(UPDATED) Braun announces new energy emergency, continues Indiana’s gas tax suspension
by Tom Davies, Indiana Capital ChronicleAugust 5, 2026 Indiana’s gasoline tax holiday will continue for at least a little while longer. Gov. Mike Braun issued a new executive order Wednesday extending the suspension of the state’s gas taxes for 30 days. Those taxes of 58.9 cents a gallon were set to be reimposed starting Friday…
Jasper Plan Commission to discuss city’s comprehensive plan
The City of Jasper’s Draft Comprehensive Plan will be introduced to the Jasper Plan Commission at its meeting on Wednesday, August 5, at 7:00 p.m. This meeting marks the first opportunity for the Plan Commission to formally review the draft plan and begin the public discussion process. We encourage residents, businesses, and stakeholders to review…
Dubois County commissioners give property owner two more weeks to clear property, defer fine decision
Dubois County Commissioners granted Cynthia and Kurt Kippenbrock a two-week continuance to bring their Old State Road 64 property into compliance with county junk and waste ordinances, deferring a decision on fines and the threat of county-led cleanup to a follow-up hearing set for 8:30 a.m. on 17 August 2026. The case has drawn repeated…
Dubois County Commissioners vote 2-1 to create new county administrator position
Dubois County Commissioners voted 2 to 1 to create a county administrator position at Monday’s meeting. The issue will now go before the Dubois County Council to fund the position. Commissioner Chad Blessinger, who led the push for the position, argued the county lacked the capacity to handle a growing list of administrative needs, from…
Sister Christian and Summer Nights: Night Ranger rolls into Lincoln Amphitheatre on Saturday, August 8
The Lincoln Amphitheatre will continue its 2026 Spencer County Community Foundation & Perry County Community Foundation Performance Series on Saturday, August 8, with one of the most iconic rock bands of the past four decades: Night Ranger. The evening will open with original southern rock and outlaw country artists Stackin’ Eights, who will take the…
Cat Tales: A record year
The 1934 Jasper Wildcats, who still hold the school’s best all-time record for boys’ basketball at 29-2, broke out of the gate fast with eight straight victories. However, in the Mitchell game, star Eddie Rottet fell and broke his collarbone after being clipped while shooting. The Cats’ only regular season loss came in the next…
Bentley, Therapy Dog, joins Deaconess Memorial Medical Center’s healing mission
A wagging tail, a calming presence, and an unwavering ability to brighten someone’s day has arrived at Deaconess Memorial Medical Center. Bentley, a fully trained one-year-old English Cream Golden Retriever, has officially joined the hospital as its newest therapy dog. Bentley is currently being integrated into the hospital’s environment and will be serving throughout the medical center….
Freedom Reins launches $16,000 campaign for new equine lift
Freedom Reins Therapeutic Riding Center in Jasper has launched a fundraising campaign to purchase a new equine lift, with a goal of raising $16,000 between July 9 and August 14. The organization provides equine-assisted activities for individuals with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities. An equine lift would improve accessibility for riders with limited mobility, increase…
New Indiana law restricts student cell phone use during school day
Indiana schools are rolling out new restrictions on personal wireless devices this year under a new state law requiring all public school corporations to adopt policies limiting student device use during the school day. School officials noted on their social media that the policy isn’t locally created — it’s a statewide mandate, and districts are…
Videos help keep motorists compliant and students safe as school starts next week
With students set to return to class Tuesday, Greater Jasper School Corporation officials are asking motorists to relearn a habit many haven’t practiced in months: stopping for school buses. Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services Ryan Erny is the star of several videos highlighting the laws regarding stop arms and buses as well as reminders…
Several Jasper streets set to be milled and paved
The Jasper Street Department, along with contractor J.H. Rudolph Paving Company, will start milling off old asphalt and replacing it with new asphalt on the following streets starting Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The contractor plans to start on the north side of Jasper and work south. Cones will be placed on the street the day…
Roundabout set to open Tuesday; work still in progress
The redesigned Bretzville Junction intersection will reopen to traffic on Tuesday, August 4, before 5:00 a.m. The new roundabout configuration will replace the traffic lights at State Roads 162/64. Although it is passable, construction crews are continuing to work, and intermittent flagging will begin on Wednesday, August 5. Motorists are asked to remain alert for…
2026 Jasper Strassenfest Parade
The 2026 Jasper Strassenfest ended Sunday afternoon with the annual parade. We tried to capture the heart of it and hope you enjoy these photos. A listing of Parade Winners is available at the end of the photos.
