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The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Wednesday, October 7, 2026
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CHS, Inc., an agricultural cooperative based in Minnesota, broke ground on September 14 on their new $700 million soybean processing facility in Evansville. Nearly two years ago, Governor Tony Evers signed legislation allowing Evansville to exceed their TIF limits in anticipation of this project.
Rock County is the largest soybean producer in the state, and the majority of soybeans grown in Wisconsin are grown within a 100 mile radius of Evansville. The new facility will have capacity to process roughly 80 million bushels of soybeans per year, enough to fill about three Olympic swimming pools every day.
Representative Clinton Anderson (D-Beloit) and Senator Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) applaud this historic investment in our county, and offer the following statements.
Representative Clinton Anderson (D-Beloit):
“This new facility is the culmination of years of hard work between CHS, local government and state government. Local growers are excited to see this facility come online and strengthen Rock County as an agricultural innovation hub for the entire country. This project will provide dozens of good-paying jobs and help grow the food production and packaging supply chain in our region. At a time when farmers are facing uncertainty from tariffs and rising costs, investments like this are critical to keeping Wisconsin agriculture strong and competitive.”
Senator Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit):
“Seeing the CHS project move forward is critical for Evansville and the entire region. I am especially pleased that local soybean growers will soon have a facility in the area to process their product, reducing their expenses, maximizing their profits, and reinvesting in the local community. I am proud to have played a role in bringing this project to Evansville.”
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the photo on the homepage from Pixabay.
The following two rummage sales were submitted directly to The Banner. For several years we’ve been offering free garage/rummage/yard sale announcements which we publish on Wednesday evening on both our website and Facebook page. Anyone interested should please send address, hours, and general description of the sale to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by 6 p.m. on Wednesday. A few photos may be included if desired.
Multi-family Rummage
426 S. Buckingham Blvd.
Thursday September 24 Only – 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (weather permitting)
Halloween Costumes, Winter/Fall Coats, Baby-Adult Clothes, Women’s Suits, DVDs, VHS tapes, CDs, Magic Cards, Toys & Games, Aquarium, Brewers Items, Collectable Coins, Craft Supplies, Books, Kitchen and Housewares and so much more.
Rummage Sale – 252 S Ardmore Dr
September 24-26 Thursday – Saturday – 8-4.
Men’s and Women’s Clothing – Household Items – Books – Christmas Items – Board Games – Tools – Fire Pit – Discontinued MK Products and many miscellaneous items.
1162 Walworth Ave.
Thursday 9-5
Friday 8-5
Saturday 8-2
Our thanks to Catherine Mountford, who provided us this list of citywide sales. Sellers have been submitting announcements to her for the city-wide sales, which she posts on Facebook page Whitewater City Wide Rummage, 53190.
Rummage sales on Lakeview Drive this weekend. Wisconsin Street is under construction as of today (Wednesday) but the road is OPEN to Lakeview Drive.
204 North Jefferson St. some miscellaneous items typical yard sale stuff and a bunch of bicycles Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 6 pm
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by TMag from Pixabay.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football, men’s basketball and baseball booster clubs will host the 31st annual Wally & Rod’s Raffle and Public Auction on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the James R. Connor University Center’s Hamilton Room, located on the UW-Whitewater campus.
This pivotal event is the largest funding source for our Football, Men’s Basketball and Baseball programs. Funding from our auction is used for recruiting, travel, equipment, and facility upgrades. Without your help, our programs would not be able to maintain their nationally recognized status.
Items that have been donated in the past include:
• Memorabilia (autographed footballs, jerseys and prints)
• Sports & Entertainment tickets (individual game & concert tickets, group packages, and season tickets)
• Vacation packages (Timeshare weeks, etc.)
• Vehicles (Used cars, snowmobiles, scooters, etc.)
• Power tools
• Furniture
Contact Coach Wicks at 262-472-1146 or WichserJJ08@uww.edu if you are interested in purchasing tickets or donating items. Reserved tables are also available!!
This event is free and the public is welcome.
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by the UW-W College of Letters and Sciences.
Bear in mind that there is a charge for parking in university lots except for on the weekend. A permit may be purchased here or from the machine at the Visitor Services building on Starin Road.
Whitewater Fire & EMS is pleased to announce it has received a combined $2,500 in grant funding from the WE Energies Foundation and Alliant Energy to help purchase new gas detection equipment that will enhance responder and community safety.
