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On Monday, January 26, WHS students were selected and performed with the Rock Valley Conference Honors Band. These students were selected because of their hard work and dedication to music at WHS. They spent all day working with renowned conductor and educator Carrie Backman and performed a concert in the evening! Congratulations to these exceptional students!
Article and Photos Courtesy of Sam Averill
Whitewater High School Band Director
saverill@wwusd.org
FREE FINANCIAL FREEDOM WORKSHOP
WHITEWATER, WI—Community members are invited to a free Financial Freedom workshop with Denise Maple of Live Life Spiritual Direction. The event will take place at the Whitewater Public Library in Meeting Room 1 on Tuesday, February 3 at 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Prosperity and wealth are possible for everyone. Often, our conditioning growing up or past experiences tell us the lie that abundance is not for us. Learn how to overcome these false beliefs to live a life of prosperity in your finances, relationships, and more.
Please join us for an enlightening and transformative gathering aimed at helping individuals harness the power of their mindset and actions to manifest abundance and prosperity in their financial lives. This workshop offers mind shifting exercises and practical strategies to enhance one’s relationship with money and create a positive money mindset.
During the workshop, participants engage in various activities and teachings that guide them toward a deeper understanding of their beliefs, attitudes, and habits around money.
Through guided meditations, visualization exercises, and introspective discussions, participants learn to identify and release any limiting beliefs or negative patterns that may be blocking their financial success. They discover how to cultivate a positive and empowered mindset, aligning their thoughts, emotions, and actions with the abundance they desire.
The workshop offers practical tools and strategies to help individuals set clear financial goals, create effective action plans, and cultivate healthy financial habits. It also fosters a supportive and nurturing environment where individuals can connect with like-minded individuals who are also on a journey of spiritual and financial growth.
This workshop is for adults. Registration is requested but not required. Please register in advance at whitewaterlibrary.org/events or by contacting the library.
You can learn more about the facilitator, Denise Maple, at livelifespiritual.com.
The Whitewater Public Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. For more information, visit whitewaterlibrary.org, email library@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0530.
WHS is proud to welcome back a true legend of our program—Track & Field Hall of Fame Coach Mark Maas. Coach Maas’s impact goes far beyond wins and records; his leadership, mentorship, and dedication have shaped generations of athletes. Please join us in giving a warm welcome! We’re excited to have you back where your legacy began.
The Whippet Boys’ Swim Team had a strong showing at the EagleJay Invite on Saturday, January 24th, finishing 3rd overall in a competitive field! The day was filled with personal bests, Top 16 finishes, and great team energy from start to finish.
Top 16 Finishes:
• 200 Medley Relay
A Relay (Hunter Runnoe, David Enns, Wyatt Esch, ChaCha Binagi) – 11th (2:12.16)
• 200 Freestyle:
Cruz Aranda – 1st (1:54.71)
• 50 Freestyle:
Mateo Bazeley – 3rd (23.54)
Caleb Kluck – 9th (25.72)
Wyatt Esch – 10th (25.78)
• 100 Butterfly:
Langdon Coburn – 2nd (56.87)
Wyatt Esch – 11th (1:11.37)
• 100 Freestyle:
Cruz Aranda – 1st (51.31)
Mateo Bazeley – 2nd (52.24)
David Enns – 15th (1:03.53)
• 500 Freestyle:
Angel Kilar – 11th (8:03.72)
Cooper Housel – 12th (8:06.48)
• 200 Freestyle Relay:
A Relay (Cruz Aranda, Langdon Coburn, Caleb Kluck, Mateo Bazeley) – 2nd (1:35.76)
B Relay (David Enns, ChaCha Binagi, Hunter Runnoe, Wyatt Esch) – 10th (1:53.22)
• 100 Backstroke:
Langdon Coburn – 4th (1:03.37)
Ian Agen – 16th (1:47.43)
• 100 Breaststroke:
Caleb Kluck – 9th (1:19.77)
David Enns – 1:23.21
• 400 Freestyle Relay:
A Relay (Cruz Aranda, Mateo Bazeley, Caleb Kluck, Langdon Coburn) – 3rd (3:37.87)
B Relay (Cooper Housel, Angel Kilar, Ian Agen, Carson Miller) – 12th (5:16.81)
Other Highlights:
• ChaCha Binagi dropped 9 seconds in the 200 Free (3:06.27) and 2 seconds in the 100 Free (1:10.79).
• Carson Miller had a massive day, dropping 28 seconds in the 100 Free (1:20.88) and 6 seconds in the 100 Breaststroke (1:37.17).
• Cooper Housel dropped 5 seconds in his 100 Free leading off the 400 Free Relay.
• Hunter Runnoe dropped 2 seconds in the 100 Free, finishing with a time of 1:08.51.
