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Today is Friday, June 19, 2026
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By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
With about two dozen of her family, friends, teammates, and Whitewater High School staff looking on, Cora Takoda Linos on Thursday, May 27 signed her letter of intent to play collegiate volleyball at Beloit College. Linos is a varsity letter winner in volleyball, soccer, and basketball and a ’21 valedictorian.
In the 2020-21 volleyball season Linos was varsity captain and was selected Most Valuable Player on the team that was Conference and Regional Champion. She was also named to Rock Valley Conference First Team All-Conference as well as Honorable Mention All-State by the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Assocation. Her career ranks #1 for all-time assists (2038 assists), #1 all-time aces (184 aces), #4 all-time digs (841 digs), and #7 all-time blocks (111 blocks). In 2021 she was feated with the Joan Domitrz Above and Beyond Award and the WIAA Female Scholar Athlete.
Academic recognitions include Rock Valley Conference Top-10, Rock Valley Conference Academic Excellence Award, AP Honors Scholar, National School Choral Award, and she is a member of the National Honor Society. Beloit College has awarded her a Presidential Scholarship.
Both of Cora’s parents, James and Jean Linos, are graduates of Beloit College. Jim was her coach in various times in middle school, high school, and club volleyball. Cora already played club volleyball on campus at Beloit last season. She described Beloit’s DIII volleyball team as being in a rebuilding phase. She told the audience that she’s looking forward to making Beloit College her home for the next four years.
By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Monday, May 31, 2021
NCAA Whitewater Regional Web Page
The No. 5 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team fell just short Monday in its quest for a bid to the NCAA Division III World Series in an 8-7 defeat against 10th-ranked Adrian (Mich.) in the championship game of the NCAA Whitewater Regional at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium.
The Warhawks conclude the 2021 season with a 40-7 record after sharing the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season championship with a 24-4 league record, claiming the conference tournament title and finishing as regional runner-up. UW-W posted a 3-2 mark at the regional tournament, including wins over fifth-seeded Luther, fourth-seeded Penn State Harrisburg and third-seeded Texas Lutheran, and made its 13th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
UW-Whitewater, the No. 2 seed in the regional tournament and the visiting team in Monday’s championship game, held a 7-4 lead with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning before the top-seeded Bulldogs (36-8) rallied to tie the game at 7-7 to send the game into extra innings.
After the Warhawks stranded a runner at second base in the top of the 10th, Adrian won the game on a leadoff home run in the bottom half of the frame.
Pitcher Matt O’Sullivan tossed 8 2/3 innings, striking out 10 for his sixth double-digit strikeout performance of the season. His 125 strikeouts for the year are the second-most in one season in school history. Westin Muir and Ben Muscatello each threw in relief, with Muscatello (1-2) taking the loss.
Left fielder Matt Korman led the offense with three hits, including a solo homer and a two-run double, and finished with four runs batted in. His 22 doubles in 2021 are tied for the second-most in one season in the program record book, and his 68 RBIs are tied for the third-most.
Catcher Ryan Norton hit a two-run homer to start the scoring in the top of the second inning. First baseman Donovan Brandl plated UW-Whitewater’s other run with a groundout in the top of the ninth.
Second baseman Sam Vomhof and shortstop Nick Santoro each reached base twice, Vomhof on a hit and a walk, and Santoro on two walks.
Happy early Memorial Day and #FlashbackFriday from the Whitewater Historical Society!
This week’s photo shows members of the Whitewater American Legion Post Color Guard parading on Main Street. One of the oldest Posts in the United States, Post 173 was named after William Graham. Graham joined the Army in 1912 after attending the Whitewater Normal School and was the first Whitewater soldier killed in action in World War I.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!
(5762P, Whitewater Historical Society)
The Whitewater Historical Society collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Whitewater and the surrounding area. Be sure to join us next week for more from the Society’s collections. Please “like” us on Facebook, and check out our website at whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org!
