Local News

Indiana’s labor force grew again in April, extending a record streak of improvement over the past year to hit another new peak last month. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development recently reported that the state’s labor force now stands at 3,415,523. The measure is considered an important indicator of economic growth because it counts both those who have a job or are actively searching for one. The new peak for the state is preliminary and could be revised later. Year over year, 37,495 more Hoosiers have joined the labor force since April 2018. Also, Indiana’s labor force participation rate in

The Indiana Department of Education kicked off the 2019 Summer Food Service Program yesterday. In partnership with nearly 250 school and community sponsors, children 18 and younger across the state will have access to free meals and snacks throughout the summer break. June marks the busiest month for the summer food program when many families seek help for additional nutrition resources. As a result, Governor Eric J. Holcomb has issued a statewide proclamation declaring the week of June 10-14 Summer Food Service Program Week.Site locations and meal service times vary throughout Indiana, and locations range from parks and community centers

In separate judgments this month, Attorney General Curtis Hill successfully defended the State of Indiana against challenges brought by two Indiana Department of Correction inmates. On May 10th, the Indiana Court of Appeals denied inmate Hubert Williams’ appeal of a LaPorte Circuit Court decision. The circuit court earlier denied Williams' petition for writ of habeas corpus, in which he argued among other things that the conditions of his parole did not apply since he refused to sign his parole agreement. (A writ of habeas corpus is a court order requiring officials to prove that an inmate’s imprisonment is valid.) The

In separate judgments this month, Attorney General Curtis Hill successfully defended the State of Indiana against challenges brought by two Indiana Department of Correction inmates.On May 10th, the Indiana Court of Appeals denied inmate Hubert Williams’ appeal of a LaPorte Circuit Court decision. The circuit court earlier denied Williams' petition for writ of habeas corpus, in which he argued among other things that the conditions of his parole did not apply since he refused to sign his parole agreement. (A writ of habeas corpus is a court order requiring officials to prove that an inmate’s imprisonment is valid.) The Court

On Tuesday, Governor Eric Holcomb announced he has appointed four local leaders to the newly restructured Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District board. The bipartisan group includes one official from each of the four counties the NICTD board serves: Gary Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson (Lake County) Porter County Commissioner Jeff Good St. Joseph County Commissioner Andrew Kostielney Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer (LaPorte County) Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe McGuiness will serve as the chair. NICTD is responsible for maintaining and improving the South Shore rail passenger service. Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level Agenda includes double tracking the South Shore line

A new study shows America's beer industry has a major impact on the Indiana economy. The Beer Saves America study, commissioned by the National Beer Wholesalers Association and the Beer Institute, says the beer industry contributes $5.5 billion to the state's economy annually and supports nearly 36,000 jobs throughout the state. According to the study, the jobs impacted by the industry account for $1.5 billion each year in wages and benefits. The industry is broken down to three categories: brewers and importers, independent beer distributors, and licensed retailers. The study says the industry generates $680 million in business, personal, and

The cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) supported the true meaning of this day by marching in the Michigan City Memorial Day parade and participating in the ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery. Earlier, they had assisted veterans groups in placing flags on all of the veteran graves in the Greenwood cemetery. They had also supported veteran’s motorcycle groups in their ceremony at the Medal of Honor recipient Danny Bruce memorial ceremony at Washington Park prior to their trip to Washington, DC, for ceremonies there. In addition to the Memorial Day parade

On Sunday night, the Valparaiso Police responded to the Super 8, located at 3005 John Howell Dr., regarding the report of an armed robbery. The incident occurred in a rented room within the hotel. The victims reported three subjects, two male and one female, entered the room after knocking and displayed a handgun. The group then began to collect property belonging to the victims, as well as the hotel, and left within minutes. The total estimated loss incurred during this incident is $680.00. The investigation into the robbery in on-going and the Valparaiso Police is seeking any information available on

The Michigan City Fire Department visited Franciscan Health Michigan City on May 23 to display new equipment that was purchased with a donation from the hospital.The 2018 donation of nearly $3,000 allowed the department to purchase a set of rescue jacks for their newest truck. The jacks are used to stabilize cars and trucks during extrication.Michigan City Fire Chief Randy Novak and Deputy Chief Jeff Cox were on hand to thank Franciscan Health Michigan City President/CEO Dean Mazzoni for the contribution.

