Local News

Recently approved federal funding of up to $385 million over the next 15 years will allow Indiana to reclaim more former coal mines to their pre-mining status. Hoosiers who own such property are encouraged to report it to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — even if you don’t want the work done right away. Reclamation is the process by which adverse safety, health, and environmental effects of formerly unregulated surface mining are minimized and mined lands are returned to a beneficial end use. In Indiana, more than 2,000 reclamation projects have been completed since 1982 on both public

In Portage, Tecumseh Street will be closed to all traffic beginning Wednesday, Feb. 15 through Friday, Feb. 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. between Defiance Avenue and Prophet Avenue for work on water lines. Local traffic will still be able to travel through the area. Detour routes will be from Defiance to Hamstrom to Prophet.

The Portage Police and Fire Departments with the assistance of the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Project ChildSafe are able to provide interested persons with free gun locks in an effort to reduce firearms accidents and misuse. Image source: Portage Police Department / Facebook The free gun locks can be picked up at the Portage Police Department or any of the three Portage Fire Stations. Police Department - 6260 Central Avenue Fire Station #1 - 3401 Swanson Road Fire Station #2 - 6275 Old Porter Road Fire Station #3 - 6300 Central Avenue More information on safe firearms storage

The LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call on February 14, 2023, at approximately 5:13pm regarding a crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Hitchcock Road. Michigan City Police Department Uniform Patrol Shift 2, along with Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County EMS were dispatched to this location. At this time, a preliminary investigation has revealed that the SUV involved in this crash was traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 20 and attempting to make a lefthand turn onto Hitchcock Road to travel northbound. At this time the SUV and motorcycle crashed into each other. The Michigan

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) announced the collection of more than 30,000 gallons of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) firefighting foam from Indiana fire departments. Since April 2022, this free program, provided by IDEM, Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), and Indiana Finance Authority (IFA), has collected and safely disposed of foam from more than 220 Hoosier fire departments across the state. “When we first began collection, we set a lofty goal to collect 30,000 gallons of PFAS foam,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “We have exceeded that goal in less than a year’s time and are still scheduling

Board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor Joshua Scheidler, MD is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Crown Point. Dr. Scheidler completed his training at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. He completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, Colo. Dr. Scheidler’s fellowship training was in spine medicine at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland. His clinical interests are spasticity neuro-rehabilitation such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke and spinal cord injury (SCI), medical rehabilitation, general debility amputation and spine and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Dr.

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. — Donations and support from local businesses allowed the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department to replace medical equipment. The department said the equipment was in much need of replacing. A total of seven medical bags were purchased and placed on fire trucks filled with life-saving medical supplies. The department said the previous medical bags, after many years of service, were worn out and not able to safely secure all equipment. With the purchase of these medical bags and supplies, Liberty Fire was able to place a standard bag across seven of the fire trucks for uniformity. Liberty

Two local schools were recognized as heart safe on Friday. Rolling Prairie Elementary School and New Prairie Middle School were designated as Project ADAM Heart Safe Schools. To be recognized as a heart safe school, specific requirements must be met such as developing a cardiac emergency plan, house highly visible functioning AEDs that can be obtained within 2-3 minutes from any point on campus, conduct cardiac emergency response drills with students and staff, and additional safety requirements that create a rescue ready environment inside the school and throughout the campus. The elementary school and middle school are the first elementary

Story by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has been recognized as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for U.S. Scholars by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for its number of applicants selected for the 2022-23 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. PNW ranked among other top higher education institutions in the Master’s category, as designated by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Two PNW faculty members received Fulbright awards for the 2022-23 period. “Purdue University Northwest is honored to be recognized among peer higher education institutions as a

The Valparaiso Police Department is mourning the passing of former Assistant Chief of Police, Robert “Bob” Taylor, who lost his battle to cancer on Feb. 8.  Taylor served an entire lifetime in public service, holding many titles over the years, representing the Valparaiso and Porter County communities. He began his career with the Valparaiso Police Department in March of 1971, serving until March of 1992, when he retired as the Assistant Chief of Police. “During his time with the VPD, Taylor served diligently, working as K9 Handler, Motorcycle Officer, and even on horseback,” VPD said on their Facebook page. “Retirement

