Local News

With the U.S. government closed for business for the 21st time since 1976, this time with a partial shutdown, the personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on the States Most & Least Affected by the 2019 Government Shutdown to add some hard data to all the rhetoric.WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia in terms of five key metrics, ranging from each state’s share of federal jobs to federal contract dollars per capita to the share of families receiving food stamps. Indiana came in as one of the least affected states at #47 out of 51 Indiana.

To accommodate passengers attending the Chicago Bears postseason game at 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, at Soldier Field, the South Shore Line will run an extra eastbound and extra westbound train, with additional select stops at the 18th St. Station.Westbound service:An Extra train will depart Carroll Avenue Station at 11:40 a.m. and make all local stops, including 18th St. Station, and terminate at Millennium Station. It will adhere to the following schedule:11th St. Michigan City (11:44a); Dune Park (12:01p); Ogden Dunes (12:10p); Miller (12:17p); Gary Metro (12:24p); East Chicago (12:38p); Hammond (12:43p); Hegewisch (12:50p); 18th St. (1:18p); Museum

The Indiana House of Representatives and the Indiana Division of The Salvation Army have joined together to increase awareness of child hunger. House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-88) and House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-80) joined Salvation Army officials at the Statehouse Thursday to kick off a drive to donate food and backpacks. Indiana House members are collecting non-perishable food items and new or gently-used backpacks until March 6 when the lawmakers plan to fill the backpacks with the collected food items to allow the Salvation Army to distribute them to schools across the state. The Indiana House also has launched

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the launch of the Trucks Park Here system, a multi-state, regional effort to make interstate travel safer by creating a network of safe, convenient parking areas for truckers with the ability to collect and share real-time parking availability with drivers through dynamic message signs, smartphone applications, and traveler information websites.Although access to safe and convenient parking areas for trucks is essential for a robust freight transportation network, truck drivers consistently have difficulty finding areas to safely rest. Drivers who have not located parking before reaching their hours of service limits are often forced

Thursday, the President signed U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Elizabeth Warren’s (D-Mass.) bipartisan legislation to increase oversight of taxpayer dollars spent by federal agencies into law. The Good Accounting Obligation in Government (GAO-IG) Act requires federal agencies to report on open and unimplemented recommendations from the Office of Inspector General (IG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO).Examples of recommendations that currently remain open and unimplemented:In 2013, GAO published recommendations to improve wait times at the VA so veterans can have timely access to medical care. In 2015, GAO found that the Department of Justice could do more to measure progress

Radon, a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in most soil, is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and the number-one cause among non-smokers. It is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates.January is National Radon Action Month, and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is urging homeowners to test their homes for radon because this tasteless, colorless and odorless gas can build up in homes without residents’ knowledge.ISDH and the American Lung Association are partnering to provide county health departments throughout Indiana with free radon

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that the ramp connecting southbound State Road 912 (Cline Avenue) to eastbound I-80/94 is closed for up to a week due to a spill.Wednesday, a truck from a private company spilled a substance onto the roadway, creating a slick surface. A cleanup company contracted by that company has reported to the scene and has started the cleanup process. The substance itself does not create an environmental hazard or danger to the public.Motorists may still travel both northbound and southbound on Cline Avenue and can even use the ramp connecting southbound Cline Avenue to

The new Franciscan Health Michigan City hospital is schedule to open Saturday, January 12th.This is also the date the ER will move from the current hospital on Homer Street to the new hospital along Interstate 94.At 6 a.m. on January 12 the Franciscan Health Michigan City ER opens at 3500 Franciscan Way at the corner of U.S. 421 and I-94. Also at this time, the existing ER will no longer be open at the Homer Street hospitalVisitors can reach the new hospital from US 421 by turning west on 400 North to Franciscan Way and turning left.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is urging anyone who hasn’t already gotten a flu shot to do so now. Although influenza (flu) activity remains at minimal levels, the virus can still cause illness and even death. Indiana has already recorded two flu-related deaths this season. As long as flu viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to get vaccinated. Getting a flu vaccine can reduce illnesses, doctor visits and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone age 6 months and older get

The Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission is beginning the process of selecting a new Superior Court judge. A vacancy on the Lake Superior Court will occur in February 2019. Judge Diane Kavadias Schneider plans to retire from Superior Court, Civil Division 7. Judge Bruce Parent will transfer to the position from Superior Court, Civil Division 4. Thus, the vacancy will be in the Civil Division, Room 4. Commission Chairperson and Indiana Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Slaughter announced applications for the position are available online at courts.in.gov/5470.htm and must be submitted through the Indiana Courts Portal by Monday, January 7, 2019,

