Local News

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) supported the confirmation of Holly A. Brady from Fort Wayne to serve as United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana. Ms. Brady was confirmed by a 56-42 vote in the Senate. Holly Brady’s nomination was announced exactly a year ago yesterday. Last week, Senator Young spoke out with about nominees awaiting a vote during a press stakeout. Brady is a partner in the Fort Wayne law firm of Haller & Colvin, PC, where she focuses her practice on civil, employment, and labor litigation. Prior to joining the firm in

Attorney General Curtis Hill said yesterday the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) has demonstrated responsiveness to states’ concerns by clarifying its recent legal opinion regarding the meaning of the Wire Act and its effect on lotteries. On March 21, Attorney General Hill and 24 other attorneys general sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr and Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein arguing that a recent legal opinion issued by the federal government could reach beyond the realms of sports gambling and into areas traditionally controlled by the states, potentially jeopardizing state lotteries. On April 8, the Department of Justice released

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office and La Porte County DUI Task Force are announcing that it will be increasing enforcement and patrols around prom and post-prom sites this spring.  The goal is to deter alcohol use and eliminate alcohol related crashes among La Porte County High School Prom attendees. Proms in La Porte County will begin April 13th and conclude May 18th.  Between these dates, Westville, South Central, La Crosse, New Prairie, La Porte, Michigan City, La Lumiere and Marquette High Schools will all conduct prom events. The Sheriff’s Office and DUI Task Force will saturate the areas around each

The Michigan City Human Rights Commission (MCHRC) is proud to announce that Sydney Starks has been chosen as the Hawkins-Williams Scholarship ($1,000) winner and the Judi Huber Scholarship ($1,000) goes to McKena Moore. Starks is graduating from Michigan City High School and Moore, Marquette Catholic High School.  Both seniors will be recognized at the Michigan City Human Rights Commission’s 2019 Humanitarian of the Year luncheon on Friday, April 26 at Krueger Memorial Hall from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person, $200 for a table of eight and can be purchased from Commissioners or at the Michigan

In recognition of National Safe Digging Month, NIPSCO urges customers and contractors to call 811 at least two business days prior to starting any digging project. Calling 811 is not only crucial for your safety and the safety of others— it’s the law. Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in damage to gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines, which can lead to service disruptions and serious injuries. In addition to the risk of serious injury, not calling 811 could result in fines up to $10,000 and the cost to repair any damages. Last year,

Congressman Visclosky announced yesterday that the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) under the National Park Service has awarded two grants in Northwest Indiana. First, a $200,000 grant award will support renovations at Imagination Glen Park in the City of Portage. Specifically, the grant award will support efforts to remodel the concession building and restrooms, and add an open-air shelter to the building. The grant award will also replace fencing at the existing ballfields, replace lighting fixtures, develop a multi-use trail connecting park facilities, and add benches and tables. Second, a $100,000 grant award will support renovations at Fireman Park

Four students in Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) College of Technology are hoping a third place finish at an international student competition launches them to the top of this year’s PNW Big Sell entrepreneurial contest. Daniel Cubillos (Hammond, IN), Neol Goveas (Mumbai, India), Jered Daniels (Crown Point, IN) and Daksh Patel (Greenwood, IN), all students of PNW’s Computer Graphics Technology bachelor’s program, entered their concept for a mobile phone stand into the HOUSTEX 3D Printing Student Competition in February.The PNW team was challenged to create an original design, along with an energy-efficient manufacturing process, for an eco-friendly mobile phone stand.While explaining

“The LaPorte Police Department recently received information in regards to an alleged threat towards Handley School that we have been actively investigating.  At this point detectives from the LaPorte Police Department have no evidence to confirm that the alleged threat that occurred over a month ago was even made due to conflicting information. Thanksto the cooperation from the alleged suspect’s family we have confirmed that the alleged suspect does not have possession of any guns like posted on social media and they are working with the LaPorte Police Department to resolve this situation. The LaPorte Community School Corporation and local

The U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.), Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) to create more opportunities for working families to get ahead. The Building on Reemployment Improvements to Deliver Good Employment (BRIDGE) for Workers Act (H.R. 1759) would give states more flexibility in administering existing unemployment benefits to help more Americans re-enter the workforce and find good-paying jobs. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that new investments in re-employment services scheduled over the next decade would reduce the budget deficit by $600 million between 2022 and 2027.