The LaPorte High School Robotics Team, SlicerTech, recently participated in Valparaiso University’s First Robotics Design Review Day. Students presented their preliminary designs and received advice from the engineering students and faculty. “The Valparaiso University faculty and engineering students were impressed with our teams’ designs," commented LPHS teacher Todd Hutson. The school corporation says the opportunity was a great experience for Slicer students interested in engineering, because they were also invited to tour the engineering department and participated in robotic football activities with the Valparaiso University Robotics Team. LPHS student, Aubrey Tanksley, said, “Our team was very impressed with the engineering

One person is dead following a crash involving an SUV and a semi Thursday night in Michigan City. At 10:08 p.m., troopers from the Indiana State Police responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash on I-94 eastbound near the 38 mile-marker, around two miles west of I-94 Exit 40 to Michigan City and La Porte. Preliminary investigation shows that a BMW X54 was traveling eastbound on I-94 when the vehicle ran off the roadway for unknown reasons. The BMW then struck the rear of a Volvo semi-tractor pulling one trailer that was parked on the outside shoulder of the

The La Porte County Health Department announced it now only offers Moderna Bivalent boosters for all ages. The department no longer carries the primary series. Clinics are Wednesdays at their Michigan City office, located at 300 Washington St. Suite 106, Michigan City, IN 46360. Individuals can schedule an appointment at https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine/.

The South Shore Line announced the continuation of its “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” promotion, applicable for March monthly tickets. All monthly tickets purchased for the month of March 2023 will remain valid for April 2023. Passengers purchasing a paper March monthly ticket should plan to keep that ticket and use it through April, and passengers purchasing a digital March monthly ticket via the mobile app will see an April ticket uploaded to their accounts prior to April 1. For passengers who receive tickets through an employer benefit program such as Wage Works or Commuter Benefit Solutions, these passengers should

The Chesterton Police Department continued to saturate State Road 49 between I-94 and the Indiana Toll Road in January. Officers worked a total of 43 hours of extra patrols Jan. 1-31 as part of two different blitz campaigns, which were Click It to Live It; and Driving Under the Influence Taskforce. Over the course of those 43 hours, officers made 104 traffic stops—or roughly 2.5 per hour—with the following results: 19 citations (seatbelt violations, speeding, failure to stop, driving while suspended). 97 warnings (speeding, equipment violations, etc.). A felony charge of operating while intoxicated. A misdemeanor charging of operating without

Purdue University Northwest is inviting prospective students to attend Preview PNW on March 2 to learn more information about the Westville experience at the university. Preview PNW events provide prospective students and their families information about undergraduate course offerings, the admissions process, paying for college and more. Tours during the program also help students get a feel for campus life. Application fees are waived for prospective students who complete an application during a Preview PNW event. Admissions counselors will be on hand to assist and answer questions. Registration can be completed by visiting pnw.edu/westville-preview. Check-in begins at 4 p.m. on

The Michigan City Park Department is seeking public input for the Water Tower Park Renovation Project. Preliminary designs will be presented for public comment. Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Michigan City Police and Fire Training Center, located at 2510 E. Michigan Blvd. For more information, contact the Michigan City Parks and Recreation Department at 219-873-1506. Funding is provided by a $250,000.00 Community Development Block Grant and a $250,000.00 federally funded Land and Water Conservation Fund grant.

Gusty winds are expected Thursday as the National Weather Service has issued wind advisories for the area. The following is from the National Weather Service of Northern Indiana: Elkhart-Lagrange-Steuben-Noble-De Kalb-Starke-Pulaski-Marshall- Fulton IN-Whitley-White-Northern La Porte-Eastern St. Joseph IN- Northern Kosciusko-Southern La Porte-Western St. Joseph IN- Southern Kosciusko-Cass MI-St. Joseph MI-Branch-Hillsdale- Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-Williams-Fulton OH- Including the cities of Elkhart, Goshen, Nappanee, Lagrange, Topeka, Shipshewana, Angola, Fremont, Kendallville, Ligonier, Albion, Auburn, Garrett, Knox, North Judson, Bass Lake, Winamac, Francesville, Medaryville, Plymouth, Bremen, Culver, Rochester, Akron, Columbia City, Tri-Lakes, South Whitley, Monticello, Monon, Brookston, Michigan City, La Porte, Kingsbury, Fish Lake, South Bend,

The Michigan City Police Department recently recognized three officers with awards and commendations at the February Michigan City Police Commission meeting. Corporal Aaron Bass and Lieutenant Anna Painter received Letters of Commendation. Painter could not attend the meeting. Officer Nicholas Charo received the Officer Chris Smith Award. Rene Smith, the wife of the late Officer Chris Smith, was on hand for the presentation.