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Today is Saturday, June 13, 2026
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By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Construction is underway at the roundabout on the east side of town for a building that will house a Dollar General store. The property is across Bluff Road from the Kwik Trip. Since the property was purchased from the city last year, the Common Council was able to have input towards the goal of more desirable design specifications than are found in many of the stores. When the Plan and Architectural Review Commission reviewed the site plan, the planning consultant, Sonja Kruesel of Vandewalle & Associates, mentioned that, “the building materials and architectural presentation of this development exceeds that of many Dollar General stores. The proposed structure includes lap siding and gabled roofs, false dormers, masonry, cupola, glass windows and a vented soffit atop the roof among other features.”
Neighborhood Services Director Chris Bennett indicates that construction is expected to be complete by January 31, 2023.
Winther Counseling Services (WCS)
Free, Confidential, & Open to the Public
(262) 472-2842 | counselinglab@uww.edu | Winther Hall 3004, 230 N. Prairie St, Whitewater, WI 53190
Our Mission: Learning & Serving….supervised counselors-in-training providing counseling and outreach services to the campus and community.
Winther Counseling Services is located in Winther Hall (3004) at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Parking is available in Lot 13 (Winther Lab Guests).
Winther Counseling Services are staffed by UW-Whitewater graduate students working toward their Master of Science (Counseling) degree. Supervision and consultation is provided by faculty in the Department of Counselor Education.
University students and staff as well as children, adolescents, adults, couples and families in the community, can utilize the counseling services at Winther Counseling Services. Counseling can be delivered through individual or group sessions. Services are free (fees assigned to mandated services only) and confidential.
WCS is not available for emergency services.
WCS is open for appointments Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM-7:00 PM during the UWW academic year. If one of our graduate assistants is unable to take your call, please leave a message with your name and phone number and we will return your call.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage, Image by Tiyo Prasetyo from Pixabay.
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Grátis, Confidencial y Esta Abierto al Público en General
Winther Counseling Services se encuentra en Winther Hall (3004) en la Universidad de Wisconsin-Whitewater. Hay estacionamiento disponible en el lote 13 (invitados de Winther Lab).
Winther Counseling Services no está disponible para servicios de emergencia.
Se ofrecen servicios de consejería a la comunidad. Los servicios son proporcionados por los estudiantes de consejería que están terminando su maestría en la Universidad de Wisconsin-Whitewater. Los servicios son ofrecidos en español e inglés. Los servicios son gratis y confidenciales. Para hacer una cita llame al número (262) 472-2842. Nuestras horas de servicio son de 9:00 AM-7:00 PM lunes a jueves.
Winther Hall, 230 N. Prairie St. Whitewater, WI 53190.
Editor’s note: The following announcement was posted to the WIAC website. The complete article may be found here.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Ainsley Allan and Alexis McMahon were selected the Kwik Trip Offensive Player of the Year and Kwik Trip Defensive Player of the Year, respectively, while UW-Stevens Point’s Miranda Nieman and UW-Whitewater’s Jude Dobrinska were selected the Kwik Trip Co-Goalkeepers of the Year to lead the individuals chosen to the 2022 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women’s Soccer Team by the league coaches. Dobrinska also received Kwik Trip Newcomer of the Year honors, while UW-La Crosse was tabbed the Kwik Trip Coaching Staff of the Year…..
Nieman and Dobrinska earned a piece of the inaugural goalkeeper trophy. Nieman has recorded a league-high 115 saves, while ranking second with a .846 save percentage. She owns four shutouts.
Dobrinska leads the WIAC with seven shutouts, while placing second with a .828 goals against average and third with 1,631 minutes played. She has compiled a 11-4-4 record and 49 saves. Dobrinska’s Newcomer of the Year honor is the first for a Warhawk. A Newcomer of the Year is defined as a student-athlete who used her first season of participation in women’s soccer this season. Transfers are not eligible unless they didn’t participate in women’s soccer at their previous institution.…
An All-Sportsmanship Team was announced for individuals that displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season. It included one member from each team.
