Local News

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) announced that his bipartisan legislation to increase oversight of taxpayer dollars spent by federal agencies has passed the Senate. The Good Accounting Obligation in Government (GAO-IG) Act requires federal agencies to provide annual reports to Congress on the status of implementing recommendations from the Office of Inspector General (IG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). “This bill keeps our government in check and protects Hoosier taxpayers. Increasing accountability in our federal agencies will better serve all Americans,” said Senator Young. “I’m proud that this legislation has passed out of the Senate and I look forward

Governor  Holcomb accepted Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Jim Brown’s resignation. Brown has led the IDVA during two administrations following a distinguished military career where he was awarded three Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts for his service in Vietnam and Afghanistan. Brown has held several leadership positions in the U.S. Army and the Indiana National Guard. In his civilian capacity, he has 25 years of small business ownership and managed a transportation company. He has served as director since February 2013 and his resignation is effective Dec. 28th.

A traffic stop early this morning, December 7, 2018, on the Indiana Toll Road resulted in the arrest of a Michigan man for possessing approximately 100 grams of suspected marijuana. Trooper Cody Brown reported that at approximately 12:51 a.m. he observed a white 2009 Cadillac that was travelling eastbound commit several traffic violations and almost hit an abandoned vehicle that was parked on the right berm of the Indiana Toll Road. Brown stopped the Cadillac approximately four miles west of the Howe/LaGrange exit near the 117 mile marker. While speaking to the driver, Johnathon Hulley, 39 of Sturgis, MI, Brown purportedly smelled

Yesterday, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb announced the launch of the Next Level Trails grant program, which will dedicate $90 million to connect communities through more hiking, biking and riding trails. Next Level Trails is part of Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level Connections, a $1 billion statewide infrastructure program announced in September. Next Level Trails is the largest infusion of trail funding in state history. The grant program is divided into two components: a $70 million fund for regional projects and a $20 million fund for local projects. Each fund will require a minimum 20 percent project match, which can include monetary

To accommodate passengers attending Chicago Bears home games, the South Shore Line is planning select train stops at the 18th Street Station in Chicago. These stops are in addition to regular service to Museum Campus/11th Street. For the home game at 7:20p on Sunday, Dec. 9, Train #506 will arrive at 18th St. at 2:33p, and Train #608 at 5:17p. Following the game, Train #613 will depart 18th Street at 11:23p, and Train #101 will depart at 12:53a. Both terminate at Carroll Ave., Michigan City.

(1) When temperatures plummet, pets should not be left outside. Bring small or short haired pets, and puppies, kittens, and their nursing mothers inside when temperatures reach thirty-two (32) degrees Fahrenheit. Larger breeds and thick-coated dogs may remain outside, with adequate shelter available, to a temperature of ten (10) degrees Fahrenheit, subject to the discretion and judgment of the animal control officer. (2) Precipitation and wind chill may also be taken into account in determining appropriate temperature to bring pets indoors. (3) Cats and other small pets should be kept indoors or at least brought into a warm structure during

Thursday morning, just before 3:30 a.m., State Trooper William Carlson was dispatched to a vehicle that slid off the ramp from I-80/94 eastbound to Kennedy Avenue northbound into standing water.  A passing motorist stated that all the occupants of the car were running down the ramp towards a local hotel off Kennedy Avenue. Trooper Carlson was told by a motorist who had stopped to check on the submerged car, that two of the occupants were hiding over the outside barrier wall in the high grass, Carlson and a Griffith police officer located a male and female hiding in the grass

Chesterton’s European Market is dressing up for the holidays. Come on out to 220 Broadway, Chesterton on Saturday, December 8, from 9 am to 3 pm to experience this year’s, Mistletoe Market. This beloved holiday market is outside again this year, giving the event a more European feel. The Mistletoe Market will feature many of the regular season vendors. There will be mulled wine, and live music along with photo props for the whole family to enjoy. Santa will even be in attendance too! Find that perfect, one of a kind holiday gift and experience a little bit of Europe

Wednesday, Attorney General Curtis Hill announced that he is helping lead a bipartisan group of 40 state attorneys general developing fresh strategies to stop or reduce annoying, harmful and illegal robocalls. The coalition is reviewing innovative technologies that major telecom companies hope to employ in this fight. Indiana is one of 15 states on the working group's executive committee. Since it was formed, the multistate group has had in-depth meetings with several major telecom companies. These productive meetings have led to greater information sharing about the technological capabilities currently in existence or in development to fight these calls. Attorney General

Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced Wednesday that 51 percent or 2,308,258 of Indiana’s 4.5 million registered voters cast a vote in the November 6 General Election. Early voting popularity continues to soar. In 2014, only 16 percent of voters cast a ballot early. This year, that number was doubled to 32 percent. Henry County had the highest turnout in the state at 64 percent. They were followed by Spencer County at 62 percent. (Turnout statistics for previous elections can be found online at https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2983.htm)

Tuesday evening, police investigated a threat made by a Portage High School student on social media, directed towards the school. The Officers responded to the students house in unincorporated Porter County and the juvenile student stated it was just a joke. The juvenile was taken into custody and transported to JDC on an Intimidation charge.

