The Valparaiso Police Department would like to inform citizens of financial scams that have recently been reported in the area.  Within the last few weeks, Valparaiso Police have received numerous complaints where citizens have been fraudulently encouraged to pay large sums of money for a variety of circumstances.  Please remember, government agencies will not contact you by phone to demand immediate payment, nor will financial institutions or billing companies take pre-paid credit cards or gift cards as restitution.  These same institutions will not utilize fear or threaten immediate arrest for failure to comply with these requests.  Prior to using any

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Tammy Duckworth’s (D-Ill.) bipartisan legislation to provide disabled veterans TSA Pre√® unanimously passed the Senate yesterday evening. TSA Pre√® is already offered to active duty, reserves, and National Guard service members at no cost. The Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act will expand this program to include veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind. “As a Marine, I swore always to remain faithful to those serving by my side. That includes ensuring our veterans receive the care and respect they are due after they return home,” said Senator Young. “The passage of this bill has the potential to help

A pipe lining crew is working on eastbound I-94 between U.S. 421 and U.S. 20/35 in Michigan City. Traffic is split - one lane to the left and one to the right - with the center lane closed. Work is expected to last about a week. Also, don't forget about roadwork along 421 between 400 North and Route 20 daily.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced yesterday that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in all of the 92 counties in Indiana as a result of the excessive rain and flooding that began on March 1, 2019. “When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities, affected by the same disaster,” said Kem Fleming, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East. Under this declaration,

On Friday, a healthy newborn baby girl was safely surrendered, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Hammond, via a Safe Haven Baby Box that had been active for less than 30 days.  This is the third newborn placed in a Safe Haven Baby Box in less than two years in Indiana.This is also the seventh surrendered infant in Indiana for 2019. Franciscan Hospital Emergency Department and security were notified by the alarm as soon as the newborn’s mother opened the outside door to place her baby in the box. Within 90 seconds, the newborn baby was retrieved from the box and

On September 9th, 2019, at approximately 10:46 pm, the Michigan City Police Department received a call of shots fired in the area of the 3400 building of Salem Court. Officers arrived to find a victim on the sidewalk being administered CPR by several subjects. Upon further investigation it was determined that the subject had just been shot and was immediately transported to Franciscan Alliance Hospital. Shortly afterwards the victim, identified as 29-year-old Maurice J. Goldman was pronounce deceased, succumbing from a fatal gunshot wound to the groin area.  Members of the Michigan City Police Department Patrol Division, Investigative Division, and

As the American Red Cross works around the clock supporting those impacted by Hurricane Dorian, providing food, shelter and comfort, individuals outside the affected areas are urged to help by giving blood or platelets to ensure patients in the storm’s path and around the country have access to lifesaving blood. People can also help by making a financial donation to support relief efforts.Hurricane Dorian has forced the closure of blood donation centers and the cancellation of blood drives in its path, causing blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. When blood donations are disrupted in a region of the country,

A simple conversation could save a life, that's just one of the messages mental-health organizations are hoping to drive home on World Suicide Prevention Day (9/10). Indiana's suicide rate rose nearly 25 percent between 2008 and 2016, and Kelsey Steuer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Indiana says social stigma still prevents people from seeking help. That's why she says it's crucial to discreetly reach out to loved ones who might be struggling and ask the question directly. If a loved one has considered suicide, Steuer says the next step is to stay with them and connect them

In observance of National Child Passenger Safety Week, Franciscan Health will host free car seat safety clinics at its hospitals in Hammond and Michigan City.The clinic at Franciscan Health Hammond, 5454 Hohman Ave., will be 1:30-3:30PM, Sunday, September 15.  The clinic at Franciscan Health Michigan City, 3500 Franciscan Way, will be 11AM-2PM, Saturday, September 21.ArcelorMittal will provide free car seats installed by a certified technician while supplies last. Some qualifications are required to receive the free car seat.The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recommends that whether you’ve just installed a car seat or need help installing or using one, you

A new Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital will be at the center of an exciting 500-plus-acre development that will bring multiple partners together to transform the city’s southeast side into a destination for advanced health care services, medical education, a commercial, retail and residential development, and a possible new home for Andrean High School. “This location will better serve a growing population and a state-of-the-art facility will deliver the latest healthcare technology to the community,” said Cal Bellamy, chairman of the Board of Directors, Franciscan Alliance, Northern Indiana Division. “We’re thrilled to begin planning a comprehensive medical and educational development

