News & Events

• Where: 1638 W Wildwood Rd (neighborhood behind Burtness & Ace)
• When: Saturday 6/29 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• What: kids clothes/shoes, kids toys, men’s & women’s clothing/shoes, home decorations, outdoor patio furniture, home furniture, tools/shop equipment, electronics (TVs)
• Bonus: kids will be selling lemonade and brownies!

The following individuals from your area have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Spring 2024 semester. UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with more than 22,900 undergraduate and graduate students.

Whitewater, WI

 Skylar Staebler, School of the Arts-Undergrad
 Eleanore Treder, Business Undergraduate

The public is invited to a series of free workshops at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, facilitated by Associated Bank.

On Thursday, June 27 at 1:00 p.m., there will be a presentation about protecting against identity theft and scams. Prevention is the first step in minimizing your risk for identity theft and falling victim to a scam. In this one-hour session, you will learn guidelines to proactively protect your identity as well as recognize common scams and fraud attempts. For adults.

For young adults ages 16-21, learn how to make a credit card help not hinder you and step into adulthood with money saving tips and tricks. In this one-hour session on Tuesday, July 16 at 5:30 p.m., you will become an expert in budgeting, paying yourself, and utilizing a credit card for good and not evil.

There is no cost or registration to attend the workshops. The library is located at 431 W. Center St. in Whitewater. Contact Sarah French with questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-568-2782. Visit the library’s website at whitewaterlibrary.org for a full listing of upcoming library events.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Walworth County Health & Human Services.

Available This July 

(ELKHORN, WI): Do you live on or own a property with a private well? July is the perfect time to give your well water a checkup. This July, Walworth County Public Health is offering well water sampling kits at a discounted rate. To ensure you and your family have safe drinking water you should check your well water annually for contaminants. Walworth County tests for four contaminants: bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, and lead.

During July 2024, well water sample kits are available from Walworth County Health and Human Services at discounted prices: $10 each per sample for bacteria or nitrate, and $18 each per sample for arsenic or lead. Well water sample kits may be purchased at Walworth County Health and Human Services during regular business hours. Cash or checks are accepted forms of payment. Health and Human Services is located at 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn.

Please visit our website at http://www.co.walworth.wi.us/430/Well-Water-Testing for water laboratory hours, to learn how to check your well water, or call (262) 741-3200 for more information.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by mcmidge on Freeimages.com.

Update 6/27/24: Walgreens pharmacy was open as usual on Thursday.

Update 6/26/24 – Customers of the pharmacy are receiving a text notification regarding the “temporary closing” without an indication of how long it will last. The text states that customers will be notified when it reopens. Meanwhile anyone in urgent need of a prescription medication could contact a nearby Walgreens to have an existing prescription filled there. The phone number in Fort Atkinson is 920-568-9326, and for the Elkhorn store is 262-723-5055.

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

The sign on the door on Wednesday, June 26 at Walgreens says that the pharmacy is temporarily CLOSED. Kat, the cashier in the front of the store, indicated that she expects the pharmacy to be open on Thursday. The closure is said to be due to a staffing issue.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Executive Order #231 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff immediately through sunset on Thurs., June 27, 2024, in honor of Corey P. Proulx, a youth counselor for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC), who was killed while on duty. Proulx passed away on June 25, 2024, at the age of 49.

“Our hearts break for Corey, his family and loved ones, his colleagues at the department, and all those who knew and loved him. By all accounts, Corey was a dedicated public servant who led with kindness and compassion in his commitment toward helping and supporting the youth he worked with,” said Gov. Evers. “Wisconsinites today are honoring Corey and his service as we mourn his tragic passing and keep Corey’s family and loved ones, colleagues, and all those who knew and served alongside him in our hearts and our prayers.”

Editor’s note: The following press release was issued by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections on June 26.

MADISON, Wis. – A Lincoln Hills School staff member died Tuesday night from injuries he sustained in an assault at the school Monday.

Corey Proulx, 49, had returned to serve as a youth counselor at Lincoln Hills [Copper Lakes] School last spring after briefly leaving the school two years prior.

“It is with tremendous sadness and regret that I announce the loss of a dedicated professional, colleague, and friend in the line of duty,” said Jared Hoy, Department of Corrections (DOC) secretary. “A career in corrections, with its dual mission to protect the public and guide individuals toward rehabilitation, can be demanding and requires so many sacrifices for our staff and our families, and Corey made the ultimate sacrifice. Our DOC family is mourning Corey’s loss, and we are keeping all of his family members and friends in our thoughts.”

Proulx’s fiancée and daughter shared with Secretary Hoy that they would like everyone to know that Corey was an amazing partner, father, son and human being. At this time, the family does not wish to comment further and asks for privacy as they grieve.

In a message to staff at Lincoln Hills School, Superintendent Klint Trevino wrote the following:

“Corey was a dedicated and compassionate member of our team, always striving to make a positive impact on the lives of the young individuals we serve. His commitment to our mission was unwavering, and he will be deeply missed by all of us.”

Secretary Hoy is at Lincoln Hills School today to support staff and has deployed Peer Supporters from across the agency to help staff process this tragic event.

Editor’s note: The following press release was issued by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections on June 25.

Two staff members injured at Lincoln Hills School

Two Lincoln Hills School staff members were injured when a 16-year-old youth attacked them around 8 p.m. Monday night.

One staff member was assaulted in the residence hall when the youth returned from outdoor recreation. The staff member was taken to an area hospital to receive medical treatment before being released.

