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WHITEWATER WEATHER

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Celebrating Independence Day in a Big Way: 288 flags posted at Prairie Village

July 2, 2023

Prairie Village residents assemble to plant their share of 288 flags on the tree lawns.
Front row:  Curt McCulley, Tom Dosemagen, Lee Murray, Carolyn Behrens, Beth McCulley Back row:  Kathy Ross, Tom Stanley, Bob Aulik, Rusty Kapela, Gary Fry, Steve Ryan, Bob Behrens.  Photo courtesy of Terrie Munger

By Tom Ganser

Feeling the need for the Prairie Village community of seniors to commemorate Independence Day, a small group of Prairie Village residents placed 288 American flags along N. Acorn Ridge and Burr Oak Trail on June 29.  The flags will remain in place through the 4th of July holiday and will be picked up Thursday, July 6th.  The plan is to continue this new commemoration annually each Independence Day as a way for Prairie Village residents to honor our nation. Remaining photos are courtesy of Tom Ganser.  

Local Student Graduates from Carthage College

July 2, 2023

Carthage College congratulates Andrew Schmidt of Whitewater, WI, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.

About 620 members of the Carthage Class of 2023 took part in Commencement festivities May 26-28. After the formal degree conferral on Friday evening, individual graduates and their guests took part in an extended procession and ceremonial stage walk at assigned times on Saturday and Sunday.

ABOUT CARTHAGE

Carthage College is raising expectations for a private college experience. It blends the best liberal arts traditions with desirable degree programs, transformative learning opportunities, personal attention from distinguished faculty, and a focus on career development, which makes its graduates competitive in the workforce. Founded in 1847, Carthage is located on an idyllic shore of Lake Michigan in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in the thriving corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago. Grow with Carthage: www.carthage.edu

Our Readers Share: Mark Dorn – “Where’s the Lake?”

July 2, 2023

Mark Dorn writes, “At 5:20 a.m. Thursday morning, a visitor to the Village at Trippe Lake pondered: where’s the lake..?”

Our thanks to Mark Dorn for sharing this great photo with us.

— 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 or click on “submit a story” near the top right of our homepage.  Thanks for thinking about this!

UW-W Announces Athletic Hall of Fame Class of ’23

July 2, 2023

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced its 58th Hall of Fame Class.

Former student-athletes Brent Allen ’07 (football), Dan Hytinen ’09 (track and field), Rebekah Nelson Johnson ’08 (volleyball), Jessica Kohlman (track and field), Kate LaZotte Langfeldt ’08 (volleyball), Andre McKoy (men’s basketball), Derek Stanley ’18 (football and track and field) and Ann Kingsnorth Zessin ’05 (gymnastics) will be inducted. 

Longtime UW-Whitewater Athletic Administrator Bob Lanza will be inducted under the category of staff/coach, and Warhawk supporter Tim Patterson will be inducted for his distinguished service to the institution.
 
All 10 individuals will be recognized for their contributions to Warhawk Athletics as part of the UW-Whitewater football team’s game against UW-Platteville on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 1 p.m. Inductees will be part of the Homecoming Parade, which begins at 10 a.m., and be honored at halftime of the football game and at the annual Hall of Fame banquet, which begins following the contest at 4:30 p.m. at the University Center’s Hamilton Room. 

More information on the Hall of Fame Banquet, including registration, will be posted in August. 

For more information on each inductee including photos and short biographies, please visit https://uwwsports.com/news/2023/6/27/general-uw-whitewater-athletics-reveals-2023-hall-of-fame-class.aspx

Make it Three: Another Major Local Highway Project is Announced

July 1, 2023

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Whitewater residents and visitors have already endured two construction-related highway closures this season, and this past week brought the announcement of yet another. Highway 12 from Whitewater to Fort Atkinson has been closed since March, and is not anticipated to reopen until close to the end of the year. Highway 89 to Richmond was shut down beginning May 1, with projected completion by midsummer; however, the beautifully resurfaced road has already reopened. Now the Rock County Public Works Department has announced that the portion of County Highway N which extends from the western end of Walworth Street will be closed beginning Wednesday, July 5 until August 31 for paving and culvert replacement.

It does remind one of the old adage, “Wisconsin has two seasons: winter and road construction.” One social media commenter was moved to adapt the old Eagles song, Hotel California, by saying, in Whitewater “you can check out but you can never leave.”

Shown above is the official detour to/from Whitewater, which is described as follows:
Eastbound USH 26 to STH 59 to STH 89 to USH 12
Westbound USH 12 to STH 89 to STH 59 to USH 26

Commuters who normally take County N to access I-39/90 to Madison will be relieved to find that the construction zone ends just east of STH 26, so they will be able to use the on/off ramps there in order to finally get on N for a short ride to Newville.

Regarding the east end of the construction zone, Duane Jorgenson, Rock County Director of Public Works, confirmed to The Banner that he expects that the intersection of N and County Line Road will remain open. Jorgenson also stated that local traffic will be maintained, sometimes with a single lane, for access to businesses and residences within the construction zone. The Postal Service has been appraised of the work, and it is anticipated that, perhaps with rare exception, mailboxes will still be accessible. Contact has also been made with the emergency services providers. Through traffic will not be permitted, and violators may be subject to being cited.

UW-La Crosse Announces Dean’s List

July 1, 2023

The following area students have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for the spring semester of the 2022-23 academic year, ending May 2023.

Qualification for the Dean’s List is limited to students who have attained outstanding academic achievement. To be eligible, students must have earned not less than a 3.5 semester grade point average and carried a minimum of 12 credits. 

UW-La Crosse, founded in 1909, is one of the 13 four-year institutions in the University of Wisconsin System. UWL has more than 10,400 full and part-time students enrolled in 101 undergraduate, 28 graduate and two doctoral academic programs.

UW-La Crosse – www.uwlax.edu – is the state’s top-ranked public or private higher education institution by U.S. News & World Reports for master’s degree institutions and has been ranked among the top four Midwestern public institutions for more than a decade.

Students on the Dean’s List from the Whitewater area include:

Bryce Hibbs, Communication Studies Major: Organizational and Professional Communication Emphasis
 Josie Hintz, Finance Major
 Connor Sharlow, Radiologic Science Major: Radiation Therapy Emphasis
 Catherine Skindingsrude, Biology Major
 Celine Zahn, Therapeutic Recreation Major

This Week’s City Meeting & A General Notice from WUSD

July 1, 2023

City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lake Front Room
312 Whitewater Street, Whitewater, WI 53190

Notice of the Whitewater Unified School District
Jul 01, 2023 – Members of the Whitewater Unified School District Board May Attend Social Events or District Sponsored Events and Activities Throughout the 2023-2024 School Year

Public notice is hereby given that some members of the Whitewater Unified School District Board may on occasion attend social events or district-sponsored events and activities in support of staff and students of the school district. No formal meeting of the Board will take place and no official action will be taken by the Board. A quorum of the Board may be present.

July 4th Festival Schedule

July 1, 2023

Further information may be found on the festival’s Facebook page.

Obituaries

Obituary: Sally A. Schutte, 73

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

Obituary: Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41

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

Obituary: Carla Winn, 82, of Kansas

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

Celebration of Life: Susan K. Miller

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

Obituary: JoAnn E Harrop, 95, of AL

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

Obituary: Russell O. “Russ” Johnson, 88

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

Obituary: Marcia Zingg, 75

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

Obituary: Amanda Jean Hunter, 49

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

Obituary: Ellen Eichmiller, 82

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

Obituary: Janet Quinn, 71, Jefferson

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