Local News

A tour at Michigan City’s Barker Mansion on April 7 at 6:15 pm titled From Opposite Shores: Young Titan and Midwest Millionaire will explore the correlation between one of Britain’s most notable Prime Ministers and one of the American Midwest’s wealthiest industrialists. Winston Churchill and John Barker may have lived shores apart, but comparisons will be gained by looking at their failures and successes within their personal and public lives. Guests will experience the Barker Mansion’s efficacious innovative additions in the form of electricity, plumbing and heating during the time frame of 1901-1915. The tour will lead participants through the back rooms

INDOT announced the reopening of two stretches of state highway that were closed for weeks due to floodwaters, while another stretch remains closed. State Road 39 is back open, between State Road 10 and U.S. 30, also State Road 8 is back open, between U.S. 35 to State Road 39. These stretches were closed back in February due to high water from historic rainfall and remained closed, despite that high waters appeared to have receded, to allow for testing to ensure there was no damage on or under the roadway. Some minor repairs will be needed on these highways in

In honor of National Stop the Bleed Day on March 31, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s (IDHS) Division of Training and Preparedness is reminding Hoosiers of basic training and services available to help save a life during emergency situations. Stop the Bleed is a national campaign launched by the White House in October 2015. As part of the agency’s training and preparedness goals, IDHS is working to make Bleeding Control Basic courses more available throughout Indiana. For additional information about IDHS and the Stop the Bleed initiative, visit dhs.in.gov

The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame (IMVHOF) will celebrate the grand opening of its memorial building on Thursday April 5th 2-3pm in the Indianapolis area. The building is the only one of its kind in the nation, honoring inductees of the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame from all branches of the Armed Forces. The organization honors Hoosiers who demonstrate outstanding military and civilian service.The event Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame 5360 Herbert Lord Road, Indianapolis, IN 46216. Call (317) 630-1363 if you would like to attend.

Portage Police have an update regarding a February Hit & Run Fatal crash on Hamstrom Road in which Joseph Bonner was struck and killed. 40 year old Simmie D. Fluker of Gary is in custody on the charges of leaving the Scene Resulting in Death, and Felony and Driving while suspended resulting death.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is warning and alerting citizens of a scam. Earlier this month, a homeowner who resides in northern La Porte County, was approached by 3 alleged contractors at her residence. The subjects advised the homeowner that Indiana law required a yearly chimney inspection. The homeowner agreed to allow the subjects to “inspect” her chimney. Upon the completion of the “inspection”, the homeowner provided one of the subjects with a substantial amount of money. The three suspects are Caucasian males; one being approximately 6’0” in height, having dark hair, in his mid-30’s, another being approximately 6’0”

Attorney General Curtis Hill announced today his office will appeal a Lake County judge’s decision prohibiting the state from recovering funds overpaid to two former administrators in the Munster school district. In 2016, the State Board of Accounts (SBOA) found that former Superintendent William Pfister and former Assistant Superintendent Richard Sopko, both now retired, received annuity payments during their tenure to which they were not entitled. The SBOA designated more than $841,000 as misappropriated -- $463,922.75 of which went to Pfister and $377,475.28 of which went to Sopko. A Lake County judge ordered that the state could not collect any

This morning, just after 4 a.m., Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to an unknown address on Long Lane for a reported structure fire. Members of the Scipio Township Volunteer Fire Department arrived and located the structure fire. The residence, located at the 3200 block of South Long Lane, in rural Scipio Township, was a complete loss. In addition to the residence being a complete loss, two motor vehicles that were in an attached garage, were also destroyed during the fire. Fire Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene and began to investigate. The Fire Investigators successfully made contact with

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is warning Hoosiers about the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids, often called fake weed, K2, spice, OMG, Scooby Snacks, AK-47 or other names, after reports this month that individuals in Illinois and Indiana suffered severe bleeding after using the substances. Healthcare providers, schools and health departments encountering unusual cases of bleeding in individuals should inquire about potential exposures to synthetic marijuana. Anyone who has a serious reaction to synthetic cannabinoids should call 911 or go to the emergency department immediately. Individuals who experience bleeding symptoms should not take themselves to the emergency department but

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that $161.2 million in federal transportation funding is being awarded to 66 cities, towns, and counties in rural portions of Indiana to invest in local road and bridge improvements as well as sidewalk and trail projects. Combined with local funds, approximately $212 million is being invested in infrastructure in communities receiving funds. Types of projects receiving funds include 27 bridge rehabilitation/replacement projects; 31 resurfacing/reconstruction projects; 17 Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) projects that include work such as sidewalks, ADA ramps, and trails; and 6 traffic safety projects. A list of all communities receiving funds