The Whippets are back in action Tuesday, January 27th, as they travel to Edgerton High School to take on Edgerton/Evansville in their final dual meet of the season. Swimming starts at 5:30 PM — come out and support the team!
Article and Photos Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Swim Coach
ReynoldsSM07@uww.edu
Jim Caldwell is a WUL Hometown Hero, and has been nominated by Jim Winship, “For all that he has contributed and continues to contribute to Whitewater’s growth and well-being.”
Winship said, “Since becoming President and Chief Executive Officer of First Citizens State Bank of Whitewater in 1979, Jim has been deeply involved with supporting both economic development and civic life in Whitewater.”
He was one of the prime movers in the development of the Whitewater Business and Industrial Park, established in 1986, which is one of the largest office and industrial developments in Southeastern Wisconsin. He has worked with the City of Whitewater’s Community Development Authority on multiple projects and has been a mentor to startup businesses at the Whitewater University Innovation Center.
His community involvement includes serving as the Chairman of the Board of the Fairhaven Foundation, Board Member for 30 years and Former Chair of the UW-Whitewater Foundation, serving as Kiwanis Foundation Treasurer, Whitewater Library Association Vice-President and Treasurer, as well as informal service to Habitat for Humanity and other organizations.
Jim and his wife Julie have supported Whitewater through their philanthropy. A longtime strong supporter of Bethel House, Jim and Julie Caldwell were major donors in Whitewater Public Library’s Capital Campaign.
WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.
Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com
Editor’s Note: The above was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL).
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The first installment of property taxes is due this Saturday, January 31, but if you assume that depositing your check in your mailbox or a postal box on Saturday will ensure that your tax is paid timely, you will be mistaken. As The Banner announced in June, 2024, first-class mail is no longer postmarked on the same day that it is mailed. Instead, it sits in Whitewater overnight until it is picked up at 6 a.m. the next postal working day on its way to the Oak Creek Distribution Center. So, for example, if you mail your payment this Saturday it will not be postmarked until Monday. In reality there could be a delay in the automated sorting machine processing and postmarking the envelope. If the first installment is not paid on time, the second payment becomes immediately due, and a 1% penalty per month [or fraction of a month] is assessed. [A notice on the back of the Walworth County bill appears to allow a grace period of five days for the payment to be received before this penalty is assessed.]s
How to ensure your payment is made on time?
- If you’re a city of Whitewater property owner, you may pay your bill in person at the Finance Department at the Municipal Building, 312 W. Whitewater Street, by 4:30 p.m. on Friday.
- If you’re a city of Whitewater property owner, you may pay your bill online by January 31. There is a 3% convenience fee for using a credit card, but there is no fee for paying from a checking or savings account.
- Mail your payment at the Whitewater Post Office counter before noon on Saturday, requesting a local postmark.
- Place your payment in the mail as soon as possible but not later than Friday.
Editor’s note: The below press release on this subject was provided by the Walworth County Treasurer. Though it references a Postal Service change effective in December, 2025, in reality, as indicated above, this change was effective here in June, 2024.
Contact: Valerie Etzel
County Treasurer
(262) 741-4251
treasurer@co.walworth.wi.us
County Treasurer advises USPS postmark change may affect tax payments
(ELKHORN, WI): Walworth County Treasurer Valerie Etzel is encouraging residents who pay their property tax bills by mail to be aware of a recent U.S. Postal Service policy change that may affect when envelopes are postmarked.
Effective December 24, 2025, the Postal Service will institute a nationwide change as to when a postmark is affixed to incoming mail, Etzel said. Instead of postmarks being affixed when the Postal Service first touches the item, postmarks are now stamped at regional sorting centers. “That means your postmark could be several days after you put it in your mailbox,” Etzel said. “In other
words, if you plan to pay your property taxes by mail, don’t wait until right before the deadline to put it in the mail.”
Etzel noted that many federal and state laws define timely payment based on the USPS postmark, meaning payments may be considered delinquent if they are mailed too close to the deadline — even if they were, in fact, placed in a mailbox before the deadline.
To avoid this issue, Etzel encourages Walworth County property taxpayers to contact their municipality about the online E-check option, other online payment options, or mail payments earlier to avoid becoming delinquent and accruing substantial late fees. Municipal contacts can be found on the County’s website at https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/216/Municipality-Directory
Etzel cautioned taxpayers against sending tax payments through their personal bank’s online bill payment option, as those payments are often processed in bulk with many other customers’ payments, which can delay their arrival and cause them to become delinquent. This type of payment has become even more problematic in recent years, as the time it takes for USPS items to reach their destination after mailing has increased, Etzel added. Another option could be to bring your payment to the post office in person and have them postmark it in front of you or send it by certified mail, Etzel said.
