Local News

A one-time voluntary disclosure initiative is being offered by the Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) to out-of-state online retailers that have inventory located in third-party Indiana warehouses and sell to Indiana customers. This initiative runs through December 31, 2018. “The program offers out-of-state online retailers who are not currently in compliance with Indiana tax laws the opportunity to enter into an agreement with DOR that fulfills their tax obligations,” said DOR Commissioner Adam Krupp. “This special program offers a shortened look-back period for any taxes due for sales, use and income taxes.” Retailers must meet all of the following qualifications

Leadership La Porte County recently completed its 23rd annual leadership program with more than 50 local high school students participating from La Porte County high schools. Schools were asked to nominate 5 students for participation in the program. Participating high schools included: La Crosse, La Lumiere, La Porte, Marquette Catholic, Michigan City, New Prairie, South Central and Westville. Additionally, three home schooled students were part of the program. Four all-day sessions were held at different locations around the county---Purdue North West, the La Porte County Complex, Red Mill County Park and Cummings Lodge. Facilitators for the seminars were Leadership Executive

Barker Mansion will continue their popular walking tours by incorporating a new aspect of Michigan City’s history: beer. In partnership with Zorn Brew Works, a May 19 Brewed in History Hike will depart from the mansion at 11 am Central Time. “Our city’s past is really brewed in history,” said Barker Mansion Director Jessica Rosier. “The Haskell and Barker Car Company was founded over 160 years ago, and Zorn Brew Works is over 145 years old. It’s the perfect partnership, and an excuse to enjoy some craft beer too.” Upon leaving the mansion, the walk will cover sites en route

During INDOT’s annual Trash Bash on April 13, INDOT maintenance staff across the state directed their efforts toward litter collection on roads with high-traffic volume, such as interstates and divided highways. Additionally, Adopt-a-Highway groups and other organizations and individuals joined forces to clean two-lane roads with lower traffic volume April 13-15 as part of Trash Bash. The effort paid off, as hundreds of INDOT employees collected 2,857 bags of trash, or the equivalent of 724 cubic yards, on April 13. The non-INDOT volunteers gathered 600 bags of trash, the equivalent of 150 cubic yards, from April 13-15.

As a result of federal tax reform, NIPSCO natural gas and electric customers will benefit from a reduction in their monthly statements beginning with their May 2018 billing period. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which decreased the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, was signed into law in December and became effective on Jan. 1st. For an average NIPSCO electric residential customer, the change will reduce bills by approximately $30 per year.  NIPSCO natural gas residential customers will see an approximate $10 per year reduction. Commercial and industrial customers will also experience reductions in their bills

Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb has requested federal assistance for Hoosiers affected by historic flooding from Feb. 14 through March 4th. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials conducted joint preliminary damage assessments in preparation for requesting a federal declaration. In a letter to President Donald J. Trump, Gov. Holcomb requested a disaster declaration for nine Indiana counties for individual assistance and 27 counties for public assistance. At the height of the flood emergency, 35 counties had declared local emergencies due to widespread flooding, although subsequent damage assessments of some counties were less

The Purdue University Board of Trustees recently approved the promotion of eight Purdue University Northwest faculty members. These promotions become effective with the start of the 2018-19 academic year. Academic tenure is acquired on promotion to the rank of associate professor. Candidates promoted to this rank have accumulated a record of accomplishments and show promise of continued professional growth and recognition. Faculty members promoted to professor have achieved a significant record in all three areas of accomplishments: learning, discovery and engagement. Professors Promoted to professor are Arifin Angriawan of Dyer (Strategic Management), Lizbeth Bryant of Valparaiso (English), Chandramouli Viswanathan Chandramouli

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal residential structure fire that occurred during the mid-morning on Tuesday.  At approximately 10:31 AM (CST), Sheriff’s Office Deputies and other emergency personnel were dispatched to a residence located in the 5600 West block of CR 300 North. Deputies L. Scott Boswell and Jeff Wright were the first to arrive at the scene and found the residence on fire with visible flames. Deputies Boswell and Wright attempted to gain entry in the residence, but were forced back because of the working fire. Several Volunteer Fire Departments arrived at the scene to

Big sounds are expected from a trio and their accompanist when local vocal group Trilogy takes the mic at the next First Friday in the Chapel at La Porte Hospital on May 4. The program begins at Noon in the hospital’s Family Chapel, and it is free and open to the public. The hospital is located at 1007 Lincolnway, La Porte. Trilogy comprises soprano Felicia Thomas, alto Sue Cassler, and baritone Joe Stewart, who are members of the Chancel Choir at First United Methodist Church in Michigan City, where the trio came together. They are accompanied by Beverly Griffith. All

VOTE411.ORG is a “one-stop-shop” for election information. This innovative resource, a free service of the League of Women Voters, provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information. In Indiana you can enter your home address to see ballot questions as well as candidate responses to League questions. A variety of topics can be researched on VOTE411.ORG including the process for absentee voting, voting online, becoming a poll worker and early voting. Simply select a category, enter Indiana and details will be provided, as available. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and

The Porter County Sheriff’s Office is happy to announce their 4th Annual Northwest Regional Sheriff’s Camp for 2018 is full. They are no longer taking applications. Those that have sent in applications and money, will soon be contacted by the child’s counselor with important information and instructions. For those who may have wanted to attend camp this year, watch for next years announcement.

