Local News

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) Nominating Committee is soliciting applications from people interested in filling an upcoming vacancy on the commission created by the expiration of Angela Weber’s term. Applications will be accepted today through Monday, April 9, 2018, and must be received in the Governor’s Office by close of business that day. After the close of the application period, the nominating committee will conduct a public meeting to interview applicants and will present Gov. Holcomb with a list of the three most highly qualified candidates, from which he may fill the vacancy. Applications for the position may be

The Indiana Department of Workforce development released new employment and unemployment data. Indiana’s unemployment rate stands at 3.2 percent for February and remains lower than the national rate of 4.1 percent. Indiana’s labor force had a net increase of 2,495 over the previous month. This was a result of 2,243 unemployed residents no longer seeking employment within the past four weeks, and a 4,738 increase in residents employed. Indiana's total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3.31 million, and the state’s 63.7 percent labor force participation rate remains above the national rate of

The La Porte County Drug Task Force announced the arrest of 24 year Jessica N. Dawson, La Porte. Probable cause was found to charge Dawson with two counts of Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (heroin) Level 5 Felony. Ms. Dawson was taken into custody by The Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (F.A.S.T.) without incident at Country Acres Apartment Complex in La Porte, on March 21st. The La Porte County Drug Task Force encourages citizens to report suspected drug activity via social media, or the crime tip hotline 873-1488. All arrested parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of

At a bill signing for legislation that creates sexual harassment prevention policies for the Indiana General Assembly, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and Chief Justice Loretta Rush shared changes to sexual harassment training policies for the state’s executive and judicial branches. The governor signed House Enrolled Act 1309 in his office Thursday with the bill’s author state Rep. Karen Engleman, Senate sponsors Sen. Jim Buck and Sen. Tim Lanane, and co-author Rep. Cherrish Pryor. The bill requires annual sexual harassment training for all members of the General Assembly.

This week, Governor Eric Holcomb signed into law Senate Bill 387 (SB387), the Teacher Permits, Examinations, and Salaries bill, which incorporates extensive feedback and recommendations from Teach Plus Indiana Policy Fellows and alumni. Teach Plus teachers provided detailed comments on the bill’s content and offered recommendations that have been included as amendments. Teachers have testified before the Senate education committee and have been featured in the local media supporting the bill. SB387 provides for supplemental pay to special education and STEM teachers outside the bargaining agreement, with the intent of giving school corporations the flexibility to increase pay to attract

LaPorte County Prosecuting Attorney John Espar announced that a Porter County resident has been charged with OWI causing death and reckless homicide. As a result of a traffic accident that happened in southern LaPorte County. In February 16th, 46 year old Jeffery Bilyak, a dentist residing in Chesterton, was northbound near the 20000 south block of US 421 when he attempted to pass a semi. This occured during extremely reduced visibility conditions, which had previously that morning caused LaPorte County to be under a travel advisory due to dense fog causing visibility to be less than a quarter of a

Michigan City High School welcomed six students from Zama Sogo High School in Japan for ten days earlier this month, March 10-20. The two high schools have had a "sister school" relationship for several years, and students from Zama Sogo visit both Michigan City and Chesterton each year, staying with host families. At a farewell dinner on March 19, the MCHS student hosts (Kiara Stansil, Zack Parker, Lauren Werner, Liz LaFollette, Reese Attar, and Kendyl Adney) gave farewell speeches in Japanese and the Zama Sogo students gave speeches in English. After many photos, hugs, tears, line dancing, and laughter, the

A Dodge Challenger Hellcat was tamed on the Indiana Toll Road on Tuesday evening for driving 160 miles per hour, over twice the speed limit. On March 20, 2018, around 7:00 p.m., Trooper Dustin Eggert was merging back into traffic after helping a broke down motorist near the 45 mile marker eastbound when an Orange Dodge Challenger Hellcat passed him at a high rate of speed. Eggert purportedly saw the Hellcat weaving in and out of traffic without using turn signals as it moved around slower vehicles. Eggert sped up to catch up to the Hellcat and soon found himself

On Tuesday, March 20th, 2018 at approximately 11:20 AM (CST), Deputies from the       La Porte County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a two-vehicle personal injury crash that had occurred on US Highway 20 at the intersection of Fail Road, in rural Kankakee Township.  Deputies arrived at the scene and determined two (2) subjects were injured as a result of the crash.       The crash investigation revealed that a 2007 Peterbilt semi-tractor, driven by Patrick HOFF (54 YOA) of Modale, Iowa was traveling westbound on US 20.  Deputies learned HOFF disregarded the traffic control device at the intersection of US

