The results of the first statewide random sample study in the United States to measure the spread of COVID-19 indicated a general population prevalence of about 2.8 percent in Indiana. This closely monitored study was conducted by the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI in collaboration with the Indiana State Department of Health. The findings were published July 21 in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's scientific publication. Between April 25 and May 1, researchers tested more than 4,600 Hoosiers for viral infections and antibodies of SARS-CoV-2, the

In Porter County, watch for lane closures on State Road 149 at the intersection with U.S. 12. The inside lanes of State Road 149 in both the northbound and southbound directions are closed near the intersection. Motorists will still be able to turn onto and from U.S. 12. This closure is expected to last until the beginning of August. After that, traffic will be shifted to the southbound lanes while work on the bridge in this location begins in the northbound lanes. The entire project is expected to be completed in early November.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) is warning and alerting citizens of a ruse by subjects purporting to be NIPSCO employees. Last Friday, an elderly homeowner who resides in the 100 block of Longwood Drive, La Porte, had a white male subject show up at his residence. The subject told the homeowner he was a NIPSCO employee and needed to trim some trees away from wires located on the property. The homeowner and subject walked through the residence to the backyard to view the trees. As this wasoccurring, a black male subject entered the residence and committed a burglary.

The City of Valparaiso and Police Department have decided that daily, downtown parking enforcement will return on August 3rd. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, this enforcement has been set aside to aid in access to downtown, providing various parking options for entry into restaurants and businesses. As activities have started a return to normalcy, parking needs have increased and are initiating calls for enforcement to be resumed. If any changes are presented by Governor Holcomb, or his Executive Order, alternate considerations may be taken.

Wednesday, July 29 – LaPorte County 10 a.m. – Noon CDT WHERE: Marquette Mall, 201 W. US 20 (outside of J.C. Penny), Michigan City, IN 46360 Thursday, July 30 – St. Joseph County 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. EDT WHERE: Food Bank of Northern Indiana, 702 Chapin Street, South Bend, IN 46601 Fresh perishable items and dry goods offered free of charge. All items will be pre-boxed and pre-bagged. First come, first served, for up to 400 households while supplies last for those in need of food assistance. One per household. This will be a drive-thru distribution. The food bank

Monday morning at approximately 9:30 a.m., Indiana State Trooper Brant Goubeaux was dispatched to an injury involving a crash on I-80/94 at the 1.8 mile-marker.  Preliminary investigation by Trooper Goubeaux shows that a Nissan was traveling eastbound in lane #2 when the driver of the Nissan failed to slow for the traffic congestion that he was approaching. It appeared that the driver may have taken evasive action and lost control of the Nissan. The Nissan then merged to the right, striking the driver’s side of a semi’s trailer.  The Nissan struck the trailer with such force that it rocked the

Michigan City Mayor Duane Parry has deployed the City’s “Work from Home Policy” for all employees of City Hall until August 3rd, due to an employee recently testing positive for COVID-19.   All the various departments within City Hall will continue functioning with basic services, and the public may contact a specific department via email and phone. These measures are precautionary and are intended to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus.   City Hall will undergo a deep cleaning and disinfection during this closure.   At this time, Mayor Parry is requesting that all City Boards and Commissions resume virtual meetings

Indiana’s unemployment rate dropped by 1.1 percent  to 11.2 percent for June. The national rate is 11.1 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 53,484 over the previous month. This was a result of a decrease of 28,747 unemployed residents and an increase of 82,231 employed residents. Learn more about how unemployment rates are calculated here: https://www.hoosierdata.in.gov/infographics/employment-status.asp.

This past Friday, NIPSCO, announced the next phase of its plans to transition to lower-cost, cleaner energy resources, with the addition of two new solar farms that will be based in central Indiana.The announcement is part of the energy provider’s “Your Energy, Your Future” initiative which is  a customer-centric effort focused on delivering a more affordable, reliable and sustainable energy mix for the future. NIPSCO plans to be coal-free by 2028, and the company is adding a combination of renewable energy sources including wind, solar and battery storage technology to its existing natural gas generation resources. Several Indiana-based wind projects