2022 All-WIAC Women’s Soccer Team
Name, School, Year, Position, Hometown (High School)
Ainsley Allan, La Crosse, Junior, Forward, Lake Forest, Ill. (Lake Forest)
Ellie Arndt, La Crosse, Sophomore, Midfielder, Appleton, Wis. (St. Francis Xavier)
Ellie Behnke, La Crosse, Sophomore, Midfielder, Appleton, Wis. (East)
Mackenzie Bennett, Oshkosh, Senior, Defender, Geneva, Ill. (Geneva)
Caylee Boone, Stout, Senior, Forward, Eau Claire, Wis. (Memorial)
Claire Cater, La Crosse, Sophomore, Midfielder, Woodbury, Minn. (Hill-Murray)
Jude Dobrinska, Whitewater, Freshman, Goalkeeper, Milwaukee, Wis. (Ronald Reagan College Prep)
Kati Frierdich, Stevens Point, Senior, Forward, Neenah, Wis. (Winneconne)
Shea-Lynn Gerred, Stevens Point, Senior, Defender, Fond du Lac, Wis. (Fond du Lac)
Kiki Kussow, Eau Claire, Senior, Defender, Green Bay, Wis. (Notre Dame)
Kassidy Mackie, River Falls, Junior, Forward, Woodbury, Minn. (Woodbury)
Juliana Madonia, Whitewater, Sophomore, Defender, Schaumburg, Ill. (James B. Conant)
Alexis McMahon, La Crosse, Sophomore, Defender, San Jose, Calif. (Valley Christian)
Miranda Nieman, Stevens Point, Senior, Goalkeeper, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (Lincoln)
Addie Pauling, La Crosse, Sophomore, Defender, Appleton, Wis. (West)
Elise Pinewski, Eau Claire, Sophomore, Forward, Anoka, Minn. (Anoka)
Allie Prigge, Whitewater, Sophomore, Forward, Palatine, Ill. (Fremd)
Liz Prigge, Whitewater, Sophomore, Defender, Palatine, Ill. (Fremd)
Lydia Smith, Platteville, Sophomore, Forward, Troy, Ill. (Triad)
Emma Stange, Eau Claire, Senior, Midfielder, Andover, Minn. (Anoka)
Marissa Steele, Stout, Senior, Midfielder, Farmington, Minn. (Farmington)
Emily Thill, Whitewater, Sophomore, Midfielder, West Chicago, Ill. (St. Francis)
All-Sportsmanship Team
Nicole Dawson, Whitewater, Sophomore, Defender, Aurora, Ill. (Metea Valley)
Megan Goodman, La Crosse, Senior, Midfielder, Pewaukee, Wis. (Pewaukee)
Megan Hanson, Eau Claire, Senior, Forward, Andover, Minn. (Anoka)
Lauren Johnson, Stevens Point, Senior, Midfielder/Forward, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (SPASH)
Julia McNamar, Stout, Senior, Defender, Belleville, Wis. (Belleville-New Glarus)
Anna Spindle, Platteville, Sophomore, Midfielder, Geneva, Ill. (Geneva Community)
Alayna Westerman, River Falls, Senior, Midfielder, Lakeville, Minn. (North)
Kate Whitney, Oshkosh, Sophomore, Midfielder, Skokie, Ill. (Niles North)
Kwik Trip Offensive Player of the Year: Ainsley Allan of La Crosse
Kwik Trip Defensive Player of the Year: Alexis McMahon of La Crosse
Kwik Trip Co-Goalkeepers of the Year: Jude Dobrinska of Whitewater and Miranda Nieman of Stevens Point
Kwik Trip Newcomer of the Year: Jude Dobrinska of Whitewater
Kwik Trip Coaching Staff of the Year: La Crosse
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
According to a press release dated November 1 from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded on Saturday, October 29 at 9:50 p.m. to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on CTH N south of CTH U in the Town of Cold Spring. According to a post on the Jefferson County scanner Facebook page, the crash occurred in the N300 block of Cty N, which would be near Twin Oaks mobile home park.
