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Today is Monday, June 22, 2026
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Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.
The Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) has teamed up with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW) Early Childhood Education Program and PremierBank to create free enrichment sessions for children ranging from birth through age five. We are extremely excited about this new opportunity! The enrichment sessions, or Partners in Play, are open to any children birth through age five and their caregivers, from all of our surrounding areas. The curriculum for these sessions was created and will be taught by WUSD staff and the Early Childhood Education Program faculty and students from UWW.
There will be two sessions/week offered for birth to two year olds and two sessions/week offered for two and half to five year olds. The sessions for the younger children will be 30 minutes long. The sessions for older children will be 45 minutes long. The sessions will run for eight weeks. Parents/guardians will stay with their child during the sessions. Sessions will be fun and interactive for all involved. All sessions will be in English and Spanish at the University Community Engagement Center (1260 W Main St).
Fall Sessions begin September 28 and run through November 16. Sessions for children birth to two years old will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Sessions for the children ages two and a half to five will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Sessions are now full and we have a waitlist available. If families sign up and a spot becomes available, families will be notified. To sign up, please go to the Whitewater Unified School District’s website at wwusd.org and click on Partners in Play on the top of the screen. We will be having a spring session and sign up will be available in January for that session.
The weekly themes are as follows:
Week 1: Rainbow of Foods (exploring healthy foods by color)
Week 2: Crunch and Munch (exploring healthy foods by texture)
Week 3: If You are Happy and You Know It (exploring emotions)
Week 4: Moving and Grooving (big body movements)
Week 5: Roll Baby Roll (exploring things that roll)
Week 6: Into the Light (light and shadow explorations)
Week 7: Cool as a Cucumber (relaxing our bodies)
Week 8: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (body awareness)
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Police Department.
The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group (WILEAG), has once again accredited the City of Whitewater Police Department (WPD) following a rigorous, on-site assessment of the police department in June of 2021. It is the seventh time the department has been accredited through WILEAG, one of the most of any law enforcement agency in the state of Wisconsin.
“The WILEAG team examined all aspects of the Whitewater Police Department’s policies, procedures, management,
operations and support services,” Police Chief Aaron M. Raap announced. “Verification by the WILEAG team that the
Whitewater Police Department meets the Board’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain
accreditation – a prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.”
WILEAG exists to “promote excellence and professionalism in policing” which, for the WPD Department, included 230 standards. The WILEAG Governing Board met last month to conduct a review of the on-site
assessment and to review feedback from the Whitewater community and professional associates. The Board voted
unanimously to reaccredit the WPD for a three-year period.
The WPD follows their Mission Statement: We strive to be leaders in policing for our community and models of character, honor, service and excellence. We resolve to develop a creative and problem-solving workforce dedicated to innovation and meeting the challenges of tomorrow. In times of crisis, we strive to defend public safety, maintain order and restore a sense of personal wholeness. Our goal is to protect and serve our diverse and dynamic community with integrity, dignity and respect. Central to the WPD’s mission, is a set of values that guide their work and decisions which allow them to make significant contributions to improving the quality of life in Whitewater; those values are: Commitment to Service, Leadership, Justice, Compassion, Partnership and Pride.
“This most recent re-accreditation, combined with the actions and interactions we are engaged in today will further define the character and reputation of our Department and the effect that we have on reducing crime and disorder in our community for years to come,” Chief Raap said. “I am very proud of the men and women of the Whitewater Police Department and grateful for being able to serve such an incredible community.”
This weekend is the annual FFA/Nelsons Bus Service Stuff the Bus food drive at the Walmart parking lot. Please come help us support those in need if you can. Friday, noon – 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
| Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the governor’s office. The Banner reached out to Tami Kou, Generac Director of Marketing Communications & Public Relations, to inquire as to what facilities expansion and/or job creation might be expected in Whitewater. Her reply was simply, “Generac Power Systems currently has about 400 job opportunities available across Wisconsin at its plant locations. The Company is hiring assemblers, machine operators and material handlers.” |
| Gov. Tony Evers, together with Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes and Generac leaders, announced on September 28 the company is expanding its presence in Wisconsin by investing an additional $53 million in its facilities across the state and creating more than 700 new jobs. Based in Waukesha, Generac is a global leader in the manufacturing and design of energy technology solutions and other power products. “This is fantastic news for southeast Wisconsin and our entire state’s continued economic recovery,” said Gov. Evers. “Generac is a great example of a Wisconsin brand known across the globe, and their decision to further expand in our state is a reminder that Wisconsin continues to be a leader in advanced manufacturing and forward-looking businesses.” WEDC is assisting the project by authorizing an additional $9 million in Enterprise Zone tax credits if the company meets its capital investment and job creation goals by 2024. “Generac’s commitment to creating innovative, sustainable energy products for the next century makes it a true powerhouse,” said WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. “WEDC is pleased to be investing in Generac because Generac is investing in Wisconsin—and in our global future.” The company’s additional $53 million investment includes the recent expansion of its corporate operations into the Village of Pewaukee with the purchase of a new building, plus the creation of 700 new manufacturing and office jobs throughout the state by the end of 2024. While the company’s global headquarters will remain in Waukesha, the new Pewaukee office at W236N1402 Busse Road will house 300 employees, allowing the company to continue expanding its research and development and headquarters functions to support significant global growth across multiple product lines. “Generac is experiencing phenomenal demand and growth as the combination of an aging grid and extreme weather are resulting in more frequent and longer-lasting power outages,” said Aaron Jagdfeld, president and CEO of Generac. “We are proud to continue to expand our presence in Wisconsin as we work to meet the incredible market demand. This new facility and our new agreement with the state will allow us to continue to grow Generac to best serve our customers, partners, and our people.” Founded in 1959 in Wisconsin, Generac introduced the first affordable backup generator and later created the category of automatic home standby generator—a market in which nearly eight of 10 generators sold is a Generac. Today, Generac provides a range of advanced power grid software solutions, backup and prime power systems for home and industrial applications, solar battery storage solutions, virtual power plant platforms, and engine- and battery-powered tools and equipment. “Generac has a 62-year track record of investing in people and production in Wisconsin,” said Tom Pettit, chief operations officer of Generac. “This announcement affirms the company’s continued commitment as we continue to serve our customers with essential power solutions.” |
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the UW-Whitewater Dance Team.
