Local News

The Exchange Club of LaPorte County Indiana, Sauers Buick, Big Ford, and LaPorte Chrysler have partnered to support the housing of homeless veterans in Indiana. Through Veterans Matter and the Exchange Club of LaPorte County Indiana, each dealership will donate $11.00 per car sold for the month of November. Veterans Matter is a nationwide Non-Profit organization that works with the Veterans Administration (VA) to house homeless Veterans and their families. Here in Indiana, over 200 Veterans and their families have been housed due to the leadership of the Indiana Chair Person, John Mellencamp. The same day Mellencamp became chairperson of

To show their gratitude, all veterans are invited to ride the South Shore Line for free through the weekend of November 9-11, and on Veterans Day (November 11), observed November 12. As train personnel walk through the train, please let them know that you are a veteran or active military personnel, and they will provide you a ride at no charge. No identification will be required. On Veterans Day, Monday, November 12, trains will follow the regular weekday train schedule. Up to three children 13 years of age and under may ride free with each veteran on off- peak weekday

Tuesday, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and others in urging President Trump to suspend negotiations regarding a U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear agreement. The Senators cited the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as well as Saudi actions in Yemen and Lebanon, as evidence for their concerns related to “the transparency, accountability, and judgment of current decisionmakers in Saudi Arabia.” Earlier this month, Senator Young similarly joined Senate colleagues in triggering an investigation and a Global Magnitsky sanctions determination regarding the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi.

Valparaiso University says it will shut down its nearly 140-year-old law school. The decision comes after multiple attempts to find a viable alternative, including a collaboration with Tennessee State University that didn't materialize. Valpo suspended first-year admissions to the program last year and says it plans to teach-out the remaining law students. Approximately 100 second and third-year students are currently enrolled. The university cites "significantly declining" enrollment in law school and shrinking demand for professionals in the field. Valpo says it is working closely with accreditors throughout its teach-out process.

The Michiana Humane Society has lifted the weeks long quarantine of cat adoption and will begin to have the public adopt adult cats for $25 beginning Thursday, November 1st. The shelter had placed a quarantine on cat adoption upon finding that many cats were stricken with the virus Panleukopenia. Sadly, panleukopenia kills vulnerable kittens within 24 hours. The shelter staff quickly recognized this outbreak and acted swiftly to contain the spreading of the virus to other cats and to make sure the adoption process would not be halted for long. The adoption room was closed for two weeks, which is

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly released the following statement after the U.S. Treasury Department announced that government borrowing this year will be $1.34 trillion, more than double the amount from 2017. The Department expects to issue $425 billion in debt from October through December covering a widening budget gap caused "primarily" by the 2017 McConnell-Ryan tax law. This marks the highest level of borrowing since 2010, when the country was still emerging from the Great Recession. Donnelly said, “Last year, Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan pushed through an irresponsible and partisan tax law that exploded our deficit to benefit the wealthy

LaPorte County Circuit Court Judge Tom Alevizos, accompanied by Juvenile Magistrate Jonathan Forker, swore in the newest group of Court Appointed Youth Advocate (CAYA) volunteers recently. The advocates will support struggling youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system by promoting educational, employment, positive peer relationships, life skills and other short-term goals.  So far this year, CAYA advocates have assisted 50 youth involved in the program this year. Seven more volunteers received comprehensive training of the system as well as engage in the process by observing court. Ongoing workshops and resource collaboration will provide additional tools to assist volunteers

The Michigan City Animal Control Service Division is seeking assistance with DOG/CAT FOSTERING. Currently the Kennels are full and the Shelters MCACS works with are also at capacity. If you are a LaPorte County Resident, LOVE animals, have no previous convictions of animal abuse/cruelty, and would be willing to temporarily "Foster" a dog and/or a cat until space is available, please call Julie Holbrook with the Michigan City Animal Control Services at 219-874-3221 Ext. 1031 for more information. A Foster Waiver Form will need to be completed & signed if approval status is provided by M.C.A.C.S.

The Heart Center at Franciscan Health Michigan City has been awarded as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. The Heart Center has maintained this distinction since 2016. The Blue Distinction Center designation recognizes better quality care and treatment expertise. Patients at Blue Distinction Centers have improved outcomes, including lower complication rates following certain cardiac procedures. The Franciscan Health Heart Center offers one-stop, comprehensive, patient-centered services provided by a team of board-certified cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, electrophysiologists and an advanced practice nurse.  The center provides the entire spectrum of cardiovascular services, from cardiac catheterizations and

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statement on the three children struck and killed at a school bus stop in Fulton County. A fourth child was airlifted to a hospital: “Words cannot express the depth of sorrow Janet and I feel, which only pales in comparison to what family, friends, teachers, classmates and community are feeling right now. Today, and for many more to come, we mourn their loss. I ask Hoosiers around the state to join us by sending your deepest prayers for the strength needed to endure such a time.”

