Local News

The Indiana Secured School Safety Board recently approved more than $14 million in matching grants to enhance school security by allowing local school corporations to add resource officers, equipment and conduct threat assessments. During the board meeting, applications were approved for 388 schools that qualified for the Secured School Safety Grant program. Each school must produce a 50 percent match to qualify. “Indiana continues to be national leader in the safety and preparedness of our schools,” said Bryan Langley, board chair and executive director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS). “With support from Governor Holcomb and legislators, this

Monday July 9, 2018, is the start of the 17th annual Cops Cycling for Survivors bicycle ride across Indiana. A departure ceremony will be held at 8:30 a.m. EDT at the Police and Fire Fighters Memorial located at the southeast corner of the Indiana Government Center North Building on the State Capitol grounds in downtown Indianapolis. Indiana U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, Sarah and Laura Barrett, survivors of fallen Indiana State Police Trooper Daniel Barrett, will be speaking at the event. The route will head to our area on Day 8, Monday, July 16 – Kentland to Merrillville; Day 9, Tuesday,

On Sunday, July 8th, 2018 at approximately 11:22 AM (CST), La Porte County Sheriff's Office Deputies were dispatched to a personal injury crash at the intersection of State Road 8 and CR 875 West. The crash investigation conducted by deputies determined a green 2007 Volkswagon passenger vehicle had been traveling north on CR 875 West. The passenger vehicle failed to yield to a 2014 Peterbilt semi-tractor that was traveling east on State Road 8. The semi-tractor struck the passenger vehicle in the intersection forcing it off the roadway and into a ditch. Both occupants of the passenger vehicle were injured

Indiana State Police received multiple 911 calls regarding two vehicles driving aggressively along Interstate 65.  The incident started near the 236 mile marker, which is 4 miles south of the Lowell exit, and continued south to the 230 mile marker.  The vehicles were reported to be tailgating each other and changing their speeds at random.  One of the vehicles, a 2018 black Kia, was being driven by Angel Colon, 51, of Greenwood, Indiana.  The other vehicle, a 2004 tan Chevrolet, was being driven by Sherman Townsend, 44, of Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. Preliminary investigation by Corporal Dan Avitia revealed that Mr.

The Michigan City High School Athletic Department will host a " Sunset & Cocktails" fundraising event on Saturday, July 21 from 6 to 10 pm at Sunset Grille, North Pointe Pavilion in Michigan City's Washington Park. The event will include hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and a silent auction featuring a number of unique items -- including entertainment packages, an opportunity to call a play at a football game, court-side seating at basketball games, reserved seats at 2019 graduation and much more. Tickets are $75 per person and are available by contacting Athletic Director Craig Shaman at cshaman@educateMC.net or (219) 873-2043. Only 200 tickets

A law passed by the Indiana General Assembly earlier this year required the Indiana Election Commission to consolidate certain small Lake County precincts. If they did not complete the work by July 1, the responsibility was given to Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson. The Indiana Election Commission did not adopt a plan by the July 1 deadline, despite multiple meetings during which commission members deadlocked on party lines. Under Public Law 210-2018, Secretary Lawson is required to issue an order to consolidate precincts not later than August 1, 2018. Secretary Lawson is now calling on any Lake County voter

Attorney General Curtis Hill today praised a Marion Superior Court decision to grant final judgment in the state’s favor against a small group of marijuana enthusiasts operating in Indianapolis under the name “First Church of Cannabis.” The pro-marijuana plaintiffs began calling themselves a church in 2015 in order to poke fun at Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which they opposed, and to argue for the right to smoke pot as a matter of religious liberty. On this basis, the group then filed a lawsuit against state and local officials seeking relief from Indiana’s anti-marijuana statutes. On Friday, the Marion

The Indiana State Police Capitol Police Section is now accepting applications. Individuals who are interested in beginning a rewarding career as a Capitol Police Officer may apply online at https://www.in.gov/isp/2367.htm.  This website will provide a detailed synopsis of the application process as well as information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police Department. Applications must be received via online submission by 11:59 pm (EDT) on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.  Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. The academy begins on October 8, 2018. The starting salary for a Capitol Police Section Probationary Officer is $44,497.00 a year. The Indiana State Police Capitol Police

Attorney General Curtis Hill today called for a fair and thorough investigation into allegations of off-hours misconduct lodged against him by accusers, all of them anonymous until one revealed her identity today. The Attorney General made the following statement: “I now stand falsely accused of some of the same crimes I spent 28 years prosecuting. Yet without a thorough investigation -- without the right to face my accusers and review the evidence against me -- I am convicted by public officials demanding my resignation. I believed that the standard in this country is that you are innocent until proven guilty --

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statement Thursday regarding allegations made against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill: “Four women had the courage to step forward to report sexual harassment by the Indiana Attorney General. The findings of the recent legislative report are disturbing and, at a minimum, show a violation of the state’s zero tolerance sexual harassment policy. I concur with Sen. Long and Speaker Bosma that Attorney General Hill should resign, and I support a thorough investigation by the state’s Inspector General.”

