Local News

Results from the second phase of a scientific study of statewide random testing aimed at measuring the spread of the novel coronavirus in Indiana show fewer active infections and a greater number of people testing positive for antibodies. In its second phase, the study -- a collaboration between the Indiana State Department of Health and the Fairbanks School of Public Health -- tested more than 3,600 Hoosiers between June 3 and June 8 for viral infections and antibodies of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 disease. This number includes more than 2,700 people who were randomly selected and almost

RE-OPENING OF CITY HALL & PUBLIC MEETING PROTOCOL We will be opening City Hall to the public on a limited basis beginning Monday July 6th Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the City has carefully monitored national, state, and local data.  In addition, the City has followed Governor Holcomb’s Orders and suggested plan of action regarding COVID-19 to insure a safe work and meeting environment for our valued employees, Council, and the citizens of Michigan City. The City has devised a plan after balancing the need to provide a safe workplace for employees while attending to the needs of visitors for permits,

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day and is forecasting high ozone levels for Thursday, June 18, 2020, in the following areas:   North Central Indiana – St. Joseph, ElkhartNortheast Indiana – Allen, HuntingtonNorthwest Indiana – Lake, Porter, LaPorteWest Central Indiana – Vigo Central Indiana – Marion, Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Monroe, Morgan and Shelby  IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone by making simple changes to their daily habits. You can: Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportationAvoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one tripAvoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces that a project to reconstruct the bridge deck of Broadway/State Road 53 over I-80/94 will begin Monday, June 22 until mid September. State Road 53 will be reduced to two lanes. During phase one of the project, the northbound lanes will be closed, and the southbound lanes will be converted to two-way traffic.

American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the LaPorte County Annex Building (Jail) this Friday from 9AM-3PM. For an appointment call Barb Mossman at 219-326-6808 ext. 2409, the American Red Cross at 800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org, sponsor code “laporteannex”.

As the weather gets warmer and 4th of July gets closer, MCPD receives an overabundance of firework related calls for service. MCPD would like to remind everyone that fireworks can only be discharged by persons 18+ years old and only during set dates and times outlined in city ordinance 54-231. Inside of the corporate limits of Michigan City, fireworks can only be discharged on the following dates and times: ▪️June 29th-July 3rd from 5:00 p.m. until 2 hours after sunset ▪️July 4th from 10:00 a.m. until midnight ▪️July 5th-9th from 5:00 p.m. until 2 hours after sunset ▪️10:00 AM on

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is issuing a fraud alert to notify those who have filed for unemployment insurance benefits in 2020 that they need to protect their personal information from potential scammers. The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General has discovered that scammers are sending emails in an effort to steal claimants’ passwords, account numbers, and/or Social Security numbers. With this information they can gain access to email, bank, or other accounts. The scammers are sending emails using the names of companies or individuals familiar to claimants. They use familiar icons, folder names, and programs

On June 5, 2020, the United States Department of Labor notified the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) that Indiana has triggered “on” Extended Benefits (EB). The EB program provides federal reimbursement to the state for up to an additional 13 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits. EB took effect on June 7, 2020.   EB is triggered during different periods of high unemployment. EB is available to workers who have exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits during periods of high unemployment and are calculated per state. Indiana’s unemployment rate currently exceeds the five percent threshold to trigger the extension. Determination of “on” and

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 533 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 40,430 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total. Intensive care unit and ventilator capacity remain steady. As of today, more than 41 percent of ICU beds and more than 83 percent of ventilators are available. A total of 2,251 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, an increase of 11 over

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a lane closure on U.S. 31 between Nimtz Pkwy and Old U.S. 20 starting on Monday, June 22.  A lane will be restricted for transmission line construction over the highway. The work is expected to be completed by Friday, June 26.  INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area. Drivers should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

Tax Day is exactly one month away, July 15, and an estimated 500,000 Hoosiers still need to file their individual income taxes, according to the Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR). “We always advise individuals to avoid waiting until the last minute, especially if they are expecting a refund,” suggested DOR Commissioner Bob Grennes. “For the fastest service, customers should file electronically—not only are returns processed faster, but they are more accurate and secure.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the individual income tax season was extended from the traditional April 15 deadline to July 15 to allow customers more time to

JASPER/LAKE COUNTY- On June 12, at 10:15 p.m., the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department received a call of an armed robbery/car jacking at the Pilot Truck Stop at exit 201 (Remington, IN).  The suspect was reported to be a black male wearing a mask.  The victim also reported that the assailant had pointed a gun at the victim’s head while taking possession of the vehicle, a black Mitsubishi.  A Demotte police officer located the stolen vehicle traveling northbound on I-65 near the 230 mile-marker where he was going to make a traffic stop; however, the officer’s emergency lighting became disabled and the