The Indiana Region of the American Red Cross is looking for people to help sew and distribute face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, face coverings are needed within many communities and organizations; Red Cross volunteers are stepping up. In Indiana, more than 8,000 face coverings have already been sewn and distributed over the past seven weeks to agencies providing childcare, senior and veteran services. Non-sewers are needed too—for ironing, cutting out patterns, disinfecting and packaging, and inventorying and delivering to organization. To learn more, visit the Red Cross website, or contact jeffrey.imel@redcross.org

This past Thursday a serious crash occurred in LaPorte County involving a bicyclist. Deputies were dispatched to the 8700 west block of US 20. An injured male subject was lying on US 20.  A pickup truck with damage was stopped in a lane of US 20 and a damaged bicycle was nearby.  The crash investigation determined a pickup truck was traveling east on US 20 and a bicyclist, identified as 43 year old Joseph   R. Childers of Michigan City, was cycling westbound on US 20 in the eastbound lane of travel.  The truck was unable to avoid and struck Childers.

In conjunction with the Michigan City Back To School Rally, organizers are encouraging businesses, churches, and other organizations to donate supplies that will be provided directly to schools this year.Supplies especially needed due to the COVID-19 pandemic include pencil boxes, water bottles, cloth face masks, facial tissues, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, quart. The annual “Citywide Back to School Rally” will take place in Michigan City, August 8th, however it will look quite a bit different than in past years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizing sponsors have moved the annual event to Michigan City High School, where it will be

As the City navigates through the unprecedented developments in the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mayor is closely monitoring the situation. His first concern is for the health and safety of all residents. On Wednesday evening, LaPorte County Health Department, along with the LaPorte County Commissioners, passed a mandate requiring facemasks for all of LaPorte County including outdoor public areas where a distance of six feet from others cannot be maintained. Due to this order and the recent spikes in COVID-19 cases, deaths, and the huge influx of out of state visitors to Washington Park, Mayor Parry has issued an Executive Order

As the novel COVID-19 coronavirus situation evolves, Franciscan Health Michigan City has updated its visitor policy. Adult visitors will be allowed under specific circumstances. The hospital will continue screening all visitors to determine if they are at risk for COVID-19 or other communicable diseases. Those who do not pass screenings will not be permitted to enter the hospital. All visitors will be required to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and practice good hand hygiene. Visitors must be 18 or older unless they are the parent of a patient. Inpatients: Non-COVID-19 patients may have one designated visitor per day to

An arrest has been made in the July 4th shooting death investigation of Antonio RIVERA. Over the past 2 weeks since this unfortunate incident, Detective Arwen LaMotte and several other Detectives of the Michigan City Police Department have been following up on leads and reviewing surveillance video from several citizens in the neighborhood that had home security and/or Ring doorbell cameras. During the course of this investigation, it was learned that RIVERA had gotten into an altercation in the Stop 2 parking lot during the evening hours of July 4th. This altercation led to a female being pushed to the

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State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) is helping warn local residents of utility scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic that is making the rounds. NIPSCO reports customers in the area are receiving a rising number of scam calls demanding they pay a certain amount of money or their services will be disconnected. Pressel said NIPSCO is not making these calls and urges residents to hang-up the phone immediately if they're contacted by someone demanding payment. NIPSCO voluntarily suspended shutoffs for non-payment and waived late fees in mid-March because of the financial impact on customers associated with the pandemic. Pressel said

If you have not already done so, please be sure to register your student as soon as possible, using the Parent Access system. If you need your code for Parent Access or any other assistance, please contact your child’s school. During registration this year, you will be asked which learning option you prefer for your student. Your choices will include in-person instruction at school or an online option. Also during registration, you will be asked whether or not your child will be riding the school bus this year. Please be sure to register your student no later than next Friday,

Michigan City Area Schools will be suspending the Dress for Success program - uniforms will not be required for students this school year. More details to come regarding appropriate dress

The uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for families, educators and healthcare professionals as the beginning of another school year approaches. These challenges have also highlighted the core focus of Franciscan Health’s Community Health Improvement Team: to address, prevent and heal from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), a prominent public health concern in our communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need in our communities to provide ACEs-related education and awareness. Therefore, the Community Health Improvement Team created the “Childhood Trauma and Back-To-School Event Series,” a free, five-week virtual series that recognizes the impact of ACEs within our communities,