Humane Society planning major organizational changes
The Dubois County Humane Society plans on changing the 39-year-old Articles of Incorporation in a membership meeting next week. Approximately 300 members should have received invitations to the meeting to be held at the The Timbers on March 21 at 6:30 p.m. During this meeting, the goal is to vote to amend the organization’s bylaws…
Bullet demand hitting local law enforcement resupply efforts
Jim O’Neal, WITZ News Director assisted in compiling this report. The national demand for ammunition due to speculation on coming federal mandates is being felt by local law enforcement. Jasper Police Chief Michael Bennett presented quotes to purchase ammunition for duty and training to the Jasper Board of Public Works today. The low bid from…
Former Boy Scout executive to plead guilty to child exploitation charges
Ryan C. Bieler,33, of Ireland, Indiana, has petitioned a federal court to enter a plea of guilty to child exploitation charges that include the possession and receipt of child pornography, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Joseph Hogsett. Bieler was most recently employed as a Senior District Executive of the Boy Scouts Buffalo…
Dubois County Airport Authority meeting; Duncan resigns, FBO prep, and Environmental Assessment moving ahead
From WITZ News The Dubois County Airport Board met Monday evening and learned that board member Bob Duncan has left the board. Board President Mike Cummings announced his departure during the meeting and said that the City of Huntingburg would need to appoint a new board member to fill the rest of Duncan’s term. Duncan…
2 hour closure at Dubois County Health Department on Tuesday
The Dubois County Health Department will be closed on Tuesday from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. for staff to attend Janice Merder’s funeral. She was the department’s financial clerk.
Jasper Downtown Master Plan Input Session scheduled
A meeting to get public input about the Jasper Downtown Master Plan has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 2, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the former Hoosier Desk building, at Third Avenue and Mill Street. Attendees will be able to give their opinion about the plan being crafted for the Jasper riverfront and downtown…
Southridge High School principal offered Southwest School Corp Superintendent position
Huntingburg — The Southwest Dubois County School Board voted to offer the superintendent position to current Southridge High School Principal Mike Eineman. Eineman stated in an interview this morning that he accepted the school board’s offer, he will replace Superintendent Terry Enlow. Enlow announced he plans to retire upon the completion of the renovation project. That…
Hemmer new Huntingburg police officer
The Huntingburg Board of Public Works approved hiring 27-year-old Josh Hemmer as the city’s newest police officer this morning. Hemmer has been the Holland Town Marshal since 2009 and will be submitting his two weeks notice to the town board. Hemmer, a life-long Holland resident, graduated from Southridge in 2004. “I really enjoy being out…
Holland’s little red schoolhouse opens
Holland – HUMmingbird Daycare Ministry’s little red schoolhouse officially opened its doors to children on Monday. The nearly two year project to expand the 26-year-old ministry from its former location in the lower portion of the Holland United Methodist Church is now a point of pride for the small southwest Dubois County town. The process…
Dubois County Democrats elect officers
The Dubois County Democratic Precinct committee persons and vice-committee persons met on Saturday, March 2, at 9:00 a.m. in the Jasper VFW to elect their Central Committee leadership. They elected the following officers; Chairman – Gary Eck, Boone Township, Vice-Chairman – Rhonda Garland, Jasper, Secretary – Connie Betz, Celestine, Treasurer – John Burger, Jasper. These four officers will begin…
Jasper Country Club appropriation approved by state, city to set closing date
Jasper — The Indiana Department of Government and Finance approved the $1.1 million appropriation from the City of Jasper’s rainy day fund to purchase the former Jasper Country Club. The city received its notice of approval on Monday and the Jasper Redevelopment Commission was notified of the approval at this morning’s regular meeting. According to…
Red Cross Tornado App sends severe weather information to your phone
As National Severe Weather Awareness Week begins, the American Red Cross is releasing its official Tornado App, putting lifesaving information right in the hands of people who live in, visit or have loved ones in tornado-prone areas. This free app—available in English or Spanish—gives iPhone, iPad and Android smart phone and tablet users instant access…
Dubois County GOP reorganizes
The Dubois County Republican Precinct Committee met and elected officers on Saturday morning. The group met at 9:00 am at the Jasper Train Depot to elect officers for the next four years. The County Committee officers selected this past Saturday were Don Hayes, Chairman; Jennifer Thacker, Vice-Chairman; Christine Prior, Secretary; and, Eric Schue, Treasurer. Chairman Hayes…
Southwest Dubois County School Corp meeting Feb. 28
The principals of the four schools in Southwest Dubois County School Corporation presented their teacher in-service training schedules to the school board Thursday night. This was in response to a proposed amendment to school policy made by board members Chris Neu and Michael Broeker last month to limit in-service training to one day a week . According to the…
Sue Hubster remembered for her impact on Community Foundation
The Dubois County Community Foundation is mourning the loss of Emeritus Board Member Sue Hubster. Hubster was a nine year member of the Board of Directors, serving most recently as Vice President for the merged Dubois County Community Foundation. She was named an Emeritus (Lifetime) Member by the Board this past January. Hubster’s legacy, however,…
Jasper High School launches radio station, website and YouTube channel
Jasper High School launched an as yet unnamed —students are still working on that— radio station on Feb. 19. The whopping .25 watt station can be heard in the school and the east parking lot at 93.7 FM and 960 AM. This is the third media product to come out of the new course at the…
