. Congratulations, class of 2022!
Whitewater, WI
Naomi Allen, Nursing and Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, nursing
Alexis Long, Business, Bachelor of Business Administration, accounting and information systems
Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by UW-Eau Claire.
Signing the agreement at the conclusion of the joint Common Council and Whitewater Fire Dept., Inc. meeting – 1st row: City Clerk Michele Smith, City Manager Cameron Clapper, WFD Board President and Captain Christ Christon 2nd row: Councilmember James D. Allen, Councilmember Carol McCormick, Lieutenant Andrew Rowland, EMS Chief Ashley Vickers, Asst. Chief Joe Uselding, Councilmember Brienne Brown 3rd row: Council President Lisa Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Lukas Schreiber, Asst. Chief Ryan Dion, Lieutenant Justin Sachse, EMS Captain Jason Dean
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Capping off nearly a year of discussion and negotiation, the City of Whitewater Common Council on July 28 approved an agreement with Whitewater Fire Department, Inc. (WFD) which provides that fire and emergency medical services (EMS) will be furnished by a city department beginning on July 30. The department will also continue the contractual services that are provided to parts or all of the towns of Cold Spring, Johnstown, Koshkonong, Lima, Richmond, and Whitewater.
WFD has capably served the city since its founding in 1871, but, as has been the case with nearly all volunteer fire departments across the state, staffing challenges under the Paid-on-Call model made it increasingly difficult for the department to respond to increasing call volumes particularly for emergency medical services. As a result response times were sometimes extending, particularly when it was necessary to call on neighboring communities for mutual aid. Over the past year WFD migrated to a Paid-on-Premises (POP) model for EMS, where four positions are now staffed twenty-four hours a day, providing a two-ambulance response at all times. Recruitment is improved as reliable hours can be provided, and as a number of employees will become eligible for health and retirement benefits.
The part-time position of Department Chief has been established, with Kelly Freeman being appointed. A previous post lists the other individuals who have been appointed to the Command Staff. Current Chief Mike Higgins will remain with the department as a firefighter until he retires at the end of 2022. Nearly all WFD equipment and rolling stock will become property of the municipal department. The Transition Team will continue to serve in an advisory role until December 31, 2022, or until such time as it is deemed to no longer be necessary. WFD will continue to exist as a separate non-profit entity focusing primarily on fundraising and fellowship activities.
The substantial increase in fire and EMS staffing has resulted in nearly a doubling in projected expenses for 2022 compared with 2021. Consequently it will be necessary for the city to place a referendum on the November 8 ballot. Further information will be provided in a forthcoming post.
Ferradermis, Whitewater High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition Team #6574, wrapped up their summer off-season competitions with a championship at MROC, the Mukwonago Robotics Off-Season Competition, on Sunday, July 24, at Mukwonago High School. This was the second weekend in a row in which Ferradermis was part of the winning alliance after leading the championship alliance at the Lakeshore Invite in Manitowoc on July 16.
Sunday’s competition brought together 18 high school robotics teams with 20 robots from across Wisconsin and Illinois. Both Ferradermis and host the Mukwonago Bears fielded two robots, having done summer projects to experiment with a different type of drive base. Among the 18 teams were five teams that had won a regional championship during the regular season, so the competition was intense all day long.
Ferradermis’ main robot was ranked #2 after the qualification rounds and was invited to join the #1-seeded alliance led by the #1 ranked team, Team #2202 BEAST Robotics from Brookfield Central and Brookfield East. The two teams then invited Team #1792 Round Table Robotics from Oak Creek to round out the alliance. The alliance earned a bye in the quarterfinals, and then went 2-0 in each of the best of three semifinals and finals to claim the championship.
Ferradermis’ second robot (operating as #9574) was ranked in the low teens after qualifications and was the second pick of the #4-seeded alliance, joining alliance captain Team #2451 PWNAGE from St. Charles, Illinois, and Team #1732 Hilltopper Robotics from Marquette University High School. This alliance fell to the #1 alliance in the semi-finals as the two Ferradermis robots faced off.
Summer off-season competitions are a great way for younger members to get more hands on with the robots and gain some experience as part of a drive team. Ferradermis will welcome new members in September. Freshmen will be able to indicate their interest during the Freshman Activities Fair on the first day of school, and older students should watch for signs and announcements or reach out to a current member. Parents or students with questions can email Laura Masbruch at lmasbruch@wwusd.org.
Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor and Banner Volunteer
lmasbruch@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
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