Local News

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) kicked off the first National Roundabouts Week on Monday. When it comes to making travel through intersections safer, the modern roundabouts being built by state, local and tribal agencies are true lifesavers. In fact, roundabouts reduce the types of crashes where people are seriously hurt or killed by about 80% when compared to conventional stop-controlled and signalized intersections, according to the AASHTO Highway Safety Manual. This is a huge benefit, considering that thousands of people are killed in crashes related to intersections every year. It's reassuring to know there are now over 4,000 modern roundabouts

Yesterday, on U.S. 30 in southern LaPorte County, a vehicle struck an attenuator warning motorists about road work happening. This crash took place in the eastbound driving lane as a shoulder blading crew was moving through the area. Though the attenuator and civilian vehicle were badly damaged, no major injuries were reported. There have been a rash of these types of incidents lately. Earlier this summer, two such incidents took place just days apart in St. Joseph County.

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) announced yesterday that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted unanimously to advance the nomination of Mr. Kip Tom of Leesburg, Indiana. Mr. Tom is nominated to be Ambassador and U.S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. His nomination now heads to the full Senate. As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee that oversees multilateral development and the United Nations, as well as its agencies, Senator Young wrote the President on August 9, 2017, and recommended that Mr. Tom be nominated for the position. Senator Young also

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for Merit Patrol Deputy. Applicants who successfully complete and pass the various stages of the hiring process will be ranked on a list for any future vacancies that may arise within the Merit Division of the Sheriff’s Office.  The hiring process will include the following stages: application phase, physical agility testing, written examination, computerized voice stress analysis examination, background investigation, Merit Division interview panel and a Merit Commission interview. Applications can be found online by accessing the Sheriff’s Office website: www.laportecountysheriff.com or by picking them up at the front desk of the

The League of Women Voters of LaPorte County (LWVLC), and the Better Government Study Group (BGSG), are sponsoring a Candidate Forum set for Wednesday, September 26, at 6:00 PM at Michigan City Hall Council Chambers, 100 E Michigan Blvd. Invited to participate are State Representative District 9, County Commissioner, County Council, and Michigan City School Board. Candidate forums are moderated Q&A sessions, with written questions submitted by the audience and organizers. Unopposed candidates will be given the opportunity to introduce themselves, but will not participate in the Q&A. For Additional Information Contact: LaPorte County League of Women Voters: Jo Ann

To honor environmental achievements and spur the renewed commitment of business, industry, citizens, and government, Governor Eric J. Holcomb has issued a proclamation designating September 16 to 22, 2018 as Pollution Prevention Week in Indiana. Indiana’s proclamation coincides with National Pollution Prevention Week, also observed the third week of September. The week will feature the 21st Annual Indiana Pollution Prevention Conference and Trade show. The conference is open to all public and private sectors who wish to exchange ideas, share experiences, and promote practices that help the environment. Presentations include discussions with industry leaders on sustainability, pollution prevention, and saving

Job-seeking alumni, students and community members are invited to attend Purdue University Northwest’s Fall Career Expo Friday, Sept. 28 at the university’s Fitness & Recreation Center, 2320 173rd St., Hammond. The Fall Career Expo is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to all alumni and students of Purdue University regardless of campus affiliation. The general public is welcome to attend this event from 1 to 2 p.m. Job seekers are encouraged to come dressed for an interview and have multiple copies of their resume ready. Business professional dress is recommended. The event is free and registration will be available

Several of U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly’s provisions passed the Senate yesterday as part of bipartisan legislation that would help combat the opioid epidemic. The Opioid Crisis Response Act (OCRA) passed with broad bipartisan support on a 99-1 vote. Donnelly’s provisions would improve access to opioid abuse treatment services and help speed up the approval of non-opioid or non-addictive treatments for pain. Other provisions in the legislation would reauthorize a state grant program that has already brought nearly $22 million to Indiana over the last two years, would help state and local governments improve prescription drug monitoring programs, and would help

Fourth generation Chicagoan and critically lauded vocalist Kimberly Gordon is sought after by the elite jazz listener. With a deep understanding of the American Songbook it has led her on a path that celebrates composers, lyricists, and jazz masters alike. The Kimberly Gordon Quartet will be performing at the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan this Friday, September 21st, at 8pm ET.  To purchase tickets for the show, go to www.acorntheater.org

An Elkhart man crashed a stolen car late Thursday night on the Indiana Toll Road stating he felt like he was in a “dream”. On Thursday night, Trooper Matthew Drudge took a preliminary report of a vehicle crash on the west bound Indiana Toll Road at the 55.9 mile marker (this is the 3 North Service Plaza). The driver, later identified as 36 year old Matthew J. Aaron of Elkhart, driving a 2014 Kia Soul, stated he felt like he was in a “dream”. Evidence showed and witnesses stated that the Kia was at a high rate of speed when