Franciscan Health and Beacon Health System celebrated the culmination of their partnership and the end of construction at the new Franciscan Beacon Hospital with a blessing and ceremonial ribbon cutting on Friday. Franciscan Beacon will officially open its doors to patients in the coming weeks. The two trusted health systems partnered together to create a unique, state-of-the-art hospital that includes a 24-hour, 10-bed Emergency Department. The new hospital is located at the same I Street campus where Beacon Medical Group has served the community for 50 years. Franciscan Physician Network providers are joining the expanded facility, offering patients convenient emergency

Thursday night at approximately, Sergeant Jeff Wright of LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office was traveling eastbound on US 20 approaching CR 450 East. He observed a vehicle in excess of the posted speed limit traveling westbound on US 20 approaching him. The speed of the vehicle was measured at 100 miles per hour.  Sergeant Wright initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle near the intersection of US 20 and 350 East. The driver was identified as 20 year old Ankoma H. Kirk of South Bend.  A female passenger was identified as 20 year old Ladericka R. Banks of Elkhart. As the

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces the continuation of a bridge terminal joint repair project that will cause lane and ramp closures in Lake and Porter Counties. Daytime Work Schedule: Ramp from southbound State Road 152 to eastbound I-80/94 will be closed June 15.Ramp from westbound I-80/94 to southbound Kennedy Ave will be closed June 15. Alternating lane closures on Columbia Ave over I-80/94 on June 16. Alternating lane closures on Kennedy Ave over I-80/94 on June 17 and 18.Alternating lane closures on Calumet Ave over I-80/94 on June 19 and 23. Overnight Work Schedule: Overnight lane closures on eastbound I-80/94 between

Friday morning at Midnight, Trooper W. Stancy was dispatched to a multiple vehicle crash on I-80/94 eastbound lanes at the 4 mile-marker.  Preliminary investigation revealed that there were two separate crashes at the same location. The first crash involved three vehicles, one of which, a white 2007 Chevrolet Impala driven by Vanessa C. Allen, 25, from Chicago, IL, became disabled in the far left lane.  The other two vehicles were able to stop on the shoulder.  While the Impala was stopped in the lane, a red 2003 Honda motorcycle, driven by Steven C. Melton, 26, from Hebron, IN, was traveling

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane closures on U.S. 20 between C.R. N 325 W and Springville Rd beginning Friday, June 19. The outside right lanes in both the eastbound and westbound directions will be closed during daylight hours until Friday, June 26. One lane will remain open in each direction, but there may be short-term closures of less than 25 minutes to remove materials. INDOT encourages drivers to expect delays and allow extra time when driving through this area. Drivers should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones

CHESTERTON, Indiana | While the COVID-19 pandemic closed countless facilities, Franciscan Emergency Center Chesterton, offering both 24-hour emergency and basic urgent care needs, is one that has remained open, continuing to provide care while taking steps to make sure patients are safe. Upon entering the facility at 770 Indian Boundary Road, patients will be asked medical screening questions, have their temperature checked and be required to wear masks. Hand sanitizing stations and signs reminding visitors to practice social distancing are additional measures that have been taken. “Your health and safety are the most important to us. We’re here to care

As health indicators remain positive, Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced all 92 counties in the state can advance to Stage 4 of the Back On Track Indiana plan on Friday, June 12. Indiana Back On Track has five stages. Local governments may impose more restrictive guidelines. “I’m grateful to Hoosiers who have helped maintain our momentum and slow the spread of COVID-19 by exercising caution and following health guidance,” Gov. Holcomb said. “As we advance to Stage 4 and further reopen Indiana for business, we’ll continue to monitor our progress and make data-informed decisions.” Gov. Holcomb has used data to drive

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth services have provided a vital connection between healthcare providers and patients, allowing them to receive care in the safety of their homes. Throughout the crisis, Franciscan Health hospitals and Franciscan Physician Network have aimed to meet the needs of patients virtually, avoiding offices and waiting rooms. Our response to COVID-19 has included over 100,000 telemedicine visits, especially important for the most compromised patients, according to Craig Miller, Franciscan’s Administrative Director of Ambulatory Services. Now, Franciscan Alliance’s investment in expanding virtual care will be bolstered by an award from the Federal Communications Commission COVID-19 Telehealth Program.