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Today is Wednesday, June 17, 2026
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City of Whitewater property owners recently received a tax bill which, in nearly all cases, reflects a significant increase in city and school district property taxes. (The only exception would be if the assessed value of the property declined significantly.) The city has released a video which seeks to explain the tax increase, which is almost entirely a result of the police and fire/EMS referendum which passed last April. The video may be viewed here.
County residents and staff family members recently had a unique opportunity to tour the Jefferson County Courthouse upon completion of a multi-year renovation project. Guests at the November 12 Open House were encouraged to meet with design/construction, facilities, and county representatives; view maps, floor plans, and photographs; and enjoy a self-guided tour through the building.
The renovation added approximately 33,000 square feet of office, meeting, and mechanical space on the north, east, and south sides of the Courthouse, including expanded capabilities for the Jefferson County 911 Call Center and the Emergency Management Command Center, additional court hearing rooms, and a larger area for Geographic Information System (GIS) services.
More than 120,000 square feet of existing space was remodeled, with objectives to modernize furnishings, fixtures, and mechanical/electrical systems to gain efficiencies and maximize functionality for staff and residents. Related County departments are now located in shared suites, allowing for improved customer experience.
“It was wonderful to meet and visit with our constituents as they explored the renovated Courthouse,” said Michael Luckey, Jefferson County Administrator. “This location has been home to the County Courthouse since 1880, with the last major building update completed in 1966. The latest updates position us to serve the people of Jefferson County effectively both now and into the future.”
For additional information about the Jefferson County Courthouse, please contact John Fox, Director of Facilities Management, at JFox@jeffersoncountywi.gov or 920-674-7322.
We were thrilled to have 25 Little Dribblers (K-1st grade) and 25 Shooting Stars (2nd-3rd grade) participate in our six-week basketball clinic this year. Both groups worked hard throughout the year on basic basketball skills. All participants improved on their listening, dribbling, passing, defense, rebounding and shooting skills. The highlight of the clinic occurred when all participants demonstrated their skills at halftime of the Boys basketball game on December 5 against Jefferson. The Little Dribblers and Shooting Stars also had the chance to root for two of their coaches, Casey and Matt, as they led the Whippets to a great win over Jefferson.
Coach Bob stated: “If the Little Dribblers and Shooting Stars continue their dedication and positive work ethic regarding basketball practice and games, the future of boys and girls basketball will be very bright!”
The coaches and Whitewater Park District also want to extend a large THANK YOU to all the parents who helped with practices and supported these young basketball players.
We hope to see all of the kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders back next year. We wish our 3rd graders best of luck as they join traveling basketball.
Happy Holidays,
Coaches Gerry, Casey, Matt and Bob
(Submitted by Coach Bob Schramm)
| The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) is excited to announce a Call for Art for the 3rd Annual Artrageous Birds Juried Exhibition, a celebration of creativity inspired by the beauty and spirit of birds. This juried exhibition welcomes artists from the local and regional community to submit original work in both traditional and digital mediums. The exhibition will run from Thursday, March 5 through Sunday, March 29, 2026 at the WAA Cultural Arts Center Gallery 402 W. Main St., Whitewater. All accepted works will also be displayed online, offering artists the opportunity to reach a wide audience. As a juried exhibition, all entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges, and accepted works will be eligible for cash awards. A Best of Show award of $250 will be presented, along with first, second, and third place prizes in both the Traditional and Digital Salons. Additional honors such as Viewer’s Choice, Public’s Choice, and Honorable Mentions will also be awarded. Artists may submit work in the following categories: Traditional Salon: Painting, drawing, illustration, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, 3D art, and photography. Digital Salon: Digital painting, drawing, illustration, mixed media, and photography. Submissions are now open and close on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Notifications of acceptance will be sent on Monday, February 9, 2026. Accepted works for the Traditional Salon must be delivered to the gallery on Tuesday, March 3 (4 pm-6 pm) or Wednesday, March 4 (12 pm-4 pm). Artwork pick-up will take place on Monday, March 30 (4 pm-6 pm). Artists can submit entries through ArtCall, accessible via the WAA website at whitewaterarts.org/artrageous-birds-2026-call. Discounts for WAA members and students are available. “This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for artists to share their creativity and connect with audiences both in Whitewater and beyond,” said Exhibit Co-Chair Emily Painter. Exhibit Chair, Jeff McDonald added, “By expanding the mediums, welcoming regional artists, and offering cash awards, we are creating a vibrant showcase that reflects the diversity of artistic expression in our community.” For more information, please contact Exhibit Co-Chairs Jeff McDonald at waa.franachen@gmail.com or Emily Painter at wwartsalliance@gmail.com, or Gallery Director Kim Adams at wwartsalliance@gmail.com or 608-201-2151. |
| Website: whitewaterarts.org Facebook: facebook.com/wwartsalliance Gallery Hours: Thursdays-Sundays, 12 pm-4 pm Please Note: The gallery is closed outside of Gallery Exhibit Hours except for special events and is also closed when no show is currently running. “20 Years Of Celebrating The Arts And Creating Community!” |
On Saturday, December 13, the Whitewater Wrestling Team hosted the 14th Annual Whitewater Invitational involving 12 teams from around the area. After coming close over the years, for first time in the 14 years of hosting the tournament, the Whippet Wrestling Team found themselves in first place, outdistancing Waterford.
