Local News

Independence Day is around the corner, and fireworks are often a big part of the celebration. And while fun and festive, fireworks can also be dangerous. In fact, 250 people go to the emergency room every day with firework-related injuries around the July 4th holiday, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission 2017 Fireworks Annual Report. More than three quarters of these injuries occur in the head, neck or upper extremities. Facial plastic surgeons treat more than their fair share of individuals who have been injured by fireworks, and these facial trauma surgeries and burn repairs are often extensive and can

The ISDH has made a correction to the new adoption records law released last week. Effective July 1, Indiana residents placed for adoption before Jan. 1, 1994, can request access to their birth records from the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) due to a change in state law. These records have been generally unavailable to adoptees until now. Records of adoptions that took place prior to Jan. 1, 1994, were automatically closed unless the birth parent gave consent for his or her information to be made available. With the signing of Senate Enrolled Act 91 in 2016, these records

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security reminds Hoosiers impacted by the historic floods earlier this year that they have until Thursday, July 5, to apply for federal assistance. To register for flood damage assistance, residents can go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov/ or call the Federal Emergency Management Agency Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585. Helpline numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, (6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT), seven days a week. You also may download the FEMA

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that the inside westbound lane of I-94, just past mile marker 34.8 near the interchange with U.S. 421 in LaPorte County, is closed as crews work on repairing a pavement buckle caused by excessive heat over the weekend. Overnight, crews will perform more minor repairs on the middle and outside lanes, though two lanes of traffic will be maintained at all times. INDOT expects the repair to be complete Tuesday.

While you’re enjoying a nighttime fireworks show, did you know that in addition to the Indiana seven percent sales tax on fireworks, there is also a five percent public safety fee? Hoosiers spend a great deal of money on fireworks each Independence Day. From sparklers to bottle rockets, if you’re purchasing any items that classify as fireworks, you’ll pay this additional tax. What’s considered a firework? Any items detonated or burned to produce a visible or audible effect are considered fireworks. These items may include: Firecrackers, Roman candles, Missile-type rockets, Wire sparklers. Vendors who sell these items are required to

On Saturday afternoon, Officer Paul Czupryn initiated a traffic stop on a beige 2002 Buick passenger car for a minor traffic violation near Central Ave and Brandt Street in Portage. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, later identified as 24 year old Gary resident Carl L. Echols, failed to stop. Officer Czupryn continued to pursue Echols through Portage city limits and towards US Hwy 20 into the Woodlake Village Apartments Complex in the Miller area outside of a building at 8960 E 6th Avenue. Echols then exited his vehicle and a foot chase ensued. Officer Czupryn attempted to

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off road vehicle crash that resulted in the death of 49 year old David Blessing of Tinley Park, Illinois. Shortly after midnight on June 30th, Indiana Conservation Officers were contacted by Starke County Dispatch after a passerby observed a 2017 Polaris side by side style off road vehicle on its side, with what appeared to be a person underneath it in the 5500 south block of 700 east. Responding officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene and found David Blessing to be deceased and requested Indiana Conservation Officers respond to the

A church school bus caught fire, early Saturday morning, causing all the occupants to flee from the bus.  Preliminary investigation by Trooper William Stancy revealed at approximately 12:54 a.m. on Saturday, June 30th, 2018, blue 2000 Champion school bus, owned by Herscher Christian Church, Herscher, Illinois, and driven by Sue A. Stevenson, 47 of Cabrey, Illinois was south bound on I-65 near the 243 mile marker (this is approximately three miles north of the Lowell exit) when the bus had a tire failure. Stevenson stated she saw sparks coming from the right rear tire.  As Stevenson pulled the bus over

The LaPorte Police Department has released details for the upcoming La Porte 4th of July Parade. Traffic will be diverted off of State Road 2 (Lincolnway) beginning at 8:30 AM on the Fourth of July. No traffic other than the parade units will be allowed on State Road 2 between Philadelphia Street and Andrew Avenue on the day of the parade between 8:30 AM and the end of the parade. As far as the parade route goes; there will be no parking allowed on the street or in the tree lawns along State Road 2. The detour route around the

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH) are urging Hoosiers to take steps to prevent illness while visiting events where pigs are exhibited following confirmation of a case of influenza in a resident with exposure to pigs. This is the first human case of H3N2 variant influenza reported in Indiana since 2013 and the first human case in the U.S. this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which confirmed the test results Friday. H3N2 variant influenza is most commonly associated with contact with pigs. The Indiana resident became

The Indiana Department of Insurance is warning Hoosier homeowners and renters that accidental damage caused by fireworks that are banned in their counties may not be covered by their homeowners or renters insurance policies. Many insurance policies contain provisions disclaiming coverage for illegal acts committed by the insured. However, consumers who experience property damage due to another person’s use of fireworks may be able to claim benefits under their homeowners or renters policy. Indiana Fire Marshal Jim Greeson pointed out that the fourth of July has the largest number of building fires on a single day than any other day