The preliminary investigation indicated that a group of pedestrians was attempting to cross the highway when one of them, Maricela Del Carmen Rivas Rivas, age 30, was struck by a northbound vehicle. The driver of the vehicle, who was not identified in the press release, was uninjured and remained on the scene until law enforcement arrived. Del Carmen Rivas Rivas was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Whitewater Police, Fire and EMS. According to the news release, the incident is still being investigated.
Maricela Del Carmen Rivas Rivas, from Whitewater, succumbed to her injuries on October 30. According to a GoFundMe page she leaves behind her husband Jose Fajardo and a five year-old son. It is indicated that funds are being gathered “for any funeral and transportation fees to Nicaragua to lay Maricela to rest.” As of the evening of November 1, $2315 had been raised towards a stated goal of $15,000.
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Haga clic aquí para ir a la página de GoFundMe
Mi nombre es Alejandra y he creado esta página para los gastos de funeral y transporte del cuerpo a Nicaragua de Maricela. Lamentablemente el 28 de octubre ocurrió un accidente trágico y Maricela a fallecido. Ha dejado a su esposo Jose Fajardo y su hijo de 5años de edad. Cualquier donacion se les agradecerá. Dios los bendiga y muchas gracias por adelantado.
‘Le dijo Jesús: –Yo soy la resurrección y la vida; el que cree en mí, aunque esté muerto, vivirá.’
Juan 11:25
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Brad Marquardt, city Public Works Director, told the Banner that the new water tower was brought online the week of October 17. All three towers are currently running while the staff checks the systems out. “So far everything does appear to be running smoothly,” Marquardt reported. “Yesterday [October 31] we took the Starin Park Tower offline while LSP was pumping to check for any issues and all appeared to be good.” LSP Whitewater, located at 111 Co Rd U, is a cogeneration plant which uses substantial quantities of water.
Though the Starin Park tower will be taken offline sometime in December, the fate of the tower itself is unknown, as a structural analysis is currently being performed. That tower, which has provided water for city residents since 1889, will be taken offline sometime in December. Concern about the tower’s physical condition arose from a report by Cornerstone Restoration, to the Common Council on August 2. Cornerstone reported the tower’s limestone and mortar have failed substantially, and in their opinion, would require an estimated one million dollars of masonry restoration to keep the tower standing. Approximately $200,000 would be needed to take down the tower and remove it, per the company. The tower is designated as a local landmark, and the city Landmarks Commission was directed by the Common Council to research restoration costs and potential funding sources to rehabilitate the tower. In response, the Commission asked the Council to first secure a professional structural analysis to determine if the water tower can be saved. Per Marquardt, a draft report is due by December 1, with a final report by the end of the year.
The city water system is also served by a ground reservoir located adjacent to the water works building at Starin and Fremont. That reservoir, having been deemed in need of major rehabilitation, will also be taken out of service, although Marquardt indicated that it “will remain online longer as that is a bit more complicated to take offline.”
GoFundMe Established for Ortiz-Rivera Family: Leo, WHS Junior, Still Recovering from April Car Crash
Editor’s note: The following announcement was submitted by Chelsea Luebke.
Current Whitewater High School Junior, Leo Ortiz-Rivera, was in a terrible car accident in April of this year. He has undergone many surgeries and is still currently receiving care at a medical facility. His parents have been by his side this entire time which means they not only have lots of medical bills, but their regular everyday bills have begun to pile up. A GoFundMe was started to give our amazing community an opportunity to provide donations to the Ortiz-Rivera family. Any donations for this family would be greatly appreciated!
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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