Local News

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced today a new landmark ethnic studies course and standards for Indiana schools. Per recently passed legislation by the Indiana General Assembly, beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, all corporations will be required to offer ethnic studies as a one semester high school elective course at least once per school year. “As the educational leader of one of the first states to mandate a curricular offering focused on the study of the rich heritage of ethnic cultures in the United States, I am excited for students to have the opportunity to be taught historical

On Monday July 10th  at 9:26 p.m., Valparaiso Police responded to the 2700 block of Roanoke Ct for a report of a missing 3 yr old girl. Police arrived and learned that a 3 year old was missing from her residence and police began searching the area for the child. The Valparaiso Fire Department and additional officers began searching the area. A Porter County Sheriff’s K9 arrived on scene to assist in the search. At approximately 10:12 p.m. the Sheriff’s Department K9 tracked to a nearby pond and the child was located unresponsive inside the pond. Valparaiso Fire/EMS immediately began medical

The eleventh meeting of the newly formed PFLAG (Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Michigan City and LaPorte County Chapter on Tuesday, July 10th, at 6:30 pm. The meeting will take a deeper dive into transgender issues with Kit Malone, a transgender advocate and educator at the ACLU of Indiana. The meetings are for those 18 years of age and over are held the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 pm at PARC Community Center, 1713 Franklin Street, Michigan City, IN. For more information contact: (219) 561-0948 or mcpflag@gmail.com

A semi driver went off the roadway for unknown reasons hitting the concrete barrier wall which caused a traffic back-up overnight until early Monday morning. Preliminary investigation revealed at approximately 1:40 a.m. Monday morning, a Volvo pulling a rail container, driven by a 44 year old from Florida, was south bound on I-65 at the 241 mile marker (this is one mile north of the Lowell exit) in the right lane when the semi left the roadway for unknown reasons. The semi struck the concrete barrier wall that separates south bound I-65 to the south bound I-65 truck scales. This

State Rep. Jim Pressel is reminding motorists of two new laws that recently went into effect to keep Indiana roadways safe. “Colored headlights can be distracting and even confusing when driving at night,” Pressel said. “Under a new law, Hoosier drivers must have only white or amber headlights on their vehicles. This will help prevent distractions on the roads and ensure colored lights are used by emergency vehicles only.” Pressel said with many new laws effective July 1, it is important to stay up to date with those impacting local Hoosiers, including new safety measures for motorists: ·Distracting Headlight Colors

As plans move forward to refine the inside design of the new La Porte Hospital, the project team released a new rendering depicting the outside of the facility, and has announced the selection of a general contractor. The latest rendering – the second version of the hospital design – depicts larger windows, and a more modern look, with silver and grey materials and tones that reflect the community’s natural lakeside landscape. The new La Porte Hospital – as announced before – will be a full-service acute care community hospital. The general contractor will be Robins & Morton, a firm based

Speaking before members of the media at his Statehouse office, Attorney General Curtis Hill today made the following remarks (as prepared) in response to recent allegations made against him: “I have spent my entire life committed to justice -- and doing so with integrity. “Those who know me well know that I have been a champion for victims, particularly women and children who have suffered abuse. “I have always done what I believe to be right. “In my years as prosecuting attorney, I always respected and followed the rule of law. “I respect and value the Constitution -- our sacred document

With only a few weeks remaining before students head back to school, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today provided parents, educators and communities an update on Indiana’s school safety efforts and announced a new program that will make handheld metal detectors available at no cost to schools that want them.   “Controlling what comes into our school buildings is just one important part of keeping our schools safe, and our efforts to assist school corporations must be ongoing and evolving,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Local officials are best positioned to determine their school safety needs and the measures that make sense for

A semi driver went off the roadway for unknown reasons hitting the concrete barrier wall which caused a traffic back-up overnight until early Monday morning. Preliminary investigation by Trooper Timothy Borsa revealed at approximately 1:40 a.m., this Monday, July 9, 2018, morning a 2012 Volvo pulling a rail container, owned by J & G Freight, Incorporated out of Bolingbrook, Illinois, and driven by Angel A. Alvarez, 44 of Miami, Florida, was south bound on I-65 at the 241 mile marker (this is one mile north of the Lowell exit) in the right lane when the semi left the roadway for

The Indiana Secured School Safety Board recently approved more than $14 million in matching grants to enhance school security by allowing local school corporations to add resource officers, equipment and conduct threat assessments. During the board meeting, applications were approved for 388 schools that qualified for the Secured School Safety Grant program. Each school must produce a 50 percent match to qualify. “Indiana continues to be national leader in the safety and preparedness of our schools,” said Bryan Langley, board chair and executive director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS). “With support from Governor Holcomb and legislators, this

