Local News

State Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City) today responded to concerns raised by the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association on increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour for all employees, including those who receive tips. "I understand the concerns of local servers and other tip workers, whose tips may work out to be more than $15 an hour some days, and hope my bill offers a compromise," Boy said. Boy has introduced House Bill 1345, which would raise both the minimum wage and the cash wage paid to tipped workers incrementally over the next three years. If passed, the bill would raise the

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction today announced the state will partner with Overdose Lifeline, Inc. to expand access to the opioid reversal agent naloxone through the purchase of 24/7-access “NaloxBox” units. “Making overdose response tools like naloxone readily available to any Hoosier who may encounter an individual suffering from an overdose is critical in addressing the drug epidemic,” Gov. Holcomb said. “We’re committed to raising awareness about the need for bystanders to carry this lifesaving drug, which is why we’ve made it available via so many avenues,

Shipshewana hosted a record number of visitors taking the opportunity to enjoy their spectacular display of holiday light scenes this past holiday season. Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy, featuring more than two million LED Christmas lights displayed in a one-and- a-half-mile-long symphony of spectacular light scenes was a welcomed stop for families looking to enjoy some normalcy in a very challenging year. With their help, Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy was able to give back more than ever to local organizations making a positive difference in the local community. Shipshewana Trading Place and Blue Gate Hospitality, in partnership with Winterland, Inc. brought

In accordance with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention federal order effective at 11:59pm ET on Feb. 1, 2021, the South Shore Line will continue to require masks or face coverings for all passengers and employees in stations and onboard our trains. In addition to the CDC federal order, the SSL continues to abide by a State of Indiana Executive Order mandating the usage of masks that became effective Nov. 15, 2020. If a passenger is in need of a mask, the SSL will continue to provide masks free of charge. Passengers are reminded to maintain 6-feet of social

Financial management is a key element for independence and self-sufficiency. Learn banking basics with Luis Zapata, Vice President of 1st Source Bank. He will explain how to create an accurate monthly budget plan and how to make your money work for you! Hiring Event  Wednesday, February 3 rd / 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm  Wednesday, February 10 th / 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm  Wednesday, February 17 th / 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm  Friday, February 26 th / 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Visit the Career Center and find the job for you! Hiring managers

City of La Porte firefighters proudly showcase the table made by Firefighter Jesse Bowen (center) Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, at Fire Station 3 in La Porte. The table, built from salvaged wood from the previous Fire Station 3, was made to commemorate the old station and bring a piece of it into the new firehouse. The department relocated in September after over 50 years at the previous location. Pictured, from left: Firefighter Patrick Schuyler, Firefighter Russ Oake, Bowen, Captain Bill Lott and Firefighter Ryan Balanow.

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Lilly Endowment Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative, Phase VII match. The initiative tripled the impact of local donations to Unity’s Community Funds over the past two years with a two to one match. As a result, $500,000 in local donations became $1.5 million to support community needs. GIFT is part of Lilly Endowment’s effort to strengthen Indiana communities and has been a priority of the Endowment since the first phase of GIFT in 1990. Lilly Endowment unveiled the latest phase, GIFT VII, in

For the 40 percent of women with dense breast tissue, conventional mammography can miss up to 30 percent of breast cancers. That’s why Franciscan Health Crown Point Breast Center is introducing ABUS (Automated Breast Ultrasound) as an additional screening option. ABUS is the only FDA‐approved breast cancer screening technology for detection in women with dense breast tissue. The non-invasive exam takes approximately 15 minutes and creates clear 3D ultrasound images. An ABUS screening, along with a screening mammogram, will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the breast tissue. Women with extremely dense breast tissue have a four to six times greater

Keeping everyone safe remains the first priority at Northwest Health and its hospitals in Knox, La Porte and Valparaiso. Based on the decrease in positive COVID-19 cases in the communities served by Northwest Health – La Porte, Northwest Health – Porter and Northwest Health Starke, the following changes to the hospitals’ visitor restrictions go into effect Wednesday, Feb. 3.According to a Northwest Health spokesperson, “It is the community’s efforts to fight against this virus that have made it safe for visitors to begin coming back into our facilities. For that we are grateful and we encourage everyone to continue to

On Tuesday, January 12th, 2021 at approximately 3:58 P.M., the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call from an on-duty loss prevention employee at Meijer (5150 Franklin Street) who reported an adult male customer was creating a disturbance inside the store. The customer left Meijer in a vehicle prior to the arrival of Officer Kelly Williams from Uniform Patrol Shift 2. Officer Williams learned during his investigation the customer passed all points of purchase and exited the store without paying for all the merchandise in his possession. An on-duty loss prevention employee approached the customer to inform him that

