2014 voter turnout low
Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced that 30 percent, or 1,388,965, of Indiana’s 4.5 million registered voters, cast a vote in the November 4 General Election. The turnout was lower than the 2002 election — the last time in the past 12 years in which there wasn’t a gubernatorial or U.S. senate race on the…
Citizen hero honored; volunteer heroes supported through donation
Chris Bachman was on his way to work at Masterbrand’s Decora plant on Meridian Road when he saw the smoke and flames coming from the upstairs of a home on Third Avenue last Wednesday morning. Another vehicle coming down the hill in the opposite direction was the only other person on the road that morning…
Dubois Community Park receives $58,000 grant through new endowment
A community member’s generosity recently created an endowment to impact the playgrounds and parks of unincorporated Dubois County communities. Named in honor of the estate of C.J. Gehlhausen, the Dubois County Community Foundation announced a $58,000 grant to Dubois Ruritan Club dedicated to the building of the first C.J. Gehlhausen Playground in the Dubois Community…
Masterbrand recognizes Bachman’s efforts with $5,000 donation
MasterBrand Cabinets (MBCI), the City of Jasper, and the Jasper Fire Department are recognizing “Good Samaritan” and MBCI employee, Chris Bachman, for saving two residents from a recent house fire. Bachman saw the smoke and flames coming from the second story of the home on Third Avenue last Wednesday on his way to work at…
Fire victims identified; fund established for funeral expenses
The family of Alex Snedeker has established a fund at Old National Bank to assist in the funeral expenses of the three victims of the fire that occurred in Jasper early Wednesday morning. Those wishing to contribute to the fund can stop by any Old National Bank location and make a donation in care of…
Community Corrections director steps down
The Dubois County Community Corrections director, J.P. Weisheit, announced he would be stepping down from his position. Weisheit made the announcement during the five-minute public meeting of the Community Corrections Board Tuesday after a nearly 3-hour executive meeting that was closed to the public. Weisheit accepted a position as a corrections officer. The board approved…
Freedom Bank reports scam
Freedom Bank representatives reported that customers have been receiving automated calls purporting to be from Freedom Bank. The bank does not call its customers with an automated service, according to a bank representative. The message customers are receiving states that their debit card has been locked. They are then directed to dial “1” to speak to…
Jasper fire claims three lives
Jim O’Neal, WITZ AM/FM News Director contributed to this report Jasper — The Jasper Fire Department is reporting three fatalities in a fire on Third Avenue that occurred Wednesday morning. Authorities have not released the identities of the two adults and one juvenile who perished in the fire in an upstairs apartment at 413 Third Avenue….
County attacks $1.3 million tax revenue shortfall
County Council President Greg Kendall announced Monday night’s meeting could be considered Black Monday due to the recent revelation that the state would be withholding about $1.3 million of tax revenue from the 2015 county budget. The state will send $8.2 million to the county for 2015; $1.3 million less than the $9.5 the county…
Orange County homeowner kills intruder during home invasion
Hardinsburg — A home intruder was shot during a struggle involving a knife early Tuesday morning in rural Orange County. According to Detective Craig Starr, at approximately 1:00 a.m., a male subject — later identified as Jacob Grimes, 23, of Paoli — entered the residence at 7909 South County Road 700 East, Hardinsburg. The homeowners, Barry Frost,…
Single vehicle accident kills one, sends another to hospital
Jasper — An 18-year-old died in a single-vehicle accident reported Sunday evening. Update: According to authorities, 18-year-old Theodore Boeglin of Timberlin Lane, was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries sustained from the crash. Boeglin had been operating a 2003 Dodge Neon when it crashed. The front seat passenger, identified as 19-year-old Justin Wright, of West…
Donation jar thief arrested in North Dakota
Jasper police announced the arrest of 35-year-old Eric Baldwin for the theft of the donation jar at the Sternberg Citgo. Arrest made in Sternberg Citgo Donation Jar Theft….Eric Baldwin, age 35, in custody in Hillsboro, North Dakota #longarmofthelaw — Jasper Police Dept. (@JasperCityPD) November 21, 2014 According to police, they sought a felony warrant for Baldwin’s…
VUJC’s second annual Day of Service instills community service principles
Over 90 students, faculty, and staff of Vincennes University Jasper Campus participated in the annual day of service in Dubois County Wednesday. In all, 97 VUJC students, faculty, and staff participated by performing service at 10 different sites in Dubois County. The Day of Service program started out with keynote speaker, Brad Ward, giving a…
Jasper’s proposed tax district creates questions and concerns
Officials with several government units affected by a proposed tax-increment finance district were in attendance at Wednesday’s Jasper Common Council meeting. Concerns that the proposed district encompassing a majority of Jasper’s industrial base would detrimentally impact the revenues for those taxing entities have elected officials interested in the process. Representatives from the Dubois County Commissioners and…
Foundation announces $100,000 grant for Astra Theatre group
A $100,000 grant through the Dubois County Community Foundation will kickstart fundraising efforts by a new nonprofit seeking to reopen the Astra Theatre in Jasper. The foundation and members of Next Act, Inc., a new nonprofit formed to purchase, refurbish, and maintain the 77-year-old venue, met today in the cold theatre with representatives of the…
Braun sworn in as state rep
Indianapolis — State Representative Mike Braun joined fellow legislators at the Statehouse Tuesday, Organization Day, for the first official meeting of the 119th General Assembly. All 100 members of the House, including eight new Republicans, were sworn in by Chief Justice Loretta Rush. Rep. Braun was elected to represent House District 63, which includes portions of…
