Huntingburg one of nine Indiana cities to receive new grant
The City of Huntingburg, the Huntingburg Foundation and the Huntingburg Event Center have been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Tourism. Lt. Governor Becky Skillman announced this week that Huntingburg was one of nine communities chosen as recipients of a Place Based Investment Fund grant. The state is investing $400,000 to fund…
Jasper northside low income housing development stymied by tax changes
Last November the Jasper Common Council approved the rezoning of 14 acres of land on North Mill Street behind Walmart in Jasper from low density residential (R-1) to high density residential (R-4). The rezoning was done to lynchpin a development project for low income housing that would include 80 new apartments. (story here) The housing…
Chalk Walk and absentee voting parking concerns
The county courthouse will be open on Saturday, May 5 for absentee voting. The square will be closed to traffic during the annual Chalk Walk event from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Due to concerns for the safety of children during the Chalk Walk, we ask that voters who need handicapped access come to the…
First city chat reveals pickleball, WiFi and concerns
Fried chicken was the only thing missing at the city chat that occurred at Buehler Park in Jasper on Wednesday. The sunny warm weather was perfect for a picnic and a few attendees did show up with box lunches. This chat included Mayor Terry Seitz, Arts Director Kit Miracle and Parks Superintendent Ken Buck. The…
$200 billion available for public-private partnerships like I-67 proposal
The I-67 Board met Tuesday morning to discuss progress made towards the feasibility study. INDOT Commissioner Mike Cline was in attendance with local county commissioners, business leaders from Dubois, Daviess and Spencer Counties, Owensboro leaders. The presentation discussed safety, economic and traffic counts concerning U.S. 231 and the proposed I-67 connection to I-69. Hank Menke,…
Jasper Chalk Walk bigger than ever
The Jasper Arts Commission held their monthly meeting Tuesday afternoon and the most exciting talk was about the annual Chalk Walk coming up this Saturday in downtown Jasper on the square. Arts Program Coordinator and Technical Assistant Corrina Mack stated this is the 9th year for the Chalk Walk and participation gets better every year….
Beaver Lake Creek Dam project still behind but catching up rapidly
The unseasonably dry weather has allowed construction on the Beaver Lake Creek Dam project has moved forward rapidly. The wet winter put the project approximately two months behind schedule According to City Utilities Superintendent Bud Hauersperger the crews should be able to seal the pipe used to drain the lake in the next few weeks….
New Jasper safety award named after first safety director
Charlie Schneider was Jasper’s first Director of Personnel/Safety/Loss Control. He retired on April 30 after 18 years of service. A banquet on Schneider’s behalf was held on Monday. During the banquet Mayor Terry Seitz announced he had created a new award for safety in honor of Schneider’s long time service. Schneider was proclaimed its first…
Safer City of Jasper leads to insurance savings for business and residents
Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz announced at a special meeting on Tuesday that the city’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating had risen from a five to a four. The ISO rating is based on risk and in this case associated with the city’s ability to respond to fires. The ISO rating change reflects the upgrades made…
BMV offices open extended hours for voter identification
All license branches will offer only driver’s license, learner permit and identification card services on May 7 and May 8. No written examinations or drive skill tests will be administered on these dates. All branches will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 7. On Tuesday, May 8, all locations will…
Extended hours to pay property taxes
The Treasurer’s office will be open this Saturday, May 5th, from 8:00 a.m. to noon and until 5:00 p.m. on May 10th. The final day to pay the first installment of property taxes on time is May 10th. The Treasurer’s regular hours are 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Treasurer Blessinger also reminds…
Jasper Mayor hosting City Chats with department heads in May
Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz revealed the dates, times and locations of the City Chats he announced at his recent First 100 Days event. All City Chats will take place in the month of May and begin at 12:00 Noon. During his April 11 message Seitz indicated his plans to schedule three events where he and…
Huntingburg Council votes down motion to stop adding fluoride to drinking water
The Huntingburg Common Council voted 3 to 2 to continue adding sodium fluoride to the town’s water supply. The Council began discussions on the issue after being approached by a resident of Huntingburg, Brendan McCormick, about his concerns with the practice. McCormick gave a twenty minute talk about the adverse effects of fluoride and submitted…
Three local high schools sending teams to automotive competition
Teens from four area high schools are heading to Indianapolis today to compete in the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Contest. The teams are checking in today and the state contest will begin at 9:00 a.m. Friday. Only ten teams throughout the state qualified to compete at the State Competition. Southridge, Heritage Hills, and Pike Central…
Jasper School Corp meeting notes
At the Greater Jasper School Board Meeting Monday night, two people were recognized for achievements in sports categories. First, Terry Gobert has reached the milestone of 606 wins in his career as a baseball coach. Gobert was applauded by the board for his accomplishment and was grateful for their support. Also, basketball coach John Goebel…
Time for me to fly
Special from the Ferdinand News by Lisa W. Hoppenjans “When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” – – Leonardo da Vinci Forest Park senior Allison Hoffman would agree with old Leonardo. It…
