Local News

With 387 animal intakes and 348 outcomes during the first sixth months of 2019, the Porter County Animal Shelter announced that only two animals (0.6% of outcomes) were euthanized – one for aggression and one for medical reasons. Since 2016, during the same period, the Shelter has achieved gradual reductions, but the first six months of 2019 was the largest drop they have ever attained. The standard for achieving no kill status is that the shelter maintains a euthanization rate below 10%. Overall, the Shelter took in 387 animals between January 1 and June 30. Of the 348 outcomes, 53.4%

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will host a Flood Map Information Open House on Aug. 29 from 5 to 7pm for Lake Michigan shoreline communities of Porter County. The open house will provide residents with an opportunity to review a recently completed preliminary Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1-percent-annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within the shoreline areas of the county and offer information that public officials may use when permitting development

The La Porte City Police Department will be conducting School Bus Safety patrols now through September 13th. Officers will be working approximately 80 hours of extra patrols under the Stop Arm Violation Enforcement (SAVE) grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. Patrols will target those drivers who pass School Buses while the Stop Arm is activated.Police are reminding the public that school begins today and paying attention to buses and the young children riding them should be in the forefront of everyone’s mind. The La Porte Police Department asks the public to be vigilant of their driving habits to ensure

As part of a resurfacing project, the northbound ramps connecting I-65 and SR 10 (as well as the rest area just north of the interchange) will close overnight Friday and Sunday. Closure will start around 8 p.m., ending by 9 a.m.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has appointed Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger to the United States Investment Advisory Council (Council). In this role, Schellinger will serve the U.S. Department of Commerce and its SelectUSA program by advising on strategies and efforts to strengthen and increase foreign direct investment in the U.S.Between 2016-2018, foreign direct investment committed to the state increased by 300 percent. During that time, the IEDC, in partnership with local communities, secured 123 commitments from international companies representing 22 countries and territories to invest $5.8 billion in Indiana and create 15,502 new Hoosier jobs. That trend

With many regular donors delaying giving to take final summer vacations and prepare for school to start, the American Red Cross continues to have an emergency need for blood and platelet donations to help end a summer blood shortage.While thousands of donors have rolled up a sleeve this summer, blood and platelet donations aren’t keeping pace with patient needs. More donations are urgently needed to replenish the blood supply and be prepared for patient emergencies.Make an appointment to donate blood now by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood

The public is invited to join Shirley Heinze Land Trust to celebrate the dedication of the trail at Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserve in Hobart in honor of the late Keith Board.  The event will begin at 2pm on Saturday, August 24th near the west entrance of the nature preserve. A dedication ceremony will begin at 2:30pm, with guided hikes of the preserve to follow. Light refreshments will be provided.Keith Board made significant contributions to Shirley Heinze Land Trust and the greater conservation community through his devotion to the study of botany, and the discovery of special natural areas such as

Yesterday, Governor Holcomb advanced a comprehensive realignment of Indiana’s defense development efforts, creating a more collaborative, strategic approach to growing and enhancing the state’s defense industry and military assets by aligning the Indiana Office of Defense Development (IODD) as a new business unit of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). The Governor also announced the appointment of Major General Omer C. (Clif) Tooley Jr. to lead defense development. In his new role as president of defense development, Tooley will provide a focused approach to grow Indiana’s defense industry by promoting the state’s defense assets, assisting in business development, and attracting

Gov. Eric Holcomb recently announced that Indiana National Guard Adjutant General Courtney Carr will retire. Carr has served as Adjutant General since 2015 and his resignation is effective Friday. Brigadier General Timothy Winslow will serve as the interim Adjutant General. Winslow is a career Army National Guard aviator and was promoted to brigadier general in May.

Construction on a $35 million mixed-use development in La Porte will be underway next month. Indianapolis-based Flaherty & Collins Properties says they will start work on a three-building campus in the middle of the city's NewPorte Landing redevelopment project called “The Strand”. The Strand will feature 200 new living units, 5,000 square feet of retail space, and amenities such as a resort-style pool, outdoor courtyard, a pet wash and bark park, fitness center, and bike storage and repair. The Strand is expected to be complete by the third quarter of 2021.

