Local News

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) has formally denied Indiana’s waiver request regarding the inclusion of all Indiana high school diplomas in graduation rate calculations as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). IDOE stated they are disappointed in this decision, given the negative impact this will have on students, schools, communities, and our State. IDOE stated the new federal definition for “regular high school diploma” raised concerns due to ramifications and unjust accountability implications for Indiana districts and schools. Under this definition, roughly 8,000 students’ achievement in earning an Indiana high

In response to rapid global change, bold and innovative approaches to leadership development are key to success for collegiate business schools. Purdue University Northwest's (PNW) College of Business (COB) was recognized among 30 global institutions who are defining what it means to lead in the face of uncertainty and cultivate a winning skillset in the next generation of business leaders. The recognition came from AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) - in its third annual "Innovations That Inspire" challenge. With a specific focus on innovation in leadership development, programs from institutions worldwide were evaluated

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 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 ability

Two recent cases resolved by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) serve as timely reminders to all Hoosiers to exercise extreme caution when purchasing used vehicles. In both scenarios, used car dealers failed to deliver titles and/or provide promised warranties to customers who paid for vehicles. When buying a warranty: If a consumer is buying a car from a dealership and purchases a warranty administered by a third party, the consumer should: -Ensure he or she receives a warranty contract at the time of sale and thoroughly reviews its terms; -Ask the dealer when it will forward payment to

Lubeznik Center for the Arts' summer class and workshop offerings for children, teens and adults are currently open for registration. Enjoy learning a new skill in a workshop or expand your technique in a six-week class. Offerings run from June 16 through August 10. Don't delay because classes fill quickly. Register early to secure your spot because classes fill quickly. Six-week classes in painting and drawing are available this summer. For those who have conquered that class, and want to face a new challenge, LCA offers Abstract Painting II . Drawing Bootcamp facilitates students' visionary skills and strategies when drawing

On Friday, June 1st, the Valparaiso Police Department’s K-9 Unit and F.O.P Lodge 76 are hosting the annual Guardians of the Night 5K-9 run and 1-mile walk. The events will take place at Central Park Plaza beginning at 6:00 PM. For the first time ever, runners will be able to bring their dogs on the run The course will begin at Central Park Plaza and proceed through the Valparaiso University’s campus. The entire community is encouraged to join a free post-race community celebration. Food vendors will be available. To preregister online visit www.runsignup.com. Registration will be open until 7:00 PM on

The La Porte County Drug Task Force announces the arrest of four individuals, for various charges including two separate narcotics, and weapons related cases. The first investigation resulted in the arrest of Cameo M. CRAWFORD (20) of Michigan City on Wednesday April 18th, 2018, after an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest by La Porte County Superior Court #1 for Dealing in Cocaine Level 3 Felony. CRAWFORD was observed leaving a residence in the 1000 Block of Salem Street in Michigan City, and was quickly apprehended by The La Porte County Drug Task Force, and F.A.S.T. Team. A subsequent

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) received a record $1,058,979 in contributions during Wednesday’s (4/25) fifth annual Purdue Northwest Day of Giving, shattering the previous year’s total by more than $100,000 for the 24-hour, social media-driven giving campaign. This year’s total was the tenth highest from among 60 various participating groups across the entire Purdue system, resulting in additional “bonus money” awarded to Purdue Northwest. Some 607 donor gifts to PNW contributed to a single-day giving total of $37.6 million across the entire Purdue system—an amazing fourth consecutive year for most dollars raised in a college/university single-day campaign.

Wednesday, Sheriff John T. Boyd and Michigan City Police Chief Mark Swistek hosted an active shooter tabletop exercise at Michigan City Town Hall. Mr. Lance Bella, Chief Executive Officer of Vertex Tactical, coordinated and facilitated the exercise. Approximately sixty representatives/officials participated in the exercise. The exercise elicited an open forum of discussion full of ideas and strategies. The following is a list of those who had personnel that participated in the exercise. La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Michigan City Police Trail Creek Police Long Beach Police Michigan City Fire La Porte Fire La Porte County EMS La Porte County EMA

