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…
Council discusses issues with 911 system
The Dubois County 911 Advisory Board is facing ongoing challenges with its emergency communication system, despite recent upgrades aimed at improving service. At Monday’s Dubois County Council meeting, Councilman Doug Uebelhor discussed persistent issues with missed pages and unclear communications, particularly in certain geographic areas of the county. Uebelhor, who serves on the 911 Advisory…
Veterans pushing for expanding county’s veterans services
Proposal seeks to increase office hours, staff to meet growing demand The Dubois County Commissioners are weighing a proposal to expand the county’s Veterans Service Office (VSO) hours and staffing in response to increasing demand for services. The proposal, presented during Monday’s commissioner meeting, aims to address a backlog of claims and provide better access…
Ireland kitchen fire displaces family of five
An Ireland family was displaced from their West Leprechaun Lane home after a fire caused extensive damage to it Sunday afternoon. Zach and Miranda Campbell and their three children, Payton, Brady and Luke, were home when Payton stepped into the kitchen and saw the fire. According to Ireland Fire Chief Stan Seifert, the family quickly…
It’s Tuesday: A Mellencamp tribute band for Valentines, Jasper business broken into, and more…
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 Issue #7 Today, we are featuring work from Photographer Kylie Schepers. This is a photo from the recent Jasper Wrestling match with New Albany. If you want to see some great photography of local high school sports, give here a follow on Instagram. From Dubois County Happy Tuesday, Reader For anyone looking to go to a great concert, Nancy Otte reached out to let us know how good American Fools Band is. The John Cougar Mellencamp tribute band is playing at the Astra on…
Business asking for help in break-in investigation
Legacy Steak House, 25 Indiana Street, Jasper, put a post on Facebook asking for help in an investigation into a break-in to the restaurant that occurred on the night of Jan. 17 between 10 and 1:30 a.m. “We are deeply saddened by the recent break-in to our restaurant on the night of January 17th between…
Friends of IU hosts 20th annual food drive to support Community Food Bank
Friends of IU and local community members conducted its 20th annual food drive to benefit the Community Food Bank in Jasper. Working with Holiday Foods and community food bank executive Director Amanda Drew, the organization delivered thousands of dollars worth of food on January 18. Local Boy Scouts Joe and Everett Buehler and Zeb Bartley…
John Cougar Mellencamp tribute band to rock Astra to support Anderson Woods
American Fools Band, a John Cougar Mellencamp tribute band, will be in concert at the Astra on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. Proceeds of the event will benefit Anderson Woods. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/american-fools-band-a-fundraiser-for-anderson-woods-tickets-1108946582079?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Anderson Woods was founded in 1978 as…
Notice: Huntingburg Utility Rate Advisory Board to consider gas rate increase
Huntingburg– Notice is hereby given that the Huntingburg Utility Rate Advisory Board will have a meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 4:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers at Huntingburg City Hall, 508 E. Fourth Street, Huntingburg, Indiana to review and advise the Common Council/Utility Board on proposed rate increases for the Natural Gas Utility…
What if we didn’t have a time change anymore and does Indiana need a state fruit?
Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 Issue #6 From Dubois County The dismount after making the run down Standpipe Hill in Huntingburg in a kiddy pool. Photo by Amy Crane Hey Reader It’s Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day. We wrote a long story on the Legislative Breakfast hosted by the Jasper Chamber of Commerce on Saturday morning. Legislators are wrestling with lowering property taxes, pushing local governments to rely on income tax increases to cover tax revenue losses. On a couple…
Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center to partner with Dubois County Community Foundation on mental health grant
Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center announced it is the recipient of a $1.07 million grant from the Dubois County Community Foundation to enhance mental health services within our community. This grant is made possible through a recent $1.4 million grant to the Dubois County Community Foundation from Lilly Endowment-Inc and marks an important step…
Dubois County State Legislators give overview of busy session
Senator Daryl Schmitt and State Representatives Shane Lindauer and Steve Bartells gave a rundown of bills they were working on this legislative season at the first Jasper Chamber Legislative Breakfast held Saturday morning at the Vincennes University Campus Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing. Senator Schmitt Senator Schmitt was the first legislator to speak to…
Dr. Tracy Lorey to become Deputy Secretary of Education, step down as superintendent
Dr. Tracy Lorey, Superintendent of Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools (GJCS), announced her decision to resign to serve as the Deputy Secretary of Education for the State of Indiana. According to an email, she will start in her new role on February 3, 2025, under Governor Mike Braun and Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner to…
Op/Ed: How tax dollars work in public schools
By Terry Spradlin, Executive Director of the Indiana School Boards Association With the start of the 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly, the investment in K-12 public education will become a focal point of the two-year state budget. When examining the areas that consume the largest portions of the state budget—while Medicaid is the fastest-growing…
Hicks: My 2025 economic forecast
Last week, I presented my 2025 economic forecast to a large group in Muncie. The projections for 2025 are strong for Indiana and the U.S., with a few matters to be concerned about. First, the good news. I project the U.S. economy to grow between 2.5 percent and 3 percent in each quarter, with annual…
