Local News

State health officials are urging Indiana residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites in response to the detection of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus activity in northern Indiana.Since mid-August of this year, three horses and one group of mosquitoes from Elkhart County have tested positive for EEE virus. No human cases of EEE virus disease have been reported in Indiana in 2019; however, three human cases have been reported in southwest Michigan this year, one of which was fatal.State health officials recommend the following preventive measures:-Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are active (especially late afternoon, dusk to dawn and early

La Porte Hospital reached another milestone yesterday, with a Topping Out celebration. Construction tradition celebrates the last steel beam being hoisted into place during a Topping Out ceremony. In just over three months, more than 3 million pounds of steel have been assembled to create the structure of the new La Porte Hospital.  Hospital leadership, volunteers, board members, contractors, and construction workers attended the event as the last beam was placed at the top of the structure. The beam, which was placed inside the lobby of the existing hospital earlier this week, was signed by many employees, community members and others.

On Wednesday, September 11, at approximately 1:50 P.M. (CST), deputies were dispatched to the area of US 20 and Wiley Road reference a personal injury crash. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a passenger vehicle wedged underneath a trailer that was being pulled by a semi-tractor. The crash investigation determined both vehicles were traveling west on US 20 in the construction zone of the “Dogbone” interchange project.  The semi-tractor, a Freightliner, was slowing for congested traffic in the westbound single lane of travel. Evidence and further obtained statements revealed the passenger vehicle, a 2006 Pontiac, driven by 30 year old Zachery Sims

On Wednesday, September 11, at approximately 1:50 P.M. (CST), deputies were dispatched to the area of US 20 and Wiley Road reference a personal injury crash. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a passenger vehicle wedged underneath a trailer that was being pulled by a semi-tractor. The crash investigation determined both vehicles were traveling west on US 20 in the construction zone of the “Dogbone” interchange project.  The semi-tractor, a Freightliner, was slowing for congested traffic in the westbound single lane of travel. Evidence and further obtained statements revealed the passenger vehicle, a 2006 Pontiac, driven by 30 year old Zachery Sims

The Valparaiso Police Department would like to inform citizens of financial scams that have recently been reported in the area.  Within the last few weeks, Valparaiso Police have received numerous complaints where citizens have been fraudulently encouraged to pay large sums of money for a variety of circumstances.  Please remember, government agencies will not contact you by phone to demand immediate payment, nor will financial institutions or billing companies take pre-paid credit cards or gift cards as restitution.  These same institutions will not utilize fear or threaten immediate arrest for failure to comply with these requests.  Prior to using any

The Valparaiso Police Department would like to inform citizens of financial scams that have recently been reported in the area.  Within the last few weeks, Valparaiso Police have received numerous complaints where citizens have been fraudulently encouraged to pay large sums of money for a variety of circumstances.  Please remember, government agencies will not contact you by phone to demand immediate payment, nor will financial institutions or billing companies take pre-paid credit cards or gift cards as restitution.  These same institutions will not utilize fear or threaten immediate arrest for failure to comply with these requests.  Prior to using any

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Tammy Duckworth’s (D-Ill.) bipartisan legislation to provide disabled veterans TSA Pre√® unanimously passed the Senate yesterday evening. TSA Pre√® is already offered to active duty, reserves, and National Guard service members at no cost. The Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act will expand this program to include veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind. “As a Marine, I swore always to remain faithful to those serving by my side. That includes ensuring our veterans receive the care and respect they are due after they return home,” said Senator Young. “The passage of this bill has the potential to help

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Tammy Duckworth’s (D-Ill.) bipartisan legislation to provide disabled veterans TSA Pre√® unanimously passed the Senate yesterday evening. TSA Pre√® is already offered to active duty, reserves, and National Guard service members at no cost. The Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act will expand this program to include veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind. “As a Marine, I swore always to remain faithful to those serving by my side. That includes ensuring our veterans receive the care and respect they are due after they return home,” said Senator Young. “The passage of this bill has the potential to help

A pipe lining crew is working on eastbound I-94 between U.S. 421 and U.S. 20/35 in Michigan City. Traffic is split - one lane to the left and one to the right - with the center lane closed. Work is expected to last about a week. Also, don't forget about roadwork along 421 between 400 North and Route 20 daily.