A crash on US 31 between an Eastern Pulaski Community School bus and a straight truck has claimed the life of a teenage boy. Just after 9 a.m. on Wednesday Indiana State Troopers and Marshall County Deputies responded to calls of a crash on northbound US 31, just north of Argos. The bus had just stopped, at the railroad crossing just south of Michigan Road. As the bus began to accelerate it was struck from behind in the left rear by a Freightliner straight truck.The truck, which was towing a trailer, was being driven by 26 year old Tylor Perry,

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that the State Road 331 (Capital Avenue) bridge over the St. Joseph River will close for about a week starting Monday, Dec. 10. That bridge is in the midst of a two-year reconstruction project and is closing so crews can set new beams on the southbound portion of the bridge. Currently, one lane of traffic is flowing in each direction over the northbound side. However, to place these beams, crews will need to position large cranes in those lanes.

A 14-member Study Commission will review the Indiana Bar Examination. The Indiana Supreme Court unanimously ordered the creation of the Commission to consider an in-depth analysis of the bar exam to determine whether changes in the format or content are needed. Former Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard will chair the Commission. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Nancy A. Vaidik will serve as vice chair. In addition to judges and lawyers, all Indiana Law School Deans are on the Commission. The group will make a report to the Court by December 2019. The order creating the Commission is available online as

Gary, Lake County- 3 vehicle Crash Sends Indiana Man to Hospital, Closes Interstate 80 Preliminary investigation by Trooper Connor Davidson revealed that shortly after midnight on December 5, 2018 a 2005 Ford F150, being driven by Merrillville resident 39 year old Milton Harvey struck a red Ford Focus, being driven by Winamac resident, 22 year old Wyatt Spence. The impact from the crash pushed the Ford Focus into the back of a tractor trailer that was stopped in traffic. The tractor trailer was driven by 41 year old Scott Glassey of Reinholds, Pennslyvania. He was uninjured in the crash. The

On Monday, U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) congratulated Plymouth High School senior Kobe Johnson, the winner of the 2018 Congressional App Challenge for Indiana’s 2nd District. Kobe’s winning smartphone app, “Homework Helper,” will be showcased in the U.S. Capitol among other winners from across the country. Congresswoman Walorski paid a surprise visit to students in a computer science class at the Weidner School of Inquiry at Plymouth High School to announce the winner and present the first place certificate to Kobe. This week marks Computer Science Education Week. High school students from across Indiana’s 2nd District submitted entries in the

ELM Pet Foods, Inc is issuing a voluntary recall of Elm Chicken and Chickpea Recipe dog food because the products could contain elevated levels of Vitamin D. The recalled products consist of multiple UPC codes manufactured between February 25, 2018 and October 31, 2018. Best Buy Dates Listed Below: 3lb ELM CHICKEN AND CHICKPEA RECIPE - UPC (0-70155-22507-8) TD2 26 FEB 2019 TE1 30 APR 2019 TD1 5 SEP 2019 TD2 5 SEP 2019 28lb ELM CHICKEN AND CHICKPEA RECIPE - UPC (0-70155-22513-9) TB3 6 APR 2019 TA1 2 JULY 2019 TI1 2 JULY 2019 40lb ELM K9 NATURALS CHICKEN RECIPE

Because winter can be a busy time for coyotes, Indiana Department of Natural Resources biologists say people can expect to see more of them in the coming months, but not to be alarmed. Coyotes are common to Indiana, including areas where people gather. It is normal for them to show up not only in rural environments, but also in urban areas. As a result, coyotes are an important part of Indiana’s environment, helping to control rodent populations and cleaning up dead animals. If you see a coyote and want it to go away, try to make it uncomfortable. Yell, wave

On Monday, Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced she has agreed to a settlement with LPL Financial which includes a civil penalty of $450,000. The settlement stems from an investigation by the Securities Division of the Secretary of State’s office regarding various deficiencies related to LPL’s supervision of its Indiana operations. In addition to the $450,000 civil penalty, LPL agreed to a conduct a 3rd party compliance review of its policies and procedures in Indiana to ensure that they comply with Indiana law. LPL will provide a report to the Securities Commissioner in 180 days for review. For information

Early Monday morning, the Michigan City Fire Department received a 911 call for a report of a structure fire in the 700 block of west 10th street. While en-route, several calls were received for the confirmed structure fire. The first arriving fire department apparatus Engine 1 along with the command vehicle Car 10 arrived on scene within minutes of the original call and reported heavy smoke and flames that were visible from the second floor and first floor back apartments. The structure was a 4 Unit apartment building. All residents were out of the structure and responding engine companies started