Local News

Wildlife officials have confirmed the presence of a parasitic flatworm in wild swans from Wolf Lake. Diagnostic testing was conducted at the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Mute swans examined by the USGS had fatal infections of the intestinal parasite Sphaeridiotrema globulus. This parasite causes death in many species of waterfowl, including swans, diving ducks, and coots. Lead testing was also performed on the swans, and results were within the range of nontoxic background levels. The cause of death of the Canada geese collected from the same area could not be determined, despite extensive testing. The geese tested negative

The La Porte Jaycees have decided to hand off the iconic 4th of July Parade held every year in downtown La Porte after 74 years. While this decision was not made lightly, the Jaycees believe that it is time to hand off to keep the event sustainable for the future. Over the past decade, the Jaycees have experienced a decline in membership, which led to difficulty operating this large-scale event. With a lack of volunteers in membership, it has become increasingly difficult to operate key projects like the 4th of July Parade. The La Porte Jaycees are best known for

National Drinking Water Week Celebration 2021 FREE In-Home Well Water SCREENING Kits Starting May 10th,2021 To celebrate National Drinking Water Week (May 2nd-8th 2021), the LaPorte County Health Department is offering FREE In-Home Well Water Screening tests for LaPorte County residential well owners. This service is being offered to LaPorte County residents ONLY with residential water supplies (private wells) during the month of May, starting May 10th. Test kits will be available for pick up at both LaPorte and Michigan City Health Department offices while supplies last. One kit per household. The La Porte County Health Department wants to remind

Purdue University is offering two online summer boot camps designed to prepare information technology professionals to earn certifications that can lead to giant leaps in their careers by qualifying them for in-demand, highly paid jobs in cybersecurity.   The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) boot camp, which begins June 7, is for individuals, especially managers, with at least five years of experience. It offers a foundation of knowledge in eight security domains: security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development

The Indiana Department of Health announced today that 1,189 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at state and private laboratories. That brings to 727,764 the number of Indiana residents now known to have had the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s dashboard. To date, 12,983 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, an increase of 17 from the previous day. Another 414 probable deaths have been reported to date based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record. A total of 3,411,825 unique individuals have been tested in Indiana,

Ms. Robin Tillman, Director of Michigan City Transit has just completed The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Triennial Review of the City of Michigan City Transit. The review determines whether a recipient is administering its FTA-funded programs in accordance with 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53, Federal transit law provisions. It assesses the recipient’s management practices and program implementation to ensure that the programs are administered in accordance with FTA requirements and are meeting program objectives. The City has to provide documentation on how our system coincides with what the Federal government requires. If we are not in compliance, they order corrective action

Passengers are advised that various trains will be bused between South Bend International Airport, Carroll Ave. and Gary Metro Center stations May 10-21 (including the weekend of May 15-16). No bikes will be transported via bus. There will be no service to Hudson Lake May 10-21. The following trains will NOT serve Beverly Shores May 10-21: Weekday WB Trains 116, 18, 118, 20; Weekday EB Trains 7, 107, 9, 109, 11; Weekend WB Trains 606, 506, 608, 508; Weekend EB Trains 503, 603, 605, 505, 507 Michigan City 11th Street Station is temporarily closed as of May 1. The following

The City of La Porte Water Department will begin its biannual water system flushing this weekend, according to Water Superintendent Tim Werner. Beginning Sunday, May 9 and continuing for the next three to four weeks, crews will be out to flush fire hydrants throughout the community Sunday through Friday between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Werner said this process is critical to maintaining the city’s water quality and infrastructure. “Hydrant flushing is a very important process in maintaining our current water infrastructure," Werner said. "Though it can be a bit of an inconvenience to residents, it is critical to ensure

The Salvation Army of Michigan City will mark National Salvation Army Week by turning the spotlight onto the many volunteers who support the work of the non-profit throughout the year. The public is welcome to attend a Volunteer Appreciation Ice Cream Social at The Salvation Army of Michigan City, 1201 S. Franklin Street, on Thursday, May 13. “Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we chose to make this an open-house style event,” said Major Dale Simmons of The Salvation Army. In past years, The Salvation Army of Michigan City would host an annual luncheon to thank volunteers, sponsors and donors, Simmons said.

