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Today is Friday, October 9, 2026
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Editor’s note: The following announcement was provided by Christine Hayes.
WHITEWATER ELEMENTARY 5th GRADE CHOIRS TO PRESENT WINTER CONCERT TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13
Over 100 fifth grade music students from Lakeview, Lincoln and Washington Elementary Schools will combine to perform their Winter Concert on Tuesday, December 13, at 7:00 p.m. The Concert is at the Whitewater High School Auditorium and is open to the public, free of charge.
Selections include “De Colores,” “Moonlight Sleigh Ride,” Welch folk song “When in Dreamland,” “Gaudeamus Hodie,” the beautiful “The Snow Begins to Fall,” and Leroy Anderson’s holiday favorite, “Sleigh Ride.” The concert will begin with “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Conductors are Christine Hayes, Justin Kamp, and Val Troxel. Accompanist for the choir is Mrs. Barb Taylor.
According to a report in the Lake Geneva Regional News, “Jeyson A Rizo Meija, 25, of 123 S Cottage St. Whitewater, has been charged with identity theft-financial gain. On Sept. 16, a Whitewater police officer conducted a traffic stop of a black Chevrolet Cruze that nearly struck another vehicle in the City of Whitewater. The driver identified himself as Lenis Adonis Rizo Meija.” At the time of the traffic stop, the registration was expired and “Lenis” claimed that the vehicle belonged to his brother, but when the officer checked the registration, it was registered to the alias “Jeyson Rizo.” The officer searched the vehicle and found a wallet that had a Nicaragua voter identification card with the name “Jeyson Abimael Rizo Mejia,” the defendant. The officer also located a fake Wisconsin ID card and a fake social security card, both of which contained the initials “OIR” on them. Meija later admitted that the cards were stolen and he knew it was a crime to be in possession of them. He said he obtained the cards around one year ago to be able to work. Contact was made with “OIR” and he wanted to press charges.”
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. The Christmas season is in full swing now, so enjoy this c.1900 photograph of a grocery store in Whitewater’s downtown decked out with Christmas goods for sale. Note the huge candy canes and Christmas trees and wreaths for sale! I wonder if the candy canes were really candy or some type of decoration.
Frank Hall was a partner in a grocery store in the late 19th century and in January of 1899, he started his own store on Center Street. He was in business alone until around 1910. This photo was taken during that time by Henry Scholl, from whom the historical society has over 400 glass plate negatives.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(3709P Whitewater Historical Society)
According to an article on the Wisconsin Newspaper Association website, “After more than 40 years as a sportswriter and sports wire editor with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mike Hart has accepted a voluntary buy-out from Gannett, the Milwaukee Business Journal reports.
He is part of a team of digital producers who work on content for the Journal Sentinel, Green Bay Press-Gazette, (Appleton) Post-Crescent and other USA TODAY-Network organizations in Wisconsin.
Hart is a 1981 graduate of UW-Whitewater. He began working for the Journal Sentinel in 1982. His last day with the newspaper will be Friday, Dec. 9.”
Congratulations to Whitewater High School junior Kayla Mikos and senior Dayna Carlson who were recognized by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at Michigan Technological University for their excellence in math and science.
SWE strives to give women a unique place and voice within the engineering industry and help them reach their full potential in careers as engineers and leaders. Both Kayla and Dayna have pursued advanced coursework in science, math, and/or computer science while in high school and both have worked with Ferradermis, Whitewater High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition Team.
Article and Photo Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Computer Science Teacher and Banner Volunteer
lmasbruch@wwusd.org
Editor’s note: The following announcement was provided by the Whitewater Arts Alliance.
The annual Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) Members Show (and sale) officially ended its voting poll for the Viewer’s Choice Award on Sunday, November 20. The Viewer’s Choice award winner receives 25 notecards of their winning art that they can sell at their leisure. The WAA also receives 25 notecards to sell at the Cultural Arts Center for $2 until they are gone. This year voting occurred through both in-gallery and online. Visitors would receive four stickers to put on place cards beside each art piece to vote for their favorites. Online visitors would select four pieces to submit and be added to the tally. In-gallery visitors were given one sticker set per visit while online visitors were asked to vote only once per day. Both systems were anonymous.
The winner this year was Dawn Hunter’s “Women’s Rights Targeted.”
Additionally, on Saturday, November 5, all the artists were entered into a blind drawing for a free 2023 WAA membership. The winner this year was John Koebler.
The show will continue to be available for in-person viewing until Sunday, December 18. After that, the show will be viewable online for the rest of the month. For more information about the Members’ Show, or to see the art, visit https://www.whitewaterarts.org/members-show-2022
The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball team traveled to Beloit Turner for a conference game on Tuesday night, December 6.
It proved to be a defensive battle with a low score of 7-6 9:00 minutes into the first half of the game. We were able to capitalize on some steals and knock down a few shots from outside to finish out the first half with the lead 20-18.
The Whippets connected a series of breaks to the rim and some kick outs for a couple 3-point shots to give an 11-point lead 32-21, with 12 and half minutes left in the game. Being in foul trouble throughout the game, our defense shut down, and Turner took over on offense going on a 21-point scoring run.
We battled until the end, but could not overcome the deficit, losing by 8, 60-52.
Katie Gillette led the Whippets with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. Danielle DePorter added 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Mayte Navejas also added 12 points and 3 rebounds. Calli Grosinske scored 7 points with 3 rebounds and 2 steals.
We travel to Jefferson this Friday, December 9, for another conference game.
Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
Obituaries
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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