The hunt for wild mushrooms is on in Michigan, and people are searching the forests for these coveted, tasty treasures – both for their own enjoyment and for selling to others. Before you join the hunt, though, there are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to properly identifying mushrooms, choosing ideal locations to search and understanding Michigan's Food Code requirements governing who sells hand-picked mushrooms. In case you missed it, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently wrote about wild mushroom season and things for consumers and restaurateurs to know. Read the full story

On Friday afternoon, the Valparaiso Police were responding to a report of a Robbery at CVS Pharmacy, 1805 Calumet Rd., as off-duty units were traveling in the area. Sgt. Mark LaMotte and Ptrl. Ryan Sobierajski were en route to the K9 event in Central Park when they overheard the dispatch, which included a physical description of the suspect. The suspect, 30 year old Ryan Nichols of Valparaiso, was then observed in the area and fled when he observed police. Nichols was soon detained and transported to the police station, where he was interviewed by detectives. The investigation revealed Nichols, who

Gov. Eric Holcomb joined the Indiana High School Athletic Association at the Governor’s Residence on Friday to host the 2019 boys and girls championship basketball teams. The teams were invited to have lunch and shoot baskets on the Governor’s Court. The schools in attendance included Michigan City-based Marquette Catholic, Kokomo-based Northwestern, Carmel, Hamilton Southeastern, Fort Wayne-based Blackhawk Christian, Converse-based Oak Hill, and Sellersburg-based Silver Creek. Marquette won the Class-A State Championship this year.

The Michigan City Brownfields Coalition (MCBC) will be hosting a public meeting at 5:00 PM, on May 22nd, at the Michigan City Sanitary District, located at 1100 E. 8th Street, Michigan City, IN 36360. This public meeting will follow the regularly scheduled Sanitary District Board of Commissioners Meeting. The MCBC is comprised of the Michigan City Sanitary District, the City of Michigan City, and the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission. The purpose of this meeting is to provide the public with information regarding the $600,000 Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Hazardous Substances and Petroleum Brownfields Coalition Assessment Grant. The presentation will include

PFLAG continues their second year of the PFLAG Michigan City and LaPorte County Chapter. Located in the Artspace Uptown Artist Lofts in the Uptown Arts District in Michigan City. They meet this month on Thursday, May 23rd, at 6:30 pm. PFLAG welcomes everybody who are allies including everyone in the LGBTQA+ community. The gathering will begin with a pizza social for an opportunity to talk with each other and get to know one another better. Then there will be a group conversation about what's on your mind and what's happening in our community. Anything and everything talked about at the

Governor Holcomb announced that Office of Management and Budget Director Micah Vincent will depart from his position and Cris Johnston, the governor’s deputy chief of staff, will replace him. The change is effective June 30.As previously announced, Friday was Jason Dudich’s last day as state budget director. Vincent will take over those responsibilities on an interim basis until a replacement is named.Vincent has accepted a position as vice president, strategy+M&A, with The Heritage Group, in Indianapolis. Among key successes, Vincent assisted with the development of the transportation infrastructure plan approved by the General Assembly in 2017 that fully funds roads

The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) honored its cadets with an awards ceremony at MCHS on May 16th.  Representatives from numerous organizations presented awards to cadets for accomplishments on their Military Drill, Shooting and Cyber Patriot teams. Additionally, cadets who had excelled scholastically, athletically, in other MCHS extracurricular activities, and in  participating in community service and parades and ceremonies were recognized.May is a busy month for the cadets.  They have already worked the Barker Craft Show, the Barker Dance, the  Pine Elementary Carnival, the Unified Track meet, and the MCHS Senior Award

Lake Hills Elementary School (201 Ferguson Road in Michigan City) will hold a 10th Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday, May 22. Current students and families, alumni (of Lake Hills and Mullen), community partners, and present and former staff are invited to attend this event, which will take place from 5:00 to 6:30pm at the school. Food, games, activities, and a preview of the school's outdoor learning lab will highlight the celebration. Due to limited parking at Lake Hills, a free shuttle service will run from the Michigan City Senior Center to the school between the hours of 4:30 and 7:00pm.