The American Red Cross recently appointed Jeff Imel as the Indiana Region Service to the Armed Forces and International Services Manager. Imel began his duties on August 12. Imel is a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician and a Marine Corps veteran. He also worked several years as an electrical engineer, and in 2002, he started a company that designed and manufactured drones for the military. In 2015, he left the drone industry to pursue his dream of helping people on their worst day and returned to school to become an Emergency Medical Technician and Emergency Medical Services Educator. Imel began

Saturday, August 17th the Michiana Humane Society will be participating in Clear the Shelters Day. For this one day, from 11am to 4pm Central, you will be able to adopt a dog, kitten, or cat for free. Again, adoption fees will be waived for this day only. The regular adoption process will still take place, which means you will not be able to take your pet home the same day. If you come to the shelter on Clear the Shelters day and find that you have bonded with one of the animals, you can fill out an application and within

La Porte Hospital and La Porte Physician Network have announced a new collaboration with HealthLinc, a local Federally Qualified Health Center, to increase the services available at its Community Health Center and Community Dental Clinic located in La Porte.  According to a joint press release, providing comprehensive care to underserved communities has always been a priority for La Porte Hospital and discussions with HealthLinc have led to the ability to serve even more individuals in need. HealthLinc will assume operations of the La Porte Physician Network Community Health Center and Community Dental Clinic located at 400 Teegarden Street in La

Yesterday, Governor Holcomb advanced a comprehensive realignment of Indiana’s defense development efforts, creating a more collaborative, strategic approach to growing and enhancing the state’s defense industry and military assets by aligning the Indiana Office of Defense Development (IODD) as a new business unit of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). The Governor also announced the appointment of Major General Omer C. (Clif) Tooley Jr. to lead defense development. In his new role as president of defense development, Tooley will provide a focused approach to grow Indiana’s defense industry by promoting the state’s defense assets, assisting in business development, and attracting

The public is invited to join Shirley Heinze Land Trust to celebrate the dedication of the trail at Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserve in Hobart in honor of the late Keith Board.  The event will begin at 2pm on Saturday, August 24th near the west entrance of the nature preserve. A dedication ceremony will begin at 2:30pm, with guided hikes of the preserve to follow. Light refreshments will be provided.Keith Board made significant contributions to Shirley Heinze Land Trust and the greater conservation community through his devotion to the study of botany, and the discovery of special natural areas such as

In the town of Porter, Waverly Rd. at US Hwy 20 is closed until August 16th every morning from 7 am to 3:30 pm for NIPSCO pole replacement. The first couple of days, Waverly north of 20 will be closed up to Dollar General. After those poles are replaced, 3 poles on the south side of US Hwy 20 at Waverly will be replaced.

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb ceremonially signed school safety legislation Friday alongside a group of teachers, students and community members at Mt. Vernon High School. HEA 1004, a Next Level Agenda bill, stemmed from recommendations in the Governor’s school safety report. It provides access to more funding for safety equipment, facilitates partnerships with local law enforcement and requires threat assessments in schools among other things. SEA 325 allows for schools to create support services to work with children and their parents to support their mental health and well-being.

Donors are sought for the Versiti Blood Center blood drives at Franciscan Hammond Clinic on Wednesday, Aug. 14, Franciscan Health Munster on Thursday, Aug. 15, Franciscan Health Crown Point on Monday, Aug. 26, Franciscan Health Hammond on Tuesday, Aug. 27 and Franciscan Wellness Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28.Details are as follows:Aug. 14: 9AM to 2PM at Franciscan Hammond Clinic, 7905 Calumet Ave., Munster. Aug. 15: Noon to 4PM at Franciscan Health Munster St. Clare Conference and Education Center, 701 Superior Ave. Aug. 26: Noon to 5PM at Franciscan Health Crown Point Annex Cafeteria, 1201 S. Main St. Aug. 27: Noon to 4PM at

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Indiana Michael Dora announced last week that Harrison REMC has been selected to receive funding of $15,500,000 for rural electric infrastructure improvements. Dora’s announcement is in coordination with the recent announcement made by Rural Utilities Service Administrator Chad Rupe Friday announcing that USDA is investing $181 million to upgrade rural electric systems in 10 states. USDA is providing financing for 12 projects in Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin through the Electric Loan Program. The funding will help build and improve 1,354 miles

United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent In Charge Grant Mendenhall in coordination with LaPorte County Prosecutor John Lake announced that 50 year old Michael Christianson, of LaPorte was charged with transportation of child pornography. The criminal complaint alleges that on or about July 2, FBI Agents from the Charlotte Division responded to a complaint by a book publisher about material contained inside three books submitted for publication and authored by Christianson. The lead was distributed to Indiana FBI agents. The books appear to be geared toward children as they use large fonts, simple