Schools, homeschool cohorts, libraries, and other education facilities in the Lake Michigan Coastal region now have access to unique hands-on on teaching resources to enrich student experiences, thanks to a new rent-a-trunk program at Humane Indiana Wildlife. Five new education trunks address topics including Mammals, Birds, Endangered/threatened Species, and Wildlife Rehabilitation. A Lake Michigan Coastal themed-trunk completes the array of subjects addressed in the available kits. Each trunk contains a wide range of teaching tools—from skulls, furs, tracks, in the “Mammals” trunk; to x-rays, patient records, and daily care logs in the “Wildlife Rehabilitation” trunk. Curriculum, activity guides, media, and

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is encouraging Hoosiers to celebrate a healthy Halloween by limiting the amount of sweets they consume and increasing their physical activity this season. According to the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health, 18.5 percent of Hoosier children between the ages of 10 and 17 were considered obese and 15.4 percent were identified as being overweight. Additionally, reports from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey show that 6.5 percent of Indiana children did not consume fruits or 100 percent fruit juices and 7.3 percent did not eat vegetables. “It’s always fun to celebrate the

Thirty Indiana judicial officers will celebrate National Adoption Day by allowing families and press the opportunity to photograph and videotape adoption proceedings. The Indiana Supreme Court is authorizing cameras in court for uncontested adoptions. National Adoption Day is celebrated to increase awareness of the value of adoption. Many agencies including the Department of Child Services, Court Appointed Special Advocates, the Children’s Bureau, and local adoption agencies will be involved in events across the state. Participating counties will welcome approximately 270 children to join their forever families. The adoptions will occur on the following dates and approximate start times. For more

According to a statement from the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday at 1:30am, Porter County Sheriff’s Detectives investigated an aggravated battery, where a subject was reported to have been stabbed in the 500 E block of Carriage Lane in rural Jackson Township. The individual that was injured, was identified as 21 year old Gordon Ray Sharkey III of Lowell. Sharkey was transported to a medical facility for injuries he sustained. The other party involved has been identified as a 21 year old male from Westville (Jackson Twp). All information will be forwarded to the Prosecutor's Office for review. This

The League of Women Voters of LaPorte County will host Cathy Martin for their Tuesday, November 13, Dinner With The League. Cathy is Program Manager at Save the Dunes, and worked on the Indiana Dunes Climate Change Adaptation Plan coordinated by Save the Dunes in partnership with the Field Museum. She has expertise in conservation planning and natural resource protection and restoration in Northwest Indiana's high quality natural areas. Cathy will update the guests on current and on-going efforts to deal with climate change in the Indiana Dunes and surrounding areas. Cathy's work, and that of her colleagues at Save

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) attended a military service medal ceremony at the Clay County Courthouse where he presented Mr. Paul Lucas of Poland, Indiana with the Purple Heart he earned during the Korean War. Senator Young also presented Mr. Lucas with several other medals he earned, including the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars, Combat Infantry Badge (1st Award), and United Nations Service Medals. Mr. Lucas grew up near Farmersburg, in Sullivan County, Indiana. He joined the Army and achieved the rank of Sergeant. While serving in Korea, Mr. Lucas was wounded

Attorney General Curtis Hill announced yesterday plans to expand an innovative digital curriculum for high school students that informs them about safe use of prescription drugs and ways to avoid the risks of substance abuse. “By educating students about the dangers of prescription drugs, we can prevent tragedies and promote smart choices,” Attorney General Hill said. “Sadly, almost half of all teens incorrectly believe that prescription drugs are always safer than illegal street drugs. We need to correct these misconceptions and empower teens to be part of the solution to the drug crisis devastating so many lives.” Called the Prescription

NIPSCO is set to complete the final phase of a three year natural gas system upgrade near Michigan City. This work is part of the company’s ongoing modernization plan to upgrade their natural gas infrastructure system. Now through Thursday, November 1, NIPSCO and their contracted crews from Minnesota Limited, LLC are commissioning a 21 mile section of their pipeline. As part of this process crews will need to burn natural gas at the south east corner of W 300 N and County Line Road near I-94 in Michigan City. This is an industry standard done to ensure they can continue

On September 6, the Federal Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled voters could not use straight party ticket voting in the November 6 election.  Voters are encouraged to vote absentee if they meet any of the criteria (60 years of age or older; out of town on election day; physically unable to vote; religious reasons; working at another polling place; and awaiting arraignment or trial) and to vote at non-peak voting times in their precincts.

Watch out for crews doing pothole patching in the eastbound and westbound right lanes of I-94 today, between SR 51 and U.S. 421. Weather permitting, work is expected to last just one day.