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Free Middle School Virtual Play – 10 Ways to Survive Life in Quarantine – Thurs. & Fri.

March 16, 2021

(Middle School press release) The Whitewater Middle School Theater, in collaboration with WHS Players, will be presenting, 10 Ways To Survive Life In Quarantine, by Don Zolidis, on Thursday, March 18th, and Friday, March 19th, at 7:00 p.m.  The show will be presented on Zoom, and is free to all viewers.  The viewing link will be posted on the middle school website at 6:55 p.m. both evenings.   

Have you been wondering how others have been handling their time in quarantine?  Well, this show gives us a snapshot of just how things are going, and how our various characters are coping.

Cast members include middle and high school students, London Altreuter, Lucy Davis, Adalynn Frye, Danny Fuller, Miles Hutchison, Maggie Jay, Ben McCulloch, Hailey Peterson, Aldo Rodriguez, Madison Strickler, Anderson Waelchli, Carter Waelchli, and Ella Willman.  The show is directed by Liz Elliott and Alyssa Orlowski. 

Please consider supporting our cast in our first ever virtual production!

Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

SSM Health partners with local school districts to vaccinate educators: On-site, mobile clinic in Whitewater today

March 15, 2021

(SSM press release) – SSM Health is continuing its COVID-19 vaccine community outreach efforts with an on-site, mobile vaccination clinic for pre-registered individuals on Tuesday, March 16. This is not a walk-in clinic.

Educators from the Whitewater Unified School District, School District of Fort Atkinson and UW-Whitewater will receive their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during this day-long event. In addition, Madison College (Watertown and Fort Atkinson campuses), and employees from other area school districts, also will be vaccinated.

“We believe vaccinating educators is a key component to getting our state’s children safely back to school full time and SSM Health is honored to partner with school districts to administer the COVID-19 vaccine,” said SSM Health WI Regional President Damond Boatwright.

SSM Health has enough vaccine supply to vaccinate school district staff members, while still prioritizing those ages 65 and older. We continue to closely follow guidance issued by Wisconsin DHS and are collaborating with public health officials in the communities and counties we serve.

To date, SSM Health has administered more than 111,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Wisconsin. We are committed to vaccinating as many individuals as safely and efficiently as possible.

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society – Another Image from the 1881 Snowstorm!

March 6, 2021

This week’s #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society follows up last’s week’s with another image from the 1881 snowstorm!

This past week marks the storm’s 140 year anniversary, as it hit in two waves between February 26 and March 4. A heavy rainstorm, followed by over four feet of snow, pounded the city that week. Record books in Madison indicate that approximately 114 inches of snow fell in total that winter. This stereoscope view, courtesy of local photographer J.P. Whipple, shows the snow drifts along the sidewalks on the north side of Main Street.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!

(1575ST, 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!​ 

Warhawks’ Season Ends in WIAC Tournament

March 1, 2021

Warhawks’ Season Ends in WIAC Tournament

Related Links:

Box Score

2021 WIAC Men’s Basketball Championship Web Page

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s basketball team took another opponent down to the wire Monday night but was outlasted 81-76 at UW-River Falls in the first round of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship (Presented by Culver’s).

The Warhawks (1-7 overall), who played in their fourth straight game decided in the final minute, shot 53.4 percent from the floor and finished with a 46-32 advantage on points in the paint.

UW-River Falls (5-3), which advances to play at top seed UW-Platteville on Wednesday night, made 53.7 percent of its shots from the floor and doubled up UW-Whitewater on made free throws, 14-7.

Trevon Chislom registered 21 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, all team highs, to lead the Warhawks. Gage Malensek tallied 17 points and a team-high six assists, and Breontae Hunt posted 12 points and five rebounds.

Brian Conaghan and Will Pytleski contributed nine and eight points, respectively, off the bench.

UW-Whitewater scored the first four points of the contest and led 12-5 at the 14:08 mark of the first half. The team continued to lead until the midway point of the period, when the Falcons took a 19-17 advantage.

UW-River Falls led by as many as five during the remainder of the half, but an 8-0 UW-W run gave the Warhawks a 45-40 advantage with 1:20 remaining following a 3-pointer by Hunt.

UW-Whitewater held the lead in the second half until the 11:28 mark, when UW-River Falls tied the game at 54-54. Hunt scored the next five points to make it 59-54 at the midway point of the frame.

The Falcons made a run and took a 68-62 advantage with 6:51 on the clock. Chislom tied the game with a jumper with 4:49 left, but UW-River Falls took the lead for good just over one minute later with a 3-pointer.

The Warhawks trimmed their deficit to one possession on four more occasions, but each time, the Falcons responded with either a basket or a pair of free throws.

