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Today is Thursday, October 8, 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
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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