JASPER — The month of March has brought to light the persistent drug problem that’s occurring throughout Dubois County. Just in the last nine days, the following individuals have been arrested by the Dubois County Sheriff’s Office for felony drug arrests, producing 52.2g of methamphetamine, a half gram of cocaine, more than 250 syringes, and a manufacturing lab that produced DMT, a psychedelic drug.

Joseph E. Fransted — Possession of Meth — (Level 6 felony) — (1.5g meth)

David A. Schutz — Possession of Meth (level 6 felony), Possession of Paraphernalia (C Mis.), Possess Marijuana (B Mis.) — (4.6g meth, 3.5g marijuana)

Devin R. Miller — Dealing/manufacturing in a schedule I controlled substance (level 5 felony), possession of an anabolic steroid (level 6 felony), possession of precursors w/ intent to manufacture controlled substance (level 6 felony), possession of a syringe (level 6 felony), maintaining a common nuisance (level 6 felony), possession of a controlled substance (A Mis.), possession of paraphernalia (A Mis.), Possession of a Device used to interfere with a drug or alcohol screening test (B Mis.). Miller was on probation for a prior criminal charge. The Dubois County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Dubois County Probation to assist in a home search at Miller’s residence. During the search, evidence of the crime indicated the manufacturing of DMT, a psychedelic drug. Mr. Miller was jailed again on numerous drug and manufacturing charges and later posted a $5,000 bond.

Amanda M. Canary — Possession of Meth (level 5 felony), Trafficking with an Inmate (level 5 felony), Possession of Paraphernalia (A Mis.) — (search of person at the Dubois County Security Center) (7.8g meth)

Jose J. Cruz-Mora — Possession of Cocaine — (level 6 felony) — Cruz-Mora was on probation for residential entry from a previous case. Probation contacted the Dubois County Sheriff’s Office to assist in a home search. DCSO Detectives went to his residence and found Cruz-Mora to be in possession of cocaine. Cruz-Mora was jailed and later posted a $1,500 bond. (.5g cocaine)

Craig S. Strotman — Possession of Meth (level 6 felony), Possession of paraphernalia (C Mis.) — (3.5g meth)

Cassandra B. Cole — Dealing in meth (level 2 felony), possession of meth (level 3 felony), dealing in schedule IV-controlled substance (level 6 felony), possession of legend drug (level 6 felony), possession of syringe (level 6 felony), possession of controlled substance (A Mis.), Dealing paraphernalia (A Mis.), Possession of paraphernalia (C Mis.) — (miscellaneous narcotics, 34.8g meth, 246 syringes)

Steven D. Street — Obstruction of Justice (level 6 felony), maintaining a common nuisance (level 6 felony), possession of a syringe (level 6 felony), possession of paraphernalia (C Mis.) — (search warrant from drug investigation) (syringe and paraphernalia)

Garrett D. DeHart — Maintaining a common nuisance (level 6 felony), possession of paraphernalia (C Mis.) — (search warrant from drug investigation)

Stormi R. Cole — Maintaining a common nuisance (level 6 felony), possession of a syringe (level 6 felony), possession of paraphernalia (C Mis.) — (search warrant from drug investigation)

From Sheriff Kleinhelter: “Our deputies have worked and continue to work extremely hard to try and combat the drug issues we have in Dubois County. These arrests are direct evidence that Dubois County has a drug problem and that drug problem will not get better without proactive policing and consequences.”

These arrests do not include those made by other law enforcement agencies serving Dubois County.

All charges mentioned are merely allegations and all suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

JASPER — A Crawford County driver and his passenger were injured Wednesday morning after striking an illegally parked vehicle on 9th Street, near Jackson Street in Jasper.

According to a Jasper Police Department press release, officers were dispatched to the scene around 7:10 a.m. to find a 2017 Ford Fiesta had struck a parked 2014 Hyundai passenger car.

The driver of the Ford, Darren Wright, 56, Leavenworth, sustained neck and back injuries, while a juvenile passenger complained of chest pain. Both were transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The roadway on Jackson Street, from 11th to 9th streets were temporarily shut down while the roadway was being cleared of debris.

JASPER — A Jasper man was found not guilty on multiple sexual-related charges.

On March 8 in Dubois County Circuit Court, a jury found Liam Kibby, 19, not guilty of rape, criminal confinement and sexual battery.

Kibby was arrested in August of 2022 following an investigation by the Jasper Police Department.

Tim

Young

Editor, The Herald

Sometimes you’ve got to do what just feels right.

For me — at least professionally speaking — doing what feels right has been dedicating almost my entire professional life to community journalism.

It’s really all I’ve ever known. Sure, I took a few years away to work in professional sports, teach at the University of Evansville and work in the non-profit sector, but even in those positions I still felt like a journalist at heart.

Except for a brief stint at the beginning of my career as the Business Editor for the Courier-Times in New Castle, my work experience has been squarely focused on southern Indiana.

I have covered everything from house fires and federal indictments to governmental budgeting sessions and tax increment finance districts. You name and I’ve probably written at least one story about it.

I’m excited to join Mike Stanley, Eric Whitaker, Julie Smith-Frazier, Corey Stolzenbach and Zane Clodfelter as we work in providing the best local journalism for the residents of Dubois County.

Journalists are not just observers for the community they work in. We celebrate your successes and we grieve your losses. We tell the stories of your victories and the stories of when you need to be lifted.

It’s what we do. And for me, it’s just what feels right.

JASPER — The Jasper Street Department advises of the closure of Main Street from 13th St. to 14th Street, on Thursday, March 16 from 8 a.m. until 4 pm., for waterline repair by a private contractor.

This section of Main Street is expected to re-open by the end of the day on Thursday, barring any unforeseen events. Motorists will need to find an alternate route, as there will be no access to this portion of Main Street.