A pipe lining crew is working on eastbound I-94 between U.S. 421 and U.S. 20/35 in Michigan City. Traffic is split - one lane to the left and one to the right - with the center lane closed. Work is expected to last about a week. Also, don't forget about roadwork along 421 between 400 North and Route 20 daily.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced yesterday that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in all of the 92 counties in Indiana as a result of the excessive rain and flooding that began on March 1, 2019. “When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities, affected by the same disaster,” said Kem Fleming, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East. Under this declaration,

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced yesterday that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in all of the 92 counties in Indiana as a result of the excessive rain and flooding that began on March 1, 2019. “When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities, affected by the same disaster,” said Kem Fleming, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East. Under this declaration,

On Friday, a healthy newborn baby girl was safely surrendered, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Hammond, via a Safe Haven Baby Box that had been active for less than 30 days.  This is the third newborn placed in a Safe Haven Baby Box in less than two years in Indiana.This is also the seventh surrendered infant in Indiana for 2019. Franciscan Hospital Emergency Department and security were notified by the alarm as soon as the newborn’s mother opened the outside door to place her baby in the box. Within 90 seconds, the newborn baby was retrieved from the box and

On Friday, a healthy newborn baby girl was safely surrendered, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Hammond, via a Safe Haven Baby Box that had been active for less than 30 days.  This is the third newborn placed in a Safe Haven Baby Box in less than two years in Indiana.This is also the seventh surrendered infant in Indiana for 2019. Franciscan Hospital Emergency Department and security were notified by the alarm as soon as the newborn’s mother opened the outside door to place her baby in the box. Within 90 seconds, the newborn baby was retrieved from the box and

On September 9th, 2019, at approximately 10:46 pm, the Michigan City Police Department received a call of shots fired in the area of the 3400 building of Salem Court. Officers arrived to find a victim on the sidewalk being administered CPR by several subjects. Upon further investigation it was determined that the subject had just been shot and was immediately transported to Franciscan Alliance Hospital. Shortly afterwards the victim, identified as 29-year-old Maurice J. Goldman was pronounce deceased, succumbing from a fatal gunshot wound to the groin area.  Members of the Michigan City Police Department Patrol Division, Investigative Division, and

On September 9th, 2019, at approximately 10:46 pm, the Michigan City Police Department received a call of shots fired in the area of the 3400 building of Salem Court. Officers arrived to find a victim on the sidewalk being administered CPR by several subjects. Upon further investigation it was determined that the subject had just been shot and was immediately transported to Franciscan Alliance Hospital. Shortly afterwards the victim, identified as 29-year-old Maurice J. Goldman was pronounce deceased, succumbing from a fatal gunshot wound to the groin area.  Members of the Michigan City Police Department Patrol Division, Investigative Division, and

As the American Red Cross works around the clock supporting those impacted by Hurricane Dorian, providing food, shelter and comfort, individuals outside the affected areas are urged to help by giving blood or platelets to ensure patients in the storm’s path and around the country have access to lifesaving blood. People can also help by making a financial donation to support relief efforts.Hurricane Dorian has forced the closure of blood donation centers and the cancellation of blood drives in its path, causing blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. When blood donations are disrupted in a region of the country,

A simple conversation could save a life, that's just one of the messages mental-health organizations are hoping to drive home on World Suicide Prevention Day (9/10). Indiana's suicide rate rose nearly 25 percent between 2008 and 2016, and Kelsey Steuer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Indiana says social stigma still prevents people from seeking help. That's why she says it's crucial to discreetly reach out to loved ones who might be struggling and ask the question directly. If a loved one has considered suicide, Steuer says the next step is to stay with them and connect them

A simple conversation could save a life, that's just one of the messages mental-health organizations are hoping to drive home on World Suicide Prevention Day (9/10). Indiana's suicide rate rose nearly 25 percent between 2008 and 2016, and Kelsey Steuer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Indiana says social stigma still prevents people from seeking help. That's why she says it's crucial to discreetly reach out to loved ones who might be struggling and ask the question directly. If a loved one has considered suicide, Steuer says the next step is to stay with them and connect them

In observance of National Child Passenger Safety Week, Franciscan Health will host free car seat safety clinics at its hospitals in Hammond and Michigan City.The clinic at Franciscan Health Hammond, 5454 Hohman Ave., will be 1:30-3:30PM, Sunday, September 15.  The clinic at Franciscan Health Michigan City, 3500 Franciscan Way, will be 11AM-2PM, Saturday, September 21.ArcelorMittal will provide free car seats installed by a certified technician while supplies last. Some qualifications are required to receive the free car seat.The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recommends that whether you’ve just installed a car seat or need help installing or using one, you