County Council February meeting notes
The Dubois County Council met for the regular monthly meeting on Monday afternoon and took the following actions. Approved $14,985 for Astro Security, Inc. to install new electronic access locks and card readers for the doors of the Dubois County Courthouse and $1000 for a radio. The radio will be for the deputy assigned to…
Foundation hires new communications and engagement manager
The Dubois County Community Foundation welcomes Nicole (Kreilein) Hurrle as the Communications and Engagement Manager. “Nicole brings the right skills and perspective to deepen the Foundation’s involvement in the community,” Ward said. “She will help foster our engagement of donors, board members, and nonprofit partners in making a difference for Dubois County.” Nicole has nearly…
911 director suspended for siren failure (updated)
On Thursday morning, the Dubois County Commissioners suspended 911 Director Janice Love due to the recent failure of the tornado warning sirens. On Jan. 30 a tornado warning was issued for the southeast portion of Dubois County and when dispatchers attempted to activate the alarms, they didn’t sound. Love’s investigation into the issue revealed…
School grading system on chopping block, Jasper Schools among many looking forward to a change
The current A-F grading scale for schools may be heading for the trash heap. On Wednesday, the Senate Education Committee unanimously backed Glenda Ritz, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the bill to repeal the grading scale. The bill going before the Senate will throw out the A-F grading system and have the state Board of Education develop a…
Jasper officer requesting hearing over termination
Jasper — Jasper police officer Dave Drew has requested a hearing regarding his potential termination. Drew made the request on Monday and the city must hold the hearing within 30 days of that request. Jasper Police Chief Michael Bennett recommended Drew be suspended with pay last week while the Jasper Board of Public Works completes the steps…
Dubois County Leadership Academy looking for applicants
The Dubois County Leadership Academy’s steering committee has issued its call for applicants for its third annual class. In its third year, the Leadership Academy is, again, seeking emerging leaders in Dubois County businesses, corporations, local governments, schools, etc. There are no age requirements. The Dubois County Leadership Academy will meet a minimum of six…
Ferdinand Welcome Sign contest winner announced
Ferdinand — The Town of Ferdinand announced the winner of the welcome sign contest on Wednesday. There were approximately twenty entries in the contest which was spearheaded by community volunteer Ali Meyer and Ferdinand Elementary student Kasady Anderson. It was Anderson that originally approached Town officials about the lack of welcome signage in late 2012. Amy…
VUJC Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing nearing completion
When one thinks of the manufacturing industry, one rarely thinks of words like “beautiful,” “comfortable” or “green.” But Vincennes University Jasper Campus’ new Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing is all of that and more. The lovely, 57,432 square-foot building is nearing completion. Furniture was installed last week. The furnishings for the new building will…
Jasper Council meeting notes
The meeting started right on time at 7 p.m. and ended 13 minutes later. In an amazingly short meeting the council did the following. Boy Scout Nick Hedinger attended, he is working on his Communications Badge. Bud Hauersperger gave the utility review. The story is here. Approved a Gas Contractor’s License submitted by Zachary Leinenbach…
Memorial Hospital partnering to expand physician training and retention in Southwest Indiana
Jasper – Memorial Hospital and three area hospitals, along with Indiana University School of Medicine-Evansville, have combined to expand medical school training in Southwest Indiana. Memorial Hospital joined IU School of Medicine-Evansville, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Deaconess Health System and the Owensboro Medical Health System to commission a feasibility study to expand IU School of Medicine-Evansville from…
Rep. Messmer presented a resolution to honor Jasper High School Marching Wildcats
Statehouse – State Representative Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) presented a House Resolution to congratulate the Jasper High School Marching Wildcats on Monday for winning in the Indiana State School Music Association Class B State Marching Band Championship last November. Jasper was named the state champion on November 4, after a performance at Lucas Oil Stadium. The high school…
DNR releases video regarding injured animals
There’s a right way to deal with injured, orphaned wildlife and wildlife biologists from the Department of Natural Resources are asking the public to help keep Indiana’s wildlife wild. “Rescuing an injured or apparently abandoned baby wild animal may do the opposite of what you seek to accomplish and eventually cause the animal more harm than…
Area’s two newest officers made possible by community’s generosity
Thanks to many donations from the community in addition to a single large donation, the Dubois County Sheriff’s Department purchased the newest member to the department last week. Judge is a 12-month-old black Labrador that will join the department after completing his training in May. The Jasper Department has also enjoyed the same generosity in…
Forest Park Senior is town’s new intern
Samuel Beckman, a senior at Forest Park Jr.-Sr. High School, was recently selected to become the Town of Ferdinand’s latest intern. Over the course of his internship, he will work directly under the Town Manager, Marc Steczyk, until the end of May. Sam will provide assistance with the Ferdinand Folk Festival this year, website management…
Solid Waste Board hires Kraft
The Dubois County Solid Waste Management District Board hired Lee W. Kraft Jr. of Jasper as the new district director on Friday. Kraft most recently worked with The Servants, a manufacturer and distributor of packaging products, as a safety and environmental manager. Board President Greg Kendall stated Kraft’s extensive experience in a variety of areas placed him…
