Local News

ITR Concession Company (ITRCC) is launching a network of smart parking signage for freight and truck drivers who depend on the Indiana Toll Road. The company says through a mix of sensors and cameras, the dynamic signage will provide commercial drivers an approximate count of the available parking spaces along the roadway, creating a safer and more efficient travel experience. The boards detail the number of available parking spaces in the three nearest facilities, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments of trip plans. The signage was deployed by eX² Technology serving as the prime contractor, who previously helped develop a high-speed fiber

The Indiana State Department of Health Strike Team will be offering COVID PCR & Antigen testing, along with vaccinations (Pfizer, Modern, J&J including first, second & booster shots) Tuesday and Wednesday from noon until 8:00 p.m. at the Porter County Expo Center: Pre-scheduling is not necessary. To find other free testing sites and to see vaccination information visit PorterCo.org .

In an update, the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory, for Porter and Lake Counties from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday. Slippery travel conditions due to steady snow expected. The National Weather Service says to slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for Indiana are available by calling 1-800-261-7623.

The Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City is looking to hire a seasonal zookeeper. The position is 40 hours a week and is a 6-month position. “Gain tons of hands-on animal experience working in an entry-level position here at the WPZoo.” The Seasonal Zookeeper will help care for the barnyard animals, parrots, birds of prey, small mammals, invertebrates, waterfowl, and more. Training will also include diet prep and general facility/ exhibit upkeep. An applicant must possess a high school diploma or GED; must be 18 years or older; must be able to work outdoors in all weather and stand for

La Porte County is the 2nd largest county in Indiana by square miles. All too often, deputies find themselves great distances away from emergency calls for service, where seconds can be the difference between life and death. On Christmas Eve though, that was not the case for one deputy. At 2:51 p.m., Deputy Tyler Oberholtzer responded to the area of U.S. 35 and CR 250 South, in reference to a 31-year-old passenger inside a motor vehicle who had lost consciousness. At 2:53 p.m., Deputy Oberholtzer arrived and was directed to the front passenger seat of the vehicle. The female was

The Indiana State Department of Health has updated the weekly COVID county advisory levels. LaPorte, Porter, Starke, Jasper and Newton counties remain at the highest score of 3, red level. Lake County has moved up from a score of 2.5, orange level to a score of 3, red level. St. Joseph County has moved down from a score of 3, red level to a score of 2.5 orange level. In the past week positivity has risen in Lake and Newton counties and has lowered in LaPorte, Porter, Starke, Jasper and St. Joseph counties.

The Franciscan Health Hammond Emergency Department Serenity Room has been rededicated in memory of a patient who was both born at the hospital and died there last year. Tina Flynn provided the gift to refurnish the room as a memorial to her late husband, Gerald Kray, who passed away in August 2020 after a battle with cancer. Tina was grateful for the compassionate care Gerald received in the Emergency Department. Tina had also been a patient in the Hammond Emergency Department and as a former nurse, said she was impressed by the care provided by the physicians and nurses at

Update: Hammond Police say Valerie Jones has been safely located in Chicago and has been safely reunited with her family. Original: The Hammond Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Valerie Jones, described as a 59 year old black female, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 220 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Jones was last seen wearing a pink shirt, black coat and black leggings, and driving a gray 2013 Nissan Rogue with Indiana registration RHC564. She was last seen on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 11:00 am. Police say she is believed to be in danger and may

The American Red Cross says blood supply is at historically low levels and it continues to decline. The Red Cross says if more donors don’t come out to give, hospitals may be forced to delay care to patients relying on blood transfusion. In thanks, the Red Cross says all who come to give through Jan. 2 will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. Those who come to give in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a getaway to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles and will also be automatically entered to win

Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is welcoming Samantha Bean as their new marketing manager. Samantha is a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, where she double majored in journalism and communications. Most recently a member of Franciscan Health’s marketing department, she brings 10 years of marketing and communications experience to LCA. Lubeznik says that with a strong background in graphic design, writing, public relations and project management, Samantha will give a fresh approach to interactions with local communities; marketing exhibitions, education and events; and LCA’s branding. In addition, she will oversee the efforts of the front desk and Gallery Shop

Mayor Duane Perry of Michigan City made an executive order Wednesday to adjust salaried positions biweekly wages of salaried city employees to reflect the 27 pay periods for the city for 2021. According to the order, wages for salaried positions were originally calculated based on 26 pay periods as opposed to the 27 actual pay periods. The bottom of the order states that "1 I.C. 36-4-7-3 only applies to appointive officers, deputies, and employee of the city. I.C. 36-4-7-2(c) states that "the compensation of an elected city officer may not be changed in year for which it is fixed...," thus,

From the Long Beach Police Department: The Long Beach Police Department during the year-end Holiday luncheon honored two Deputies for their exceptional Life Saving efforts this year. Deputy Marshal Tobin “Toby” Babcock and Deputy Marshal Jason Yagelski were presented with “Life Saving Awards” for the below incidents. On Tuesday April 27, 2021 at approximately 4:22 am Deputy Marshal Jason Yagelski responded to the 3500 block of West 1000 North in Springfield Township to assist the LaPorte County Sheriff's Department with a drug overdose. Just prior to his arrival the LaPorte County E-911 Dispatcher advised that the unresponsive male was now

Annette Loeffler has been named the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP) Outstanding Partner of the Year, the La Porte City Council announced Monday night at their meeting. Annette began her time with the City in 1991 and other than four years in the middle, she has worked with the City ever since. The City of La Porte stated, “She is lovingly called “The Glue,” as she truly is what holds this team, administration and city together. Her institutional knowledge and can-do attitude make her an invaluable asset to both in her role and to this community, and we are

The Michigan City Transit Department will be closed on Christmas Eve this Friday and Christmas Day this Saturday. They will resume their regular schedule on Monday. They will also be closed on Friday for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and will resume on Monday, Jan. 2.