Krueger Middle School in Michigan City was honored to welcome more than 30 scientists from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and coastal programs across the Great Lakes states on Wednesday, September 12. The guests were in town as part of the Annual Great Lakes Coastal Zone Management Meeting, which was hosted this year by the IDNR Lake Michigan Coastal Program. The visit to Krueger was a stop on a day-long bus tour organized by the Coastal Program to highlight sites and partnerships across the region. The visitors participated in a student-led hike showcasing the school’s Bird Trail activity

This past Friday, U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Todd Young (R-IN), and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN-01) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a grant to Porter-Starke Services under the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment program. The $449,393 grant award is the first year of an anticipated $1.2 million program to address the increased instances of opiate addiction and overdose deaths.   Specifically, the funding will be used to increase access to medication assisted treatment plans, which include counseling and other supportive services. The funding also will be used to improve services to individuals in

Homecoming season is officially upon us and the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is increasing enforcement and presence throughout the County in an effort to keep our students and motorists safe. For the next month, South Central, New Prairie, La Porte and Michigan City high schools will be celebrating their homecomings, and each is a week-long celebration culminating with football games and dances. Traditionally, class rivalries and competitions occur during this week and at times have carried over in the form of incidents of underage drinking, reckless driving and criminal behavior such as vandalism. The Sheriff’s Office reminds students and

This past Friday, U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Todd Young (R-IN), and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN-01) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a grant to Porter-Starke Services under the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment program. The $449,393 grant award is the first year of an anticipated $1.2 million program to address the increased instances of opiate addiction and overdose deaths.   Specifically, the funding will be used to increase access to medication assisted treatment plans, which include counseling and other supportive services. The funding also will be used to improve services to individuals in

The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) with a new exhibit about Indiana's Latino community—both past and present. The exhibit, Be Heard: Latino Experiences in Indiana, features stories from the Mexican community of Northwest Indiana, including Indiana Harbor. Be Heard: Latino Experiences in Indiana delves into the almost 100-year-old roots of Indiana's Latino population through collection items and photos, being made public for the first time. In addition, the exhibit features excerpts from new oral history interviews conducted by Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, IHS coordinator of multicultural collections. Be Heard: Latino Experiences

This October, The Michigan City Fire Department is proud to participate in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in women after skin cancer. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness about the importance of detecting breast cancer early and help spread the word and encourage annual mammograms. Michigan City Firefighters will be wearing Breast Cancer Awareness shirts on duty during the Month of October. The shirts are also available to

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) continues to see upward trends in first-time freshman students and in the retention of continuing students in its 2018-19 fall enrollment count. The university increased its first-time freshman population to 1,172 students; a gain of 47 students over last year. Additionally, retention of continuing PNW students increased to a record high of 69.4 percent, representing an 8.6 percent jump in the past two years.

. The Michigan City Police have received unfortunate calls of vehicle entries over the last several days which include thefts, ransacking, and damages. MCPD gave several tips including: ⦁ Always lock your doors and roll up your windows when you park. ⦁ Activate your security system if you have one. ⦁ DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN PLAIN SIGHT ⦁ Don’t use the console or glove box as mobile lock boxes. These are obvious to thieves, too. ⦁ Don't hand them the keys MCPD stated in a press release “Hear Something, See Something…….SAY SOMETHING!”

To accommodate passengers attending Chicago Bears home games, the South Shore Line is planning select train stops at the 18th Street Station in Chicago. These stops are in addition to regular service to Museum Campus/11th Street. For the home game at 7:15p on Monday, Sept. 17, Train #220 arrives at 18th St. at 5:27p, and Train #20 at 6:06p. Following the game, Train #123 will depart 18th Street at 11:06p, and Train #101 will depart at 12:51a. Both terminate at Carroll Ave., Michigan City.

An Elkhart man crashed a stolen car late Thursday night on the Indiana Toll Road stating he felt like he was in a “dream”. Thursday, September 13, 2018, at approximately 9:32 p.m., Trooper Matthew Drudge took a preliminary report of a vehicle crash on west bound I-80/90 (Indiana Toll Road) at the 55.9 mile marker (this is the 3 North Service Plaza). The driver, later identified as Matthew J. Aaron, 36 of Elkhart, driving a 2014 Kia Soul, stated he felt like he was in a “dream”.  Evidence showed and witnesses stated that the Kia was at a high rate