Local News

Attorney General Curtis Hill this month joined a bipartisan group of 23 state attorneys general in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold states’ ability to sue pharmaceutical manufacturers when they mislead consumers about the potential side effects of their products. In an amicus brief filed Nov. 21 in the U.S. Supreme Court, Attorney General Hill and his counterparts argue that Merck, a pharmaceutical company, can be held liable under state law for misleading and misrepresenting the side effects of their drug Fosamax. The 14-state coalition filed an amicus brief arguing that if the Supreme Court sides with Merck, it

The public is invited to get a glimpse of the future of healthcare and tour the new Franciscan Health Michigan City at an open house celebration from noon to 4 PM on Dec. 8. The new Franciscan Health Michigan City includes 123 private, inpatient rooms and robust outpatient services with advanced diagnostic imaging equipment. Along with getting a preview of the facility and the new technology inside, visitors can gain insight into their own health through screenings, including body mass index, bone density, hepatitis C, blood glucose, pulse oximetry and blood pressure. Families are welcome, with activities planned for kids,

The Michigan City Police Department is currently accepting applications for Full-Time Police Officer positions. Starting pay for a Probationary Officer (first year) is $42,494.01. After completing the first year of probationary status then an officer becomes a First Class Patrolman and the pay increases to $45,836.46. Benefits include longevity pay, specialty pay, healthcare program including dental and vision, take home car program, retirement plan, paid vacations, personal days and much more. Applications may be picked up at the Michigan City Police Department or downloaded from michigancitypolice.com . For additional inquiries please contact Sgt. Chris Yagelski at (219) 874-3221 Ext. 1020

Due to the expected Weather for Saturday December 1st, Michigan City Fire Department has postponed the Snowflake Parade and will reschedule for Saturday December 8th. Reports from the National Weather Service indicate 100% chance of rain and high gusts of winds. MCPD stated that if you are going to participate on Saturday December 8th, please respond back with your group name.  There is no need to send another application. Also, Chesterton’s European Market – Mistletoe Market will return this year on December 8th.

Yesterday, Governor Eric Holcomb was elected the 2019 policy chairman of the Republican Governors Association (RGA), an organization that works to elect Republican governors across the country. Governor Holcomb was elected policy chairman by his fellow Republican governors while attending the RGA Annual Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. Holcomb first joined the RGA Executive Committee last year, and with his selection as policy chairman, he will take an expanded role in the organization. As policy chairman, Governor Holcomb will be responsible for elevating policies that Republican governors are bringing to Americans in states across the country -- including in Indiana.

For select Saturdays in December, the South Shore Line will provide an eastbound extra “shoppers’ special” train to help accommodate holiday travelers. On Dec. 1st, the extra will depart Millennium Station at 4:25p (Van Buren St. at 4:28p), run non-stop to Hegewisch and make all local stops terminating at Carroll Avenue. The train will not serve Hudson Lake or South Bend.

The Michigan City Police Department is currently accepting applications for Full-Time Police Officer positions. Starting pay for a Probationary Officer (first year) is $42,494.01. After completing the first year of probationary status then an officer becomes a First Class Patrolman and the pay increases to $45,836.46. Benefits include longevity pay, specialty pay, healthcare program including dental and vision, take home car program, retirement plan, paid vacations, personal days and much more. Applications may be picked up at the Michigan City Police Department or downloaded from michigancitypolice.com . For additional inquiries please contact Sgt. Chris Yagelski at (219) 874-3221 Ext. 1020

The City of Michigan City is announcing that on Thursday, December 6, City Hall will be closed from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., as the Michigan City Police Department presents an active shooter seminar to all City Hall employees. Doors to City Hall will be re-opened to normal business operations at 11:30 a.m.

The Porter County Health Department is accepting applications for the position of Part-Time Nursing Secretary/Billing Representative (21-28 hours per week) at a rate of $15.00 per hour.  Qualified candidates must possess a high school diploma, minimum two years general office experience and type 50+ WPM accurately. Prior experience working in a medical office strongly preferred.  Must enjoy working with the general public in a professional, helpful and courteous manner. Position requires working at both the Portage and Valparaiso locations as assigned. Applications can be obtained from this website or can be picked up at the Porter County Health Department, 155

Update: During their search, firefighters recovered six bodies, two adults and four children. The adults were Joseph Huddleston 42, and Brandi Vail, 25. The children found were three girls Kadee Huddleston 10, Swayzee Hite, 3, and Rhylie Hite,1, and a boy three month old Marshall Hite. The youngest kids are the children of the Brandi Vail. Kadee Huddleston is the daughter of Joseph Huddleston. Brandi Vail is the step daughter of Joseph Huddleston. The two adults that escaped the fire were Shelia Huddleston, 43, and Brandon Huddleston, 19. Shelia is Joseph Huddleston’s wife and Brandon is his son. This is

The Indiana State Police have participated in the Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) since the inception of this multi-state enforcement project in 1977, of which Indiana and Michigan were the founding members. Now, more than three dozen local and state law enforcement agencies nationwide participate in this life saving enforcement project. For the Thanksgiving Holiday Project C.A.R.E. was operational from November 21st through the 25th. Among others, there was a total of 5,673 stops, 1,683 speeding violations, 91 seatbelt violations, 51 DUIs/OMVIs, 1 fatal crash, 1 fatality, and 79 felony arrests.

