As was previously announced on The Banner, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted on September 25, 2025 to approve the application of Whitewater Solar to construct a massive “solar farm” to the east of the city, with connection to the cogeneration plant owned by We Energies, located within the city limits on County U. The developers indicate that the 180-megawatt project will be able to generate enough electricity to power more than 21,000 homes. On November 6, 2025 the Wisconsin Public Service Commission issued the final decision documenting the approval.

Wisconsin Public Radio published the following comments in an online article:.

“Clean energy and environmental groups framed the approvals as wins for the renewable energy sector. ‘Renewable energy generally is facing a lot of threats nationally. Our federal government is taking a lot of creative paths to putting up hurdles for renewables,’ said Chelsea Chandler, climate, energy and air program director for the nonprofit Clean Wisconsin. ‘It’s encouraging to see that projects are still getting permitted here in Wisconsin.’….

The Whitewater Solar project is being developed by Whitewater Solar LLC, an affiliate of New York-based DESRI. It’s a spinoff from the D.E. Shaw group, an investment and technology development firm. The developer estimates the project will create hundreds of local construction jobs.

In a statement, Aileen Kenney, principal of project management and development at DESRI, said the developer is pleased that the project received approval from utility regulators.

“(DESRI) looks forward to working with the communities in Jefferson and Walworth Counties further as the development is finalized and the project is constructed,” the statement reads.

In its application to the PSC, the developer said it hoped to begin construction in April 2026 and complete the project by February 2028. [End of quotes from Wisconsin Public Radio.]

Opponents to the project have cited concerns including the effect on neighboring landowners and on the nearby Kettle Moraine State Forest and Ice Age Trail. This article includes many of the objections. The opponents are still continuing their efforts to overturn the decision, with a twenty-day deadline from November 6 to file an appeal. Contributions towards legal fees are being accepted at the GoFundMe page with the QR code shown below. Thus far $1400 has been raised towards the initial $20,000 goal. The page indicates that “if the lawyers tell us we cannot win, we will not file, and we will return all donor funds.” Yvette Loiselle, one of the intervenors, told The Banner “We need residents to stand up and help us now!!!! PROTECT THE FARMLAND. SUPPORT YOUR NEIGHBOR. SAVE THE KETTLE!”

The City Market, having taken a brief break after the conclusion of the outdoor season, started its indoor season on November 8 at Cravath Lakefront Community Center, 9 a.m. to noon. The market typically features a variety of fresh and prepared food, handmade items, etc.

The Whitewater High School Student Council is proud to announce our first-ever Whitewater Cares Community Food Drive! The Whitewater community has a long-standing tradition of coming together to support one another in times of need, and this event embodies that spirit of generosity and care. All event details can be found on the attached flyer, and a link to sign up is also included below. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact cluebke@wwusd.org. We appreciate your support and look forward to making a positive impact together!

Sign-up link

Information provided by Chelsea Luebke
Whitewater High School Student Council Advisor
cluebke@wwusd.org

“The Lost Bus”

Tuesday, November 11, 1 pm

(Drama/History/Thriller)

Rated R (language); 2 hours, 9 minutes (2025).

A wayward school bus driver (Matthew McConaughey) and a dedicated schoolteacher (America Ferrera) battle to save 22 children from a terrifying inferno, the 2018 Camp Fire, in Paradise, CA, that state’s deadliest wildfire in history. A true story. 

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes out of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

Updated 11/7/25 @ 8:55 p.m. to add to the editor’s note that the Trump administration has appealed to the Supreme Court the order to release SNAP funds, even though Wisconsin’s members have already received their funds if they were due.

FoodShare: News for Members

November FoodShare benefits update: Full benefits are now available

Full November FoodShare benefits are now available on all QUEST cards. FoodShare members can check their FoodShare balance by calling QUEST Card Services at 877-415-5164.

FoodShare members will get full benefits instead of partial benefits because of lawsuits brought against the federal government by Wisconsin and other states, municipalities, and nonprofits. 

Updates about other state programs

• WIC benefits will be available throughout the month of November. You can continue to use your WIC benefits, attend WIC appointments, and do not need to take any action. Contact your local WIC agency with any questions.
• Other state programs like BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid, and SeniorCare are not impacted by the shutdown. Members still have coverage to get the care and services they need. For updates, visit the Medicaid News page.

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Changes to FoodShare work requirement start to take effect in Wisconsin

When the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ was signed into law in July, it included an expansion of the federal work requirement for some FoodShare members.

• It expanded the age range of members affected from 18-54, to 18-64.
• It added parents whose only children at home are 14 and older.

Your local agency will check if you need to meet the work requirement at your next interview. If you need to meet the work requirement, you will get a letter in the mail after your interview from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). 

Learn more about meeting the work requirement for FoodShare.

Editor’s note: This announcement is from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website. FoodShare is the name for Wisconsin’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP]. Per the PBS Newshour on Friday evening, some states have still not released full SNAP funding to their recipients. According to this news release, Gov. Evers made an executive decision to release the funds on Thursday night. As of Friday evening, the Trump administration has appealed to the Supreme Court the lower court order requiring the release of SNAP funding. The president has indicated that states that issue SNAP funding “prematurely” will not be reimbursed by the federal government. Hopefully individual members could not be subject to having these funds recouped.

Gov. Evers Appoints Samuel Berg to the Walworth County Circuit Court

Gov. Tony Evers announced today his appointment of Samuel Berg to the Walworth County Circuit Court – Branch 4. The appointment will fill the vacancy being created by Judge David M. Reddy’s retirement. Berg will complete a term ending July 31, 2027.  “Samuel Berg’s breadth of experience and commitment to the local community are important qualities for any judge, and I look forward to him continuing to serve Walworth County,” said Gov. Evers. Since October 2024, Berg has been a senior associate at Gardiner Koch Weisberg & Wrona in Lake Geneva. He handles a general practice, including civil litigation, criminal defense, probate and guardianship, personal injury, estate planning, real estate, contract review, and employment law. Previously, he spent four years as an assistant district attorney in the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office. Earlier in his career, he served as an assistant attorney general in the civil litigation unit of the Wisconsin Department of Justice and as a law clerk for Judge William C. Griesbach of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in Green Bay. “Samuel Berg brings to the bench qualities every community hopes for in its judiciary—intelligence, patience, fairness, and an even temperament,” said Walworth County Circuit Court Judge David Reddy. “I am confident he will show respect for everyone who appears before him, and Walworth County will be well served by his leadership.” “Attorney Samuel Berg will serve Walworth County well as judge,” said Walworth County District Attorney Zeke Wiedenfeld. “He is smart and has a tremendous work ethic. During his four years of service as an assistant district attorney, he handled a high-volume caseload and helped crime victims navigate the court system.” Berg grew up in Walworth County and lives in Williams Bay with his family. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Marquette University Law School. “I am very grateful to be able to serve as a judge in Walworth County,” said Berg. “As a judge, I will use my experience in federal, state, and local public service, and in private practice, to promote the common good, and I will be committed to justice, impartiality, and the protection of the rights of individuals and of our communities.”

Editor’s note: This press release was received from the governor’s office.