Vince Collins shows up
Vince Collins has a gold card in his wallet that allows him to go to any athletic event in the Northeast Dubois County School Corporation for free. His lifetime pass came in honor of his lifetime of showing up. Though, it’s unlikely he’ll have to pull the metal card out of his wallet to show…
From WJTS: Dirty water impacting Jasper’s Skyline Neighborhood residents
In a two-part video series, WJTS’s Ty Hunter covered a story about water issues impacting residents in the Skyline Neighborhood. The series appeared on the WJTS Facebook page here. Here is the first video outlining the issues residents are having. And a followup from the City of Jasper’s plan to mitigate the issue.
Hochgesang Modern Therapy: Devoted to helping anyone with mental health struggles
Jasper native Luke Hochgesang recently opened Hochgesang Modern Therapy, a new practice devoted to helping individuals and their mental health needs. The new practice is a big step for Hochgesang, a licensed mental health counselor who has worked in the field for several years. Growing up in Dubois County, Hochgesang knew his career would be…
Mid-States Corridor RDA meeting rescheduled
The regular meeting of the Mid-State Corridor RDA scheduled for this Friday has been rescheduled to Friday, February 14, 2025, from 4 to 5 p.m. It will take place at the Thyen-Clark Culture Center.
Locals, lawmakers struggle to compromise on Indiana property tax relief
by Casey Smith and Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle February 5, 2025 Frustrations escalated Tuesday over Indiana’s impending property tax relief plan that local Hoosier officials fear could bring deep cuts to municipal revenues. Lawmakers, meanwhile, were hard-pressed to find alternative ideas that appease local budgets and still deliver on promises to lower taxes. …
Draft budget has more for tuition support, less for gifted learners, zero for Dolly Parton library
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Jan 31, 2025 at 9:11am EST 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. Funding for gifted learners, dual immersion programs, and the…
New Sharps Disposal Program at the Dubois County Health Department
The Dubois County Health Department is excited to announce a new sharps collection program in 2025! This new program is available to residents in Dubois County, Indiana, as a convenient and free resource for recycling sharps needles properly with approved containers. (Sharps are defined as used needles, which can be dangerous if not properly disposed…
Lincoln Amphitheatre 2025 performance series includes Grammy nominees and multi-platinum recording artists
The Lincoln Amphitheatre’s 38th year will feature a wide array of diverse entertainment options and performances during its 2025 seasonal operational window. The 2025 performance series, again presented by the Spencer County Community Foundation and the Perry County Community Foundation, will be anchored by five-time GRAMMY nominee and multi-platinum recording artist Kenny Wayne Shepherd,…
Commissioners discuss property tax shell game
State proposals could shift tax burdens and reduce county funding, officials warn The Dubois County Commissioners joined other local officials in expressing concern over proposed state legislation that could significantly impact property tax revenues and potentially force new local taxes. “The amount of revenue for the county can fall significantly,” Commissioner Chad Blessinger stated during…
Bills halving early voting period, closing primaries head to Senate floor
by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle February 3, 2025 Hoosier voters could see in-person early voting slashed from a month to a week under legislation moving to the Indiana Senate’s floor. A committee on Monday also approved a proposal closing primary elections to unaffiliated voters, but held off on another requiring school board candidates…
Jasper Redevelopment Commission discusses financing for Regional Wellness Center; Outdoor pool progress
As the city continues to develop plans for the Regional Wellness Center, officials expect to have financial projections for the project completed in the coming weeks. Anticipating these plans, Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide and City Attorney Renee Kabrick discussed the Redevelopment Commission’s role and estimated funding from Jasper’s Central Tax Increment Finance district. The Redevelopment…
Speck Mellencamp exhibit opens at Thyen-Clark Cultural Center this week
Seymour, IN, artist Speck Mellencamp’s exhibit at the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center will be on display in February and March 2025. The solo exhibition features a variety of over 30 large oil paintings. Mellencamp’s paintings resemble the intensity of German Expressionist figurative works, similar to his father’s, John Mellencamp’s artwork. The colors featured in Speck’s Mellencamp’s…
County Courthouse security upgrades being implemented
Visitors to the Dubois County Courthouse will be met with upgraded security measures beginning this week. A walk-through metal detectors and a bag scanner have been installed at the east entrance of the courthouse, and starting Feb. 10, all visitors and employees will have to pass through those measures as they enter the courthouse. The…
Monday flooded roads update
One Dubois County road remains impacted by high water. Hunley Creek still has water over Old Road 64 west of Patoka Road in Patoka Township.
One Book, Two Schools invites all Jasper Elementary students to reading initiative
Students at Ireland Elementary School and Jasper Elementary School will read a book together this month for a special project called “One Book, Two Schools.” Every student in the two schools received a copy of Mysteries According to Humphrey on Friday, Jan. 31, so they could participate in an all-school book club. Students at all…
Commentary: School funding debate hits the Statehouse
by Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer and Keri Miksza, Indiana Capital Chronicle February 3, 2025 Funding nearly every Hoosier child’s K-12 education appears to be the goal of the Indiana state legislature. While this may be an admirable effort, the question is, should we? More importantly, can we afford it? What is the state’s responsibility? Under Article 8,…
Rotary Club of Dubois County announces 2025 Community Grant Cycle
The Rotary Club of Dubois County has announced the opening of the club’s grant cycle for nonprofit community organizations in Dubois County. Interested nonprofit groups can access the online application at www.duboiscountyrotary.com (found under the “About Our Club,” then “Community Grants” link) or on the club’s Facebook page. Applications are due by March 21, 2025. The…
Three roads impacted by flooding
The Dubois County Highway Department is reporting three county roads are impacted by flooding from recent rains and melting snow and ice. All three are in Patoka Township: Hunley Creek has water over Old Road 64 west of Patoka Road and Huntingburg’s First Street west of County Road 75 West. Indian Creek is over County…
Northeast School board meets
During its recent meeting, the Northeast Dubois County School Corporation board approved several field trips and welcomed a new staff member. They approved education classes to attend the Ed Rising State Conference in Indianapolis on February 19, 2025 through February 20. The board approved a request for FFA students to attend the National Farm Machinery…
Southridge High School highlights Early College Program success
Southridge High School highlighted the success and monetary savings students in the corporation’s Early College program have obtained. The Early College program is a type of educational initiative that allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn college credit while still in high school. Embedded in the program is the Indiana College Core…
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…