The WE Energies Foundation awarded Whitewater Fire & EMS a $2,000 Rewarding Responder Grant, while Alliant Energy provided a $500 community grant in support of the department’s Gas Leak Detection from a Safer Distance initiative.
The funding will help offset the cost of a new Sensit LZ30 Remote Gas Detector, valued at approximately $14,442. The equipment will allow firefighters to detect and assess certain gas leaks from a greater distance, helping crews gather critical information while reducing their exposure to potentially hazardous environments.
“Investments in equipment like this directly support the safety of our firefighters and the residents they serve,” said Whitewater Fire & EMS Chief Kelly Freeman. “We are grateful to the WE Energies Foundation and Alliant Energy for recognizing the importance of providing first responders with the tools they need to respond safely and effectively.”
Whitewater Fire & EMS will also dedicate proceeds from its annual Pancake Breakfast toward the purchase of the new detector, allowing community members to play a direct role in helping the department reach its funding goal.
Whitewater Fire & EMS extends its appreciation to the WE Energies Foundation and Alliant Energy for their generous support and continued investment in public safety.
Support resources available to Jefferson County residents of all ages will be outlined in a presentation Wednesday, Sept. 23, in Fort Atkinson.
Erika Holmes, Jefferson County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) supervisor, will explain all the services the ADRC provides during the 9:30 a.m. gathering at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 31 W. Milwaukee Ave., Fort Atkinson. Coffee and doughnuts will be served.
Available services include transportation, benefit specialists (including Medicare and Social Security), caregiver support, senior dining, dementia care, elder abuse and neglect, students with disabilities, assisted living, and long-term care options and funding.
Persons who might need these services, as well as friends, neighbor, relatives and caregivers, are encouraged to attend, the hosting Outreach Committee noted.
Member Kathi Cauley said that the presentation marks a first step in spreading more kindness throughout the community.
“Our community has started a kindness initiative called Kindness FORTified,” she noted. “Kindness comes any more forms: offering a ride, chatting with a lonely neighbor or sharing a meal with someone who just lost loved one. It can be knowing about local resources so that we can offer information to a friend, family member or anyone we encounter with a need.”
That is where the ADRC comes in, she said.
“Come learn more and spread kindness. It does a brain good!” Cauley added.
Located in Jefferson County Human Services in Jefferson, the ADRC may be contacted at (920) 674-8734. For more information, visit https://www.jeffersoncountywi.gov/human_services/adult_services_br_adrc/index.php or https://www.facebook.com/p/ADRC-of-Jefferson-County-WI-61587984248168/.
ADRC services are available free of charge.
First Congregational UCC is an inclusive congregation that welcomes persons of all races, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, family structures, faith backgrounds, abilities and economic circumstances. For more information, call (920) 563-4802.
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fort Atkinson.
The first day of autumn in 2026 is Tuesday, September 22, with the autumnal equinox occurring at 7:04 p.m. CDT.
From Wikipedia:
Autumn, also known as fall in North American English,[1] is one of the four temperate seasons on Earth. Outside the tropics, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, beginning in September (Northern Hemisphere) or March (Southern Hemisphere). Autumn is the season when the duration of daytime becomes noticeably shorter and the temperature cools considerably. Day length decreases and night length increases as the season progresses until the winter solstice in December (Northern Hemisphere) and June (Southern Hemisphere). One of its main features in temperate climates is the striking change in colour of the leaves of deciduous trees as they prepare to shed.
The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage and above by wal_172619 from Pixabay.
We need your input! Already planning the 4th of July Festival for 2027!
2026 is in the books and the Whitewater 4th event was a success, even with bad weather and high temps. We celebrated America’s 250th birthday in style! 2026 was the last year for the festival being organized by Downtown Whitewater, Inc. For 2027, a group of locals has started to create a committee to take over the Whitewater 4th festival. The parade will remain with the city; however, the carnival, music, fireworks, beer tent and food will be organized under the new management.
Now is your chance to weigh in on the 2026 festival and shape the future of the festival! Please take a moment to fill out the survey that may be found at the link below. Please answer as much as you can and provide any suggestions you have. The core group will be working on our 501(c) (3) status for “Whitewater Festivals” and then having larger meetings monthly where the community is involved to help build our festival bigger and better than before!
Click here to take the survey.
Please feel free to reach out to us at whitewaterfestivals@gmail.com. Thank you!
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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