Regional Wellness Center moving forward
The City of Jasper is moving forward with a redesigned Regional Wellness Center after pausing the project in March due to financial concerns related to legislative changes to property taxes. Mayor Dean Vonderheide announced that the city has identified funding for a $32 to $33 million facility in the first phase of a multiphase approach…
Police seeking help finding missing 16-year-old girl
The Jasper Police Department is actively searching for a missing 16-year-old female. Allison Jasmine Alvarez Lopez was last seen at her home in Jasper on Friday, December 12, 2025. She is described as five feet tall, about 130 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. Police reported that she may be with a male individual named…
Bombers owners ask city to reconsider lease rate hike
The ownership of the Dubois County Bombers is asking the Huntingburg Park Board to reconsider the lease rate increase proposed for the 2026 season. Owner Justin Knepp addressed the board at its regular meeting on Monday about the proposed 80 percent increase in the lease. “We really appreciate and value our partnership with the city…
Jasper Police recover over $20,000 in stolen merchandise
Two Alabama residents were arrested with merchandise stolen from multiple Home Depots, including the Jasper store, according to police. The pair was detected when a member of the asset protection team at the Jasper location found an unusually high number of power tools listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace and contacted the Jasper Police Department…
Public can honor veterans by adding their dogtags to new entrance to Veteran’s Garden
An Eagle Scout project enhancing the entrance to the Veteran’s Garden near the Schaeffer Barn on Fourth Street in Jasper is nearing completion. According to Eli Rasche, the only remaining item is the addition of personalized dog tags, which will be on display at the entrance. The personalized dog tags are available to purchase in…
Property Rights Alliance urges Dubois County to withdraw from Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority
Members of the Property Rights Alliance and Coalition Against the Mid-States Corridor urged the Dubois County Council to withdraw from the Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority, citing concerns about transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the authority’s expansive powers. Mark Nowotarski, a Dubois County resident and member of both organizations, read a letter from Brad Hochgesang (included…
State prepares for SNAP ban on sugary drinks, candy to take effect Jan. 1
by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital ChronicleDecember 16, 2025 Beginning Jan. 1, more than half a million low-income Indiana residents won’t be able to use government food assistance to buy sugary drinks or candy. And state officials are preparing retailers and participants for the changes. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the nation’s…
Jasper Library/Contractual Library Director Christine Golden presented Key to the City
Jasper and Dubois County Contractual Library Director Christine Golden was awarded a Key to the City of Jasper at last week’s regular meeting. It was a surprise to the director who helped lead the library through the decision-making process and move into its new home at the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center. The Thyen-Clark Cultural Center houses…
$200,000 grant fuels new tennis courts at Northeast Dubois
Northeast Dubois Jr/Sr High School boys tennis will have new courts to walk onto in the fall of 2026. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced that it has awarded a $200,000 Tennis Venue Services grant to Northeast Dubois Jr/Sr High School to reconstruct the school’s six tennis courts and add new fencing. Work will…
YÄCHTLEY CRËW “Seas The Night” World TourComing to Castle Knoll Amphitheater
Castle Knoll Amphitheater announced YÄCHTLEY CRËW, the nation’s number one Yacht Rock band, will open the venue’s third concert season on Saturday, May 9, 2026, bringing their wildly popular “Seas The Night” World Tour to the Historic Hillside at Castle Knoll Farms & Amphitheater in French Lick / Paoli, Indiana. Known as “The Titans of Soft Rock,” YÄCHTLEY CRËW has become a nationwide phenomenon, reviving the smooth sounds…
Commentary: Strong schools build strong communities: Indiana’s funding system should reflect that
by Jon Tronc, Indiana Capital ChronicleDecember 15, 2025 As a teacher, I can explain how to balance a chemical equation or calculate the speed of a satellite in orbit, but school finance is far less straightforward. What I do know is that Indiana schools rely on two main funds, the education fund and the operations…
Jasper Chamber and Jaycees Decoration Contest results
Check out the list of Christmas decoration winners for 2025 as chosen by the judges in the Jasper Chamber of Commerce and Jasper Jaycee Christmas Decoration Contest. There is a link to a map at the bottom so you can check them all out. Best Use of Lights • 1st Place: Matt Popp – 397…
Snow day fun
Area schools went from a two-hour delay to a full closure or e-learning day after snow blanketed the county overnight. Of course, we took some photos of kids sledding.
Wreaths to be placed on Dubois County veterans’ graves
Each December, the national organization Wreaths Across America honors deceased veterans with a wreath-laying ceremony. The goal is to remember and honor veterans while teaching youth about the values and sacrifices of those who have served. Dubois County will hold its countywide dedication and wreath-laying ceremonies this Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025….
Greater Jasper schools featured in national magazine
Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools (GJCS) was featured in Business View Magazine for its efforts to be at the forefront of educational innovation. Read the article at the link below.
