Local News

The Porter County Health Department is accepting applications for the position of Full Time Food Service Coordinator (35 hours per week). The incumbent will be responsible for completing a variety of daily, monthly and annual reports to be submitted to the Health Administrator. Applications can be obtained online @ www.porterco.org/DocumentCenter or at the Porter County Health Department, 155 Indiana Ave, Suite 104, Valparaiso, IN 46383. Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and completed application to the above address, attention: Letty Zepeda, Health Department Administrator. For more information and to download an application visit: www.porterco.org/jobs.aspx

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

An anonymous donor gifted Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana with a $65,000 donation toward building a home in Hammond. “We were thrilled to receive this very generous gift which will help another family remove themselves from a high-rent situation and into their very own home,” said Executive Director Dawn Michaels. “We send a very genuine thank you to this kind-hearted donor.” While this donation will fund a significant portion of a three-bedroom, one bathroom, single-family home in Hammond, an additional $30,000 will need to be raised before construction can begin. Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana ensures all funding

A driver distracted by a bug that flew into his semi, crashed causing I-65 south bound to be closed for hours. Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Martin Benner revealed at approximately 9:35 a.m., this Thursday, July 12, 2018, morning, a 2009 Freightliner, owned by EM Company out of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and driven by Christopher Walker, 28 of Thomson, Georgia, was south bound on I-65 in the right lane at the 235 mile marker (this is approximately five miles south of the Lowell exit) when a bug flew in from his downed window.  Walker tried to swat the bug and took his

Valparaiso Police Department’s K9 Kaiser has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Kaiser’s vest was embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Ty, California City Police Department”. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for

Tuesday evening, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly was named to the conference committee that will negotiate a final national defense bill. Last month, the Senate passed the bipartisan national defense bill, which includes several provisions Donnelly led or supported to reinforce Indiana’s role in our national defense and to protect American security interests and U.S. defense-related jobs. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a different version in late May and the two versions must now be reconciled by the conference committee. The defense bill has been signed into law the last 56 consecutive years. Donnelly, a member of the Senate Armed

The Porter County Health Department is accepting applications for the position of Full Time Environmental Health Specialist II (35 hours per week). The incumbent will be responsible for, but not limited to inspecting sites prior to construction of sewage disposal systems. Incumbent will provide information and assistance where needed concerning septic systems, wells and other environmental concerns including issuing and denying permits. Will investigate environmental pollutants and will provide corrective and/or legal actions as required. Responsible for inspecting private wells, septic systems for loan approvals; investigates and conducts routine/required inspections, surveys and water sampling. Will monitor and inspect tattoo facilities,

A vehicle that fled the scene of a crash was reported stolen from Joliet, Illinois on Monday afternoon. A silver Nissan was involved in a hit and run on I-65 southbound at the 244 mile marker. The other driver was able to get a description and the plate number of the fleeing car. After running the plate, the vehicle was found to be stolen from Joliet, Illinois on July 8. Indiana State Trooper Corey Adam saw the stolen Nissan and made a traffic stop on I-65. The driver initially stopped and then fled from the scene. The Nissan swerved and

Wednesday, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) welcomed the announcement by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that a new $100 million “Connected Care Pilot Program” is being established to support telehealth for veterans and Americans in rural and low-income areas. Senator Young hosted FCC Commissioner Carr in Indiana in May to get a firsthand look at the need for continued investments in rural broadband and telehealth. They visited Hancock Health operations in McCordsville and viewed a demonstration from the chief medical officer on how they are able to use telemedicine to collaborate between physicians to diagnose and treat cancer. As a

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has confirmed the state’s first death related to a multi-state outbreak of hepatitis A, a highly contagious disease of the liver. The outbreak has caused nearly 4,000 illnesses in 10 states and resulted in multiple fatalities nationwide. No additional details about the patient will be released due to privacy laws. Since November 2017, ISDH has confirmed 214 outbreak-related cases of hepatitis A. Indiana typically sees about 20 cases in a 12-month period. Over the past several months, Indiana health officials have been working to educate the public, restaurants, jails and groups that serve

The Dance Foundation of La Porte (DFLP, LLC) recently held a ribbon cutting to celebrate their opening in Downtown La Porte at 910 ½ Lincolnway. The ribbon cutting was administered by the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce. Kristin Anderson, the owner of DFLP LLC, stated at the event, “This is the studio location I grew up dancing, so I am so excited to be opening up in this location in Downtown La Porte. Our mission is to be an inclusive studio by offering classes for multiple ages and abilities. Each person is unique in his or her own way

The Porter County Health Department is accepting applications for the position of Full Time Environmental Health Specialist II (35 hours per week). The incumbent will be responsible for, but not limited to inspecting sites prior to construction of sewage disposal systems. Incumbent will provide information and assistance where needed concerning septic systems, wells and other environmental concerns including issuing and denying permits. Will investigate environmental pollutants and will provide corrective and/or legal actions as required. Responsible for inspecting private wells, septic systems for loan approvals; investigates and conducts routine/required inspections, surveys and water sampling. Will monitor and inspect tattoo facilities,

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

The following South Shore Line service updates will be in effect to accommodate passengers attending the Taste of Chicago taking place Wednesday, July 11, through Sunday, July 15, in Grant Park: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Westbound Train #14 will operate an extra for additional capacity to accommodate passengers heading to Chicago in the morning. Train #14 and its extra will make all regular stops to Chicago. Alcohol will not be permitted on South Shore trains after 7 p.m. Please be advised that glass bottles are always prohibited. Saturday & Sunday: Westbound Train #606 will operate an extra for additional capacity to

The Boys & Girls Club of Michigan City has planned the fourth annual “Swing for the Kids” Golf Outing on August 24. It is one of the major fundraisers each year for the not-for-profit organization with all proceeds directly benefiting the Club. The Golf Outing will take place at the Michigan City Municipal Golf Course from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The entry fee for the fundraiser is $100 per person or $400 per foursome, which includes the green fee, golf cart and lunch. Further Par, Eagle, Birdie and Title sponsorships, ranging in amounts from $100 to $3,000 are available

U.S. Attorney Kirsch announced 38 year old Faheem Pasha, of Michigan City was sentenced before District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Pasha was sentenced to 96 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. According to documents in this case, on or about January 12, 2018, Pasha, who was previously convicted of a felony offense in LaPorte County, possessed and sold a firearm to an individual. Other documents in the case show that he has been convicted of felonies on four prior occasions, had probation revoked three times,

State Road 912 (Cline Avenue) in Gary will have southbound lane closures with traffic getting by on the shoulder between State Road 312 (Chicago Avenue) and U.S. 20 as late as Friday as the result of a spill on the inside lane. Monday, a truck from a private company spilled a substance onto the roadway, resulting in a slick surface. A cleanup company contracted by the company reported to the scene to begin the cleanup process. The substance itself does not create an environmental hazard or a danger to the public. In places where work is taking place, traffic is

Valparaiso Police responded on Monday evening (9:26 p.m.) for a 3 year old that was reported missing from her residence, by her mother, Tasia Perkins- 32 yrs old, of the 2700 block of Roanoke Ct. Valparaiso Police, Valparaiso Fire/EMS, Porter County Search and Rescue and Porter County Sheriff’s Department K9 Officer responded to the scene to assist with the search. Porter County K9 tracked to a pond were the child was located inside the pond and unresponsive. She later died at Porter Regional Hospital. Police interviewed the child’s mother Tasia Perkins and learned of inconsistent statements regarding the time taken

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