A letter from a mom to her son as he celebrates his senior year in high school
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. This letter to the editor comes from the Dubois County Coalition for Adolescent Resilience and Empowerment Strategies. Dear Tim, I can’t believe you’re almost finished with your senior year of high school. Senior photos were taken months ago, you’ve had your last senior nights and sports banquets, and the presentation…
Dr. Lorey returns as Jasper superintendent
At Monday’s meeting, the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Board took only a few moments after hearing remarks to affirm a new superintendent’s contract with Dr. Tracy Lorey. Dr. Lorey resigned from the top position in the corporation after accepting a position as the Deputy Secretary of Education, which she started on February 3. Prior to…
New grant opportunity for early childhood education providers
Early childhood education (ECE) providers in Dubois County have an opportunity to strengthen and expand their programs through the Early Care & Education Grant. This funding opportunity is designed to increase program capacity and enhance quality in nonprofit and school-based early childhood programs, ensuring more children have access to high-quality learning experiences. The grant is…
Jasper Chamber hosting several ribbon-cutting events in April
The Jasper Chamber of Commerce announced five upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremonies in April. Kenna’s Kuts, 155 W. 2nd Street, Jasper, on Thursday, April 3, at 4:00 p.m. Deaconess Home Health in the Southgate Shopping Center on Wednesday, April 9 at 11:00 a.m. MetalTech Roofing, LLC at 4445 IN 56 in Jasper (toward Ireland) on Friday, April…
‘You’re not listening to us’: Hoosiers air frustrations as public officials face access scrutiny
by Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle March 31, 2025 Facing down a sea of her own seething constituents in Westfield on Friday, U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz’s town hall descended into a two-hour shouting match just minutes after it began. Screams from the crowd were nearly constant, often drowning out the Republican representative as she took…
Memorial Hospital Main Entrance closing temporarily for construction
Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper, Indiana, will be closing its main entrance and circular drive temporarily while repair work is being done. The closure will begin Thursday, April 3, 2025, with work expected to complete on Friday, April 11. During this time, the entrance will shift to the Pavilion Entrance, located to…
Two new exhibits open at Thyen-Clark Cultural Center
Two new exhibits will open at the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center on April 3. Bloomington artist Abbigayle Poirier will have a solo exhibition titled Murmuring Winds through April and May. It features works that combine gelli printing and painting. Abbigayle Poirier’s art practice is rooted in figurative landscape painting inspired by folklore, dreams, personal experiences and…
Education is a ‘state and local responsibility,’ Indiana leaders say after U.S. Education order
Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Sign up for Chalkbeat Indiana’s free daily newsletter to keep up with Indianapolis Public Schools, Marion County’s township districts, and statewide education news. Indiana leaders this week welcomed an order from President Donald Trump intended to close the U.S. Department of Education, saying it will give the state more control over education…
Extra patrols on the lookout for speeding and distracted driving
Officers with the area police departments are on high alert as they participate in an annual traffic safety campaign looking for people speeding or driving while distracted. Distracted driving and speeding caused over 17,000 thousand crashes across Indiana in 2024, resulting in 230 deaths. To help save lives, the Jasper Police Department is participating in…
Huntingburg council approves revised gas rate increase, public hearing set for April 22
The Huntingburg Common Council voted to introduce an ordinance to increase gas rates by approximately 16.5 percent, a reduction from the 24 percent increase initially proposed. The decision comes after council members rejected the original plan and directed the city attorney and financial advisor to revise the proposal to lessen the impact on residential consumers….
Third annual The Sky is the Limit special needs festival this Saturday, March 29
Differently Able, Inc. is gearing up for the third annual “The Sky is the Limit” Special Needs Festival and Resource Fair this Saturday, March 29, at the Huntingburg Event Center. It runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT and is packed with activities and resources for people of all ages. Maleah Dearing, Founder of…
INDOT warns public of toll-related text scam, urges caution before opening suspicious links
The Indiana Department of Transportation is aware of a tolling-related text message or “smishing” scam targeting Hoosiers statewide. False messages appearing to come from INDOT or tolling service providers alert recipients of a “final notice” regarding unpaid tolls and mention additional fines, late fees, suspension of vehicle registration, vehicle impoundment, and further legal action, in…
Dubois County Sheriff’s Office partners with RISE to reduce recidivism
The Dubois County IRACS (Integrated Re-Entry and Correctional Support) Program has been launched in the Dubois County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office is the 11th IRACS site in Indiana. IRACS is designed to provide peer recovery support, re-entry planning, and critical resources to individuals transitioning from jail back into the community. Through the partnership, Certified…
Huntingburg Merchants annual Daffodil Stroll offering two days of family activities
Weekend event features shopping, dining, Easter Bunny appearances and children’s activities on April 4-5 The Huntingburg merchants are gearing up for the annual Daffodil Stroll, a two-day spring celebration featuring shopping, dining, family activities and Easter-themed events throughout downtown Huntingburg. The event runs Friday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, April…
Topics of the day: Immigration, lab-grown meat and more
