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…
Second individual arrested for assisting suspect in Orange County shooting
Floyd County–A second person has been charged after investigators believe he participated in assisting the suspect wanted in the shooting of an Orange County Deputy Sheriff on January 3rd, 2025. On January 3, 2025 just before 1:00 a.m., Orange County Deputy Sheriff Zac Andry stopped to check on a disabled vehicle in the roadway at…
Bath & Body Works opens in Jasper
Bath & Body Works celebrated opening in the Jasper Germantown Shopping Center Friday morning with a ribbon-cutting hosted by the Jasper Chamber and city officials. From the website: Bath & Body Works is a global leader in personal care and home fragrance. The top-selling collections include fine fragrance mist, body lotion and body cream, 3-wick…
Governor’s budget would trim 5% across agencies
by Whitney Downard, Indiana Capital Chronicle January 16, 2025 Gov. Mike Braun detailed his first budget proposal Thursday, prioritizing small education increases and covering Medicaid while demanding big savings from agencies and cuts to a public health program. The former school board member also had tough words for schools that might see a fiscal hit…
Indiana bill would give teachers paid parental leave and raise in minimum pay
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Jan 15, 2025 at 5:07pm 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. A Indiana bill would guarantee paid parental leave to…
Heart of Jasper named a nationally accredited Main Street program
Heart of Jasper was named one of Indiana’s three newest nationally accredited Main Street programs, along with Main Street Corydon and Main Street Greensburg. To earn Nationally Accredited Main Street status, communities must meet all six accreditation standards set forth by Main Street America and have advanced from the Indiana Accredited Main Street level. “Congratulations to these…
Thank you!
I’m turning 51 this year. Do you remember when 26 was old? In boot camp, the oldest guy in our company was 26, and we (the 18 year olds) called him Gramps. My wife and I joke that we–well, she–stopped aging at 28, but after two and half hours of pickleball last night at VUJ,…
Column: Sage advice from an IU Gratitude professor
I enjoyed coffee with Y. Joel Wong over the holidays. Joel is a tenured professor in the Counseling and Counseling Psychology Programs at Indiana University. One specialty of his is gratitude and its link to well-being. I met up with Joel at Hopscotch Coffee in Bloomington so I could express a belated form of gratitude…
New executive orders seek to ‘deregulate’ Indiana agencies, force state workers back to offices
by Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle January 15, 2025 Among nine executive orders released Wednesday by Gov. Mike Braun are directives to cut a quarter of government regulations and reduce qualifications for state jobs and professional licenses, along with a mandate for state employees to return to their offices by July 1. Braun, a Republican,…
City of Jasper launches new app to keep residents informed
The City of Jasper announced the launch of Jasper INsight – the app for discovering what’s happening in Jasper. The app provides users with information about the city, updates on events, and notifications about construction or other issues impacting residents. You can even connect with specific city departments, look into permits, or pay your utility…
Legislative Breakfast this Saturday, Jan. 18
The Jasper Chamber will host state legislators for its annual Legislative Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Vincennes University Jasper CTIM Building Theater. The public is invited to attend and meet the state legislators to discuss the current legislative season. The event is free and light refreshments will…
Huntingburg council discusses hoarding ordinance, more at first meeting of 2025
City Council Elects Pro Tem, Honors Long-Time Employee, and Approves Utility Loan, Mentors for Youth Month proclaimed, ALASI presents community impact report Huntingburg–The Huntingburg City Council convened for its first meeting of the year, addressing a range of municipal matters and recognizing community contributions. First off, council member Tim Wehr was re-elected as president pro…
Car fire quickly extinguished
Jasper Firefighters were called to the Germantown Shopping Complex for a car fire Tuesday around lunchtime. According to Chief Kenny Hochgesang, the fire was reported at about 12:57 p.m. When firefighters arrived, they found the van completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters quickly doused the fire, which was isolated to the van. Chief Hochgesang said damages…
Dubois County Community Foundation awarded additional $1.4M to address mental health and substance use disorders
Grant provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. through the GIFT VIII Initiative Dubois County Community Foundation has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Community Leadership Implementation Grants program, part of the eighth phase of the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII) initiative. This grant is one of 30 awarded…
Governor Braun sworn in
You can watch the inauguration of Mike Braun as Indiana’s 52nd governor in the following video and read his speech below (the swearing-in of Gov. Braun begins at around the 41-minute mark). Madam Chief Justice, Governor Holcomb, Lt. Governor Beckwith, Governor Bayh, General Rokita, President Pro Tem Bray, Speaker Huston, Maureen, family, friends, fellow Hoosiers: It…
Little Spruce heads to Dubois County Museum
Little Spruce Nature School was a little difficult to get to last Thursday with the snow conditions at the former Camp Carnes location, so they moved the school to the Dubois County Museum. Director Carrie Holdsworth took the 13 pre-K children through the various exhibits and entertained them as they explored the many items and…
Monthly county siren test to be conducted this Wednesday, Jan. 15
The January Monthly Siren Test has been rescheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2025. The Dubois County sirens will be activated at 6:05 p.m. The City of Jasper will not be conducting a siren test.