Monday July 9, 2018, is the start of the 17th annual Cops Cycling for Survivors bicycle ride across Indiana. A departure ceremony will be held at 8:30 a.m. EDT at the Police and Fire Fighters Memorial located at the southeast corner of the Indiana Government Center North Building on the State Capitol grounds in downtown Indianapolis. Indiana U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, Sarah and Laura Barrett, survivors of fallen Indiana State Police Trooper Daniel Barrett, will be speaking at the event. The route will head to our area on Day 8, Monday, July 16 – Kentland to Merrillville; Day 9, Tuesday,

On Sunday, July 8th, 2018 at approximately 11:22 AM (CST), La Porte County Sheriff's Office Deputies were dispatched to a personal injury crash at the intersection of State Road 8 and CR 875 West. The crash investigation conducted by deputies determined a green 2007 Volkswagon passenger vehicle had been traveling north on CR 875 West. The passenger vehicle failed to yield to a 2014 Peterbilt semi-tractor that was traveling east on State Road 8. The semi-tractor struck the passenger vehicle in the intersection forcing it off the roadway and into a ditch. Both occupants of the passenger vehicle were injured

Indiana State Police received multiple 911 calls regarding two vehicles driving aggressively along Interstate 65.  The incident started near the 236 mile marker, which is 4 miles south of the Lowell exit, and continued south to the 230 mile marker.  The vehicles were reported to be tailgating each other and changing their speeds at random.  One of the vehicles, a 2018 black Kia, was being driven by Angel Colon, 51, of Greenwood, Indiana.  The other vehicle, a 2004 tan Chevrolet, was being driven by Sherman Townsend, 44, of Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. Preliminary investigation by Corporal Dan Avitia revealed that Mr.

The Michigan City High School Athletic Department will host a " Sunset & Cocktails" fundraising event on Saturday, July 21 from 6 to 10 pm at Sunset Grille, North Pointe Pavilion in Michigan City's Washington Park. The event will include hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and a silent auction featuring a number of unique items -- including entertainment packages, an opportunity to call a play at a football game, court-side seating at basketball games, reserved seats at 2019 graduation and much more. Tickets are $75 per person and are available by contacting Athletic Director Craig Shaman at cshaman@educateMC.net or (219) 873-2043. Only 200 tickets

A law passed by the Indiana General Assembly earlier this year required the Indiana Election Commission to consolidate certain small Lake County precincts. If they did not complete the work by July 1, the responsibility was given to Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson. The Indiana Election Commission did not adopt a plan by the July 1 deadline, despite multiple meetings during which commission members deadlocked on party lines. Under Public Law 210-2018, Secretary Lawson is required to issue an order to consolidate precincts not later than August 1, 2018. Secretary Lawson is now calling on any Lake County voter

Attorney General Curtis Hill today praised a Marion Superior Court decision to grant final judgment in the state’s favor against a small group of marijuana enthusiasts operating in Indianapolis under the name “First Church of Cannabis.” The pro-marijuana plaintiffs began calling themselves a church in 2015 in order to poke fun at Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which they opposed, and to argue for the right to smoke pot as a matter of religious liberty. On this basis, the group then filed a lawsuit against state and local officials seeking relief from Indiana’s anti-marijuana statutes. On Friday, the Marion

The Indiana State Police Capitol Police Section is now accepting applications. Individuals who are interested in beginning a rewarding career as a Capitol Police Officer may apply online at https://www.in.gov/isp/2367.htm.  This website will provide a detailed synopsis of the application process as well as information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police Department. Applications must be received via online submission by 11:59 pm (EDT) on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.  Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. The academy begins on October 8, 2018. The starting salary for a Capitol Police Section Probationary Officer is $44,497.00 a year. The Indiana State Police Capitol Police

Attorney General Curtis Hill today called for a fair and thorough investigation into allegations of off-hours misconduct lodged against him by accusers, all of them anonymous until one revealed her identity today. The Attorney General made the following statement: “I now stand falsely accused of some of the same crimes I spent 28 years prosecuting. Yet without a thorough investigation -- without the right to face my accusers and review the evidence against me -- I am convicted by public officials demanding my resignation. I believed that the standard in this country is that you are innocent until proven guilty --

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statement Thursday regarding allegations made against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill: “Four women had the courage to step forward to report sexual harassment by the Indiana Attorney General. The findings of the recent legislative report are disturbing and, at a minimum, show a violation of the state’s zero tolerance sexual harassment policy. I concur with Sen. Long and Speaker Bosma that Attorney General Hill should resign, and I support a thorough investigation by the state’s Inspector General.”

The Porter County Health Department is accepting applications for the position of Part-Time Nursing Secretary/Billing Representative (21-28 hours per week). Qualified candidates must possess a high school diploma, minimum two years general office experience and type 50+ WPM accurately. Prior experience working in a medical office strongly preferred. Must enjoy working with the general public in a professional, helpful and courteous manner. Position requires working at both Portage and Valparaiso locations as assigned. Applications can be picked up at the Porter County Health Department, 155 Indiana Ave., Ste. 104, Valparaiso, IN 46383. Drop off or mail applications along with a