On December 29th, at approximately 9:00 a.m., a single vehicle crash occurred on I-65 at the 253 mile marker. This is near the exit to U.S. 30. As a result of the crash, a white Husky ran from the vehicle. The dog was last seen running near the Crown Point exit. The owners of the dog had posted on Facebook that their dog was lost and the approximate location where she was last seen. This morning at approximately 9:00 a.m., approximately 24 hours after the dog had been lost, a Facebook user spotted the dog walking along I-65 near the

NIPSCO and contracted crews from Kent Powers will be replacing static wire on existing  electrical lattice towers located on the top most position of the towers with new Optical  Ground Wire (OPGW). A small low-flying helicopter will be used to replace and string new wires, which will help shield the electrical conductors from lightning  while providing a telecommunications path for internal communications. This project is part of NIPSCO’s on-going modernization plan to upgrade its infrastructure system in northern Indiana. The project is expected to last one month, beginning work in the  near W 700 N and N 175 W and

On December 28, 2018 at approximately 10:30 p.m., Trooper William Carlson responded to a single vehicle crash that occurred on the ramp from I-80 eastbound to southbound Ripley St.  The 2003 Nissan passenger car was being driven by Mr. Joan Miyares (37) of Chicago, IL.  Open containers of alcoholic beverages were found throughout the vehicle.  Mr. Miyares was later transported from the scene of the crash to St. Mary’s Hospital in Hobart, Indiana. The ramp was closed for approximately 45 minutes for investigation and clean up. Further investigation at the hospital led Troopers to believe Mr. Miyares was intoxicated at

Regarding new years, Nobel Prize winning poet T.S. Eliot was quoted saying, “To make an end is to make a beginning.” Purdue University Northwest (PNW) entered 2018 and wrote an exciting chapter in its history, filled with several firsts, shattered records and new beginnings. In years to come, 2018 will be remembered as a momentous one for PNW. Here are some highlights of 2018 at PNW. Purdue Northwest grew to three destinations through the $12 million gift by the Gabis family of the former Taltree Arboretum & Gardens near Valparaiso. The site is now the Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest

La Porte County Sheriff’s Office made a statement this past Friday, that it was the last working day for emergency vehicle technician, Dave Chapell. Dave is retiring from their garage after 32 years of service to the Sheriff’s Office and La Porte County Government. Over the course of Dave’s career, the number of vehicles that their mechanics maintain has grown exponentially. Not only do they service the Sheriff’s Office 79 vehicles, but also 16 EMS ambulances and support vehicles as well as 44 other County Government vehicles.

Kroger has recalled several shrimp products for Michigan stores. The recall affects Kroger stores located in ,Central and Northwest Ohio; Northwestern Virginia panhandle, Michigan, KingSoopers, Frys, and Smiths. Full details can be found on Kroger’s website.

The Indiana Sports Corp is touting the growth of its Inspiring Sports initiatives in 2018. The organization says it administered 12 different programs this year, which impacted and provided opportunities for more than 70,000 young people throughout the state.The Inspiring Sports Equipment for Kids Gear Distribution effort, in its 11th year in 2018, provided 20,000 pieces of new sports gear to more than 100 organizations, which Indiana Sports Corp says will benefit more than 50,000 youth. The organization also partnered with the Big Ten Conference on youth initiatives such as the Middle School Curriculum Program, Girls Basketball Clinic and Youth

In a statement made by Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill this past Friday, Wells Fargo Bank N.A. will pay $575 million to resolve claims that the bank violated state consumer protection laws. As part of a settlement involving all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Indiana will receive $5.2 million. As part of the settlement, Wells Fargo will also create a consumer redress review program through which consumers who have not been made whole through other restitution programs already in place can seek review of their inquiry or complaint by a bank escalation team for possible relief. As part

The new Franciscan Health Michigan City hospital is schedule to open Saturday, January 12th.This is also the date the ER will move from the current hospital on Homer Street to the new hospital along Interstate 94.At 6 a.m. on January 12 the Franciscan Health Michigan City ER opens at 3500 Franciscan Way at the corner of U.S. 421 and I-94. Also at this time, the existing ER will no longer be open at the Homer Street hospitalVisitors can reach the new hospital from US 421 by turning west on 400 North to Franciscan Way and turning left.

The Indiana State Police is investigating a crash involving a pedestrian that occurred on Tuesday just before 7:30 PM.  The crash occurred on Interstate 80 between Calumet Avenue and Indianapolis Boulevard. A Chevrolet HHR, being driven by a 58 year old woman from Chicago, struck 44 year old Freeman Pace of West Lafayette, IN, who had been walking in the roadway.  Investigation by Trooper Corey Adam found that the crash stemmed from a domestic incident that occurred on Interstate 80 shortly before the crash.  The occupants of a vehicle, husband and wife, traveling westbound stopped on the outside shoulder and