The youth shortly thereafter encountered and assaulted a second staff member, causing the staff member to hit their head on the concrete. The staff member was taken to an area hospital to receive medical treatment and remains in critical condition at this time.

As with any assault incident at the school, the incident was referred to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. Lincoln Hills School is currently operating normally though some youth were moved to a different residence hall due to the ongoing investigation.

Out of respect for the employees involved and their families, the department is unable to confirm the names of the employees at this time.

No other youth were involved in this isolated incident. The 16-year-old youth who was involved did not have any injuries requiring medical treatment. The department is working to move the youth to a suitable facility.

UPDATE 5:00 p.m. 6/26/24: WKOW reports “The teen who police say assaulted two staff members Monday at Lincoln Hills Copper Lake School, leaving one of them brain-dead, appeared in court Wednesday.

Javaris M. Hurd, 16, of Madison, is charged in the death of Corey P. Proulx, a youth counselor for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Proulx died Tuesday night at age 49. 

Hurd is facing one count of second-degree reckless homicide, one count of felony murder – battery with special circumstances and one count of battery by prisoners.

The criminal complaint shows Hurd’s current residence is a Madison address. 

The attack took place in the Krueger Living facility in the lower day room and courtyard area.

According to the criminal complaint, Hurd attacked one staff member, a woman, by throwing a liquid substance believed to be soap in her face and punching her in the face.

The complaint states Hurd then went outside into the courtyard where a second staff member, identified as Proulx, followed him. 

According to the complaint, Hurd maintained a fighting stance and punched Proulx in the face two times. There is video of the incident, which is referenced in the criminal complaint……

Hurd is charged as an adult even though he is 16. He’s being held in Lincoln County Jail on $100,000 cash bond and is to have no contact with either victim or their family members, their place of employment or education. He’s also not to have contact with any Lincoln Hills School staff.

If convicted on all counts, Hurd faces up to 52 years in prison and $120,000 in fines.”

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Whitewater Police Department.

Whitewater Police Arrest Juveniles After Pursuit of Stolen Vehicle

On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 8:02 am, Whitewater Police received a report of a vehicle stolen from a parking lot in the 400 block of N. Tratt St. in the City of Whitewater. At approximately 8:24 am, officers located the stolen vehicle being operated by two suspects. The suspect driving the stolen vehicle immediately accelerated upon the officer’s attempt to conduct a traffic stop, and a pursuit was initiated. Officers pursued the vehicle at speeds exceeding 100 mph into Jefferson County. Jefferson County deputies assisted deploying spike strips in an attempt to slow the vehicle. The pursuit continued into Waukesha County where Whitewater Police terminated the pursuit due to reported traffic hazards.

After terminating the pursuit, officers remained in the area and were able to determine that the vehicle was stationary in Waukesha County near the intersection of Highway 67 and Wilton Road. The Whitewater Police Department drone was deployed to locate the vehicle. The vehicle was found off the roadway with heavy damage. The two suspects, both identified as juveniles, were located by the Whitewater Police Department with the assistance of Waukesha County deputies and were taken into custody without incident.

The suspects were subsequently confined at the Washington County Juvenile Detention Center. A number of charges including Operating without Owner’s Consent (Wis. Stat. 943.42(2)(b)), Fleeing and Eluding an Officer (Wis. Stat. 346.04(3)), Recklessly Endangering Safety (Wis. Stat. 941.30(1)), Reckless Driving (Wis. Stat. 346.62(2)), and Operating without a License (Wis. Stat. 343.05(3)(a)) will be forwarded to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office.

The Whitewater Police Department highly encourages residents to lock their vehicles ensuring that vehicle keys are not left inside. Three vehicles were reported stolen to WPD in the past week, and in each instance, vehicles were unlocked with readily accessible keys.

The assistance of the UW-Whitewater Police Department, Palmyra Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office, and Department of Natural Resources is greatly appreciated.

The following announcement was posted on June 24 to the UW-W community by the UW-W Police.

Crime alert

Campus community,

UW-Whitewater Police have recently received several complaints of attempted entries into vehicles. On Sunday, June 23, around 7 p.m., the UW-Whitewater Police Department received a report of a stolen vehicle from a campus parking lot. University police remind all students, faculty, and staff to lock their vehicles, ensure valuables are out of sight, and to call in any suspicious behavior.

If you are ever in a situation where you are unsure or scared, call police immediately at 911 for emergencies, or 262-472-4660. Please visit our website for additional safety tips.

This Thursday, June 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., the Whitewater Art Alliance’s Savory Sounds Summer Concerts goes Irish with The Currach Irish Trio.  The Irish Folk & Reel band features Daithi Wolfe on fiddle, Darl Ridgely on bodhran, and Josh Perkins on guitar – and all three are known as “exceptional and spirited vocalists!” They play monthly at Alt Brew in Madison.  Our vendor this week to help follow the Irish Folk Fest theme is Annie’s Burgertown, a popular food truck from Elkhorn.  They will be offering an Irish food menu for the lunchtime festivities, so come hungry!

This week’s band is sponsored by First Citizens State Bank. 

• Location: Flat Iron Park (next to the Birge Fountain), 402 W Main St, Whitewater.
• Rain or Shine: Normally held outdoors on the lawn, in the event of rain, the concerts are moved indoors to the Cultural Arts Center.
• Seating: Bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets but if the concert gets moved indoors you won’t need them.
• Food & Refreshments: Food and other refreshments will be available from the food vendor or bring your own lunch.
• Parking: CAC lot and city street parking is available with additional parking is available at First English Lutheran Church.

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