Local News

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced Tuesday South East Neighborhood School of Excellence has been named the 2018-2019 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program School of the Year. The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is a federally assisted grant program providing students free fresh fruits and vegetables during the school day. To be eligible for the program, schools must have a free and reduced rate of at least 50 percent, must serve an elementary student population (grades PreK through grade 6), agree to serve fresh fruits or vegetables outside other federal nutrition programs, and complete an annual application. The Indiana

Beginning Monday, May 20th, Eastbound Train 205, departing at 6:48a from Millennium Station to Gary Metro Center, will be canceled due to construction near the East Chicago Station that will impact track availability. The temporary cancellation of Tr 205 is expected to last through mid- to late June 2019. Recommended alternative service during this period includes eastbound Train 203 or Train 207.

Following a 2-Day Jury Trial, 62 year old Kevin Clinton, of New Carlisle, was convicted on 4 counts of mail fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr, presided over this two day jury trial. According to evidence presented at trial, Clinton was employed as the Chief Information Officer at a business in South Bend. From about March 2012 through October 2017, he executed a scheme in which he incorporated a business and used a virtual office to submit fraudulent billings to his employer totaling over $2.2 million. Clinton’s employer sent checks to his virtual office as payment for

The American Red Cross has a critical shortage of type O blood and urges eligible donors to give now to help patients facing trauma and other life-threatening situations. As a thank-you for helping replenish the blood supply, all donors who come to give blood or platelets now through June 10 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.Right now, the Red Cross has less than a two-day supply of type O blood available for emergency rooms, where it can be most critical. That means just six units of type O blood are available for every 100,000 people, but at

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags across the state to remain at half-staff on May 15, 2019 in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Flags should remain at half-staff until sunset on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 for Peace Officers Memorial Day as well as honoring the life of former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar. Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents across the state to lower their flags to half-staff.

Yesterday, Attorney General Curtis Hill warned Hoosiers and visitors in Indiana to be on the lookout for scams targeting house rentals this Memorial Day Weekend and during the week of the Indianapolis 500 race. The Consumer Protection Division is encouraging vigilance by renters, homeowners and those purchasing tickets to the Indy 500 race. Hill urged those attending the Indy 500 to be on alert for fraudulent tickets and other scams related to race weekend. High-profile sporting events are prime targets for scammers. Anyone looking to rent their properties on Memorial Day Weekend should also be on the lookout for scams.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) encourages Hoosier businesses to prepare for every possible emergency during Business Continuity Awareness Week, May 13-17. In recognition of the positive impacts continuity planning has on state resiliency, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, proclaimed May 13-17 as Business Continuity Awareness Week in Indiana. The state’s observance coincides with a national recognition. The week’s theme, “Investing in Resilience,” emphasizes the importance of being able to adapt and respond to an emergency with little to no disruption in daily business functions. Business Continuity Awareness Week serves as an opportunity for organizations to review their pre-existing plan,

Since the news briefing on April 22, the Multi-Agency Task Force has received over 2,600 emails, 506 calls to the tip line and an additional 145 calls and or walk-ins to local police departments and state police posts around the state.  The total amount since the inception of the email and tip line is over 42,000.“Please remember that we are looking for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who committed this crime. Please refrain from sending investigative information.  Tips on possible suspects or information that can lead to the closure of the

On June 1, over 1,000 people are expected to dance the night away at Save The Dunes’ signature fundraiser, Jammin' with Save the Dunes music and beer festival, at Michigan City’s Guy Foreman Amphitheater in Washington Park. Jammin' will feature five live bands, craft beer from over 10 local breweries, food trucks, a market place, and a kid’s zone. The 67 year old environmental non-profit is excited to bring this event back to the Lake Michigan shoreline for its 9th year on June 1st from 4pm to 10 pm. Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door. Children 12 and under

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is announcing the arrest of 50 year old Lee T. Hall. Last Friday, Hall was located and taken into custody in the 6300 south block of Ellis Street in Chicago, Illinois by members of the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST) and the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. In 2015, a criminal arrest warrant was issued for Hall for one (1) count of Child Solicitation, a Level 5 Felony.  Since then, Hall had eluded authorities and his location was not known. By way of some investigative means, the whereaboutsof Hall was narrowed, eventually leading