Sheriff John T. Boyd is announcing the 39th Annual Indiana Sheriff’s Association North Youth Leadership Camp that will be held in June of this coming summer. The session will be June 26th through June 29th at Pine Creek Camp in Pine Village, located in Warren County, Indiana. The Indiana Sheriff’s Association Youth Leadership Camp is a program provided by the Indiana Sheriff’s Association for boys and girls who are currently in the 7th or 8th grade of school and are interested in learning more about a possible career in law enforcement. The camp provides a very meaningful experience and an

An abortion law that goes into effect in Indiana this summer isn't sitting well with some, and the idea of a legal challenge is being tossed around. Governor Eric Holcomb, who bills himself as pro-life, signed SEA 340 last weekend. It requires doctors to disclose the age, education, marital status and race of the woman who receives an abortion. It also keeps track of the number of abortions each patient has had. Patti Stauffer from Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky says it puts unnecessary restrictions into place and is government intrusion into the sacred relationship between doctors and their

The Michigan City Police began receiving information through citizens of Michigan City of the latest scam attempt. Although this one has been around awhile it still comes up in different variations all of which appear to be an emergency. This scam is where someone’s email account has been “hacked” and the hacker then has access to your “contact list”. With this information the hacker then sends emails out to your friends and personalizes each one using your name. The scam email goes something like this... "Mike, I hope you don’t think I’m crazy but I am in trouble and I

On Tuesday night, officers with the South Bend Police Department were dispatched to the 1300 block of Elwood Avenue in reference to an unwanted party refusing to leave. South Bend police dispatched officers to respond. One officer arrived before any others. Witnesses advised investigators that during the course of the response, the unwanted person assaulted that officer and a physical confrontation ensued. During that confrontation, the officer discharged his firearm, striking the unwanted person. The unwanted person was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The officer was also transported to the hospital. He was treated and released. In order

In St. Joseph County Indiana, an autopsy was conducted on deceased individual, Jessica Yost, who was found March 24, 2018, near the front of Wilson Primary Center after police were called to a house in the 56700 block of Oak Road, South Bend. Initial information provided to investigators indicated that Ms. Yost had been shot. After further investigation, investigators received information that Ms. Yost had been stabbed and not shot. This information was corroborated by the autopsy results, in which a forensic pathologist determined her cause of death to be a stab wound to the chest and ruled the cause

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announces the recent arrest of David E. ALLEN (71) of Michigan City, Indiana.  In October of 2017, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation when sexual abuse was reported by a family member of a victim.  While conducting the investigation, Detective Jennifer Rhine-Walker, lead investigator in the case, was alerted to other possible victims.  As a result, several more victims of ALLEN were identified.       The investigation continued into 2018 and eventually Detective Rhine-Walker presented probable cause to the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office.  On January 30th, 2018 an arrest warrant

Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne released a joint statement today following their meeting in Toronto: “Ontario and Indiana share a strong partnership — one that is vital to the success of workers and businesses in both our regions and to our economies. Today, we signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will enable Ontario and Indiana to work together even more closely to build on our economic growth, create a more competitive business climate, foster collaboration in research and technology, and create the good jobs that will help our people succeed in a rapidly changing

As primary elections approach, the Indiana Department of Transportation reminds Hoosiers that campaign signs are prohibited from state right-of-way according to Indiana Code 9-21-4-6.  INDOT personnel are required by state law to remove all unauthorized signs within the state right-of-way. Areas that should remain sign-free include: Intersections Interchanges Rights-of-way that run parallel to highways Where the right of way is not clearly marked, boundaries may be estimated as the fence line, the back of the ditch or behind utility poles. INDOT personnel will remove campaign signs and other illegal signs from right-of-way—pursuant to code —as they are encountered in normal

Barker Middle School seventh grade student Eric Wroblewski competed in the Hoosier State Science and Engineering Fair in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 24. He earned the "Pete Kissinger Entrepreneurial Spirit Award" in the Junior Division for his project, "Till - No Till," which explored the impact of tilling soil on corn yield. Wroblewski won second place in the Junior Biological Division at the Valparaiso University Regional Science & Engineering Fair before advancing to the state event.

The St. Joseph County (Indiana) Prosecutor’s Office has charged 18 year old Jermaine Newsome, with Robbery Resulting in Bodily Injury. He is charged in the March 22nd robbery and shooting of Dazhon Howard in the 1700 block of N. Elmer St., South Bend. The Prosecutor's Office wants to remind people to please be advised that the charges filed against the defendant are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.