A rundown of bills passed by the Indiana State Legislature on Monday from the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Brad Ward to lead Indiana Landmarks
Indiana Landmarks announces that Brad M. Ward has been selected to become the organization’s next president and CEO. A Jasper native with deep experience in community foundations and place-based philanthropy, Ward most recently served as the Director for Community Foundations at Foundant Technologies, a philanthropy-tech firm that supports community foundation fundraising. Ward previously worked as…
INDOT files lawsuit against Dubois County property owners over Mid-States Corridor
Tom Bartelt recognizes the irony of his family’s farm being honored by the Indiana Department of Agriculture while being sued by the Indiana Department of Transportation. The farm, established in 1851 and recognized as a Hoosier Homestead Centennial and Sesquicentennial farm last Friday, is directly in the path of the Mid-States Corridor. “It’s going diagonally…
Jasper Council declines to pass resolution opposing State Senate’s property tax reform bill
The Jasper Common Council withdrew a resolution opposing Indiana Senate Bill 1 after members raised concerns about outdated information and questioned the measure’s timing. The resolution, which would have formally opposed state legislation impacting local government finances, sparked a substantive discussion about property tax reform and its potential effects on city operations. Council members noted…
Wage study shows growth in region, still lags behind national average
Radius Indiana releases results from their 2024 Wage and Benefit Survey; findings show a stabilization in the labor market from previous pandemic-related disruptions, foreshadowing a positive economic outlook for the Southern Indiana region. In contrast to the instability of the labor force seen in the 2022 Wage and Benefit Survey results, the 2024 survey results…
Candy Neal is still loving the community that loves her
After Candy Neal moved her mother, Josephine, to Jasper from St. Louis in 2023, at least a dozen people reached out to ensure she was registered to vote in Dubois County. The gestures reflected the kindness for someone new in the community and the endearing care the community had extended to Candy over her 23…
Jasper Police Chief outlines department vision while describing current demands, issues
Jasper’s Police Chief Chad Dick presented his vision for the department to the Common Council at Wednesday’s meeting, highlighting staffing challenges, department statistics, and his leadership priorities moving forward. Dick, who was sworn in as chief in January following Nathan Schmitt’s retirement, outlined the significant personnel challenges the department faced in 2024. “To our knowledge,…
Downtown Revitalization Project continues with plans to be finished later this spring
According to details shared at a recent construction meeting, construction crews are set to complete most of the work between 3rd and 4th Street by March 28 as part of Jasper’s Downtown Revitalization Phase II Project. The section will undergo base paving and reopen to traffic, though occasional lane closures may still occur as workers…
Local students perform well at Job for America’s Graduates competition
Southwest Indiana Workforce shared the results of the Region 11 students who competed at the state Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Competition. Southridge students performed well in two of the competitions. These 14 students from nine Southwestern Indiana counties attended the state competition after placing at the Career Development Conference in February. JAG programs across…
Being for Others launches $650,000 grant cycle for eight-county region
The Being for Others Health and Wellness Foundation officially launched its first grant cycle with $650,000 available to support health and wellness initiatives across eight counties in southern Indiana. The foundation, which began operations in Dubois County on February 1, 2024, emerged from a $20 million endowment provided by the Deaconess Health System when it…
Jasper students artwork on display Downtown this weekend
Check out all the artwork on display in Downtown Jasper this weekend. Beginning Friday, March 21, 2025, the Jasper Downtown Merchants’ windows will be covered with artwork from Jasper students. See map below.
Ball tag fun
A group of friends meeting up at Robert E. Parker Park in Jasper took over the playground there for some ball tag when the wind kept them from being able to shoot hoops. It was a fun and friendly game between the four that was interrupted at times when a friend would drive by. While…
Wastewater discussions at County Commissioners and Jasper Utility Service Board
The Dubois County Commissioners held a brief discussion on the Regional Sewer District progress Monday morning. Then, Monday evening, the Jasper Utility Service Board moved forward with a contract with Midwestern Engineering to begin planning and design work for a north-side wastewater plant to help accommodate the city’s growth. The new plant is also being…
Celestine Road to be closed for culvert work March 24
The Dubois County Highway Department will close Celestine Road North at the intersection of State Road 164 in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Transportation closing State Road 164 for culvert repairs. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, work will begin Monday, March 24th and last up to one week.
NE Dubois School Board meeting: Students advocate for solar power; CTE overview; Hosting education town hall
Students Advocate for Solar Panel System to Cut Energy Costs at NDHS A group of physics students from Northeast Dubois High School proposed implementing solar energy at their school, aiming to reduce electricity costs. The students appeared before the school board to advocate for a partnership with MySolar. The company allows clients to rent solar…
Dubois County Historical Society lighting up courthouse to commemorate Paul Revere’s historic ride
The Dubois County Historical Society is preparing to place two lanterns in the courthouse tower window this April, commemorating the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s historic ride and kicking off local celebrations for America’s upcoming 250th Anniversary in 2026. The county commissioners approve the request during their recent meeting, embracing the project as a way…