The Mobile Health Unit of La Porte Hospital will be out in the community throughout May to provide bone density screenings and to educate on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease. Come and visit the Mobile Health Unit to learn more about these two important topics. The Mobile Health Unit program has been made possible by the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte. Upcoming Dates and times of the Mobile Health Unit visits are: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., May 4th, at La Porte Hospital and 9-10 a.m., May 4th, at La Porte County Family YMCA

NIPSCO is awarding 15 local nonprofit organizations with grants—totaling $50,000—to help fund restoration and education projects throughout northern Indiana. Some of this year’s winners include: Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana, Spaceship Earth education programming; City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department, erosion control project; Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center, scholarships for the Stewards of Tomorrow; Michiana Area Council of Governments, Partners for Clean Air; Michigan City Area Schools, high school environmental restoration team; Porter County Parks Foundation, Sunset Hill Farm County Park Pond restoration phase IV; Shirley Heinze Land Trust, educational guidebook project; St. Joseph County Parks Foundation,

Starting Monday, April 30th at 6:00 a.m. phase 1 of the Ohio Street reconstruction project will begin in Michigan City. This phase will close the Southbound (or West side) of Ohio Street from US 20 to 400 North (Kieffer Rd). At that point all traffic on Ohio Street will be one way only (Northbound) until further notice, until the end of September. Southbound Traffic will be detoured at US 20 West to either 1100 West (Hitchcock St) or to US 421 (Franklin St.) and then South to 400 North (Kieffer Rd). During this phase access from all side streets will

Team WIMS was out at the PNW Day of Giving yesterday. The once-a-year event is a non-stop, 24-hour opportunity to support PNW’s student scholarships, academic programs, athletics and more. Check out the WIMS Facebook page for videos and pictures of the event along with interviews.

Last week, two Toll Road troopers were recognized for their outstanding work by Superintendent Douglas Carter at the Indiana State Police Spring Awards Ceremony. Trooper Christopher Eagles was recognized as the Indiana State Police Toll Road Post “Trooper of the District.” This award goes to the trooper that is chosen by their command staff that personifies professionalism, integrity, a well-rounded work ethic, and community involvement. Eagles’ efforts have resulted in many criminal arrests, drunk drivers taken off of Indiana’s roadways and the seizure of large amounts of drugs. Trooper Ala’a Hamed received the “2017 District DUI Award” for the Indiana

Wednesday morning, around 8:00am, Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group (PCMEG), assisted by the Portage Police Department and Portage SWAT, executed an arrest warrant on 35 year old Valparaiso resident, Jeffrey F. Vanautreve, for a Failure to Appear warrant at a residence in the 2400 Block of Odell in Portage. Vanautreve’s original charges were Dealing Narcotics, both being felonies. During the execution of the arrest warrant, three subjects were located inside; two of those subjects were released on scene and Vanautreve was taken into custody without incident. A search warrant was obtained for the residence and narcotics were located inside. Jeffrey Vanautreve

Chief Troy Williams of the Portage Police Department is making citizens aware that there is a city wide yard sale being advertised on Facebook that is hosted by Oddities & Objects - O.B.OT (Portage, IN - City Wide Yardsale). According to Chief Williams, the City of Portage has not authorized this, nor sanctions it. Additionally Chief Williams stated there is concern on the part of city officials and the police department that you are being asked to share your address and items you may be wanting to sell with no real idea who is collecting or watching this information. Chief

Yesterday afternoon the Michigan City Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) utilized an abandoned house in the City limits for training. This is a normal practice and the neighbors of the residence where the training occured were notified. MCPD said this type of training allows the SWAT Team to maintain their skills. A statement by MCPD noted that the department’s use of abandoned houses that are set to be demolished by the City of Michigan City adds realism and gives a more hands-on experience.

On Saturday, April 28th, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring the 15th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative. The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs. Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment. This program is for liquid and pill medications. Needles, new or used, will not be accepted for disposal. This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to

On 4/22/18, at approximately 4:32pm, members of the Uniform Shift II division were dispatched to the Metro PCS store, located at 1310 Franklin Street, reference a Robbery that had just taken place. Information was gathered at the scene and it was determined two black male suspects entered the store and approached the employees. A demand for the store money was made and subsequently received. Once the money was obtained, both men fled the store. The first suspect was described as wearing a grey shirt and black pants. The second suspect was described as wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black