Jasper Strassenfest announces theme celebrating 40 years of Sister Cities Partnership, names 2025 Hoffmarschalls
The Jasper Strassenfest Committee has announced the theme and Hoffmarschalls for the 47th Annual Jasper Strassenfest to be held July 31 – August 3 in downtown Jasper. This year’s theme will be “40th Anniversary of the Jasper/Pfaffenweiler Sister Cities Partnership,” which will be reflected on the button design for the 47th Annual event. Former longtime…
Jasper School Board bids farewell to Dr. Lorey, welcomes interim leader while searching for new superintendent
Heartfelt tributes and a significant leadership transition marked the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Board meeting on Monday evening. Board President Greg Eckerle opened the session with a poignant farewell to outgoing Superintendent Dr. Tracy Lorey, who is departing after 12 years at the helm and 32 years in the corporation. Eckerle praised Lorey’s exceptional leadership,…
$7.8 million Lilly Endowment grant to help address childcare in Uplands Region
Lilly Endowment Inc., through the eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII) initiative, has awarded a $7,834,000 Community Leadership Implementation Grant to the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) on behalf of the Indiana Uplands region. GIFT VIII is a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative designed to support the efforts…
Fixed: Waterbreak could affect water pressure for some in Jasper
Jasper–The Jasper Municipal Water Department would like to announce that repairs have been completed on the water main break in front of 2502 Howard Drive. A Boil Water Advisory is NOT in effect. There are no potential health effects. The Jasper Municipal Water Department is working on a water main break in front of 2502…
‘Put their needs first’: Braun calls for property tax, health care price cuts at State of the State
A copy of Gov. Braun’s address is at the end of the article. by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle January 29, 2025 Although Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has been in office for just two weeks, he’s already touting “wins” for Hoosiers accomplished under his tenure — and has big plans for the ongoing legislative…
Huntingburg Council discusses railroad charge and other items
We’ve already written two other stories about Tuesday’s Huntingburg Council meeting, but we thought these other items should be noted as well. The council approved paying $10,000 to Norfolk Southern to allow utilities to go over the railroad track in connection to the overpass project completed in 2016. According to City Attorney Phil Schneider, though…
Huntingburg Council approves tax abatement for Poplar Ridge development
The Huntingburg City Council has approved a tax abatement for the Poplar Ridge apartment development, paving the way for a significant housing project in the city’s northern area. Here is a story on the project. The council voted unanimously to designate the property as an economic revitalization area and an economic development target area, granting…
Huntingburg considering 27% gas rate increase
Proposal aims to address utility’s financial losses, restore working capital The Huntingburg Common Council is considering a significant increase in gas utility rates to address ongoing financial losses and restore depleted working capital. The proposed rate hike, which could see residential customers facing up to a 27 percent increase on peak winter bills, was presented…
Jasper Elementary School students pushing for persimmon to become State Fruit
Jasper Elementary School 4th graders have been working on a project with State Representative Shane Lindauer and State Senator Daryl Schmitt to have the persimmon designated as the state fruit. “As educators, our goal is to instill a sense of wonder in our students. Last year, while teaching Indiana history, my students learned about a…
Memorial Hospital Foundation receives $18,839 IBCAT grant
Jasper–The Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust (IBCAT) has awarded the Memorial Hospital Foundation a grant of $18,839.41 to provide screening and diagnostic services for low-income Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center patients who reside in the counties MHHCC serves. “We truly believe that the cost of a mammogram should not be a deterrent for our…
Wiffle ball field approved for newly named Alvin C. Ruxer Field at Gobert Family Park
The Greater Jasper Consolidated School Board of Trustees approved plans to rename the iconic baseball field as Alvin C. Ruxer Field at Gobert Family Park, recognizing the long-standing commitment of Coach Terry Gobert and his family to the Jasper baseball program. The decision was made Monday evening after Gobert presented plans for a new Wiffle…
Jasper Council discusses ordinance approval procedures, Regional Wellness Center and more
The Jasper City Council is taking steps to formalize its procedures for adopting, amending, and repealing ordinances and resolutions. During a recent meeting, council members discussed Ordinance 2025-1, which establishes new rules and regulations for the legislative process. The ordinance, presented for its first reading, aims to clarify the voting process and set deadlines for…
2025 Women of the Heartland coming up
Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center is excited to once again host the Women of the Heartland program for 2025. Women of the Heartland is devoted to promoting women’s health by sharing important information on women’s health topics. This year’s topics include “Menopause and the Power of Hormones,” “Bone Health: Building Strong Bones,” and “I…
Town of Ferdinand announces website update
The Town of Ferdinand announced a recent upgrade to the town’s website. According to a post on Facebook, the goal of the new site is to make it easier for residents and visitors to find the information they need. The new website includes: Visit the website here: http://www.@ferdinandindiana.org
Watch the IU-vs-PU game at the Astra this week
Heart of Jasper is hosting a watch party at the Astra Theatre for the IU-vs-PU Men’s Basketball game this Friday, January 31. Tip-off is at 8:00 p.m.; the doors open at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available to purchase. Dine in downtown Jasper before heading to the Astra for the game. Through a partnership with…
Celebration Singers perform at Gov. Braun’s inauguration
The Celebration Singers, a non-profit, all-volunteer community choir with singers from Dubois, Pike and Spencer Counties, were honored to be invited to sing at the January 13, 2025, Inauguration of Governor Mike Braun at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis. Thirty-six of the approximate sixty active members were able to make the trip to Indianapolis…
Column: Hicks: A whirlwind policy start of the year
Before everyone recovered from their inaugural hangovers, Indiana’s new administration and legislature got to work with a number of policy items that should be met with bipartisan approval. That does not mean everyone will embrace every development. But I do think most Hoosiers will either appreciate the changes, or we will learn something about ourselves…
County Road 300 North to close for work
The Dubois County Highway Department will be closing County Road 300 North on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, for crack sealing. The closure will take place between county roads 350 West and 500 West. The road will be closed to traffic between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.; local traffic will be able to access it.