Senate Republicans reject Trump’s plea for gerrymandered maps
by Tom Davies and Casey Smith, Indiana Capital ChronicleDecember 11, 2025 The Republican-dominated Indiana Senate spurned months of demands from President Donald Trump as it voted 31-19 on Thursday to reject a redrawing of the state’s congressional maps. The final outcome remained uncertain until 21 Republicans joined all 10 Democratic senators in blocking the redistricting…
Jasper Police Chief gives November activity report; Board approves employment offers to two new officers
The Jasper Police Department answered 1,166 calls for service during November, Police Chief Chad Dick reported to the Board of Public Works and Safety on Tuesday. Chief noted that the department handled 47 crashes with only property damage and six with injuries in November, several of which were related to snow and ice. “November ushered…
Indiana Senate sets up crucial Thursday vote on mid-cycle congressional redistricting bill
by Casey Smith and Tom Davies, Indiana Capital ChronicleDecember 10, 2025 A congressional redistricting proposal that has split Indiana’s Senate Republicans advanced to its final stage Wednesday after lawmakers quickly dispatched three Democratic amendments and positioned the high-stakes bill for a decisive vote on Thursday. But it remains unclear whether the Senate GOP caucus has…
Southridge teacher recognized for dual credit work
Southridge Psychology instructor and guidance counselor Erin Rauscher was recognized by Ivy Tech Community College as the Statewide Dual Credit instructor of the year. Rauscher was named the Statewide Dual Credit for Excellence in Education awardee at the November 18 award celebration. She was presented with the award in class on Monday. The President’s Award…
Regional Sewer District project faces tight timeline as state funding window opens
The regional sewer project serving Hayesville is working against a compressed timeline after unexpectedly jumping to 12th place on the state’s funding priority list. The district needs to complete land acquisition and design work by March 2026 to secure financing. Shane Spicer of Clark Dietz Design Engineering told county officials last week that the project’s…
Being For Other announces 16 more grants, celebrates successful first year of grantmaking
The Being for Others Health and Wellness Foundation (BFO) announced the recipients of its third and final grant cycle of 2025, awarding 16 organizations whose projects advance health, well-being, and community resilience across BFO’s eight-county Southwest Indiana service region. With this final cycle, BFO fulfills its 2025 commitment to invest just over $650,000 in community-based…
First Lady Maureen Braun unveils Indiana’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library Christmas Tree
The ornaments on the tree are hand-painted by county Imagination Library partners, each uniquely reflecting the identity of its participating county and its Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. Visitors to the Indiana Statehouse this December will see something new in this year’s decorations—a display honoring early childhood literacy across the state. First Lady Maureen Braun…
Celestine holds annual community Christmas Celebration
On the first Sunday in December, Celestine celebrates the Christmas season with its annual parade, tree lighting, a cookie walk, stories with Santa Claus and more. Here are a few photos of this year’s event submitted by the committee that puts on the celebration.
President of local road materials supplier speaks out against Mid-States Corridor
As the Indiana Department of Transportation continues talks with local fiscal bodies about transferring U.S. 231 to them as the Mid-States Corridor proceeds, a local business leader is urging them to decline the offer and withdraw support for the new highway. Craig Knies, president of Knies Construction, Calcar Paving, and Cave Quarries, sent a letter…
Venue on Vine: Bringing her vision to life
The number of bookings scheduled for December and through 2026 appears to confirm Ashley Werner’s split-second decision to open The Venue on Vine and ADW Design earlier this year. Several factors were at play as Ashley took that first step back in June after stopping by Emerald Greens to pay for the desserts they had…
Dubois County communities receive $1.2 for infrastructure improvements, maintenance
Dubois County and Huntingburg were among the 191 communities receiving a share of the $100 million in state matching grants under the Community Crossing Grant program. Huntingburg was awarded $283,579.60 from the state, and Dubois County was awarded $1 million. Gov. Mike Braun, Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure Matt Ubelhor and INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist today…
Trooper Brian LaRoche announces Dubois County Sheriff candidacy
Long-time Indiana State Trooper Brian LaRoche has announced his candidacy for Dubois County Sheriff. “I am excited to announce my candidacy for Sheriff of Dubois County as a Republican for the upcoming2026 election,” LaRoche said in his announcement. “Throughout my career, I have been committed to protecting our communities, upholding the law, and serving with…
Fund created to help veteran after devastating fire
A Dale veteran was badly burned, and his dog was killed in a fire that destroyed his home last Tuesday. The U.S. Army veteran, Mike Norrington, was burned in the fire and taken to a burn unit, where he was last listed in critical condition. The Dubois County Veteran Service Officer, Kenneth Speedy LeFevre, has…
Bobcat hunting season quickly hits limit
by Niki Kelly, Indiana Capital ChronicleDecember 8, 2025 The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has closed the bobcat trapping season after reaching the statewide quota of 250 bobcats in just four weeks. The season was scheduled to run from Nov. 8 to Jan. 31, or until the quota of bobcats was reached. A DNR news…
Holland hosting Stille Nacht festivities Saturday, Dec. 6
Mark your calendars! The “Stille Nacht” holiday celebration returns to The Commons in Holland on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 4-6 p.m. Join the festive parade (lineup starts at 3 p.m.), listen to live music from David & Jesse Underwood, and bring the kids to the Children’s Holiday Village, where they can get their faces…
Holland Council hosts public Q&A with AES
The Holland Town Council hosted representatives from AES and the company that constructs its Battery Energy Storage System to answer questions on the Crossvine Solar development. Before taking questions from the public, AES Indiana representatives presented details of their proposed 85-megawatt solar and battery storage project. Jeff Cummins, an AES Indiana representative, opened the meeting…
