Misunderstood voicemail leads to bomb scare
Ferdinand —A misunderstood voicemail emptied Forest Park Junior-Senior High School this morning. According to Superintendent Rick Allen, a student phoned her mother from a classroom phone to bring something to school. When the answering machine at home picked up the call, the student repeatedly said “mom” to hopefully get her mom to answer. When the…
Southwest Dubois County School Board meeting notes
The southwest Dubois county school board met for their regular monthly meeting Thursday night. Mike Eineman sat in for Superintendent Terry Enlow who is on leave. He is expected back on April 1. The board approved Eineman’s resignation as principal of Southridge High School. His resignation is effective April 15, the same day his contract…
Jasper Common Council meeting notes: Big loans from Dubois Strong
The Jasper Common Council heard a report from Dubois Strong Interim President Mike Cummings at Wednesday night’s meeting. Cummings gave an update on Dubois Strong’s structure and purpose, including programs the organization facilitates for business growth. He told the council Dubois Strong is interested in attracting medical device manufacturers, electronic component manufacturing, and transportation distribution…
Amendment allowing Jasper Cabinet development passes out of committee
According to Rep. Mark Messmer, House Bill 1289 was passed out of the Senate Natural Resources Committee Monday morning by unanimous vote. Messmer’s amendment to the bill will allow the City of Jasper to move ahead with their plans for re-development of the riverfront property behind the train depot. Currently the property is in a…
Greater Jasper Consolidated School Board meeting notes
The Greater Jasper School Board met Monday night for their regular meeting and approved two new policies regarding the Use of Drugs and Alcohol and the Code of Conduct for Student Athletes. These two new policies were written as a result of the Substance Abuse efforts by the school system to provide a way out…
Sen. Hume announces he will not seek re-election; Rep. Messmer seeking his seat
Democrat State Senator Lindel Hume of Princeton has announced he will not seek re-election to the District 48 seat. Hume called Democrat chairs across the district last week and then made the announcement official at the Pike County Democrat St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on Saturday night. Hume has been in the Senate for 40 years….
Jasper Utility Service Board meeting notes
The Jasper Utility Service Board met on Monday night for the regular meeting. Managers’ reports Jerry Schitter for Electric Distribution Approved the purchase of a utility truck for the meter reader from Ruxer Ford $32,439 met specs and under the capital expenditure amount with trade-in of $1995. Approved Indiana Municipal Electrical Association (IMEA) Membership dues…
Decision pending on criminal charges for Drew
Shoals — Martin County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Steiner is holding his decision on whether or not to file criminal charges against former Jasper patrolman Dave Drew until the deputy prosecuting attorney, former Martin County Circuit Court Judge Joe Howell, reviews the investigation and interviews turned over to the Martin County office. Steiner, who was appointed as the…
Huntingburg Common Council meeting notes
Mayor and city employees attending Reality Spanish course, public invited as well Huntingburg Mayor Denny Spinner and several city employees will be attending a 12-week Spanish language course starting March 26. The class will take place in the Common Council Chambers at the Huntingburg City Hall and is also open to the public. Class materials…
Jasper police officer Dave Drew resigns
Jasper — Jasper police officer Dave Drew submitted a letter of resignation to the City of Jasper today. The city announced this afternoon they have accepted Drew’s resignation from the police department and have cancelled the special meeting tomorrow to decide his fate. Drew has been the subject of an internal investigation by the city…
House fire near Dubois displaces couple
A home in northeast Dubois County was destroyed in a fire last night according to the Dubois Volunteer Fire Department. Firefighters were dispatched to the residence located at 8074 N. Hillham Road South at 8:13 p.m. When they arrived they found the two story log home fully involved in flames. According to the residents, EugeneVarner…
Ferdinand Town Council: No bids yet on old police station
As of Tuesday night, no bids had been submitted for the former Ferdinand Police Station/previous Town Hall/original electric department back when it was a private concern. During the Town Council’s regular March meeting, President Ken Sicard reported he had received official word from the Ferdinand VFW. The VFW does not intend to bid as the…
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…
