Jasper police to add narcotics detective, restart second K-9 unit
The Jasper Police Department will add a detective focused on narcotics and street crimes next year. It also plans to bring back its K-9 unit, which has been empty since February. The Jasper Board of Public Works and Safety approved starting an internal selection process for the detective position on Tuesday. The Common Council funded…
Jasper moves to close two-hour downtown parking loophole
Drivers in downtown Jasper could soon get two hours per block per day, total, even if they leave and come back, under changes the Jasper Board of Public Works and Safety sent to the Common Council on Tuesday. The board approved a resolution recommending new language for the city’s parking ordinance. It adds definitions for…
‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ author Shelby Van Pelt coming to Jasper
Presented in partnership with The Next Chapter, Heart of Jasper, and Visit Dubois County, the February 11 event features the author of the hit novel and Emmy Award-winning Netflix movie “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” Vincennes University Jasper (VUJ), in partnership with The Next Chapter, Heart of Jasper, and Visit Dubois County, announced the launch of its…
Dubois County Chamber honors Wehr, Verkamp, UDA at annual awards
Ferdinand — The Dubois County Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Luncheon at the Ferdinand Community Center recognized two individuals and a long-time Ferdinand business with its annual awards. Jordan Wehr was named Young Professional of the Year. Indiana Furniture President/CEO Max Verkamp was named Businessperson of the Year. Universal Design Associates was named Business of the…
Indiana lawmakers punt on high school NIL regulations
by Mackenzi Klemann, Indiana Capital ChronicleOctober 14, 2026 The name, image and likeness brand deals prevalent in collegiate athletics are trickling down to high school athletes, but Indiana lawmakers appear unlikely to regulate the practice for now. The Indiana High School Athletic Association in May authorized its own version of the deals known as personal…
Huntingburg Council introduces e-bike, scooter rules; vote set for November
Huntingburg — New rules for e-bikes, scooters, skateboards and other small ride-on devices are headed for a vote next month after the Huntingburg Common Council introduced the measure Tuesday. Ordinance 2026-36 would replace Chapter 73 of the city code, which covers bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades. City Attorney Phil Schneider said the current chapter is out…
Huntingburg police investigating fatal crash
A Jasper resident succumbed to injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle crash that occurred in Huntingburg Monday afternoon. According to Huntingburg Police, the crash happened at about 3:29 p.m. when a 2017 Ford F-150 driven by Brett Gehlhausen, 47, of Huntingburg collided with a Ram 1500 driven by Charles Blessinger, 88, of Jasper. Police stated…
Cat Tales: “Hey, you played a good game”
(This is excerpt #8 from the book currently being written by Greg Eckerle called “Cat Tales: Jasper Sports Stories.” Eckerle can be reached at gregeckerle@twc.com.) What made Jasper’s Cyril Birge such a highly-respected basketball official? His son Jerry told me it was his ability to let players play, that he let the contact go just…
Get to know Indiana’s comptroller candidates
by Mackenzi Klemann, Indiana Capital ChronicleOctober 13, 2026 A little-known statewide office responsible for disbursing and reporting how Indiana’s state tax dollars are spent is on the ballot this election season. Three candidates are vying to be Indiana’s next comptroller: Incumbent Elise Nieshalla, a Republican, is seeking re-election against Democratic nominee Jessica Bailey and Libertarian…
Court of Appeals and Tax Court judges are on the ballot for retention
by Marilyn Odendahl, Indiana Citizen, Indiana Capital ChronicleOctober 13, 2026 As Hoosier voters head to the polls this election, they will find on their ballots the Court of Appeals of Indiana judges and the Indiana Tax Court judge who are up for retention, but many of those voters may struggle to decide whether to retain…
Huntingburg moves ahead on railroad grant for train-blockage warning signs
Huntingburg — Short of a Congressional action, Huntingburg officials have little they can do to stop trains from blocking several major intersections across the city. However, the Huntingburg Board of Public Works and Safety took action to use an Indiana Department of Transportation GRIPS railroad grant to add more signals warning drivers about trains blocking…
Dubois County Pride Festival celebrates community this Saturday
Pride is more than a month on the calendar, and this Saturday, Dubois County Pride is bringing that message to the Jasper Riverwalk for its 7th Annual Pride Festival. The free, all-ages festival will take place Saturday, October 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jasper Riverwalk and Dave Buehler Plaza. Everyone is…
Jasper Strassenfest Half Pot supports VUJ scholarships; Proceeds to help up to nine students this year
The Vincennes University Jasper Foundation Scholastic Excellence Award will continue supporting local high school graduates with higher education opportunities thanks to a nearly $38,000 contribution from the Jasper Strassenfest on Sept. 29. The Scholastic Excellence Award, now in its eighth cohort, is a one-year, full-tuition (up to 15 credit hours) scholarship that supports local high…
GJCS celebrating tomatoes for Indiana Food Day
Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools will be hosting an Indiana Food Day Celebration at Jasper Middle School on Thursday, October 15th, 2026. Jasper Middle School students can ask questions and learn interesting facts about Indiana-grown fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Representatives from Indiana Farmwise, the Indiana Dairy Association, the Indiana Department of Agriculture, Slaughter Orchard and Cidery,…
Election betting is booming as the midterms near. Do states have the power to curb it?
