The DNR gave an update Wednesday on progress of the Indiana Conservation Officers K-9 Academy currently taking place. The academy is halfway through as K-9 handlers from Zambia, Africa, Washington State, Kansas, Indiana and Virginia are honing their skills. The DNR says that in addition to man-tracking and article search, the K-9s are learning to sniff out wildlife and ginseng and other natural resources that are frequently poached or exploited in their respective states and countries. Additional photos were posted to the Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Facebook page.

The Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) approved and provided updates Wednesday on initiatives working to grow Indiana’s pipeline of special education teachers statewide.  The SBOE’s says its final approval creates a new alternative route license in special education. In alignment with federal requirements, the new license will allow special education teachers previously working on an emergency permit to continue serving in Indiana classrooms while completing a professional educator license in special education or an addition to their existing license. The alternative route license in special education, which will be valid for three years, requires an educator to hold a

Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced today that Hoosiers should expect to begin receiving their promised $125 Automatic Taxpayer Refund in the coming weeks, resulting in a 12 percent cut in the average Hoosier’s annual income tax liability. “I’m beyond thrilled that this spring and summer we are returning money back into the hands of Hoosier taxpayers, where it belongs,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Our conservative fiscal leadership and pro-growth policies makes this tax refund possible for all Hoosier households.” The Governor first announced in December that an estimated 4.3 million taxpayers will receive a $125 refund after they file their 2021

On Tuesday, Edgewood Elementary School in Michigan City received a donation of nearly $50,000 in school supplies from Enchanted Backpack. The delivery was greeted by Edgewood students, teachers, and staff in a celebration just outside the school doors. Included were classroom supplies, winter coats, hygiene products, books, playground equipment, and more.  Principal Kristin Smith of Edgewood Elementary said this donation helps all 369 Edgewood students accomplish much more socially, emotionally, and academically. Smith thanked Enchanted Backpack, saying "this generous gift provides all students with the supplies needed for a successful school year." These supplies will be distributed to students in

The City of Valparaiso has become Indiana’s first Monarch City, USA, recognized by the nonprofit organization Monarch City, USA, for the city’s work to support the monarch population by providing habitats and awareness. Monarch butterflies are threatened worldwide as their habitats of milkweed and other nectar plans are vanishing. More than a billion monarch butterflies have vanished since 1990, according to data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The City of Valparaiso prepared a proclamation to raise awareness of the monarch butterfly’s plight, encouraging others to plant native milkweed and other nectar plants to welcome them to Valparaiso, provide

The following is a new update from NICTD (the South Shore Line) on the NWI Double Track project construction: “INFORMATION UPDATED 4/11/2022 GARY- MILLER STATION AREA All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. New sewer work has begun in the west parking lot. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular access from Melton Road (US 20) will be closed, the driveway from Old US 12/Dunes Highway will remain open. Construction activities may be taking place on the shoulder of Dunes Hwy.NIPSCO will have periodic lane closures

Michigan City Area Schools has announced a new partnership with Diversity Squared, aimed at connecting graduating high school seniors to employment and other post-secondary opportunities in the region. The “City Connect” program will supplement existing school counseling efforts, serving approximately 50 Michigan City High School seniors who have not established firm post-graduation plans. Diversity Squared, a consulting firm with strong workforce preparation and placement experience, will assist these students through one-on-one and small-group sessions, helping them determine next steps aligned with their areas of interest. City Connect activities include: Workshops focused on soft skills, work ethic, and related skills to ensure students’ readiness for the workplace, military, or

The Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City announced Monday that the African Lions and the Bengal Tigers will soon have more room at the WPZoo. The zoo says it will soon start work on a  $1.6 million dollar habitat expansion project to “Build for the Big Cats”.   The construction start date has yet to be announced. The zoo says some pathways will close while the work takes place.  The Washington Park Zoo says if you’re interested in supporting the project, or any of the many other planned improvements, including the renovations to make the free flight parakeet aviary into an

