Local News

The Michigan City Fire and Police Departments encourage residents to enjoy fireworks in the safest possible manner. The Indiana State Law governing the use and sale of fireworks in Indiana is now in effect, and the following changes apply to Michigan City residents: • Only adults age 18 and older are allowed to purchase fireworks, for use in Indiana. • Private fireworks may be set off ONLY on the user's property, the property of someone who has consented to the use of fireworks, or at a special discharge location designated by the State Fire Marshal. Fireworks may not be discharged

NIPSCO announced Friday the completion of the new 100-mile Reynolds-Topeka electric transmission line project, connecting NIPSCO’s Reynolds substation (in Reynolds, Ind.), Burr Oak substation (in Burr Oak, Ind.) and Hiple Substation (near Topeka, Ind.). The 345-kilovolt (kV) line will enhance system reliability, offer environmental benefits by increasing access to wind and solar energy, and allow for greater access to supplies of electricity, including improved access to lower-cost electricity for customers. Last week also marked the completion of the nearly 70-mile Greentown-Reynolds 765-kV line, connecting the Greentown Station near Kokomo, Ind., to the Reynolds Station located in Reynolds, Ind. Greentown-Reynolds was

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH) are urging Hoosiers to take steps to prevent illness while visiting events where pigs are exhibited following confirmation of a case of influenza in a resident with exposure to pigs. This is the first human case of H3N2 variant influenza reported in Indiana since 2013 and the first human case in the U.S. this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which confirmed the test results Friday. H3N2 variant influenza is most commonly associated with contact with pigs. The Indiana resident became

As Independence Day approaches, Hoosiers are encouraged to practice safety when it comes to fireworks. In 2017, 77 percent of all reported firework injuries occurred from July 1-7, and 39.5 percent of all firework injuries occurred on July 4. “Fireworks can cause serious injuries if not properly handled,” said State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson. “If planning to use personal fireworks, always follow label instructions and keep precautions such as a hose or bucket of water nearby. Taking a few seconds to think about safety is important for everyone involved.” The State Fire Marshal oversees the Indiana Department of Homeland Security

Beginning July 1, Indiana residents placed for adoption before Jan. 1, 1993, can request access to their birth records from the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) due to a change in state law. These records have been generally unavailable to adoptees until now. Records of adoptions that took place prior to Jan. 1, 1993, were automatically closed unless the birth parent gave consent for his or her information to be made available. With the signing of Senate Enrolled Act 91 in 2016, these records will now be open unless the biological parent files a nondisclosure form with ISDH. Hoosiers

The South Shore Line will operate a weekend/holiday train schedule on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, in observance of Independence Day. South Shore ticket offices will also observe holiday hours on July 4, with the Millennium Station ticket office open from 9:35 a.m. to 5 p.m. All other ticket offices will be closed. Please note bike-rack equipped train cars will be available on select weekend/holiday trains on July 4. To learn more about Bikes on Trains, including a list of available bike trains, please visithttps://www.mysouthshoreline.com/plan-your-trip/bikes-on-trains. NICTD's administrative offices in Chesterton and Michigan City will be closed on July 4 in observance

As the Heat Index is expected to rise this weekend, the Michigan City Fire Department is urging residents and visitors to play it safe by beating the heat. This summer, the Michigan City Fire Department along with LaPorte County EMS will respond to numerous calls for heat-related emergencies. While many heat-related problems are not life threatening, hundreds die across the nation each year due to heat-related illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta. CDC records also show that from 1979 to 2003, excessive heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States. Those most at risk

The Indiana Department of Insurance is warning Hoosier homeowners and renters that accidental damage caused by fireworks that are banned in their counties may not be covered by their homeowners or renters insurance policies. Many insurance policies contain provisions disclaiming coverage for illegal acts committed by the insured. However, consumers who experience property damage due to another person’s use of fireworks may be able to claim benefits under their homeowners or renters policy. Indiana Fire Marshal Jim Greeson pointed out that the fourth of July has the largest number of building fires on a single day than any other day

State health officials are urging Indiana residents to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites as the state begins to see West Nile virus activity in mosquitoes. As of June 27, mosquitoes in Elkhart County and Carroll County have tested positive for West Nile virus. No human cases of West Nile virus disease have been detected in 2018; however, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) expects to continue to see increased West Nile activity throughout the state as the mosquito season progresses. To see the latest results of ISDH’s mosquito surveillance, go to https://gis.in.gov/apps/ISDH/Arbo/. To learn more about West

The La Porte Jaycees are pleased to announce this year’s 4th of July festivities. -45th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival – Saturday, June 30: The holiday kicks off with our 45th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival on June 30 from 8am-1pm at the corner of Lincolnway and Monroe Streets in La Porte. The Arts & Crafts Festival is held in conjunction with the La Porte Farmer’s Market. There will be many vendors including food, jewelry, clothing, soaps, books, bags, plants, etc. The La Porte Jaycees limited edition 4th of July t-shirts will be on sale for $20 each at this