The Alliance for a Healthier Indiana is hosting a series of town hall meetings in 2018 to discuss public health issues plaguing the state. Between April and October, the State of Our Health Road Show will stop in 17 Hoosier cities. The tour will be in East Chicago on May 1st, Gary on May 2nd and South Bend on May 3rd. The State of Our Health Road Show meetings are free and open to the public. Space is limited, and registration is required. For more information on the State of Our Health Road Show and becoming a partner, visit HealthierIndiana.org

Indiana American Water announced that it is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to promote Fix a Leak Week, which runs through March 25th. The national campaign, part of the EPA’s WaterSense program, raises awareness about small leaks and other water waste that might be occurring within homes. Across the U.S., EPA estimates that U.S. households waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water due to leaks and that the average household could cut 10 percent off their water bill by spending a couple of hours every few months checking for and repairing these leaks. More information can be

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces the reopening of SR 331, between 9th Road and 10th Road, in Marshall County. This stretch of SR 331 was closed back in February due to damage caused by the historic rainfall and flooding that hit the entire Northwest District of INDOT. INDOT maintenance crews were able to expedite a project to fix the roadway.

A semi lost control, after hitting a tire, overturning his trailer, and catching his tractor on fire, blocking three lanes of west bound traffic on I-80/94 at Calumet Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. Preliminary investigation by Sergeant Lee Wright revealed at approximately 12:41 p.m., a 2014 Volvo tractor pulling a rail container, operated by Evans Delivery Company out of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and driven by Amrik Bal, 56 of Indianapolis, was west bound on I-80/94 when he hit a tire that was laying in the left middle lane. The truck then hit the concrete barrier median wall causing the trailer to lose

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and John McCain (R-Ariz.) today announced that a bipartisan Senate resolution condemning the Burmese campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya and calling for the “safe, dignified, voluntary and sustainable return” of the refugees who have been displaced by this violence was voted out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on a bipartisan vote with unanimous support. The senators introduced the resolution in January, as planned repatriation from Bangladesh to Burma was postponed amid fears that the repatriation as planned would be neither safe nor voluntary.

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today introduced legislation to strengthen Internal Revenue Service (IRS) accountability for the billions of taxpayer dollars it spends each year to develop and maintain information technology (IT) systems. “The IRS exists to serve taxpayers, and they need modern technology and a strong IT infrastructure to do that effectively,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “However, after repeated mistakes, failures, and excuses, the American people have lost confidence that the IRS can get it right. This bill will help close the trust gap by restoring accountability, reforming the acquisition process, and improving long-term strategic planning so taxpayers once again have

An Indiana State Police trooper recovered two handguns that had been reported stolen only an hour before. Early Tuesday morning, Trooper James Brasseur stopped a car on I-80/94 west bound one mile west of Grant Street for doing 93 in a 55 mile per hour posted speed zone. The driver, later identified as 22 year old Tywoun D. Nixon of Gary was found to have never been licensed. A search of the car revealed two Glock 9 mm handguns found under the front passenger seat. One of the handguns was loaded and one was not. Two fully loaded magazines were

U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would permanently authorize a program to allow for dedicated funding for review of permit applications with the Army Corps of Engineers for some infrastructure projects. Under current law, public utilities, natural gas companies, and railroads can provide financing for permitting reviews to potentially speed up the process, however the authorization for that financing mechanism is scheduled to expire in 2024. The Donnelly-Portman bill would permanently extend this authorization.  

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today signed two workforce-focused bills at Cummins Global Distribution Center in downtown Indianapolis. The bills—HEA 1002 and SEA 50—were among Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level priorities for the 2018 legislative session. “These two bills position us to transform the state’s current approach to workforce development,” Gov. Holcomb said. “In the months ahead, we’ll assess our current programs, align them better to the needs of real job creators, and make them more accessible and easier to use.” This new legislation will expand access to training funds for Hoosier adults and employers via the state’s Next Level Jobs initiative.

The Indiana Supreme Court, Office of Admissions and Continuing Education, has an immediate opening for a full-time Support Specialist/Processor. The salary for the position is $35,000 and higher based on qualifications and experience. The Indiana Supreme Court, Disciplinary Commission, also has an immediate opening for a full-time Administrative Assistant. The salary for the position is $32,000.00 and higher based on qualifications and experience. State of Indiana benefits apply. Deadline to apply for these positions is March 30, 2018. For more information visit: www.in.gov/judiciary/2621.htm

During the 2018 session, House Republicans successfully passed legislation boosting K-12 school funding, strengthening the workforce, attacking the opioid epidemic and increasing government efficiency. House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) discussed advancing these top priorities and continuing to move Indiana forward. Bosma also talked about new policies including House Bill 1002 and Senate Bill 50. these bills are now heading to Governor Eric Holcomb for consideration as new laws.