by Jonathan Shorman, Indiana Capital ChronicleOctober 12, 2026 On Friday morning, the prediction market platform Kalshi gave the Democratic candidate in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race an 87% chance of winning. The volume of trading on the outcome exceeded $1.8 million. This is exactly the type of activity Minnesota and numerous other states want to shut…
Little Saigon Pho: Couple looking forward to bringing Vietnam’s national dish to Huntingburg
Thursday morning, Wendy Truong and her husband, Khang Tran, were busy putting freshly printed menus into clear-sleeved pockets. A recently delivered sign for their new restaurant in Huntingburg sat on the floor waiting to be hung in the window. Images celebrating their Vietnamese culture and Ho Chi Minh City, their home city in Vietnam, hung…
Ireland Lions Club donates special Liberty Tree to Ireland Elementary
A few weeks ago, members of the Ireland Lions Club and the Sons of Liberty dedicated a special Washington Hawthorne tree at Ireland Elementary. The tree was planted to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the country
Hauntingburg brings music, trick-or-treating and a free movie downtown tonight
A Halloween festival with a new name and a new night kicks off at 5 p.m. today on Fourth Street and Market Street Park. Hauntingburg, formerly Haunted Huntingburg, runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Admission is free. Live music runs from 5 to 9 p.m. The LJs play from 5 to 6 p.m. Dayne and…
Mary C. Lange: ‘We had the means. We wanted to help.’
Clem Lange may have been the face of Best Chairs, his son, Brian Lange, told a banquet crowd Wednesday night. But it was his mother, Mary C. Lange, who made so much of it work. “While dad may have been the face of the business, Mom was the person behind so much of what made…
Inside Indiana’s state surplus warehouse
by Mackenzi Klemann, Indiana Capital ChronicleOctober 8, 2026 There’s a saying at the Indiana Department of Administration: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. The stack of broken chairs in storage at the IDOA State Surplus Warehouse may be useless to the 30,000 state employees who once sat in them, but the chairs are a…
Southwest Dubois programs receive two Regional Innovation Awards
Southwest Dubois County School Corporation had plenty to celebrate Friday, as the Regional Opportunity Initiatives recognized two district programs in its 2026 Annual Report to the Region at French Lick Resort. The district received the Regional Welcoming Award for its Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, while OFS received the Employer Innovation Award for creating the…
Ron Flick named recipient of the 2026 Dubois County German Heritage Award
The Sister Cities of Jasper, Jasper Deutscherverein, and Jasper Partnership Commission are pleased to announce that Ron Flick has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Dubois County German Heritage Award, honoring his decades of dedication to preserving, promoting, and celebrating the German heritage, history, and cultural identity of Dubois County. Mr. Flick will…
Dubois County Community Foundation invests $450,000 in new Boys & Girls Club chapter
The Dubois County Community Foundation is proud to announce a $450,000 grant to support the startup and launch of the Boys & Girls Club of Dubois County. Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe, supportive place where young people can learn, grow and thrive outside of school hours. Through positive relationships with caring adults, academic…
570 Dubois County freshmen step inside local careers during Tour of Opportunity
22 industry and community partner organizations mobilized an estimated 220+ local professionals across eight career pathways. For 570 ninth-grade students from all four Dubois County high schools, Wednesday’s Tour of Opportunity let them step inside local workplaces, meet the people doing the work, and begin thinking about what their own futures could look like. Students…
Dubois County Humane Society seeking help as Huntingburg neglect/animal cruelty case pushes them to capacity
Huntingburg Police are investigating a neglect case involving a juvenile and 25 dogs. Police were called to an apartment on the 200 block of North Walnut Street at about 2:18 p.m. on Tuesday after a report of a woman screaming for help as well as a man screaming and dogs barking. According to a probable…
Road closure planned for State Road 56 in Pike County
The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 56 in Pike County. Beginning on or around Monday, October 19, crews will close State Road 56 near Otwell. This closure will occur between State Road 257 and Old Petersburg Road. This road closure will allow for a culvert replacement project. Work is…
Meridian Road closed between 3rd Ave and SR 162
Pavement Solutions is applying micro-surface/pavement preservation to Meridian Road from Third Avenue to State Road 162. The road will be closed for the rest of today, Wednesday, October 7, and will reopen by the end of the day, with no unforeseen issues. Motorists will need to use a detour via 3rd Avenue to SR162.
Jasper Police seeking information about crash involving pedestrian
The Jasper Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance regarding a vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash that occurred Wednesday morning at approximately 6:30 a.m. near Third Street and Clay Street. Please contact JPD at 812-482-2255 if you have any information or cameras in the area.
Jasper dealing with two water main breaks Wednesday morning (Updated)
The Jasper Municipal Water Department announced that repairs have been completed on both water main breaks. A Boil Water Advisory is NOT in effect for either break. The city said there are no potential health effects. If your water has discoloration, run the cold water tap for 15-20 minutes, or until it clears. If you…
Jasper RDC moves Indiana Furniture apartment project a step closer to $1 million in TIF help
The Jasper Redevelopment Commission approved a resolution to add Woodworks LLC’s redevelopment of the former Indiana Furniture building to the city’s central TIF area economic development plan. The vote is one step toward roughly $1 million in tax increment financing for the project. The commission passed declaratory resolution RDC 2026-6 at Tuesday’s meeting. City Attorney…
Commissioners discuss forming a planning commission
Commissioners plan to have nominations for a planning commission by the next meeting so it can meet its goals of considering a zoning ordinance by the end of the year. The council approved funding, and commissioners approved the contract with American StructurePoint to move forward with the framework the company developing the county’s comprehensive plan…