With extreme heat and humidity expected during the Michigan City Patriotic Parade on Saturday, June 30th, the City of Michigan City would like to remind those attending to be cognizant of the effects extreme heat can have on your health.  Those most at risk to heat related issues are the elderly and children under the age of 5. During the parade, LaPorte County Emergency Management will have a cooling station located at the corner of Franklin Street and Barker Avenue. The cooling station will be staffed with a nurse and water will be available for anyone suffering from heat related

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski voted on Thursday to invest in rebuilding the military, providing servicemembers their biggest pay raise in nine years, and supporting military families. “Our servicemembers and their families make tremendous sacrifices to keep America safe, and we are making sure they have the tools, training, and support they need,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “This investment in our national security will continue rebuilding the military so it can confront any threat, and it will give the brave men and women of our Armed Forces their biggest pay raise in nine years.” The House this week also passed a motion to

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day and is forecasting high ozone levels for Friday in the following areas: -Central Indiana – Marion, Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Monroe, Morgan and Shelby -North Central Indiana – St. Joseph, Elkhart -Northeast Indiana – Allen, Huntington -Northwest Indiana – Lake, Porter, LaPorte -Southeast Indiana – Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Scott and Washington IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone by making simple changes to their daily habits. You can: -Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation -Avoid using the drive-through

The Purdue Northwest Women’s Association (PNWA) will kick off its day-trip season with an excursion Saturday, July 21 to Chicago to see the musical, “The Color Purple.” The trip is open to everyone—women and men—in the local community. Registration is encouraged, as seats on the luxury bus are limited. Boarding begins at 7:15 a.m. in front of Schwarz Hall on the Westville Campus, 1401 S. U.S. Highway 421. Riders boarding at the Hammond Campus will be picked up at 8 a.m. at the southwest corner of the Student Union Library Building, 2233 173rd St. Included are stops at the studio

County Fireworks Ordinance 07-09: -Between the hours of 5:00pm and two (2) hours after sunset (Chicago area sunsets are at approximately 8:30pm) on June 29-30, July 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 -Between the hours of 10am and 12am on July 4th -Between the hours of 10am on December 31 and 1am on January 1 During these dates and times, Officers will NOT be dispatched unless: there is injury, property damage, the fireworks are being set off in a reckless/dangerous manner, fireworks being thrown from a moving vehicle; dispatch as a suspicious vehicle complaint. Remember to check with

A fare increase approved by the NICTD Board will take effect on Sunday, July 1st. The new fares represent a 5% increase rounded to the nearest quarter ($0.25). Check out mysouthshoreline.com for a complete list of new fares. The changes will apply to all fare types, beginning with July monthly ticket sales, and apply to all stations except Hegewisch. Metra controls Hegewisch fares and approved an increase effective Feb.1st. Due to the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) over the next year, the South Shore Line fare increases are a necessary means of supporting the PTC safety upgrades and improvements

The 4th of July holiday kicks off with the La Porte Jaycees 45th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival on June 30 from 8am-1pm at the corner of Lincolnway and Monroe Streets in La Porte.  The Arts & Crafts Festival is held in conjunction with the La Porte Farmer’s Market.  They will have many vendors including food, jewelry, clothing, soaps, books, bags, plants, etc.  The La Porte Jaycees limited edition 4th of July t-shirts will be on sale for $20 each at this event.

Effective July 1st, Indiana House Bill 1248 becomes law and will amend Indiana Code 10-13-5-4.4 to include “missing endangered child”. The amended law defines a ‘missing endangered child’ as a missing child who is believed to be incapable of returning to the missing child’s residence without assistance because of: 1. Mental illness; 2. Intellectual disability; or 3. Another physical or mental disability The change in the law has resulted in an update to the Silver Alert criteria, as listed below: 1. The person must be a Missing Endangered Adult, Missing Endangered Child, High Risk Missing Person or have a mental

Indiana Auditor of State Tera Klutz, CPA, made the “big-reveal” of the updated Indiana Transparency Portal (ITP) offering Hoosiers a more accessible and in-depth look at the state’s finances and assets. Utilizing the latest in data delivery technology, Auditor Klutz worked closely with several state partners to update the site that has been traditionally known for receiving the highest awards for government transparency. The transformation includes interactive dashboards that provide overviews of some of the more popular and the most complex financial information about state revenue and expenditures. The site can be accessed by visiting www.in.gov/itp .

On Monday at approximately 7:45pm, Officers from shift two of the Michigan City Police Department responded to a report of three male subjects fighting in the 700 block of Belden with one reportedly having a knife. Upon arrival of Officer Cody Washluske and Matthew Babcock, observed several individuals outside the residence and an additional red Chevy Tahoe parked in the middle of the road. As Officer Babcock had his emergency lights activated, and before he could exit the vehicle, the red Chevy Tahoe began driving in reverse, and accelerated towards Officer Babcock’s police car. With no chance for reaction the