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…
Grammy nominated Jeremy Camp to headline Holiday World Christian Music Fest
Hoosier native Jeremy Camp will headline Holiday World’s “Rock the World” Christian Music Fest in August. The Grammy-nominated artist will be joined on the main stage by Tenth Avenue North and Barlow Girl. “Our guests have asked us to host a Christian music festival for a number of years,” says the park’s president, Dan Koch….
Bombers approved for $25,000 loan, new city position approved and update on money from state mistake
The Huntingburg Common Council met yesterday evening minus Councilwoman Amy Lehr. It was a short meeting but three important items were addressed. Mayor Denny Spinner began the meeting with a call for a moment of silence in honor of Jack Amos. Amos passed away this week and was a member of the council and an…
Mayor Seitz is a happy man
One thing you could take from Mayor Terry Seitz’ 100 Days Address is he is having a great time. Throughout the 45 minute rundown of his first 100 days in office he accentuated the fact that Mayor Bill Schmitt had left him a city in good condition with a very capable staff, but Seitz has…
Early wheat could provide an opportunity for double cropping
Unseasonably warm weather has pushed Indiana’s wheat crop about two weeks ahead of schedule, presenting an opportunity for growers to consider planting a second crop following harvest. In a more typical year, Indiana’s wheat crop wouldn’t mature until mid-June in the southern part of the state, and harvest wouldn’t wrap up until mid-July in the…
Huntingburg Airport Board meeting
The Huntingburg Airport Board meeting occurred on Monday evening. Airport Manager Travis McQueen began the meeting with the manager’s report. Dubois County Flight Services was unable to provide a fuel report due to an employee being involved in a traffic accident. A Cessna 172 used for flight instruction was struck by a vehicle recently. A…
Upcoming Jazz Fest will feature diverse jazz musicians, local wine and homebrew
The Garden Gate Jazz, Wine, & Craft Beer Festival on April 21st in Huntingburg will celebrate diversity featuring music from The Mike Tracy Brazilian Ensemble from Louisville followed by the Wade Baker Jazz Collaboration from Cincinnati. The free festival opens its gates at 4:30 p.m and music begins at 5:30 p.m. A veritable “Ambassador of…
First Heartland Half Marathon and 5K to be held Labor Day Weekend
The race course in and around Jasper, Indiana has been described as “very fast” which should make the inaugural running of the Heartland Half Marathon nothing less than exciting! This new Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk event is slated for Sunday, September 2 – during the middle of Labor Day Weekend – in Dubois County,…
Dubois County 4-H Fair receives funding to operate nationally sanctioned rodeo
A generous donation from TransCanada has helped the Dubois County Council fund a rodeo as a large event for the fair this year. TransCanada and the Dubois County 4-H Council met today at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds Clover Pavilion where TransCanada presented a $15,000 check to the council. $5000 will be used to fund…
Vincennes University Dean’s List, Fall Semester 2011 – Southern Indiana Counties
VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and additional sites such as Indianapolis and the Gibson County Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics. VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation. In addition to offering 200 associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor’s degree programs in technology, homeland security,…
Dubois County receiving $2.3 million from State mistake
Dubois County will be receiving approximately $2.3 million from the state most recent accounting error. Yesterday the head of Indiana’s Department of Revenue Commissioner John Eckart announced he is resigning after officials found $206,000 in local option income tax money wasn’t distributed to 91 of Indiana’s 92 counties. According to the state the problem occurred…
Jasper Public Library installing security cameras
In other Jasper Public Library news the board approved the purchase of security cameras to stop vandalism and theft at the library. Library Director Rita Douthitt sought recommendations from Astro Security of St. Anthony (Astro Security installed the security systems at the new Ferdinand Library) on some situations that have occurred recently at the library….
Jasper Public Library still considering options, Old National building not going to work
Prior to the commencement of the Jasper Public Library Board meeting yesterday, Board President Bill Hewitt informed the public and and media present that the board had met with executives at Old National Bank regarding the potential purchase of lease of the Old National Bank building on Sixth Street across from the Fire and Police…
Huntingburg taking action on two problematic properties
The Huntingburg Board of Public Works heard updates today from Code Enforcement Officer Keith Snyder on two troublesome properties in the city. One property owned by Curtiss (correct spelling) Palmer is located at 1019 North Main. The city has contacted Palmer several times for repairs and cleanup that needed to be done on the property….
Huntingburg receives grant for lake improvement planning
On Monday the City of Huntingburg learned they had been awarded a $24,375 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The grant money will assit in paying for a preliminary engineering report and environmental report for the dredging project at Huntingburg City Lake. The grant will help pay the costs associated with developing an application…
Public invited to Indiana Furniture Groundbreaking on Wednesday
Dubois Strong, in cooperation with the City of Jasper and the Jasper Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to host a groundbreaking ceremony for Indiana Furniture on Wednesday, April 4, at 1:30 p.m. The location for the groundbreaking is the company’s expansion site at 1101 West County Road 100 South, Jasper, Indiana. The public is invited…
