Two new regional leaders are being elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra (LCSO) Board of Directors. Susan Aaron , Chairman of Vision Financial Services, and Dr. Thomas Keon , Chancellor of Purdue University Northwest will join the board at its September 9th meeting. Aaron and Keon will both serve on the LCSO's Engagement Committee.
Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced that Indiana farmers are eligible for assistance under a secretarial natural disaster designation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This was in response to a letter Gov. Holcomb sent to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue in July, requesting assistance due to the excessive rain and flooding farmers experienced during planting season. “I am grateful that Secretary Perdue and his team recognized the hardships Hoosier farmers experienced this planting season,” Gov. Holcomb said. “As a result of this designation, farmers in all 92 counties are now eligible for assistance, and I encourage those impacted
The La Porte Police Department is joining about 230 law-enforcement agencies across Indiana and thousands nationwide in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization. From mid-August through Labor Day, police will be working overtime to arrest impaired drivers. Expect to see increased sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and saturation patrols. Overtime patrols are supported with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds distributed by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). To assist with traffic enforcement, ICJI recently provided Indiana police agencies with: 2,600 portable breath tests to evaluate alcohol impairment in drivers,
The Duneland Chamber of Commerce will host their annual State of the Chamber & Community Awards Wednesday, July 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton. The event will start with a lively welcome from AM 1420-WIMS’ Ric Federighi as the Master of Ceremonies. Immediately following are the Community Awards portion of the program. Many local organizations, businesses, and individuals are being awarded for their efforts in making the Duneland community a better place to live, work, and play. For more information about the Duneland Chamber of Commerce or upcoming events, or to
The Office of the Attorney General successfully defended the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) this month against accusations brought by an inmate. In a federal jury trial in Indianapolis, an inmate accused the IDOC and private medical defendants of denying him adequate medical care for his acid reflux and other diagnosed conditions. The inmate claimed an IDOC official caused him harm by demonstrating deliberate indifference to his constitutional rights. After hearing testimony from the plaintiff, each defendant and two additional witnesses — and reviewing hundreds of exhibits entered at trial — the jury returned a verdict in favor of the
As Independence Day celebrations kick off in a couple weeks, the use of fireworks will increase in the area. 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 experienced property damage due to another person’s use of fireworks may be able to claim benefits under their homeowners or renters policy.
Indiana’s unemployment rate remains at 3.6 percent for May, and the national rate also stands at 3.6 percent. The monthly unemployment rate is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicator that reflects the number of unemployed people seeking employment within the prior four weeks as a percentage of the labor force. Indiana’s labor force had a net decrease of 10,677 over the previous month. This was a result of a decrease of 2,312 unemployed residents and a decrease of 8,365 employed residents. Indiana's total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3.40 million,
Earlier this month, middle school students from Michigan City and across LaPorte County tried out several career and technical programs at summer camps offered at the A.K. Smith Career Center. Areas of focus during the camps included Culinary, Automotive, Manufacturing, Welding, Construction, and Electronics & Energy. Students participated in hands-on activities and created projects, in some cases compiling portfolios documenting their projects for the week. Career Camps also included tours of local businesses and manufacturing facilities. The free camps were funded through a grant, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development Skill Up 3 initiative.
While the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) kicks off National Small Business Week on May 5th in Washington, D.C., small business owners and entrepreneurs around the country will celebrate with local and regional events. During the week of May 5 – 11, the SBA Indiana District Office will collaborate with resource partners and lenders offering unique opportunities for learning. According to District Director Stacey Poynter, the goal is to help more small business owners become aware of SBA products and services nearby. For more than 50 years, the SBA has taken the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs,
On Wednesday, May 8th, from 6 to 8 p.m., Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) will present its 2nd Annual Curatorial Roundtable. A panel of established and emerging art curators will exchange ideas about the role of the curator in this public, moderated discussion. All are welcome to observe the roundtable discussion and explore LCA’s exhibitions.
As part of “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” on Thursday, April 25, the South Shore Line invites up to three youth 18 years of age and under to ride for FREE on all trains April 25 with a fare-paying adult. A fare-paying adult applies to any paying parent or guardian. The youth riding free do not need to purchase a train ticket during this promotional day, and may simply board the train with their paying adult.
