Local News

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today reported 76 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing to 201 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. Four Hoosiers have died. A total of 661 results were reported, bringing to 1,494 the number of tests reported to ISDH to date. The new cases involve residents of Bartholomew (4), Boone (1), Delaware (1), Dubois (1), Floyd (1), Franklin (2), Grant (1), Hamilton (8), Hancock (2), Hendricks (2), Howard (1), Johnson (5), Lake (3), Madison (1), Marion (35), Monroe (1) Morgan (1), Putnam

Purdue Northwest commencement ceremonies will not take place this spring to protect public health and safetyIn response to the rapidly changing situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and to support the public health response of the community, the traditional Purdue University Northwest (PNW) commencement ceremonies will not take place as scheduled in May 2020. The PNW Office of the Registrar announced the decision March 19 in a message to all students who are eligible to graduate this spring. PNW is exploring possible alternatives to honor the spring class of 2020.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) on Friday announced that a third Hoosier has died of COVID-19. The patient is an adult resident of Marion County over age 60 who had been hospitalized. ISDH reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing to 79 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and private laboratories. All but one are adults. This is an ongoing situation and is evolving rapidly. For more information, including a list of frequently asked questions, visit in.gov/coronavirus and subscribe for updates. Future updates will also be posted to this

With the extension of eLearning through May 1, Michigan City Area Schools is adjusting its eLearning schedule after Spring Break to incorporate some of the waiver days that have been offered by the Indiana Department of Education and Governor Holcomb. MCAS wll continue with their current schedule of eLearning up until Spring Break. There will be no eLearning during Spring Break. Following Spring Break, MCAS will have eLearning Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. MCAS will be using waiver days on Thursdays and Fridays.

As coronavirus (Covid-19) takes an unprecedented toll on the health and financial well-being of the residents in our communities, Northwest Indiana’s philanthropic foundations respond with a message of solidarity. In Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties, Legacy Foundation, Crown Point Community Foundation, Foundations of East Chicago, Porter County Community Foundation and Unity Foundation are working together to support organizations serving those disproportionately impacted by the outbreak. The Foundations have established emergency funds to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and direct grants within the communities where they are located. With the emergency response funds, the foundations will coordinate efforts to meet needs

During this heightened time of concern due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we want customers in the communities we serve to know that their safety and well-being is of utmost importance to us. We understand that this situation has changed how our customers function and operate in their daily lives. With many of you teleworking and e-learning from home, we know reliable energy is necessary to fulfill these needs. NIPSCO and its dedicated workforce will continue in its mission to provide the constant source of electric and natural gas service that customers are depending on. To do that, we have instituted

Governor Eric Holcomb joined Secretary of State Connie Lawson, Republican Party Chair Kyle Hupfer and Democratic Party Chair John Zody today to announce an agreement to move the date of this year’s Indiana primary election from May 5 to June 2. All dates corresponding with the primary election will be moved by 28 days to reflect the new date of the primary. For example, military and overseas ballots are required to mailed 45 days prior to the primary election, so they’ll move 45 days prior to June 2. “The right of citizens to elect their leaders in a free and

Indiana Medicaid will allow interactions between patients and doctors and other health care providers, as well as other Medicaid service deliveries, to occur either over the phone or through the use of telemedicine technologies whenever possible. Effective immediately, most health services – including covered mental health services and Medicaid home- and community-based services – will be reimbursed as if they took place in person. This policy will remain in place – and telemedicine/telephone interactions will be encouraged – for as long as Indiana remains under a declaration of a public health emergency by Governor Eric Holcomb.

The Judges of the LaPorte County Courts are aware of the challenges presented by the outbreak of COVID-19 (the “Corona Virus”). The outbreak requires that the LaPorte County Courts take extraordinary measures in order to continue to provide access to justice in LaPorte County consistent with the health and wellness needs of our community. For the complete press release check out WIMS' FACEBOOK page.

As the temporary closures of workplaces, events, schools and other public areas increases, South Shore Line wants to keep the health and safety of all riders at the forefront. As a result, the Kids Ride Free spring break staycation promotion that was scheduled for March 21 – April 6, 2020, is now canceled.

