Local News

A ceremony held yesterday on the south lawn of the Indiana Statehouse recognized the graduation of seven K-9 teams from the DNR Division of Law Enforcement’s K-9 Resource Protection Program.The seven graduating teams represented the states of Kansas, Oregon, Utah and Virginia.The K-9 teams trained and honed their skills in Orange County in southern Indiana to qualify to the ceremony.The Indiana K-9 program started in 1997, with a pilot program of two teams. The effectiveness of the program was quickly realized. The program grew to a team of 12 K-9 units located throughout Indiana. There is at least one K-9

Chief Mark Swistek and The Michigan City Police Commission, have announced the hiring of six new officers. Sworn in during a ceremony in the Community Room were Officers Cody Brzezinski, Jesus Alvarez, Zachery Wells, Tyler Wenzel, Rene Lozano, and Cole Foster. The ceremony was well attended by friends, family and departmental staff. With the hiring of these six officer it brings the department to full complement. They began their training immediately, where they will receive intensive training in various areas including firearms, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operation, and criminal law. They will also begin the Field Training Program in June

A part-time position is available at the Porter County Administration Center to relieve and assist the main switchboard. The hours are 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Thursday, and 9:30 to 3:30 on Friday (29 hours per week). Hourly rate starts at $12 per hour (no benefits included). Duties include operation of the switchboard and information desk, distribution of inter-office mail, sorting and processing of mail at the Administration Center, the Court House and various assigned clerical duties. Email resume and application (available online @ porterco.org) to ryoung@porterco.org or applications may be dropped off at the Porter County Board of Commissioners’

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) applauds efforts of Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly to strengthen the state’s business-friendly environment and position Indiana for long-term economic growth and job creation. Following the conclusion of the 2019 legislative session, Gov. Holcomb signed multiple pieces of legislation that will modernize Indiana’s tax code and enhance economic development tools, increasing the state’s competitiveness, economic diversity and flexibility.

La Porte Police said in a statement that on May 11th several officers from LPD participated in the Cops and Bobbers Event. Eleven children participated and everyone involved had a good time. After going over some fishing basic and laws the kids were able to catch a total of 29 fish. After passing out trophies everyone enjoyed a cookout.

The La Porte County Small Animal Shelter will have an Open House this Saturday. Not only will they be celebrating five years of the Stevens Treatment Center but they will also be dedicating the completion of Zack Petri’s Eagle Scout Gazebo project in memory of retired LaPorte County Sheriff Sergeant Roger Bernard , who served the residents of LaPorte County for 28 years. The dedication will take place at 12:00pm with Scoutmaster Coleman and LaPorte County Sheriff Captain Andy Hynek speaking. Refreshments will be served.

A ceremony held yesterday on the south lawn of the Indiana Statehouse recognized the graduation of seven K-9 teams from the DNR Division of Law Enforcement’s K-9 Resource Protection Program. The seven graduating teams represented the states of Kansas, Oregon, Utah and Virginia. The K-9 teams trained and honed their skills in Orange County in southern Indiana to qualify to the ceremony. The Indiana K-9 program started in 1997, with a pilot program of two teams. The effectiveness of the program was quickly realized. The program grew to a team of 12 K-9 units located throughout Indiana. There is at

Chief Mark Swistek and The Michigan City Police Commission, have announced the hiring of six new officers. Sworn in during a ceremony in the Community Room were Officers Cody Brzezinski, Jesus Alvarez, Zachery Wells, Tyler Wenzel, Rene Lozano, and Cole Foster. The ceremony was well attended by friends, family and departmental staff. With the hiring of these six officer it brings the department to full complement. They began their training immediately, where they will receive intensive training in various areas including firearms, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operation, and criminal law. They will also begin the Field Training Program in June

On Tuesday night, a driver came upon a moped and a man lying in the street in the 64700 block of Oak Road in St. Joseph County. The moped driver has been identified as 22 year old Tyler Zieber of Laporte, Indiana. Tyler was heading northbound on Oak Road when he was struck by a vehicle that then left the scene. He was taken to the hospital and remains in critical, but stable, condition. The St. Joseph County FACT (Fatal Crash Team) was activated, per protocol, to handle the investigation. FACT investigators are looking for a 1998-2000 model white, silver,