County Council discusses new sirens and employee raises among other things
The Dubois County Council meeting was held last night. Dubois County Health Department Director Donna Oeding presented the annual report to the council. She requested to add the position of a nurse currently paid by two grants to the the department budget and then use the grants to fill a part time clerical position. The…
Potential phone scam in area
Watch out for a potential phone scam hitting the area. A local business was contacted today about purchasing federally mandated labor posters. These posters are provided by request from the Department of Labor for free. The group calling themselves the Federal Labor Law Office can be demanding on the phone, threatening fines if you do…
Area libraries taking part in million book giveaway
The Jasper Public Library, Ferdinand Branch Library, and Dubois Branch Library are proud to be a partner in the first World Book Night in the U.S., following the impressive launch of this campaign by our bookselling and publishing colleagues in the UK and Ireland last year. Volunteers Ginger Kramer and Cheryl Verkamp from the Ferdinand…
Jazz, Wine and Craft Beer fest Saturday afternoon
First the jazz, then the wine, and finally home brew. That is the order of events that led to the creation of the first Jazz, Wine, and Craft Beer Fest happening in Huntingburg this Saturday afternoon. Huntingburg Chamber Executive Director Nick Stevens spoke with Kevin Manley of Dubois County Tourism about a music festival. Then…
State mistake lessens budget shortfalls for Jasper
The Jasper Common Council learned the city would be receiving over $818,000 from the state due to the recent state error. The state claims a programming error caused $203 million in collected economic development taxes to be withheld from 91 of the state’s counties. The state has redistributed the money to the counties and the…
Jasper mayor unable to get unanimous consent for Stategic Planning and Leadership Initiative
Things went smoothly at the Jasper Common Council meeting last night until discussion began on Mayor Seitz’ Strategic Planning and Leadership Initiative. The newly elected mayor announced the funding for the first phase of the training during his celebratory meeting the night of the election. The first phase of training for leadership in the city…
Jasper native and media entrepreneur to speak at Dubois Strong Annual meeting tonight
Evan Burns, a native of Jasper and graduate of Jasper High School, is the founder and CEO of Olympia Media Group. Mr. Burns will keynote this evening’s Annual Meeting of Dubois Strong. The Annual Meeting with be held 5 to 8 p.m. Eastern time at Memorial Lodge, 2590 South Newton Street, Jasper, Indiana. Evan Burns…
The Travel Channel selected new ride at Holiday World for “Extreme Water Parks” episode
PARK ALSO LAUNCHES ‘SUPER FAN FAMILY’ CONTEST FOR MAMMOTH RIDERS SANTA CLAUS, IND—–Producers for the Travel Channel will travel to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in May to shoot an episode of “Extreme Water Parks.” “We’re told Mammoth – our new water coaster – was top on their list for this new show,” says park…
VUJC Culinary Academy graduates
VU-Jasper Continuing Education recently gradated students from its Vincennes University Culinary Academy held in Jasper. The noncredit training program offered every Spring semester is designed for students interested in securing basic kitchen skills which will prepare them for a career in the food service area. Upon completion of the class students will earn a noncredit…
Indiana State Police partners again with the DEA in fourth Drug Take Back Day
On Saturday, April 28, 2012 the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring the fourth nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative. The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft. Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs to be disposed of for destruction. This service is…
New Jasper High School principal hired
The Greater Consolidated Jasper School Board chose Brian Wilson as the new principal for Jasper High School. Wilson has worked for the Greater Jasper School Corporation for two years. His first as the Jasper Middle School Vice-Principal and this year as the Vice-Principal of the Jasper High School. Wilson taught for 16 years as a…
Gymnasium finally moving forward
Greater Jasper Consolidated School Superintendent Dr. Jerrill Vandeventer didn’t have much to say on the prospect the school board could be facing another challenge from the Southwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council over the wage scale hearing held in March. He was just happy to finally be moving forward with the board’s decision to accept the…
Jasper Utility Service Board approves Mayor’s leadership plan, reports on delays at Beaver Lake and better natural gas prices
Jasper Utility Service Board Meeting Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz got what he wanted from the Utility Service Board at Monday night’s meeting – an approval to move ahead with his strategic planning and leadership training – but not before a long discussion about need, funding and timing and a stipulation. USB Chairman Wayne Schuetter made…
Huntingburg Park Board meeting
The Huntingburg Park Board heard from Parks and Recreation Director Jim Rueger about the status of the proposed splash park. Rueger stated the contractors that install these types of facilities are busy now with installations and would be hard pressed to submit estimates. He did state he should have something from three separate companies by…
National Resources Conservation Service announces dates for farming conservation initiatives
Jane Hardisty, State Conservationist with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces three initiatives being offered in Indiana through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program: On-Farm Energy, Organic, and Seasonal High Tunnels. NRCS can assist farmers with evaluation their needs and planning to install these practices, and with installation costs. Farmers can apply for assistance at…