The Porter County Health Department is accepting applications for the position of Part-Time Nursing Secretary/Billing Representative (21-28 hours per week). 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 Portage and Valparaiso locations as assigned. Applications can be picked up at the Porter County Health Department, 155 Indiana Ave., Ste. 104, Valparaiso, IN 46383. Drop off or mail applications along with a

La Porte Hospital is offering Safe Sitter courses for young teens, grades 6-8, to help them learn about home safety and the basics about how to be a safe babysitter. Upcoming classes are July 10 and August 2 at the hospital. Pre-registration is required by calling (219) 326-2322. The cost is $45. More than 600,000 young teens have graduated from this medically-accurate program that teaches how, why, and where injuries happen so they can be prevented. The course provides hands-on practice in lifesaving techniques to young teens who are home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting, so they are equipped

  As plans move forward to refine the inside design of the new La Porte Hospital, the project team released a new rendering depicting the outside of the facility, and has announced the selection of a general contractor. The latest rendering – the second version of the hospital design – depicts larger windows, and a more modern look, with silver and grey materials and tones that reflect the community’s natural lakeside landscape. The new La Porte Hospital – as announced before – will be a full-service acute care community hospital. The general contractor will be Robins & Morton, a firm

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that State Road 39, just south of North Judson, will close on or after Wednesday, July 11, until early October for a bridge replacement. The road will be closed between CR W. 500 N. and CR W. 400 N. State road detours must be on state-maintained roads only. Southbound drivers on SR 39 will be detoured east on State Road 10, south on U.S. 35 and west on State Road 14 back to SR 39. Northbound drivers on SR 39 will be detoured east on SR 14, north on U.S. 35 and west

Monday July 9, 2018, is the start of the 17th annual Cops Cycling for Survivors bicycle ride across Indiana. A departure ceremony will be held at 8:30 a.m. EDT at the Police and Fire Fighters Memorial located at the southeast corner of the Indiana Government Center North Building on the State Capitol grounds in downtown Indianapolis. Indiana U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, Sarah and Laura Barrett, survivors of fallen Indiana State Police Trooper Daniel Barrett, will be speaking at the event. A 9:00 a.m. departure from the memorial will take the cyclists south to the Southport Police Department where they will

Following the recent shooting at Noblesville West Middle School, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly urged Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to engage stakeholders in efforts to improve school safety. In a letter to Secretary DeVos, Donnelly relayed concerns from Indiana State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick, school resource officers in Indiana, and Hoosier students, parents, and teachers. These concerns include a critical need for social and emotional support programs that help address students’ mental and behavioral health needs, and the necessity to better identify children prone to violence. Earlier this year, Donnelly supported legislation that will provide grants to school systems for

Historic sites in Michigan City become museums for one night only. On Saturday, July 7 from 7-9 pm, attendees will meet at the Barker Mansion and walk to St. Mary the Immaculate Conception as a group. The church is 151 years old, and is intertwined in Barker history. Learn the Barker connection, view the Alfonso Iannelli altar and Stations of the Cross. Mansion Heritage Interpreter TJ Kalin and St. Mary’s Historian Pat Harris will lead the evening. The event costs $10 per adult and $5 per senior or youth. Proceeds will be split between the two organizations. Registration is required

The Porter County Surveyor is accepting applications to fill a full-time vacancy for the position of Surveyor Technician. This is a full-time FLSA Exempt position with a salary range of $40,000 to $42,500. Applications should be sent to Kevin Breitzke, Porter County Surveyor, no later than 4:30 PM on Monday July 9, 2018 at: Kevin Breitzke, PE, LS Porter County Surveyor 155 Indiana Ave., Suite #303 Valparaiso, IN 46383 (219) 465-3560 pH (219) 465-3811 FAX kbreitzke@porterco.org For more information and to download an application visit: www.porterco.org/jobs.aspx

The FDA posted the following press release on their website: Pinnacle Foods Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of Wish Bone House Italian Salad Dressing 15 oz. with the health and safety of our consumers as our top priority. The recall was initiated after learning from a retail customer that a limited number of bottles were mislabeled. The product contains milk and egg, known allergens not declared on the bottle. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk or egg may run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. If

Twenty-five year old Christopher M. Bangs, of LaPorte, was sentenced before District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. for transporting child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch. Bangs was sentenced to 88 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $27,500 total to six victims depicted in his child pornography collection.