News & Events

A multi-agency response crew has located and recovered the body of a drowning victim who went missing at approximately 3:00 p.m. on June 2 in the Rock River, adjacent to Highway N in Jefferson. The body was recovered at approximately 3:30 p.m. on June 3. The Jefferson County Medical Examiner is responding to positively identify the victim. The individual’s name has not been released pending next-of-kin notification.

From incident reports:

Two individuals were boating on the Rock River during the afternoon of June 2 when one person entered the water. The other boater called 9-1-1, and first responders arrived within minutes. The search began immediately and continued until 9:00 p.m., when it was suspended for the night. The search resumed at 8:00 a.m. on June 3 and continued until the individual was recovered.

The Sheriff’s Office urges all boaters to understand boater-safety laws, use personal floatation devices (PFDs), observe current weather and water conditions, and avoid entering water unless you are fully aware of the risks. The Rock River has cloudy water, potentially dangerous currents, mud, silt, tree branches, and other debris that can be hazardous to swimmers.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Jefferson Fire & EMS would like to thank all of the agencies from Jefferson, Rock, Waukesha, and Brown Counties that responded with personnel and equipment.

In addition to the City of Jefferson and Jefferson County, responders came from:

• Fort Atkinson
• Janesville
• JCEC
• Johnson Creek
• Lake Mills
• Lakeside
• MD-1
• Rock County
• Salvation Army
• Waterloo
• Western Lakes
• Western Waukesha

Special crews and equipment:

• ARGO amphibious XTV/UTV from Cambridge
• ATV from Sullivan
• Boats from DNR, Fort Atkinson, Janesville, Jefferson, Lake Country, Lake Mills, Rock County, Rock River Safety Patrol, and Western Lakes
• Robotic submersible from Green Bay
• Whitewater Surface Water Rescue

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

CAST A LINE, CATCH SOME FUN! 

Join Whitewater Parks & Recreation for Reel Fun Fishing Day during Wisconsin’s Free Fishing Weekend!

Sunday, June 7th 

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM  

Cravath Lakefront Park (341 S Fremont Street)

Whether you’re an experienced angler or have never held a fishing rod before, this event is for YOU! Learn the basics of fishing, try your luck on the water, and make some great memories outdoors.

Bring your own fishing gear or borrow ours.

No fishing license required for Wisconsin residents

FREE hot dogs while supplies last

Fun for all ages

PLUS… everyone who attends will have a chance to win a FREE raffle prize!

Grab your family, invite your friends, and spend the day enjoying one of Wisconsin’s favorite outdoor traditions. We can’t wait to see what you catch!

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by the City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Department.

Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing his photographic mastery with us once again.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!

The Bassett House, a cherished local landmark in the city of Whitewater, is set to commemorate the 100th anniversary of its ownership by the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs (WFWC) on June 14, 2026. The public is warmly invited to join the festivities, which will begin at 1:00 PM.

This historic residence, located at 708 W. Main Street, was originally constructed in 1857 by Thomas Bassett. For seventy years, his only daughter, Florence Bassett, called the house her home until her passing in 1926. In 1878, an addition was built at the rear of the house, further enhancing its structure. Upon her death, Florence Bassett bequeathed the home to the Federation, with the condition that the club incorporate, which it did to fulfill her wishes.

Over the years, the Bassett House has played a vital role as a meeting venue for many clubs established by the Federation, dating back as early as 1897. Today, it also serves the broader community as an event space available for public rental, accommodating a variety of celebrations.

The centennial celebration on June 14th will feature musical performances to delight guests. The Kettle Moraine Blues will perform on the lawn from 1:30-3:30, an a cappella choral group, Fortzando, led by Professor Benjamin Whitcomb, will present a selection of Americana songs in honor of America 250, performing on the front porch from 1:00-1:30. Inside the house, James Olm will provide piano music for the afternoon. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet “Florence Bassett,” who will greet visitors, serve refreshments, and share the history of her home.

