News & Events

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

At its December 17 meeting the City of Whitewater Common Council declined to adopt the part-time closure of Starin Road that was recommended by the Public Works Committee. Out of concern for pedestrian safety, University staff had requested approval to erect an electronic gate which would close the portion of Starin Road from Warhawk Drive to the street to the east of the bookstore. It was suggested that the closure occur on Monday through Friday during the university’s fall and spring terms, possibly from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

After a period of public comment and Council debate that lasted for approximately an hour, it was decided to implement the following traffic calming measures through the spring semester:

• Install a yet-to-be determined number of stop signs within the area of concern, [which it appears might extend to Prince Street and Starin Road.]
• Reduce the speed limit to 15 miles per hour from the current 25.
• Install temporary speed humps (which are usually not as high as a speed bump and are longer).

It was decided that the Council will review the outcome of this trial in its second meeting in June, with the expectation that if it is not deemed to be successful in improving pedestrian safety, they would consider moving forward with what might be described as a part-time closure. There was interest expressed in the possibility of a somewhat shorter daily closure, focusing on the heavier pedestrian traffic periods. Though there was ultimately unanimous approval of the motion, Council members Greg Majkrzak and Orin Smith had favored moving ahead with the Public Works Committee’s recommendation as soon as possible.

Public comment on the original recommendation began with a rather lengthy, impassioned presentation in favor of the closure by Brenda Jones, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administrative Affairs. It was her view that the drivers who would be most affected by the closure are university employees and students. She disagreed with stereotypes of large numbers of students being distracted by using their phones while crossing the street. She did not feel that the concerns from police, fire and EMS that the closure would significantly delay emergency responses, as those personnel could be provided with electronic access.

Comments from students, other community members, and council members about the original proposal were very mixed. Council member Brown spoke about the increasing popularity of “green zones” for pedestrians in university campus properties. A number of comments were made about hazardous street crossings for public school students. Douglas A. Bradley III, Whitewater Student Government president, spoke in favor of the proposal, stating that he feels more safe crossing Main Street than Starin Road. Jani Kau Mortensen, who retired from the university as a shuttle driver, spoke against the proposal, feeling that it would put all the responsibility on drivers. She indicated a need to correct an urban legend that if a student is hit by a vehicle, they get their college expenses covered. Jeff Knight indicated that when the Starin Road extension was planned there was an extensive traffic study conducted, and he feels it is time for another. Larry Kachel felt that there should be an answer to the concerns “with less pain,” suggesting various approaches, including those that ultimately were part of the alternative plan offered by Council member Hicks.

Editor’s note: A previous Banner article regarding this matter, including reference to city staff comments, may be found here.

Willow Brook Golf Course will be hosting a Christmas party for their last Fish Fry of the year! A toy and food drive will be hosted with opportunity to win a variety of gift baskets.

Be sure to wear your Christmas Spirit!

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.

The Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club thanks everyone in Whitewater for purchasing poinsettias this holiday to raise funds to help children. 

Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club Co-President Corey Davis said, “We were delighted to be able to sell florist-quality poinsettias again this year, with the funds helping children in our community and the world as well as brightening your holidays.” 

Special thanks go to Kiwanian Albert Stanek for leading the sales and distribution, as well as the First United Methodist Church for hosting the plant delivery and staging area.

Whitewater Kiwanis is a group of dedicated volunteers who help both children of the Whitewater community and the world. Over the past several years the club raised funds to make possible the recent installation of the city’s first piece of inclusive playground equipment, a We-Go-Round, in Starin Park.  Annual donations are also made to provide shoes and winter clothes for students, as well as support for organizations such as the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, The Community Space, and the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club.

If you have an interest in helping youth in Whitewater, you can check out Whitewater Kiwanis on Facebook and join our Club by contacting Corey Davis at davisc@uww.edu.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from Thursday at 6 a.m. until Friday at 6 a.m. Technically the advisory only applies to the Jefferson County portion of the city, but the forecast for the city in general is for 2-4″ of snow. The system is anticipated to arrive in our area between 9-11 a.m. on Thursday.

According to the weather service, “Light to moderate snow will overspread southern WI Thursday morning from west to east. The snow will remain fairly steady north of Madison and Milwaukee through Thursday night and into Friday morning, while the snow may be intermittent from Madison to Milwaukee and south to the IL border for Thursday morning into the early afternoon, then steadier snow later in the day and night….Only minor blowing and drifting snow is expected with this storm.”

Karmyn Diane Meissner, 70 years of age, of Janesville, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on December 9th, 2024.

Karmyn was born on May 1st, 1954, in Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin to Alex and Elizabeth (Culton) Meissner. Karmyn was an avid animal lover wanting to take in any animal she saw. She loved horses and had a few throughout her life along with many other dogs, cats, birds, and the occasional squirrel. She was a lover of history and mysteries and was most interested in the Egyptian culture, as well as shipwrecks like the Titanic.

Karmyn is survived by her brother, Murf (Vicki) Luebke, stepbrother, Dennis (Debbie) Rosenthal, and stepsister Rie (Chuck) Manley; her 3 children: Jason Robertson (Portia Diamond), Justin Robertson (Theresa Gleesing), and Billie Jo Hartin (Rick Crest); her grandchildren: Destiny (Chris) Howell, Alyssa Hartin (Maurice Young), Noah Hartin, Ashlie Urban, Teagan Robertson, and Brooke Robertson. Also her 4 great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

Karmyn was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth (Culton) Meissner, her father, Alex Meissner, and her stepmother Mary (Rosenthal) Meissner, as well as her sister Cindy (Jerry) DeMott.

No services will be held at her request. All Faiths Funeral and Cremation Services of Janesville is assisting the family.

All Faiths Funeral and Cremation Services

Janesville, Wisconsin

(608) 754-8700