According to a press release, yesterday, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly led 12 Senators in urging Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to assist students harmed by the 2016 closure of ITT Tech. A sizeable number of students have financial debt due to their education and many have ITT Tech credits with little market value, but it remains unclear if the Department of Education is using all available means to help affected students. That is why Donnelly and the Senators sent a letter to DeVos asking the Department of Education to take swift action. Many Hoosiers were harmed by the sudden closure

Gov. Eric Holcomb joined state and local leaders yesterday at Community Hospital East in Indianapolis to announce a new Community Health Network program designed to address opioid use disorder in mothers and to treat babies born addicted to opioids. The Community Health Network Neonatal Opioid Addiction Project was made possible through a $570,516 grant from the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration’s (FSSA) Department of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA). The grant was created in 2017 legislation to address maternal opioid use disorder and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). NAS is the technical term used for the medical condition experienced by

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an armed robbery that occurred during the late evening hours of Saturday. At approximately 11:11 PM, one male subject entered Next Door Foods, located at 10201 North US Highway 12. The subject briefly approached the counter. Moments later, the subject walked behind the counter and produced a weapon. The subject produced a handgun and proceeded to demand cigarettes and US Currency from the clerk. The subject left the business on foot a short time later. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance with the identification of the armed robbery suspect. The suspect

Two adults and seven children were injured in a single vehicle crash that occurred Sunday morning, when the driver fell asleep. Preliminary investigation by Trooper Nicole Maenza revealed that a 2007 Dodge Nitro (SUV), driven by 31 year old Blair Beathea of South Bend, was east bound on I-80/94 at the 37.5 mile marker 2 1/2 miles east of the Michigan City exit, when she fell asleep. The Dodge went off of the roadway, down an embankment, began to flip over, hit a tree, and went into a drainage ditch culvert with water, coming to rest on its roof. Beathea

The Duneland Chamber is having a Volunteer Rally on Thursday, May 10th from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at, located at 371 Indian Boundary Rd., Ste. 1. If you are a local business person, in need of volunteer or service hours for school, or just love your hometown, come volunteer. The Duneland Chamber is looking for volunteers for a wide array of projects and events. Every year they're looking for additional hands to help with events such as: 8th Grade Reality Check, Chesterton’s European Market, Party in the Park, and the Hometown Holiday Celebration. They also have opportunities inside the

In preparation for upcoming spring volunteer training, the CASA and CAYA Programs are holding their “Each One, Reach One” event to raise awareness of agency efforts to support and advocate for the best interest of children who have been abused and neglected as well as at-risk youth. The event will be held May 3rd at St. John’s Church, located at 101 St. John Road in Michigan City at 5:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to find out how you can impact a child or youth in need and learn more about what Family Advocates does in our community. People are

At an event last week with Mayor Ron Meer and Indiana Finance Director Dan Huge at Millennium Park, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the Michigan City Sanitary District will receive a $600,000 Brownfields environmental Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup grant. This grant will fund environmental investigations of properties throughout the city. EPA’s grant is made in partnership with the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission to continue the redevelopment of recreational areas near Trail Creek and promote job creation by reclaiming former industrial properties in the Monon Corridor. According to the EPA, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said the program, “expands

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is warning and alerting citizens of a telephone scam. Last week, a La Porte County resident received a telephone call from the non-emergency number of the Sheriff’s Office (219-326-7700). The citizen described the caller as being a male subject with a Middle Eastern accent. The citizen advised the subject indicated that he was representing a law firm. The caller attempted to solicit monies and identifying information, such as name and date of birth, from the citizen. A developing trend with scammers is to now spoof known numbers that may be familiar to citizens to

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $350,000 to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to implement a nearshore bird management program at Jeorse Park, Buffington Harbor, Whihala, and Hammond beaches on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in Northwest Indiana. The beaches are located within the Grand Calumet River area of concern, one of 43 toxic hotspots identified by the United States and Canada in the Great Lakes basin. Bird management programs have proven to be an effective strategy to reduce levels of E. coli bacteria that contribute to beach closures. Studies have shown that gulls and geese are major