The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Wednesday shared a first look at a new early warning dashboard, which is currently under development to help educators identify students who may be at risk of not graduating and, ultimately, direct resources accordingly. IDOE also presented the state’s most recent chronic absenteeism data, which increased significantly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, Indiana’s chronic absenteeism rate for the 2022-2023 school year was 19.3%, meaning nearly one in five students missed at least 10% of school days or about three and a half weeks. While the state’s chronic absenteeism rate decreased from the 2021-2022 school

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW), following a rigorous review process, has earned designation as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (IEP) from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU). The IEP designation is an acknowledgement for public research universities with strong evidence of collaboration with public and private sector partners to support economic development, innovation, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, talent and workforce development, and community development. The designation is a significant mark of excellence for PNW that recognizes its mission as a metropolitan university and its proven impactful change for its surrounding communities. “What has long

Yesterday (Oct. 4) marked Energy Efficiency Day, and NIPSCO is reminding customers that small changes around the house can have big energy savings during the colder months ahead. • Use natural light: Natural light is a source of free heat that many homes overlook. Leave your curtains open during the day to allow your rooms to absorb some warmth. Furthermore, natural light has physiological benefits – it improves your vision, helps you sleep, and can improve your mood. • Turn back the thermostat: First and foremost, be cautious of how high you set the thermostat temperature during the winter. Your

The Indiana Toll Road has announced that the Exit 17 (Gary East) eastbound entrance ramp will be closed through Oct. 21. The detour route is as follows: Eastbound travelers can take U.S. 20 east to Ripley Street south. Take Ripley south to I-94 east then take I-94 east to Indiana Toll Road Exit 16.

Press release by City of Valparaiso: Rod Gayda and Jeff Lamb have been named to the Valparaiso Utilities Board, announced Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy. “We’re so pleased to have Rod Gayda and Jeff Lamb join this important board for the City. Their leadership and business experience as well as long-term commitment to the community make them both excellent additions to the city’s leadership team,” said Mayor Murphy. Rod Gayda is the owner of Gayda & Associates, an insurance agency and tax preparation firm serving Northwest Indiana. He is a graduate of Calumet College of St. Joseph with a degree in

Mayor Tom Dermody and the Board of Public Works & Safety Tuesday announced the hiring of Roscoe Hoffman as the first-ever IT Director for the City of La Porte. Hoffman’s resume includes 12 years of IT experience, most recently with La Porte County E-911 and Sheriff’s Office. Before that, Hoffman worked at Dunebrook as both a Family Support Manager and IT Manager. Dermody said Hoffman’s focus will be to improve efficiencies among departments and bolster the city’s cybersecurity against potential hazards. “Roscoe will be a fantastic addition to our City of La Porte leadership team,” Dermody said. “In this ever-changing

Press release by Franciscan Health: CROWN POINT, Ind. – Franciscan Health Crown Point is hosting a two-day trauma symposium aimed at helping attendees understand trauma in its various forms. “Understanding the connections between physical trauma and psychological trauma and how the two impact one another can lead to better outcomes for patients, families, healthcare professionals, first responders and the entire community,” said Franciscan Health Crown Point Manager of Trauma and Injury Prevention Jennifer Homan, RN MSN CPSTI. “Franciscan Health Crown Point is proud to bring these professionals together to address and discuss these issues.” The symposium is designed for healthcare

A Michigan City woman has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death after striking her husband with a vehicle Monday at the Tall Timbers Apartment complex. Just before 3 p.m., dispatch received a 911 call indicating that a Chrysler 200 had struck a pedestrian, and another vehicle, in the parking lot of the Tall Timbers apartment complex at the 3000 block of Springland Avenue. The driver fled the area after the crash. Officers responded to the scene as did the Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County EMS. The pedestrian was identified as 24-year-old Kyle

The Water Department's biannual water system flushing will take place in two weeks, according to La Porte Water Superintendent Tim Werner. Beginning Sunday, Oct. 15 and continuing for three to four weeks, crews will be out to flush fire hydrants throughout the community Sunday through Thursday between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Werner said this process is a critical part of maintaining the city’s water quality and infrastructure. "Twice a year, our crews spend several weeks working through the night to help ensure the integrity of our water system for decades to come," Werner said. "While we know that this

Press release via Chesterton Police Department Facebook page: A former instructional assistant and teacher at Chesterton High School was arrested today, Monday, Oct. 2, on a charge of child seduction, three counts; and obstruction of justice, one count, the Chesterton Police Department is reporting. Dakota McCoy, 30, of Valparaiso, was taken into custody without incident by the Porter County Sheriff’s Police, who served a warrant issued this morning. Child seduction is a Level 5 felony, punishable by a term of one to six years. Obstruction of justice is a Level 6 felony, punishable by a term of six to 30

