HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. – The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest hosted the inaugural Uthiverse StartUp Madness Business Pitch Tournament at the Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Hammond campus on March 30. Student teams from Hammond Central, Lowell and Munster high schools pitched their businesses for an opportunity to win $2,500 in seed money from Uthiverse. This seed funding can be used to improve their business idea, develop a prototype, create a minimum viable product (MVP), implement a marketing strategy or fund some other activity that helps them launch their venture. “It is always exciting to see students participate in

In Valparaiso, community volunteers are invited to join the Mayor’s Youth Council for a Spring Cleanup at Rogers Lakewood Park on April 13 from 9-11 a.m. The City of Valparaiso is asking those attending to wear comfortable clothes, bring your gloves and meet the city at the day camp shelter. Find more events going on in the Valpo area by visiting the city's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ValparaisoNow.  

Join LaPorte County Parks at Creek Ridge County Park and Luhr County Park 11:30am-4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 8 to view the eclipse. The eclipse will begin at 12:52 p.m. and peak at 2:08 p.m. This program will be joined by the La Porte County Public Library.

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce says it has morning, afternoon, and all-day volunteer opportunities available for their 8th Grade Reality Check that will be taking place on Friday, May 10 at Chesterton Middle School. “This fun and interactive experience demonstrates the importance of hard work and good grades for all 8th graders in the Duneland area,” the Duneland Chamber stated on Facebook. “We need around 120 volunteers to make this event successful, so please share with your friends!” Register below or email rachel@dunelandchamber.org for more information. https://form.jotform.com/240656632144151

Press Release, Indiana Judicial Branch: A 23-member Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future is now established by Supreme Court order. The Commission is tasked with exploring options for addressing Indiana’s attorney shortage and presenting findings and recommendations to the Court on future actions. Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush explained, “We currently have a critical shortage of lawyers, which is impacting access to justice in each of our 92 counties. It’s imperative that we address this issue now and act. But we must do so diligently and holistically. I am confident that this new commission will thoroughly examine potential solutions and come

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed Indiana’s first positive case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in LaGrange County. CWD is a neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, resulting in their eventual death. This positive case is adjacent to a region where CWD had previously been detected in Michigan. CWD has been detected in wild deer in 33 states, including all states bordering Indiana. “CWD has been in our region for many years with positive cases in all of our surrounding states,” said Joe Caudell, Indiana DNR deer biologist. “The public can help by reporting sightings of sick

The Indiana State Police-Lowell Post announced K9 Kai received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Kai’s vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed”. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom

An INDOT contractor will close U.S. 231 between Bell Street and Tenbrook Drive on or after Monday, April 15 through mid-June for two consecutive projects. U.S. 231 will first be closed between Hendricks Place and Tenbrook Drive for a pipe lining project. After the first project is complete, the closure of U.S. 231 will be between Bell Street and Fathke Road for a small structure replacement project. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow U.S. 41, U.S. 30 and State Road 55.

The Washington Park Zoo is looking for volunteers. The Zoo says whether it is a few hours or a few days, they appreciate the help. The Zoo says they have plenty of projects for volunteers to fit everyone's skills from gardening to construction. The zoo is currently looking for volunteers with carpentry skills to help staff update and replace the Petting Yard fences. For more information please contact the Zoo at 219 873-1510 or email: jhuss@emichigancity.com.

One person died and two people were injured after a multi-vehicle crash Thursday on I-80/94 in Lake County. At around 1:25 p.m., troopers were dispatched to the crash on I-80/94 eastbound at the Columbia Avenue overpass between Calumet Avenue and Indianapolis Boulevard. Preliminary investigation shows that a semi was traveling in the second lane from the left and was slowing in traffic. A Kia Sorento SUV that was either slowing or stopped behind that semi, was rear-ended by another semi at a high rate of speed.  This initial impact pushed the Kia underneath the trailer of the front semi. A

Press Release, Indiana Toll Road: Today the Indiana Toll Road (ITR), long-term lessee and operator by ITR Concession Company LLC, and the Indiana Department of Transportation Northwest District (INDOT) remind drivers to exercise caution and stay aware during the rare celestial event. As the highly anticipated 2024 Total Solar Eclipse approaches, INDOT and ITR urge motorists to be aware of potential hazards on the road. While this event offers a spectacular sight, it may also pose risks to drivers. During the eclipse, there may be limited visibility on roadways due to the darkening skies. However, it is crucial for motorists

The Cedar Lake Police Department announced on Thursday that Gary Shipley, who was missing, was found safe by Hobart police. A Silver Alert had been issued on Wednesday and is now cancelled. No further information was given in the update from police.  

Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) recently gave an update on the South Shore Line Double Track NWI Project. The NICTD Double Track Northwest Indiana Project includes construction of 26.6 miles of new second track between Gary and Michigan City along NICTD’s existing South Shore Line. Construction began in 2021 on this $649 million major infrastructure investment. The project is slated to reach completion in May 2024 on schedule. Elements of the project include approximately two miles of completely new right-of-way in Michigan City, platform reconfigurations at five stations, construction of 1,475 additional parking spaces, a new overhead catenary power

Franciscan Health Michigan City will provide free blood pressure, blood glucose and body mass index screenings at three Michigan City barbershops on April 20 as part of the 12th Annual Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative. The events, which are free and open to the public, will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sharper’s Image inside Meijer at 5150 Franklin St., Platinum Designs at 1801 Franklin St. and Marvelous Cuts at 4327 Franklin St. Health education and giveaways will also be part of the events. The Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males along with hundreds

Early Voting at the Chesterton town hall will begin on Tuesday, April 9, and run through Monday, May 6, the Town of Chesterton said on its Facebook page. Voting hours are as follows: *8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. *11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. *8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27; and Saturday, May 4. Hours of voting on Primary Election Day, Tuesday, May 7: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Chesterton Town Council voted unanimously at its meeting Monday night, March 25, to appoint Captain Brandon Smith the Deputy Chief of Fire Operations. Smith joins on the CFD command staff Deputy Chief of Administration and Community Risk Reduction Aimee Gilbert. “The (Fire Department Oversight Committee) and myself interviewed three internal candidates,” Fire Chief Sean O’Donnell noted. Member Erin Collins, D-2nd—who serves as the Town Council’s liaison to the CFD and is seated on the FDOC—participated in those interviews. “Brandon did an excellent job and I think he’s going to make a great Deputy Chief,” she said.

Hannah Trueblood has been named to the Valparaiso Board of Zoning Appeals by the Valparaiso City Council, announced Mayor Jon Costas. “Hannah Trueblood’s commitment to the community and background in service make her an excellent addition to our city’s Board of Zoning Appeals,” said Mayor Costas. Hannah Trueblood is a lifelong Valparaiso resident who has served as a full-time real estate broker since 2017. She has served on the Porter County Tax Board of Appeals, is a member of Northwest Indiana National Organization for Women and serves on the board for Valpo Next. She is the mother of two and

An East Chicago man is facing charges after crashing into an Indiana State Trooper’s patrol vehicle and fleeing the scene. On March 7, at about 11:30 p.m., Trooper Kevin Council was assisting with traffic direction on Cline Avenue near the bridge over the Grand Calumet River. Council was parked in the left lane with his police emergency lights activated due to an earlier crash that other officers were investigating. An SUV rear-ended Council’s police car, then revved its engine, and fled the scene at a high rate of speed. Council had to be transported to a local hospital for treatment

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announced on Wednesday that it is receiving reports of an individual who is posing as a La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy over the phone. Police say the individual has spoofed the Sheriff’s Office phone number, 219-326-7700, and is contacting unsuspecting people regarding an outstanding warrant for failure to appear with jury duty. The individual requests money over the phone to clear up the warrant. “The La Porte County Sheriff's Office would like to inform the public that no staff from the Sheriff's Office will contact you via the telephone and request payments for

The City of Valparaiso is offering a Know Your Neighbor grant program to support neighborhood gatherings, planned activities, block parties and other creative ideas that bring neighbors together. Neighborhood groups are eligible to apply once per year for a $250 Know Your Neighbor grant to pay for food truck rental, live music, bounce house or other entertainment and more. If your neighborhood does not have an active association or is a newly forming group, you may qualify for up to $500 to bring neighbors together for the first time. The grant is awarded as a reimbursement. Applicants are responsible for