Local News

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) encourages Hoosier families to take the necessary steps to make sure households are prepared for all types of disasters. National Preparedness Month is the perfect opportunity for Hoosiers to learn lifesaving skills such as CPR and first aid, how to check insurance policies for common hazards as well as how to make and practice a household emergency plan. Tornadoes, fires, snow and severe flooding are all common occurrences throughout the year in Indiana. Knowing how to stay prepared for these types of situations will not only minimize

The Federal Communications Commission has awarded Indiana more than $29 million to "close the digital divide" in rural areas. The office of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch says the funding, which will be distributed over 10 years, will boost broadband speeds in more than 24,500 locations. Crouch adds "unserved and underserved rural areas in our state need high-speed, reliable Internet in order to keep Indiana’s economy thriving. Collaboration between federal, state and local entities will bring Indiana communities to the Next Level and I anticipate we will be working on building upon this progress." A total of 45 states received support

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Indiana National Guard will embark on a statewide tour beginning Wednesday to highlight their collaborative efforts to keep Hoosiers safe and respond to emergencies. Operation Force Multiplier will see the two agencies visiting 10 emergency districts across Indiana from Sept. 5 through Oct. 3. The statewide tour will kick off Wednesday at the Guard armory in Terre Haute. Each event will begin at 10 a.m. Most recently, the Indiana National Guard was deployed to help IDHS and local emergency management agencies respond to widespread flooding in February and March of 2018. The severity

Whether you want to tone, de-stress, or get your heart pumping, a variety of classes are available with a membership or $5 one-week trial at The Crossing of La Porte Hospital or the Wellness & Rehab Center in New Carlisle. Zumba A great cardio workout that combines Latin music with dance and fitness moves. Zumba classes are offered from 6-7 p.m. Mondays, 5:30-6:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 8-9 a.m. Saturdays, at The Crossing, 1203 Washington St., La Porte. Call 1-855-214-3681 to register. Zumba Gold A Zumba workout at a less intense pace. Classes are available from 7:45-8:45 a.m., Tuesdays

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly helped introduce legislation that would overturn the Administration’s recently finalized rule about short-term “junk” insurance plans. Donnelly said, “The Administration’s efforts to expand ‘junk’ plans – which are likely to raise costs for consumers without covering those with pre-existing conditions – are misguided. The legislation I helped introduce would overturn this bad rule, and help stop the Administration’s ongoing efforts to undermine our health care system.” The new rule on short-term health plans will allow consumers to buy so-called “junk” plans for up to 364 days at time, reversing the current limitation that these plans can

The following is from a press release provided by Sgt. Chris Yagelski of the Michigan City Police Department: Here we go again! It is time for the 8th annual Citizen’s Police Academy to begin on October 4th and run for seven weeks. Each week will be a 2 ½ hour block beginning at 6:00pm until 8:30pm at the New Michigan City Police Community Room. We will have a final graduation dinner on Thursday November 15th. Ever wonder what it is like to be a Police Officer? This year we are willing to give you a chance! The Michigan City Police

With all of today’s options for getting home safely, there’s no excuse for getting behind the wheel impaired as it endangers you and everyone else around you. Law enforcement recommends these safe alternatives to impaired driving: • Designate, or be, a sober driver. • Use public transportation. • Call a cab or a ridesharing service. • Download the SaferRide mobile app on the Android Play Store or the Apple iTunes Store. This app only has three options: call a taxi, call a friend, and identify your location for pickup. • Celebrate at home or a place where you can stay

The Indiana State Police (ISP) have a new tool to enforce alcohol-impaired driving this Labor Day weekend. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Indiana Criminal Justice Institute recently purchased 777 portable breath test devices for use by ISP troopers. In every state, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. In Indiana, drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher are subject to fines and a license suspension for up to 1 year. Since 2017, more than 2,600 portable breath tests have been purchased for 150 law-enforcement agencies across Indiana.

According to a press release, the Indiana Department of Education received communication this week from Pearson characterizing two issues associated with the final ISTEP+ Spring 2018 results. The issues involved a grade 10 mathematics graphing item and grades 3-8 and 10 document image reconciliation. IDOE is currently working with Pearson to reconcile the data for the impacted students and redeliver final data and reporting. It is anticipated only a small percentage of students in grades 3-8 and 10 will be impacted. Further updates will be provided as more information is made available.