On May 25th from 10:30-11:30am, stroll through history in the first summer 2019 walking tour at the Barker Mansion. This month’s tour will explore the architecture and history of the neighborhood around the Barker Mansion, called ‘Silk Stocking Row’ in the Barkers’ time. Learn about the millionaires and movers of historic Michigan City as well as the immigrant workers built their fortunes and the city, all of whom shared this vibrant neighborhood, now a national historic district. The tour leaves the Barker Mansion at 10:30 am and covers approximately one mile. In the event of rain, a special mansion tour

The Michigan City chapter of the United States Bowling Congress Association has made a substantial impact on the fight against breast cancer over the past 17 years.Since 2002, members have raised over $184,000 toward the disease, with $66,280 of those proceeds benefitting the Franciscan Health Michigan City Breast Care Center. The funds have allowed the hospital’s team of clinicians to provide compassionate, life-saving care and financial support to patients facing one of the most difficult moments of their lives.The latest Bowl for the Cure fundraiser was held on Feb. 24 at City Lanes Bowling Center in Michigan City. The event

Michigan City Area Schools has announced plans to participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Free meals will be made available to all children 18 years of age and under and to persons over 18 years who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled. Free meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children. There will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.Free meals will be provided at the sites and times as follows:A.K. Smith Career Center (317 Detroit St.), June 3 – June

The La Porte County Election Board will hold a public meeting Friday, May 17th at 1PM in the meeting room at the La Porte County Complex to review the provisional ballots and to certify the 2019 primary election.

In celebration of National Nurses Week, nursing team members from Franciscan Health Michigan City presented their annual “You Can Be a Nurse” program at Edgewood Elementary School.The presentation was made on Thursday, May 9, to the third-grade classes at the school. Discussion included topics such as the types of classes to take in high school and college to be a nurse; men in the nursing field; and the types of settings where nurses work.Booths were set up to show students health demonstrations, including handwashing, how to cover your cough, surgery garb and how an EKG works.

On Wednesday after large traffic backups, state police stated that all lanes of eastbound I-80/94 at Calumet Avenue had opened back up after a semi carrying honey flipped over. The semi hauling containers of “Amber Honey” lost control and rolled over.  It was hauling 41,000 pounds of the honey. Five of the containers came out of the box trailer, at least four of the containers were leaking. Police also stated this appeared to have been caused by a broken axle. The driver said that he had just fueled up and the semi was not only leaking the honey but diesel

The South Shore Line announced that construction is set to begin that will add a second entrance/exit to the East Chicago Station platform. The project is expected to continue through December 2019, and will help accommodate the large influx of passengers at East Chicago Station. The improvements include converting the low-level platform to the east of the station into a covered walkway to access a new head house, stairwell and tunnel leading to the eastern parking lot. Additionally, other East Chicago Station projects include improvements to the existing head house, and the installation in 2020 of higher speed track switches

Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) introduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation yesterday to help combat the opioid epidemic. The first bill, the Lessening Addiction By Enhancing Labeling (LABEL) Opioids Act, calls for labeling prescription opioid bottles with a consistent, clear, and concise warning that opioids may cause dependence, addiction, or overdose. The second piece of legislation, the Safe Prescribing of Controlled Substances Act, requires any prescriber of opioid medication to undergo mandatory education on safe prescribing practices. Specifically, it requires all prescribers that are applying for a federal license to prescribe controlled substances, such as prescription

Monday during the early afternoon, Deputy John Roby Jr. was monitoring westbound traffic in the 3000 east block of US 20. While doing so, he observed a passenger vehicle committing a traffic infraction. A short time later, Deputy Roby initiated a traffic stop along US 20 near Wilhelm Road. The driver of the vehicle was identified as 25 year old Donald R. Brewster Jr. As the traffic stop progressed, Deputy Roby determined Brewster had never been issued a driver’s license. A wrecker service was summoned to the scene for an impound of the vehicle. During an inventory and search, a

On Tuesday, May 14th, just before 5:30 A.M., Sheriff's Office Deputies were dispatched to the intersection of US 20 and Fail Road reference a crash involving two commercial motor vehicles and two passenger vehicles. The crash investigation revealed three vehicles were stopped in the westbound lanes of US 20 waiting for the traffic control device to cycle at the intersection. The vehicle, a Peterbilt tractor, being driven by 33 year old Melvin Smith Jr. of Oak Park, Illinois, was traveling west on US 20. Smith advised deputies that he observed the vehicles stopped but was unable to stop in time

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