Local News

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.

The City of La Porte will not be extending its contract with the Transit Triangle commuter service, according to Mayor Tom Dermody. “Despite its affordability, ridership has remained fairly stagnant over the last several years,” Dermody said. “Our residents expect us to be responsible with their tax dollars and unfortunately, numbers that low simply do not justify the cost. For this reason, we’ve made the difficult decision to discontinue our partnership with the Transit Triangle.” Dermody said the City will shift its attention to its own TransPorte bus system. He said the savings from Transit Triangle could potentially lead to

Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) Office of Concurrent Enrollment awarded scholarships to area high school students who participated in the concurrent enrollment program.  The scholarship recognizes five highly motivated and engaged students wishing to attend Purdue Northwest. Among the recipients are Samantha Frederick, Lake Central High School; Romulo Gutierrez, Hammond Academy of Science and Technology; Benjamin Hand, Munster High School; Conner Olah, Highland High School; and Audry Wright, Kankakee Valley High School. To qualify for the scholarship, students had to complete a minimum of three dual credit courses in high school and enroll as full-time PNW students starting in the fall 2020 semester. They also needed

Monday, June 15, 2020 – Elkhart County 10 a.m. – Noon EDT WHERE:  Wakarusa Elementary School, 400 N. Washington Street, Wakarusa, IN 46573 *This mobile food distribution is possible through grant funding provided by United Way of Elkhart & LaGrange Counties and will provide for up to 500 households. Tuesday, June 16, 2020 – St. Joseph County               10 a.m. – Noon EDT WHERE: Kroger, 906 S. Merrifield Avenue, Mishawaka, IN 46544 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 – Kosciusko County 10 a.m. – Noon EDT WHERE: Mentone Elementary School, 301 E. Jackson Street, Mentone, IN 46539 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 – LaPorte

Indianapolis – Indiana Department of Insurance Commissioner Stephen W. Robertson recently approved a request from Anthem to provide financial relief to individual plans and fully-insured employer groups in the form of premium credits. The premium credits program ranges from 10% to 15% for Anthem medical plans and 50% for dental, which include individual grandfathered plans, small group plans, large group plans, and national accounts with Anthem medical and/or dental plans. Anthem is providing $14.4 million of financial assistance to Hoosiers to ease the burden COVID-19 is placing on affiliated health plans’ consumers and employer customers, care providers and nonprofit partners

The New Day Foundation announced the award of three $1,000.00 Connie Yagelski-Marhanka Music Scholarships to Three LaPorte County Students. New Day is committed to bring music into the lives of cancer patients as music is an alternative form of therapy. It was Connie’s dream to help inspire young musicians to follow their dreams. This scholarship is given to LaPorte County high school seniors that are pursuing a future in music. Beginning in 2007 the New Day Foundation offered two $500.00 college scholarships in the field of music. This scholarship is in the memory of Connie Yagelski-Marhanka who fought a courageous

The Washington Park Zoo will reopen to the public on June 15th. In conjunction with state and local officials, the Washington Park Zoo will enter Phase I of their reopening plan. This process follows the advice and recommendations of health officials, numerous zoo facilities, and small businesses within the community. The Zoo will remain on Spring Hours (10 am-4 pm with gates closing at 3 pm).                              Daily attendance will be capped at 50% capacity. In order to ensure the safety of staff and guests the zoo has made many modifications in compliance with health recommendations. Find these modifications on

A new traffic law will take effect July 1, 2020 that prohibits the operator of a motor vehicle from holding or operating a cellular phone or a similar electronic device while the vehicle is in motion. Exceptions: - Devices may be used with hands free or voice operated technology. - Devices may be used or held to call 911 to report an emergency.

In an effort to provide families and those who are vulnerable to COVID-19 with reassurance and helpful information, the Community Health Improvement Team for Franciscan Health created Family Wellness Kits to distribute to the communities Franciscan Health serves. With COVID-19 affecting families and individuals acutely, Franciscan Health’s Community Health Improvement Team worked with community partners to find ways to assist. To help quell fears and anxiety with knowledge, the team used gifts to the Community Health & Wellness funds from the Franciscan Health Foundation to provide kits with wellness packets and resources. These resources range from chore charts to practicing