Local News

Press release by Indiana Department of Education: INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) today announced 19 schools are newly certified as leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. This year’s cohort includes the largest number of secondary schools to engage in the certification process to date, as well as a new designation highlighting emerging STEM programs and leaders and the strides they are making to create an engaging STEM culture. "The schools we spotlight today have demonstrated a commitment to providing high-quality, engaging STEM experiences that not only support students in developing problem-solving skills, but also prepare

A driver of a small SUV was injured after a single vehicle crash Monday afternoon in Porter County. Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department (LTVFD) says the crash happened just before 5 p.m. when the SUV left the roadway traveling South on County Road 100 East between 1050 North and Old State Road 49. The SUV was traveling southbound and for unknown reasons, left the roadway, striking a large tree stump and positioning itself on a 45-degree angle in the ditch. First arriving units found multiple air bags deployed and the driver trapped inside breathing, but unconscious. The driver was trapped

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) graduates were urged to uphold the values and freedoms afforded to them as U.S. residents and exhibit service to others as exemplary, participatory civilians in a democracy, during PNW’s spring commencement Saturday, May 6. Judge Diane Kavadias Schneider delivered those and other important messages as the keynote speaker during the outdoor commencement ceremony. Schneider, now retired after 33 years of service in the courts, became the first female judge of the Civil Division of the Lake Superior Court in 2000. She previously served as court

Press release by Michigan City Chamber of Commerce: Lakefront Career Network (LCN), a committee of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, recently had a day of giving back for their 2023 spotlight organization, Interfaith Community P.A.D.S (ICPADS). Every year LCN partners with a local non-profit organization for their Spotlight Organization to raise awareness of the organization within the community. This year they chose Interfaith Community P.A.D.S, which provides shelter for the homeless. They are a faith-based nonprofit organization that gives homeless men and women temporary emergency shelter in our community. On Saturday, May 5, 2023, LCN committee members and others

A concrete restoration project is set to begin on I-94 in Lake County. "Be prepared for overnight lane closures Sunday through Saturday and a new traffic configuration on westbound I-94 between I-65 & S.R. 912 on/after Wed, May 10, INDOT said. "Schedules are weather dependent and subject to change." See the graphic on the photo provided by INDOT for more information.

STARKE COUNTY, Ind. -- Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction will close State Road 39 between State Road 8 and C.R. 50 S on or after Friday, May 12. State Road 39 will be closed for approximately 10 days for a small structure replacement at Prettyman Ditch. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow State Road 8, U.S. 35 and State Road 10.

News release by Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (Friday, May 5, 2023): INDIANAPOLIS—Leaders from the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) and Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) today celebrated the completion of the rollout of My Healthy Baby, the state’s obstetrical navigator program that is designed to improve health outcomes for both mother and baby. The program is an initiative of Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “We remain committed to ensuring that every mother and every baby has the opportunity to achieve their best health outcome, and I’m so proud of the work our teams have done to bring

Attorney General Todd Rokita is alerting Hoosiers of consumer protection concerns for products recalled in April.  Rokita's office says this is the time to take advantage of opportunities available for those who purchased the recalled items. “The weather is heating up, and that means more time for fun outdoor activities,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Make sure your kids’ toys are working correctly and safely. Hoosier parents shouldn’t have to deal with faulty items. If you have one of the recalled products, stop using it immediately and pursue resolution from the manufacturer.”   According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the following

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. -- TR Concession Company LLC (ITRCC) has announced that in an effort to reduce commuter impacts, there will be an advancement in the construction schedule for the Exit 10 Eastbound Exit Ramp closure. The exit ramp will now be closed from May 31-Aug. 6 as opposed to the original schedule of July 5-Aug. 31. This schedule advancement will allow an acceleration of other work to avoid delays as the year progresses, the ITRCC said. The previously established detour routes still apply. Patrons will be urged to use Exit 5 and take US-41 S to 312 eastbound. If

Press release by City of Valparaiso: In anticipation of transformative downtown projects, the City of Valparaiso is sharing staging details for the Lincoln Highway Garage, The Linc and related infrastructure improvements to enhance sidewalks, streetscape and underground utilities. “We are excited to see these projects begin and have worked hard to ensure their designs complement the existing character of downtown. We’ve also planned thoughtfully to minimize disruption during the construction phases,” said Mayor Matt Murphy. The Lincoln Highway Garage project will begin first, ultimately adding 362 parking spaces to support The Linc as well as surrounding businesses and homes. The

