Local News

INDOT announced that a concrete patching job is set to begin today on I-65 in Lake County, from U.S. 30 to just south of U.S. 231. Throughout the project - which is expected to last through September - two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction. During the first phase, crews will be setting up a traffic crossover and placing barrier wall with two lanes moving in the right lane and outside shoulder on the southbound side and in the right two lanes on the northbound side. Then, in late May, two lanes of traffic will flow in

This past Thursday, investigators assigned to the Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group (PCMEG), assisted by the DEA and Portage SWAT, executed a search warrant at a residence located at the 5600 block of Carnation Ave. in Portage. Located inside the residence were 64lbs of synthetic drugs, 940 grams of synthetic chemical compound used to manufacture the substance commonly referred to as ‘spice,’ evidence of several gallons of acetone which is also used to manufacture the substance, $2,955 dollars in USC from the illicit sales of narcotics, a stolen Ruger mini 14 rifle, and a Glock 37 semi-automatic pistol. Both suspects, 31

The Indiana State Police held an awards and recognition ceremony in Indianapolis this afternoon. The ceremony publicly recognized the achievements and accomplishments that all too often go without the proper recognition. Officers were recognized for their dedication, service, bravery, devotion to the department and the citizens of Indiana. Two troopers from the Toll Road Post were honored for their efforts in serving the citizens of Indiana. The 2018 Trooper of the District Award for the Toll Road Post was presented to Trooper Scott Hipsher. This award is given annually to a trooper at each district that personifies integrity, professionalism, and

Todd Leininger from Bloomington had been imprisoned in Venezuela since April 2014 when he was convicted by a Venezuelan court in the midst of anti-government protests. Many questions remain over the due process afforded to Leininger during that trial. Consistent with law, a Venezuelan court issued an order for his conditional release on May 23, 2018. In November 2018, that same court again ordered his release, but until now the Venezuelan authorities refused to comply with the order. Mr. Leininger was released on Thursday, April 25, and arrived in Miami, Florida, this morning. Senator Young worked with the White House

The Valparaiso Police Department would like to announce the retirement of Detective Lieutenant Tom Horn and Detective Brian Thurman, effective April 30th. Detective Lieutenant Tom Horn has served the City of Valparaiso for 29 years, accepting his first appointment as a Probationary Patrolman on April 1, 1990. Tom attained his first promotion, to Sergeant, on April 7, 1995 and was again promoted on March 5, 1999, to Lieutenant. On March 27, 2001, Tom was transferred to the Detective Bureau . During his career, Tom received many commendations for his service and was active as an instructor and Field Training Officer.

You Belong at LCA: Lubeznik Center for the Arts Launches May Membership DriveOn Wednesday, May 1, Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) will kick off a one-month membership drive. During this time, LCA invites individuals and families from around the region to become part of its efforts to provide everyone in the community with equal access to high quality cultural experiences.LCA is a non-profit art center located at 101 W. 2nd St. on the lakefront in Michigan City, Indiana. It presents several art exhibitions each year, all of which are made available to the public completely free of charge. Last

Eleven EMT and four Health Careers Academy students from the A. K. Smith Career Center in Michigan City attended the Health Occupations Student Association State Leadership Conference in Indianapolis, April 16-18. They attended workshops and took part in competitions, networking with students from across the state. EMT students Travis Roberts and Carson Stout, of Lacrosse High School, placed first in a “CERT Skills” competition held during the conference, winning $1,000 scholarships plus 15 credit hours from Ivy Tech. CERT simulates triage for patients of a mass-causality incident, involving splinting fractures, lifts and carries, treating life-threatening conditions, and more. The duo

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) received an impressive $756,244 in contributions during Wednesday’s (April 24) sixth annual Purdue Northwest Day of Giving.This year’s total for donor participation was the tenth highest from among 60 various participating groups across the entire Purdue system, resulting in additional “bonus money” awarded to Purdue Northwest.Gifts to PNW, as designated by the donors, will be used to support student scholarships, academic programs, athletics and other strategic initiatives.Some 500 gifts received by PNW contributed to a single day giving total of $41.6 million across the entire Purdue system—an amazing fifth consecutive year for a 24-hour higher education

Every day is a great day to go to Indiana state park properties, but there will be a special incentive to travel to them during Visit Indiana week, which is May 5-11. The event is put on by the Indiana Office of Tourism Development and encourages people to get out to see what the Hoosier state has to offer.State parks will participate in Visit Indiana week by offering promotions and posting stories about different properties on social media. From tasty treats to reminders of Indiana’s past to beautiful scenery, there will be a reason to take part in this week-long