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City of Whitewater Conducts Business Retention & Expansion Visit with Edgerton Hospital Focusing on Local Urgent Care and Upcoming Pain & Spine Center Clinic
As part of the City of Whitewater’s ongoing Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) program, City and Chamber staff recently met with Jason Hafeman, Director of Marketing and Communications for Edgerton Hospital, to discuss the continued growth and impact of Edgerton Hospital’s Urgent Care Clinic located at 757 E Main St in the City of Whitewater.
The Urgent Care Clinic opened in September 2025 and has quickly become an important healthcare resource for the Whitewater community. The clinic currently employs five full-time employees, along with additional support staff, and continues to expand services to meet local demand.
A major focus of the meeting was the announcement of a new Pain & Spine Center Clinic, scheduled to open before the end of February, further enhancing healthcare options available in Whitewater. The Pain & Spine Center Clinic will feature Carmen Bills, APNP-BC, who will be on-site by appointment, supported by dedicated staff. This new clinic will be located immediately adjacent to the existing Urgent Care.
“This expansion reflects the strength of our local healthcare partners and their commitment to investing in Whitewater,” said Mason Becker, Community Development Director for the City of Whitewater. “Edgerton Hospital has been very intentional about meeting community needs, and the addition of a pain clinic is a meaningful step that improves access to specialized care while supporting local employment.”
During the visit, Hafeman emphasized Edgerton Hospital’s commitment to quality and community-based care, stating, “We want to be a top-notch standards of care provider.” He also highlighted that Edgerton Hospital operates as a private, independent, local health system, and continues to accept all previous insurance providers, ensuring continuity of care for patients.
The Urgent Care Clinic is equipped with on-site diagnostic capabilities, including an X-ray machine, which Hafeman noted, “would not have been possible without the Community Development Authority’s Action Fund loan.” The investment underscores the role of strategic local financing tools in supporting essential services and infrastructure.
Edgerton Hospital also noted its strong workforce ties to the region, employing many University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and Blackhawk Technical College alumni.
“Healthcare access is a critical component of a strong business climate,” said Karin Silvius, Executive Director of the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce. “Edgerton Hospital’s continued investment in Whitewater not only supports residents but also strengthens our community’s ability to attract and retain both employers and talent.”
The City of Whitewater’s BRE program focuses on supporting existing employers, understanding business needs, and identifying opportunities for expansion and long-term success. Healthcare providers remain a key sector in Whitewater’s economic development strategy due to their role in employment, quality of life, and regional service delivery. Businesses interested in participating in the BRE program can contact Ashwini Rao, Economic Development Coordinator, at arao@whitewater-wi.gov
The following student from the area has been named to the University of Wisconsin-Stout Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester.
The award is presented to students who have a grade point average of 3.5 or above.
UW-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, offers more than 70 industry-aligned undergraduate and graduate degrees and 40 professional certificate programs. Established in 1891, the university prides itself on the success of its students in the workplace, with more than 1,000 national internship placements and an employment rate of 99% for recent graduates. UW-Stout is a top-rated Military Friendly and Best for Vets institution, a DOE Green Ribbon recipient for sustainability, and the only four-year institution in the U.S. to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
University of Wisconsin-Stout offers a polytechnic education distinguished by applied learning and research, business and industry collaboration, and career-focused experiences to prepare students for success in engineering, technology, design, management and other fields. It is one of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin.
-30-
Whitewater, WI
Michael Olszewski, BS cybersecurity
Obituaries
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
Leo E. Wurzer, 65, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at his home. Leo was born on April 15, 1961 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Cyril and Shirley (McNeil) Wurzer. He grew up between Pleasant Prairie and Antigo, spending his childhood summers on his uncle’s farm where he discovered his love for all things tractors. Although he never had a farm of his own, he was able to partially fulfill his dream by working as a driver for Robin’s Trucking in Whitewater, WI in his last days and collecting miniature Tonka toys. He began his career … Read more
Lois Cummings, 99, of Fond du Lac, WI (formerly of Janesville, WI, Fort Atkinson, WI, Fountain Hills, AZ, and Green Valley, AZ) passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026 at the Meadows Senior Residence in Fond du Lac surrounded by family. Lois was born on February 17, 1927 in Fort Atkinson to Edward and Clarice (Roseth) Stevens. The middle child of 9 children, she attended Fort Atkinson schools and graduated in 1944. On September 11, 1948 Lois married Grant Cummings at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Delavan, WI. Together they had 3 children, Gary, Colleen (Tom) Sabel, and Patty (Paul) … Read more
Come celebrate William Kincaid’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30th at 1 pm at Trippe Lake Park Pavillion in Whitewater. He truly enjoyed gatherings where his favorite foods and music could be enjoyed with some of his closest friends and family. We will honor him by carrying on one of his favorite traditions. Please bring your own beverages and chairs. There is limited seating. See you all there!
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