Daily lane closures planned for State Road 64 in Dubois County
The Indiana Department of Transportation announced State Road 64 will have daily lane closures near St. Anthony beginning on or around Monday, August 10. These lane closures will occur between South Club Road and Saint Anthony Road South. Daily lane closures will allow for a slide repair project. Work is expected to last through the…
County hosting Comprehensive Plan open house Wednesday
Dubois County is hosting the Dubois County Comprehensive Plan Open House on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center – Black Box Room. Feel free to stop by anytime between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. During the open house, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in interactive activities and provide feedback on topics including: From approximately…
Alive After 5! celebrates back to school this Friday
The Heart of Jasper is inviting the community to celebrate the start of a new school year during Alive After 5! this Friday, August 7. Alive After 5! is a monthly event bringing music, local vendors, shopping, and community connection to the Square in Downtown Jasper. Held on the first Friday from May through December,…
Dubois County Community Foundation announces $91k in grants
The Community Foundation awarded $91,791 in grants to support programs and projects across Dubois County. Crisis Connection received a $7,469 grant for new office equipment essential to providing victim services. Funded by: The Fund for Dubois County ($6,591) and Alan and Kay Smock Endowment ($878) Fellowship of Christian Athletes received a $4,250 grant for its Dubois County Faith Night. Funded by: Community IMPACT…
Tim Rasche running as Independent for Dubois County Sheriff
Deputy Tim Rasche announced his candidacy for Dubois County Sheriff as an Independent candidate. Rasche will face the Republican candidate, Tim Lampert. In an announcement for his candidacy, Rasche issued a thank you to “the people of Dubois County for everything you have done to support our Sheriff’s Department. You have stood behind us through…
Indiana tax amnesty program underway with prospect of collecting at least $100M
by Tom Davies, Indiana Capital Chronicle July 31, 2026 Inquiries about Indiana’s tax amnesty program are off to a quick start from businesses and individuals with overdue state taxes, according to state officials. The general public, however, won’t notice much promotion of the effort as the Indiana Department of Revenue is focused on directly notifying…
Countywide zoning meeting turns into public input session on solar projects
Jasper — Dubois County Commissioners hosted a public forum on Tuesday to help determine how to address developing countywide zoning, but the nearly 80 Dubois County residents attending spent most of the time pressing commissioners for tighter control over solar and battery storage development. The forum, held at the Dubois County Health Department, was the…
‘Riding the lightning’
Camp Blaze & Badge is a hands-on youth camp led by local firefighters and police officers that teaches safety, teamwork, and community service through fun, interactive activities and real-world demonstrations. Today, campers got to witness how a Taser works. Sgt. Dubon volunteered to ride the lightning.
AARP award supports Huntingburg’s safer streets initiatives
The City of Huntingburg’s Street Department has been awarded a $17,394 Community Challenge Grant from AARP to purchase a portable radar speed sign. The grant was 100% funded by AARP, and no matching dollars were required to secure the award, with the stipulation that the funds be used solely for the purchase of the portable…
Dubois County Democratic Party brings “Your Community, Your Say” town hall to Jasper
Second Big Tent town hall set for Thursday, August 6 at KlubHaus61. Organized by the Democratic Party, moderated by a Republican, and open to everyone. Free. Jasper–Neighbors from across Dubois County and beyond are invited to a community town hall on Thursday, August 6, at KlubHaus61, 2031 N Newton St in Jasper. Doors open at…
Huntingburg Planning Commission begins discussion on data center zoning regulations
Huntingburg’s Planning Commission took up the question of how — and whether — to regulate large-scale data centers at its recent meeting, with City Planning Director Paul Lake presenting a framework of considerations before any formal project arrives at the city’s door. Lake told commissioners the city’s Unified Development Ordinance currently makes no mention of…
The reports of their demise have been greatly exaggerated: VFW Post 673 responds to AI-generated slop
While the VFW Post 673 was making plans to present its quarterly donation to the Civil Air Patrol at the Huntingburg Regional Airport Tuesday evening, an article outlining the organization’s decline began circulating on social media. The post published on a website called Prism — an AI-generated news outlet — claimed that Post 673 is…
A life inspired by St. Meinrad: Fr. Meinrad Brune, OSB, honored as Distinguished Alumnus
As Novice Richard Brune approached his first profession in 1956, he submitted three religious names to Archabbot Bonaventure Knaebel, OSB, as is the custom for Saint Meinrad monks receiving a new name at first profession. “My first choice was Matthias, my second choice was Aquinas, and now you know I got my third choice, Meinrad,”…
Jasper Group honors the life and legacy of Ashley Sendelweck
Jasper–Jasper Group is mourning the loss of Vice President of Marketing Ashley Sendelweck, a beloved colleague, leader, and friend whose creativity, humility, and heart helped shape both the company and the people around her. For 17 years, Ashley helped guide Jasper Group’s evolution from a respected regional manufacturer into one of the furniture industry’s leading…
Council declines to amend RDA withdrawal ordinance, citing statutory timeline
The Dubois County Council took no action Monday on a request to amend a previously passed ordinance governing the county’s withdrawal from the Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority (RDA), after members said legal advice indicated the withdrawal must follow a timeline set by state statute rather than take effect immediately. The council had already passed…
Resident asks about tax implications of solar developments
A Dubois County resident pressed the county council and assessor Monday on unresolved financial questions surrounding the AES Crossvine Battery Energy Storage and other solar projects, raising concerns about tax revenue, property value impacts and who bears the cost if something goes wrong. Holly Bartelt Gogel, who lives near the Crossvine Solar project currently under…
Comedian Pat Godwin set to perform at Astra Theatre, Saturday, Aug. 22
Comedian and singer/songwriter Pat Godwin is set to bring his high-speed, low-drag act, which is constantly changing and evolving, to the Astra Theatre on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Pat Godwin is known for his engaging live performances and witty musical comedy. He has had the unique honor of being a part of three of the…