The Valparaiso Police responded to the report of a vague school threat today, which had been communicated through social media.  The report was originally provided to School Resource Officers in Portage who notified Valparaiso Police. The reported social media thread contained no direct threat to any school or school system.  The original reporting party believed a name in the thread was a Valparaiso Student; however, this was discovered to be incorrect. The generic statement was found to have originated in Lake County and was a posted screenshot of a thread from December 2018.  The threat was traced back to a

Indiana’s unemployment rate remains at 3.6 percent for April, and the national rate also stands at 3.6 percent. The monthly unemployment rate is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicator that reflects the number of unemployed people seeking employment within the prior four weeks as a percentage of the labor force. Indiana’s labor force had a net increase of 1,349 over the previous month. This was a result of an increase of 29 unemployed residents and an increase of 1,320 employed residents. Indiana's total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3.41 million,

Michigan City Area Schools has announced plans to participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Free meals will be made available to all children 18 years of age and under and to persons over 18 years who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled. Free meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children. There will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.Free meals will be provided at the sites and times as follows:A.K. Smith Career Center (317 Detroit St.), June 3 – June

In celebration of National Nurses Week, nursing team members from Franciscan Health Michigan City presented their annual “You Can Be a Nurse” program at Edgewood Elementary School.The presentation was made on Thursday, May 9, to the third-grade classes at the school. Discussion included topics such as the types of classes to take in high school and college to be a nurse; men in the nursing field; and the types of settings where nurses work.Booths were set up to show students health demonstrations, including handwashing, how to cover your cough, surgery garb and how an EKG works.

Beginning Monday, May 20th, Eastbound Train 205, departing at 6:48a from Millennium Station to Gary Metro Center, will be canceled due to construction near the East Chicago Station that will impact track availability. The temporary cancellation of Tr 205 is expected to last through mid- to late June 2019. Recommended alternative service during this period includes eastbound Train 203 or Train 207. Indiana Department of Education Announces 2018-2019 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program School of the Year

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) applauds efforts of Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly to strengthen the state’s business-friendly environment and position Indiana for long-term economic growth and job creation. Following the conclusion of the 2019 legislative session, Gov. Holcomb signed multiple pieces of legislation that will modernize Indiana’s tax code and enhance economic development tools, increasing the state’s competitiveness, economic diversity and flexibility.

La Porte Police said in a statement that on May 11th several officers from LPD participated in the Cops and Bobbers Event. Eleven children participated and everyone involved had a good time. After going over some fishing basic and laws the kids were able to catch a total of 29 fish. After passing out trophies everyone enjoyed a cookout.

The La Porte County Small Animal Shelter will have an Open House this Saturday. Not only will they be celebrating five years of the Stevens Treatment Center but they will also be dedicating the completion of Zack Petri’s Eagle Scout Gazebo project in memory of retired LaPorte County Sheriff Sergeant Roger Bernard , who served the residents of LaPorte County for 28 years. The dedication will take place at 12:00pm with Scoutmaster Coleman and LaPorte County Sheriff Captain Andy Hynek speaking. Refreshments will be served.

A ceremony held yesterday on the south lawn of the Indiana Statehouse recognized the graduation of seven K-9 teams from the DNR Division of Law Enforcement’s K-9 Resource Protection Program.The seven graduating teams represented the states of Kansas, Oregon, Utah and Virginia.The K-9 teams trained and honed their skills in Orange County in southern Indiana to qualify to the ceremony.The Indiana K-9 program started in 1997, with a pilot program of two teams. The effectiveness of the program was quickly realized. The program grew to a team of 12 K-9 units located throughout Indiana. There is at least one K-9

Chief Mark Swistek and The Michigan City Police Commission, have announced the hiring of six new officers. Sworn in during a ceremony in the Community Room were Officers Cody Brzezinski, Jesus Alvarez, Zachery Wells, Tyler Wenzel, Rene Lozano, and Cole Foster. The ceremony was well attended by friends, family and departmental staff. With the hiring of these six officer it brings the department to full complement. They began their training immediately, where they will receive intensive training in various areas including firearms, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operation, and criminal law. They will also begin the Field Training Program in June

A part-time position is available at the Porter County Administration Center to relieve and assist the main switchboard. The hours are 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Thursday, and 9:30 to 3:30 on Friday (29 hours per week). Hourly rate starts at $12 per hour (no benefits included). Duties include operation of the switchboard and information desk, distribution of inter-office mail, sorting and processing of mail at the Administration Center, the Court House and various assigned clerical duties. Email resume and application (available online @ porterco.org) to ryoung@porterco.org or applications may be dropped off at the Porter County Board of Commissioners’

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) applauds efforts of Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly to strengthen the state’s business-friendly environment and position Indiana for long-term economic growth and job creation. Following the conclusion of the 2019 legislative session, Gov. Holcomb signed multiple pieces of legislation that will modernize Indiana’s tax code and enhance economic development tools, increasing the state’s competitiveness, economic diversity and flexibility.