Huntingburg Council: Solar park plans moving forward
Huntingburg’s solar power park could be generating electricity as early as June of next year. Dan Worl, Indiana Municipal Power Agency’s energy efficiency manager, told the common council a private landowner was working with IMPA to provide about 10 acres of land for the new solar park. The new location is west of a city-owned…
Active shooter training offered through state police
The video above is a recording of a live streamed active shooter drill held at Jasper Middle School. From schools to movie theaters to corporate offices, the number of tragic active shooter events has increased across the United States at an alarming rate. For several years the Indiana State Police has been devoted to giving…
Milligan commended for service to city
“You probably don’t know this,” Steve Milligan said to Jasper Park Director Ken Buck. “My first day, you sent me out to get the cups out of 15, no 16 …” “I remember that,” Buck said about that first day back in 1988 when Milligan started working with the city’s golf program. “Yeah, I got…
Jasper mayoral race recount commission set
Update: The recount commission will be sworn at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, December 14 at the Pfaffenweiler Room in City Hall. Originally: The candidates have agreed on the three appointees to the recount commission for the Jasper Municipal Election. Merrill Osterman will represent the Republican Party, Art Nordhoff Jr. will represent the Democrat Party and…
I-69 connects Evansville to Bloomington
Governor Mike Pence today joined state and local leaders to open I-69 Section 4 in Greene and Monroe counties. Following the ceremony, Governor Pence led a caravan to open the new 27 miles between U.S. 231 near Naval Support Activity Crane and State Road 37 south of Bloomington. “Hoosiers know that roads mean jobs, and…
Community steps up for Cops and Kids
The photos are undeniable proof. The community and cops came together to ensure a great event continued its lasting legacy with local children. Officer Adam Bower with the Jasper Police Department, organizer of the event, reported he has collected $30,000 for the Cops and Kids program. “The community support has been phenomenal,” Bower said while…
Indiana Bicentennial flags to be raised on Friday
This Friday, Indiana Statehood Day, marks Indiana’s 199th anniversary as a state. On December 11, 1816, President James Madison approved Indiana as the 19th state in the union. In celebration of the state’s bicentennial next year, a special bicentennial flag will be raised at Jasper’s City Hall and the Dubois County Courthouse at noon Friday. Local…
Second opinion saves iconic oak
The large pin oak tree that shades the Jasper Farmers Market near the train depot will remain standing for now. Last month, J.P. Stemply told the Jasper Park Board the tree would likely have to come down. Stemle had a certified arborist inspect the towering oak after a large limb fell in late September. Since…
Archabbey one of two Indiana “holy door” pilgrimage sites
The Saint Meinrad Archabbey Church will participate in a special way in the Holy Year of Mercy designated by Pope Francis. The jubilee year begins on December 8 and will conclude on November 20, 2016. Catholics will be able to experience the spiritual benefits of this extraordinary jubilee year in various ways. They are also…
On Foote Patrol
Late Friday night, the cold air wafts the cacophony of three different air fresheners around the cramped interior of the 2011 Chevrolet Impala. The open window allows Jasper Officer Dakota Foote to hear activity outside of his car while he patrols the streets. The car’s futile fan’s attempt to beat back the cold air by…
Celestine celebrates St. Nicholas Day with tree lighting ceremony
Celestine celebrated St. Nicholas Day by lighting the community Christmas Tree Sunday. Several hundred kids and adults gathered to see Santa Claus arrive aboard a Celestine Volunteer Fire Department truck. Deacon Mike Siebert gave a blessing before lighting the tree. Then the children were able to meet with Santa and have cookies and hot cocoa….
Santa Claus, Ind. named on CNN’s Christmas List
CNN’s list of “15 of the best places to spend Christmas” includes the festive, famous small town of Santa Claus, Indiana. “It is such an honor to be recognized by international media. This is the third year in a row to be included on CNN’s holiday lists and we are ecstatic about it,” says Spencer…
Dubois County Museum seeking hunters’ photos
Would you like the chance to have a photo of your prized hunting experience displayed in a special exhibit? The Dubois County Museum is encouraging Dubois County area hunters, trappers, and fishermen to donate a 5-by-7 photo of themselves, or with friends, of their catch to be used on the planned Local Sportsman wall to…
Girls on the Run seeking coaches; informational meeting set
Girls on the Run serving Dubois County is currently seeking coaches for the Spring 2016 Season. A Coaches Information Session will be held this Wednesday, December 9th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Jasper Public Library Annex. Ready to make a difference and encourage girls to realize their full potential? Help Girls on the Run girls…
Tis the season for scams
State police are reporting a couple of scams are targeting residents in the Jasper State Police District. According to Sgt. Philip Hensley, the department has received complaints from residents in Southern Indiana that scammers are contacting them by telephone pretending to be representatives of Vectren Energy and Duke Energy. The scammers say a technician is…
Jasper O’Tannenbaum Days this weekend
From Ferdinand News The City of Jasper is all decked out in readiness for O’Tannenbaum Days this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 4-6. So what, exactly, is a Tannenbaum? In German, Tannenbaum is the Christmas Tree traditionally set up and decorated on Christmas Eve, usually either a fir or spruce. Decorations might include tinsel, glass balls or straw…
Huntingburg Public Works: 18% wastewater rate increase approved