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Mike Braun and Congressman Jim Banks introduced the Pell Flexibility Act of 2019 to reduce student debt and address the crisis of the workforce skills gap.The goal of the grant is to improve job placement, reduce the crushing burden of student loan debt, and address the crisis of the workforce skills gap, higher education must adapt to meet the needs of employers. Federal grants prioritizing skills-based programs is a critical step in that direction. Under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, institutions of higher education are eligible to participate in federal student

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the opening of the 2019 Season of Chesterton’s European Market Saturday, May 4. From 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, Duneland community residents and tourists are welcomed to visit Third Street and Broadway in historic downtown Chesterton to experience Northwest Indiana’s premier outdoor artisan and farmers’ market.Each weekend this season, the Market will boast more than 90 merchants, live musical performances from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, fresh food served on-site throughout the day and plenty of opportunities to enjoy gatherings with friends and family in nearby Thomas Centennial Park. “The best

More than 86,000 Hoosiers now work in clean energy industries after adding 3,885 jobs in 2018, according to a new analysis of energy jobs data from Clean Energy Trust (CET) and the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs). Overall, Indiana now employs 69,613 more workers in clean energy than fossil fuels (17,287).Indiana’s clean energy workforce employs more than all the waiters and waitresses, computer programmers, lawyers and web developers in Indiana combined, according to the Department of Labor Employment Statistics.Led by 18 percent growth in advanced transportation, Indiana’s clean energy jobs now make up 2.6 percent of all jobs

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson is reminding Hoosiers that early and absentee voting for the May 7th Primary Election began yesterday. From now until May 6, any eligible voter can cast an absentee ballot in-person at their county clerk’s office or request an absentee ballot by mail. Voters who chose to vote absentee in-person have until noon on May 6, the day before the primary election, to cast their ballot. Voters who choose to vote by mail may request an absentee ballot online at www.indianavoters.com or from their county clerk’s office. Request for absentee ballots by mail must be delivered by

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Doug Jones (D-Ala.) announced they have introduced several bills to help boost retirement security for individuals and families during a time when many Americans are unprepared for retirement. According to the Department of Labor, more than 40 million people do not have access to any workplace retirement plan. Additionally, nearly half of households nearing retirement do not have a retirement savings plan. Senator Young introduced S. 1020, which would expand access to workplace retirement plans by giving small employers more flexibility when setting up 401Ks for their employees.

South Shore Line service updates will be in effect to accommodate passengers attending the Star Wars Celebration April 11-15th, at McCormick Place. The SSL will be offering select weekday train stops at McCormick Place Station on Thursday-Friday, April 11-12, and Monday, April 15, in addition to regular service to McCormick Place during the weekend. All weekend trains except Train 601 utilize McCormick Place as a flag stop: While riding the train, please notify the conductor that you want to exit at McCormick Place. When waiting to catch an outbound train at McCormick Place, please stand on the platform in clear

In Michigan City, Elk Street will be closed to all traffic from Jackson Street going east to the alley until April 30th at 4:00 pm for installation of a new Storm Sewer, Curbs and Asphalt.

The Valparaiso Police responded to the 2500 block of Tea Rose Dr. at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday morning regarding a complaint of a suspicious vehicle. A brown mini-van was observed in the area, driving with an open sliding door, as it passed students on their way to morning bus stops. The van door was shut as it passed a particular student and left the area, making no contact with anyone. The incident was observed by a parent who reported it to police. Police checked the area extensively and did not locate the van or receive any additional complaints regarding it.

The LaPorte Police Department recently received information on a threat towards Handley School. The LaPorte Police Department takes all threats towards the public serious so we have been actively investigating the claim. They have been able to determine that the original threat is from over a month ago and does not appear that anyone is actively trying to carry out this threat nor has the means to do so. The LaPorte City Police along with school resources officers from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department and the LaPorte Community School Cooperation have been in contact and are taking steps to make

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) reminds taxpayers the 2019 individual tax filing deadline is less than one week away—April 15, 2019. Paper tax returns require a postmarked date of April 15, 2019 to be considered on time. Electronic filing can be submitted online any time before April 16, including through the Indiana freefile program (INfreefile). INfreefile offers qualified individuals with an adjusted gross income of $66,000 or less in 2018 several options for filing both their state and federal taxes for free. All vendor options and qualifications for INfreefile can be found online at www.freefile.dor.in.gov. Still not going to

A Munster woman escaped serious injury last night when she flipped her vehicle onto its roof. Preliminary investigation by Trooper John Landowski revealed at approximately 8:35 p.m., Sunday, April 7th, a 2010 Cadillac Escalade was west bound on I-80/94 when for unknown reasons the driver, Betty Markovich, 87 of Munster, Indiana, went off the roadway and struck an attenuator that was in the gore area (this is the area that separates the main line and a ramp) to the Kennedy Avenue ramp. The Cadillac hit the attenuator with its right front, causing the front right wheel to separate from the