The American Red Cross’ “Call on Crafters” in the early days of the pandemic spurred an overwhelming response from volunteers, especially in the Indiana Region. This prompted regional Red Cross leadership to set a lofty goal: crafting and distributing 70,000 face coverings to local organizations that provide childcare, senior care and veteran care services. Recently, the cadre of dedicated face covering volunteers hit that goal—and surpassed it—by sewing, packing and delivering more than 109,000 face coverings to help stem the spread of COVID-19 in the Indiana Region.  “We know that evidence-based public health measures, such as wearing cloth face coverings

Last night at 5:56 PM, Deputy Micah Hatley was traveling westbound in the 1200 west block of US 20. She observed a passenger vehicle traveling in front of her with a license plate violation. At the intersection of US 20 and SR 39, Deputy Hatley initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle stopped in the parking lot of a service station adjacent to the aforementioned intersection. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Damien L. WILSON (28 YOA) of Elkhart, Indiana. Deputies learned a short time later that WILSON was a wanted person by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office for

– Students who are thinking about attending college won’t have to travel far to learn about all that Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has to offer. Purdue Northwest will hold virtual ‘Preview PNW’ events from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 27 and April 24. These live sessions will be held in a webinar format allowing prospective and transfer students to learn more about PNW’s Hammond and Westville campuses from the comfort of their own homes. Registration is now open at pnw.edu/preview. “The virtual ‘Preview PNW’ is an opportunity for Purdue Northwest to showcase our wide range of academic offerings,” George F.

The Michigan City Commission for Women bestowed top honors upon Marquette Catholic High School junior Leah Lawson Monday for her submission to the 2020 Honor Women in History: Naomi Anderson Poetry Contest.Lawson's poem "The Worries of a Black Woman" garnered first place in the 11th-12th grade division. For her efforts, Lawson has been invited to recite her work to the organization's February Commission meeting via Zoom on February 18th.Lawson's inspiration stemmed from the racial crimes of 2020 that grabbed headlines and chyrons across the country."I saw everything that was happening in the news. I have five brothers and I was

— Sacred Heart Church in LaPorte, Indiana is pleased to accept another generous donation from Horizon Bank to support the work of their parish food pantry during the pandemic. “The donation in the amount of $5,000.00 will help to keep serving the increasing needs of the greater LaPorte community. We are so thankful for Horizon’s continued support in this time of need,” stated Deacon Frank J. Zolvinski. “Investing in the well being of our communities continues to be a priority at Horizon during this pandemic. Sacred Heart Church is doing an amazing job providing struggling families with much needed food

February is American Heart Month Wear Red Day, other events highlight heart health awareness Hoosiers will come together in February to show their support for the fight against heart disease and stroke. American Heart Month, an annual celebration in February that began in 1964, urges Americans to join the battle against heart disease. A presidential proclamation each year pays tribute to researchers, physicians, public health education professionals and volunteers for their tireless efforts in preventing, treating, and researching heart disease. Across the state and the nation, millions of people will don red attire on Friday, Feb. 5 – National Wear Red

The Indiana Department of Health today announced that Hoosiers age 65 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is available at no cost, and appointments can be made by visiting https://ourshot.in.gov. Hoosiers who do not have access to a computer or cell phone or who need assistance with registration also can call 211 or contact one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging for assistance. A caregiver or loved one may make an appointment on behalf of an eligible senior. The vaccine requires two doses to obtain full immunity. Appointments for the second dose will be made at the

Details Michigan City Mainstreet Association ( “ MCMA ” ) is excited to award a $5,000.00 prize for an original mural on the rear façade of the 725 Franklin Street Building (A.K.A. Hokkaido Building) in the Uptown Arts District (UAD). The deadline for artists to submit their applications and proposals is March 15, 2021. MCMA strives to have this new artwork in place by June 1, 2021 . All artists are invited to apply for this opportunity by submitting an application online . A single applicant will be chosen . Artists interested in this opportunity can review more details and

Michigan City Mainstreet Association (“MCMA”) is excited to award a $5,000.00 prize for an original mural on the rear façade of the 725 Franklin Street Building (A.K.A. Hokkaido Building) in the Uptown Arts District (UAD).The deadline for artists to submit their applications and proposals is March 15, 2021. MCMA strives to have this new artwork in place by June 1, 2021.All artists are invited to apply for this opportunity by submitting an application online . A single applicant will be chosen. Artists interested in this opportunity can review more details and the specific application requirements at Murals . The Uptown

A house in the 200 block of Burdick Road was destroyed by fire early Sunday morning.The Chesterton Fire Department responded to the scene—located in unincorporated Westchester Township—at 4:54 a.m. and found on arrival that the two-story house was already fully involved. “The roof was on the ground when we got there,” Interim Fire Chief Eric Camel said.The home’s sole occupant at the time was able to safely evacuate the residence—through a basement window, with the family’s pets—after being awakened by smoke alarms and the barking of the dog. He was treated for smoke inhalation at the Franciscan Alliance ER department