Local News

This past Thursday, two California residents were arrested for dealing heroin following a traffic stop on the Indiana Toll Road in Porter County. An Indiana State Trooper stopped a Nissan for several traffic violations on the Indiana Toll Road approximately six miles east of the Valparaiso/Chesterton exit. While the trooper spoke to the female driver, 37 year old Yudith Valenzuela, of Los Angeles, CA, and the male passenger, 31 year old Luis Garcia, age 31 of Los Angeles, he became suspicious of criminal activity. A vehicle search was conducted following a positive alert to the odor of narcotics by Indiana

The Michigan City Police received a report of a one car automobile accident that occurred at the intersection of Greenwood and Woodland Ave. on Friday just before 1pm. Additional information indicated that this was a personal injury single car accident with the vehicle on fire. First to arrive at the scene was Chief Mark Swistek and Day shift supervisor Corporal Jeff Piotrowski. As they were arriving to the vicinity of the accident, smoke and flames could be observed coming from the scene. Upon arrival they immediately observed a Chevy Trailblazer with a large tree limb across the front compartment of

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is announcing that Administrative Captain Derek J. Allen has been selected and approved to attend an upcoming session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy (FBINA). In October 2017, Captain Allen was nominated by the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office to attend the FBINA. Since then, Captain Allen has undergone a vetting process and recently learned that he has been selected and approved by the FBI to attend an upcoming session. The FBINA, established in 1935, is a professional course of study for United States and international law enforcement officials. Four (4) times

Thirty-four year old Portage resident Javan Comer, pled guilty to unemployment insurance fraud in Porter County Superior Court 2 on July 9, 2018. Through the use of agency records, an Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) employee began an investigation and determined that Comer was working and receiving wages while claiming unemployment insurance benefits. Comer was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to repay DWD $10,140 for the benefits he fraudulently collected. DWD receives wage reports and new hire data from Hoosier employers documenting who is employed and receiving compensation. The agency uses this information to ensure people

From July 23-27, the South Shore Line will temporarily be busing weekday (Mon-Fri) passengers between Carroll Ave. and the South Bend International Airport while they upgrade sections of track and overhead wire. During this period, there will be no train service to or from Hudson Lake, and Trains 401, 422 and 424 between South Bend and Carroll Avenue will be canceled. No bikes will be transported via bus for Trains 6 and 11. Train service between Carroll Ave. and Chicago will not be impacted.

Indiana’s unemployment rate stands at 3.3 percent for June and remains lower than the national rate of 4.0 percent. The monthly unemployment rate is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicator that reflects the number of unemployed people seeking employment within the prior four weeks as a percentage of the labor force. Indiana’s labor force had a net increase of 14,948 over the previous month. This was a result of a 3,785 increase in unemployed residents and an increase of 11,163 employed residents. Indiana's total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3.36

Former FBI Director James Comey opens the Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Sinai Forum’s 65th season Sunday, Sept. 9. The Forum announced four other notable speakers joining this fall’s schedule, including a legendary college football coach, a national non-profit leader, an internationally known photographer and a national political reporter. The season runs from September through December, leading off with Comey at Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa in Michigan City, Indiana. The remaining programs are in the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex on the PNW Westville Campus, 1401 S. U.S. 421, Westville. All programs will begin at 4

This past Thursday, two California residents were arrested for dealing heroin following a traffic stop on the Indiana Toll Road in Porter County. An Indiana State Trooper stopped a Nissan for several traffic violations on the Indiana Toll Road approximately six miles east of the Valparaiso/Chesterton exit. While the trooper spoke to the female driver, 37 year old Yudith Valenzuela, of Los Angeles, CA, and the male passenger, 31 year old Luis Garcia, age 31 of Los Angeles, he became suspicious of criminal activity. A vehicle search was conducted following a positive alert to the odor of narcotics by Indiana

The League of Women Voters of La Porte County will present Joie Winski, Auditor of La Porte County, on Tuesday, August 14th for Lunch With The League. Reservations are not required, but for non-members, a donation is requested. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at 11:30 a.m. and may purchase a lunch of their choice from the menu, in time for the 12 noon presentation. Patrick's Grille is located at 4125 Franklin Street, Michigan City. Lunch/Dinner With The League presents timely and relevant discussions about local issues every 2nd Tuesday of the month at Patrick's Grille. All information about the League's

29 year old Joseph Antonio Williams of Michigan City, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and having possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II. Williams was sentenced to 188 months in prison followed by 3 years supervised release. According to documents in the case, a controlled buy was set up with Williams. During the buy, Joseph Williams was caught selling 1.7 grams of cocaine. After the buy, law enforcement saw Williams remove a screen from a window on the side