Individually the team had many great performances throughout the day with lots of pins along the way.
Leading the way were three champions in George Christon going 3-0, Gabe Crane going 5-0, and Brady Friend going 5-0. This was the first high school tournament championship for all three of these young men. George had 2 pins, Brady 4 pins, and Gabe pinned all 5 of his opponents. George came out really motivated after a tough loss on Thursday night and was on a mission. Gabe also was on a mission and was focused on doing what he does best in his victories. Brady has shown more confidence each time he steps on the mat, and he is fun to watch.
Coming in as runner ups after making the finals were Alex Morales, Dahlton Vogel, and Austin Retzlaff, with all 3 of them going 4-1 on the day. Alex showed some great technique and persistence in a couple of close matches during the day coming out on top. He learned how to fight through adversity in the semi-finals to win his match, eventually by pin. Dahlton wrestled very well all day before running into a tough opponent from Janesville Craig. Finally, Austin won a tight match in the quarter finals and then came out on top of a very tough competitor in the semifinals before falling in the finals to a strong student from Kenosha Bradford.
Coming in 4th place and just missing out on the podium were Julio Avelino, Duli Balazi, Max Babcock, and Deavion Olson. Each of these students wrestled well but just missed out on the podium.
Great work to the entire wrestling team on a great job on Saturday. Also thank you to the many hands that made this tournament run so smoothly.
The team is next in action on Tuesday night, December 16, when they host East Troy in a Rock Valley Conference match up. Both teams are 1-0 in the conference so come out and support the Whippet Wrestling Team!
Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Cora Schimming
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater held its 2025 winter commencement ceremony Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Williams Center on the Whitewater campus.
On a bitter cold day in Whitewater, families and friends gathered to celebrate 888 undergraduate and graduate students who earned degrees. Graduates represented the College of Arts and Communication, the College of Business and Economics, the College of Education and Professional Studies, the College of Integrated Studies, the College of Letters and Sciences, and the School of Graduate Studies.
Chancellor Corey A. King presided over the two-hour event.
“We’re grateful you chose to be Warhawks,” King said. “We see you. We share in your emotions today.”
After a recognition of university administrators, faculty, and staff, student speaker Samuel Bardales addressed his fellow graduates and attendees. Bardales earned a BSE in mathematics education with a minor in business law, and served as a leader in residence life, Whitewater Student Government, Lambda Chi Alpha, and more organizations on campus.
“Whitewater has been more than a place to learn,” Bardales said. “It’s been a place to grow, to belong, and to become who we are today.”
Bardales shared some of his favorite memories and traditions on campus and acknowledged the role that challenges in his life played in making him ready for the real world.
“Failures — and bumps in the road — will come, but now we have experience, resilience, and each other,” he said.
Bardales, a native of Gurnee, Illinois, lauded those who took winding roads and faced the same challenges on the way to graduation.
“You should be so proud of yourself, because even when it felt impossible, you still kept fighting, and now look at where you are,” Bardales said.”
Commencement speaker Mark Perry addressed the audience next, focusing on the story of his father, Harold Perry, who graduated in 1933, and the role UW-Whitewater played in his life.
Perry and his family remain highly engaged with the university. UW-Whitewater recently announced the Harold M. Perry ’33 and Margaret A. Perry Endowed Faculty Chair, a $2 million gift that will support a select UW-Whitewater faculty member or members to tackle complex issues, develop long-term solutions, and positively affect Wisconsin’s economy and student success.
