Local News

As you are aware, communities around the globe are working to address and respond to the implications of COVID-19, the disease caused by a coronavirus. Therefore, in prioritizing the health and safety of the entire PNW community, Purdue University Northwest is postponing Preview PNW at our Westville campus on March 28.Please be advised that Preview PNW at our Hammond campus is still scheduled to take place on April 18. We will keep you updated if there are additional changes and when a new date is scheduled for Westville. Purdue University Northwest Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is a student-centered university that values academic

Dear LCA Community,While the reporting for the COVID-19 virus remains relatively low in Indiana, Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is taking precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. The people we serve are our number one priority. All surfaces in the galleries and education rooms are being sanitized. Hand sanitizer is available, and all bathrooms are being stocked with soap, as hand washing is a strong preventative measure.At this time, we are planning to proceed with all scheduled events and classes, but please check our website for the latest updates. We are asking that you follow the guidelines recommended by the Center for

The Indiana State Police will be joining forces this week with Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia State Police agencies, for what is known as the Six-State Trooper Project. During this collaborative effort, troopers across northeast Indiana will be taking to the highways March 12th -14th with a primary focus on criminal interdiction through high volume traffic enforcement. During this period, motorists can expect to see an increased presence of troopers on the roadsides conducting traffic stops. Drivers are encouraged to not drive distracted, and to be increasingly aware of the need to move over or slowdown as required

Homicide Investigation- 100 Block of Herring Gull Lane During the early morning hours of Tuesday March 10th, 2020; Michigan City Police Department Shift 3 Patrol Officers were dispatched to the 100 Block of Herring Gull Lane located in the Canterbury House Apartments on the south side of Michigan City. The 911 caller indicated that a female had been shot and was not breathing. Responding officers arrived at the scene within minutes and encountered a subject in the parking lot in front of the apartment. This subject was detained and identified as 36-year-old Whaiun “Juan” Patterson. Officers then entered the apartment

The opening seminar in the Franciscan Health Family Birth Center’s “Baby Talks” OB/GYN lecture series has been canceled after recommendations to limit gatherings to avoid exposure to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). The seminar was scheduled for Wednesday, March 11 at the Health Resource Center in Franciscan Health Hammond. Registration for the seminar was required, and those who registered have been notified. In addition, Family Birth Center tours and perinatal classes have been canceled for March and April at Franciscan Health Hammond, Crown Point and Michigan City. Franciscan Health continues to take proactive measures in preparation for possible local cases of COVID-19

Preview PNW events planned Mar. 28 in Westville and Apr. 18 in Hammond Purdue University Northwest (PNW) invites high school students and their families interested in learning more about the university to attend one of two upcoming Preview PNW events. Preview PNW provides a unique opportunity for future students and their families to gain a full understanding of the outstanding education, real-world experience, connections with faculty and vibrant student life PNW offers. Students and families attending these events have a chance to meet with faculty members, current students, staff and alumni to ask questions and to learn how PNW encourages

La Porte County Sheriff John T. Boyd is announcing the release of the 2019 Annual Report.  The amount of calls for service in 2019 increased by 15%. Offenses generating an incident report increased by 13%. Statistical data revealed an increase in several violent crime categories. In 2018, zero homicides were investigated.  However, in 2019 a total of three (3) homicides were investigated. Robberies increased by 50% (6 vs. 9) and batteries increased by 11% (211 vs. 235).  Reported rapes decreased by 80% (5 vs. 1). In 2019, a total of 1,378 subjects were arrested by deputies of the Sheriff’s Office.  A total of 3,486 traffic

The number of Hoosiers who have tested presumptively positive for COVID-19 remains at six, according to the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). Two individuals with positive tests announced earlier today are residents of Boone and Adams counties. Five Indiana counties now have cases of COVID-19. The other residents who have been diagnosed live in Marion, Hendricks and Noble counties. Two of the people with COVID-19 are in the hospital; the other four people are in self-isolation. ISDH continues to work with local health departments to identify close contacts of the existing patients and is prepared for the possibility that

In a story WIMS is following, In La Porte, around 7:15 on Sunday morning, emergency personnel were dispatched to the 400 block of Pine Lake Ave for a single vehicle accident. Upon arrival, the victim had collided with a building and sustained severe injuries. The scene was secured, and MedFlight was brought in. Pine Lake Ave was closed until the victim could be airlifted for treatment of injuries.

