Dubois County Community Foundation CEO announces resignation
Dubois County Community Foundation CEO Brad Ward announced he will be resigning from the foundation to take a position as Director of Community Philanthropy at the Washington D.C. based Council on Foundations. Ward and his wife Cara and daughter, Finley, will continue to live in Jasper. According to Ward, being able to remain in his…
Schuetter calls for better election procedure
Wayne Schuetter wants to see a bit more oversight in the process used for the types of ballots that led to him losing to incumbent Mayor Terry Seitz in the 2015 election. The deadline to appeal the special recount election commission’s decision to throw out a vote that conceded the victory to Seitz passed last…
Huntingburg’s solar park sent to council for approval
[gview file=”https://duboiscountyfreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Proposed-Solar-Park-per-Huntingburg.pdf”%5D Several Huntingburg residents appeared before the Huntingburg Planning Commission to remonstrate plans for a new solar park on Phoenix Drive. Despite this, the planning commission approved the subdivision of 11.02 acres from a 40-acre plot to be used for the solar park. The Huntingburg Common Council will consider the subdivision as well as the…
Jasper swears in two new officers
The City of Jasper swore in two new officers this morning. Kaleb Chambers, 23, and Aaron Schmitt, 22, will head off to the Southwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy after conducting their agility and physical testing this week. The two will graduate from the academy May 27. Kaleb’s father, retired Jasper Det. Sgt. Rick Chambers pinned…
Holland Commons among six Dubois County Bicentennial Legacy projects
Two additional Dubois County projects have been listed as Indiana Legacy Projects for the state’s bicentennial celebration. The Indiana Bicentennial Commission is currently endorsing projects across the state that highlight the best of Indiana. The designation as a Bicentennial Legacy Projects will be used to promote and support those various community projects and programs. The…
Local event and discussion: Keeping Hoosier students in Indiana’s workforce
Two out of every five jobs in Dubois County are in the manufacturing sector. Those jobs pay more than $41,000 a year, on average. Yet, there are jobs across southwest Indiana and the state that remain unfilled due to a lack of qualified or available applicants. That’s why the Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) is partnering…
Annual Soil and Water Conservation meeting features Dr. Fred Whitford
The Dubois County Soil and Water Conservation District is pleased to invite all County residents to its 70th Annual Meeting at the Huntingburg Event Center on Thursday, February 4 at 6:30 p.m. EST. The featured speaker is Fred Whitford. Whitford is an author, Purdue professor and Director of the Purdue Pesticide Program. Dr. Whitford will…
Herald photography February feature at Krempp Gallery
The Krempp Gallery at the Jasper Arts Center is pleased to present The Dubois County Herald for the month of February. The exhibition, ‘The Moment: Photojournalism of The Herald’ features award-winning photographs taken by The Herald’s nationally recognized photojournalists. The photographs, spanning 35 years, are captured moments that tell visual stories about local people and life.
Letter to the Editor: Dubois County rises to the occasion in avian flu response
It’s the middle of basketball season and we’re experiencing some amazing displays of teamwork. But I’m not talking about on the hardwood. Rather, I’m speaking of the events unfolding on our poultry farms. From neighbors to neighbors; from farmers to the marketplace; from the firehouse to the courthouse to the Indiana Statehouse; from City Hall…
Conservation Officers add new officer, Derby
Derby, a former Posey County Pound Puppy, has joined the ranks of the Department of Natural Resources as its newest Indiana Conservation Canine Officer. When Derby was about six months old, he was brought to the Posey County Pound as a stray that was never claimed. He is a Labrador Retriever, a common breed of…
One dead in Dale house fire
A fire in Dale took the life of one man early Saturday morning. Dylan L. Somers, 21, died of asphyxia due to smoke inhalation, according to Spencer County Coroner Robert Fuller. According to Fuller, the investigation is ongoing at this time and an investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s office is on scene. Fuller explained…
Local support vital in avian flu response
Local responders have played vital roles in the response to the avian influenza outbreak. While state and federal responders dealt with the avian influenza directly, local departments have provided many services behind the scenes. “They haven’t been out front due to the type of response, but their participation and expertise has been paramount,” said Dr….