On Tuesday night, the Porter County Council made the final approval of funds from the Sheriff’s Office budget, to move forward with the purchase of a body scanner, Soter RS Full Body Security Scanning System, for the Porter County Jail. The scanner is being purchased for $155,340.00. Over the years, items have been located inside both male and female body cavities, were those individuals attempted to smuggle items into the facility. The scanner will be used to scan for items considered contraband that are hidden on and in the individuals brought into the jail.

For the first time, Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) School of Education & Counseling (SoEC) made the top 10 ranking of collegiate institutions issuing the most teaching licenses according to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), Office of Educator Effectiveness and Licensing. Coming in seventh out of the 46 institutions in Indiana granting teaching licenses, the recognition acknowledges the work of the PNW faculty, staff, university field supervisors and cooperating teachers who ensure PNW’s graduates in early childhood, elementary, special education and secondary education are well-prepared to be effective educators in Indiana classrooms. Graduates from all of PNW’s educator preparation programs

On Monday, at around 8:30 am, MCPD officers were dispatched to the Murphy USA gas station in reference to a robbery that had just occurred minutes earlier. The suspect was described as being a white male wearing a black hooded coat and a mask. Based on information gathered from the scene, Timothy J. Ericksen was determined to be a strong person of interest in the case. It was also noted that Timothy currently had an active LaPorte County arrest warrant for Probation Violation stemming from a prior burglary conviction. While the Patrol Division and Investigative Division continued the investigation, members

In celebration of the 5th Annual Light the Night for Senior Hunger campaign, Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana will host a Kickoff Lighting Ceremony for luminaries and the new Holiday Lights Display with NIPSCO and other supporters on November 29th from 5 to 5:30 p.m. at Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana in Merrillville. With investment of their volunteers and community partners, Meals on Wheels delivers hot, nutritious meals to seniors, children, and other adults who need nutritional support. Funding for meals is provided by individuals receiving meals, private foundations, grants and donations. More information about Meals on Wheels

Lubeznik Center for the Arts' (LCA) latest exhibition, New Perspectives, showcases amazing artworks created by student artists of LCA's Health Promotion through the Arts Program. This program, now entering its eleventh year, provides a creative space and high-quality arts instruction for adults living with cognitive disabilities. In partnership with Paladin, Inc. and The Social & Learning Institute, these weekly visual arts classes explore and develop motor and vocabulary skills and foster social support and peer relationships.The Duneland Health Council funds this program. View the display in LCA's NIPSCO Art Education Studio from December 3rd through January 12th. Join them for

Indiana Dunes Tourism’s monthly board meeting for November/December will be Thursday, Nov. 29th, at 4 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center’s conference room at 1215 N. State Road 49, in Porter. The board will discuss the grant approvals for the 2019 Tourism Promotion Grant program. This is a public meeting, and the general public is welcome to attend; however, public comment is at the discretion of the board. For more information regarding the meeting, please call Indiana Dunes Tourism at 219-926-2255 or email info@indianadunes.com.

The LaPorte County Health Department is gearing up for its Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep “Tour” of the county. Classes are being held at all local county library branches during the month of November and December. Those in need of a safe place for their baby to sleep or wanting updated on the current standards of safe sleep for infants should call the La Porte County Health Department at 219-326-6808 ext. 2200 and ask to speak to a nurse to determine eligibility and pre-register. Limited seating is available for each event. Classes and locations are as follows: 11-29-18 Kingsford Heights

36 year old Shane Inghels, of Mishawaka, was sentenced, after pleading guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Inghels was sentenced to a total of 235 months imprisonment and 4 years of supervised release when released from prison. According to documents in the case, Inghels had outstanding warrants for failure to appear when he traveled from Mishawaka to Michigan City to sell methamphetamine. After meeting with individuals in Michigan City, he drove away from the area with a passenger in his car who was eight and a half months

The public is invited to get a glimpse of the future of healthcare and tour the new Franciscan Health Michigan City at an open house celebration from noon to 4 PM on Dec. 8. The new Franciscan Health Michigan City includes 123 private, inpatient rooms and robust outpatient services with advanced diagnostic imaging equipment. Along with getting a preview of the facility and the new technology inside, visitors can gain insight into their own health through screenings, including body mass index, bone density, hepatitis C, blood glucose, pulse oximetry and blood pressure. Families are welcome, with activities planned for kids,