  This past Tuesday, Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group (PCMEG), along with the Drug Enforcement Association Merrillville Resident Office (DEA) and Indiana HIDTA, executed three federal search warrants on three separate addresses located in Gary. This operation was in response to the ongoing investigations of the Heroin Overdose Response Project. In addition to the federal search warrants, three federal arrest warrants were also served on: *52 year old Tony Petty, Distribution of heroin and aiding and abetting *45 year old Augustine Pike, Distribution of heroin and aiding and abetting *55 year old Leroy Coleman, Distribution of heroin During the execution of

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly helped introduce legislation that would overturn the Administration’s recently finalized rule about short-term “junk” insurance plans. Donnelly said, “The Administration’s efforts to expand ‘junk’ plans – which are likely to raise costs for consumers without covering those with pre-existing conditions – are misguided. The legislation I helped introduce would overturn this bad rule, and help stop the Administration’s ongoing efforts to undermine our health care system.” The new rule on short-term health plans will allow consumers to buy so-called “junk” plans for up to 364 days at time, reversing the current limitation that these plans can

The following is from a press release provided by Sgt. Chris Yagelski of the Michigan City Police Department: Here we go again! It is time for the 8th annual Citizen’s Police Academy to begin on October 4th and run for seven weeks. Each week will be a 2 ½ hour block beginning at 6:00pm until 8:30pm at the New Michigan City Police Community Room. We will have a final graduation dinner on Thursday November 15th. Ever wonder what it is like to be a Police Officer? This year we are willing to give you a chance! The Michigan City Police

The La Porte County Election Board will be conducting a hearing on Tursday, August 30th at 12:00pm in the La Porte County Complex Meeting Room on the challenge of Republican Township Candidates and failure to file a “Call of Caucus” 10 days prior to caucus. The candidates being challenged are: Debra Allie – Noble Township Board Timothy Jaycox, Jerry J. Wilkinson, and Melinda Jaycox – Hudson Township Board Rick Moore - Clinton Township Board Ilene K. Zona and Paul C. Zona – Springfield Township Board William Greene III and Deborah Vance – Michigan Township Board The Election Board will pursue

On Friday, September 7 from 5:00PM to 9:00PM (CDT) Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) and ANKO Fashions invite guests to their First Friday Art Walk event: "Friday Night Fever". From 5:00PM to 7:00PM guests will be treated to an ANKO fashion show followed by a Disco dance party from 7:00PM to 9:00PM. Light bites and a cash bar will be available. Admission is free. This event is generously sponsored by Dekker Vacuum Technologies. Guests will enjoy a retrospective collection of high-end '80s fashions constructed of unique fabrics with signature accents by ANKO (Anneke Dekker-Olthof), owner and designer of ANKO

To accommodate passengers attending the Notre Dame vs. Michigan football game at 7:30p ET on Sept. 1, 2018, the South Shore Line and Transpo will offer FREE shuttle bus service between the South Bend International Airport and Notre Dame Stadium. Two trains will carry eastbound passengers to the South Bend Airport prior to kick-off: Train #503 will arrive at 12:10p ET and Train #505 at 5:06p ET. Arriving South Shore Line passengers may then board a Transpo bus near the South Shore train platform at the Airport for the trip to the stadium. Passengers will be dropped off near the

Next week, Treasurer Mitchell will begin a month long tour of PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points) around the Hoosier state. As the Indiana Treasurer of State, Mitchell is the only treasurer in the country to chair a 911 board. The tour will focus on the top twenty-five PSAPs who utilize Text-to-911 in Indiana. This year, 2018, marks the second year of statewide Text-to-911 services available to all Hoosiers. During its first year alone, 173,213 text sessions occurred to and from dispatchers. The Statewide 911 Board continues a public service campaign to inform residents of this service available to them. The

Attorney General Curtis Hill has written an op-ed supporting programs in jails and prisons that help improve inmates' character by addressing social, emotional, spiritual, educational and familial issues through targeted services. Attorney General Hill specifically touts the effectiveness of Jail Chemical Addiction Programs (JCAP). Release of the op-ed comes on the heels of an announcement that Attorney General Hill is helping launch a new JCAP program in Kosciusko County in northern Indiana.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a man being pulled from Lake Michigan at Washington Park Beach around 2:15 p.m. Monday afternoon. Beachgoers recused a 48 year old man from Michigan City from the water and began CPR on the beach. The case is still under investigation. The man was taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Michigan City for further treatment and was in critical condition at the time of the press release.

Next week, Treasurer Mitchell will begin a month long tour of PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points) around the Hoosier state. As the Indiana Treasurer of State, Mitchell is the only treasurer in the country to chair a 911 board. The tour will focus on the top twenty-five PSAPs who utilize Text-to-911 in Indiana. This year, 2018, marks the second year of statewide Text-to-911 services available to all Hoosiers. During its first year alone, 173,213 text sessions occurred to and from dispatchers. The Statewide 911 Board continues a public service campaign to inform residents of this service available to them. The

With the Chicago Jazz Festival (Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2018) taking place in Millennium Park, along with the Labor Day holiday, the following South Shore Line guidelines will apply: Aug. 29-31: The South Shore Line will operate a weekday train schedule. Bikes are permitted on WB Trains #6 and #106, and EB Trains #11 and #111. Alcohol is prohibited on all trains after 7 p.m. Glass bottles are prohibited at all times. Sept. 1-2: The South Shore Line will operate a weekend/holiday train schedule. Bikes are permitted on all bike-rack equipped trains (click here for details). Alcohol is prohibited on all