Walworth County Moves to Phase 3 of Phased Guidance for COVID-19

February 24, 2021

(Walworth Co. Division of Public Health press release) ELKHORN, WI — On February 18, 2021, Walworth County moved to Phase 3 of its Phased Guidance for COVID-19. The Division of Public Health initiated the shift after observing sustained improvement in all key indicators highlighted on Walworth County’s Public Health Community Data Dashboard.

The most notable change from Phase 2 to Phase 3 is an increase in recommended capacity from 50% to 75% for certain industries and some larger permitted gathering sizes. While Phased Guidance recommendations become more relaxed, Walworth County Health Officer Erica Bergstrom encourages that collective actions to prevent COVID-19 remain steadfast. “Our community has worked diligently and made tremendous sacrifices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 over the last year,” she states. “At this pivotal point in our recovery, we must remain vigilant in protecting our community against COVID-19. When we use all available tools and strategies, we ensure that we stay on this encouraging path.”

Even as vaccines become more readily available, it remains important to use all preventative actions to protect against COVID-19. These include being vaccinated when and if able, maintaining physical distance from those outside of your household, wearing a face covering, washing your hands frequently, staying home when you’re sick, and getting tested if you have symptoms.

For more information on Walworth County Public Health’s data, Phased Guidance, and using all tools and strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19, please visit the county website at https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/856/COVID-19. Questions on the Phased Guidance may be sent to walcoph@co.walworth.wi.us.

UW-W Basketball Results – February 24, 2021

February 24, 2021

Women: UW-Whitewater 75, UW-Stout 51

Box Score: https://uwwsports.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2020-21/uw-stout/boxscore/15142

Men: UW-Stout 93, UW-Whitewater 90 (OT)

Box Score: https://uwwsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2020-21/uw-stout/boxscore/15133

Shoreline Education Events from UW Extension

February 24, 2021

(UW Extension press release) Upcoming Shoreline Education Events

Our lakes are vital to where we live, work and play. But they need our help!

Join these upcoming free webinars to find out how you can help our shorelines and lakes by learning about invasive species, healthy shoreline management and how to improve water quality and decrease erosion. Note there are two webinars listed here with different registrations. These free webinars are hosted by University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension in collaboration with local and regional organizations.

Take Action to Keep Our Lakes Healthy

Thurs., March 4th, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Lesser celandine, Phragmites, and knotweed are three invasive plants in southern Wisconsin that grow in wet areas and have significant impacts on our lakes. Learn how to identify them, their affects, and how you can take action by looking for and reporting infestations via email or with the Great Lakes Early Detection Network app. Presented by Jason Granberg, Conservation Biologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Anne Pearce, Coordinator of the Wisconsin First Detector Network.

This is a free online event, but registration is required. Please use the following link to register: https://go.wisc.edu/ixpf32

* Once registered, a connection link to the webinar will be sent the day before the event.

Shoreline Gardening for Healthy Lakes

Thurs., March 18th, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

In this webinar, you will learn what rain gardens are and how this special type of low maintenance garden can filter pollutants, recharge the groundwater and reduce pollution of local waterways. You will also learn what services healthy shorelines provide, including habitat, improved water quality and decreased erosion. Presented by Paul Skawinski, Lakes Outreach Specialist and Statewide Coordinator of the Wisconsin Citizen Lake Monitoring Network and Patrick Goggin from the Extension lakes team.

This is a free online event, but registration is required. Please use the following link to register: https://go.wisc.edu/663c99

* Once registered, a connection link to the webinar will be sent the day before the event.

If you have questions about this event, please contact Julie Hill, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, julie.hill@wisc.edu

To find additional upcoming local and statewide events from Extension, see our calendar: https://extension.wisc.edu/events/ or visit our Extension Rock County website: https://rock.extension.wisc.edu/

UW-Whitewater Basketball Results – February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

Women: UW-Whitewater 64, UW-Platteville 53

Box score: https://uwwsports.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2020-21/uw-platteville/boxscore/15141

Men: No. 11 UW-Platteville 64, UW-Whitewater 58

Box score: https://uwwsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2020-21/uw-platteville/boxscore/15132

Obituaries

Obituary: Sally A. Schutte, 73

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

Obituary: Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41

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

Obituary: Carla Winn, 82, of Kansas

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

Celebration of Life: Susan K. Miller

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

Obituary: JoAnn E Harrop, 95, of AL

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

Obituary: Russell O. “Russ” Johnson, 88

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

Obituary: Marcia Zingg, 75

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

Obituary: Amanda Jean Hunter, 49

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

Obituary: Ellen Eichmiller, 82

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

Obituary: Janet Quinn, 71, Jefferson

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