The UW-Whitewater Dance Team Pom Pon Kids’ Clinic will be taking place on Saturday, October 9th!
Kids ages K-8th grade can come and dance with the UW-W Dance Team during halftime of the Warhawk Football Game!
The clinic is $15 and includes a snack and t-shirt and will take place in the Dance Studio located in the Williams Center.
The clinic is from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. with registration happening the same day. Please pay with cash or check. Checks can be made out to UW-Whitewater.
The clinic starts out with registration from 9-9:30 a.m. The kids then learn the dance and will perform for their parents at 10:45 a.m.!
The football game is at 1 p.m.
Masks are required inside the Williams Center during the clinic.
Questions, please contact Therese Kennedy at kennedyt@uww.edu or call (262) 472-1145.
Go Warhawks!!!
The Whippet Cross Country Team headed over to Jefferson on Tuesday to race on Wisconsin’s finest 13-hole golf course. Although coming off a recent race and having some tired legs, this was a great opportunity to see many of the conference schools all on the same course on the same day. Because of the closeness of racing, both teams were not racing at full strength as we have continued to focus on growth and improvement over the course of the regular season, while keeping an eye on running our best at championship time in about two weeks.
Caelyn Caputo had another solid day as the varsity #1 runner and was just one place out from earning her first ever medal at an invitational, placing 16th. She led the girls to a strong 3rd place showing with 94 points behind Jefferson and Evansville with six complete teams scoring.
Jack Hefty mixed it up with some of the lead pack and finished in 8th overall to earn another medal this season. Cooper Hammond also medaled by placing in the top 15 with a 13th place finish. With some runners not racing, the boys finished 9th place out of 11 teams scoring.
The Nightfall Classic has been canceled for Friday; however, the team has been added to the Stoughton Invite on Saturday, and it will be their final race of the regular season. This will take place at Stoughton High School with the first race set to go off at 9:30 a.m.
Boys Results: http://www.accuracetiming.com/results/2021/jeff1cc_21b.pdf
Girls Results: http://www.accuracetiming.com/results/2021/jeff1cc_21g.pdf
Article Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
The Whitewater Whippets kicked off Homecoming Week with an exciting 3-2 victory over visiting Evansville on Tuesday, September 28. The Whippets started the first set off by hitting an impressive .389 as a team. Two players, junior Kindyl Kilar and senior Savannah Hill, hit .500. Six different Whippets had one service ace each, to help propel Whitewater to an impressive 25-13 win. In set two, the Whippets continued their success behind the service line by having four aces and hitting .200 as a team, winning 25-17.
In the third and fourth sets, the offensive firepower for the Whippets dropped to .143 and .030, while only having one service ace in each set. The Whippets lost the third and fourth sets by the scores of 23-25 and 19-25.
Whitewater lost the coin toss in the deciding game, thus finding themselves receiving serve to start play. The Whippets immediately sided out with a kill and Cali Kopecky took charge at the service line, ringing off the next two points to put the home team up 3-0 and forcing Evansville to take a timeout. After the timeout, Evansville got on the board by a serving error. After a Blue Devil hitting error, Jenna Pope went back to serve for three more points to put Whitewater up now 6-1. Evansville and Whitewater exchanged the next two points before the Whippets went on another 3-point run. Evansville went on a 4-point run at the end of the fifth set to get within four points but were unable to dig a Kindyl Kilar hit. Whitewater won 15-10.
Whitewater travels to McFarland on Thursday night. McFarland is the 4th ranked D2 team in the state, and the Whippets are looking forward to the highly competitive match. Whitewater is currently 9-8 overall and 3-2 in the Rock Valley.
Whitewater Stat Leaders:
Aces: Kilar-4, Kopecky-3, Grosinske-3
Kills: Kilar-22, Kopecky-8, Grosinske-6
Blocks: Pope-2
Digs: Grosinske-23, Hintz-19, Yang-18, Kilar-17
Assists: Grosinske-19, Hintz-18
Evansville Stat Leaders:
Kills: Messling-11
Blocks: Brandenburg-2
Aces: Etringer-3
Assists: Etringer – 17
Article submitted by Kathy Bullis
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
kbullis@wwusd.org
Obituaries
Marion Jauch Burrows (Feb. 2, 1930 – June 5, 2026) Her sparkling eyes, warm laugh, and generous ways were gifts Marion brought into this world, touching family members and friends alike over the ninety-six years of her life. She was born and raised in Lombard, IL, and in the course of her life lived with her husband and growing family in Abilene, TX, St. David’s, PA, Arkadelphia, AR, Ada, OK, and Colorado Springs, CO, before settling in Whitewater, WI, in 1965. Generosity of heart, compassion toward those in need in and beyond her community, and an unwavering commitment to fairness … Read more
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
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
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