Liberty Fire was initially called to respond for a fire alarm at a storage/garage building in the late hours of Monday night at around 11:40 PM off of Old State Road 49, just south of the Duneland Bus Barn facility in Liberty Township. Assistant Fire Chief Michael Wineland arrived on scene with nothing showing from the exterior portion of the building initially. Upon investigating, Assistant Fire Chief Wineland noted broken windows on the backside of the structure and requested the response then be changed to a Structure Fire; as a fire was spotted inside the structure. Porter County 911 dispatched

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) will provide daily updates regarding COVID-19 in Indiana as activity has increased across the United States. As of 4 p.m. Monday: ISDH has confirmed four presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 since Friday, March 6.Three patients are adults.One patient is a juvenile.The individuals reside in Marion, Hendricks and Noble counties.The Marion and Hendricks County patients are self-isolating. The Noble County patient is currently hospitalized.No other information about the patients or their conditions will be released.In total, ISDH has tested 32 individuals, including 3 individuals whose tests were sent to CDC.Two adult patients have a

In order to accommodate an expected increase in ridership due to the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade and dyeing of the river, the South Shore Line will offer additional westbound capacity and extra eastbound passenger trains on Saturday, March 14, 2020. WESTBOUND Westbound Train 502 (Millennium arrival @ 9:13a) and Train 606 (Millennium arrival @ 11:10a) will operate with additional capacity to accommodate passengers heading to Chicago in the morning. EASTBOUND In the afternoon, two eastbound passenger Extras will run after the parade and dyeing of the river: The first Extra will depart Millennium Station at 4:25 p.m. (Van Buren St. at

Millennium Station depot switch effective EVENINGS/OVERNIGHT ONLY through Thursday, March 12:On March 9, 10, 11 and 12: Beginning at 8 pm, passengers will temporarily board/detrain at the Metra Depot (Tracks 5 and 6). This includes Tr 222, 22, 121, 123 and 101. All morning rush and daily trains will return to normal operations in the South Shore Line depot.During this time, platform work will be conducted in the SSL depot.

Join Folds of Honor of Northwest Indiana and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) as they pay tribute to America's Vietnam veterans beginning at 6 p.m. March 28 at Wicker Memorial Park 8554 Indianapolis Blvd. Highland. Special Guest Speaker is Gregory Allen Stube, SFC, USA (Ret.) Green Beret. For more information, contact Bob Carnagey at bobcarnagey@msn.com.  

This past Friday the Valparaiso Police Responded to Flint Lake Elementary School, at 1:20 p.m. regarding a suspicious male subject that had entered the building with a parent of a student.  The male and female entered into a minor verbal altercation within the building and the female left the area, leaving the male behind. The male began to act inappropriately on school grounds by exhibiting signs of intoxication and being belligerent with school staff.  His actions continued and elevated as staff requested he leave the property. The male refused and police were contacted. During this time the male exited the

The Porter County Search and Rescue Team has received a donated vehicle from the Union Township Volunteer Fire Department. The former Deputy Fire Chief’s vehicle is a 2004 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 which will be used by the Search and Rescue Team to pull their 17 foot command post and rehabilitation trailer. “We acquired a new truck for our Deputy Chief, and felt it would be good to pay it forward and donate the Tahoe to the Search and Rescue Team”, Union Fire Chief Mark Werno said. The Union Volunteer Fire Department operates two fire stations on the west side of

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today signed an executive order declaring a public health emergency to increase coordination across all levels of government in the state’s response to coronavirus. This is also a step in making Indiana eligible for federal dollars to respond to the outbreak. A copy of the executive order is attached. “With the help of our federal, state and local partners, Indiana is responding to this case as we have planned and prepared for weeks,” Gov. Holcomb said. “The Hoosier who has been diagnosed has taken responsible steps to stay isolated.” This morning, Gov. Holcomb and the Indiana

Valparaiso Police are continuing to investigate the death of Travis Thompson, which occurred on January 29th, in the 700 block of Elm St. The investigation remains open and active, as investigators continue to work with the Porter County Prosecutor’s office. The thorough investigation has produced a great deal of information and evidence. Forensic evidence testing is taking place with results pending. Valparaiso Police are aware of the public interest regarding this case and will provide additional updates as they become available. VPD is confident that this death is an isolated incident and does not represent an ongoing threat to the

The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission announced that it will allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday, March 8th, to continue until 4:00 a.m. Daylight Savings Time changes clocks to 3:00 a.m. at 2:00 a.m. and without an additional hour, alcoholic beverages sales would need to cease at that time. To allow the same number of service hours on Saturday night, the ATC is, again, allowing the sales of alcoholic beverages to occur until 4:00 a.m.

Phishing, spoofing and other cyberattacks are on the rise, accounting for 92% of all breaches and the majority of identity theft and financial fraud cases in 2019. Due to this threat, the Indiana Bankers Association has transitioned the IBA website and email addresses to indiana.bank. This step provides you with increased protection that can help prevent future breaches, identity theft and financial fraud. In using .BANK, the IBA joins with 10 member banks that have already transitioned to this valuable security measure. Please bookmark the new IBA website address – indiana.bank – for future use. Past links using indianabankers.org will