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly continued his fight for quality, affordable health care coverage for Hoosiers with pre-existing conditions by joining a resolution that would allow the Senate’s Legal Counsel to represent the Senate in Texas v. United States. This would enable the Senate to defend protections for Americans with pre-existing condition against the current lawsuit seeking to make this provision unconstitutional. In February, the State of Indiana filed a lawsuit with 19 other states arguing that the health care law should be struck down, including essential coverage. The Department of Justice filed a brief in federal court in June arguing

The first progress report for the state’s new Next Level Indiana Trust Fund was posted yesterday by the fund’s Investment Board. The report, submitted by the program administrator 50 South Capitol Advisors, LLC, shows that as of June 30th, two funding commitments have been made—one to Indianapolis-based High Alpha Capital and another to the Foundry Group, based in Boulder, Colo. The fund administrator will provide these updates twice per year to the Next Level Indiana Trust Fund Investment Board. Review the first progress report online at www.in.gov/tos/2344.htm. The Next Level Indiana Trust Fund was a key component of Gov. Holcomb’s 2017

Indiana is making progress in moving the needle on college completion, according to state education officials. The 2018 College Completion Report released this week reveals an increase of 14-percentage points over the past five years in the number of college students graduating on time, which is now about four in ten. Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers says it's a record high, and a reflection of the efforts of colleges and universities, as well as the support of elected leaders. The report shows improvements in college completion rates across all Indiana campus types, with nearly half of all students

Rodney Strong was elected The American Legion, Department of Indiana state commander by delegates from the 11 districts throughout the state during the 100th annual Indiana American Legion Convention in Indianapolis. The American Legion is comprised of military service veterans who have served honorably during times of conflict in defense of their nation and has been active within Indiana since 1919. The Indiana American Legion has supported veterans from every major conflict since World War I, to Iraq and Afghanistan within its membership. Rodney is a proud member of Byron Cox Post 72 headquartered in Crawfordsville, Ind., where he has

According to a press release, Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a near drowning of two children that occurred shortly after 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening in Lake Michigan near the Michigan City Pier. Two Michigan City men, Devin Newton, an off duty Superior Ambulance EMT and Myles Wright, an off duty Deep River Waterpark lifeguard were near the Michigan City Pier when they heard screams for help. Both men ran toward the screams for help and saw two young girls struggling in extremely rough water approximately halfway up the pier. Devin Newton attempted to throw a life ring to the two

Yesterday, a bipartisan group of 149 members of Congress called on Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross not to put American jobs and economic growth at risk by imposing tariffs on automobiles and automotive parts. In a letter led by U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), and Ron Kind (D-Wis.), the members highlighted the economic benefits of the auto industry and warned of negative consequences if the ongoing Section 232 national security investigation into imports of automobiles and automotive parts results in tariffs, quotas, or other restrictions.

Thirty-four year old Portage resident Javan Comer, pled guilty to unemployment insurance fraud in Porter County Superior Court 2 on July 9, 2018. Through the use of agency records, an Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) employee began an investigation and determined that Comer was working and receiving wages while claiming unemployment insurance benefits. Comer was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to repay DWD $10,140 for the benefits he fraudulently collected. DWD receives wage reports and new hire data from Hoosier employers documenting who is employed and receiving compensation. The agency uses this information to ensure people

In Michigan City, nine local organizations have announced a community-wide school supply drive, which runs through August 7th. Supplies collected during the drive will be distributed to area students who are in need of materials to start the school year. Many area businesses, including major retailers such as Walmart and Al’s Supermarket on Franklin Street, have set up collection bins to accept donations from their employees and the general public. Additional collection sites are located at Captain Ed’s Candy Island & Furniture Showroom, CLH CPAs & Consultants, Dunes Optical, First Trust Credit Union, Jazzercise, Life Care Center of Michigan City,

From July 23-27, the South Shore Line will temporarily be busing weekday (Mon-Fri) passengers between Carroll Ave. and the South Bend International Airport while they upgrade sections of track and overhead wire. During this period, there will be no train service to or from Hudson Lake, and Trains 401, 422 and 424 between South Bend and Carroll Avenue will be canceled. No bikes will be transported via bus for Trains 6 and 11. Train service between Carroll Ave. and Chicago will not be impacted.

The popular Behind the Scenes Tours journey into the nooks and crannies of the building which are normally off-limits. Guests discover remnants of the past such as the central vacuum system, the furnace, and intricate electrical panels. The two-hour tour takes participants on back stairways and into the basement. The Barker Mansion is located at 631 Washington Street in Michigan City, IN. The 38-room mansion was built by freight car industrialist and philanthropist John H. Barker in 1905, after he expanded onto his father’s original 1857 home on the same site. Barker took advantage of the mansion’s location right next