Local News

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), operator of the South Shore Line, is pleased to announce that it is able to begin final engineering for its Double Track Northwest Indiana Project (DT-NWI) after receiving approval to enter the New Starts Engineering phase of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Capital Investment Grant Program. “The Double Track project will greatly reduce travel time between Northwest Indiana and Chicago – a great advantage to the region as we build economic competitiveness and attract talent,” Gov. Holcomb said. “I’m grateful for our strong partnerships at the state, local, and federal levels that have

Franciscan Physician Network has welcomed new physicians to Franciscan Medical Pavilion and Coolspring Health Center in Michigan City. Practicing at FPN Franciscan Medical Pavilion, Dr. Zhijun George Guo, MD, PhD, is board certified in neurology. He trained at Beijing Medical University in Beijing, China, and at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Dr. Guo did his residency and fellowship in pain and palliative care at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. His clinical interests include adult neurology, multiple sclerosis, stroke, seizure, headache, neuropathy, neuralgia, Parkinson’s disease, tremor, dementia, Botox treatment, nerve block and electromyography. Franciscan Medical Pavilion is

On Tuesday, February 11, 2020, Mayor Duane Parry attended the Luncheon of the League of Women Voters celebrating and honoring their ratification of the 19th amendment on January 16th, 1920.  As Mayor Parry read the Official Proclamation to the League, he articulated this 100-year anniversary that celebrates the 20 million women in 1920 who were allowed and permitted to carry out their new responsibilities as voters in the United States. Mayor Parry enthusiastically supports and personally appreciates the 100-year legacy created by the current and former members of the League of Women Voters as they continue to promote informed citizen

Michigan City Area Schools will conduct Kindergarten and Preschool (Pre-K) registration for the 2020-21 school year on Wednesday, February 26. Kindergarten students must be age 5 by October 1, 2020; Pre-K students must be age 3 by October 1, 2020. “Kindergarten Roundup” will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at all MCAS elementary buildings on February 26, which is also the date of after-school Elementary Parent-teacher Conferences. Kindergarten students should be enrolled at the school that serves the area in which they live: Coolspring Elementary (9121 W 300 North)Edgewood Elementary (502 Boyd Circle)Joy Elementary (1600 E. Coolspring Avenue) Knapp

New Jersey-based manufacturer GAF Materials Corp. is planning a new warehouse in LaPorte County. Ground has been broken for a 200,000-square-foot facility to house office and warehouse space in Michigan City's Millennium Business Park. GAF already operates a shingle manufacturing plant in Michigan City. The new building will be built on a 45-acre site, with at least 23 acres for concrete storage by Dallas-based Mohr Capital. The new facility is expected to be complete by December and could create up to 50 new jobs.

Liberty Fire was dispatched shortly after 11:30 AM Sunday morning for a roll-over vehicle crash resulting in injuries on county road 1050 North between 150 West and 200 West in Liberty Township. One patient required extrication resulting from the crash with a snapped power pole with power lines over the vehicle that delayed the response of rescue efforts. With energized power lines in proximity to the vehicle rescuers’ were forced to wait for NIPSCO to arrive on scene. NIPSCO was immediately notified upon subsequent information from the initial dispatch of the call. NIPSCO arrived almost an hour after the request

At Rittenhouse Village Michigan City the 11th Annual Valentine’s Bazaar Event raised $1,472 on Saturday. Team WIMS was live from 8:30am-10:30am at the event which included 23 vendors. Proceeds from breakfast and booth rentals will go to Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana. Check our WIMS Facebook page for a ton of pictures and videos from the event!

Dan Buresh, Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, is pleased to announce the promotion of Eric Sommer to Vice President, Controller in the Michigan City, Indiana office.Sommer has over 15 years in the financial industry. At Horizon Bank he has supervisory responsibilities within the Finance area along with providing instrumental analysis and consolidating of accounting records relating to potential and closed merger transactions, assisting in regulatory, internal, and external reporting, and various accounting functions. About Horizon Bancorp, Inc. Horizon Bancorp, Inc. is an independent, commercial bank holding company serving Indiana and Michigan through its commercial banking subsidiary, Horizon Bank. Horizon Bancorp,

In 2019, Michigan City was awarded a Federal Lead Grant in the amount of 2.3 million dollars, with a local match of $420,000.00. After careful review of the current progress of this grant, the new City Administration does not believe we can successfully comply with all the terms and conditions set forth in the grant which includes meeting the quota threshold of 150 units needed to be completed by the federal grant guidelines. If the City does not successfully comply with all the terms and conditions of this grant before it expires, the city of Michigan City will be liable

Indiana’s oldest employee retired yesterday. Chief surveyor 102 year old Bob Vollmer, left the Indiana Government Center South as an employee for the last time Thursday morning. He worked for the Department of Natural Resources 57 years, mostly in the field or out of his home office in Brown County. Vollmer exited the building after a two-hour reception with fellow employees.Wednesday he completed his last day of working in the field, surveying in Clinton, in Vermillion County. This evening, the DNR will honor Vollmer with a retirement dinner party. On Tuesday, he had pie and coffee with Gov. Eric Holcomb

