Red White and Boots Music Fest’s mission goes beyond the music
Story provided in partnership with Visit Dubois County. Jay Baker estimates that more than 5,000 children in Dubois County have received shoes since the county hosted its signature country music festival, Red White and Boots, six years ago. During the Christmas season, Rally Point & the Jasper RWB committee partner with RWB sponsors, such as…
Water main break affecting 14th Street
Jasper–The Jasper Municipal Water Department is currently working on a water main break in the area of West 14th from Maute to Newton Streets. The water may be turned off, or water pressure may be low while the repairs are being made. The anticipated time to restore service will be dependent upon the severity of…
Kathy Thewes named volunteer of the year at Deaconess Memorial
Jasper–Kathy Thewes has been named the 2026 Little Company of Mary (LCM) Volunteer of the Year Award recipient at Deaconess Memorial Medical Center. This award is named in honor of the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, the founders of Deaconess Memorial. Thewes is the ninth recipient for this annual award that is based…
Grand Slam Bourbon Fest brings premium bourbon, baseball history and an exclusive experience to historic League Stadium
Huntingburg–Bourbon enthusiasts and collectors have a rare opportunity to experience one of Southern Indiana’s most exclusive bourbon events as the inaugural Grand Slam Bourbon Fest comes to Historic League Stadium on Thursday, August 27. Created to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary, the Grand Slam Bourbon Fest is limited to just 250 guests, ensuring an intimate experience…
Community rally planned in response to ICE activities
Jasper–A community rally is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, July 18, on the courthouse square in Jasper. Called Stand Together, the event was organized by Breanna Knies, who said she decided to plan the gathering after Lilia Hernandez posted on Facebook last week about her husband, Angel Hernandez, being detained. Mrs. Hernandez posted on Facebook…
State employees to receive one-time bonus of up to $2,500
by Niki Kelly, Indiana Capital Chronicle July 13, 2026 Gov. Mike Braun informed state employees Monday they will receive a one-time bonus in their July 29 paycheck. But they won’t receive an ongoing pay raise even though state tax revenue collections have been strong. “Since taking office, I have directed my cabinet secretaries and agency…
INDOT holding open house for a sidewalk installation project along State Road 56 in Ireland
The Indiana Department of Transportation will hold a public open house for a sidewalk installation project along State Road 56 in Ireland. The public is invited to learn more about the proposed project and provide feedback to INDOT. This meeting is an open house format and does not include a formal presentation.
Haitians who made Indiana home prepare for end of legal protections for thousands
by Jack Forrest, Indiana Capital Chronicle July 13, 2026 His given name is Obensley. But during the process of immigrating to the United States from Haiti, he became Obenson. Obenson Jean Gilles. In the 1990s, his grandfather left Haiti for a better life in the United States. In the tiny town where Jean Gilles was…
ICE operations impacting Dubois County; ALASI providing needed assistance
ICE operations targeting immigrants through minor traffic stops in Dubois County and surrounding Southern Indiana communities have sparked widespread fear, misinformation and community disruption — prompting a local nonprofit to mobilize resources and push for an organized rapid response network. The enforcement actions, which began around 5 a.m. on Thursday, have been confirmed in Jasper,…
La Tricolor brings Colombian street food culture to Huntingburg
About a year ago, Jen and Franklin Quimbaya launched their food truck, La Tricolor, serving up the sweet flavors of Colombia around the area. As they became more popular, many customers asked about more traditional foods like empanadas and arepas. “Maybe in the future,” Franklin said at the time. The idea took root, and about…
Huntingburg seeking community input as it plans major playground update
The City of Huntingburg is applying for a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant to help bring a new playground to City Park and is seeking community input. Join the Huntingburg Parks Board on Monday, July 20, 2026, to share your thoughts in person. If you can’t attend, or you’d like to provide additional…
‘Faith set in stone’ features Jasper’s geode grotto
A special presentation from “Across Indiana” featuring Jasper’s Mother of God Grotto. Constructed from thousands of Indiana geodes, this Catholic shrine is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Shaped by Father Phillip Ottavi’s own loss after surviving a devastating earthquake in Italy, see how stone, faith, and tragedy can be turned into a handmade place of…
Commissioners considering moving Veterans Service Officer position to full-time
The Dubois County Veterans Service Office may move toward full-time staffing after Veteran Service Officer Nick Pagragan presented commissioners with a formal proposal at Monday’s meeting. Pagragan told commissioners the office has logged 1,117 total veteran interactions so far this year — including 931 in-person visitors and 186 documented phone calls — averaging 10.8 interactions…
INDOT planning big changes for State Road 64 through Huntingburg
State Road 64 through Huntingburg will undergo major modifications in 2027 as the Indiana Department of Transportation plans to reduce the four-lane section through parts of town to three lanes. INDOT hosted an open house at the Huntingburg Public Library Wednesday evening. Representatives from the department and VS Engineering were on hand to take questions…
Whirlwind camp and production brings Treasure Island to life this weekend
“We can both be first mates,” Steven Dunn hollered playfully at Kate Letterman Conway from the stage at the Jasper Arts Center. He, along with Kate, is part of a group of volunteers associated with Actors Community Theatre’s Rising Stars Children’s Theatre, a camp put on by the nonprofit for third through eighth grade students…
Gas tax breaks to cost state, local governments $533M
by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital ChronicleJuly 9, 2026 The total price tag for Gov. Mike Braun’s gas tax holiday is in: the state of Indiana and hundreds of local governments are expected to lose out on a combined $533 million, with the impacts felt through October. That also means motorists saved that much money…