The South Shore Line announces that construction is set to begin that will add a second entrance/exit to the East Chicago Station platform.The project is expected to begin Monday, April 29, through December 2019, and will help accommodate the large influx of passengers at East Chicago Station.The improvements include converting the low-level platform to the east of the station into a covered walkway to access a new head house, stairwell and tunnel leading to the eastern parking lot.Additionally, other East Chicago Station projects include improvements to the existing head house, and the installation in 2020 of higher speed track switches
Troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell District coordinated with state police agencies from five other states, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia last week on a joint ‘Six State Trooper’ enforcement project. As part of this traffic enforcement concentration was also given to catching those drivers who failed to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles. During this same time period April 14-April 20th, troopers were also doing Human Trafficking interdiction.Their results were:Move Over Violation 24 ticketsMove Over Violation 28 warningsTotal traffic arrests 123 ticketsSpeeding arrests 36 ticketsTotal warnings 267 warningsPublic Services 65 Driving While Suspended 11Criminal
Last week, Senator Mike Braun embarked on a two-week Solutions Tour to listen to Hoosiers' thoughts about lowering prescription drug prices, lowering the cost of higher education, and enacting policies that spur economic growth.Upcoming Local stops include: Wednesday, April 24, at 6:30 PM ETLaPorte County Lincoln Day DinnerLa Porte Civic Auditorium1001 Ridge StLa Porte, Indiana Thursday, April 25, at 1:00 PM ETValparaiso Chamber LunchAberdeen Manor216 Ballantrae StValparaiso, Indiana Thursday, April 25, at 2:45 PM ETTour of Indiana Dunes National ParkIndiana Dunes National Park1215 N State Rd 49Chesterton, Indiana Thursday, April 25, at 4:15 PM ETVisit at Strack's GroceryStrack & Van
Attorney General Curtis Hill praised a decision this week by the Indiana Court of Appealsupholding the constitutionality of Indiana’s Right to Farm Act.Indiana’s statute limits the scenarios in which an agricultural operation may be sued for nuisance. The purpose, as the law states, is “to conserve, protect, and encourage the development and improvement of agricultural land for the production of food and other agricultural products” and “to reduce the loss to the state of its agricultural resources.”In a case decided Monday, property owners adjacent to an expanding livestock operation challenged the law on the premise that their residential properties lost
Barker Middle School’s Student Council on Saturday, April 13th, conducted video interviews of four Korean War Veterans. These four veterans were invited by the Student Council so that their legacy and sacrifices in the Korean War could be preserved and learned by future generations. Veterans that were interviewed were: Ed Werner of Michigan City, Indiana; Carl Grose of Valparaiso, Indiana; Jim Toutloff of LaPorte, Indiana; and Harold Broertjes of Hammond, Indiana.Barker’s Student Council acted as oral historians connecting the gap between the region’s generations. The Korean War is often remembered as the “forgotten war”, however, Barker’s Student Council wants to
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) this week will submit to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) its most recent list of teacher shortage areas. Including such areas as Exceptional Needs and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Indiana’s list highlights the statewide struggle to find teachers for nearly 15 subjects.Beginning in 1990, USDOE began asking states to annually submit a list of areas highlighting the need for more teachers. IDOE’s submission includes: Business, Computer Education, Computer Science, CTE Licensure Areas (all), Early Childhood Education, Exceptional Needs (all), Fine Arts: Instrumental and General Music, Fine Arts: Vocal and General Music,
This Friday there will be an all you can eat fish fry from 5-8PM at American Legion Post #21 on Highway 421 in Westville. Dinner includes:hand breaded pollock, chicken strips, french fries, creamy coleslaw, salad, rolls and free homemade desserts. Special veterans and senior pricing: Adults-$9.00, Seniors(60yrs+) & Vets-$8.00, Kids 12 & under-$5.00, Preschoolers-Free. Carry-outs are available.
Jasper County Economic Development Organization, Newton County Economic Development, the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board and WorkOne are continuing their partnership to host the 2nd Annual Jasper and Newton County Job Fair. The job fair will be held on Wednesday, May 1, at the Jasper County Fairgrounds in the West Building from 2:30-4:00pm. Jobseekers are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resume and dress in business professional attire. Anyone needing free assistance to prepare for the event can stop by a WorkOne Center. For a list of WorkOne locations visit www.gotoworkonenw.com or call 1-877-607-0680.
The South Shore Line plans to periodically bus passengers between Carroll Ave. and the South Bend Airport while they upgrade track and segments of overhead wire between Michigan City and South Bend. The temporary busing periods will occur at various times throughout the spring/summer, with the first of these periods being scheduled for Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 17, (this includes the weekend of May 11-12). Busing availability at the South Bend Airport will be limited, therefore westbound passengers are encouraged to board at Carroll Ave. Station or other western stations. Bus service to and from Hudson Lake will
