Local News

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

Shirley Heinze Land Trust will host a series of volunteer workdays at Lydick Bog Nature Preserve on the last Wednesday of the month from now through November, from 9:00am to Noon eastern time. The preserve is located at 25898 US HWY 20 in South Bend.Lydick Bog Nature Preserve protects 178 acres of wetlands, interspersed with high ridges and islands of upland forest.  The preserve is in the early stages of restoration efforts, and volunteers are needed to help with improvements.Participants will use hand tools to remove invasive plant species, such as multiflora rose and bush honeysuckle, and will also pick

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) has recently distributed 1,000 new RADAR and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) speed measurement devices to police agencies across Indiana.  ICJI has graciously provided the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office with 5 RADAR units and one (1) LIDAR unit. The devices were purchased by ICJI using federal dollars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).     The certified dash mounted moving/stationary RADAR units, equipped with front and rear antennas, will measure the speed of the motoring public in the same and opposite directions.  The certified hand-held LIDAR device will detect speeding vehicles at extended distances

This past Friday, Congressman Pete Visclosky announced that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded grants through the Port Security Grant Program to assist the Port of Indiana – Burns Harbor.In general, the Port Security Grant Program aims to support port security services and plans of port authorities, facility operators, and state and local government agencies, and at least 25 percent of the funding for grant recipients is required to be used for terrorism prevention activities. This $220,262 in grant awards will be used by the Port of Indiana - Burns Harbor, the Indiana State Police, and the Indiana Department of

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

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 of line to

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