The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that nearly 3,400 Hoosiers will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and an estimated 1,100 will die as a result of the disease this year. Screening and early detection can save lives, and screening does not have to be expensive or uncomfortable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is urging Hoosiers to get regular screenings and make healthy lifestyle choices to reduce their risks of developing the disease, which is the third-most commonly diagnosed cancer among

La Porte Hospital is opening the doors to its chapel for another “First Friday” concert.  On April 5, at noon, the musical ensemble, Knit Together will be playing and singing its popular southern gospel and folk music.  Instruments to be played for this performance include the soprano, baritone, and concert ukulele and a rain stick. Members of the group include Wayne and Lori Stefano, a local couple who have been married for nineteen years as well as Tammy Glanser who is married to her husband Gary.  The Glansers are proud parents of three children and many grandchildren. Selections for the

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) is warning taxpayers to be on alert when getting phone calls claiming they have unpaid tax bills. These phone calls are often scams designed to threaten individuals with some sort of law enforcement or legal action in order to get them to send money towards bogus tax bills. The federal government’s Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) reports that 14,700 victims have paid more than $72 million as a result of phone scams since 2013. Customers should be aware that DOR and the IRS will never: Call demanding immediate payment using a specific

The Social Security Administration (SSA) and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) launched a joint Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign addressing a nationwide telephone impersonation scheme. Social Security and the OIG continue to receive reports from across the country about fraudulent phone calls from people falsely claiming to be Social Security employees. Calls can even “spoof” Social Security’s national customer service number as the incoming number on the caller ID. The new PSAs will air on TV and radio stations across the country to alert the public to remain vigilant against potential fraud. Social Security employees do occasionally contact

Nearly 200 high-school students from across the state competed in 10 different categories at the 11th annual Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Career Development Conference in Indianapolis on March 15.The event was the culmination of months of regional competitions, which focused on several disciplines critical to future employment. The top students in each category from the regional competitions advanced to the state competition in Indianapolis for a chance to earn monetary awards by showcasing the employability skills they have learned through the program. JAG is a state-based, national not-for-profit organization that assists high-school students by helping them overcome academic challenges

The South Shore Line advises passengers it will be re-configuring and re-striping the East Chicago Station parking lot this Saturday, and possibly through Sunday. During this time, the western portion of the East Chicago parking lot (including the Indianapolis Boulevard entrance/exit) will be closed for pavement re-striping. During the closure, passengers must use the Michigan Street parking lot entrance/exit, as parking will only be available in the eastern portion of the lot. Beginning Monday, March 25, a new parking configuration will be in effect in the area directly south of the station, and passengers are advised to use caution and

Governor Eric J. Holcomb joined Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe McGuinness, law enforcement, and road construction industry partners yesterday to kick off the 2019 Next Level Roads construction season. The kickoff event was held at INDOT's Office of Materials Management in Indianapolis. The office develops, inspects and tests materials used to construct and maintain highways to ensure products used are efficient and effective. INDOT is embarking on its second full year of delivering Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level Roads plan, which leverages long-term, sustainable funding to make record-setting investments in Indiana’s transportation system. More than 1,100 projects are scheduled for

From the Michigan City Police “There has been some misinformation regarding sharps or needle disposal in LaPorte county. Unfortunately although we collect unwanted and unused prescription we cannot accept sharps or needles.” The MCPD Facebook post provides a list collection sites that are free to all LaPorte county residents. MCPD also stated “If you have sharps it is preferred that you collect them in empty detergent bottles until the collection dates come around.”

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced yesterday that several of its creative placemaking initiatives are highlighted in a report from the National Governor’s Association (NGA). Rural Prosperity through the Arts & Creative Sector: a Rural Action Guide for Governor’s and States, describes in detail the principles of arts-based rural development. The publication highlights successful, high-profile examples of rural communities and regions that have become more economically resilient through creative sector initiatives. Specifically, the report features examples of creative sector initiatives attuned to the assets and needs of rural communities; initiatives that work best as part of rural area economic development