Column: A Facebook farewell and other 2024 meditations
2024, for me, was a milestone year marking sincere attempts to trim brain fat while in pursuit of improved mental well-being. I started using Prozac and meeting with a mental health therapist. I had never sought mental therapy before, nor had I taken antidepressants. If Tony Soprano could see a therapist and accept Prozac, so…
School software provider is the latest target of major hack of personal data; Jasper among school corporations impacted
by Paige Gross, Indiana Capital Chronicle January 13, 2025 The sensitive data of millions of American adults and children have been compromised after hackers targeted California-based education software company PowerSchool, the company confirmed this week. The breach happened at the end of December, and new information confirmed by TechCrunch Thursday morning says that hackers were…
Southridge grad reporting to Indiana State Police Jasper Post
Trooper Levi Hupp graduated from the Indiana State Police Academy on January 9, 2025, with 29 other probationary troopers as part of the 86th Academy. Hupp is a 2004 graduate of Southridge High School. He joined the U.S. Air Force and retired after 20 years of service. Hupp also earned an associate degree in Criminal…
Thyen, Ellspermann named to Junior Achievement Dubois County Hall of Fame
Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana announced the 2025 JA Dubois County Business Hall of Fame Laureates at a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 9, at the Dubois County Museum. The 2025 laureates are H.E. (Herb) Thyen and Sue Ellspermann. Laureates will be inducted into the JA Dubois County Business Hall of Fame on Thursday, May 1st,…
New Albany woman arrested for assisting suspect in Orange County shooting
Floyd County–A New Albany woman is in jail after investigators believe she participated in assisting the suspect wanted in the shooting of an Orange County Deputy Sheriff last Friday. On January 3, 2024, just before 1:00 a.m., Orange County Deputy Sheriff Zac Andry stopped to check on a disabled vehicle in the roadway at US…
City of Jasper and City of Huntingburg proclaim January 2025 as Mentors for Youth Month in honor of National Mentoring Month
In honor of National Mentoring Month, the mayors of the City of Jasper and the City of Huntingburg have jointly proclaimed January 2025 as Mentors for Youth Month. This recognition celebrates the invaluable role that mentorship plays in the development of young people in our community, as well as the dedicated mentors who provide guidance, support, and inspiration…
Totcho Challenge topped
The secret to destroying the Totcho Challenge at Oink, Inc. is finishing quickly. The seven-pound platter is filled with about four pounds of tater tots and three pounds of toppings split between meat and cheese. According to Oink, Inc. owner Tim Flick, they originally started with a 10-pound platter, but he and his crew thought…
Huntingburg considering ordinance to address hoarding issues
Huntingburg officials are considering a new ordinance to address hoarding issues within the city. The topic emerged during a recent Board of Public Works and Safety meeting. The proposed ordinance, still in its early stages, was briefly discussed as part of ongoing efforts to improve safety and wellness in Huntingburg. Mayor Elkins clarified the status…
Huntingburg discusses snow emergency response, street construction change order
Huntingburg faced significant challenges during a recent winter storm, prompting officials to declare a snow emergency and mobilize multiple departments to clear streets and ensure public safety. Mayor Neil Elkins declared the snow emergency on Sunday to keep residents off the roads. “That was mainly because people need to stay home,” Elkins said. “Wrecker services…
Jasper Chamber hosting Legislative Breakfast Jan. 18
The Jasper Chamber will host state legislators for its annual Legislative Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Vincennes University Jasper CTIM Building Theater. The public is invited to attend and meet the state legislators for a discussion on the current legislative season. The event is free and light…
Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy remains in critical condition
An Orange County deputy sheriff remains in critical condition after being shot multiple times in the early morning hours of January 3rd. Deputy Zac Andry was shot while interacting with a driver on U.S. 150 and State Road 56 in Orange County. Andry had stopped at to check on what appeared to be a disabled…