Effective Saturday, May 8, 2021: Beginning with westbound Train 600 on Saturday, all South Shore Line passengers utilizing Millennium Station will temporarily board/detrain at the Metra Depot (Tracks 5 and 6), located northwest of the SSL platform. During this time, Metra will be performing work in the SSL depot. Work is expected to last until late afternoon, at which time passengers may return to utilizing the SSL platform. An update will be sent when work is complete.

Grethe Hystad, assistant professor of Statistics at Purdue University Northwest (PNW), has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Felix Chayes Prize for Excellence in Research in Mathematical Petrology. The prize, awarded by the International Association for Mathematical Geosciences, is presented to recipients of exceptional potential, proven research ability, and for outstanding contributions to statistical petrology or related applications of mathematics or informatics. "I am honored to have received the 2021 Felix Chayes Prize," Hystad said. "I am very grateful to my collaborator, the mineralogist, Dr. Robert Hazen at the Earth and Planets Laboratory at the Carnegie Institution for

On Wednesday, May 5th, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Senior Trooper Potesta stopped a black 2008 Ford Explorer for a moving violation on I-94 westbound near the 28 mile-marker in Porter County.  This is 2 miles east of the S.R. 49 exit to Chesterton.  The driver was identified as Kyle T. Wright, 29, from Indianapolis, IN.  During the traffic stop, Trooper Potesta learned that Mr. Wright was wanted on an outstanding felony warrant issued through Marion County.  Trooper Potesta attempted to place Mr. Wright under arrest and placed a handcuff on Mr. Wright’s wrist when Mr. Wright resisted, resulting in a

The Indiana State Board of Education today approved or renewed several new and existing educator preparation programs. “We’re committed to working hand-in-hand with higher education, business and industry partners to continue strengthening Indiana’s teacher pipeline,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education and Board chair. “The success of these programs is critical to preparing future graduates as we strive to attract and retain the best and brightest to this purposeful, difference-making profession.”  The full list of educator preparation programs, available here, includes 10 new programs and two program renewals. The Board also approved flexibility waivers for North Newton School Corporation in Newton County and

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host its spring commencement ceremonies in-person and outdoors, with appropriate health and safety protocols, on Saturday, May 15. A total of 1,082 candidates are eligible to receive degrees during the two commencement ceremonies, including one doctorate degree candidate, 141 graduate degree recipients and 940 earning undergraduate degrees. Purdue Northwest will hold ceremonies on its Hammond campus on May 15 in the area south of the Nils K. Nelson Bioscience Innovation Building, 2229 173rd Street. In case of inclement weather, the rain date is May 16. Graduates in the College of Nursing and College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

The Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement is looking for highly motivated, outdoor-centered individuals to fill Indiana Conservation Officer (ICO) positions across the state. Anyone interested should first read “Become a Conservation Officer” at on.IN.gov/dnrlaw and complete the pre-screening test under the “Apply” link on that website. Successful completion of the pre-screening test is required to receive an application for the hiring process. To maximize the time needed for DNR Law Enforcement to complete the process, the pre-screening test needs to be submitted by midnight June 3. To be qualified to pass the pre-screening test, you must be a United States citizen

The Indiana Department of Health announced today that more than 2 million Hoosiers are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.   As of today, a total of 4,395,106 doses have been administered in Indiana. This includes 2,389,057 first doses and 2,006,049 individuals who are fully vaccinated. The fully vaccinated number represents individuals who have received a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and those who received the single Johnson & Johnson vaccine.   “Doubling the number of Hoosiers who are fully protected from COVID-19 in just over two months is a reason to celebrate, but we need to continue