According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, a tornado touched down near the border between northern Illinois and northwest Indiana on Monday. The weather service said trained spotters reported the touch down around 4:30 p.m. Monday afternoon east of Sauk Village, Illinois and near Dyer, Indiana. The communities are located about 30 miles south and southeast of Chicago. NIPSCO reported hundreds of power outages Monday night in the Dyer and Munster areas caused primarily by falling trees taking out power lines. Tornado warnings were issued in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties as the storm continued to move east. The

According to a press release, Attorney General Curtis Hill recently obtained a one-year suspension of the medical license of Dr. Faizuddin Shareef, a Lake County physician who gave prescriptions to patients battling addiction without regard to proper procedures and safeguards.In an administrative complaint against Shareef’s license filed in March, Attorney General Hill alleged that Shareef provided substandard care to patients, eight of whom died of overdoses. Among other things, Shareef routinely ignored urine drug screen results indicating patients were using non-prescribed medications and illicit substances. Some urine tests also showed patients were not using all the drugs prescribed to them

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) receives wage reports and new hire data from Hoosier employers documenting who is employed and receiving compensation. The agency’s unemployment insurance fraud investigation taskforce examines claims of individuals who intentionally provide false, misreported or unreported information in order to fraudulently claim benefits. As a result of the taskforce’s investigations, local courts recently found these individuals guilty of unemployment insurance fraud:48 year old Alejandro Galvan, of Crown Point was sentenced to 18 months of probation and ordered to repay DWD $6,246 for the benefits he fraudulently collected.37 year old Jason Howard, of Valparaiso was

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) receives wage reports and new hire data from Hoosier employers documenting who is employed and receiving compensation. The agency’s unemployment insurance fraud investigation taskforce examines claims of individuals who intentionally provide false, misreported or unreported information in order to fraudulently claim benefits. As a result of the taskforce’s investigations, local courts recently found these individuals guilty of unemployment insurance fraud: 48 year old Alejandro Galvan, of Crown Point was sentenced to 18 months of probation and ordered to repay DWD $6,246 for the benefits he fraudulently collected. 37 year old Jason Howard, of

While on patrol north bound I-65 at the 236 mile marker, Trooper William Carlson was involved in a pursuit late Thursday evening when Trooper Carlson saw a Chevrolet Malibu traveling at a high rate of speed in the construction zone there. Carlson clocked the car at 103 mph in a well posted 55 mph work zone. Luckily there were no workers present at this time. As Carlson attempted to catch up the Malibu continued to increase speed and separate itself further from Carlson. He then saw that the Malibu was passing traffic by driving off the roadway onto the shoulder

The first round of aerial treatments to slow the spread of gypsy moths in Porter, LaPorte, and Fulton counties and an eradication site in Wayne County was completed May 24th. The first round of treatments involved aerial application of the bacteria referred to as Btk, into the treetops in areas infested with gypsy moth. Btk occurs naturally in soil and kills the caterpillars as they feed on leaves. Further details about mating disruption treatments will be announced in June. The gypsy moth is one of North America's most devastating invasive forest pests. For more information, call 1-866-NO-EXOTIC (663-9684) or call

Beginning May 28 through September 22 County Road 700 North will be closed between 200 West and State Road 149 (300 West) for a bridge replacement over Salt Creek. Use an alternate route of travel and adjust to give extra time for travel.

Attorney General Curtis Hill argued in a brief filed this month that the cities of San Francisco and Oakland should not be able to use the common law of “public nuisance” to force five fossil fuel companies to pay for the harms the cities say the companies created by contributing to global climate change. Leading an 18-state coalition, Indiana filed its amicus brief on May 17. In the brief, Attorney General Hill urged the Ninth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the State of California on behalf of the two cities against the

The Indiana DNR confirmed yesterday that it has intercepted plants containing a fungal pathogen that kills oak trees, sudden oak death (SOD), for the first time in about 10 years.Inspectors from the DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology detected SOD (Phytophthora ramorum) in several varieties of rhododendrons being sold in Columbus, Noblesville, South Bend, Sullivan and Tippecanoe. SOD has killed large tracts of oaks on the West Coast. SOD has not been established in the Midwest, to date. SOD can kill standing oak trees, which could happen if SOD-positive rhododendrons were planted within about 6 feet of a standing

Franciscan Health Michigan City staff members have recognized two of their colleagues for their team approach to patient care and rapport with staff and patients.Amanpreet Kaur, MD, is the 2019 St. Luke Award recipient and Denise Fithian, RN, is the 2019 St. Camillus Award recipient. The awards were presented on May 20 at Franciscan Health Michigan City.The winner of the St. Luke Award, named for the patron saint of physicians and surgeons, is chosen each year by the patient care staff. The award recognizes physicians who have an outstanding rapport with nurses, patients and their families; show respect for the

The City of Michigan City will spend the summer collecting information about community-wide greenhouse gas emissions as one of thirteen communities selected to be a part of Indiana University’s first Resilience Cohort.Findings from the community-wide greenhouse gas inventory will be used to help residents andlocal officials understand Michigan City’s current emissions profile and to help city governmentemployees create an action plan to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency and improve air quality. Findings from the local government operations inventory will be used to help city employees identify greenhouse gas reduction strategies for municipal activities. Mayor Ron Meer said on Wednesday, “The