What would you have us do? After viewing over and over from every angle the appalling tragedy of a young mother being executed as she attempted to leave the scene following a confrontation with heavily armed and masked ICE agents, what is the appropriate response? The argument is being made that she was violating the…
On Friday, January 16, thirteen GOP Precinct Committee members will be gathering to select the next mayor of Jasper. As a resident of Cass Township, I will have no voice in the selection, but your decision will affect my future and that of hundreds of your fellow citizens. The next mayor of Jasper will have…
Recently, Leslie Bonilla Muñiz reported in the Indiana Capital Chronicle that INDOT is cancelling or postponing over 300 planned projects because of a lack of funding. According to Overdrive’s Truckers’ 2025 Highway Report Card, Indiana is the worst state in the nation for highway conditions. Purdue LTAP and INDOT studies show Indiana needs $900M–$2.4B more per year…
Mayor Dean Vonderheide has announced his resignation as Mayor of Jasper, effective March 31, 2026. In his public letter to residents, Mayor Vonderheide explained that he wants to focus more on his health and family after seven years in office, and believes it’s time to “pass the torch” to new leadership to carry forward Jasper’s long-range…
As Jasper prepares for a leadership transition, residents are facing decisions that will influence how future governance reflects community priorities. The new mayor will not be elected by voters but chosen by a caucus of local Republican Party members. The composition of the caucus members is not published, but a listing of local Republican officials can be…
While my work as your state senator takes place throughout the year, the Indiana General Assembly is only in session for a few months. The 2026 legislative session will reconvene the first full week of January. This year’s session is expected to be complete by late February, and bills go through a lengthy process before…
If people here in Dubois County have any opposition to the recent events in Venezuela, they may give thought to the statement made to me yesterday by one of my Venezuelan tenants here in Jasper. His statement was, “Thanks to Mr. Trump, we are now FREE. Gene HostetterJasper
It is that time of year again, where friends and family come together from throughout our community and beyond to celebrate Christmas. While Christmas is an important holiday throughout the world, it has an extra special meaning here in Senate District 48 as the home of Santa Claus. For decades, local residents have come together…
In an INDOT News Release dated December 15, 2025, entitled “INDOT begins construction planning for Mid-States Corridor project” it stated that an Industry Day event was held for interested contractors, materials suppliers and other partners as the Mid-States Corridor project enters its construction planning phase. The question “Is this legal?” jumps to mind; and, yes…
I am writing this because I am deeply troubled by President Trump’s recent comments calling Somali people “garbage.” Even when individuals commit fraud, it is wrong — and dangerous — to condemn an entire culture. Our democracy depends on respecting the dignity of every person and responding to wrongdoing through due process, not dehumanization. I…