Vincennes University’s Generations awarded AmeriCorps grant to support new volunteer program
Generations, a division of Workforce Development and Community Services at Vincennes University, has been awarded $89,550 by AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, to support older adult volunteer service in Dubois and Pike counties. This grant will expand the agency’s volunteer services for those 55 and older in Dubois and Pike counties…
$12M OFS expansion supported by tax increment finance revenue
The Huntingburg Redevelopment Commission approved pledging 90% of tax increment financing revenues from a newly created allocation area toward economic development bonds supporting a $12 million expansion by OFS Brands Holdings at its Plant 18 facility. The commission approved Resolution 2026-10, which sets the stage for a roughly $3.9 million bond issue to help fund…
Utility bills top list of concerns in TRI-CAP’s 2026 needs assessment
Utility bills now top the concerns of low-income residents in Dubois, Pike and Warrick counties, according to TRI-CAP’s newly released 2026 Community Needs Assessment — the first time in the survey’s history that utility affordability has ranked as the region’s top need. “Our electric bill with Centerpoint is so hard to pay. It’s basically two…
Community invited to participate in Health Needs Assessment
Jasper–Deaconess Memorial Medical Center is inviting community members to share their voices by participating in our Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) survey. The survey is now open through July 26th and will be used to evaluate the area’s overall health needs. The Community Health Needs Assessment provides community benefit through shaping future programs, services, and…
Resident questions AES response to any potential damages from Crossvine Solar project
A Dubois County resident raised questions about liability and fire safety at Monday’s regular county commissioners meeting, pressing officials on what protections exist for non-participating landowners living near the Crossvine Solar battery energy storage system (BESS) project being developed by AES. Rita Bartelt told the commissioners she contacted AES directly and spoke with an AES…
Bretzville roundabout construction restricting traffic
As the Indiana Department of Transportation begins work on the roundabout at the intersection of State Road 64 and 162, the Dubois County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning to motorists. The Dubois County Sheriff’s Office is asking all motorists traveling through the Bretzville Junction area to exercise caution and remain patient as roadway construction continues….
County seeking more public input for planning; Up timeline to create committee addressing land usage
Dubois County Commissioners, through the firm, American Structurepoint, is asking residents, workers, and business owners to complete a second survey as part of the county’s ongoing Comprehensive Plan update, building on a first round of outreach that drew more than 1,000 responses earlier this year. Dubois County Commissioner Chad Blessinger discussed the survey at the…
One road remains impacted by flooding
Flood conditions across Dubois County have improved dramatically following recent road monitoring by the Dubois County Highway Department, with only one county road remaining closed despite additional rainfall overnight. The Dubois County Highway Department reports that just one road remains closed — CR 800 West in Madison Township, north of CR 300 South, due to…
Jasper celebrates 250th
On Thursday evening, The Heart of Jasper, Jasper Strassenfest Committee, and the City of Jasper held a special celebration at Jaycee Park that included food trucks, extended pool hours, live music, and a drone show. See some photos below.
Governor announces final extension of gas tax breaks; further action to require legislation
by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle July 2, 2026 Gov. Mike Braun on Thursday announced his final extension of gas tax breaks for Hoosier drivers — which for weeks have driven Indiana gas prices to the lowest in the nation. “I want to make sure that Hoosiers, not only when it comes to gasoline…
Singer-songwriter Chris Knight set to perform at The Astra on Saturday, July 11
The Astra Theatre is incredibly excited to bring American singer/songwriter Chris Knight to The Astra on Saturday, July 11. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with music beginning at 8:00 p.m., when Chance Stanley kicks off the evening of live entertainment. Tickets are on sale now at www.AstraTheater.com. Reserved seating tickets are $30 for the balcony, $35…
Highway Department applying chip seal to Ferdinand Road NW – Sunset Drive
The Dubois County Highway Department will begin its chip seal overlay process on Monday, July 6, 2026 (today), on Ferdinand Road Northwest and Sunset Drive. Work will take place starting at Ferdinand Road NW near Industrial Park Road and continue all the way through to Sunset Drive near U.S. 231. Drivers can expect rolling road…
Press-Seal Corporation acquires Jasper Rubber Products
Third-generation rubber family plans to reopen the Jasper plant this summer and restore the operation that customers and the community relied on for decades The Skinner family, owners of Fort Wayne-based specialty rubber manufacturer Press-Seal Corporation, has acquired the assets of Jasper Rubber Products, Inc., following approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern…
Huntingburg seeking railroad safety grant as train blockage complaints mount
The Huntingburg Board of Works approved applying for a railroad safety grant that would fund a train detection and public alert system aimed at reducing traffic disruptions caused by stopped trains blocking city crossings. Street Superintendent Jason Stamm brought the proposal to the board after meeting with Mayor Neil Elkins to explore the Indiana Department…
Annual Cops Cycling for Survivors to launch Monday, July 6
Cops Cycling for Survivors will launch its 25th Annual “Ride to Remember” on Monday, July 6, 2026, continuing a quarter-century tradition of honoring Indiana’s fallen law enforcement officers and supporting the survivors who carry their legacy forward. What began in 2002 as a ride to Washington, D.C. has grown into a powerful statewide mission. Each July,…