Press release by Duneland Chamber of Commerce: The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is proud to present an essential seminar on active threat preparedness. In today's world, safety is paramount, and this seminar will provide you with invaluable skills and strategies to navigate emergency situations. Date: Tuesday, October 17th Time: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM Location: Hawthorne Park Community Center 500 Ackerman Drive Porter, IN 46304 Certified Active Threat Response Instructor, Lieutenant Dan Dickey from the Porter Police Department will lead this seminar, along with dedicated professionals from the Chesterton Police Department. Learn how to safeguard yourself, your team, and your

Press release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND, Ind. — Prospective students and their families are invited to Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) Preview PNW on Oct. 14 to learn more information about attending the region’s premier metropolitan university. Located just 30 miles from Chicago, PNW is where academic excellence meets real-world experience. Preview PNW allows prospective students to explore campus and discover how a PNW experience will help build hands-on skills, create connections with professors who care and Power Onward to their career goals. PNW offers more than 70 areas of study, over 80 student organizations and 20 athletic teams on

Press release by Franciscan Health: MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Newly released results for the 2022 Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) show Franciscan ACO (Accountable Care Organization) far outperforming the national average. In 2022, the first year under the Enhanced MSSP model, Franciscan ACO achieved a quality score of 86.36% and saved the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services $31.4 million, earning Franciscan ACO $23.1 million in shared savings. As a participant in the MSSP, Franciscan ACO is responsible for the total cost and quality of care for approximately 41,000 patients. Franciscan partners with physician groups, hospitals and other advance practice providers

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) gave an update Friday about the ongoing construction taking place at its administrative offices. Since the flood that occurred on Christmas Day last year, the administrative offices of the LCSO have been under construction, the LCSO said.  Work is progressing and is now scheduled to move into the lobby area of the agency. A tunnel from the south entry / exit doors of the La Porte County Complex extending to the main lobby of the Sheriff’s Office was erected Friday for the next phase of the project.  The tunnel will allow normal operations

With the deer reduction zone season underway and the statewide archery deer season starting Oct. 1, Indiana Conservation Officers remind hunters to stay safe. According to the DNR, more than 300,000 people are expected to participate in some form of deer hunting in Indiana during the various deer hunting seasons that run through Jan. 31, 2024, and the overwhelming majority typically do so safely. The DNR says when injuries occur, the most common are from accidents involving hunting from tree stands and elevated platforms. The DNR says to avoid such injuries, hunters should follow the safety tips listed below when

Michigan City High School inducted 13 students into its inaugural Computer Science Honor Society chapter Wednesday night. To qualify for induction, students must have been enrolled at MCHS for at least one semester, receiving a B or better in a Computer Science Course. MCHS now offers eight courses in Computer Science, with pathways in both Computer Science and Cybersecurity. Michigan City High School students Trevor Ackerman, Gavin Baldwin, Jess Buetow, Ethan David, Isaac LaFrance, Meshank Lunchsford, Aeden Phillips, O'mar Reyes, Levi Scoville, Carlos Serrano, Kourtnie Stockley, James Symons, and Jayden Wilson were inducted.

Governor Eric Holcomb announced Friday, the launch of Shatterproof Treatment Atlas, a free, confidential, first-of-its-kind tool to connect Hoosiers in need with appropriate addiction treatment and deliver user-friendly information about the quality of available programs. “Hoosiers with substance use disorder deserve timely access to quality care as soon as they’re ready to accept help,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Treatment Atlas puts recovery within immediate reach, giving Hoosiers and their loved ones a trusted resource to find evidence-based, high-quality treatment that meets their unique needs, anywhere in the state.” Indiana is one of 13 states to partner with Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced temporary lane closures on I-80/94. Crews will close three lanes on westbound I-80/94 between mile markers 8.5 and 6.5 to repair joint sealing. The lane closures are scheduled to start at 8 p.m. on October 2, and be complete by 5 a.m. on October 3. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change. INDOT says motorists should watch for slowed traffic in the area during the work and consider seeking an alternate route. INDOT encourages drivers to consider worker safety by slowing down, using extra caution and

Press release by Michigan City Area Schools: MICHIGAN CITY, IND.,  – Do you truly love what you do for a living? What are you passionate about? High-ability elementary school students from Michigan City Area Schools went beyond a traditional career fair to ask pressing questions such as these during a small-group interview session with members of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce recently, part of a project titled “Living on Purpose: Finding Your Passion and Making an Impact.” Fifteen members of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce took part in the interview session with the students, who are in multiage

MICHIGAN CITY, IN - If you are looking to replace a bed in your home, now is the time. Michigan City High School Band Program is excited to announce it will be hosting the 1st Annual one-day Mattress Fundraiser on Sunday, October 29th, from 11am-6pm. For one day only, the High School will be transformed into a mattress showroom. For information about the sale, go to bit.ly/beds4michigancity23. There will be 30 mattress styles on display in all sizes in styles for customers to try, priced below retail. Adjustable power bases, premium pillows, bed frames, and mattress protectors will be available as well.