On Wednesday, September 25, 2019, Deborah Chubb will receive one of seven Torchbearer Awards at a Ceremony at the Indiana Historical Society, 450 West Ohio Street in Indianapolis. Deborah Chubb worked to support the legal rights of women and children in her law practice before taking the position of Executive Director at a non-profit that provided affordable, high-quality early childhood education and care. In this position she supported women of all income levels in the advancement of their careers and education by providing reliable, high-quality childcare services as well as mentorship to both parents and staff. She expanded the organization's

 The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has confirmed the first death of an Indiana resident due to severe lung injury linked to a history of e-cigarette use or “vaping.” The death, which occurred in an individual older than age 18, was confirmed Sept. 5 as part of an investigation involving health officials at the local and federal levels and in surrounding states. No additional details about the patient will be provided due to privacy laws.Indiana is investigating 30 cases of severe lung injury linked to vaping. Eight of those have been confirmed. The majority of the Indiana cases have

“As a precautionary measure, Indiana American Water shut down its Ogden Dunes treatment facility late Friday afternoon, September 6, 2019, after being notified by representatives of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) of a chemical spill into Burns Ditch at a U.S. Steel facility in Portage, Ind. Indiana American Water uses water from two Lake Michigan intakes as source water in northwest Indiana, including the facility at Ogden Dunes and the larger Borman Park water treatment plant located in Gary, Ind. Indiana American Water performs continuous real -time monitoring at our Ogden Dunes treatment facility, and although we have seen

The Porter County Animal Shelter is accepting applications for the position of Animal Control Officer.  This is a full-time non-exempt (subject to compensatory time) position. Visit porterco.org for more information. 

Valparaiso Police have charged three subjects after they led police on a chase from Valparaiso toward Chesterton on August 4th, in a stolen vehicle. Valparaiso Police were first made aware of several suspicious incidents on the north end of the city involving these subjects.  They were observed stealing from multiple vehicles and involved in stealing a second vehicle from Appletree Ln. in Valparaiso. In all, approximately $45,000 in theft has been reported to police, as well as numerous reports of these subjects entering other vehicles prior to be located by police.  Once observed, the subjects attempted to elude police, even

Join hundreds of others for the Bolt for the Heart 5K Family Run/Walk this Sunday in Washington Park. The goal of the event is to raise heart health awareness and place an automated external defibrillator (AED) in every police patrol car throughout La Porte County.Online registration has ended. Race day registration and packet pickup begins Sunday morning at 7:30 AM and ends at 8:30 AM. The run/walk will begin at 9:00 AM sharp. Visit www.boltfortheheart.com for more information. 

A public innovation educational seminar from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, at its headquarters located at 6100 Southport Road, Portage, Ind. The goal of the event is to introduce innovation concepts to organizations looking to improve. It will focus on how to get initiatives started and how to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes that impede project success. Area manufacturers, process improvement and quality leaders, and entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend. The content is suitable for those starting out, but provides advanced content as well for seasoned innovation professionals. The event is limited to 25 participants and

County Road 150 North closed between CR 250 East and CR 350 East for culvert replacement. The road will be closed to all through traffic until approximately September 24th at 5:00 pm.

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson is reminding eligible voters that September is National Voter Registration Month. Hoosiers who need to register should do so at www.IndianaVoters.com or on a smart phone using the Indiana Voters app.The National Association of Secretaries of State established September as National Voter Registration Month in 2002 to encourage voter participation and increase awareness of state requirements and deadlines for voting.Eligible citizens who are 18 years of age or older may sign up at their county voter registration office, online at www.IndianaVoters.com, or through the Indiana Voters app (available for Android and Apple users).The deadline to register or

To accommodate passengers attending Chicago Bears regular season home football games, the South Shore plans to stop select trains at Metra’s 18th St. Station, which connects passengers directly to the Soldier Field entrance via a pedestrian walkway.In addition to regular service to nearby Museum Campus/11th St., the following trains will also serve 18th St. Station for the Bears vs. Packers game on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 7:20pm:Train #220 arrives at 18th St. at 5:27p, and Train #20 at 6:06p.Following the game, Train #123 will depart 18th St. at 11:06p, and Train #101 will depart at 12:51a. Both terminate at Carroll