Valparaiso University has received a $15 million gift, calling it the single largest gift for student scholarships in the school’s 161-year history. The university says the deferred gift commitment, from an anonymous couple, will be used to establish an endowed fund. President Mark Heckler says the impact of the gift will create an “immeasurable” impact on future generations of students. Heckler says the donors wish to remain anonymous, but he does call them “longtime friends of Valpo” who are dedicated to the mission of the school. The university, located in the city of Valparaiso, says the deferred gift supports Forever

A Spain-based corporation is planning to open a new metal forming plant in Portage. Fagor Arrasate has signed a lease for over 6,700 square feet in the Ameriplex at the Port Business Park. The company has customers in over 70 counties and plans to have the plant operational by the end of the year. Plans call for the plant to include a workshop and offices and for construction to start in April. Fagor Arrasate is the first tenant to move into the new Diversey Building on Prairie School Drive. The Holladay Properties development has nearly 53,000 square feet of space

Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) 2019 fall semester Dean’s List recognizes 1,763 undergraduate students for their academic achievement.  Students who have completed 12 credit hours, including at least six during the spring, qualified for Dean’s List recognition by sustaining an overall grade point average of at least 3.5 and a semester grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale). The fall semester Dean’s List consists of 1,250 Indiana residents from 86 communities; 367 Illinois residents from 154 communities; 28 residents from Ohio; 19 residents from Wisconsin; 12 residents from Michigan; eight from California; two each from Arizona, Florida, Iowa, North

The Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust (IBCAT) has awarded $42,240 in grants to Franciscan Health Foundation to provide free screenings and diagnostic services for low-income Hoosier women, as well as material support for those with a breast cancer diagnosis, including food, transportation and housing payments. Franciscan Health Foundation has received IBCAT funding for several years. •        A $16,140 grant will provide breast cancer screenings and diagnostic services for women whose household income is at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level and lack sufficient insurance. Enrollment and screenings for this program are available at Franciscan Health Michigan City, Franciscan

Some Indiana farms and businesses are hopeful for a brighter future, thanks to the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Last week, President Donald Trump signed the trade deal, which is similar to the former NAFTA treaty. Greg Ellis, vice president for energy, environment and federal affairs with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, said it's great news for the state, which exported nearly $13 billion worth of goods to Canada, and more than $5 billion worth to Mexico in 2018. Indiana farmers are expected to be able to increase exports by more than $2 billion, and an estimated 60,000 thousand Hoosier manufacturing

Students at Michigan City High School seeking to pursue a career in advanced manufacturing can graduate as a Certified Production Technician with specific industry credentials and work experience now that the school has been certified as a State Earn and Learn (SEAL) program. The school has partnered with several compressed air companies in the area to launch the Compressed Air Academy, where high school students get industry-tailored instruction, hands-on experience with equipment, on-the-job training and opportunities to continue their education or enter the workforce upon graduation. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is helping to skill-up the state’s workforce by developing

On Tuesday January 28th our own Randy Russell, Superintendent of the Michigan City Water Works, was presented with the prestigious George Warren Fuller Award. This honor was presented at the annual American Water Works Association meeting held in Indianapolis. The prestigious George Warren Fuller award is presented annually to only selected members in the United States and Canada for their distinguished service to the water supply field. This award is the most highly regarded recognition within the AWWA organization. Superintendent Randy Russell has served Michigan City for over 45 years, beginning his career at 17, mowing lawns at the water

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is leading the state’s efforts to educate Hoosiers about the 2019 novel coronavirus that originated in China, ensuring that the public, healthcare providers and local health departments have the latest information available to keep themselves and their communities healthy. “There continues to be no confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus in Indiana at this time,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “At my direction, the Indiana State Department of Health is working in close coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as other federal, state and local partners, to share

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR PALADIN'S SPLASH OF COLOR GALA AND AUCTION ON SATURDAY APRIL 4, 2020. THE SPLASH OF COLOR GALA WILL BE HELD AT SAND CREEK COUNTRY CLUB BEGINNING AT 6 PM. THE EVENING WILL BE DESIGNED FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT PALADIN'S MISSION: TO ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, SENIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO PROVIDE SUPPORTS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN, GROW AND ENJOY A MEANINGFUL LIFE. PALADIN ARTISTS AND ARTWORK WILL BE ONSITE, ALONG WITH COCKTAILS, HORS D'OEURVES, AND ENTERTAINMENT. PALADIN IS ACTIVELY SEEKING SPONSORSHIPS AND SILENT AUCTION ITEMS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT ERIN.MOONEYHAN@PALADIN.CARE.

An initiative launched two years ago by the Wellness Council of Indiana and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce is expanding. The chamber says Indiana Workforce Recovery is partnering with mental health and addiction treatment services provider Centerstone to bring an award-winning program statewide. Centerstone developed the Workforce Investment Program to help employers throughout the country assist employees with substance use issues. The program is now being offered through Indiana Workforce Recovery to give hands-on consultation to Hoosier businesses that want to implement recovery programs.The program gives potential or current employees who test positive on their drug screen the option to