Frost Advisory
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI 250 PM CDT Fri May 28 2021 WIZ046-047-051-056>058-062>064-067-068-290900- /O.CON.KMKX.FR.Y.0005.210529T0500Z-210529T1200Z/ Marquette-Green Lake-Fond du Lac-Sauk-Columbia-Dodge-Iowa-Dane- Jefferson-Lafayette-Green- Including the cities of Montello, Westfield, Oxford, Neshkoro, Endeavor, Berlin, Princeton, Markesan, Fond Du Lac, Baraboo, Reedsburg, Prairie Du Sac, Sauk City, Portage, Columbus, Lake Wisconsin, Lodi, Beaver Dam, Waupun, Mayville, Dodgeville, Mineral Point, Barneveld, Madison, Watertown, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Darlington, Shullsburg, Benton, Belmont, Argyle, Blanchardville, Monroe, and Brodhead 250 PM CDT Fri May 28 2021 ...FROST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 7 AM CDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures as low as 33 will result in frost formation. * WHERE...Portions of east central and south central Wisconsin. * WHEN...From midnight tonight to 7 AM CDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left uncovered. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. && $$
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI 247 PM CDT Fri May 28 2021 WIZ046-047-051-052-056>060-062>072-292000- Marquette-Green Lake-Fond du Lac-Sheboygan-Sauk-Columbia-Dodge- Washington-Ozaukee-Iowa-Dane-Jefferson-Waukesha-Milwaukee- Lafayette-Green-Rock-Walworth-Racine-Kenosha- 247 PM CDT Fri May 28 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of east central Wisconsin, south central Wisconsin and southeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Tonight High swim risk on Lake Michigan beaches from Sheboygan to Kenosha continue tonight. Life threatening waves and currents are expected. Stay out of the water and away from dangerous areas like piers and breakwalls. A beach hazard statement is in effect. Frost is expected tonight across east central and south central Wisconsin.
Come together in worship and prayer. Join our community in celebration every Sunday (in person) at 9:00 service at 401 W. Main St. and parking lot service at 10:30; also at Heart Prairie Church every Saturday, Memorial Day weekend through the summer, at 5:00 p.m. (outdoor and bring lawn chair) on Whitewater Lake.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
After a nearly 90-minute discussion, the Whitewater Unified School District Board voted 6-1 on Monday, May 24 to rescind the facial coverings requirement and make them optional beginning on Wednesday, May 26. The initial motion was to rescind the requirement effective on June 10, which would have made the change apply only to summer school. The last day of school is June 9. It was indicated that, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the district is required to continue requiring masks on school buses, and masks are also required in locker rooms.
During the public comment period all nine parents and the one high school student who spoke were in favor of rescinding the facial coverings requirement immediately. It was claimed that since February 22 the district has never reported having more than one positive COVID-19 case at a time. Several parents indicated that, especially with the warmer weather and some classrooms not being air conditioned, their children are reporting increasing difficulty breathing, are experiencing perspiration, and having difficulty with anxiety and maintaining focus. It was also claimed that most of the other districts in the area are no longer requiring masks, that if the mandate was not lifted there would be additional students leaving the district for the next school year, and that there would be a negative impact on the outcome of the anticipated referendum in 2022.
The primary reservation which was expressed by several members to rescinding the mandate was that CDC, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and the Jefferson County epidemiologist are all recommending that masks continue to be required through the end of the current school year. It was this concern that Board President Casey Judd cited in voting against making facial coverings optional before summer school.
District Superintendent Caroline Pate-Hefty did not make a recommendation on the matter. Her strongest statement was that if a change was made, everyone must respect other parents’ and childrens’ personal decisions, and bullying would not be tolerated. Dr. Pate-Hefty did recommend that, effective with summer school, some of the district’s mitigation measures be modified, specifically that a 14-day quarantine only be required for those with a person in their household who tests positive, rather than to include a close contact at school, and that the symptoms of runny nose and sore throat be deleted from those which contribute to having to stay out of school for a minimum of three days. The board accepted these changes for summer school.
Per the UW-W Police Facebook page, it was reported that a daylight stranger sexual assault occurred on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at approximately 12:26 p.m. The alleged perpetrator was apparently depicted in surveillance video, and was described as a white male, possibly Hispanic with a tan complexion, in his late teens or early 20’s having an athletic build. The male traveled to and from the assault location on a dark colored soft tail mountain bike. During the assault the suspect stated he was from Virginia. Per Fox6, the alleged assault occurred in the area of UW-W’s parking lot #18. No information was provided regarding the victim or the nature of the assault.
Chief Matthew Kiederlen posted the following on the Facebook page at approximately 8:40 p.m. on May 24: “I want to thank the community and university members who provided information and leads. I am happy to report the alleged offender is currently in custody. I truly appreciate the hard work of the officers involved, the assistance of our City of Whitewater Police partners and the bravery of the individual who came forward. If you ever need assistance please don’t hesitate to contact us!”
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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