The Town of Chesterton announced on its Facebook page that the town's park board selected Tyler McLead as their new park superintendent. At its meeting last Wednesday, the Park Board voted unanimously to make McLead the new Park Superintendent. The position has been vacant since the resignation of Shane Griffin in January. Current Park Board Member and retired superintendent Bruce Mathias has been serving under contract as Interim Superintendent. McLead’s first day on the job: Monday, May 2. McLead has 12 years of experience in municipal recreation, most recently as Superintendent, St. John Parks & Recreation; and prior to that

April 11th, 2022, on Sunday at approximately 10:15pm, the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call in reference to a burglary in progress at 3309 Franklin St. Additional information was received by Dispatchers of a dark colored vehicle headed south on Franklin St. Multiple Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 2 and Uniform Patrol Shift 3 immediately responded and began to canvas the area for the dark colored vehicle. A vehicle matching the description given was located traveling south on Franklin St and a traffic stop was performed by Officers in the 4100 Block of Franklin St. The driver

Turkey mating season is upon us. Please use caution as the males are much more aggressive over the course of this next month. It is very normal for them to chase their reflection on your car and become more aggressive when a female bird is around. Use caution and let the Ogden Dunes Police Department know if you are experiencing particular problems in a certain area. They will see what kind of solution they can work out.

Attorney General Todd Rokita invites Hoosiers to head on over to IndianaUnclaimed.gov and see what “egg-cellent” surprises you might find. You never know what the Easter bunny might bring to spice up your holiday. “My office is committed to returning unclaimed property to Hoosiers,” Attorney General Rokita said. “This Easter holiday is a perfect time to hop online and start searching for something every bunny will love.” While all states administer unclaimed property programs, Indiana is the only one where the attorney general oversees this function. Last year, Attorney General Rokita’s Unclaimed Property Division returned $48 million to Hoosiers, and you

A driver was arrested for OWI Friday morning after being over 5 times the legal limit. Troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Friday morning, 911 callers contacted the post to report an erratic driver traveling northbound on I-65. Trooper Stancy and Trooper Runyon located the vehicle and were able to get the driver to stop near the 243 mile-marker (north of the Lowell exit). Police say that during the investigation, the driver could barely stand without falling over. Out of an abundance of caution, an ambulance was called and the driver was transported to a hospital for an evaluation.

Valparaiso Police Chief Jeff Balon announced Friday another graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, School of Police Staff and Command. Balon stated , “As Chief of Police, I consider it a vital part of my role to create and facilitate a viable succession plan for the Valparaiso Police Department (VPD).  This includes developing and mentoring future leaders of the department.   One of the ways the department does this is by sending potential leaders to Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, School of Police Staff and Command. This is a 10-week training course that teaches police officers, holding

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department recently welcomed the Steady Stitchers Sewing Group to its new “home” in the park facility at 1640 First St. The group, which is part of Purdue Extension Homemakers, takes in donations and makes items to donate to the less fortunate in the community. As part of the transition to operating the Activity Center for Older Adults, the department collaborated with other community partners to move the Steady Stitchers from the basement. The group celebrated the new location with its Lend-A-Hand Day Thursday, drawing dozens of volunteers to help with sewing projects.

LAPORTE COUNTY- The State Road 8 bridge over the Kankakee River, four miles east of La Crosse, will be closed for maintenance starting Monday at 7 a.m. State Road 8 will be closed between County Road South 600 West and State Road 39, at South 600 West., until June 22 at about 5:00 p.m. The Indiana Department of Transportation says motorists should use the official detour of U.S. 421 north to U.S. 30 east to State Road 39 south.

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) announced it received approval on Friday from the Purdue University Board of Trustees to offer a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree. PNW plans to transition current undergraduates and welcome new students into the program during the 2022-23 academic year, pending approval by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. PNW students currently enrolled in the bachelor’s of Computer Information Technology degree, with a concentration in Cybersecurity, would be eligible to transition to the new Cybersecurity bachelor’s degree. Since 2014, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Security Agency (NSA) have jointly designated PNW

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office said on a Facebook post Thursday that concerned citizens are reporting the arrival of "suspicious subjects" at their residences.   Police say, the unidentified males are telling homeowners they are affiliated with ADT Security Services. Police advise the public that “this bad acting duo” are not representatives of ADT and to not allow them inside your residence.