Jasper Emergency Responders Praised

In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, the board recognized dispatchers for their important contributions. Dispatchers are often the first responders in an emergency situation, and their work was described as being critical to a successful outcome. 

Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang echoed this sentiment, telling the board that dispatchers played an important role in a truck fire Monday night on Highway 231. The driver of a UPS truck called for assistance when his vehicle caught fire, and dispatchers relayed important information to emergency services. The road was closed and has since been reopened. 

In his monthly report, Police Chief Chad Dick recognized JPD’s three detectives, who investigate difficult cases including crimes against children. He also emphasized that the School Resource Officers are “the unsung heroes” of the community. During an 8-hour period of the recent storm weather, dispatch received 165 calls. Chief Dick said that he was thankful for the professionalism of the people who answer those calls and all of the other departments who coordinate to serve the community.
 

A recent traffic stop led to an arrest for possession of significant amounts of drugs and paraphernalia. Also this month, Officer Chambers took K-9 Gator to assist with a barricaded subject in Otwell. The subject surrendered without incident after encountering the K-9. 

Pending review, the board approved JPD’s purchase a product service plan for the Z-Tron Radio consoles used in dispatch. The Exos computer quote was also clarified and approved. 

In an update on current road conditions, Street Commissioner Jeff Theising said that South Newton and 3 rd and Newton have both been opened. Clay Street, 2 nd , Kathy Lane and Kellerville remain closed. Those roads still have significant debris and are not safe for vehicle traffic. The river has dropped 6 inches in the last 24 hours, so conditions are expected to improve. Theising also said that the Dubois County Highway Department will be closing the bridge at the corner of 150 North and 400 West on Thursday, April 10 for deck repairs, pending weather. 

City Engineer Chad Hurm received approval to close several streets in Country Club Estates for street replacements as part of a Community Crossings project. The reconstruction projects for 19 th , 20 th , Emily, and Poplar Lane will be completed in several phases and will take several months to complete. The Main Street Phase 2 project is in progress between 7 th and 8 th Streets, with crews completing storm sewer work on the east curb line. They will move over to west side by German American Bank next. Options to address the 4 th and Mill intersection are still being evaluated. 
 

In other business, some street closures will be implemented during Strassenfest from July 31 - August 3, 2025. The board also approved a request from Brosmer Land Surveying to accept easements at Sultan’s Run for a 9.3-acre plat. 

Old Jasper Day and the Lion’s Club Strawberry Festival will be held on Sunday, May 18 from 11- 3 at the Riverwalk Plaza. The annual one-day festival to kick off the summer will have activities available for all ages. The Lions Club will have food available for purchase in the Dave Buehler Plaza, and there will be a concert at the gazebo. The City Mill will be open, and those participating in the community scavenger hunt can register at the Riverwalk. Face painting and carriage rides will be available, and train rides on the Spirit of Jasper will leave the station at noon, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit jasperindiana.gov or JasperGov-Indiana on Facebook.