The Federation, as stewards, has demonstrated great care in preserving the Bassett House, establishing a dedicated preservation fund to ensure its ongoing maintenance. Recently, the kitchen underwent a significant interior remodel, and attention will soon turn to the restoration of the soffits and facias on the exterior, planned for completion this summer. The Bassett House stands as one of the finest examples of Italianate architecture in the county.

If you are interested in membership in the Federation, information will be available at the event.

Updated 6/3/26 @ 3:45 p.m. to add carnival wristband (unlimited rides) hours: July 2 hours: 4:30 pm- 10:30 pm (wristbands 5:00 pm -9:00 pm) July 3 hours: 11:30 am- 10:30pm (wristbands 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm) July 4 hours: 11:30 am- 11:30pm (wristbands 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm) July 5 hours: ? [Per Karin Silvius of Downtown Whitewater]

The community is gearing up for four days of fun, entertainment, and patriotic celebration as the Annual 4th of July Festival returns July 2–5. Residents and visitors of all ages are invited to join in the festivities, which will feature a carnival, live entertainment, food vendors, family activities, and a spectacular fireworks display.

The celebration kicks off on Thursday, July 2, with the annual Miss Whitewater Pageant along with the opening of the carnival, beer garden, and local food vendors.

On Friday, July 3, festivalgoers can enjoy the carnival, a variety of food vendors, live music, and the popular beer garden, providing a full day of great food, entertainment, and community spirit.

The excitement continues on Saturday, July 4, starting with the Whippet Mile, followed by the parade. Once that is over, the carnival, food vendors, live music, and beer tent open throughout the remainder of the day. The evening will conclude with a dazzling fireworks display, scheduled to launch at 9:45 p.m., lighting up the sky in celebration of America’s independence.

The festival wraps up on Sunday, July 5, with Family Day, presented by Generac. Families can enjoy a variety of activities, including a petting zoo, balloon artist, flea market, and much more. Family Day is designed to provide fun and entertainment for attendees of all ages.

“We are excited to bring the community together once again to celebrate our nation’s independence and create lasting memories with family and friends,” the 4th of July Committee said. “There is truly something for everyone throughout the four-day festival.”

Community members are encouraged to mark their calendars and join in this year’s celebration. Additional event details and updates will be announced as the festival approaches.

Come celebrate Independence Day with family, friends, and neighbors at this year’s Annual 4th of July Festival!
Updates may be available at whitewater4th.com.

A promotional video may be viewed here. The band lineup is shown below.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Universities of Wisconsin on June 1, 2026.

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents will consider a proposal this week to increase resident undergraduate tuition by 2 percent for the 2026–27 academic year. 

If approved, the increase would remain below the current inflation rate and would help universities address rising operating costs while continuing to maintain affordability for Wisconsin students and families. 

The proposal comes after several years of significant financial restructuring across UW universities, including reductions in structural deficits, operational changes, and campus-level cost containment efforts designed to strengthen long-term financial stability. 

“We recognize Wisconsin families are managing rising costs in every part of their lives, and that reality informed this proposal,” said Universities of Wisconsin Interim President Renée Wachter. “This is a measured increase that helps our universities continue providing strong student support and high-quality academic experiences while keeping a UW education among the most affordable in the Midwest.” 

Over the past decade, resident undergraduate tuition at Wisconsin comprehensive universities has increased at a substantially lower rate than public universities in neighboring Midwestern states. 

Even with the proposed increase, the Universities of Wisconsin would continue to rank among the most affordable public university systems in the region. 

The proposal would also include an average 3.5 percent increase in segregated fees, or approximately $56 annually. When tuition, segregated fees, and room-and-board costs are combined, the total estimated cost of attendance for resident undergraduates would increase by an average of 2.5 percent. 

Revenue generated through the proposal would support essential university operations, including utilities, facility maintenance, employee salaries and benefits, and student services. 