Precious Angels Memorial receives updates, Jasper passes residential TIF for Northridge Estates
Thursday, Jan. 24, 2025 Issue #10 Did you know the county had a memorial for children who had passed before their parents? From Dubois County Hi Reader, This morning, folks gathered to learn about the Precious Angel Memorial and to celebrate the addition of a concrete walkway, handrail and more to the hallowed spot in the Dubois County Park. I am always struck by the dedication so many people have to the many projects that create spaces in our community for recreation as well as…
Precious Angels Memorial receives upgrades
The Precious Angels Memorial at Dubois County Park has received some needed upgrades thanks to the generosity of a business organization, community members, and local businesses. A poured concrete walkway with a handrail and stone steps has been added to make it easier to access the memorial from the gravel parking lot west of the…
Jasper Common Council vote split as it moves forward with residential TIF
The Jasper City Council debated modifications to a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement for a new housing development at Wednesday’s regular meeting. Developer Ruger Kerstiens requested changes to allow for a utility reimbursement for wastewater and water infrastructure that the developer would construct in the Northridge Estates housing development. The development has been a focus…
State of the City, Expert coming to address teen substance use, avian flu still around, more
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 Issue #9 That’s JP Stemle on the ladder directing efforts to fight a fire at Ackerman Oil in 2012. From Dubois County Hi Reader I put that image up today because I just remember wondering how to cover a fire like that one at Ackerman Oil in 2012. You could see the smoke from the Huntingburg Airport. Trying to stay out of the firefighters’ way, fumbling with my Motorola Razr phone in the bright light, I attempted to capture some photos, not knowing I had hit the B&W…
Dubois County Leadership Academy team makes donation to Dove House
The Dubois County Leadership Academy Dove House Team from the 2023 session has completed their capstone project. On January 21, 2025, the team presented a check for $2,980 to Megan Durlauf, Director of Operations at The Dove House in Jasper. Initially, the team planned to create a gathering space with a small playground for families…
Jasper Mayor highlights city’s financial health and department achievements
Mayor Dean Vonderheide presented an overall optimistic view of Jasper’s current state during his annual address to the city council, emphasizing the city’s role as a regional hub and its focus on infrastructure improvements. You can see the presentation document with all the numbers and highlights below. “We’re a hub of activity, of employment, health…
Avian Influenza outbreak confirmed in multiple Indiana counties including Pike and Gibson
DNR reports waterfowl deaths, urges public caution and increased biosecurity measures The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in waterfowl across 12 counties over the past six weeks. The virus, which caused waterfowl deaths in Gibson County in December, is suspected in similar incidents in…
Expert to address youth substance use in Dubois County
Bestselling author Jessica Lahey to share prevention strategies and bust myths at free seminar; $200 prize announced for one of the county’s seventh-grade classes Jessica Lahey, a best-selling author and prevention coach, is set to deliver a free presentation titled “Find Out What Your Kids Already Know: Raising Kids in a Substance-Glamorizing World” at 7…
Jasper Downtown Revitalization Project construction update
A collaborative meeting on the Downtown Revitalization Phase II Project was held on January 22nd, involving Ragle Construction, REA, VS Engineering, and City of Jasper representatives, who outlined ongoing and upcoming infrastructure improvements. Current stormwater work on Main Street includes a closure between the 3rd and 4th Street intersections through the first week of February….
Southridge High School early college prep success sets up mentorship
Now, Southridge High School will help other rural high schools expand access to advanced coursework through the Rural Early College Network 2.0 Southridge High School has been selected by the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis to be a mentor school in the Rural Early College Network (RECN)…
Jodi Routson ATHENA display unveiled; Lilly King announced as this year’s keynote speaker
On January 22, 2025, the Rotary Club of Dubois County proudly unveiled Jodi Routson’s display in the ATHENA exhibit at the Dubois County Museum. The ATHENA Leadership Award is a prestigious honor presented annually by the Rotary Club of Dubois County. It celebrates the achievements of outstanding women leaders in our community. Jodi was named…
Memorial Hospital announces their new name, veterans want more help, and how you can help a family displaced by a fire
Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 Issue #8 We love watching the season change around this barn near Holland. From Dubois County Happy Wednesday, Reader While this won’t make it in the newsletter today, we received a message from Dan Schroeder. He’s a beekeeper mentored by Jerry Apple. Mr. Apple died last year, but Dan is carrying on his love for beekeeping. Dan and his wife, Melissa, have greatly expanded their beekeeping business, Growing Success Bee Company, in Warrick County. He credits Mr. Apple’s…
Memorial Hospital announces name change to Deaconess Memorial Medical Center
Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center announced that its name would be changed to Deaconess Memorial Medical Center. The change comes after the organization gathered feedback from more than 800 community members and hospital employees. In a press release regarding the name change, the hospital highlighted its ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, Catholic-based health care…