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Walsh Construction has provided the following update with upcoming road closure information related to NICTD’s Double Track Northwest Indiana Project: Sheridan/10th – TBD – will be a 5-day closure 10th and Huron at Amtrak crossing – TBD Chicago Street- May 20 Open Day Ohio/11th – close 5/20/23 open 6/4/23 Wabash/11th – close 6/26/23 open 7/24/23 Washington/11th – close 5/30/23 open 6/23/23 Franklin/11th – close 3/20/23 open 5/30/23 (work at 10th and Franklin will happen simultaneously) Michigan Blvd/11th – TBD Michigan Blvd/Vail St – TBD Michigan Blvd/School St – TBD Michigan Blvd/Carroll Ave - TBD 10th Street

The Valparaiso Police Department announced its K9 Raider will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Raider’s vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “In honor of K9 Vega”.  Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20

The Michigan City Police Department posted the following statement on its Facebook page Thursday about the Tara Stevens investigation: “The Michigan City Police Department would like to clarify a recent Facebook post regarding the investigation of Tara Stevens.  Since September 12th, 2020, the Michigan City Police Department has been diligently investigating the hit and run accident which took the life of Tara Stevens.   Although the Michigan City Police Department’s Traffic Division has followed up on all tips received on this case, none of the information has led to a possible suspect.   On March 3rd, 2023 the investigating officer

Wednesday during the SelectUSA Investment Summit, Governor Eric Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers joined U.S. Senator Todd Young, Purdue University President Mung Chiang and leaders from Belgium-based imec, a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, to announce a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly advance research and development in Indiana’s semiconductor sector. “Indiana is securing unprecedented economic momentum right now, particularly in advanced manufacturing, propelled by the strategic partnerships we have built as we continue to strengthen our growing semiconductor ecosystem,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Imec is a global leader for research and

News release by Indiana Department of Education: INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Educational Excellence Awards. Up to $5 million in awards will be granted to schools to celebrate their progress and achievement in supporting student excellence and growth. Award winners will be honored at the second annual Indiana Educational Excellence Awards Gala in Indianapolis on Friday, September 8. Additionally, the event will spotlight the 2023 Indiana Teacher of the Year, Indiana’s 2022 Milken Educator Award recipients, and other dedicated educators from across the state. “We are excited to continue celebrating

The Ogden Dunes Police Department reminded the public on its Facebook page that if you purchased your parking permits, golf cart permits, watercraft permits or dog tags online, to remember to stop at Town Hall to pick them up. The department says permits will not be automatically sent to you. "This includes the permit that comes with your ODHA Dues," the department stated. The window hours at Town Hall are currently Monday – Friday 8:00am – 3:00pm Saturday and Sunday CLOSED If you are unable to stop at Town Hall between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, the

News release by Franciscan Health: CROWN POINT, Indiana – Franciscan Health Crown Point has been awarded the inaugural Peregrine Award for Trauma Innovation by Peregrine Health Services, LLC for its efforts to improve the treatment of patients with substance use disorders. A panel of independent judges selected Franciscan Health Crown Point’s innovative project from a group of 10 finalists, with the application receiving the highest total score in its category. Franciscan Health Crown Point sought to improve its screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) process, an approach to identifying and assisting patients with substance use disorders. The hospital

The Chesterton Police Department worked three different grant-funded overtime patrols in April, with a “particular—but not sole—focus” on Indiana 49, according to the Chesterton Police Department Facebook page. The patrols, all funded through National Highway Transportation Administration grants: CITLI (Click It To Live It); DUITF (Driving Under the Influence Task Force), and Blitz 117, targeting school-zone and bus stop-arm violations. Officers worked a total of 82 overtime hours, most of them saturating the Indiana 49 corridor between I-94 and the Indiana Toll Road, according to the Chesterton Police Department Facebook page. The following statistics were given: *Traffic stops: 178 or

The following are the final unofficial results of the primary election in Porter County. The results will be official when they are certified by the Board of Elections & Registration. This information is from a link provided on the Porter County Government Facebook page: SUMMARY REPORT PORTER COUNTY, INDIANA **FINAL** UNOFFICIAL RESU RUN DATE:05/02/23 PRIMARY ELECTION RUN TIME:07:49 PM MAY 2, 2023 STATISTICS VOTES PERCENT PRECINCTS COUNTED (OF 74) . . . . . 74 100.00 REGISTERED VOTERS - TOTAL . . . . . 70,195 BALLOTS CAST - TOTAL. . . . . . . 7,458 BALLOTS CAST -

The Valparaiso Police Department has added two additional officers with the swearing-in of Brody Daughrity and Grant Arnold on Monday.  Mayor Matt Murphy performed the ceremony within the council chambers of City Hall.  Chief Andrew McIntyre, with numerous officers and civilian staff in attendance, joined the families of the new officers for the event.  During the ceremony, Chief McIntyre welcomed Brody and Grant to the department family, while congratulating each on their efforts in the hiring process. Brody is a 2015 graduate of Minarets High School in O’Neals, California and earned his Associate of Arts degree from Sierra College in