Local News

Yesterday, the House approved H.R. 2740, legislation that included Congressman Visclosky’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Defense Appropriation Act, by a vote of 226 to 203.Congressman Pete Visclosky stated, “This bill makes several efforts to focus on the well-being and morale of those in uniform, their families, DoD civilians, and defense communities.  For example, in addition to a 3.1 percent pay raise for our women and men in uniform, the bill also provides increased funds for military childcare facilities because I believe that access to affordable and quality childcare is vital to retention in our all-volunteer force, particularly for mid-career enlisted

Michiana Humane Society says they are proud to offer microchip placing for dogs, cats, and rabbits at a discounted rate beginning June 24th through July 5th.A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, including 53 animal shelters across the US, confirmed the high rate of return of microchipped dogs and cats to their families, and the importance of microchip registration.Michiana Humane Society wants to make sure your pets stay with you or are reunited if they should stray away, so they are offering $10 microchips for your pets instead of the normal $25 fee. This includes

Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) called for a vote in Congress to approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) without delay. Walorski’s comments came during a Ways and Means Committee hearing at which U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer testified about the modernized trade agreement and other trade-related matters.Walorski stated, “This agreement will go a long way to drive exports for farmers and manufacturers in Indiana’s 2nd District,” Congresswoman Walorski also said. “It sets a strong standard for the great innovators that call the Hoosier state home. And it levels the playing field for workers to ensure that we don’t lose jobs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) are inviting comments from the public on the proposed renewal and modification for Safety-Kleen Systems Inc.’s permit to treat and store used oil containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at its facility in East Chicago. Safety-Kleen collects used oil from oil change facilities, automotive shops, car dealerships, industry, and do-it-yourself oil pickup centers. Safety-Kleen does not pick up oil that is known to contain PCBs. However, PCBs are sometimes found in oil the company collects. The proposed renewal of Safety-Kleen’s PCB approval would allow the company to continue to

The Franciscan Health St. Clare Health Clinic’s food pantry will be able to increase its assistance to those in need for the next year, thanks to a $25,000 donation by Certified Electrician, a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 697 and the National Electrical Contractors Association.The donation was presented to the Franciscan Health Foundation on Monday, June 17 at St. Clare Health Clinic at 1121 Indiana Ave. in Crown Point, which provides affordable healthcare services to the community, including the uninsured and underinsured. The clinic stocks a pantry with food and hygiene products for anyone in need.

Senator Mike Braun and Senator Rick Scott’s plan to prevent Congress from being paid without passing a budget was successfully added to the Government Shutdown Accountability Act by Senator Rick Scott today, clearing committee in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs meeting. Senator Braun and Senator Scott originally introduced the No Budget, No Pay Act in January: Senator Braun's first piece of legislation.

The Indiana State Police Capitol Police Section is now accepting applications. Individuals who are interested in beginning a rewarding career as a Capitol Police Officer may apply online.  The website provides a detailed synopsis of the application process as well as information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police Department.Applications must be received via online submission by 11:59 pm (EDT) on Wednesday, July 10th.  Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.(Visit https://www.in.gov/isp/2367.htm for more.)

The Hebron Town Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a lease for 1.47 acres of land to the Friends of the Veterans Memorial Parkway, Inc. (FVMP) for the construction of a memorial to Northwest Indiana military veterans who served and those who lost their lives in conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.The site is located on the old Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way, on property owned by the town. The 1.47-acres linear parcel is bounded by U.S. 231 on the south and Wilson Street on the north.The FVMP has successfully developed a memorial site on U.S. 231 just east of

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is supporting Virginia’s sentencing of D.C. sniper Lee Boyd Malvo. In 2002, Lee Boyd Malvo and a co-conspirator unleashed a wave of terror in the Washington D.C. area — killing 10 people and wounding multiple others in sniper attacks. Malvo, who was 17 at the time he perpetrated these killings, was sentenced by a jury in 2004 to life without parole.In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that under the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment, minors could not be sentenced to mandatory life without parole. In 2016, the court further stated that

The Franciscan Health Foundation will partner with the state to prevent youth tobacco use and help current users quit after the approval of the Indiana State Department of Health grants in Lake and Montgomery counties.The Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission at the department of health approved a $300,000 grant to renew the Franciscan Health Foundation as the lead agency for the Tobacco Prevention Coalition in Lake County over the next two years.In Montgomery County, an $80,000 grant will go toward the creation of a Tobacco Prevention Coalition. Tobacco users interested in Tobacco cessation programs can find more information at FranciscanHealth.org/aspire

A bridge deck overlay project is starting Monday on State Road 10 in North Judson.The project is on the bridge over Bogus Run, just west of State Road 39. First, the work zone will feature one lane in each direction with a reduced speed limit (45 mph) and narrow lanes. Then, starting in early July, one lane of traffic will be controlled by a temporary signal.The project is expected to wrap up by late August.

Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) is meeting with more than a dozen agriculture stakeholders for a roundtable discussion hosted by the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Growers Association. The discussion will focus on the difficult planting season affecting Indiana corn and soybean farmers and opportunities for assistance at the federal level. Senator Young previously spoke in Washington on planting hardship this season and the need for clarification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on accessing disaster funds for struggling farmers in the state.

Attorney General Curtis Hill announced yesterday that the Office of Attorney General has secured an agreement to obtain $5.4 million in debt relief for 602 former ITT Tech students in Indiana as part of a bipartisan multistate settlement involving 44 attorneys general. Nationally, the settlement will result in debt relief of more than $168 million for more than 22,000 former ITT students.The settlement is with Student CU Connect CUSO, LLC (“CUSO”), which offered loans to finance students’ tuition at ITT Tech, the failed for-profit college. ITT filed bankruptcy in 2016 amid investigations by state attorneys general and following action by

In Valparaiso this Saturday, first responders will lead a series of public demonstrations dubbed as the Thrill Show. Families will experience a live show with first responder’s demonstrations on the techniques they must learn to save lives and keep us safe from the “bad guys”.The show will be from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM at The Multi Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC) Emergency Services Training Campus, 4203 Montdale Park Drive, in Valparaiso.Local police, fire, emergency management, and others will be taking part.There will be no cost to attend but tickets are required, www.maacthrillshow2019.eventbrite.com

A La Porte Police Officer recently received a life saving award. Last month La Porte Police Officer Adam Jaskowiak responded to a call for an unknown problem. A man had fallen into a window cutting his arm. Officer Jaskowiak made contact with the man, who had blood squirting from his arm due to a cut to a major artery. Using his training, Officer Jaskowiak retrieved his tourniquet and was able to apply it to the victims arm. EMS arrived on scene and transported the victim to South Bend where the victim had to undergo surgery. After the incident it was

Milling and mainline paving is underway as part of a resurfacing project on U.S. 231 between Hebron and Demotte. Flaggers will direct one lane of traffic around where work is taking place, which should wrap up in early July.

Work is progressing on the U.S. 35 bridge in downtown LaPorte, with concrete work continuing this week as crews prepare to switch traffic in early July.INDOT has stated that this week, crews have been working on pouring the pedestrian railing and a moment slab. Up next will be pouring the pedestals for decorative lighting and work on curbs and gutters, all in advance of the switching of traffic to the newly constructed northbound bridge so work can begin on the southbound bridge.A moment slab is needed to maintain structural integrity while it's necessary for traffic to travel on that portion

Yesterday, the House approved H.R. 2740, legislation that included Congressman Visclosky’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Defense Appropriation Act, by a vote of 226 to 203.Congressman Pete Visclosky stated, “This bill makes several efforts to focus on the well-being and morale of those in uniform, their families, DoD civilians, and defense communities.  For example, in addition to a 3.1 percent pay raise for our women and men in uniform, the bill also provides increased funds for military childcare facilities because I believe that access to affordable and quality childcare is vital to retention in our all-volunteer force, particularly for mid-career enlisted

Michiana Humane Society says they are proud to offer microchip placing for dogs, cats, and rabbits at a discounted rate beginning June 24th through July 5th.A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, including 53 animal shelters across the US, confirmed the high rate of return of microchipped dogs and cats to their families, and the importance of microchip registration.Michiana Humane Society wants to make sure your pets stay with you or are reunited if they should stray away, so they are offering $10 microchips for your pets instead of the normal $25 fee. This includes

Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) called for a vote in Congress to approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) without delay. Walorski’s comments came during a Ways and Means Committee hearing at which U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer testified about the modernized trade agreement and other trade-related matters.Walorski stated, “This agreement will go a long way to drive exports for farmers and manufacturers in Indiana’s 2nd District,” Congresswoman Walorski also said. “It sets a strong standard for the great innovators that call the Hoosier state home. And it levels the playing field for workers to ensure that we don’t lose jobs