The Board of Regents is expected to vote on the proposal at its meeting in Milwaukee later this week. 

Proposed 2026–27 Resident Undergraduate Tuition and Segregated Fees 

The proposed resident undergraduate tuition and segregated fees for each university in 2026-27 is proposed as follows: 

UW-Eau Claire: $10,268 

UW-Green Bay: $9,133 

UW-La Crosse: $10,563 

UW-Madison: $12,416 

UW-Milwaukee: $11,153 

UW-Oshkosh: $9,180 

UW-Parkside: $8,851 

UW-Platteville: $9,007 

UW-River Falls: $9,448 

UW-Stevens Point: $9,692 

UW-Stout: $10,289 

UW-Superior: $9,477 

UW-Whitewater: $8,984 

In addition, selected programs would undergo program-specific tuition adjustments. 

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About the Universities of Wisconsin

The Universities of Wisconsin serve more than 164,600 students. Awarding more than 37,000 degrees annually, these 13 public universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy. Learn more at wisconsin.edu.

Editor’s note: The following press release was provided by the Whitewater Police Department on June 1, 2026.

The Whitewater Police Department is providing an update regarding the recent investigation into multiple overnight vehicle entries and residential burglaries that occurred in the City of Whitewater during the month of May.

As a result of an ongoing investigation conducted by the Whitewater Police Department Detective Bureau, with assistance from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Police Department, Sheboygan Police Department, Sheboygan County MEG Unit, Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department, Sheboygan Falls Police Department, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), two suspects were identified and taken into custody without incident in the City of Sheboygan in connection with these crimes.

During the investigation, Detectives identified Lamar Early, (19 years old, with no fixed address), as one of the suspects involved. The second subject that was taken into custody will not be identified at this time but may have pending charges connected to this case as Detectives continue to investigate. After the suspects’ arrests, Detectives executed a search warrant at a residence in the City of Sheboygan Falls where additional evidence related to the Whitewater crimes was recovered.

Lamar Early is currently confined in the Sheboygan County jail on their charges and will be transferred to the Walworth County jail at a later date. Lamar Early was arrested for the following offenses that occurred in Whitewater:

• Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• Burglary
• Unauthorized use of an individual’s personal identifying information or documents (4 counts)
• Theft of a firearm
• Theft
• Financial transaction card crimes
• Trespassing
• Disorderly Conduct
  
  The Whitewater Police Department would like to thank the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Police Department, Sheboygan Police Department, Sheboygan County MEG Unit, Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department, Sheboygan Falls Police Department, and DCI for their assistance and collaboration throughout this investigation. No further information will be released at this time as this investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone who may have additional information related to these incidents is encouraged to contact the Whitewater Police Department at (262) 473-0555 or at www.P3Tips.com where you can remain anonymous.
  
  The Whitewater Police Department also reminds residents to continue taking preventative measures by locking your vehicle and residential doors and windows and removing valuables from vehicles. The Whitewater Police Department appreciates the community’s support, vigilance, and cooperation as officers and detectives continue working hard to keep the community safe and hold criminals accountable for their actions.

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Editor’s note: On May 21 The Banner published a previous press release from the Whitewater Police Department related to this investigation. Residents were strongly urged to lock their residence and vehicle doors, among other precautionary steps.

According to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, Lamar Early was indicted in Sheboygan County Court on June 1, 2026 for “Possess Firearm-Convicted of a Felony” as a repeater. His address is shown as 501 East 1st Avenue # D, Elkhorn, WI 53121. None of the other charges have yet been filed in Sheboygan County or Walworth County. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.

Versiti is the primary blood supplier for Southeastern Wisconsin hospitals, including Aurora Lakeland Medical Center and Fort Memorial Hospital. They are also the primary provider for all of the veterans’ hospitals in the state.

Visit versiti.org/WI to make an appointment.

Appointments may also be booked by calling Lynn Binnie at 262-473-2997.