Local News

La Porte Hospital is offering Safe Sitter courses for young teens, grades 6-8, to help them learn about home safety and the basics about how to be a safe babysitter. Upcoming classes are July 10 and August 2 at the hospital. Pre-registration is required by calling (219) 326-2322. The cost is $45. More than 600,000 young teens have graduated from this medically-accurate program that teaches how, why, and where injuries happen so they can be prevented. The course provides hands-on practice in lifesaving techniques to young teens who are home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting, so they are equipped

  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

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that State Road 39, just south of North Judson, will close on or after Wednesday, July 11, until early October for a bridge replacement. The road will be closed between CR W. 500 N. and CR W. 400 N. State road detours must be on state-maintained roads only. Southbound drivers on SR 39 will be detoured east on State Road 10, south on U.S. 35 and west on State Road 14 back to SR 39. Northbound drivers on SR 39 will be detoured east on SR 14, north on U.S. 35 and west

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. A 9:00 a.m. departure from the memorial will take the cyclists south to the Southport Police Department where they will

Following the recent shooting at Noblesville West Middle School, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly urged Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to engage stakeholders in efforts to improve school safety. In a letter to Secretary DeVos, Donnelly relayed concerns from Indiana State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick, school resource officers in Indiana, and Hoosier students, parents, and teachers. These concerns include a critical need for social and emotional support programs that help address students’ mental and behavioral health needs, and the necessity to better identify children prone to violence. Earlier this year, Donnelly supported legislation that will provide grants to school systems for

Historic sites in Michigan City become museums for one night only. On Saturday, July 7 from 7-9 pm, attendees will meet at the Barker Mansion and walk to St. Mary the Immaculate Conception as a group. The church is 151 years old, and is intertwined in Barker history. Learn the Barker connection, view the Alfonso Iannelli altar and Stations of the Cross. Mansion Heritage Interpreter TJ Kalin and St. Mary’s Historian Pat Harris will lead the evening. The event costs $10 per adult and $5 per senior or youth. Proceeds will be split between the two organizations. Registration is required

The Porter County Surveyor is accepting applications to fill a full-time vacancy for the position of Surveyor Technician. This is a full-time FLSA Exempt position with a salary range of $40,000 to $42,500. Applications should be sent to Kevin Breitzke, Porter County Surveyor, no later than 4:30 PM on Monday July 9, 2018 at: Kevin Breitzke, PE, LS Porter County Surveyor 155 Indiana Ave., Suite #303 Valparaiso, IN 46383 (219) 465-3560 pH (219) 465-3811 FAX kbreitzke@porterco.org For more information and to download an application visit: www.porterco.org/jobs.aspx

The FDA posted the following press release on their website: Pinnacle Foods Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of Wish Bone House Italian Salad Dressing 15 oz. with the health and safety of our consumers as our top priority. The recall was initiated after learning from a retail customer that a limited number of bottles were mislabeled. The product contains milk and egg, known allergens not declared on the bottle. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk or egg may run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. If

Twenty-five year old Christopher M. Bangs, of LaPorte, was sentenced before District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. for transporting child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch. Bangs was sentenced to 88 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $27,500 total to six victims depicted in his child pornography collection.

On Tuesday afternoon, troopers from the Indiana State Police Toll Road Post responded to calls of a crash in the eastbound lanes of the Indiana Toll Road near the 19.6 mile marker. Preliminary investigation by Trooper Tim McCormick shows that a grey 2017 Honda minivan driven by 36 year old Amie Kielbasa-Szelinski of Munster, IN, stopped for an unknown reason in the right lane. A white 2016 Ford F350 towing a 24 foot trailer, driven by 49 year old Clinton Burroughs of Muskegon, MI, was traveling eastbound behind the Honda when it swerved to the left to avoid the Honda.

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce hosted their 10th Annual Fireworks on the Lakefront event on Monday at the Indiana Dunes State Park on the beach. With record attendance, having well over 13,000 people, food vendors served up tasty treats from mini donuts from Decadent Desserts to salty, soft Ben’s Pretzels. Party DJ kept the party going with tunes and the talented Miss Indiana, Lydia Tremaine, kicked off the fireworks performing a beautiful rendition of the Nation Anthem. A spectacular fireworks show began at dusk to a delighted crowd. The PREMIER sponsor was Urschel Laboratories. Community Partners including the Towns of

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

County Fireworks Ordinance 07-09: -Between the hours of 5:00pm and two (2) hours after sunset (Chicago area sunsets are at approximately 8:30pm) on July 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 -Between the hours of 10am and 12am on July 4th -Between the hours of 10am on December 31 and 1am on January 1 During these dates and times, Officers will NOT be dispatched unless: there is injury, property damage, the fireworks are being set off in a reckless/dangerous manner, fireworks being thrown from a moving vehicle; dispatch as a suspicious vehicle complaint. Remember to check with the city you live

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

High School Entry --1st Place M.C. High School Cheerleaders --2nd Place New Prairie High School Marching Cougars Auto/Motorcycle Club --1st Place Four A’s Car Club --2nd Place Great Lakers Auto Club Dance/Gymnastics --1st Place Indiana Xtreme Elite Cheer & Dance --2nd Place Platinum Gymnastics Equestrian --1st Place Reins of Life --2nd Place Councilwoman Sharon Carnes Float, Commercial --1st Place Haunted Hills Hospital --2nd Place Fast Eddies Float, Non-Profit --1st Place Remembering Our Veterans, Inc. --2nd Place Danny Bruce DAV Post #23 Youth Band/Drill Team --1st Place Michigan City Soul Steppers --2nd Place Mt. Calvary Marching Knights Patriotic Themed --1st Place

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