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…
Dubois County Commissioners discuss solar updates
Duff Solar Project nears completion Duff Solar expects to be fully operational by Dec. 11, Commissioner Chad Blessinger told commissioners at Monday’s regular meeting. Blessinger said he asked EDP Renewables for milestones because residents want to know when construction traffic and noise will end. The developer listed three dates: County seeks help checking solar compliance…
Indiana tallies $13M boost off ‘blackout’ license plate sales, invests in BMV modernization
by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital ChronicleOctober 5, 2026 Indiana’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles has sold more than 380,000 “blackout” license plates in the year since the minimalist design launched — generating $12.9 million toward a five-year modernization plan for the agency, the governor’s office announced Monday. The blackout plates feature white numerals and letters…
‘Hocus Pocus’ to play at The Astra on Saturday, October 24
The Sanderson Sisters are back, and they’re coming to The Astra. The Heart of Jasper is set to kick off Movies on Main for 2026 when Hocus Pocus takes to the big screen at The Astra Theatre on Saturday, October 24 at 10:30 a.m. But this isn’t just a regular screening; it’s an interactive one…
Hub 19 receives Indiana Uplands Employer Innovation Award
Regional recognition honors Hub 19’s collaborative approach to connecting education, industry and students across Dubois County. Jasper — Hub 19, a Dubois County organization that links schools and employers, received the Employer Innovation Award from Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) on Oct. 2. ROI presented the award at its Annual Report to the Region at French…
Why Southeast Dubois has a referendum on the ballot
By Kathy TretterEditor • ferdnews@psci.net Understanding school corporation financing (or basically any government financing) is a little like understanding how nuclear fusion works — for someone who never took chemistry nor physics. In a word — confusing. Whereas a typical household may have a couple of pools of money to draw from and can decide…
Right to bail: Amendment asks voters to rewrite pretrial detention rules
by Mackenzi Klemann, Indiana Capital ChronicleOctober 5, 2026 Indiana judges may soon have the ability to deny bail for more defendants they believe pose a danger to the public. Defendants are guaranteed the right to bail under the Indiana constitution except in cases of murder or treason — even when a judge believes the defendant may…
Bringing an artist’s dream to reality
It had been over 40 years since Pam Kinkade had picked up a paintbrush when her granddaughter Heather Parrish gifted her some paints, brushes and an easel for Christmas last year. Pam, 82, has lived at the St. Charles Health Campus for about 12 years now. Her longtime companion, Warren Staples, volunteers there every day….
Greater Jasper School board discusses ILEARN results under new test; sets 2027 budget
Greater Jasper students in grades three through eight beat the state benchmark in nearly every tested area on this year’s ILEARN, the first results under Indiana’s new testing model, district officials told the Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools board of trustees Monday. Tina Fauks, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, said last year was the first full rollout…
Southridge Middle School students earn #1 in the state on ILEARN Math performance
Southridge Middle School’s eighth-grade students earned a major statewide distinction on the 2026 ILEARN assessment. The students, now freshmen at Southridge High School, scored the highest passing rate among eighth-graders statewide during the 2025–26 school year. For eighth-grade math teacher Myra Schnuck, the accomplishment reflects the students’ effort and determination throughout the year. “What an incredible…
Downtown Jasper hosting Oktoberfest; proceeds support veterans
Operation Mind, Body & Soul will hold an Oktoberfest in the downtown Jasper square this Saturday, Oct. 3, to raise money for local veterans organizations. The event includes a car and motorcycle show, live music and a veterans resource fair. The car and bike show is open to classic cars, trucks and motorcycles. Registration runs…
Huntingburg Plan Commission sets hearings on new data center, battery storage rules
Huntingburg — Battery energy storage systems (BESS) and data centers would be allowed in Huntingburg’s zoning jurisdiction only with a special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals under rules the Huntingburg Plan Commission began moving forward Monday. The proposal would amend the city’s Unified Development Ordinance, which does not define either use now. That…
BFO Awards $123,420 to 11 local organizations for second round of 2026 Project Grant Funding
Being for Others Health and Wellness Foundation (BFO) announces its second round of 2026 Project Grant recipients, awarding $123,420 to 11 organizations addressing health and wellness across Southern Indiana. BFO’s 2026 Project Grant Cycle 2 received 38 applications from various organizations serving communities throughout the Foundation’s eight-county region. Applicants requested more than $1 million in…
Traditional Arts Today: Art that builds community
This story was done in partnership with Visit Dubois County. Kim Henzel likes to tell the story of a kid who really wanted a couple of paintings he saw while eating with his family at Main Street Bistro in Ferdinand. Kim is the artistic director for Traditional Arts Today, the nonprofit in the historic Peter…
(Updated) Braun renews gas tax suspension, broadens untaxed diesel use for farmers
by Mackenzi Klemann, Indiana Capital ChronicleSeptember 30, 2026 Gov. Mike Braun on Wednesday renewed Indiana’s gas tax suspension for another 30 days — until early November — and issued a new order lifting restrictions on the sale of untaxed diesel fuel for trucks operated by farmers and timber harvesters on public roads. The order cited…
Jasper Police warn of rental scam
The Jasper Police Department is warning the public about a potential rental scam in our area. Scammers are using photos of local homes that are actually for sale and posting them on social media as properties available for rent. They may ask interested renters to send money electronically to secure the property. Police warn the…
Braun renews gas tax suspension, broadens untaxed diesel use for farmers
by Mackenzi Klemann, Indiana Capital ChronicleSeptember 30, 2026 Gov. Mike Braun on Wednesday renewed Indiana’s gas tax suspension for another 30 days — until early November — and issued a new order lifting restrictions on the sale of untaxed diesel fuel for semi-trucks operated by farmers and timber harvesters, citing continued disruption to global oil…
County council approves $35,000 to set up zoning framework
The Dubois County Council approved an additional $35,000 appropriation to create the county’s first planning and zoning framework. The money pays for American StructurePoint to draft a plan and ordinance and to help form a county plan commission. Council President Mike Kluesner said the contract is about $28,000, but commissioners added a $7,000 cushion in…
Cat Tales: Birge moves up to officiating the Big 10
(This is excerpt #7 from the book currently being written by Greg Eckerle called “Cat Tales: Jasper Sports Stories.” Eckerle can be reached at gregeckerle@twc.com.) One of the most unusual incidents in Hall of Famer Cyril Birge’s officiating career happened at the 1956 semi-state at Lafayette, when Lafayette beat Gary. “I worked the game, and…