Bring the family to the local fishing hole on Saturday, May 18, the second of four Free Fishing Days in Indiana.FishingOn Free Fishing Days, Indiana residents can fish public waters without a fishing license or salmon/trout stamp. For this reason, Free Fishing Days are a great opportunity for families to learn to fish together. Children age 17 and younger do not need a license on any day.There will be several Family Learn to Fish workshops on May 18 throughout the state. All events run from 9 a.m. to noon. Advance registration is required.— Pinhook Park in South Bend: bit.ly/2DPR62G.— Monon

The Valparaiso Police made the following statement on a suspicious video investigation: “The Valparaiso Police investigated the report of a suspicious video brought to the attention of Valparaiso High School staff Monday. The incident, involving a Valparaiso High School special needs student, stemmed from a social media posting showing the male subject swinging a baseball bat while talking about an acquaintance. A follow-up video further showed the same male handling various “weapon like” toys associated with the television show, The Walking Dead. The investigation revealed that no threats were made to any specific student, staff, school, or school system and

The Valparaiso Police made the following statement on a suspicious video investigation:“The Valparaiso Police investigated the report of a suspicious video brought to the attention of Valparaiso High School staff Monday.  The incident, involving a Valparaiso High School special needs student, stemmed from a social media posting showing the male subject swinging a baseball bat while talking about an acquaintance.  A follow-up video further showed the same male handling various “weapon like” toys associated with the television show, The Walking Dead. The investigation revealed that no threats were made to any specific student, staff, school, or school system and that

Since the news briefing on April 22, the Multi-Agency Task Force has received over 2,600 emails, 506 calls to the tip line and an additional 145 calls and or walk-ins to local police departments and state police posts around the state. The total amount since the inception of the email and tip line is over 42,000. “Please remember that we are looking for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who committed this crime. Please refrain from sending investigative information. Tips on possible suspects or information that can lead to the closure of

This month troopers from the Lowell District of the Indiana State Police, and Districts across the state will join law enforcement agencies across the nation to increase enforcement of seat-belt laws for Click It or Ticket. Multiple weeks of highly visible patrols will be watching for unrestrained passengers in cars and trucks, both children and adults, the front seat and back, both day and night.Click It or Ticket continues through the Memorial Day holiday and the start of the summer travel season. Overtime police patrols are paid with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice

The Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission has acquired land for development near the former Westport Community Center. A partnership between the RDC and Holladay Properties led to the 32-acre purchase from the Duneland School Corporation. The property lies along State Road 149 and Haglund Road.RDC President Eric Hull says the site is where the founders incorporated the town in 1969.The project will be done in phases, with a pre-development phase kicking off the plans to allow for integration of prior Town plans. Current trail infrastructure projects and the most recent market data would then be added into the Westport Sub-Area plan

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags across the state to be returned to full-staff at sunset on Wednesday, May 15 after lowering them to honor former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar.

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) has reintroduced the Senior Citizens’ Freedom to Work Act, legislation to end a penalty on seniors who continue working after claiming Social Security benefits. The Senior Citizens’ Freedom to Work Act would eliminate a penalty on Social Security Old-Age (OASI) beneficiaries who choose to enter, remain in, or return to the labor force. Specifically, the bill would eliminate the Retirement Earnings Test (RET) that affects younger seniors who choose to continue working after claiming Social Security benefits.In 2000, Congress eliminated the RET for those who are at or above their full retirement age. This bill

INDOT is hosting a public hearing 6 p.m. today, at Heavilin Elementary School, 2300 N. 50 W., Valparaiso, IN, 46385, to present information about and receive public comment on a proposed intersection improvement for State Road 2 and Heavilin Road in Valparaiso.INDOT's preferred alternative to the current configuration would convert the T-intersection to a single-lane roundabout in order to increase safety. Since 2010, 25 crashes have been documented at this location.The event will feature a formal presentation followed by a public comment period. There will then be an open house where attendees can ask INDOT personnel questions about the project.The

Franciscan Health staff, members of the St. John Chamber of Commerce and local officials welcomed the newest Franciscan ExpressCare and WorkingWell location during a blessing and open house on Wednesday, May 8. The new location at 8345 Wicker Ave., across the street from Lake Central High School, replaces the former St. John ExpressCare location on 97th Lane, which closed on April 12. The new location will be open to the public in June. No appointment is needed, and the facility is open Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit FranciscanExpressCare.org