Local News

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, NIPSCO

Congressman Visclosky announced this week 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

Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) announced its annual ArtBash gala to be held on Saturday, June 29th with a theme of “Paint the Town.” Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa in Michigan City, IN will be especially dazzling that night, as guests are asked to wear brightly colored clothing and the decor will be bold and lively. Festivities will include dancing, a free photo booth, a silent auction and an elegant buffet with an open bar. Tickets can be purchased online now at www.lubeznikcenter.org/Special_Events/artbash.html, with a discounted rate for individual and table ticket purchases made on or before June 17th.

As the tax filing season winds down next week, the following court actions serve as a reminder to taxpayers, to think before filing a false or fraudulent tax return and to be wary of any schemes that falsify your income or deductions.Randall Stiles, of Fort Wayne, was convicted and sentenced for failure to file a federal tax return and other federal violations.  Stiles will serve 6 months in prison and pay $235,055 in restitution to the IRS.Tara Hightower was convicted for preparing false federal tax returns. Hightower owned and operated a tax preparation service TZH Consulting and collected fees for

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) reminds Hoosiers the 2019 individual tax filing deadline is Monday, April 15th. The upcoming weekend allows customers time to file both electronically and through paper forms. Paper tax returns require a postmarked date of no later than April 15th, 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

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have introduced legislation to ensure that Congress has the legislative authority to review all materials related to so-called “Part 810 authorizations” and is aware when the U.S. government authorizes persons or companies to transfer certain nuclear technologies and services to governments overseas.Part 810 agreements authorize the transfer or nuclear technologies and information related to the production of “special nuclear materials” as defined in Title I of the Atomic Energy Act. Some authorizations, which are approved by the

In celebration of Autism Awareness month, the Michigan City Human Rights Commission (MCHRC) will present the Autism Forum on Thursday, April 18 at 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. where a variety of autism experts will reveal the perplexities of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Autism Forum will be held at Living Way Church located at 2410 Duneland Drive (Hwy 12 & Duneland Drive). The event is FREE and open to the public. Refreshments will be served, and parking is available. For more information, visit www.emichigancity.com/cityhall/departments/humanrights

Indiana State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson was honored yesterday at an Indiana Volunteer Firefighter’s Association ceremony for his 50 years of service to the City of Indianapolis and the State of Indiana. Greeson was among several firefighters from across the state who were recognized for their longstanding careers in the fire service.In a letter read to Greeson during the ceremony, Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb said, “Your professional achievements are surpassed only by your character and your extensive involvement in your community. We could not be more proud of our first responders, and for 50 years, you’ve been a real

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

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

The Michigan City Urban Enterprise Association will be holding their monthly board meeting on Monday, April 15th at 6 pm. It will be held at 601 Franklin Street, Suite 100, Michigan City, Indiana. The public is invited to attend.

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

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and 16 other Senators to introduce the Protect Act, legislation that protects Americans with pre-existing conditions, ensuring that Americans have the peace of mind knowing that they and their loved ones will never be denied health care coverage or be charged more because of a pre-existing condition. The Protect Act amends the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to: -Guarantee the availability of health insurance coverage in the individual or group market, regardless of pre-existing conditions. -Prohibit discrimination against patients based on health status – including prohibiting increased premiums for patients

U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), and Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) introduced the bipartisan Protect Medical Innovation Act, which will lower the cost of life-saving medical devices and create jobs by repealing the 2.3 percent excise tax on medical device sales. The bill is co-sponsored by a bipartisan coalition of 227 Members of Congress. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). 

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