Local News

13 new firefighters representing 6 region fire departments will celebrate the completion of a rigorous 9-week training academy at the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC) Foundation this week. The graduation ceremony will be held on: Friday, March 29, 2019 at 6:00 PM at The MAAC, Emergency Services Training Campus located at 4203 Montdale Park Drive Valparaiso, Indiana 46383. The names of the graduates and their fire departments are the following:Justin Abascal, East Chicago Fire DepartmentJuan Avalos, East Chicago Fire DepartmentDawson Calvin, Hanna Township Fire DepartmentTyrone Jackson Jr., Gary Fire DepartmentBraden O'Kelley, Hobart Fire DepartmentGage Philp, East Chicago Fire DepartmentJames Pintor,

The Indiana Chapter of The Wildlife Society recently honored Scott Johnson, wildlife science program manager for the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, with the Hoosier Wildlife Award. The Hoosier Wildlife Award recognizes an individual who has made, or is making, a significant contribution to professional wildlife conservation in Indiana through research, management, law enforcement, education, or administration. Johnson’s contributions to wildlife conservation in Indiana include species restoration, population monitoring and management, and most recently, administration. He serves as Indiana’s state endangered species coordinator. Johnson has led efforts for the River Otter Restoration Program (wildlife.IN.gov/7438.htm), studied Allegheny woodrat populations (wildlife.IN.gov/3385.htm),

On Wednesday, House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Pete Visclosky (D-IN) denied the Department of Defense’s request to use Defense funds for an unauthorized wall on the southern border of the United States. The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to appropriate funds for designated and authorized purposes, and the reprogramming process has been historically utilized to allow Congress to maintain this Constitutional responsibility and oversight of Executive Branch requests to adjust funds to meet operational needs. However, the Department of Defense has indicated that – for the first time ever – it intends to move forward with the reprogramming action

Mayor Ron Meer is happy to announce that the City of Michigan City was just awarded a $1,000,000.00 matching grant (the maximum amount possible) to be used towards our roads from the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program from the State of Indiana. Mayor Ron Meer said on Tuesday, "This was a special team effort by the City of Michigan City and our consultants which allowed us to maximize our revenue and make this tremendous investment into our City's future. This is especially important as the extreme temperatures this past winter have taken a major toll on our local road system.

Indiana’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is now accepting applications from families in 20 counties who may be eligible for grants for their children to receive high-quality, prekindergarten education through the On My Way Pre-K program for the 2019/2020 school year. The pilot program was expanded in 2017 from five to 20 counties to provide the benefits of early childhood education to more Hoosier children from low-income families. In addition to the five counties where On My Way Pre-K has been available since 2015 (Allen, Jackson, Lake, Marion and Vanderburgh) the program will be available for the

Disney Institute is bringing its renowned professional development course, Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence, to Valparaiso on Wednesday, September 18, 2019. Sponsored by Duneland and Valpo Chamber, the one-day event will help area professionals begin to understand the power of leadership values, discover how customer loyalty can be established, and gain insight into how organizational culture is strengthened. Participants gain an awareness of the systems and processes that can make exceptional customer service achievable and learn how to integrate personal creativity and organizational processes to support continuous improvement within their organization.This day of Disney Institute training uses business insights and

Tuesday, the Lowell Indiana State Police Criminal Investigation Division filed charges on Lake County Sheriff’s Police Deputy Louis Vasquez after a three month investigation.The investigation was done at the request of the Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez.  The investigation showed between September 2017 and November 2018, Vasquez accepted cash for completing at least 42 salvage vehicle inspection forms for Fast Import Cars, LLC of Knox, Indiana.  These transactions are against Lake County Police Department policy and Indiana State code.The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles considers a vehicle a salvage car if it was built in the last 7 model years

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) announced that he is cosponsoring the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act (S. 151) to crack down on illegal robocall scams. The legislation, which was introduced by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), gives regulators more time to find scammers, increases civil forfeiture penalties for those who are caught, promotes call authentication and blocking adoption, and brings relevant federal agencies and state attorneys general together to address impediments to criminal prosecution of robocallers who intentionally flout laws.

United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Indiana Michael Dora announced more than $5.2 million in investments to help rebuild and improve rural water and wastewater infrastructure for 6,875 rural Indiana residents.Nationwide, USDA is working with local partners to provide financing for 49 water and environmental infrastructure projects. The funding is being provided through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. It can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.      Eligible communities and water districts can apply online on the interactive RD

Mayor Ron Meer is happy to announce that the City of Michigan City was just awarded a $1,000,000.00 matching grant (the maximum amount possible) to be used towards our roads from the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program from the State of Indiana.  Mayor Ron Meer said on Tuesday, "This was a special team effort by the City of Michigan City and our consultants which allowed us to maximize our revenue and make this tremendous investment into our City's future.  This is especially important as the extreme temperatures this past winter have taken a major toll on our local road system.