Newly elected officials attend training
This week, local officials attended newly-elected officials training in Indianapolis through the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. The training is designed to provide basic information and tools for officials to help them manage their first weeks in office and build a foundation for a successful term. Huntingburg Mayor Denny Spinner and council members Glen…
Optimism abounds but avian flu response not over
Although tests in the Dubois County avian influenza incident continue to prove negative, much more work must still be completed before this event can be considered over, reported Indiana State Veterinarian Bret D. Marsh, DVM. “We are optimistic with each day that yields more negative flock tests,” said Dr. Marsh. “But we are mindful that…
Schuetter decides not to pursue special election
Mayoral candidate Wayne Schuetter has decided against appealing the recount committee’s decision to award Jasper’s Mayor Terry Seitz the election based on an administrative error. Schuetter explained in a phone call today that he had spoken with numerous attorneys about the possibility of appealing the decision. “Most everyone I have spoken to has said that…
Jasper bridge damaged by distracted truck driver
A box truck damaged Jasper’s 3rd Avenue bridge when the driver swerved to avoid striking a car Thursday afternoon. According to authorities, Christopher B. Bowe, 52, of Lakeview Drive, Floyd Knobs, was northbound on 3rd Avenue in a 2005 Hino box truck at when traffic stopped in front of him. Traffic was forced to stop…
Jasper Council: Work on Jasper Riverwalk extension to begin in July
Construction on an extension of the Jasper Riverwalk that will connect to the St. Charles multiuse path should begin in July. The extension designed to connect the Riverwalk to St. Charles by way of Cathy Lane to 30th Street and Northwood Avenue has been planned for several years, at least 14 according to officials at…
Northeast School Corp holds on referendum as farmers recover from avian flu
In response to the impact the avian flu is having on the district’s farmers, Northeast Dubois School Corporation will hold off on asking taxpayers to increase property taxes this spring. “The passing for the referendum for us is vital,” Northeast Dubois School Corporation Superintendent Bill Hochgesang said. “But our farmers are the backbone of this…
Troopers arrest man for removing vehicle identification info after crash
A Jasper man was arrested after an investigation determined he left the scene of a crash Sunday morning. On Sunday, January 17, Troopers Brock Werne and Josh McBeth responded to a report of a vehicle found over a steep embankment north of the Haysville Bridge on US 231. Troopers found nobody around the crashed 1992…
All infected birds euthanized; investigation continues
All 10 original infection sites involved in the avian flu response have had their flocks depopulated, according to the State Board of Animal Health. There were no new positive tests overnight, but aggressive testing continues inside the 10-km control area and additional 10-km surveillance zone. In the last 24 hours, 114 commercial farms have tested…
Democrats reorganize
The Central Committee of the Dubois County Democrats caucused on January 19 at the Jasper Habig Center and filled recent vacancies in party leadership. Vice-chairman Rhonda Garland reported that Joe Huddleston was elected chairperson while Andrea Hulsman was chosen as the new secretary. For any information about the local Democratic Party, contact Chairman Huddleston at 812-827-2508.
Jasper Utility Service Board: January 19, 2015
The Jasper Utility Service Board met for their first meeting of 2016 and welcomed two new members. With David Hurst assuming his role as a Jasper Councilman and Doug Schulte retiring from the board, two spots opened up for 2016. Michael Kern and Derek Smith, both of whom are CPAs, were appointed to fill the…
Police ask for public’s help in locating St. Anthony man (Updated)
Update: According to Leisman’s family, he was found living in Louisville. The sheriff’s department thanked the public for its assistance in attempting to locate Leisman. Original: Dubois County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a St. Anthony man who has been missing since December 2. According to Deputy Brad Kendall, Mark Alan…
Merkley files for County Treasurer
Cathy “Kitty” Merkley has filed seeking the Republican nomination for the office of Dubois County Treasurer subject to the May 3rd Primary election. Kitty, 47, and her husband, Dennis, live in Madison Township and are the parents of three adult children, J. Kyle Merkley, a recent graduate of Vanderbilt University now living in Dallas, Texas;…
Sonya Haas to seek council seat
Sonya Haas has filed to be a candidate for one of the At-Large seats on the Dubois County Council. There are three At-Large seats on the council subject to election in 2016 while four seats on the council were filled in 2014. She is seeking the Republican Party nomination for the seat at the May…
No new infections found in the past 24 hours
Operations to halt the spread of avian influenza continue in northeastern Dubois County. The Indiana State Board of Animal Health announced there were no new positive tests overnight, but aggressive testing continues inside the 10-km control area. In the last 24 hours, 114 commercial farms have tested negative for influenza; 62 in the control area…
Huntingburg Chamber director steps down
After less than a year at the helm, the Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce executive director has announced she will step down from the position. Elizabeth Wertman was hired the week before the 2015 Jazz Fest to replace outgoing executive director Nick Stevens. The Chamber Board of Directors had high hopes for Wertman due to her…
Commentary: Some cures for Indiana’s troubled local government finance
Few, if any, thoughtful observers of Indiana government would conclude that the current local tax system is sufficient to meet the needs of the 21st century. The tax and spending innovations of the past decade have dramatically improved the prospects of the Indiana economy. However, a half-century of bad investment has left many cities and…
Dubois County Community Foundation tops $2.5 million in giving for 2015
Local giving remained steady as Dubois County Community Foundation ended 2015 with $2.58 million in contributions and grants. This brings the total Foundation assets to $30 million. This brings the total Foundation assets to $30 million. The Foundation saw 33 new permanent endowments established by local individuals and businesses to support a range of charitable…
Eck seeking Democratic nomination to run for District 1 commission seat
Jasper businessman Gary Eck is seeking the Democratic nomination to run for the office of Dubois County Commissioner representing District No 1. This district, which consists of Madison, Patoka, Harbison, Columbia, and Boone Townships, is one of three districts in Dubois County. While the candidate must reside in this district, all county voters are involved in…
Rapid concerted response mitigating avian virus impact
Update: Total number of birds affected: Commercial turkeys: 245,163 Commercial chickens (layers): 156,000 that will be culled due to their proximity to an infected flock. Original: The rapid response by local, state and federal agencies to the avian flu infection in northeastern Dubois County continues to bear some relatively good news. “Things are going well,”…