Huntingburg is two steps away from an 18% wastewater rate increase. The increase was recommended by Crohn and Associates to cover the operational costs of the wastewater department as well as a bond that will be issued to pay for needed upgrades to the system. (Read about that here.) The Utility Rate Advisory Board recommended…
Finishing touches to Ellspermann’s Christmas decor donated by Jasper business
Businesses and groups from across the state including one from Jasper came together to decorate the Lt. Governor’s office this Christmas season. “I’m excited to share the beautiful decorations and Christmas tree with the hundreds of visitors who tour the Statehouse this season,” said Lt. Governor Ellspermann. “I have never forgotten that this working Statehouse…
Jasper Arts: Hoosier Desk partnership and plans moving forward fast
The elephant in the room didn’t have time to raise its trunk before Jasper Community Arts Commission president Mike Jones started the discussion on the Hoosier Desk property at the regular meeting Monday. The group is in a rush to get some facts together to present their case to the Jasper Common Council for support…
Substance Abuse Council announces $21,572.42 in grants
The Dubois County Substance Abuse Council (SAC) announced $21,572.42 in grant funding. Under the direction of Indiana Criminal Justice Institute awarded the funding during the September 2015 applications. The Governor’s Commission mandates SAC to provide funding in three categories: Treatment/Intervention, Prevention/Education, and Criminal Justice Services. The SAC Executive Committee awarded grant applications in the Prevention/Education…
Fit by bit; activity trackers cut city’s healthcare costs
Don Foerster is concerned about people moving. Movement is exercise and for Foerster, the City of Huntingburg’s safety director, exercise is good for the city’s health insurance budget. And to get more city employees moving, Foerster has innovated a new program involving Fitbit Activity Trackers. Fitbits are special bands worn on the wrist that prompt users…
Santa Claus postmark now available for your special Christmas cards
The special Santa Claus holiday postmark is now available at the Santa Claus Post Office. This famous small-town post office is the only one in the world with the Santa Claus name and receives over 400,000 pieces of mail in December. The Santa Claus Post Office has offered the special postmark every holiday season since…
Jasper Police Department partners with publisher to provide information
The Jasper Police Department is working with a publisher to bring local children and adults up-to-date drug and alcohol information. L.A.W. Publications creates handout materials to educate children and adults about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, as well as a variety of safety issues such as identity theft and gang-related violence prevention. They…
Holland’s Todrank to join Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
Today, Holland’s Joe Todrank was announced as an inductee to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Todrank and 13 others will be honored during the 2016 Mens’ Induction Class on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. From the announcement at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame: Joe Todrank left a lasting impact on Southern Indiana basketball as…
Foundation to give $12,000 to local nonprofits over year-end giving blitz
In the spirit of #Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back, the Community Foundation will launch 12 Days of Giving, a year-end blitz of 12 days of granting, a total of $12,000 to local charities. Starting on December 2, the day after #Giving Tuesday, the Foundation will be giving away a $1,000 grant…
Juveniles injured; police seeking truck that fled ATV accident
Conservation officers are seeking a red truck that was involved in an all-terrain vehicle accident that sent three juveniles to Memorial Hospital Thursday afternoon. According to authorities, the three juveniles were operating an ATV on Harts Gravel Road near Birdseye at about 5:15 p.m. when a red truck drove up and struck them from behind….
Jasper candidates agree on judge for recount; next steps varied
The three candidates for Jasper mayor have agreed on a judge to oversee the recount. On Monday, November 16, representing incumbent mayor Terry Seitz, Indianapolis attorneys David Brooks and Samantha DeWester filed for the recount of the votes cast in the municipal election. The election resulted in a tie for mayor between Seitz and challenger…
Huntingburg Council meeting: Wastewater project financing discussed
With the City of Huntingburg increasing the capacity of its wastewater system, residents should expect about an 18 percent rate increase. The increase was discussed at a recent joint meeting involving the Huntingburg Common Council, Huntingburg Board of Public Works and the utility rate advisory board. Huntingburg rate consultant Otto “Buzz” Krohn recommend the increase to…
Jasper School Board meeting: Ireland Elementary expansion moving forward
The Greater Jasper School Board approved the bond terms to continue forward with an expansion of Ireland Elementary. Superintendent Dr. Tracy Lorey explained that the school district “will be funding the expansion at Ireland through lease financing, so the building corporation technically purchases the portion of Ireland Elementary School, and the district will lease that…
A shameless plug and some writing lessons from Scott Saalman
I sent Scott Saalman some questions about a year ago. Today, on his birthday, he decided to share his answers with me. Scott has made a living writing written thousands a lot of columns for The Herald in which his self-deprecating humor usually gets at least a couple chuckles. He recently published his second book…
Local schools denounce ISTEP results
A letter denouncing the ISTEP results was sent out to all Dubois County students’ families today. Signed by all four area school superentendents, the letter encourages the community to make their voices heard in regards to the apparently politically driven testing. Dear Parent, Guardian, Community Member; In the next few weeks, the Indiana Department of…