Hoosier small businesses invited to apply for low-interest loansfrom U.S. Small Business Administration INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced that Indiana small businesses are eligible for financial assistance under a disaster designation by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This declaration is in response to a formal request Gov. Holcomb submitted with the SBA on Tuesday, seeking assistance through the organization’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak in Indiana. “Small businesses play a critical role in driving Indiana’s economy forward, with more than 512,000 employing 1.2 million Hoosiers across the state,” Gov. Holcomb

Fraudsters Taking Advantage of COVID-19 Fears As with any disaster, fear is used by unsavory people and organizations to scam us out of our hard-working money. The COVID-19 health emergency has led to a variety of new scams popping up in our emails and in those pesky unsolicited phone calls. Some of the scams that have begun include scams involving vaccinations for sale, requests for donations to help fund a vaccine, offer of vital supplies being for sale (i.e. masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves), and unsolicited work from home emails. Take precautions to avoid falling for these scams. Do your

The lobbies of all Horizon Bank locations throughout Indiana and Michigan will be open by appointment only.  The bank’s drive up, ATM, and Live Video Banking facilities will remain open and hours of operation will remain unchanged at this time. In addition, all offices and departments will be staffed and available to assist you by telephone.  “At Horizon, there is nothing more important to us than the safety and well-being of our customers, employees and communities we serve. We have announced the temporary measure of having our lobbies open by appointment only to do all that we can to ensure

Effective immediately, the Michigan City Transit is temporarily suspending the payment of fares until May 1, 2020.  The Transit System will be limiting ridership to fifteen (15) passengers per bus and is emphasizing that passengers utilize the Transit System for essential travel only.  In addition, the Triangle Transit System will temporarily be reduced to one (1) route.    The City will post updates on facility closures and other information on our website www.emichigancity.com and will place updates on our Facebook page, “My Michigan City”.

Kurt Catterlin chairperson for the pastoral council of St. Mary the Immaculate Conception Parish in Michigan City along. Father Kevin Huber, Pastor of Queen of All Saints Parish and St. Mary, would like to let everyone know “The Catholic Bishops of the Indiana Province have suspended the public celebration of Mass until further notice. If you have any questions, you may call 219-872-9196 during regular business hours.”

The COVID-19 testing facility is now up and running at our Franciscan Health Michigan City hospital and has already tested its first patient this morning. The testing station is located at a trailer on the far east side of the hospital’s main parking lot and is identified with signage. Once again, I want to emphasize that patients MUST have a doctor’s order to obtain a test and must pre-register by calling (219) 877-1474 prior to arrival.

Over the last few days information and actions regarding the COVID-19 novel coronavirus has changed at a rapid pace. The intention of this letter is to help you understand what’s happening at the La Porte County Public Library and provide you with information about resources that will be available from the library as we go forward. Beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, all locations of the Library will be closed to the public until Monday, April 6th. At that time we will reevaluate the situation to determine if the Library will be able to re-open. We’re closing to protect the health

As part of our effort to minimize the spread of the novel COVID-19 coronavirus, Franciscan Health has instituted new visitor restrictions at its hospitals in Lake County. Starting Tuesday, March 17, Franciscan Health Crown Point, Dyer, Hammond and Munster will allow one healthy adult visitor for patients in these departments only: ·        Pediatrics ·        Family Birth Center/NICU ·        Emergency Department ·        Outpatient Surgery ·        End of Life All visitors will be screened for signs of illness. Persons in any of the following categories will not be allowed to visit: ·        Have taken high-risk air travel or have been on a cruise ship in the last 14

Michigan City, IN – March 17, 2020 – Patrick’s Grille, a fining dining restaurant in Michigan City, announced today that they will be providing curb side pick-up service at their location at 4125 Franklin Street. Julie Krause, General Manager of PWE Hospitality, said, “Patrick’s Grille will provide curb side service during the mandated closing through March 31st of all Indiana restaurants ordered by Governor Holcomb.” In addition, Patrick’s Grille will be giving 10% of the to-go orders and all tips to the restaurant’s employees who are on temporary leave during this difficult time. Curb side service is available Tuesday through

The La Porte County Historical Society Museum will be closed, effective immediately. Based on recommendations by the Indiana Governor’s office, the Indiana State Department of Health, and the La Porte County Government, the La Porte County Historical Society Museum will be closed to the public, including all programs, meetings, events, and tours until further notice. The top priority of the La Porte County Historical Society is the health and safety of our community, guests, volunteers and staff members. We will continue to evaluate the situation on an ongoing basis, and every attempt will be made to reschedule events for a