The South Shore Line will operate a weekend/holiday train schedule on Wednesday, July 4th, 2018, in observance of Independence Day. South Shore ticket offices will also observe holiday hours on July 4th, with the Millennium Station ticket office open from 9:35 a.m. to 5 p.m. All other ticket offices will be closed. Please note bike-rack equipped train cars will be available on select weekend/holiday trains on July 4th. To learn more about Bikes on Trains, including a list of available bike trains, please visit mysouthshoreline.com. NICTD's administrative offices in Chesterton and Michigan City will be closed on July 4 in

The Michigan City Fire and Police Departments encourage residents to enjoy fireworks in the safest possible manner. The Indiana State Law governing the use and sale of fireworks in Indiana is now in effect, and the following changes apply to Michigan City residents: • Only adults age 18 and older are allowed to purchase fireworks, for use in Indiana. • Private fireworks may be set off ONLY on the user's property, the property of someone who has consented to the use of fireworks, or at a special discharge location designated by the State Fire Marshal. Fireworks may not be discharged

NIPSCO announced Friday the completion of the new 100-mile Reynolds-Topeka electric transmission line project, connecting NIPSCO’s Reynolds substation (in Reynolds, Ind.), Burr Oak substation (in Burr Oak, Ind.) and Hiple Substation (near Topeka, Ind.). The 345-kilovolt (kV) line will enhance system reliability, offer environmental benefits by increasing access to wind and solar energy, and allow for greater access to supplies of electricity, including improved access to lower-cost electricity for customers. Last week also marked the completion of the nearly 70-mile Greentown-Reynolds 765-kV line, connecting the Greentown Station near Kokomo, Ind., to the Reynolds Station located in Reynolds, Ind. Greentown-Reynolds was

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH) are urging Hoosiers to take steps to prevent illness while visiting events where pigs are exhibited following confirmation of a case of influenza in a resident with exposure to pigs. This is the first human case of H3N2 variant influenza reported in Indiana since 2013 and the first human case in the U.S. this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which confirmed the test results Friday. H3N2 variant influenza is most commonly associated with contact with pigs. The Indiana resident became

As Independence Day approaches, Hoosiers are encouraged to practice safety when it comes to fireworks. In 2017, 77 percent of all reported firework injuries occurred from July 1-7, and 39.5 percent of all firework injuries occurred on July 4. “Fireworks can cause serious injuries if not properly handled,” said State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson. “If planning to use personal fireworks, always follow label instructions and keep precautions such as a hose or bucket of water nearby. Taking a few seconds to think about safety is important for everyone involved.” The State Fire Marshal oversees the Indiana Department of Homeland Security

Beginning July 1, Indiana residents placed for adoption before Jan. 1, 1993, can request access to their birth records from the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) due to a change in state law. These records have been generally unavailable to adoptees until now. Records of adoptions that took place prior to Jan. 1, 1993, were automatically closed unless the birth parent gave consent for his or her information to be made available. With the signing of Senate Enrolled Act 91 in 2016, these records will now be open unless the biological parent files a nondisclosure form with ISDH. Hoosiers

The South Shore Line will operate a weekend/holiday train schedule on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, in observance of Independence Day. South Shore ticket offices will also observe holiday hours on July 4, with the Millennium Station ticket office open from 9:35 a.m. to 5 p.m. All other ticket offices will be closed. Please note bike-rack equipped train cars will be available on select weekend/holiday trains on July 4. To learn more about Bikes on Trains, including a list of available bike trains, please visithttps://www.mysouthshoreline.com/plan-your-trip/bikes-on-trains. NICTD's administrative offices in Chesterton and Michigan City will be closed on July 4 in observance

As the Heat Index is expected to rise this weekend, the Michigan City Fire Department is urging residents and visitors to play it safe by beating the heat. This summer, the Michigan City Fire Department along with LaPorte County EMS will respond to numerous calls for heat-related emergencies. While many heat-related problems are not life threatening, hundreds die across the nation each year due to heat-related illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta. CDC records also show that from 1979 to 2003, excessive heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States. Those most at risk

The Indiana Department of Insurance is warning Hoosier homeowners and renters that accidental damage caused by fireworks that are banned in their counties may not be covered by their homeowners or renters insurance policies. Many insurance policies contain provisions disclaiming coverage for illegal acts committed by the insured. However, consumers who experience property damage due to another person’s use of fireworks may be able to claim benefits under their homeowners or renters policy. Indiana Fire Marshal Jim Greeson pointed out that the fourth of July has the largest number of building fires on a single day than any other day