Police seek identity of donation jar thief
The Jasper Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who stole a donation jar from the counter at Sternberg’s Citgo, 1781 S. U.S. 231. The man stole a jar containing donations meant to help a family with funeral expenses. It was taken November 1. Anyone with information about the theft…
Sheriff’s department issues driving warning
The Dubois County Sheriff’s Department has responded to several accidents since the snow hit Dubois County overnight. According to the department, deputies have responded to 15 reported accidents or slide offs between 1:45 a..m. and 9:07 a.m. They report that the majority of the snow was in the southern section of the county but the…
Jones 2014 recipient of Jasper Chamber President’s Community Excellence Award
Mike Jones looked at Ray Snowden, CEO and President of Memorial Hospital, at his table during the annual Jasper Chamber meeting and mouthed “did you know about this?” Jones had just realized he was being awarded the 2014 President’s Community Excellence Award. The award is given annually to someone who gives generously of their time, talent,…
Flags ordered lowered for Hoosier murdered by ISIS
Indianapolis — Governor Mike Pence condemned the tragic murder of Abdul-Rahman (Peter) Kassig at the hands of ISIS Sunday. Pence issued the statement following confirmation of Kassig’s murder. “Today, all of Indiana mourns the tragic loss of an inspiring Hoosier and heroic American, Abdul-Rahman (Peter) Kassig. The murder of Indiana’s Abdul-Rahman Kassig at the hands of ISIS terrorists is an unspeakable act…
Huntingburg Council; new tax abatement created for special cases
The Huntingburg Common Council approved a new real property tax abatement ordinance to incite development of under-utilized or vacant properties. The new abatement applies to properties that are at least 40 years old, have been vacant for at least five years, are at least 20,000 square feet, and must have a commitment of at least $5…
ISP to participate in Operation Pull Over blitz “Safe Family Travel”
As families take to the roads this holiday season, law enforcement is reminding drivers extra patrols will be cracking down on impaired driving and seat belt violations to increase safety on the state’s streets and highways. “Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods of the year,” said Lieutenant Tony Casto, Fort Wayne District Commander….
For Steffi Keusch Hart, baking is a piece of cake (or more like a piece of torta)
Update: After winning four episodes, Steffi took the Silver in Bake Off Italia today. Update: Steffi won Star Baker and moved onto the final episode Friday. She and the remaining two contestants will face off in the finale next Friday, Nov. 21. To win this episode, Steffi stuffed a profiterole (or cream puff) with cheesecake and then drew upon…
Downtown Loogootee fire nearly destroys city block
A fire devastated downtown Loogootee Wednesday. Firefighters from Martin and Daviess County departments battled the blaze that engulfed the majority of a city block and damaged or destroyed at least seven businesses and several apartments. Post by Loogootee Tribune. According to early reports, the fire may have started in Rosie’s Shirts and Gifts from a sparking…
Folk Fest Fondo proceeds presented to Family Scholar House Program.
Monastery Immaculate Conception, Sisters and key partners for the Ferdinand Folk Fest Fondo and the Family Scholar House gathered around as proceeds from the second annual Ferdinand Folk Fest Fondo were awarded to the Sisters of St. Benedict Tuesday. Kevin Manley and Chris Welp, both DC Multisport board members and committee members for the cycling…
Phosphorous $205,000 problem for Ferdinand
Remember back in the 1960s when products were touted as being superior because they contained phosphates? Turns out, phosphorus is really a dirty word, at least when it comes to its affect on wastewater treatment plants and the environment. Phosphates are in everything, and a main component in fertilizer. Ferdinand officials learning last summer when…
Huntingburg Housing Authority celebrates new computer room
The Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the Grand opening of the Huntingburg Housing Authority’s new Computer Room. On Tuesday, November 18th, 2014, Huntingburg Housing Authority will celebrate the opening of their new computer room at 1102 Friendship Village, Huntingburg IN, 47542. The Grand Opening Celebration will be at 4:00 p.m. The event will include…
Karma newest canine deputy in Dubois County
Meet Karma. She’s a 2-year-old black German shepherd trained in narcotics detection including marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. She joined Deputy Jesus Monarrez about four weeks ago as the newest deputy in Dubois County after the pair completed training. Karma was trained by Lucy Newton and Randy Hare of Alpha K-9 Training Center for Dogs…
Accident claims Birdseye woman’s life; sends one to hospital
A rollover crash this afternoon east of Huntingburg claimed the life of a Birdseye woman. According to state police, Reva N. Enlow, 26, of Birdseye, was eastbound on State Road 64 at about 2:08 p.m. when the vehicle she was driving went off the south side of the road. Enlow attempted to drive the 2001…
Jasper man LifeFlighted after single vehicle accident
A Jasper man was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center by helicopter due to injuries he sustained in a single vehicle accident near the intersection of Santine and Hall Creek roads Saturday. Deputies found Chad A. Taylor, of West 43rd Street, on the ground next to the overturned 2005 Pontiac minivan when they responded to…
Living Veteran Award honors Marine and Soldier; Tony Hurst
The Dubois County Veterans Council will honor Sgt. 1st Class Anthony “Tony” Hurst with the Living Veteran Award Saturday 2 p.m. at the American Legion Post 493, 2543 Cross Street, St. Anthony. The award will be made during the annual Veterans Day ceremony honoring all services and local veterans. Hurst was born March 19, 1969 in Jasper, to…
