Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide gave his final state of the city address to the council last week as he prepares to step down from the position on March 31. The mayor reported Jasper maintains a robust financial position with over $32 million in reserves at the end of 2025, exceeding the $26 million the city…
A local veterans support nonprofit presented a comprehensive mental health and recovery program to county commissioners, seeking $100,000 in opioid settlement funds over two years to expand services to veterans, law enforcement and emergency first responders. They also asked for $50,000 to support the remodel and renovation of a former factory building for the expanded…
The Jasper City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a $34 million bond financing plan for the Regional Wellness Center project at Wednesday’s regular meeting. The financing structure mirrors the approach used for the city’s outdoor aquatic pool, using lease agreements between the Redevelopment Authority and the Redevelopment Commission to avoid exceeding the city’s constitutional…
Huntingburg City Park will have a new playground area ready for when the warmer weather returns. The playground replacement near the girls’ softball field will be prepped for installation by the end of February, with workers already digging footers and preparing the site despite challenging weather conditions, according to Park Director Jace Merkel. The project…
County Commissioners agreed the expansion of the Duff Solar project into a second phase would remain on pause as officials study and consider enacting new ordinances regulating solar installations. Commission Chad Blessinger stated he had been approached by officials from EDP Renewables, the company installing the Duff Solar Park, about a planned second phase. The…
About sixty residents of the Jasper Lofts were forced to evacuate the apartment complex Sunday evening when a stove fire set off the sprinklers in a third-floor apartment. According to Chief Kenny Hochgesang, they were called out at 3:55 p.m. for a water flow activation alarm caused by the stove fire. According to Hochgesang, no…
Living For God (L4G), a Dubois County faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening our communities through essential services and support, announced a leadership transition as founder Amilcar “Mo” Peraza is stepping down as president, with Alex Zehr assuming the role effective 1 January 2026. The leadership change represents a carefully planned transition. “This transition has…
During Tuesday’s board of public works and safety meeting, Jasper Police Chief Chad Dick outlined the department’s activities for December. He began by noting that December is historically a busy month for responses to domestic disputes. The Jasper Police Department responded to 22 domestic violence calls in December, resulting in six arrests. “Domestic violence calls…
Holland Town Council member John Kaltenbacher asked the Huntingburg Council to work with the county commissioners to develop a countywide zoning ordinance to stymie future solar developments. He emphasized the need for regional cooperation to address the increasing number of solar projects in the area. His comments come as the town of Holland prepares to…
Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide announced he will resign on March 31, 2026, after seven years in the role, which he describes as “the most rewarding of my life, second only to being a husband, father and grandfather.” Vonderheide, who said he is stepping down to focus on his health and family, announced the decision in…