Yesterday, Indiana American Water announced an all -party settlement agreement regarding its rate request with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) . The agreement is subject to approval by the IURC. Indiana American Water has invested more than $542 million in its water systems across the state to ensure reliable service to its customers. The agreement includes a 7.9 percent overall increase in operating revenues, primarily based on that investment. If approved by the IURC, the increases to water rates will be implemented in steps, with the first increase this summer of 1.73 percent and a second increase in mid-2020

Troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post will be conducting a sobriety check point at an undisclosed location in Lake County on Thursday, March 21st, 2019. Drivers passing through the checkpoint area should have their license and registration available and will only wait briefly while troopers determine whether further investigation is necessary. Hoosiers are asked to help do their part in making Indiana roadways safer by observing the following tips: Plan ahead and always use a designated driver. Don’t get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you’ve been consuming alcoholic beverages. Instead, call a taxi, a family member

South Shore Line service updates will be in effect to accommodate passengers attending the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo March 22-24, 2019, at McCormick Place. The SSL will be offering select weekday train stops at McCormick Place Station on Friday, March 22, in addition to regular service to McCormick Place during the weekend. Following is the list of weekday flag stop arrivals/departures scheduled for Friday. * For other specific station stop times,visit mysouthshoreline.com to view the full schedule of March 22 McCormick Place weekday stops.

In their second year as program sponsor to the local Girls on the Run council, NIPSCO also brings girl power.   A recent independent study led by Dr. Maureen Weiss, an expert in Positive Youth Development, found that Girls on the Run’s intentional life skills curriculum and highly trained coaches positively impact girls’ lives by helping them increase their self-confidence, develop healthy relationships and feel good about themselves.     Sixty percent of Girls on the Run participants rely on financial assistance in order to participate. NIPSCO’s financial support helps cover program-related costs such as: curriculum, healthy snacks, running shoes as

Yesterday, The Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE) Office of eLearning announced the recipients of the 2019 Digital Learning Grants. This year’s grants offer up to $50,000 to support districts in building digital initiatives like Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) instruction, project-based learning, and computer science curricula. The 2019 Digital Learning Grants focused on proposals that included vetted STEM curriculum, devices for coding, robotics equipment, and professional development for teachers. Forty-eight districts were awarded Digital Learning Grants, totaling just over $2.2 million in funding. Awarded grants ranged from $20,000 to $50,000. For a complete list of 2019 Digital Learning Grant

Eagala (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) program, Anam Cara Stables, has been providing life-changing services and improving the mental health of individuals, families, and groups through equine-assisted psychotherapy since May 2016. The Eagala Model is a team approach that includes a licensed Mental Health Professional, a qualified Equine Specialist, and horses working together with the client in an arena at all times. When inside the arena, all the work is done on the ground with the horses front and center, deliberately unhindered and never ridden, and allowed to interact with the client as they wish. “This creates the space

In celebration of DisAbility Awareness month, the Michigan City Human Rights Commission (MCHRC) is proud to present the Special Education 101 Forum on Wednesday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS) Administration Building located at 408 South Carroll Avenue.  Laura Swanson of IN*SOURCE, an advocacy group that educates families about special education and student rights, will kick off the evening by providing a Special Education overview. Swanson will talk about special education modifications and accommodations available to students with disabilities and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and she will provide parents with helpful tips on how

Michigan City Moves, a new performance collective dedicated to promoting and sharing experimental music, dance and film in the NW Indiana region, is presenting a series of performances, highlighting nature and architecture from the Indiana Dunes, to the Lubeznik Center for the Arts and a historic barn at Tryon Farm. The performances will feature the work of choreographers Kristina Isabelle and Melli Hoppe, sound media artist Elise Kermani, and costumes by Pilgrim Heidi Kambitsch. The series is inspired by the play Sacred Sands: A Play for Voices, written by David Hoppe, and the book Sacred Sands: The Struggle for Community

South Shore Line service updates will be in effect to accommodate passengers attending the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo March 22-24, 2019, at McCormick Place. The SSL will be offering select weekday train stops at McCormick Place Station on Friday, March 22, in addition to regular service to McCormick Place during the weekend. Following is the list of weekday flag stop arrivals/departures scheduled for Friday. * For other specific station stop times,visit mysouthshoreline.com to view the full schedule of March 22 McCormick Place weekday stops.