On April 15th, between approximately 6:45 PM and 8:30 PM, an unknown make/model, possibly white vehicle struck a vehicle parked at the curb at 125 Diana Road. The vehicle that was struck was hit in the driver's side rear and was pushed into the front of another vehicle that was parked about five feet away from it. There is significant damage to both victim vehicles and it is very likely there is severe damage to the front of the offending vehicle.Anyone who has any information regarding this hit & run crash, whether it is first-hand or heard through the "grapevine,"

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for the position of Merit Deputy.  Applicants who successfully complete and pass the various stages of the hiring process will be ranked on a list for any future vacancies that may arise within the Merit Division of the Sheriff’s Office.  The hiring process will include the following stages: application phase, physical agility testing, written examination, computerized voice stress analysis examination, background investigation, Merit Division interview panel and a Merit Commission interview.    Applications can be found online by accessing the Sheriff’s Office website: www.laportecountysheriff.com or by picking them up at the front desk

The Indiana War Memorial Commission and the State of Indiana has approved the building site and design to erect a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and those they left behind.It has been almost 25 years since a memorial has been built on the American Legion mall in downtown Indianapolis. The process for approval has taken years, but the Indiana Gold Star Committee is excited to kick off their fundraising efforts. They are asking for monetary contributions from the community so that those dollars will help build a memorial to honor those who fought for

There’s no way to predict when or where an accident will happen. That’s why the American Red Cross needs donors to give blood during Trauma Awareness Month this May and throughout the year to help ensure that trauma centers are prepared the moment an injured patient arrives.Donors of all blood types are urged to give now to help meet the needs of trauma patients and others with serious medical conditions. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).In thanks, all those who come to donate blood,

Indiana American Water is joining forces with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to encourage Indiana residents to clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in unused or expired medications safely and anonymously at local collection sites this Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For those who can’t participate, the awareness campaign also includes information on how to properly dispose of these items at home.Indiana American Water President Matthew Prine stated, “Far too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands and into our precious water sources, potentially

Attorney General Curtis Hill welcomes President Trump, Vice President Pence and all attendees, members and supporters of the National Rifle Association to Indianapolis for the 148th Annual Meeting and Exhibits. This annual meeting is expected to attract more than 80,000 people to Indianapolis in support of the Second Amendment. Attorney General Hill has consistently supported the right of all law-abiding Americans to safely and legally bear arms. In January of 2019, Attorney General Hill and officials from 22 other states asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case regarding the rights of law-abiding individuals to carry firearms outside their

State Sens. Mike Bohacek (R-Michiana Shores), Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso), Ryan Mishler (R-Bremen), Rick Niemeyer (R-Lowell) and Linda Rogers (R-Granger) announced their strong support of the state budget’s inclusion of funding to complete the South Shore Line's proposed West Lake extension and double tracking projects.The South Shore Line is an electric commuter train between Millennium Station in downtown Chicago and the South Bend International Airport in South Bend. This line provides vital economic opportunities to northern Indiana, such as bringing new jobs and residents to the area.To improve upon this important transportation link, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), which

On Saturday, April 27th, Hoosiers will have an opportunity to participate in the 17th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” Day by visiting Indiana State Police posts and locations sponsored by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) and the Indiana Board of Pharmacy. In partnership with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs. Collection sites will be available for residents to conveniently and anonymously drop off any unused, expired or unwanted prescription medications, including liquid and pill medications. Syringes, new or used,

In the early days and months of the Delphi Murder investigation information was developed about suspect descriptions.  It was initially believed the sketch that has been in public view over the last two years of a person in the age range of his 40’s to 50’s was a person of interest in this murder investigation.  Now, as the investigation has matured and past information has been reassessed, it is the belief of investigators with the Multi-Agency Task Force that the person depicted in the sketch released on April 22nd more accurately represents the person wanted for the murders of Abigail

Yesterday, Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN), along with Reps. Anthony Brindisi (D-NY) and Mike Bost (R-IL), introduced H.R. 2333, the Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act. The bill requires the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct an assessment of the responsibilities, workload, and vacancy rates of the Department of Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention Coordinators.Suicide Prevention Coordinators are the face of the VA’s efforts to combat veteran suicide. They identify high-risk veterans and ensure they receive appropriate care, conduct outreach, and promote awareness and suicide prevention best practices within VA, among other responsibilities. Many Suicide Prevention Coordinators report being overworked

The Duneland Health Council joined the Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Day of Giving festivities through a $30,000 donation to fund scholarships for students in the College of Nursing.PNW’s College of Nursing Dean Lisa Hopp said the gift provides much-needed assistance for students working to complete their nursing degrees.The donation came in response to the Purdue Northwest Day of Giving, a once-a-year event that is a non-stop, 24-hour opportunity to support PNW’s student scholarships, academic programs, athletics and more.