The Endowed Faculty Chair started as a $10,000 retirement gift from Harold’s employer in 1974. Harold asked that it be donated to UW-Whitewater to establish a scholarship for students like him.
On Saturday, Perry stood in the same spot as his father did 67 years ago — Harold gave the commencement address in 1958.
“(My dad) often spoke about how influential his time here was, how his Whitewater education gave him opportunity, purpose, and community,” Perry said. “I was privileged to visit campus this summer, and I immediately understood why he loved it. This is a special place, rich with history, tradition, and people who sincerely care about students and their future.”
Perry, who is retired after a career working in accounting and finance in Silicon Valley, remains active through governance of various community service ventures. He offered graduates the lessons he’s learned in mentoring young people for his 55 years of professional experience.
“By far, the most important of the four lessons is to figure out what you are good at and then work hard to master it,” Perry said.
Perry noted that his father — a first-generation college student — stood in the same place as Saturday’s graduates nearly a century ago.
“Be guided by your Whitewater education, your core values, and hard work,” he said.
After crossing the stage, graduates marched out to “The Warhawk Strut” as the ceremony concluded.
Ron Binning writes, “The Whitewater subdivision off of Indian Mound Parkway is really growing. At least six units have been sold already, and more are being built. Attached are two pictures taken November 17.”
Editor’s notes: Our thanks to Ron Binning for sharing these photos.
This nearly 11-acre site was first approved for a single-family development in 2000, with various plans having been discussed, and sometimes approved, since that time. The street and utilities were installed around 2000, and the barely used street was reconstructed before the developer began construction in 2024 of the proposed nineteen two-family home “Residences at Meadowview Court.”
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Edgerton Hospital Expands Access to Advanced Mobile Digital PET/CT Imaging
Edgerton Hospital and Health Services is enhancing its diagnostic imaging capabilities with the addition of a mobile digital PET/CT solution, delivered in partnership with Shared Medical Services. The new system — featuring United Imaging’s uMI 550 — supports Edgerton Hospital’s mission to provide high-quality, accessible imaging technology close to home for the patients and communities it serves.
“This investment reflects our continued commitment to bringing advanced technologies directly to the communities we serve,” said Marc Augsburger (MBA, BSN, RHCEOC), President and CEO at Edgerton Hospital. “By partnering with Shared Medical Services, we’re able to offer digital PET/CT imaging in a mobile format — giving our patients access to accurate, timely diagnostics without the need for long-distance travel.”
The uMI 550 is equipped with advanced features including time-of-flight, point spread function, HYPER Iterative (ROSEM), uAI HYPER DLR (Deep Learning Reconstruction), deviceless gating, motion head correction, and metal artifact correction. This technology enables healthcare providers to expand clinical capacity and deliver precise, low-dose imaging efficiently and reliably.
With a 2.9mm ultra-high NEMA PET resolution and a 24 cm axial field of view, the system supports enhanced lesion detection and faster patient throughput. Built with the same uEXPLORER PET technology that powers United Imaging’s flagship molecular imaging platforms, the uMI 550 enables future-proof flexibility and consistent image quality across a wide range of clinical applications.
“United Imaging designs our technology to support our mission of Equal Healthcare for All,” said Jeffrey M. Bundy, Ph.D., CEO of United Imaging Healthcare Solutions. “This mobile solution empowers organizations like Edgerton Hospital and Shared Medical Services to expand access and bring high-end imaging to both large systems and underserved regions.”
About Shared Medical Services
Shared Medical Services is a national leader in mobile diagnostic imaging solutions, offering PET/CT, MRI, and CT through the largest OEM-serviced and OEM-certified mobile imaging fleet in the nation. With decades of experience and a commitment to excellence, SMS partners with healthcare providers to deliver cutting-edge mobile and in-house imaging equipment and services. Learn more at https://sharedmed.com.
About Edgerton Hospital and Health Services
Edgerton Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital. It merited a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital Best Practices in Patient Satisfaction designation, in 2024 and 2025, from the National Rural Health Association. Edgerton Hospital has also been recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience by the Women’s Choice Award®. The hospital and its clinics serve Edgerton, Milton, Whitewater, and surrounding communities. Founded in 1923, the facility offers inpatient, outpatient, surgical, diagnostic, emergency, orthopedics, pain management, swing bed, primary care and rehabilitation services. For additional information about Edgerton Hospital, please visit www.edgertonhospital.com.
Obituaries
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
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
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