Indiana’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is now accepting applications from families in 20 counties who may be eligible for grants for their children to receive high-quality, prekindergarten education through the On My Way Pre-K program for the  2019/2020 school year. The pilot program was expanded in 2017 from five to 20 counties to provide the benefits of early childhood education to more Hoosier children from low-income families.In addition to the five counties where On My Way Pre-K has been available since 2015 (Allen, Jackson, Lake, Marion and Vanderburgh) the program will be available for the 2019/2020

On Monday, U.S. Senator Todd Young issued the following statement regarding Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation: “I have always said that Robert Mueller’s investigation should run its course. With the investigation now complete, it’s time to accept his findings and move on. “There has clearly been Russian interference in our democratic process, and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence will continue its work to better understand these threats.”

The Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation Awards Banquet will be held March 27th, with registration beginning at 5:30pm and the program beginning at 6pm. Approximately $633,000.00 will be awarded to 48 Not For Profit Programs within the Michigan City Area Schools District. It will be held at the Blue Chip Stardust Event Center.

Approximately 10.5 percent of adults in Indiana are living with diabetes, a 37 percent increase since 2005. Diabetes Alert Day is March 26, and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is encouraging all Hoosiers to take steps to reduce their risk of diabetes, a group of diseases that develop when the body does not produce enough insulin, is unable to use insulin effectively or both. Observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in March, Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day “wake-up call” that focuses on the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of understanding your risk. Nearly one in four

The Better Business Bureau has received several reports about a fraudulent employment scheme posted online by In Shopping LLC. Consumers are reporting that the company hires them to ship packages from home but does not pay them for shipping the packages. If you are concerned about the employment practices of this business, BBB advises that consumers should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov . BBB has also received consumer complaints about online shopping fraud by Kool Kids Toys, LLC. Consumers have complained that products they have ordered and paid online for were not delivered. As of this

The public is invited to celebrate Women’s History Month at the Barker Mansion on Friday, March 29. Returning for the third year, Wild Women and Wine will highlight the unconventional women who have shaped Northwest Indiana history through the decades. A $28 ticket includes two glasses of wine, sweets, a tour and the program. Those wishing to purchase a ticket without alcohol included can buy a $20 ticket. The evening will close at 9 pm, after guests have had the opportunity to view all three floors of the mansion. Advance registration is required through Eventbrite or by calling the mansion

Go! Packs are designed to help you enjoy the outdoors at Indiana State Parks properties and save money. The Go! Pack includes a 2019 resident Annual Entrance Permit, a drawstring backpack perfect for hiking the trails and holding snacks and water, and the option of a $40 gift card from either the state park inns or campgrounds. Go! Packs are also available for those 65 and older. The buyer saves up to $18 over the regular price of the items purchased separately. Go! Packs are only offered online at InnsGifts.com. Offer ends May 12.

INDOT announced that the U.S. 12 (Indianapolis Boulevard) bridge over the Lake George Canal in Lake County will close Monday, April 1, through the end of June. Crews will be replacing the bridge deck on this drawbridge, along with resurfacing the road south to Columbus Drive. During construction, the bridge will be completely closed while the road leading up to the bridge from Columbus will be open to local traffic only. Northbound traffic on Indianapolis Boulevard will be detoured west on Chicago Avenue and north on U.S. 41 (Calumet Avenue) back to Indianapolis Boulevard. Southbound traffic on Indianapolis Boulevard will

The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board will host the state of the workforce breakfast on April 10. The program will be from 8:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Avalon Manor, 3550 E. US 30 in Merrillville. The bi-annual program will feature business, education and community leaders. The latest Northwest Indiana State of the Workforce Report also will be released. The session will offer additional sessions focusing on workforce issues facing health care, manufacturing and the technology sectors. Registration is required. Fee is $25 per person. For more information or to register for the event, visit the Center of Workforce Innovations

Attorney General Curtis Hill joined a group of 24 other attorneys general in expressing concern over a sweeping legal opinion that may negatively impact state-run and multi-state lotteries, including Mega Millions and Powerball. The letter, sent late Thursday to U.S. Attorney General William Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, argues the federal government’s new legal opinion could reach beyond the realms of sports gambling and into areas traditionally controlled by the states, potentially jeopardizing in-state lotteries. State-run and multi-state lotteries are a major source of revenue that represents billions of dollars in state funding used for vital state services.